Chapter 9
Cornelius knocked on the door. It was a conversation that needed to be had, for Dante to understand what the ritual was, and with Titus busy the task fell to Cornelius. He was the one who knew most about the ritual, but certain elements would need to be kept secret.
Dante could see Cornelius through the door. Not answering was the logical thing to do, because it wasn’t a conversation he was ready for, but he still let Cornelius in. It was a necessary evil. Cornelius might not be working with Titus. They stepped silently into the kitchen.
Sitting at the table, eyes on Cornelius, Dante waited.
“The full moon is a few days away. With it being your first ritual I thought I’d start by explaining what will happen, and once I have you can ask any questions.”
“It will be everyone from the Council.”
“Yes, and Anne.”
“Anne?”
“For this specific ritual it’s something Titus insisted on. Should anything happen to him Anne will be the next leader of the Council. He believes it’s important for her to be a part of things.”
“What if anything happens to you?”
“A new Council member will be chosen.”
“How?”
“Titus will choose them. I believe I know who it will be, but it’s not something I’m thinking about right now.”
“Unlike Titus?”
“He has different priorities, especially when it comes to this ritual. Doing it will strength the Council.”
“In what way does it strengthen you?”
“Physically and magically.”
“You trust Titus?”
“Of course. He’s never done anything to make me think he’s a danger to me.”
Was that the truth? It was hard to know with Cornelius, but Titus may have been able to hide what he was truly capable of from the Council. Except Leonora.
“Have you ever thought Leonora might be right?”
There was a flicker of something in Cornelius’ eyes, but it was impossible to read.
“Leonora hates the Lockwoods for her own reasons, Dante. Titus is not a danger to us, whatever she might believe. Why bring it up?”
“It is my first ritual, with almost complete strangers. All I want is to be certain I’m not walking into some kind of magical trap.”
“You aren’t. Nothing will happen to you, or to the Council.”
Those words felt like lies, but Dante’s skill at reading people wasn’t great.
“Anne told me Titus doesn’t like those with new magic.”
“When did you meet Anne?”
“She was at the Gardens, after our first meeting with Titus.”
“New magic is complicated, Dante, and Titus is wary, because he’s seen the damage those with it can do. You, however, are in control.”
“He’s willing to make an exception.”
“Yes, he is, because he sees the same thing I do, and that’s your potential. We both know what you may be capable of, with a little guidance.”
Those were more lies. It was getting easier to tell, although it might just be Cornelius.
“Tell me what happened to the others.”
“We did what needed to be done, Dante. because if we hadn’t people might have died.”
“How many?”
“Less than at some other times. If you want to know more I’m sure Titus will be willing to answer these questions after the ritual.”
“You’re very focused.”
“Of course I am. The ritual has been our priority for months now. It has to be done this full moon.”
“Hence you needing me?”
“Due to Leonora’s decision.”
“Can’t Anne take her place?”
“No, because the ritual is very specific.”
“There needs to be thirteen?”
“Thirteen strong mages, and strong mages are always on the Council. Other than Anne. I think she might be stronger than all of us, except Titus.”
“I’m confused.”
“For us the ritual strengthens the Council. At the time it was first written there wasn’t one. It’s relatively young.”
“Who wrote it?”
“Titus Lockwood, not long after the first magic came into the world.”
“A Titus, I’m assuming. Not this one.”
“No, he’s not centuries old.”
Anne told Dante about all their lives, and why they happened, the dreams a truth he wished he didn’t know.
“Do you know what happened after the ritual was done before?”
“I’m assuming it worked, otherwise Titus wouldn’t have brought up the idea.”
“Unless there’s another reason for it.”
“Have you spoken to Leonora?”
“No, I haven’t, but I know better than to accept someone’s word.”
“You’re new here, Dante, and I understand the lack of trust, but I do believe Titus. He’s been a strong leader since he took control of the Council.”
“When did it happen?”
“A few years ago, when he came of age, taking his father’s place. It wasn’t unexpected when Reuben died.”
“It wasn’t?”
“He’d been weakening physically for years.”
“Did anyone ask if there was a reason for that?”
“What, exactly, are you suggesting?”
“Titus came of age right when his father died. It’s all very well timed.”
“You dare accuse Titus? After being here three days?”
“Sometimes it’s those on the outside who can see things more clearly, Cornelius. You need to think. What do you know about Titus?”
“I’ve watched him grow up, Dante. There is no possible way he killed his own father.”
“Unless he’s a very good actor.”
“What you’re saying is wrong.”
“Or you’re too close to Titus to be able to see the truth. Anne’s scared of him. I don’t think she wants to be part of this ritual, and you should ask why.”
“You think one meeting is enough for you to get to know her?”
“It’s often easier to be honest with a complete stranger.”
“Do you want to be part of the ritual?”
“No, I don’t, and you need to think about what you’re doing.”
“Leonora said the same thing, but it hasn’t changed anything. We are loyal to Titus.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“With all due respect you know nothing.”
“I’m a Seer, Cornelius.”
“Seers can’t see other Seers.”
“However I can See you. I can See Anne. Unlike you I know what’s to come, and I need you to listen to me, otherwise you’re going to end up dead.”
Cornelius studied Dante. “You expect me to believe you?”
“No, not if you didn’t believe Leonora.”
“Then why say anything?”
“I have to try, no matter how unlikely it is you’re going to listen.”
“You Saw wrong.”
“After the night of the full moon there is no Council.”
“Dante…”
“Titus will use you. At least I think that’s what happens. Getting Anne away is my priority.”
“Anne?”
“Yes, Anne. I don’t care about the rest of you. She’s the one person who matters in all of this.”
“Someone else would say the same thing – Titus. The two of you are more similar than you’d like.”
“No, we care about the same person. It doesn’t make us similar.”
“Like the rest of us Anne won’t leave Titus. You might have come to care about her, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“She’s my soulmate.”
Cornelius blinked. “Soulmates are rare, and it’s even rarer for two of them to connect.”
“I know, which is why I have to get her away.”
“Anne will choose Titus.”
“You don’t know that.”
“They’re too close for you to come between them, even if you use the word soulmate.”
“I think it’s time for you to leave, Cornelius.”
“Be careful. Titus is too powerful to be an enemy. Work with me.”
“Leave. I don’t want you here.”
“Of course you don’t. You came here believing you could be Anne’s saviour. Seers don’t always See the whole truth, and this time is no different.”
“Anne will make the right choice.” Dante had to believe it, otherwise the journey was for nothing. “She’ll walk away from Titus.”
“It’s so easy to think that, but there’s more to this than you could possibly understand, even with those dreams.”
“What I know is enough to be certain I’m making the right choices, while you’re walking into your death. If you are Titus’s then there’s nothing I can do for you.”