Page 5 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

“ A re you both packed?” Aunty Ri asks from the doorway to Heaven’s room.

“Almost.” Heaven looks around her room. She’s packed a lot of stuff.

I’m not sure how she’s going to manage to fit it all into one room, and we don’t even know who she’ll have to share with.

The holidays were amazing, but they’ve come to an end, and Heaven and I are packing for the next school term.

Well, next term for me, for Heaven, it’s her first term.

“Good, well, dinner will be ready soon,” Aunty Ri says. She’s wearing a deep purple satin gown over her satin pyjamas, clearly having changed early. She’s usually working at the Coven, but since it’s Heaven’s last day before she leaves, she came home early.

She’s beautiful, confident, strong and independent.

I wish I were more like her, but I’m not.

I’m not even strong like Mama or Jaddati.

But Aunty Ri has always been my idol. She has this gorgeous tan skin, and exotic brown eyes, and she just exudes this aura.

I think Heaven is a lot like her. Aunty Ri smiles at me when she catches me watching her and walks over to me.

“Hey, Si, you ok?” she asks, cupping my face. Her perfume flits into my nose, rich and luxurious, just like her.

I nod. “Yes, I was just admiring what an amazing aunty I have.”

“And I can say the same about you.” Her eyes soften as she studies me with concern. “You’ll get there.”

“Thanks.” I don’t have the courage to tell her I’m not cut out for this.

“Alright, hurry up. Dinner and then the spa room are waiting for us.”

“Perfect, I could do with a massage,” Heaven says as the three of us leave her bedroom and head downstairs. The house feels quiet since everyone left on Christmas Day evening, and although some of the guests made me nervous, it was nice when the house wasn’t so quiet.

My heart skips a beat remembering Jayce, and I quickly push the thought away. He hates me. All he sees is a weak, pathetic girl… I sigh softly, and Aunty Ri glances at me.

“You sure you’re ok, honey?”

I blush and nod quickly. “Yes!”

We enter the dining room, where Jaddati is seated at the head of the table.

Tatum and Ahren are on her right, and Mama is sitting beside them.

Heaven and I sit opposite the boys with Aunty Ri beside Heaven.

Kaden is seated in his booster seat beside Mama, and he holds his arms out to me.

Smiling, I lift up the booster seat with my gorgeous little brother in it, making him giggle as I carry him around to our side of the table.

“Mind if we squish in?” I ask, and Heaven smiles, shaking her head as she and Aunty Ri move up one seat. I place Kaden down between Heaven and me and kiss his cheek.

“There you go,” I cup his cheeks and kiss his nose, making him pat my face in return.

I love you, little brother.

“Favouritism,” Ahren teases with mock hurt.

“I can’t deny that,” I admit, smiling across at him. My eyes roam over the array of delicious food that has been cooked. Stuffed chicken, shawarma, falafel and a selection of other Arabian dishes cover the table. “Jaddati, you cooked!”

Jaddati laughs softly. “Of course, my children are going back to school. We will miss having you all here.”

“When we’re there, time just flies. We don’t even realise. Well, I don’t anyway,” Tatum says as we all begin filling our plates and passing the dishes around.

“I do!” I say with a pout. “I count the days to the next holiday.”

Everyone laughs at that. “With me and Allie there, you won’t be, trust me,” Heaven responds confidently.

“I think so, too,” I smile fondly at the thought of having company. I hope so anyway.

“Well, I enjoy the peace and quiet around here, too,” Ahren winks at us.

“How annoying?! You will miss us!” Heaven frowns.

“I don’t think he will,” Tatum disagrees as Mama chuckles.

“He’s busy during the day, too, with pack duties.” She smiles over at Ahren.

“But he does get back every night. That’s more than I can say for Raihana,” Jaddati adds as she pours us all some drinks.

“Thank you.” I smile at her as I savour the food. I’m going to miss home-cooked meals.

“You’re going to be put into a division, right?” Ahren asks, his eyes now serious as he observes me intently as if trying to look deep inside my soul.

I nod. “I guess…”

The Academy has five ‘Paths’. After the first year, we are put into one of the Paths. These are partially based on skill and partially on our choice. Then, once you turn eighteen, you’re placed in a division which consists of students from all five Paths.

There’s Aegis, those who are pretty much born leaders, strong, level-headed and skilled.

Tatum and Jayce are Aegis. Then we have Luminara: they are clever, strategists, those who love to learn and assess.

Noctaris, Dad would be perfect in this category.

Those in Noctaris are extremely skilled in stealth, observation, and tracking.

Followed by Verdantia, most of Verdantia are witches who prefer to focus on healing and poison rather than fighting.

It is the smallest Path with the fewest members.

Every division at Midnight Academy has at least one Verdantia in it.

And then finally, we have Aetheris. Those with powers, so again, witches belong here.

And me? I am in Aetheris, but I really don’t fit here because I can’t even use my abilities.

Aetheris are supposed to help their division with their powers.

Whatever division I’m put in will be at a disadvantage because I’m useless.

“You’ll be fine,” Ahren replies, giving me a small smile.

That’s what everyone tells me. I’ve got this. I’ll be fine, but then why am I not?

I’m already regretting my return.

“So, what Path do you think you’ll choose?” Aunty Ri asks Heaven, bringing me out of my own depressing thoughts.

“Aegis.”

The boys look up. Aegis has no witches, and I think that’s unfair because witches can be natural leaders. And Heaven is strong, really strong. I believe she’s going to surpass even Aunty Ri.

“Witches don’t usually get placed in Aegis,” Tatum remarks.

“Of course, I’ll be there to change that, dear brother,” Heaven waves her hand with confidence.

I giggle as Tatum raises his eyebrows at her. “Good luck. It’s not easy.”

“None of the Paths are easy. The school itself is filled with the strongest,” Ahren reminds him.

Aside from me. I don’t belong there.

“So, are you guys going to do all your girly pampering after dinner?” Ahren asks.

“Yes, we are,” Jaddati says. “Would you like to join?”

“No, thank you, unless you are offering to give my head a massage?” Ahren asks her, rubbing his temples.

“Of course, I will,” Jaddati touches his cheek and smiles.

“Well, I’m going to hit the gym, and then go out for a bit,” Tatum says, glancing at his phone.

We have a home gym, and the Pack gym isn’t too far either.

“Well, don’t be out too late. You’re driving early,” Aunty Ri reminds him. He nods, and I observe him curiously.

I don’t think he has a girlfriend… Tatum’s pretty closed up about his love life.

“The food is delicious,” I compliment Jaddati as we continue eating. I think I’ll enjoy today because tomorrow I’m going to be back at that dreaded place.

That night, I barely slept. The same dream kept me awake, and the dread of what today will bring. When morning arrives, just like my mood, the weather is also dreary.

I pull on black jeans and a grey hoodie, and after bidding everyone farewell, I bundle into Tatum’s car. I’m in the front. We have a family rule that the eldest gets the passenger seat. It doesn’t matter who is in the car: the eldest gets the front, no questions asked.

Heaven isn’t complaining, though. She’s on her phone, most likely on social media. Her extra luggage is piled next to her on the seats. I have an account, but I don’t really use it. I have a few pictures of sunsets and sunrises, but that’s it.

“You’ll be put in a division this year, and as much as I’d have preferred it being mine, it won’t be,” Tatum says quietly, looking across at me.

Damn.

“How can you be sure? Didn’t one of your Aetheris graduate last year?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “We had someone join last term. They’ll be choosing a few division leaders this term, too, so I don’t really know where you’ll be placed.

” He clenches his jaw, and I know he’s annoyed, but since Uncle Leo took over, well, let’s just say rules weren’t bent for anyone.

At Midnight Academy, we were meant to be equal, but what annoys me is, then why was I there? That was a rule bent.

I sigh, and Tatum pats my knee. “Don’t overstress it, just keep your head down and do your best. I can give you extra lessons if you need help with training.”

“I appreciate it, but it’s not that,” I mumble, resting my head against the seat and stare out at the passing cars.

“It’s her powers, and I’ll be there too, to help her,” Heaven chimes in.

“I know, but you and Alessandra won’t be in the same classes as her.”

“Where there’s a will, brother, there’s a way. So have a little confidence.”

“The rules are strict, and there are several teachers who are witches, so don’t think they won’t realise if you break the rules, Goldilocks.”

“Don’t call me that!” Heaven huffs. She hates it, but he won’t stop, although at least he only says it when it’s just us guys.

A couple of hours later, the looming walls that surround the vast premises of Midnight Academy come into view, and with every passing second, my stomach knots a little more.

The weakest of them all…

I can sense the magic of the barriers and feel my power threatening to rise to counter it. That chaos that I always get as my emotions rise is beginning to grow inside of me.

A place full of powerhouses.

We are stopped outside the gate, and security checks the car before scanning our hands and eyes before we are allowed in.