Page 89 of Glutton for Punishment

“I should have warned you about her power. Amaya can read people’s wants. What they care about. Even what they fear. It’s how she keeps the rich and those in political positions in line. That’s why her territory has so much influence.”

His eyes shutter. “I didn’t want to give you more to worry about. I didn’t think it would be an issue as long as I kept you away from her.”

“Do you know what the others can do?” I venture carefully.

Maddox leans back, crossing his arms, looking lost in thought. “Some.”

He pauses.

“The truth is… most choose to keep their sin power under wraps. The longer you keep it hidden, the more power it has because no one can prepare for what they don’t understand. Having that secret is almost power in itself.”

His eyes hold mine. That makes sense strategically.

“So they don’t know how to counter it.” I say. “Don’t know what to look for. Don’t know your limits. That sounds a lot like the dynamics at SinVail Academy.”

“Exactly,” he huffs a humorless laugh. “Hell, in this family, powers are currency.”

He rubs his hand down his face. “That’s why Riven worries me the most.”

“Because you don’t know his?” I ask.

“Because no one does. Riven is like me,” Maddox says. “Held it close. Never revealed it publicly. No rumors. No confirmed sightings. Nothing. Showing power in other ways. Making people constantly second guess what it could be.”

That sends a chill down my spine.

He shakes his head. “That makes him dangerous. Most know about Amaya’s because it benefits her if they do. She’s the center of Gluttony’s political world. The wealthy fight for her favor, knowing what she can pull from people.”

I grimace. “I guess that’s useful.”

He hesitates.

“Valentine is powerful. Hers is a lot like yours, actually… but not the same. A lot smaller and more controlled. Like a pinpoint… but still destructive.” He shrugs. “She never uses it. I only know because she told me.”

Interesting.

“And Vex?”

Maddox rolls his eyes.

“They call it the Craving Mark. He can induce obsession. Which means he gains complete trust. Almost like a compulsion.” Maddox’s lip curls. “Make someone fixate on him. Spill secrets. Lower defenses.”

My jaw drops. “Oh my universe. How does he not have all of Gluttony enslaved?”

“Because he can only use it on one person at a time.”

I blanch. At least the Universe plays somewhat fairly.

“Everyone knows Teeth’s because he won’t shut up about it.” His voice goes flat. “He can drain power from one target and transfer it to another. He uses the weak in his territory like batteries.” Maddox’s jaw flexes. “Boosts his guards by siphoning from civilians.”

My disgust must show because he nods once. “He’s an idiot, but that in itself can make him dangerous, especially to his own people.”

“The others?”

“Wicca’s power has something to do with her experiments. I don’t know what.” He shrugs. “Kael’s is rumored to be combat-based. Violent.”

I shutter at the thought of Wicka’s power in her lab. The way she said she wanted to see me inside out… what if that’s her power? My stomach feels sick. I push the thought away.

Don’t think about it too much, Arwen.