Page 84 of The Fate of Eternity

“They know everything,” I rasp, turning the page to see the story continue. They know of Kenner’s leverage with The Council, even though he’s never been a member, they know about the fated mates, they know I’m a wolf; they know every last detail, right down to Vallie’s death, resurrection, and redeath.

My chest clenches, my heart thundering in my ears as I place the paper on the dining table.

What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?

“At least there aren’t any secrets,” Flora murmurs, and my gaze cuts to hers. I stare into her eyes, deep into her irises, watching as she swallows nervously. At first I worry it’s guilt, like she might be the source of it all, but that’s not it. I can sense it around her eyes and in her heart. She’s a bystander in this for the most part, and she has a point.

“You’re right,” I breathe, nodding as she offers me a weak smile. “The issues with The Council have gone on for so long because they’ve maintained a level of secrecy that isn’t fair to the kingdom. The people deserve to know this.”

“They don’t deserve to know everything about you, Addi. That’s not their right,” Cassian grunts, nostrils flaring as he glares at me, and I shrug.

“If I had been Princess Adrianna all of these years, they would have known anyway. But I was hidden, kept a secret, to protect myself, yes, but it hasn’t worked in the kingdom’s favor or my own. Them knowing all of this is better than trying to face anyone outside of this room without them knowing.”

“Spoken like a true leader,” Beau murmurs, making my eyes widen as I face him. He takes a moment to stare at me, like he’s trying to convey something, but I have no idea what. Likely aware that his efforts are futile, he sighs, and I feel the weight of the words before he even speaks them. “Bozzelli has lifted the lockdown on the academy. Students who wish to return home may do so.”

41

ADRIANNA

What the fuck does he mean the students are free to leave? Is this a joke?

“There’s no way anyone has left.” It’s a statement, not a question, but the way Beau looks at me, I know there’s an answer coming anyway. One I’m not going to like.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

I gape at him in horror before passing my gaze over everyone else in the room. Nobody else looks as shocked as I do. “People are running at the first hurdle,” I blurt, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind my ear as I step out of Raiden’s grasp. I need to think, and I can’t have him touching me while I try to accomplish that.

“Some do, it’s how we weed them out,” Beau states, and I scoff at him.

“Maybe you should have started with that exercise when we all arrived here instead of putting people through trials. Loyalty outweighs strength, and if they were never loyal to the kingdom then they shouldn’t have been here to begin with,” I snap, my voice rising with every word.

Calm and collected, Addi. Calm and fucking collected.

This is some grade A bullshit. I can’t even process where to begin. “How many?” I ask, bracing myself as I turn my attention back to Beau.

“More than half of the student body.” My jaw all but hits the floor. Why were they even here to begin with? “Really, it’s closer to three quarters,” he adds, and a snort of laughter parts my lips.

It’s ridiculous, yet hilarious.

“What do we do now?” I ask, forcing myself to cling to the things I can’t control when there’s still so much mess for us to cover.

Beau looks from his brother to me, back and forth again three times, before he finally settles on me. “You should stand up and lead.”

I frown at him, shaking my head from side to side in confusion. “I can’t just do that, and you can’t just go around saying that either,” I grumble, feeling the adrenaline quicken in my veins.

“Why not?” Brody asks, speaking up for the first time since I stepped inside. My gaze collides with his as he stands his ground, baiting me as I try to find a solid response, but my thoughts are interrupted by the short and snappy tone chiming from someone’s cell phone.

Everyone stuffs their hands in their pockets, checking their devices. Everyone but me since mine is still at Raiden’s; a fact I need to rectify, but the look on Cassian’s face as he glares down at his cell phone pushes the thought to the back of my mind.

He curses under his breath, dragging a hand down his face as he looks everywhere around the room but at me.

“What’s going on?” I ask, cutting the distance between us, but he turns away from me before I can gain his full attention.

“Kenner,” he mutters under his breath as I reach for his arm, but his body turns still as I try to spin him back to me.

“What about him?” I push, clearly understanding there’s more to the situation, and he shrugs. “Cassian,” I insist, circling around to stop him in his tracks before he tries to put more distance between us.

His eyes collide with mine, a troubled expression washing over his features before he quickly shuts it down. “Fine,” he grunts, stuffing his hand in his pocket and retrieving his cell phone again. He turns the screen my way and my stomach tightens in knots.

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