Chapter 183: Ch 183: Solomon Kane- Part 3
The test was over and Solomon seed convinced that Selene was not there to harm him and his family. That was why he decided to take a gamble and ask her the important question.
Solomon Kane leaned forward, resting his elbows on the armrests of his worn-out chair. His dark eyes studied Selene with quiet intensity.
"Now, tell
the real reason you ca looking for ."
Selene t his gaze without hesitation.
"Have you heard of the new shelter I recently opened for supports?"
Solomon nodded.
"Yeah. A noble endeavor. Providing a safe haven for support-class awakeners until they can find their footing... I respect that."
Selene exhaled.
"I want to do sothing similar, but for non-awakeners."
That made Solomon pause.
"Non-awakeners? Won’t that be a waste of resources? What use would it be for you?"
Solomon sounded unsure about Selene’s proposition, but that was fine.
She had an answer prepared.
"It is not useless. A shelter for the powerless—people who lost everything after the world changed can help out a lot. Right now, they’re at the rcy of those stronger than them. So get exploited, others are discarded like trash. I want to create a system that offers them protection, jobs, and a chance at stability."
Solomon leaned back, rubbing his chin.
"A noble idea. But not one people in power will like."
"Exactly. There’s already a lot of opposition to my activities. If I move forward with this, it’ll only get worse. That’s where I need your help."
Selene sighed, folding her arms.
Solomon’s brow furrowed slightly.
"What kind of help?"
"Manpower. To protect the shelters, enforce order, and ensure my plans don’t crumble under pressure. That’s why I’m forming a guild."
Selene’s voice was firm.
At that, Solomon’s brows lifted.
"A guild? That does sound appealing, but how can you be sure that it will help?"
She nodded.
"With your presence as the #9 Awakener, along with Ethan, who is #7, it would be a lot harder for people to oppose us outright. A guild ans structure, rules, and power. It also ans we can create a force strong enough to push back against those who’d rather see the weak stay helpless."
Solomon chuckled, but there was no humor in it.
"It’s a nice thought, Miss Shadow. But is it practical? Have you actually thought this through, or are you just going along with the trend?"
The question hit hard.
Ethan bristled imdiately, his fists clenching at his sides.
"You don’t get to question her like that—"
Selene shot out a hand, grabbing Ethan’s wrist before he could get up. Ethan’s presence was a double edged sword and Selene knew that Ethan could power over Solomon and make him agree if she wanted him to.
But that would not give her the ’real’ support she wanted from Solomon. So Selene knew she needed to hold Ethan back for now.
She tugged him back down into his seat, her grip firm but calm.
"It’s fine. I will answer Solomon’s questions."
Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he let it go, glaring at Solomon instead.
Selene turned her attention back to Solomon, her voice even.
"I understand your doubts. This isn’t just about forming a group and hoping for the best. I know how the world works, and I know that power dictates everything. That’s why I need strong allies, not just for myself, but for the people I’m trying to protect."
Solomon studied her for a long mont before exhaling.
"And what do I get out of this?"
Selene didn’t hesitate.
"A safe place for you and your family. Resources, protection, and a position where you can make real change instead of being backed into a corner."
A flicker of sothing unreadable passed through Solomon’s eyes.
Then he sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I need ti to think."
Selene nodded.
"Take all the ti you need. I will leave you a way to be able to contact
once you make up your mind."
______
Once they stepped outside Solomon’s ho, the air was thick with unspoken thoughts.
Zara was the first to break the silence.
"So... can we really trust him?"
Selene let out a small breath.
"I believe so."
Zara frowned.
"You sound unsure."
Selene’s fingers tapped against her arm.
"I have things under control. Solomon may hesitate, but he’s not the type to betray us. He’s too bound by his own morals."
Orion, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, finally spoke.
"It’s not him you’re worried about, is it?"
Selene’s gaze sharpened.
"Lady Verta."
Just saying the na made sothing coil tightly in her chest.
She hadn’t forgotten about Verta’s interference—her cryptic warnings, the powder she’d given Solomon.
Ethan crossed his arms.
"Think she’s trying to manipulate him?"
"Absolutely. I don’t know what her endga is, but she wants Solomon under her thumb."
Selene’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Orion sighed.
"So what do we do?"
Selene thought for a mont before shaking her head.
"Nothing, for now. We let Solomon decide where he stands. If he leans toward us, we’ll protect him. If he doesn’t..."
She trailed off, her expression unreadable.
"...then we’ll deal with it."
Selene turned to Zara and Orion.
"I need you two to head back to the shelter."
Zara blinked.
"Why? You think sothing’s wrong?"
Selene hesitated.
"Not exactly. But I don’t want to take any risks. If Lady Verta is moving pieces behind the scenes, there’s a chance she might try sothing there."
Orion nodded.
"Got it."
Zara frowned, but she didn’t argue.
Selene then turned to Ethan.
"You’re coming with ."
Ethan’s brows raised.
"Where?"
Selene’s expression darkened slightly.
"We have another task. One that needs to be handled carefully."
Ethan grinned slightly.
"That sounds ominous."
Selene smirked.
"You’ll see."
As Zara and Orion split off toward the shelter, Selene and Ethan walked in the opposite direction, heading toward whatever task awaited them next.
But in the back of her mind, Selene couldn’t shake the feeling that Solomon’s choice—whatever it was—would change everything.
______
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