Page 30 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Jayce

“ W anna get that?” Ahren asks. I cock a brow.

“Do you want to?” I ask, my face passive at the fact that his sister is knocking on my door.

“No, carry on. Pretend I’m not even here.” He winks at me as he drops onto my bed. I stand up and walk over to the door, opening it a little, my back to him as I look down at none other than his sister.

She’s showered and wrapped up in one of her fluffy robes, but there’s a small frown on her face. But as much as I want to ask her if she’s ok, her brother is right behind me.

“Can I help you?” I ask curtly.

Her face drops at my tone, and I wonder what exactly she thinks we are. What happened shouldn’t have happened, but I can’t blame her for being confused by my tone, as I do not want Ahren to know what happened.

“Oh, well…” she looks up at me, and I motion with my eyes behind me and mouth ‘Ahren’.

She frowns before her eyes widen, and her heart quickens a little. “I just wanted to ask about the book that was taken. What was it regarding? I was just thinking maybe there are other books on the same subject.”

She’s totally bluffing, but she’s not bad at it. “I don’t really know. When we have an update, I’m sure everyone will be made aware. Get some rest. Training recommences tomorrow.” I say dismissively.

She nods, her eyes dipping to what she can see of my body, before she looks straight into my eyes, her cheeks flushing. “Yes, sir. Goodnight.”

Sir? I cock a brow, trying not to smirk as she walks to her room. I take a moment to appreciate her. She’s fucking gorgeous. I shut the door, my face blank as I turn back to Ahren. He glances at me, but I’m not easy to read.

“Seems she’s beginning to trust you.”

I shrug. “You’ll have to ask her that.”

“I don’t know. We both know you read people better than anyone.” Ahren grins.

“Right.” I cross my arms. “So, why are you here?”

He sighs, resting back on my bed, arms behind his head as he stares at the ceiling. “Honestly, I’m just killing time, since Aunty and a couple of witches are reinforcing the barriers.”

“About that. Can you just teleport inside the barriers?” I ask. I wonder if there are others like him out there.

“I can’t. I can teleport right outside the barrier, or if I’m beneath the shields, then I can teleport anywhere within the barrier. I’m just little old me, nothing special, you know?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Still playing that card?” I remark. “So really, why the hell did you come to disturb me?”

He sighs. “You nag like a grandma… I wanted to ask, when Sienna was fighting, did you sense negative energy from her, from the sigils?”

“Her power itself is… chaotic. And that gets intense,” I admit, as I open my wardrobe and take out some boxers. I pull them on, removing my towel before grabbing some sweatpants. “Her power is darkness, but not evil. The sigils were just that, power. There was no good or bad, just her power.”

“Aunty is freaked out, so…” he runs his hands through his messy hair.

“She would be. I know what she went through somewhat, and if Endora had that control over her, she has reason to be worried, but I didn’t sense darkness from Sienna.”

“And the other witch?”

I frown, trying to word how it felt… I shake my head, not about to admit I was focusing more on Sienna. “Old, her magic felt old.”

“Fuck.” He sighs.

“You talk to Dante recently?” I ask. If anyone, Ahren’s the one who has contact with him.

“Last night before I came here.” He stretches, yawning.

I nod. “Right, still nothing?” He’s been searching for the enemy for a while, and he, Leo and an entire team of trackers from across the world, including witches, have failed.

“Nothing yet, but I’m going to hold on to hope that we’ll get some answers soon,” he says.

I nod. Yeah, there’s not much else we can do.

The next day , I wake to my alarm, for once not waking up before it goes off. She plagued my dreams. Those moments in that classroom were the main focus of my dreams, but no matter how many times I came close to those plush lips, I woke up or stirred before I could claim them with mine.

So, needless to say, my mood is not great. I get ready quickly, sending Sienna the photos that I had taken of the book. I had already sent them to Leo, so much for not wanting anyone to know about the symbol I’ve been drawing.

I don’t look at my phone after that, not even sure what to make of what happened.

Last night, she didn’t message after she left, and I don’t know, I was kinda hoping she would, especially after Ahren left to create a shield over the other barriers. But maybe it is for the best.

I skip breakfast, instead heading to the school admissions office to book a leave for us brothers for the evening.

“Can I help you?” the woman, Nikki, asks. I’m sure she’s Leo’s ex.

“I wanted to get permission for the evening out to spend with my family. I’ll need it for me and my four brothers, Jayce, Theo, Ares, Carter, and Renji Westwood.”

“I know who you are.” She waves her hand. “You know I know the King pretty well-”.

“And I really don’t care,” I cut in. She rolls her eyes at that.

“Alright, alright. Let me see…”

There was a time when the security was much laxer, and now it’s suffocating at times. I do sneak out and go for a ride, but even that’s become harder now since I’m a division leader.

“I’ll put in the formal request. It will need to be approved by the deputy head, especially with the attacks.”

“Yeah, when will I get the confirmation?”

“By lunchtime.”

I nod before I take my leave. Remember, tonight at seven. I’ve requested leave. I say to my brothers before I block them off, before they can reply. I’m not in the mood for their shit.

I head outside, the first lesson of the day is training for the seniors, and I have a lot of pent-up emotions that I need a release from.

The entire day goes by, but I don’t see her, nor do I get a message from her. It’s late, I’m ready to leave, and I’m killing time at the basketball court, shooting some hoops, lost in thought.

The symbol… the book… why would they want it? What did that book hold that I need to solve? There’s something… I spin the ball before dribbling it twice and tossing it through the hoop.

“Jayce!”

I turn to see Tatum jogging over, a frown on his face. My mind instantly goes to Sienna, but I simply cock a brow. “Yeah?”

“Do you know why the Headmaster’s quit?”

I catch the ball. “What?”

“Yeah, he’s asked to step down, and I’ve not heard anything. I thought maybe you might know something?”

I shake my head. “He was acting a bit off during the meeting last night, but I don’t understand why he would decide to resign.”

I frown as I dribble the ball slowly. This isn’t good, as the head of leadership, a change after what went down isn’t fair to the students, and for those who may be afraid. His stepping down is pretty fucking selfish.

“You know this will only instil fear in those who are already rocked by the events of last night,” Tatum says, crossing his arms.

“And why are you telling me? You ain’t wrong and anyone you ask would agree on that.”

“Your father’s on the Council. Can you talk to him? I don’t want to burden Mom,” he says.

I nod slowly. “Sure.”

I don’t know why he doesn’t want to tell Ahren or Leo either, but that’s his business.

“Thanks,” he says curtly before he turns away.

“You good?” I ask. He looks over his shoulder and nods.

“Yeah, thanks.”

I nod, tossing the ball into the hoop as Theo’s voice comes into my mind.

We’re leaving now, and just to warn you, Ares is acting like a little bitch, and Carter’s face looks like a donkey’s backside.

I sigh internally. Yeah? Well, I don’t give a fuck.

With that, I head to the garage to get my bike, ready to get a break from here. Getting onto my bike, I take out my phone and open up the chat where I’ve already sent her the pictures. She’s ‘hearted’ the posts, but that’s it… I don’t know what to say.

Last night we almost crossed a line… one that could change everything.

I want to see if she’s ok, but I don’t know what I’ll say now that everything has calmed down and the emotions of the attack are under control. She was never meant to see how I feel about her. I should have kept my hands to myself, not plastered all over…

JAYCE: Training is still on, but I’m off campus for a few hours, so 10?

I frown; no, she doesn’t get an option…

JAYCE: I’m off campus for a few hours, but training is still on. For today, we’ll start at 10.

I follow up with the location. This time we’ll train at the farthest training ground where none of the Academy dorms or rooms can oversee it. I message Matherson for the late pass for Sienna and then slip my phone away and start my bike, ready to enjoy a few hours away from here.

Fifteen minutes later , I reach the restaurant where we’ll be dining. Mom and the others also drove down, meeting us at a place closer to the Academy, so it’ll be easier for us to get back.

Pushing open the door, I scan the restaurant as a woman comes over with the menu. “Table for one, or are you waiting for someone else?” she asks, flashing me a smile.

I look around. “My family is already here,” I say before walking past her, following my nose as I pick up the familiar scents that remind me of home.

Sometimes you don’t even realise how much you miss it until you see your family.

Mom jumps to her feet. Her long, black hair, which fades into purple is completely straight, unlike Sienna’s, which is curly. I push the thought away. Why am I even thinking about her?

“Jayce!” A smile lights up her face, and I walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her tiny, barely 5-foot frame.

“Hey, Ma.”

She cups my face, pulls me down and kisses my forehead, smiling up fondly at me. Her eyes are unique, one green and one blue, but both are filled with equal warmth.

“How are you?” she asks softly, concern replacing the warmth. “Where are the others?”

“I’m fine, and so are the rest. They’ll be here soon,” I reassure her, feeling calm in her presence.

I look over at Dad, Grandad and Grandma.

“Jayce,” Grandma smiles as she stands up and hugs me. I wrap my arms around her. She’s got a couple of inches on Mom, but she’s super tiny, too. Her aura is different from Mom’s. It doesn’t calm me, but hers gives me strength.

Then there’s Sienna, who fucks with my head.

“Hey, Grandma.”

She smiles up at me before Grandad gets up and gives me a one-armed hug as he asks me how I’m doing. I look over at Dad as I lean over Mom and greet him with a one-armed hug, too.

The door to the restaurant opens, and I sense the auras of my brothers as Mom and Dad get out, and I slide in beside Grandad. Theo flashes the waitress a flirty smile before spotting us and walking over. The rest follow, and Ares isn’t making his annoyance subtle, much to my irritation.

When everyone settles down, I look around.

“Where’s Katara?” I ask, now realising she’s missing.

Grandad chuckles. “Did you only notice she’s missing now? Azura was down yesterday, so she went to stay at hers for a couple of days. She was getting pretty bored with the house so empty.”

“Can’t blame her,” I say, looking over at him.

He looks younger than his years, but the stress of time is showing on his face.

“So, shall we order first, then talk? Because I am starved,” Grandma says. The others all agree, and I nod my agreement.

Twenty minutes later, we’ve finally decided on what we want and have placed our orders. I take my phone out, glancing down at the three emojis that have popped up on my screen: cherries, a butterfly and a demon.

Sienna’s replied, but I’m cramped between Dad and Grandad, and I’m not about to unlock my phone with them able to see everything on it.

“Ares, are you ok?” Mom asks, my eyes flick up to him as he shrugs.

“Yeah, so what was the big deal with this get-together?”

“Well, why not?” Dad asks.

“I mean, Jayce has become division leader, which is incredible.” Mom smiles brightly. “And worth celebrating.”

“Ah, so that was the reason, cus I was so fucking confused why we were meeting when school literally just started a couple of weeks ago.”

Cocky bastard.

Mom raises an eyebrow. “I don’t appreciate your attitude.”

“Yeah, cut it out,” Dad warns.

Ares smirks as he leans forward and picks up his glass. “To Jayce and his incredible success.” The sarcasm is irritating, and I simply cock a brow.

Grandma frowns, but no one follows suit.

“Am I missing something?” Dad asks.

“Nothing at all. Let’s enjoy the evening. So, I heard from someone that the attack on the Academy rattled the Council and all the alphas whose kids go there,” Renji says in an attempt to change the subject.

Grandad sighs, and Dad looks at him. Clearly, he just made them even more stressed.

“Yeah, it’s true,” Dad admits. “But that’s not Leo’s biggest concern.”

I glance at him sharply. “Then what is?”

“Aaron wants to step down. He thinks he failed the students and doesn’t think he can be responsible for every life there. With the pressure from those whose children attend, he has been bombarded about why it happened,” Dad explains as he drinks his juice.

“And you think Leo will let him?” Carter asks, frowning slightly.

“No one can be forced into doing anything they don’t want to, but it will leave a problem on his hands,” Grandma adds. Grandad takes her hand, rubbing her knuckles gently.

“Yeah.”

“So, now what then?” Theo asks, for once, not messing around. We all know the gravity of the situation,

No one speaks, and I spin the knife that is in front of me.

“Then maybe we just need a new headmaster,” I say, now looking around the table, voicing the opinion that has been on my mind since Tatum came to talk to me.

“One who is far more reputable than just another alpha, one the students, their families and the Council know they can rely on. The Headmaster of the Academy is the general who is preparing the captains who will lead the army in battle. So we find someone befitting of that title. One with enough strength to see it through.”