Page 15 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)
I exit my room with my Schattensicht in hand and glance at my phone. We’re meeting in briefing room 7 near the West Gate. It’s one of the smaller gates that lead off from the Academy.
Am I even going to be a help on this mission? I highly doubt it. I just hope I don’t make it worse for them.
Shahira catches up to me outside when I’m almost there. Her outfit has a longer top that comes to mid-thigh, the same knee-high boots and pants. Her hijab reminds me of Jaddati. “You look great,” I compliment.
“Thanks, I’m nervous about the mission. What about you?”
I nod. “Same,” I murmur. But not for the same reasons. What will I do when faced with such intense negative emotions?
Jayce is waiting inside the briefing room, along with everyone except Artemis and Lucius. Thank the gods, I’m not the last to arrive. He appears to have managed to shower, but his hair is soaking wet; somehow that looks dangerously hot…
My cheeks heat up, and I wonder if they had to cut the match or if Division 9 just left.
They’re all in black, kitted up with some weapons and ready for battle. Jayce stops talking when we approach, his eyes flicking to me, his brows furrow, and I’m reminded once again of what he thinks of me.
My eyes roam over him, taking in his fitted pants, but they are looser than mine, tucked into calf-high boots.
He’s wearing a high-neck black shirt and a jacket on top.
A belt around his waist and a strap that holds a sword, a large gun and something else is on his back. He has a pouch on his thigh as well.
I wish I were a little better…
“Both of you help yourselves to some weapons. You’ve shifted, correct?” he asks, glancing at Shahira, who nods.
“Yes.”
He nods curtly before he continues talking to Valerian and then glances at his watch. Moments later, Artemis and Lucius run over, both out of breath.
“We’re here!” Artemis says, clutching her side. “Sorry, I got caught up.”
Jayce doesn’t bother replying. “Give me your communication devices,” he says, holding out his hand to me and Shahira. We place our Schattensicht devices in his hand, and he takes a moment to link them to his, each one in the room emitting a faint beep twice before he hands them back to us.
“We’ll be briefing and planning on the way. Let’s go,” Jayce commands. “We’re taking two cars, and I’m taking my bike.”
Valerian scoffs. “That’s a tad unfair, isn’t it? Considering you’re the leader.”
“I won’t be too far ahead, don’t worry. If you need me to hold your hand, I’ll be there.” The sarcasm that drips from Jayce’s voice makes my eyes widen as someone stifles a snicker.
Valerian clenches his jaw before Jayce continues.
“Valerian, Renji, Allison, Ian and Shahira, you’re in one car.
Brock, you’re driving the van. The rest of you are with him.
This doesn’t need to be said, but I’ll still say it.
We have two new members. This is their first mission.
Remember, we’re one. You protect one another as if they were a limb of your own body. Remember that.”
My heart skips a beat. Is that Jayce saying that?
“Shouldn’t they sit it out if they aren’t capable? I’m just so worried that they might get injured,” Allison asks.
I doubt you’re worried at all…
Jayce’s gaze flicks to hers. “That’s not how things work,” he replies coldly before he glances at me.
For a moment, it’s almost as if he’s about to say something, but instead, he simply throws a sheathed dagger at both Shahira and me.
We catch them, and he turns his back on us, leading the way to the waiting vehicles, where his bike also sits.
Everyone gets in, and I’m about to get into the van when Jayce calls me.
“Rossi.”
I freeze and turn to look at him. “Yeah?” I answer, trying to calm my nerves. He motions for me to follow him.
“Shut the door.”
I glance at the van behind me and slide the door shut before following him.
He stops a few yards away from the van and slips his hands into his pockets as he observes me for a moment. His eyes are so green… He really is gorgeous… I often hear how the Rossi men are gorgeous. I don’t know, though, I think those who think that definitely haven’t seen the Westwoods.
“What calms you?”
“What?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat. “What do you mean…?”
Why is that question making me panic? It’s as if he knows what’s going on! My heart thuds, and the familiar chaotic emotions begin to heighten.
He looks away, exhaling with irritation. “Find something that you can focus on, and stay behind everyone. Understood?”
“Ok…” I say, wanting to ask him why he asked that question, but we don’t have the time. He’s already looking at the time on his Schattensicht.
His eyes meet mine, and for a second they flip up to look at my hair, and I wonder what he’s thinking, but instead, he turns away and walks off to his bike.
I run to the van, and the door is opened by Bruce, who gives me a small smile.
“Thanks,” I say as I get in and take a seat next to Lucius, sandwiched between him and the wall. The van starts up, and I look around at the stack of weapons and guns we have on one side.
I remember that nostalgic feeling of wanting to help, wanting to do something, and the exhilaration I felt. To live without fear of hurting everyone. I was meant to be out here protecting the world like everyone else. Key word being ‘was’, I just wish I could.