Page 35 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Jayce

I sift through the pages of the book, trying not to let my frustration get the better of me. There’s no answer, and no one recognises the symbol. The text is far from being translated, but the urgency to know is only growing.

I know scouring through countless library books may not help, but there is nothing else I can do but keep trying.

I’ve been refused entry to the forbidden section, and it’s pissing me off.

I don’t know why, but I feel there’s something there.

Although Leo and the rest of them would know what’s there, and if there was anything there that could help with the translation.

I don’t like ignoring my intuition, so maybe I will ask for permission again tomorrow.

Even as I try to focus on the task at hand, my mind can’t stop thinking about Sienna.

And it’s a fucking mess. My mind wants me to say ‘fuck it all’ and just enjoy the fact she feels something for me.

That it’s not just me attracted to her. But it’s not that simple; there’s Ahren – and fuck, that one’s going to be the hardest. Not to mention, I know our families will be a little too fucking involved, and I really don’t like people being in my business.

I scrub my hand down my face, but fall still when I hear quiet footsteps. I’m already masking my aura, so I know no one has sensed me, but who the fuck is in here? I make sure my heart rate is slow, masking my presence as I listen for any sound.

Creak.

There it is again.

Someone is walking silently through the library, and from the way their footsteps are calculated and measured, it’s clear they shouldn’t be here.

They won’t see me unless they come down this end.

I remain here, waiting for them to stop, but they keep walking.

I look up, wondering where they are headed.

I stand silently. I’ve been here enough times to know which floorboards creak and which areas to avoid stepping on. I walk towards the person, frowning as I realise there is no scent, and the intent I’m getting from them is off… Something feels wrong.

I peer through the gap in the shelf, my eyes widening slightly.

Ares?

What the fuck is he doing here?

He stops before the forbidden area and crouches down just in front of where the barriers are in place.

I step out from behind the shelf. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He turns sharply, his eyes flashing as he stands up swiftly while looking me over.

“I could ask you the fucking same.”

“I’m here for research purposes,” I remark, holding up the book in my hand.

“Same,” he replies, shoving his hands into his pockets.

My gaze flicks to his face.

He’s lying.

“Oh yeah? What are you researching? I’ve read most of the books here, so maybe I can help?” I offer, glancing around.

He smirks. “It’s no big deal; it’s just regarding pack territories.”

It isn’t.

I observe him, wondering what the hell he’s hiding. “Everything alright?” I ask.

He nods, shrugging. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s nothing. I was just curious about some of the pack borders for a strategy lesson.”

“Cool. Well, if you need any notes, I have some on all the packs,” I reply as he lies without even batting an eyelid. He’s good, there’s no change to his heartbeat or anything.

“I didn’t ask for your fucking help, Jayce.” He now scoffs. “Why do you always try to fucking act like you’re in charge or that you’re our older brother? We were born minutes apart, remember?”

I cock a brow. “Minutes or years. I’m still the eldest. Maybe if you didn’t act like an asshole the majority of the time, I wouldn’t have to,” I reply coldly.

He smirks. “Right. Sure, whatever. But don’t act like you’re some kind of Mr Perfect.” The way he’s looking at me is as if he knows something I don’t, and I hate it.

“I’m not in the mood to argue with you, Ares. Got a fucking issue? Then let’s battle it out. If not, fuck off,” I say, flipping open the book I was reading.

He walks towards me. “How many rules have you broken, Jayce? I mean here in the library, and who knows where else?” he asks, about to snatch the book from my hand, but my grip is tight. His eyes flash again as he yanks at it, and this time, I smirk when he fails again.

“What’s the matter? Is your ego bruised because I’m fucking stronger?” I taunt, having had enough of his fucking attitude.

“Fuck off, you dickhead,” Ares says, shoving me instead. I’m ready for it, and don’t budge. He’s always been physical when not getting his way. The fact that I didn’t even stumble makes his irritation rise.

He’s really pissing me off. “You’re the one who approached me, so you fuck off, init. What do you fucking want from me?”

“I don’t know, maybe stop fucking dictating shit for me – for any of us. Mom and Dad can speak for themselves. You don’t need to try to keep us in line just to make them happy,” he snarls.

“Well, I won’t fucking stop. I’m not fucking interested in your insecure bullshit.

I’m fed up with having to put up with it.

Give me a valid reason, Ares.” My eyes are blazing, and this time I grab him by his collar.

“Just remember, Mom and Dad are the reason I haven’t fucking beaten the shit out of you.

So, fix your shit, because I’m fed up with you being a fucking wanker. ”

He shoves me hard in the chest, knocking the wind from me, his aura surging, but I don’t move, refusing to back down. “Don’t mess with me, Jayce, you’ll fucking regret it.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Threats don’t work on me, Ares. Consider this my last fucking warning.” I let go of him roughly and turn my back on him.

“I fucking hate you, dickhead,” he mutters resentfully.

I tense, my heart skipping a beat as my wolf stirs at that statement. I turn and look back at him sharply, trying to remain indifferent. “Do you really hate me, Ares?”

“Yeah, I fucking do,” he spits back before he turns and storms off, activating the library alarm as he does.

He means it. He fucking means it.

I don’t move, knowing I have mere minutes before someone shows up, but all I can think of is his confirmation that he hates me.

I don’t bother him. It’s rare that I even fucking order any of them to do something. I run my fingers through my hair, suppressing my emotions and schooling my features to cool indifference when Professor Virelia sweeps into the library, her hands glowing.

I step out from behind the shelf, and she looks surprised, her aura vanishing. “Jayce Westwood! Not who I was expecting.”

“I apologise, Professor. I’ve been working on some language research, and I admit I’ve been needing more time at the library,” I say distractedly. I hate you – those are the words that are ringing loudly in my head.

“Well, I will let you off with a warning this time. You may request access after-hours, but there are curfews and rules for a reason. You are the leader of Ninth Division. Please show more caution and respect for rules.

“Understood,” I reply, frowning slightly.

I hate you.

My wolf’s displeasure is only getting stronger, and I leave the library before Professor Virelia says anything else. I head towards my dorm, but the walls of the Academy feel really suffocating right now.

What the hell is going on in his mind?

I glance upwards and smile slightly, remembering where the five of us used to gather when we first joined the Academy.

It was our place. There was no me or them, it was us. The five of us.

Things changed over the years, all of us focusing on where we fit in, not always having classes together, our paths not aligning. All of us aiming for different things.

Do you really hate me, Ares?

Yeah, I fucking do.

It wasn’t like Katara telling me she finds me annoying, or Theo telling me I’m a fucking prick, but not meaning it.

Even Carter, we clash, but… I shake my head as I climb the stairs, heading to one of the small rooms in the tower that we used to use to climb out of the window there to get onto the small area on the rooftop.

I pause when I step into the circular room. The window isn’t locked…

Is someone else here?

I pull myself up onto the window ledge and look down.

It’s been at least nine months since I last came here, but muscle memory remains, and I find myself making my way up the brick wall with ease.

Reaching the top, I swing my legs over the low ledge, only to see a figure sprawled on the floor – a vape in his mouth. His eyes flit towards me, and he grins.

“Well, well, look who we have here. Jaycey boy.”

“Theo, what are you doing here?” I ask as I drop onto the ground and lean against the tiled roof behind me.

“That should be my question. I still come here every other day… but I got to say, no one else comes anymore.” There’s a wistfulness in his voice. “So, what made you remember our spot?”

I look at him as he props himself up on his elbows and looks over at me. “Nothing really, just realised how little time we spend together nowadays and thought I’d visit our space.”

“Naw, really? You missed me?” He smirks as he sits up fully and turns to face me, one leg raised as he vapes. “But really, you’re the last one I expected to show up.”

“Why?” I ask.

“You’re a DL now. You have responsibilities. Plus, I know you’re also helping Dad with the business.”

“Only accounts. Trust me, I’m not doing much. Renji and Carter have been as well.”

“Yeah, true. I hate numbers, I hate any kind of work.” He shudders.

I smirk slightly. “You always have…”

“You know I may not be as fucking smart as you, but I can read you. What the fuck happened to make you as gloomy as the Rossi Demoness?” he asks.

At the mention of Sienna, I try to remain indifferent.

Scoffing, I shake my head. “Not much, I had a...” it wasn’t even an argument, “run-in with Ares, and he seems to fucking hate my guts.”

Not seems – does.

“So what? Even the gods fought with their siblings. Heck, everyone does.”

It’s more than that...

“I guess so. And I guess you think I’m far too fucking controlling or some shit?”

He watches me for a moment. Despite the grin on his face, he ain’t an idiot.

“Course you are. You’re like a mother hen, always quacking about us, making sure we’re doing what we need to, checking up on us to see if we’re doing ok.

If we’re behaving, blah, blah, blah. But controlling?

Na, I don’t fucking think so. I mean, even the gods can’t control me.

Who the fuck are you to be able to do that? ”

I smirk. “I don’t think Selene will approve of you swearing at her.”

“Selene? Not who I had in mind, but sure.” He grins.

I never meant to control anyone. I just… fuck, I don’t even know. I’m making things worse when that’s not even my fucking intention.

“So how come you still come here?” I ask instead.

He shrugs, dropping back onto the ground and blowing out a string of smoke. “There’s nothing more peaceful than the night sky. Besides, this place holds so many memories.”

I gaze up at the sky, smiling faintly. “It sure does… back when shit wasn’t so intense.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “Tell me, from the five of us, how many do you think will make it to the end of the war?”

His unexpected question hangs between us, and I frown, staring at the starless sky. “I’ll make sure four of us do.”

“But we’re quints, even if one fucking part of us is missing, we’ll always feel it, especially if it’s the limb that holds us all together.”

Our eyes meet, and for a moment, I wish there was another solution, but the truth is, this war is going to take many… and… if Sienna and I are together, I can’t leave her. I won’t make her go through what she did when her father passed away. For her, I will have to be selfish, but at what cost?

“Want a go? It’ll help with the stress.” He holds out the vape, and I take it. One puff and I smirk. This ain’t no ordinary vape, there’s some powerful drug in it, but right now I don’t give a fuck. I take another hit of the vape, relishing in the heaviness that consumes my senses.

After learning my brother literally hates me, I think I fucking need it.

“It’s some fucking good shit, right?” Theo drawls.

I chuckle dryly, letting out a cloud of smoke. “Yeah, I guess it is.”