Page 12 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
I blush and nod quickly. “Yes!”
We enter the dining room, where Jaddati is seated at the head of the table. Tatum and Ahren are on her right, and Mama is sitting beside them. Heaven and I sit opposite the boys with Aunty Ri beside Heaven. Kaden is seated in his booster seat beside Mama, and he holds his arms out to me. Smiling, I lift up the booster seat with my gorgeous little brother in it, making him giggle as I carry him around to our side of the table.
“Mind if we squish in?” I ask, and Heaven smiles, shaking her head as she and Aunty Ri move up one seat. I place Kaden down between Heaven and me and kiss his cheek.
“There you go,” I cup his cheeks and kiss his nose, making him pat my face in return.
I love you, little brother.
“Favouritism,” Ahren teases with mock hurt.
“I can’t deny that,” I admit, smiling across at him. My eyes roam over the array of delicious food that has been cooked. Stuffed chicken, shawarma, falafel and a selection of other Arabian dishes cover the table. “Jaddati, you cooked!”
Jaddati laughs softly. “Of course, my children are going back to school. We will miss having you all here.”
“When we’re there, time just flies. We don’t even realise. Well, I don’t anyway,” Tatum says as we all begin filling our plates and passing the dishes around.
“I do!” I say with a pout. “I count the days to the next holiday.”
Everyone laughs at that. “With me and Allie there, you won’t be, trust me,” Heaven responds confidently.
“I think so, too,” I smile fondly at the thought of having company. I hope so anyway.
“Well, I enjoy the peace and quiet around here, too,” Ahren winks at us.
“How annoying?! You will miss us!” Heaven frowns.
“I don’t think he will,” Tatum disagrees as Mama chuckles.
“He’s busy during the day, too, with pack duties.” She smiles over at Ahren.
“But he does get back every night. That’s more than I can say for Raihana,” Jaddati adds as she pours us all some drinks.
“Thank you.” I smile at her as I savour the food. I’m going tomiss home-cooked meals.
“You’re going to be put into a division, right?” Ahren asks, his eyes now serious as he observes me intently as if trying to look deep inside my soul.
I nod. “I guess…”
The Academy has five ‘Paths’. After the first year, we are put into one of the Paths. These are partially based on skill and partially on our choice. Then, once you turn eighteen, you’re placed in a division which consists of students from all five Paths.
There’s Aegis, those who are pretty much born leaders, strong, level-headed and skilled. Tatum and Jayce are Aegis. Then we have Luminara: they are clever, strategists, those who love to learn and assess. Noctaris, Dad would be perfect in this category. Those in Noctaris are extremely skilled in stealth, observation, and tracking.
Followed by Verdantia, most of Verdantia are witches who prefer to focus on healing and poison rather than fighting. It is the smallest Path with the fewest members. Every division at Midnight Academy has at least one Verdantia in it. And then finally, we have Aetheris. Those with powers, so again, witches belong here. And me? I am in Aetheris, but I really don’t fit here because I can’t even use my abilities. Aetheris are supposed to help their division with their powers. Whatever division I’m put in will be at a disadvantage because I’m useless.
“You’ll be fine,” Ahren replies, giving me a small smile.
That’s what everyone tells me. I’ve got this. I’ll be fine, but then why am I not?
I’m already regretting my return.
“So, what Path do you think you’ll choose?” Aunty Ri asksHeaven, bringing me out of my own depressing thoughts.
“Aegis.”
The boys look up. Aegis has no witches, and I think that’s unfair because witches can be natural leaders. And Heaven is strong, really strong. I believe she’s going to surpass even Aunty Ri.
“Witches don’t usually get placed in Aegis,” Tatum remarks.
