Page 57 of A Sea of Secrets
Dick did as he was told, and I couldn’t hold back the aww or the look of wonder I gave Kayden. That dude was such a softie. All squishy like sea foam.
“Cut it out, Merman,” he huffed.
I focused on my breakfast, or should I say Noah’s breakfast. I really wanted his pastry. I was so close to snatching it when Noah slapped me on the back of the hand. “Get your own.”
“Fine.” I pouted. “Sharing is caring, FYI.”
Before he could respond, a crackling echoed over the speakers and we stopped what we were doing as the Overseer’s voice filled the room. Kayden smirked as he rested an arm over the back of Starfish’s chair. “Speak of the devil and she shall appear.”
“Or her voice will.” Fallon smiled before taking another bite of her toast.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Knights and warriors! Potentials of the great House of Ascension! You have valiantly survived the trials, and I bid you congratulations for all you have achieved. The academy is not a place for the fainthearted, nor are the tests for those who will cower when faced with adversity.”
“Adversity?” Ace scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Bit light on there.”
“To celebrate your accomplishments and crown our new ruler, we must now prepare you for what’s to come.”
“Please don’t tell me there is more,” Lou groaned, clutching Kendra’s bicep and hugging it tightly.
“You have proven your survival capabilities, your endurance, and strength of mind. Now it is time to test if your eloquence, tact, and grace are as noble—if they remain at all. Dance classes and etiquette lessons will be held. Terrulia’s ruler must be refined and dignified, a respected individual who will rise above all others. In a week’s time, the academy will host a ball to celebrate every Potential who remains, as well as a crowning ceremony for our magnificent ruler. Congratulations to you all once more, and I shall see you at the festivities!”
Lou clapped her hands, bouncing in her seat as she smiled at us all. “A ball! I was worried it was going to be bad news!”
“Sounded fucking awful to me,” Ace grumbled, earning an elbow to the ribs from Fallon.
Kendra put down her fork, giving her fruit a reprieve. “I think Lou is right. This will be fun.”
“You only agree because you’re dating,” Kayden replied. “That’s how things like that work.”
“Oh, really? Hey, Fallon, what do you think of the ball? Fun idea, yeah?”
Starfish grinned mischievously. “Yahuh, super fun. Can’t wait.”
Kendra raised her brows at Kayden. “How do you feel about the ball now?”
“Ahhh…”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Ace sighed. “Get a tattoo saying ‘Fallon’s bitch’ on your forehead already.”
“Shut up, Twiggy! As if you wouldn’t need to get one too.”
I shook my head, ignoring the two of them as they argued, the others at the table doing much the same. “Silly snappers. I, for one, think it will be gnarly as to dress up and hit the dance floor.”
“It’s a nice break from all the kill or be killed,” Fallon replied, leaning forward on the table as Kayden and Ace continued their spat. I was surprised they hadn’t started throwing fists. Hmmm, I guessed there was still time. “What do you think, Noah?”
“There could be more than meets the eye. Nothing is ever as it seems.”
Starfish smiled at him. “Always the sceptic.”
My cuff buzzed on my wrist as the screen flashed black to white to black until words appeared. Was this another message from my siblings? The trial had made me realise that they were the ones back home who truly cared about me and had sent me the letter. Not my dad. Were they sending me another warning? Strange they didn’t use the Acadameet App.
Only one way to find out.
‘Watch alone.’
Okie dokie, crab karaoke.
I glanced at the others, but they hadn’t noticed anything, either busy chatting about the upcoming ball or still deep in an argument. Those dudes… so much pent-up tension. I chuckled to myself because I could think of a few ways to let that out.
