Prologue
Lexa had always enjoyed looking out over Polis. It was oddly calming seeing all the people just going about their every day lives: compared to all the fighting their lives seemed so calm and relaxing. Lexa had always kind of missed that. Taken from her family since she was only a young girl, she had never experienced any sense of normality. All she knew was fighting and training for the Conclave that would make or break her. She turned and walked away from the window. It was late and she probably should sleep, Titus would have her up in the morning for training. Although she would have been happy with a normal life, part of Lexa loved being different. Very few people ever got the chances she got, very few people ever stood a chance to become the next commander of the people. She walked back to the room with the other night bloods.
Titus had taught her to keep her friends close and her enemies closer. He had then told her that all of the night bloods could in a sense be seen as her enemy: at any point the Conclave could start and they would fight against her, all their past being thrown out of the window. Lexa had taken Titus's advice and kept close watch on the other night bloods. If they could all one day be her enemies, then she needed to know what their weaknesses were, how to best attack her. She could have no friends because once you let your guard down, they could get close to you. Lexa could have no friends in the conclave.
She walked leisurely back to her room, she had no reason to be hurried so she didn't need to run or leave quickly. She had all the time in the world. Or so she thought. Titus came down the corridor and without any words, put his hand on her shoulder and pulled him with her to the throne. Lexa's heart was pounding. This could only mean one thing. He pulled her into the throne room where the other night bloods were standing in front of the throne. Usually they would do this when they had come to see the commander but the throne was empty. Titus pushed Lexa forward and she went and stood towards the back of the others. She accidentally brushed Luna who gave a look of half annoyance, half superiority. Lexa didn't look away in embarrassment, she stared back. Luna didn't scare her. The doors opened and several of the warriors walked, blood covering their faces, their clothes everything. Suddenly, she heard shock and gasps from the other night bloods. Lexa turned around to see one of the warriors carrying a body. She didn't have to be the smartest to figure out what had happened.
The war with the Delphi Clan had taken yet another victim.
The Conclave was about to begin.
