Page 68 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
I have a crush on him.
I like him.
There. I admitted it.
Even if I’m mad at him right now, I like him.
With renewed determination, I run down the hallway following the line. Wherever Jayce went, he headed deeper into the Academy. Why?
I feel the wave of darkness washing over me once again, and I still. Are they trying to feel those nearby?
I break into a run once again, my bare feet silent on the hard floor as I follow the line that leads me towards Jayce.
What is he doing in one of the classrooms?
My stomach plummets as I see the stains of blood outside the door and the bodies that are littering the ground. Four… five… seven. There are seven dead men out here.
Jayce! I rush to the door and see it’s open a crack. I push it open when a hand grabs my throat, the smell of blood taints his scent, and I grab his wrist, recognising his touch just as it registers to him that it’s me.
“Fuck, Sienna,” he breathes. His grip loosens around my neck, but he doesn’t remove his hand. His eyes run over me, but I’m doing the same, relief flooding me when I realise he’s ok. He’s got blood on his hands, but otherwise he looks fine. A dead body lies on the ground a few feet away.
“What are you doing here?” he asks as he slowly lets go of me and pulls me into the room, shutting the door. He’s still holding my arms as he rests his head against the door, looking down at me.
“I…” I can’t tell him I was worried. I shake my head lamely, and he sighs in frustration.
“It’s dangerous in here. You shouldn’t have come back here.”
“Well, why did you come back then?” I ask defiantly.
He frowns, then glances behind me, and I turn to see two girls and a boy who look around my age standing in the corner. I don’t recognise them…
“Their parents work here, and they usually study in here after-hours,” he mutters.
Their parents? I can sense their auras somewhat; they’re weak. Maybe omega rank… meaning their parents are either cleaners or kitchen staff. Uncle Leo wanted everyone to have an education, but there must be a reason they are studying here and not at another school. I’m not about to pry right now. I look up at Jayce. He came because he knew they’d be here.
I glance back at the three; the two girls are huddled together, looking pale as they stare at the body on the floor.
Doesn’t he hate those who are weak? Then again, maybe they aren’t weak like me.
The lights flicker, and I still; someone’s approaching. I tiptoe, and he lowers his head to make it easier for me.
“A witch is approaching, a powerful one,” I murmur into his ear, resisting the urge to nuzzle my nose against his neck.
He turns his face towards me, our noses almost brushing as he nods slowly and turns, frowning as his eyes assess the room.
I step back and motion for him to move back, and I whisper a spell, creating a concealment spell over the door.
Heels.
The sound is one I’ve heard all my life, but this time it has an ominous, threatening edge, and with it comes a great aura. Sinister, dark and chilling. It’s almost overpowering, and I have no choice but to counter with my own aura just in order tobreathe.
Fuck!
She’ll know I’m here.
The tinkling laugh that follows confirms that.
“For someone who holds such power, using a mere concealment spell won’t do.” A voice as evil as it is enchanting whispers in my ear. I spin around, but she’s not here. Of course, she isn’t in the room, but it feels like she is.
