Page 24 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

“ W hy are we not fighting? We are training for this very situation, aren’t we?” I exclaim in frustration at Renji. He stops, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Because this isn’t our fight. We are the cream of the crop, meaning our fight is yet to come.

Everyone here is not just training to become a warrior; they are training to become a leader.

We are the strongest, and we will be the ones on the front lines leading our army when the final war falls upon us.

Come on, Sienna. We need to get out there. ”

My heart thuds. He’s right... We are – well, aside from me, the strongest of the strongest.

Suddenly, trained warriors storm the building, each one wearing Schattenblüte uniforms and carrying weapons, whilst some have shifted already.

These are the guards posted at the school, warriors from all packs around the country and some even from abroad.

And witches as well. Each one is skilled and at ease as they have already begun working their magic.

They are always around, guarding the premises of the Academy. After all, even I know they aren’t going to put all the strong warriors in one place unprotected. Targeting Midnight Academy is the perfect aim for those who want to weaken our manpower.

“Jayce is still inside,” I whisper, trying not to panic. It doesn’t feel right to leave him in there alone. And there is one thing I’ve learned, which is to never ignore my instincts.

“He is safer alone, or I would have gone,” Renji reassures me, his voice soft yet urgent; a reminder that I am a liability. But still, I feel sick with worry, and I shouldn’t. If Renji, his own brother, isn’t worried, why am I?

“Sienna…”

“Move faster!” one of the teacher’s commands.

“Jayce…”

“I never realised he meant so much to you,” Renji whispers as he continues trying to firmly pull me towards where a spell is already being cast around the students gathered.

I open my mouth to tell him he doesn’t, but…

this feeling in my chest. Renji’s gaze dips to my hoodie, and his brow furrows, and I know he’s realised it’s Jayce’s.

It doesn’t look good, not with the fact that I’m wearing tiny pyjama shorts that can’t even be seen, and I’m barefoot.

This must look bad, but right now I don’t care what anyone thinks.

“Renji, let go,” I say suddenly, my voice commanding as my eyes flash.

His eyes are sharp as his head snaps towards me, and I wrench free. “Sienna…” He’s realised I’m about to break the very rules we are meant to follow.

“I am not the elite of our generation. I don’t need to be protected,” I remind him softly.

“You can’t go back in there.”

“Watch me.” I turn and push through the exiting students, slipping back inside the building.

I’m halfway up the stairs, using my Schattensicht to guide me towards Jayce as I whisper a concealment spell. Of course, if other witches are around, they may sense me, but it will keep me hidden somewhat.

How did they even get in? The premises themselves contain concealment spells and misdirection spells, and if you seek the school with ill intention, you can’t find it. So how are they here?

My phone buzzes, and I curse internally as I grab it and quickly turn it to silent and message Tatum, who is calling me.

SIENNA: I can’t answer, but I’m fine. I’m with a group of girls outside.

TATUM: So you got out safely?

My stomach twists with guilt. Tatum hates lies…

SIENNA: Yeah, a few minutes ago.

TATUM: Ok, great.

I slip my phone into the pocket of Jayce’s hoodie, inhaling deeply. It’s an unwashed hoodie because his intoxicating scent lingers, and I lift it to my nose and inhale deeply, his face flashing in my mind.

What do I feel for the eldest Westwood?

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 to breathe.

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.

“The window,” Jayce mutters as he lifts one of the heavy shelves and places it in front of the door just as the other boy rushes to the window and begins prying it open.

“Go help him. I got this,” I say as I begin whispering a barrier spell.

He hesitates before he runs to the window, and they push the window open.

I see Jayce offer his hand to one of the girls, who blushes as she takes it, and he lifts her out of the window.

I try to ignore the twinge of jealousy that settles into my stomach as I force myself to focus on the approaching threat.

Suddenly, that aura intensifies, and my eyes flash, but I’m too slow, and the door explodes, throwing me off my feet. I hit the floor, and Jayce knocks the shelf that almost tumbled onto me aside.

I’m back on my feet as I come face to face with a woman who towers over me, dressed in black leather with a deep red cloak over her shoulders. I can see the two long swords at her waist.

Her skin is pale, her eyes blood red, with a small, dainty nose that doesn’t match her malicious eyes or the curl to her red lips. Her pure white hair reaches down to her knees. It’s braided from the front, the rest left open.

I instantly activate my protection spells, although something tells me she can rip right through them if she wants. “Such darkness… yet you’re on their side,” she murmurs, her eyes trained on me.

She’s peering at me as if I’m something to devour, and it makes me uneasy. It’s as if she can see right into my soul.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind a little drink…” she whispers.

A drink? I know she’s a witch; her powers are potent. Is she a vampire hybrid of some sort? I’m not sure… I’ve not heard of any hybrid vampires.

“I’d like to see you fucking try,” Jayce says, his power spreading around him as he steps between us. I see the woman’s eyes darkening with irritation.

“Jayce… get them out of here,” I plead softly.

“Like hell I’m leaving you,” he snarls as his aura illuminates the room. It doesn’t look like moonfire, it’s almost… crackling, or is it because there’s too much going on?

“Oh, listen to your little girlfriend,” the woman mocks. “Besides, those three look like easy pickings.” Her eyes are on the two who are helping the last girl out of the window, but without Jayce, they’re struggling. Fear is written all over their faces.

“Get them out of here. I can handle her.”

The woman throws her head back and laughs, and it stings, but I can see even Jayce doesn’t believe me.

Fuck this.

My eyes glow, and using full force, I yank Jayce back, stepping in front of him and raise a shield between us.

“Sienna!” he snarls, his eyes blazing blue as he looks at me through the wall. I look at him over my shoulder.