Page 34 of Rejected Darkness

"Very well," she answers with a nod. She makes her way through the four of us and takes off down the stairs to hopefully do exactly what she says and get the angels a new room. I really hope her report makes it into the system and isn't covered up or destroyed like it appears the first report was. I'll add that to my list to check into tomorrow morning, right after finding out who injured the Princess.

"Do you mind if I enter to gather more of Arabella's belongings?" my brother asks nicely from the doorway.

Both girls had already moved inside and began inspecting the damage. From where I stand, it is just as bad as when I was down here earlier. I hadn't found any sort of clues either, but I wasn't going to tell the security guard I had gone inside. That would have led to questions I really wasn't up to answering, especially, because I didn't have an answer, at least not one that made any sort of sense.

"Sure, hopefully, some things can be salvaged from this. It looks like our furniture definitely can't," I hear Harper call out from inside the room.

Before I can stop myself, my curiosity gets the best of me as I step inside the dorm once more. Everything for the most part is still in the same spots besides what the girls already started picking up. Following Phoenix into Arabella's room, I begin picking things up and sorting stuff into piles of what has to betrashed and what can be saved. After ten minutes the trash pile is a lot larger than the pile of things we are going to take back with us. Phoenix manages to find enough school uniform pieces for two days and I am able to find some school textbooks, her laptop, and some journal that looks extremely old hidden under the destroyed mattress. When my brother's back is turned I tuck the journal into the back of my pants, using my shirt to hide it. I'm hoping it has some of her secrets buried within that I can use against her. If not, maybe it can be some leverage to get her to do my bidding and leave this damned school. Either way, I win.

"You don't have to help me," he states as he comes back into the room holding an empty trash bag in his hands. "I can handle this myself. I know how much you despise Arabella. You've already done enough."

"It's no issue," I shrug not wanting to explain the real reason I'm here. He'd kick my ass if he knew I was only helping so I could find things to use against her. "The sooner we finish, the sooner you can get back to the angel taking over our dorm and get her out of there."

"You are such an asshole," my brother sighs, placing the clothes he found inside the trash bag so we can bring it upstairs with us. "Does it really kill you to do something nice for someone who is in need?"

"Yes," I huff. "Less talking more working. As you said I have better things to do than be here." Better things like figuring out my next step in operation force Arabella out of RISE Academy. Princess will have no idea what hit her by the time I'm through with her.

Chapter 19

Arabella

Waking up is rough. My dreams were fraught with nightmares that I tried to fight off all through the night. The second I thought I had fallen into a deep sleep the dream would begin again. It was my own form of torture that I couldn't escape. Some dreams were exactly what happened, finding my room broken into and destroyed. Other dreams had further threats put on the walls of my room from someone stalking me. Even the nightmares from my father beating me over and over again returned.

When my alarm sounds to wake me up it feels like I haven't slept at all. I know that isn't true, my body does feel somewhat rested but I am struggling to just crawl out of bed, preferring for sleep to claim me once more and maybe just be dream-free. That would be the life but I know I can't roll over and go back to sleep. Talia told me I could have some time but I don't want it. She already forced me to take the rest of yesterday off and look what happened? My room and the whole dorm suite were destroyed by someone who broke in. This reminds me I need to find out what Phoenix said to the dorm staff to figure out my next steps. I'm really hoping they have an idea of who did it. I can't keep living with questions over my head and I certainly can't stayin Phoenix's dorm for another night. As for the issues with my father and these classes, well, it appears that Talia is on my side with things so my father shouldn't really be an issue anymore. Hopefully, with him, you never truly know what you are getting. He has a way to get what he wants in every situation.

Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I roll over and see I'm alone in bed. I know Phoenix said that he would give me his room as he took the couch but I sort of wish he hadn't. When I'm upset I prefer to have someone hold me. Warrick used to always show up in my room to cuddle after I had a bad day or night. He knew I needed his support. God. I wish I could have gone to his place instead or at least told him what was happening. I hate that now he is my teacher and our relationship has to be different while we are here.

Last night Phoenix told me his bathroom was just up the hall from his room which is the first thing I need right after I figure out where he put my items. After getting out of bed and searching all over his room I finally find my bag on the floor in his room. Above the bag is the one clean school uniform I found to wear today. I'll need to remember to check with the administrative staff on how I go about getting new uniforms. I don't think any other survived the ordeal of my room.

It doesn't take me long to gather the few items I need and make my way out of the room and down the bathroom. Luck must be on my side because I don't see either Phoenix or Rhys during my short walk. The shower takes no time at all to heat up and before I know it I've showered, changed into my uniform, and put on some light makeup. I try covering the bruise but it’s no use. My healing magic kicked in enough that it doesn’t look super ugly anymore but the black and blue mark is still there from being hit. The bags under my eyes still show as well. Oh well, I shrug looking at myself in the mirror. "This is the best you're going to get right now, Arabella," I tell my reflection.Balling my clothes up, I exit the bathroom, rushing back to the room to place the clothes Phoenix gave me to sleep in on the bed. Not wanting to be a slob I make the bed quickly and grab my duffle bag and backpack when I'm done. I'll have to remember to thank Phoenix when I see him for the kindness he showed me.

Shutting the door behind me, I head down the long hallway to the main living area of the suite. I'd really like to know how their suite is even nicer than the one the girls and I were placed in. I know the school doesn't see a difference between the races or anything but still, it seems wrong that they got the nicer dorms. I feel like girls would enjoy this type of room a lot more than any guy would.

"Good morning, Princess," Rhys calls out the second I exit the hallway.

"Ahh!" I scream, jumping and clutching my chest as I look at him. My heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest as I stare at him and try to get my breathing under control. I hadn't expected anyone to still be in the dorm, or well I hadn't expected Rhys to be here. I figured I would possibly find Phoenix here since he was the nicer of the two brothers. Rhys though, no he's the wild card bad boy who I would have thought would keep as much distance between us as possible for my short staff here.

"Scared much?" he laughs, placing a plate of food on the kitchen counter in front of an empty stool. "Well, eat up. I made this for you after all. It would be rude to refuse a freshly cooked meal wouldn't it?" His eyes sparkle with mischief as he watches me carefully.

The last thing I want to do is eat whatever meal he made me but I also can't help myself when my stomach grumbles from starvation. The last thing I ate was lunch yesterday. I was hungry, there's no denying it. Grabbing the strap of my bags tighter, I hike them further up my shoulder and move toward the front door away from the food he placed on the counter. IfI'm quick enough then I should have enough time grab a quick breakfast in the cafeteria.

"Thinking of leaving?" he asks, causing me to freeze in my tracks. "Well, it would be a shame, but I suppose if you don't want to eat anything and rather pass out during combat practice, then that can be arranged."

"Excuse me?" I snarl, turning around to stare at him. It was the wrong move to make. Rhys is leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he stares at me. He looks as if he's devouring me and it's doing all sorts of things to me. I'm slightly turned on by it but also disgusted. I never thought the bad boy charm would work on me which is exactly why I know I need to get out of this room right now.

"This note was dropped off for you this morning," he explains, reaching behind him to pull a letter out. "I hope you don't mind, but I peeked at it. You and I both have today off, according to Councilwoman Talia. She wants the two of us to train together. For some reason, she thinks you would benefit from some one-on-one combat training by the top fighter in the Angel class, even if that angel is a Fallen."

"I don't believe you." There is no way she would pair me up with my archenemy. It has to be a joke. Looking around the room I check to see if Phoenix is here but he isn't. Damnit, at least I know he would have been on my side for this.

"Believe it or not, Princess, but it's the truth. So are you going to sit down and eat or are you going to pass out the second I hit you just a touch too hard? It's really your choice." He stares me down waiting for an answer.

Devine, I hate this guy.Rolling my eyes, I accept my fate and walk toward the kitchen counter, knowing the last thing I need is to pass out and have him hold it over my head for eternity. Plus, with the time he is wasting, I'm not sure I could make it to thecafeteria before they close, so at this point, if I want any food, the only option is what he made. Damnit.

"Fine," I huff, dropping my bags on the floor by the seat I take. "What did the famous Chef Rhys make for breakfast?" I watch his eyes flash with anger before he laughs at my comment. Two can play this game.

"An egg omelet with ham, spinach, and cheddar cheese. There are also two pieces of bacon and if you're still hungry I have some cinnamon oatmeal. I need you well-fed for what I have planned," he smiles, pushing the plate just a little bit closer to me. "Water or milk?"

Well-fed? Ha, come on. This guy has got to be kidding me. I can't wait for whatever we're going to do so I can kick his ass. That will teach him to treat me like this. "Water will be fine. Thanks." Before I can make a smart-ass comment and start a fight, I cut into the omelet he made me and take a bite. The flavors explode on my tongue as I chew. I hate to say it but he actually isn't half bad at cooking, not like I'll ever tell him the truth.

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