Lucian leaned back, looking far too smug, and rested his feet on Justin’s desk. “Have you seen my approval ratings? And that’s before all this other stuff breaks. It’s going to take a lot to turn the public against me now, and if we bring her into this—actually make it known that she’s the one responsible for bravely rescuing a group of orphans— she’ll be just as loved. A heritage that she isn’t even active in isn’t going to matter in the public eye. The Nordics’ll be pissed off, maybe. Everyone else’ll eat it up.”
“I just don’t get how you can be that into her,” said Justin. “I mean, I do, but you don’t really know her. Is the blonde hair really that appealing?”
“Yes,” said Lucian. Then, after a calculated pause: “As is a woman who’s a powerful elect.”
Justin set his glass down so hard, the brandy sloshed out. “Goddamnit! I knew it. Or I should have. How much do you know?”
“I know that you spend as much time investigating gods as you do their followers. I know about the reports SCI keep hidden away, the stories of things no one can explain. I know the elect are scrambling— as they should be—to secure their gods’ positions.”
“Goddamnit,” Justin said again. He and Mae had briefly speculated that Lucian might be aware of SCI’s secret work but had never pursued the lead. Even before then, Justin should’ve paid more attention to something Geraki had said: We’re not the only ones who know what’s happening. Your human masters know. So do powerful people you don’t even suspect. Justin had been a fool not to guess that someone on the verge of occupying one of the two highest offices in the country would have been tipped off on this.
Justin also realized he was a fool not to have suspected something else. “Who do you serve?” he demanded.
“Looking to join up?” asked Lucian. “He’s been very good to me.”
”Yes, clearly.”
Lucian made a face. “Don’t say it like that. I didn’t get to where I am just because of him. In fact, it’s because of where I am and what I’ve achieved that I attracted his attention.”
“Yes, because the elect are so powerful and talented and all that other stuff. And you want Mae for your god as well?”
“I’m guessing she’s taken,” said Lucian. “When we first met, it slapped me in the face that she was one of the elect. Now, some god must be helping her hide it. Not that it isn’t obvious in other ways. You think any ordinary woman could’ve pulled off what she did in Arcadia?
That’s what I’m looking for. The exceptional. You can believe what you want of me, but I plan to do amazing things in this country, and I want a partner who can match that. Read whatever ambition or sordidness you want into that, but I do care about her.”
Justin stayed silent, mulling over a few things. One was that Lucian had no clue it was Justin who was helping Mae hide what she was, which then brought up another question.
Does he know I’m one of the elect? he asked the ravens. I didn’t learn to hide myself until recently.
Probably not, said Horatio. Even before you made your own protection, having us around obscured your aura to many. He would have had to be pretty adept to see through our glamor.
Well, he must be somewhat adept if you never picked up on him being one of the elect, argued Justin.
He may have an entity of his own, said Magnus. Or he may be using a simple charm. He’s risen far in mortal dealings, but my instincts tell me he’s still new to the larger game. He’s too cocky and arrogant.
To Lucian, Justin asked, “Is it you who really plans on doing amazing things in this country, or your god? They want followers, Lucian. You have to know that. And dazzling displays in Arcadia and reform back home don’t immediately get people to your god’s altar.”
“Not immediately,” agreed Lucian. “And certainly not before I’m consul. But you must have seen enough to know this won’t stay under wraps forever. Too many unexplained things are happening, and I have religious freedom lobbyists knocking on my door every day.”
“So you plan on opening up the RUNA’s eyes to the divine, where you’ll be able to conveniently point people to the worship of your god?”
“I have no intention of turning us into Arcadia, if that’s what you’re getting at,” said Lucian. “I want a society where public officials and the average person can worship without stigma. You can have freedom of belief and rational thought both, you know.”
“Actually,” said Justin, “my entire job is built around the principle that you can’t, in fact, have those two things together.”
Lucian finished his brandy and stood up. “Then lucky for you, you’ve got a friend with connections when the time comes to find a new job. I’ll call you if I hear more about Mae. In the meantime, trust that I really do have good intentions—for her and for the country.” He put his hand on the door knob and glanced back. “And don’t make plans tomorrow night. After the Arcadian scandal blows up today, we’ll be having an impromptu celebratory dinner.”
Justin watched Lucian walk away and soon heard an excited burst of chatter from the living room. Even Justin’s own family adored Lucian. The universe was definitely playing unfairly.
Is it? asked Horatio. What’s he really done wrong? He wants to advocate for his god and find a way to work that into your country’s current framework.
Whose side are you on? asked Justin.
You just don’t like his designs on Mae, chastised the raven. I don’t either. But if he’s eventually able to create a greater acceptance of the divine in your culture, that’ll be good for us too. You may be working for different gods, but don’t dismiss the idea that you can work together for a mutual goal. Not all of the elect are at each other’s throats. Some are seeking allies too.
As Lucian had declared, the news broke that night with the story of how three Arcadian spies had been set up and caught, thanks to the hard work of Gemman intelligence and a group of brave Arcadians willing to sell their countrymen out for a chance at living in the Jewel of the World. Lucian, of course, was on hand for countless interviews, describing how they’d known they had to take action when they learned of the conspiracy during their recent visit. A few of the Gemman- supporting Arcadians were dredged up as well and had clearly been coached beforehand as they gave statements about how they were happy to help in the takedown and how grateful they were to Senator Darling for the opportunity. Hansen wasn’t among them, but he called Justin the following night as he was getting ready for Lucian’s dinner party.
“Are you coming tonight?” asked Hansen, his face eager on the wall of Justin’s bedroom screen. “All of us have been invited to celebrate our role in catching Cowlitz’s men.”
“I’ll be there,” said Justin, buttoning his tuxedo shirt. “Lucian would never let me live it down if not.”
Hansen grinned. “Great. Look, I was going to ask you this there, but with so many people around, I didn’t know if I’d get a chance. Now that Cowlitz’s group is settled and we’ve been given refugee status, when can we start having regular worship of Odin?”
Justin was tempted to say “never” but instead replied, “Ah, that’s difficult to say. You have to remember that religion is still frowned upon publicly.”
“But groups do exist,” the other man insisted. “Legally.”