Page 218 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
What exactly am I trying to find?
Signs of someone trying to access the forbidden area of the library? Am I pointing a finger at Ares?
Ares… Maybe I should try talking to him again. I need a break from this anyway.
Snapping my laptop shut, I stand up and stretch.
Any of you seen Ares?I ask my other brothers. Ares, as usual, has me blocked out.
Yup, he’s out on the western training fields. I heard he got permission to train late,Renji replies.
Renji, my boy, think you were a reporter in your last life? Cus, you know everyone’s business,Theo chuckles.
I thought that was you,Renji counters.
You’re right, I heard you’ve been visiting the pretty witch who is in the hospital,Theo teases.
I’m busy. Can you guys talk privately?Carter asks, sounding bored.
I frown. It happened two nights ago. Shahira was found unconscious by Sienna, and so far no one has been able to wake her, not even Aunty Kiara or any powerful witch.
Something isn’t right. When I asked Sienna, I didn’t pick up on anything. She was just blaming herself for not being able to help her. I didn’t sense a lie… but something doesn’t click. She’s been quieter since I’ve been back, but she’s also been busystudying for the exams that are coming closer.
I haven’t been able to talk to her about the man from her dreams, almost like she’s avoiding the topic, but I’m certain that day she wanted my help…
I massage my temples again, it’s a lot…
Exiting the building, I walk over to where Ares is training alone, swinging, dodging and attacking the moving apparatus as he’s attacked by all sides.
He doesn’t pay me any attention for a while. He’s fast, darting through the machinery as he puts his quick thinking to use. His eyes simmering with focus as he smashes through the sharp-edged sword that had almost sliced his head off. He jumps to the ground, landing in front of me, his cold eyes trained on me. His expression is callous as he wipes sweat from his brow. His entire body is covered with a thin layer of it.
“What do you want?” he asks.
“I want to know what is going on, Ares. Why are you shutting me out? Why do you fucking hate me? Just tell me without losing your cool. How can I fix it if you won’t even let me in?” I ask, getting straight to the point.
Ares smirks as he begins undoing the bandages on his hands. “So, you’re going to keep up this façade?”
“What façade?” I ask through gritted teeth.
Ares looks at me as he steps closer, getting up in my space, his eyes glimmering. “I hate fucking twats like you. Just get out of my fucking face.”
“I’m not going to stop, Ares. We’re brothers. We can’t let this continue.”
Ares frowns, but there’s something more in his expression,and it doesn’t look exactly like anger. It’s more like… suspicion? I’m not sure.
He clenches his jaw, and I prepare for his fuse to explode like it usually does, instead, he turns away. But the moment he tries to walk off, I grab hold of his arm.
“Please, Ares, I’m begging you,” I whisper, and I fucking mean it. He pauses and stares at me for a moment too long, then turns his back again, pulling free.
“You should know. The Academy is not full of allies alone, is it? There’s a traitor amongst us? Right?” He turns and stares at me, and this time the accusation is directed straight at me.
“What? Are you saying I’m a traitor?” I ask, unable to mask my shock. For a moment, that throws him off before his brows furrow deeper.
“Fuck off, Jayce,” he says, laughing dryly.
“Ares- please, what are you-”
“No!” He cuts me off, turning sharply. “What’s not fair is how you continue to be the golden boy, the fucking ‘perfect one’ that no one can see what’s beyond that. So stop acting like I’m the fucking issue.” He glances back at me, his eyes burning steely silver.
