Page 111 of Cerulean Truth
“He’s been fighting the Council on decisions, going behind their backs, ignoring rules they’ve set forth. The Council wants to make sure you understand what’s at stake here and help guide him the right way, if necessary,” he concluded.
The real motive behind Jackson’s revelation began to dawn on me.
“So you’re here for the Council? Not for your friend?” I asked harshly.
“Those things don’t necessarily exclude each other.”
“You want me to steer James the Council’s way?” I raised my brow, indicating hell would freeze over before I would. James wasn’t my favorite person right now, but I still had some sense of loyalty to the person who had been training me for the last six weeks and had helped me cover up an attempted murder.
Jackson laughed. “Hell fucking no. The Council asked me to convey a message to you, and I have. My mission is completed. But you do what’s right for you and James. If that happens to align with the Council’s interests, then fine.”
“And if it doesn’t?” I asked sharply.
Jackson paused, then answered deliberately. “Then I’ll stand with the both of you and we’ll face the Council together.”
I blinked, realizing that Jackson may have come as a messenger for the Council but was delivering a wholly different message.
In response, I raised my glass at him, and he reciprocated.
“One more thing, though,” he added. “If the Council finds out James is struggling with his temper, they might get scared he’s losing control again and rethink his position as our next Leader. It’s incredibly important that does not happen.” Jackson eyed me carefully.
“I wouldn’t want that either,” I reassured him quickly.
He smiled. “Then we understand each other.”
I smiled back at him. “Yes, we do.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
JAMES
After my fight with Emma, and with Enzo, and with Jackson about both, I received a call from Matthew, suggesting another visit to The Cube, to which I agreed.
Once there, I gave him an earful for not having found anyone adequate enough to train Emma, making it effectively my task. I was fuming, and Matthew took the brunt of it. Since he specialized in emotions though, he quickly caught on the anger wasn’t entirely about him.
“James, why are you so angry about training Emma? I thought the Council had specifically tasked you with it to ensure her age wouldn’t pose any threat to the Great exposure? And isn’t that something you’re all about?”
The Maumars and I had decided to keep her abduction a secret, so to him, that was the only explanation available.
“Plus,” he continued, “what difference does it make? I mean, it’s not like she’s an ex or something.” He laughed, but when he saw my expression, his demeanor shifted slowly.
“Wait a minute…” His eyes widened. “Do you like this chick or something? Are you attracted to her?” he asked, full of astonishment.
“What? Where the hell is that coming from?” I yelled, too loudly. “She’s the biggest pain in my ass, andyoumade it so that for the next few weeks,sheis my daily obligation andsheis not how I like to start my mornings!” I grumbled.
“That’s not an answer to my question,” Matthew said matter-of-factly. “Are you attracted to her?”
“I don’t see how it’s any of your business,” I replied tightly.
Matthew burst out laughing. “Oh hell, this isrich!James fucking Walker is finally into a woman and she’s fuckinghuman!Can we please portal in the United Chiefs to mark this moment in history?”
“She’s not human,” I said annoyed. “She’s as magi as you and me, don’t be so judgmental.”
“She is barely a maga, she just started Scola! I can’t believe you’re into her…Creepin’ up on an Entry is just wrong, no matter how old they are,” he teased.
“She’s not an Entry,” I mumbled.
“No, she’s notevenan Entry!” He laughed. “And that’s the part you’re focused on? Not the part where I accuse you of creeping up on her?”
