Page 30 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
There’s a moment of silence before he nods more to himself, clasping his hands behind his back. “But in that, you have to keep your integrity, your morals and your values. We fight together in the name of the gods on our side and our King! We fight for a world where we can live safely. You all chose to be here. You all fought your way to the top to be the leaders of the next generation. If a day comes and we aren’t here, it is you! You, who will lead your generation to victory.”
I didn’t choose to be here, and I feel like even more of a fraud as signs of approval flit through the room.
“Remember, your division is your pack right now. You fight together, you protect one another, and you train together.
“And what if someone shouldn’t be here?” one of the girls in my group asks. “I mean, what if there’s a liabil-”
She stops abruptly, and I turn to see her staring at someone behind me: Jayce. I’m not sure what happened, but she’s changed her mind.
“Miss Sato, I think we are more fit to make that decision. There is no one here who is a liability. I assure you, sometimes power just takes time to awaken or control. Don’t speak of which you know nothing,” Professor Syldora states, her voice crisp and firm as she looks at the girl who had spoken.
She purses her lips but doesn’t respond. “Well, if we’re clear – dismissed!” Alpha John says.
I’m about to walk away when Jayce speaks. “We train every night at nine, in North Star. It’s reserved for our division, which continues. Everyone is to be there, no excuses.”
More training.
Great.
“See all of you there. Don’t forget to get your badges from Path Coordinators,” Artemis says to me and Shahira. “Plus, you’ll probably have to move dorms to our quarters. Exciting, right?”
“We will, and it is, yeah,” Shahira says with a small nod and a smile.
“Quick introduction, Valerian Welbourn, Aegis, final year. Artemis Nicholson, Verdantia, fourth year. Brock Vincent Aegis, fifth year. Allison Falls, Luminara, fifth year.” Renji introduces my new team members.
Allison, so that’s the name of the girl Jayce was flirting with. I glance at Artemis. It’s not often you’ll find a werewolf in Verdantia; they make up only 30 percent of the Path, but it means in a worst-case scenario, if there’s no magic, she’ll be able to deliver medical aid.
“Lucius Torres, Noctaris, fifth year. Ian Dominic, Luminara, fourth year. Maralai Oaklow, Aetheris, fourth year. Your new leader, the broody, grumpy Jayce Westwood, Aegis, fourthyear.”
I hear a mutter from Valerian and glance at him. It’s as if he didn’t say anything, but I’m not the only one who looked at him. “Himari Sato, Luminara, third year. Bruce Jackson, Aegis, third year,” Renji continues.
“Then of course your favourite Westwood, myself, Renji, Noctaris, fourth year.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Shahira says, and I try to smile in agreement, but my nerves are a mess.
“And of course, it’s an honour to have you on the team, too,” Lucius says.
“Yeah, and it’s nice to have some more girls around,” Artemis muses with a glance towards Himari and Allison. Maralai seems to keep to herself, as even now she remains silent.
“See you all later then,” Brock says as Valerian simply walks off. I see a few of them exchange looks and wonder what that’s about.
Jayce brushes past me. “Be there at 8:30,” he says quietly.
That’s meant for me.
Why early? Gods, I hate this!
If I thought the Academy was bad before… it just got ten times worse now.
I get therea few minutes later to see Jayce alone, bouncing a ball distractedly. He stops when I approach hesitantly. He spins it onhis finger before he tosses it over his shoulder and walks towards me. He’s dressed in grey sweats and a plain white tee, but gods, does he just look so... His eyes narrow, and I quickly look away, my cheeks flushing.
I adjust my hood, pulling it lower over my head and instead decide to keep my attention on his feet, and not the noticeable bulge of his- what is wrong with me?!
“You are a liability right now, one none of us needs. If it were up to me, I’d have put you with Somers. At least he’d have been fine to babysit you, because I’m not.” His harsh tone cuts through me.
“Take it up with the Headmaster or better the King, that way we both get what we want.” I find myself blurting out before I realise what I’m doing.
His face remains deadpan as he looks me over as if I’m something a cat dragged in. “Once again, you expect someone else to fight your battles. I don’t know what your issue is, but all I know is I don’t want you on my team. I never fucking did, and I will make sure you’re off before the month is done.”
