Page 17 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

“ A nd whenever it happens, I can’t focus on anything.

It just consumes, and that’s why I’m always unable to concentrate on training or missions or anything.

I just mess up, and I’m terrified of what I’ll do if I lose control of these powers,” I finish, my heart thudding violently as I stare at both Heaven and Allie.

Neither spoke whilst I blurted out how I feel whenever I am around negative energy. The words had tumbled from my mouth as if scared that if I didn’t say them quickly, I might change my mind.

“And this began when you lost control when Uncle died?” Heaven is the first to break the silence.

I nod, looking down at our knees. We are all sitting on the floor facing one another in my room. Anna’s gone already, packed and off to her new room, without even a goodbye. I guess it’s not like we were friends, but, still.

“And you didn’t think to tell your mom?” Allie asks, “Or Ahren, they’re both part-demon, and I’m sure this is from your demon side.”

“Tell them that I have bad thoughts telling me to destroy everything?” I ask.

Allie shrugs. “They won’t judge. Half our family has done something fucked up. What’s one more?”

I sigh. “I can’t. I wanted to find a way, maybe some magic that could suppress the thoughts, at least.”

Heaven now shakes her head. “I don’t know. Mama and Aunty Del tried a powerful spell. I tried spells too… If it’s your demon magic, maybe Ahren might be our best shot, but I don’t think a spell will work.”

My stomach sinks. “I need to do something. I can’t be here and continue like this. I am just making things worse. I don’t even know why Uncle Leo put me here,” I sigh.

Allie exhales, patting my leg. “Maybe cus he doesn’t know you have little demon thoughts in your ears?”

I tilt my head and look at her. Allie sighs. “Look, I know it sucks, but I legit don’t think anyone would judge. I think they’d try to find a solution to help.”

I place my head in my hand. I don’t know how Allie is so indifferent about it. I know she has a point, but…

“You make it sound so easy.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Sometimes things are, sometimes not, but since you don’t want them to know, the three of us can try to figure this out together. If we can’t find a solution, we tell someone else.”

Heaven nods. “She’s right, Si, especially since there’s so much more to come. It’s not even about graduating, but to be able to control everything you have and use it to protect yourself, if not anyone else.”

I nod. “So, you both aren’t disgusted or angry with me?”

“A little annoyed”, Heaven admits. “You could have at least told us, but hey, I’m not going to judge because you told us now.” I smile at her appreciatively. It feels like such a weight lifted. The entire situation feels almost like it’s no biggie. Like right now, I don’t know why I held off.

“Allie?”

She shrugs. “I feel… nothing. I don’t think having bad thoughts is wrong. I mean, I’ve dreamt of killing Sky, Theo and Ares plenty of times.”

I chuckle. “For real?”

“Have you met them?” She arches a brow.

I smile. “Thanks.”

“So,” Heaven smooths her skirt. “We do need a plan. You can’t continue like this.”

I nod. “I know you said that regular magic won’t be able to help, but what about something from the forbidden grimoires? Didn’t Endora use some magic to bind Mama?”

The thought sickens me, but my point is that there is other magic out there.

Heaven purses her lips. “It’s worth a try, I guess.”

“And worst-case scenario, maybe you just need to let it out and see what happens,” Allie says, looking me dead in the eye. My stomach shifts with unease.

I don’t know about that…

“Well, let’s start with Option A first,” Heaven says. “We got this.”

“Thanks.” I squeeze both girls’ hands before I sigh and lean back against my bed. “Jayce got injured, thanks to me.”

“He’ll live,” Allie says. “You know, it might be a good idea to ask him to help train you. He’s strong. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

I snort. “Yeah, right, he hates me, and now he probably wants to kill me. I need to apologise to him.” I sit forward, pouting.

Heaven raises an eyebrow. “Bake him cookies.”

“That’s something you do for a guy you like,” I point out, and Allie gags.

“Yeah, plus it’s so cringe. It’s like that stupid story about Mama and Dad with how they met, and she baked, and he liked them or something like that. Anyone can just go and buy brownies from like a billion shops, and they taste great. Gross and so cringe.”

“You’re sixteen and not in love. When you fall in love, you’ll realise one does weird things they normally wouldn’t,” Heaven declares with such conviction one would think she’s experienced love.

“No thanks. I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll ever fall in love.” She leans back on the palms of her hands and closes her eyes. “Who knows if I’ll even live long enough…”

“Don’t say that.” I frown, my stomach twisting. She opens her dark eyes and smirks.

“I know Aunty Raven’s super pissed at Theo’s new tattoo, but it’s kinda true.”

“What tattoo? The one he said you’ll love on Christmas?” Heaven asks.

She nods. “Yeah, it says: Live fast, die young .”

The mood becomes sombre; the reality that so many of us will inevitably die younger than the previous generation is settling in.

“That’s why we should live without regrets, without fear, without holding back, because only the gods know what tomorrow brings,” Heaven murmurs.

“Ok, you guys are so depressing,” I say, making Heaven scoff and Allie snort.

“You are the depressed one. I mean, you’re even gloomier than me.” I pout at Allie’s remarks before she stands up. “Alright, I know how you can apologise to Jayce.”

“You do?” I jump up, my eyes widening. Heaven looks doubtful.

“ You know?”

“Look, I may not be as love-smart or whatever you are, but I know Jayce. So…” She walks over to my closet and starts rummaging before she pulls out a white plain top, and grey leggings and pushes them into my arms. “Go shower, get changed, then go see him and just apologise.”

I stare at her. “What?”

“Trust me,”

“She should take something for him,” Heaven pushes. “That’s such a plain outfit.”

I don’t know, both ideas seem… weird.

Allie shakes her head. “Look, this outfit is fitting. It will emphasise your slender physique and make you look more… vulnerable. He’ll feel sorry for you and say it’s fine, trust me.”

“I doubt that,” I snort.

A small smile tugs at the corner of Heaven’s mouth. “Oh! Yes! Totally, your small, petite frame will totally have him feeling bad for you.”

I cock a brow. “You two definitely don’t know men,” I state.

“No excuses!” Heaven says, waving her hand.

“And wash your hair. Who knows what gunk you got in it after that mission, and being so close to manananggals,” Allie orders.

“Then my hair will be wet!”

“Pin it up. You can style it when you return. Now hurry up,” Allie retorts as Heaven throws my lingerie at me.

“Ok, I do think she needs to take something. What about some healing patches? A care package…”

I shut the bathroom door, dumping the clothes on the counter and sigh, before getting into the shower. Talking to the girls made me feel braver, somehow. I wish I hadn’t waited so long, but I was so scared.

I look at the edges of my hair. Maybe it’s the light, but my hair looks redder.

I wash it quickly before finishing my shower and stepping out.

I look at the sage green lace bra Heaven threw at me; I can hear them talking quietly, but I can’t make out what’s being said.

I slip on my panties and leggings and then tug on the sleeveless top.

“Can I get another top? I can see the outline of my bra!” I shout through the door.

“There’s no time! Curfew, remember!” Heaven replies.

I sigh. Maybe it isn’t so noticeable. I usually wear this. Maybe Jayce just scares me. It’s not like he’ll be checking me out, and for some reason, that makes me feel glum. Allie is so right. I am a ball of gloom.

I grab my towel, drying my hair before I wrap it up in a high bun on top of my head, a few wet strands framing my face, and step out into the bathroom where Heaven has put a pair of sneakers on the floor for me.

I’m about to put them on when Allie throws socks at me. “Please do not ever wear shoes without socks. That’s gross.”

“Alright, I put together a little package for you. It just includes some spelled patches, healing balms, pain relief, and some tea pouches,” Heaven says, shoving the small bag into my hand.

“Thank me for the bag. Heaven was about to make a bloody hamper.” Allie wrinkles her nose.

“Well, I don’t know. He might get mad when he sees me. I mean, I’d get mad…” I mumble.

“Confidence, girl,” Heaven reminds me.

“Besides, he won’t get mad, trust me,” Allie smirks, and for a moment, I see Grandpa Al in her. Now I definitely don’t trust her…

“You guys are so weird,” I mutter, putting my Schattensicht on. That’s a rule. Once you’re in a division, you are to keep them on you at all times. We can be called at any time.

“But you love us,” Heaven adds.

“I’m a bit cold. Can I get a jacket?” I ask, feeling suddenly bare.

“No, you got to look small and cute and pitiful,” Heaven reminds me.

This is the dumbest plan ever, but seeing them both standing there happy with their plan, I decide I can’t break their hearts.

“Thanks…” Sighing, I turn and trudge down the hall, peeping into the little white bag that they had passed me. It’s, as Heaven said, some magical healing remedies.

My gaze falls on my charm bracelet that Dad got me, and I fiddle with it as I make my way towards Division Nine quarters. Wait, I don’t even know if he’ll be there. I stop and look down at my Schattensicht. Are we allowed to use this when not on a mission?

Well… no one said we can’t…

A glowing line appears down the hall, leading me away from the dorms.

Smiling, I follow it, glancing at the time when the warning announcement for everyone to retreat to their rooms for the night rings through the hall.

I keep out of sight as I sneak down the halls.

I’m being led to the indoor sports hall.

I raise an eyebrow. Maybe he isn’t badly hurt if he’s around here.

One of the good things about going to a training academy is that you don’t have to take part in sports for physical education since we train daily. It’s optional. I peek into the dark hall and follow the thin, glowing line that leads across the hall and through one of the side doors.

I cross the sports hall, sticking to the shadows just in case there are cameras here, too.

Although there is still a little time left before curfew, people would still be making their way to their rooms. Reaching the changing rooms, I hesitate; do I just enter?

It’s not like there was a match or something where he’d be naked.

My cheeks flush at the embarrassing thought as I slowly open the door.

“Jayce?” I whisper. The room is dark, the faint smell of sweat and gym clothes makes me wrinkle my nose.

A shaft of light from somewhere at the end of the room casts an eerie glow across the benches, and I look at the glowing red line that is leading me towards the light.

I step into the changing rooms, looking at the dark grey, matt metal lockers, and slowly shut the door behind me. “Jayce?” I call louder.

Is he ok? What if he’s collapsed? Panic rushes through me. From what I know, a manananggal’s bite is dangerous. Was he cut or bitten? I’m not even sure.

I cross the room and step into the light of the shower room.

Instantly, I’m hit with a familiar scent, and my eyes land on the man I’ve been searching for, standing facing the mirrors, his hands braced on the counter, his black hair soaking wet.

But, it’s his broad, bare back with water trickling down it that demands my attention.

He is… wow…

Gods, is he so… perfect.

Every ridge and defined muscle is carved with precision. Every part of him, right down to his lower back, which is half hidden by the towel wrapped around his waist, pulled tight around his ass.

My cheeks burn, heat licking my entire body, and then I feel his piercing gaze sear into me.