Page 36 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

I cough as sand fills my mouth and prickles my eyes, blinding me. The howling wind that accompanies it as I’m pushed by the sheer force makes me raise my hand to protect my face. Feeling my feet sink into sand, I realise I’m barefoot and I’m still wearing my ghost print pyjamas.

I don’t have the cloak I’m usually in, either. Another surge of sand fills my nose, and I cover my face with my sleeve, trying to stop any further sand from filling my mouth. It still prickles my eyes, and I realise I’m in the middle of a sandstorm. I can’t see anything around me.

I take a deep breath, trying to sense my surroundings rather than see them. There’s a building to the right! I’ll take shelter until this storm has cleared. I can sense other people there, too.

I squint through the sand and turn to spot the building. It’s not just any building, it’s the temple!

My heart skips a beat as I glance around. I’m in the same location as usual, but the man is not here, and the weather is far from the normal shining sun that I’m usually met with.

I push my way towards the temple, seeing people retreating from the pillars and entering it. There are no doors, just an opening leading inside where people are huddling and taking shelter from the terrible storm outside.

Someone passes me a cloak and I thank them, placing it around my shoulders.

He nods, but says nothing, and I realise he’s murmuring a prayer.

I lower my head and step closer to the entrance, but just as my foot is about to touch the stone step, the brilliant sun shines from behind me, and the sand clears away.

Everything spins, and I’m suddenly standing on the balcony of a breathtaking castle made of ivory and gold.

The sun is almost blinding, and I can hear water running from somewhere not too far away. The smell of flowers and something else fills my nose, and the warm yet refreshing breeze kisses my skin. The birds chirp in the air, and I spin around, trying to catch sight of them.

Where am I?

I hear a soft chuckle. “You’re actually here.”

I spin around to see the man. He doesn’t come closer, and with the brilliant light from the sun, I can’t see much, aside from his strong, muscular legs, one that is tattooed from calf to thigh. He’s wearing a white wrap and a golden belt, but I can’t see more than that.

Damn! I wanted to see inside the temple! That symbol, I was so close!

“Yes, I am here,” I reply, trying to hide my annoyance.

“Good, last time we were cut short,” he hums, and I feel calmer.

Last time… Ah, yes, he was about to say something… I find myself remembering.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs with appreciation.

I suddenly feel uncomfortable. Jayce… “You ask me to follow you every single time. Why? Who are you?”

“All in good time. I cannot tell you here.”

“Then why bring me here?” I ask, wanting to see the man properly, but he remains standing directly under the intense light of the blazing sun.

“I couldn’t leave you out in the sandstorm,” he chuckles.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“You will get the answers in good time…”

I look around; I came here, so I should be able to guide myself back to the temple.

“Until we meet again, then,” I say before I will myself to the storm, hoping it works.

He steps forward, raising his hand – but I’m being pulled away before he can say or do anything.

Everything darkens, and once again, I’m on the temple steps. The wind whips violently, and sand fills the air.

“This temple? To whom does it belong?” I ask one of the men who is wearing robes that look more important than most of those huddled here. The symbol that was carved into the temple itself decorates his robes.

A priest, maybe?

He looks down at me. “You are not from here.”

I shake my head, and he looks at me with intrigue, his eyes taking in what I’m wearing beneath the cloak. A small, thoughtful frown creases his forehead.

“This temple belongs to the one who shall be touched by Zeus himself.”

“Shall be?” I ask, feeling a sudden pull.

It takes me a second to realise my time is up.

“Yes, child, within these walls we protect the treasures of the-”

I gasp as I sit up in bed. The sun is shining through the window, and Shahira is sitting on the floor watching me.

“Are you ok?” she asks.

My heart is thumping as I realise the entire night has gone by.

I nod, sighing heavily as I massage my temples. “Why are you sitting there?” I ask, placing a hand on my forehead.

“You were talking, not that I could understand what you were saying,” she says, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

“Oh, thanks for being concerned.” I sigh as I drop back onto the bed, my mind spinning and feeling a little defeated. I was so damn close. If that golden man didn’t take me away, I could have heard what the priest was saying!

Gods, I’m so annoyed.

But he said, Zeus. That’s a start! We need to find answers linked to Zeus, then, right? The only issue with our knowledge is that we only learn snippets of the real happenings of the past when something happens. So much knowledge is lost to us. I wish it wasn’t…

All we have are the distorted versions that have morphed through the passing of time into versions so far from the truth that we really know nothing.

“Did you get what you were looking for?”

“A start,” I admit. “Thank you for the herbs. Mind if I could trade you something for the rest?” I ask sheepishly.

She smiles. “Sure, there are a few herbs I’ve been after, but they aren’t easy to get. I wonder if you could get them through your aunt.”

“You name them and I’ll get them. My aunty and Mama have a huge collection.”

“Awesome, thank you. There are some herbs that are good for balms when magic is depleted.” She grimaces at the thought.

“I’ll definitely get you them. Just give me a list.”

“Thanks, Sienna.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Shahira stands up.

“Who is it?” she calls.

“Renji, I got breakfast for us all. Wanna join?”

My heart skips a beat.

Shahira looks at me, and I nod. “Sure, we’ll be out soon,” she answers.

“Well, better hurry up. We need to be out of here in under thirty minutes!”

“I’m always late,” I say as Shahira chuckles.

“You’re not wrong, but hey, we can eat in fifteen. You can still get ready with enough time to eat.”

“True!” I agree. Grabbing my gown and wrapping it around myself, I pick up my belt. “I’ll just go wash my face and stuff before eating.”

She nods, and I slip out of our room, my eyes flitting to Jayce’s room, wondering if he’s in there. I scan the main room to see most of them digging into boxes. Artemis, Brock and Jayce aren’t there…

Feeling a little down, I go to the bathroom, not wanting to waste any more time.

Five minutes later, I enter the main room where Renji is offering Shahira a YumYum. That’s what Mama called Dad…

A wave of sadness washes over me, and I look away. I’ll start tearing up if I think about it.

“Greggs? Who went?” Artemis asks.

“I did,” Renji replies, and I look up to see her walk in, yawning.

Brock’s already there, and my heart skips a beat when I see Jayce by the coffee machine.

“Oh, good, pass me a cheese and onion pasty,” Artemis asks Ian, who is closest to one of the bags, as she sits in Brock’s lap, kissing him.

I blush, looking away when I feel Jayce’s intense gaze on me, searing into me like it always has, but maybe it never was with hate, and knowing that makes my heart race. I try my best not to look his way as I take a seat on one of the sofas and select a tuna baguette.

I’m opening the wrapper when Jayce comes over.

I keep my eyes on my baguette, trying not to turn to admire his long, strong legs as he leans down, grabs a pasty and then sits on the armrest right next to me, his long legs sprawled in front of him.

His scent fills my nose, and I swallow, trying to focus on my food and not the man who is sitting way too close for me to act normal.

My cheeks are flushed as I bite into my baguette.

“Looks like the new girl can take it,” Bruce hoots, and I look up, startled, then realise I’ve taken a little too big a bite. I gasp, choking as I instantly get what he means.

Jayce’s aura surges. “Keep it fucking appropriate,” he warns coldly as he slaps my back lightly, rubbing it as he motions for someone to pass him water. Renji does so instantly, his blue eyes sparkling as he smirks.

“You alright there, Sienna?” he asks slyly.

I nod as I swallow my food, trying to ignore Allison and Himari snickering.

“I don’t think she’s taken anything, Bruce, so stop wishing for something that ain’t going to happen. She’ll probably faint at the sight of-”

“Allison, quit it,” Jayce snarls, his voice merging with his wolf’s, deeper, rougher, colder. This time, the room goes silent as Allison pales.

“I was just- Ah!” She gasps as she drops her hot chocolate all over herself and turns instantly to Maralai. “You did that!”

Maralai snorts. “Shut it, bitch.”

“Ok, can everyone just quit it? This division fucking sucks,” Valerian mutters.

“Everyone just needs to learn to respect one another,” Jayce says, now standing. “I’ll have a word with you after classes, Allison.”

“Sure. I always enjoy our after-class meetups.” She smirks as if she knows what that means, and it makes a sliver of jealousy tingle through me.

“And what about Maralai using magic!” Himari asks.

“Oh, I did not!” Maralai retorts. I glance at Shahira, who is looking down at her food, but when she looks up and our eyes meet, I realise it was her.

“It doesn’t fucking matter who did it, or if you’re just fucking clumsy. You deserved it. You’ve been a bitch towards Sienna since the start,” Artemis snaps.

“Ok, ok, guys, I’m sorry. I’m legit sorry for starting this,” Bruce says as Lucius and Renji sigh.

“We really need some kind of mediation,” Brock adds.

“I’ve already made myself clear, but some of you aren’t getting the fucking memo. You’re on your last chance, Allison.” Jayce’s voice is icy.

“But there’s only been problems now, like, since she’s joined,” Himari adds, pointing at me.

“Both of you are going to be running 300 fucking laps today after classes,” Jayce commands before he downs his coffee as Allison stares at him, shocked.

“B-but I had booked the afternoon off. You knew that I was going to go shopping.”

“Too bad you were being a petty little bitch then.” This time, Artemis and Renji are the ones to choke at Jayce’s blunt words.

Oh, how I’d hate being on the receiving end of his anger. Allison looks humiliated before she nods, clearly fighting back her emotions. She glances at me, and her eyes seem to glisten with unshed tears. But it’s fleeting, and she quickly turns and walks away.

“I’ll see you all for training. No one better be late.” Jayce warns.

“Thanks for the food, Renji. It’ll be my treat next time.” Artemis smiles at him, and Renji nods. I feel guilty that the morning was ruined, and it clearly only happens when I’m around. Should I talk to Allison?

I watch Himari rush out after her and sigh inwardly.

“Finally, I can enjoy my food.” Renji sighs as he sits back and rips into his baguette. Lucius sits forward, combing his fingers through his hair.

“Don’t blame yourself,” he says to me with a small smile. “Allison has issues that stem from her own egotistic ways. Ignore her.”

“Easier said than done.” Artemis frowns as she gets up to leave. “In all honesty, she needs to learn what it means to be a team, or she’ll get us killed when it comes to going out on missions.”

A silence falls over the room, and Maralai looks over at Shahira. “You ain’t as innocent as you look, but nice one.”

Shahira blinks before looking down sheepishly. Renji chuckles but doesn’t say anything.

After we finish eating, Shahira and I help Renji clear up the rubbish and thank him for breakfast before we head to training. Jayce is waiting outside the training hall for me, and motions for me to follow him.

I glance at the others before following him. He leads me to an empty room nearby, and one glance around shows me we’re alone. I stare at him as he closes the door. His face is unreadable, and my heart is hammering way too loud.

“I wanted to try something different for training this morning. You were going to tell me about your powers, something that causes you trouble, but we never got around to finishing that conversation. Want to fill me in?”

No ‘Good Morning’? No ‘Hi’? I feel a little disappointed as I look down at my feet. Fine, if he wants to play it cold, I can do the same.

“When there are a lot of negative emotions, my own power spirals,” I reply simply.

“Yeah, I can sense that.”

“Yeah, but it’s also accompanied by a voice, well, not a voice exactly, but thoughts, telling me to destroy everything, to attack, to hurt, to unleash chaos. The voice – it feels like it wants to control me, to consume me, and I know what I’m capable of if I give in to it.”

“So do I. The training facility?”

“Yeah, and that caused the barriers to be damaged,” I remind him. My voice is lower when I speak again. “I have bad thoughts. I want to harm good people. People I care about.”

He steps closer, and it takes my all not to step back as I slowly look up into those sharp, green eyes. “So, we need to figure out how you can control those thoughts rather than letting them control you. I have an idea.”

“Wait, that doesn’t make you worried? Or think I’m awful?” I whisper, confused at his unbothered reaction.

He arches a brow. “Why would I? Your power is chaotic, but that’s what I’m here for. We’ll figure out how to tame it.”

“And what if it cannot be tamed?” I ask. He takes hold of my chin, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip, making my core knot.

“Then we teach you how to put it on a fucking leash and show it who’s boss.” My cheeks are burning as I stare at him. His eyes now drag up from my lips and burn into mine. “Understood?”

“Understood,” I whisper softly.

“Good girl.”

My cheeks burn at those two words, and I hate how he can see me flush like a tomato. However, when that faint smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, I’m sucked in, my embarrassment and annoyance fading away, and all I can see is him.