Page 11 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

J ayce!

The tingle that rushes through my body as the scent of leather, cedarwood and dark spice hits me, makes my stomach knot and my heart pound far too loudly. Gods, he’s never been so close… His leg is grazing against mine; I’m far too aware of everything.

My cheeks heat up. I’m certain he can feel them against his fingertips.

“If you’re going to break into this library after curfew, then at least learn about the security…” His deep, husky voice caresses my ear, his hair brushing against my cheek.

He’s too close, my entire body is igniting in a way it never has, and the urge to rip his clothes off and feel his solid body against mine almost overcomes me.

To claim him.

I gasp at the intrusive thoughts, and I push him away. But despite using a lot of strength, it feels like I just punched a wall. He scoffs in contempt as he slowly moves back, but only enough to look down at me.

“Any loud sound will activate the sound sensors, and if you so much as move across the floor, you’ll be caught on the camera to the left and get us both in fucking trouble. What are you even doing here?”

I swallow, wishing he’d move a little more back, but he doesn’t. I can see the glowing blue of his eyes, and even with the red that coats the room, I can still make out the colour of them.

Realising he’s waiting for an answer, I shake my head and clutch my gown tighter around me. “I, uh… I wanted to do some research on something…” I murmur, thinking he keeps seeing me in my nightwear, and right now I look ridiculous.

He doesn’t say anything, simply cocks a brow.

“The security is lax, so as long as you stick to the walls, the cameras don’t really pick up, so don’t fuck this up like you do with everything else because if I’m caught…

” He leaves his threat hanging, and I look away.

I want to ask how he has a key to the door, but I’m not brave enough to.

Turning, he walks off, and I sigh softly.

Sticking to the shadows, I begin making my way towards the restricted section.

It’s not exactly restricted, as there are only a few barrier spells blocking entry, but these grimoires can only be removed with permission because some of the spells in the book require a lot of magic and can be dangerous for the one performing the spell if carried out incorrectly.

I wonder, what is he doing in here? I never took him as a book person. Distractedly, I glance into the darkness but can’t hear or see him anywhere. Then again, maybe he is just studying. He’s a Westwood. Their academic grades have always been great, except for Azura, anyway.

I turn my attention to the restricted section; this one has to be guarded by magic… I smile slightly, an easy fix for a witch, but I’d have to make sure it’s done in such a way that the caster doesn’t realise.

“Can you get through that?”

I start with a gasp, clamping a hand over my mouth to make sure no sound escapes, and turn to look at Jayce. His sharp eyes are fixed on the open entrance to the restricted section. I tilt my head.

“What makes you think there’s something stopping you?” I ask innocently. I’d kind of like him to get into trouble, even if it’s just once.

He gives me a cold glare as he pushes away from the shelf he was leaning against. “I can sense magic,” he states as if this is obvious, his gaze dipping down as if that’s meant to mean something to me, and then looks away. “Answer the question.”

“Probably…”

“Not good enough, it’s a yes or a no question.” He looks at me, his eyes now icier than ever.

Hesitation and doubt flood me, and I glance at the opening again. What if I fuck it up? I…

“As I thought, completely fucking useless.” Without another word, he walks off, leaving me standing there feeling low all over again.

Asshole.

Why is it so easy for him to make me feel like crap? Sighing, I reach out, ready to sense the spell, when I pause. What if I’m unable to? I now feel doubtful of myself too…

I step back and turn away, scanning the shelves behind me. Maybe I should start looking out here first.

The following day goes by without anything eventful happening.

I didn’t even attempt to spar, telling Alpha John I wasn’t feeling great.

He allowed me to sit it out after my pathetic excuse.

A lie he definitely knew was a lie, but at this point, I think he just doesn’t care, and honestly, I can’t blame him.

Aside from that, I had a dream last night, the same one where I was following the faceless man.

It’s now been two days since then, and the first years are going to be assessed today. I’m excited for both of them to show off their talent on the training field.

I now tiptoe, trying to look over the heads of others in my year as the group of new students enters in a wave of white. My eyes scan over them quickly, stopping when they land on Heaven and Alessandra, side-by-side.

Heaven has her hair pulled into a large bun on top of her head, wearing her sleeveless uniform that shows off her toned arms, curvy figure and tiny waist. She stands with an air that demands attention, and I’m sure many won’t realise until they see her in action just how good she is when it comes to sparring.

Then there’s Allie, who is wearing her long-sleeved top with the uniform jacket on top, zipped up, with her hood right up. She’s wearing gloves and a face mask; the only thing you can see of the tall, slim girl is her dark eyes. She emits an air of mystery.

My badass girls.

I smile fondly, like the big sister who can’t wait for them to shine, and resist the urge to cheer at their entrance. As if sensing me watching, both look up and Heaven waves. I wave back and wait as Alpha John goes down his roster.

They begin warming up, and after five minutes, Alpha John claps his hands.

“Alright, everyone else gets a show today, so take a seat and let’s see what we have here. These are the handpicked best of their age. Let’s see what they can do! Starting with Chimaya Lordnorth and Holden Ridge!”

The two first years step forward, Chimaya has vibrant violet hair that reaches her shoulders, and she’s smiling brightly, her large eyes analysing Holden. Holden has brown hair with a touch of blond, his sharp blue eyes and hard expression tell me he’s not one to mess with either.

“Alright, on three! One, two and three!”

Holden launches first, a blur of movement as he goes all out on offence. It’s reckless in a way, but he’s also not leaving himself open. She’s good, using magic at times to defend, but the match ends with Holden taking the win.

Everyone cheers as the older years start putting bets on who will win.

“Aldona Kamaria Somers and Alarina Donor!”

Aldona… I didn’t realise Heaven had decided to go by her witch name here. I rarely use mine, but it’s clear Heaven wants to create a reputation for herself, and that starts with her identity. She’s sixteen, yet already knows what she wants in life. In a way, I’m in awe of her.

She exchanges a small smile with Alarina, who is a werewolf, and they both get ready to spar.

Heaven wouldn’t usually move until the final blow.

Still, since this is a sparring class with only minimum magic allowed, she obliges, blocking and attacking with fluid agility.

When Heaven fights, it’s like a dance, somewhere between a gymnast and a ballerina.

A fighting style she’s adapted and morphed to create her own unique style.

Gods, she’s amazing, and I’m not the only one who thinks so as the murmur of impressed whispers flitters through the hall. I remember the anticipation for my first match, and the amusement and mockery that followed as I was branded a huge disappointment and not what they expected of a Rossi.

She doesn’t even use an ounce of magic as she spins around and aims a sharp kick to Alarina’s neck, sending the girl flying across the hard floor.

“Aldona wins!” Alpha John thunders as everyone cheers.

“Go, Heaven!” Renji shouts, before whistling louder.

She smiles slightly, but doesn’t even spare him a glance as she brushes off her pants and moves aside.

I glance towards them, seeing Tatum give Heaven the smallest of nods, a ghost of a smile on his face. He’s proud of her, and so am I. Theo and Asher Nicholson also seem to be enjoying the matches.

Ares is observing but looks pretty bored, and both Carter and Jayce stand side-by-side, their faces serious and unamused as they watch the matches below them with sharp, calculating eyes.

So stiff…

I see Jayce’s jaw flex, and I sink behind the person beside me, so he can’t see me.

“Gerald Flinrow and Alessandra Rossi!”

Theo hollers, and Allie tilts her head, giving him a death glare. She hates attention.

“You keeping the mask on, kiddo?” Alpha John asks her.

Allie nods, and he shrugs, stepping back. As long as it doesn’t get in the way of his teaching, he really doesn’t care. “Alright, on three… THREE!”

Both move at the same time, throwing a punch and blocking.

Allie ducks low and spins around, aiming a kick at his knee.

She slides under his arm. He spins on his foot, aiming a kick to her shoulder.

She blocks, but the force makes her jump back, and then she grabs his leg with her gloved hand, using it as leverage as she twists her entire body and aims one kick after the other at his neck.

He groans as he’s slammed to his knees, but he turns just as she’s about to deliver another blow. Allie clearly has the upper hand, and when she throws a punch that makes the crunch of bones breaking ring through the room, it sends Gerald flying across the mat.

Cheers spread through the room as Renji whistles again before clapping, clearly proud of his cousin. I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm when I feel that familiar, scary, intense feeling of being watched wash over me and look away swiftly.

“Alessandra wins! Now that is what I expect from Rossi blood!” Alpha John says, patting Allie on the back.

A girl next to me looks at me and gives me a condescending smile, as if she’s saying that was meant for me before she turns away. But right now, nothing is going to get me down when it comes to seeing my girls shine.

The sparring matches continue, and I manage to slip down to where the girls are, Allie squeezing over towards Heaven so I can sit on her other side. She definitely chooses to be squished between us over sitting beside a random person.

“You guys were amazing,” I whisper before turning my attention forward again.

Once the matches are over with, and my head is abuzz with the growing irritation from some of the people around me, I have a headache hammering at my head.

The bell rings, and I get up quickly when Alpha John raises his hand.

“Alright, I know we’re all hungry, but everyone who is in a division or going to be assigned to one this term, meet me in Storm at five today! Divisions are being finalised today ahead of the planned schedule!”

My heart thuds. Storm is one of the training halls; they all have an elemental name, with this main one being Air. It is the largest and the one we usually use when everyone is there.

What?

“But, Alpha-”

“Hey! We had a few people graduate, which means we need to fill spots and a few new division leaders, too!”

Tatum said his division was full…

“Well, seems like your initiation came early,” Allie murmurs. “I’m sure you’re not excited, but you’ll be fine.” She slaps my shoulder, and I look at her.

“You need to work on your comforting skills,” I whisper.

“Na, I’m good,” she says, before resting her arm lightly on my shoulder. I smile slightly. Yeah, say what you want, your physical contact right now is proof enough that you care, and it’s your way of showing me you’re here for me.

“Alright, off you all go!” Alpha John orders.

Heaven smiles at me, resting her head against my shoulder as we wait for the crowd to disperse.

“I can just hope for the best…” I murmur.

“Jayce Westwood, a word,” Alpha John calls.

“We should go,” I say, standing up as I see the tall man cross the room, his long legs eating up the distance.

“Si?” Allie asks, pulling me from my thoughts. I blink and quickly turn as we hurry from the half-empty training hall, my nerves already getting the better of me, unable to stop thinking about tonight.

Well, it’s inevitable. I’m just going to have to wait and see who gets stuck with me. It’s going to be rough, especially since divisions are sent out to do missions and stuff. I’m just going to be a burden on them all…

Gods, this sucks.