Page 72 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

S ienna

The blizzard whips around me, the swirling sand biting my eyes, my raised arms unable to protect them. I can’t see or breathe!

You know the price of deception… we made a deal, and it stands. If you, or one of your loved ones, tries something again, I cannot guarantee them my pardon. Remember your oath.

Agony rips through my neck, and I can barely move.

I scream out in agony, but something clamps over my mouth, suffocating me.

I claw at my neck and whatever is covering my face.

I force my eyes open, but all I see is sand and darkness.

In desperation, I try to call on my power, but I can’t! Not here.

Here in his domain, I’m the helpless one…

Remember this, my dearly betrothed, remember this! Take this as a warning. Next time, it will be someone much closer to you!

What?

My vision darkens, deprived of oxygen, and then it’s lifted.

I gasp, my eyes flying open, and I jolt upright in bed, my heart thumping as I sense a pulsing in the room. I brush my hair back, my entire body trembling.

Fuck, that was Helios…

I glance towards Shahira’s bed, hoping I didn’t wake her. My eyes snap to something on the floor, and my stomach drops when I realise it’s Shahira’s body that is crumpled on the floor, unmoving.

“Shahira!” I jump off the bed, my neck still stinging and stiff. I check her vitals. Her pulse is there, but what happened?

I shake her slightly, feeling my chaotic emotions rising.

Focus!

I frown, performing a waking spell.

Nothing.

Ok, I try a healing spell, but nothing happens. “Shahira! Wake up! What…” My heart thuds loudly, my stomach churning as Helios’ words echo in my mind. ‘Take this as a warning…’

He did this!

“Fix her!” I scream, only for a sharp sting to rush through my neck.

Was this because of what happened with Jayce?

Yes, it is... Tell the Deimos King or anyone else about this, and not you, but they will pay the price.

Remember this, on the Blood Moon, we will meet again.

Enjoy the time you have, because once you are mine, you will never see your loved ones again.

Heed this warning once and for all. Never cross a god.

My eyes sting with tears. “Please fix her! I promise I won’t do this again!”

If you fulfil your side of the bargain, she’ll awaken the moment you cross through the veil to me. Until then, she is simply asleep. But remember, cross me again and the next will never awaken.

I stare down at Shahira, my heart pounding. So, there’s no way… no way for me to get out of this mess.

I wrap my arms around Shahira and hold her close, closing my eyes. “I’m so sorry…” I whisper the apology directed at her, and to Jayce, as despair blankets me, with no way to escape from beneath it.

What have I done?

I wrap my arms tightly around Shahira. I did this. I’m always fucking up… they’re all better off without me…

I drag myself to my feet as I lift Shahira, my heart pounding as I head to the door, whispering a spell to unlock it. The door slams open harder than I meant as I rush out into the deserted lounge.

“Anyone awake!” I shout, my voice cracking.

I’m the reason she’s in this position.

Valerian and Renji both step out of their rooms.

“What is it?” Valerian asks, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Renji, who was also clearly asleep, has noticed the woman in my arms. His eyes widen with shock as he runs over, taking her from me.

“What happened?” he asks as he adjusts her so her head rests against his chest.

I shake my head, guilt and self-loathing filling me. “I don’t know,” I lie, my eyes welling up. “She won’t wake up.”

“Alright, let’s get her to the infirmary. You get her a headscarf,” Renji orders. I nod as I rush back to the room before returning to the lounge. I wrap it loosely around her hair as I follow Renji and Valerian out of the room.

What have I done?

“Jayce is returning tomorrow? Are you really missing him that much?” Heaven asks, sighing as she snaps the book she’s studying shut.

I don’t have long left with him.

It’s been a day since Shahira’s been in the hospital.

“Yeah,” I answer, half-heartedly with a sigh.

“Shahira will be fine,” Allie adds, knowing it’s been on my mind. “I wonder if it’s some kind of disease that can be spread through the air or by contact. Everyone is baffled.”

Guilt gnaws at me as I nod. “Yeah, I’m devastated. She’s amazing.” I fiddle with my phone, thinking of Jayce once again.

They both raise an eyebrow, and Allie wrinkles her nose. “You got it bad…”

I crack a smile before forcing a giggle. I can’t risk their lives, and if that means I need to keep my act together, then I will.

“You know, with me being in a division already, I don’t really get to spend as much time with you as you two do with each other, so make sure you are there for each other, ok?” I say lightly. “No matter what.”

Heaven’s brow furrows. “Excuse me? That’s such a random thing to say.”

“Ahuh, considering we didn’t see you often before we joined the Academy. We’ll all be there for one another, alright. Now don’t get mushy,” Allie says with a yawn.

“I know, but knowing you’re here and being unable to hang with you sucks in its own way, but don’t worry, I have Jayce!”

Heaven tosses her hair before wrinkling her nose. “You better not choose him over us. It seems you already do. Anyway, I agreed to go on a date with someone.” She smiles now.

Allie and I both look at her in shock. “What?” Allie asks, sitting upright, her eyes narrowing.

“Yeah, Holden, he’s in our year,” Heaven explains. “He asked me out, and well, I thought, why not? He’s pretty impressive in combat, and he has an excellent reputation when it comes to weapon mastery.”

I blink as I try to place a face to Holden. I can’t, however, I’m more shocked Heaven’s chosen someone, but unlike Allie, I’m excited for her! “I don’t remember him at all, but do explain.” I smile.

Heaven tilts her head. “Well, he’s handsome, with light brown hair, looks sandy, sky-blue eyes, and he even comes from a remarkable family.”

“But you ain’t dating the family, sooo that doesn’t count,” Allie declares.

“Well, it means he’s an impressive guy, but it’s early days. We’ve only sparred during training and-”

“Argh! I knew something was up when you seemed completely fine sparring with others. Now you’re both going to chill with your dudes… but it’s fine. I like being alone sometimes.” She nods grimly, but she’s right; she doesn’t seem bothered.

I smile at Heaven. I’m truly happy for her. “You need to introduce me to Holden at some point.”

“First, let’s see how the date goes.” She smiles slightly before tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Now stop talking, both of you and let’s get back to studying.”

I nod as I pick up my own book and smile softly.

They’ll be ok… they have each other.

I’m sorry, girls, I hope you can forgive me, but I’m not so sure they can. How many times have I kept things from them?

Far too many.

And at what point does it become one time too many?

Jayce

Between going through the tomes and skimming through hours of footage from the library, I’m exhausted, and I’m relieved I returned to the Academy yesterday. I got to see Sienna again after six days.

The tomes are now locked away, aside from the one I brought with me to read.

It’s one of the ones Dad worked on, but I want to go through all of them myself.

We’ve learned a lot, and it is information the enemy would kill for…

information anyone would kill for. It gives us a step forward, but it also means the enemy won’t rest until they get what they want.

Anyone with this knowledge is at risk, which is for certain. I can see the target on their back if anyone finds out that they carry this information.

I frown as I slow the video, picking up on movement once again. Just a student… I massage my temples as I continue going.

What exactly am I trying to find?

Signs of someone trying to access the forbidden area of the library? Am I pointing a finger at Ares?

Ares… Maybe I should try talking to him again. I need a break from this anyway.

Snapping my laptop shut, I stand up and stretch.

Any of you seen Ares? I ask my other brothers. Ares, as usual, has me blocked out.

Yup, he’s out on the western training fields. I heard he got permission to train late, Renji replies.

Renji, my boy, think you were a reporter in your last life? Cus, you know everyone’s business, Theo chuckles.

I thought that was you, Renji counters.

You’re right, I heard you’ve been visiting the pretty witch who is in the hospital, Theo teases.

I’m busy. Can you guys talk privately? Carter asks, sounding bored.

I frown. It happened two nights ago. Shahira was found unconscious by Sienna, and so far no one has been able to wake her, not even Aunty Kiara or any powerful witch.

Something isn’t right. When I asked Sienna, I didn’t pick up on anything. She was just blaming herself for not being able to help her. I didn’t sense a lie… but something doesn’t click. She’s been quieter since I’ve been back, but she’s also been busy studying for the exams that are coming closer.

I haven’t been able to talk to her about the man from her dreams, almost like she’s avoiding the topic, but I’m certain that day she wanted my help…

I massage my temples again, it’s a lot…

Exiting the building, I walk over to where Ares is training alone, swinging, dodging and attacking the moving apparatus as he’s attacked by all sides.

He doesn’t pay me any attention for a while.

He’s fast, darting through the machinery as he puts his quick thinking to use.

His eyes simmering with focus as he smashes through the sharp-edged sword that had almost sliced his head off.

He jumps to the ground, landing in front of me, his cold eyes trained on me.

His expression is callous as he wipes sweat from his brow.

His entire body is covered with a thin layer of it.

“What do you want?” he asks.

“I want to know what is going on, Ares. Why are you shutting me out? Why do you fucking hate me? Just tell me without losing your cool. How can I fix it if you won’t even let me in?” I ask, getting straight to the point.

Ares smirks as he begins undoing the bandages on his hands. “So, you’re going to keep up this facade?”

“What facade?” I ask through gritted teeth.

Ares looks at me as he steps closer, getting up in my space, his eyes glimmering. “I hate fucking twats like you. Just get out of my fucking face.”

“I’m not going to stop, Ares. We’re brothers. We can’t let this continue.”

Ares frowns, but there’s something more in his expression, and it doesn’t look exactly like anger. It’s more like… suspicion? I’m not sure.

He clenches his jaw, and I prepare for his fuse to explode like it usually does, instead, he turns away. But the moment he tries to walk off, I grab hold of his arm.

“Please, Ares, I’m begging you,” I whisper, and I fucking mean it. He pauses and stares at me for a moment too long, then turns his back again, pulling free.

“You should know. The Academy is not full of allies alone, is it? There’s a traitor amongst us? Right?” He turns and stares at me, and this time the accusation is directed straight at me.

“What? Are you saying I’m a traitor?” I ask, unable to mask my shock. For a moment, that throws him off before his brows furrow deeper.

“Fuck off, Jayce,” he says, laughing dryly.

“Ares- please, what are you-”

“No!” He cuts me off, turning sharply. “What’s not fair is how you continue to be the golden boy, the fucking ‘perfect one’ that no one can see what’s beyond that. So stop acting like I’m the fucking issue.” He glances back at me, his eyes burning steely silver.

“At least try to explain to me what the hell are you getting at?” I ask, irritated. “You think I-”

“I don’t trust you.”

My stomach twists. “Do you really think I would betray our own?” Is that what he’s getting at? “Why would you even think that I’m a traitor?”

“No one would believe me anyway, even if I did think that, right? But until I have solid proof, I’m not trusting shit from you.”

My hands curl into fists, his words stinging. “I would never betray my own blood; I would die first. And for each and every one of you,” I say, my voice rough.

He now turns back, wiping the sweat from his forehead once again, his hair sticking to his face. He looks me square in the eye. “Would you?”

“Yeah,” I answer, not missing a beat, my eyes blazing with defiance.

The silence stretches like a sharp blade between us before he nods.

“And if your blood betrays you, what would you do?” he asks, stepping closer.

My stomach twists, and I swallow hard. He scoffs at my hesitation.

“Yeah, either way, you’re a fucking loser.

I’ll be watching you, Saint Jayce. Don’t forget it. ”

And then he turns and walks off, leaving me standing there feeling fucking confused as the rain begins pouring down…