13. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

"What's going on?" Flora murmurs as she steps up beside me, and we follow everyone out of the classroom.

"I have no idea," I admit with a shrug.

I say that, but my stomach is churning, clenched so tight it makes me want to drop to my knees. Something isn't okay, and fuck only knows it's going to end up having something to do with me.

Today has felt less eventful than I envisioned it would be. Yes, Vallie has made her usual appearance, and I had the pleasure of dropping Brody to the mat and hearing the sweet sound of him submitting, but that stuff feels naturally par for the course at this stage.

The dean, however, has me concerned.

I've lasted this long without Cassian, Raiden, Kryll, or Brody telling someone my big secret, which still doesn't make sense to me, but that doesn't mean someone else hasn't.

Taking a deep breath, I try to keep my body calm and relaxed, but nobody would notice otherwise since they're all bundled up in small groups murmuring over what it could be. Maybe it's something to do with the trials or the ball coming up. Maybe I'm just overreacting.

Hopefully, that's the case.

Stepping into our homeroom, I notice the projector is set up again, just like the last time the dean had some news to share with everyone. I take my seat, my spine stiff as I sit tall in my chair. A beat passes before I'm flanked by Brody and Kryll, who take their spots on either side of me. Raiden peers over his shoulder at me for a brief moment before he faces the front. I can't tell what that look was, and a part of me doesn't want to find out.

"What do you think it is, Dagger?" Brody asks, raising an eyebrow at me, and I shrug.

"Nothing is predictable at this place," I mumble, lacing my fingers together in my lap as he smirks.

"Maybe they want us to go another round in combat class at lunchtime so I can even the score," he replies, his smirk turning wicked as his eyes darken.

"Of course, that's where your head goes." I shake my head at him, which makes him snicker under his breath, and as I turn to face the front, I spot Kryll grinning from the corner of my eye too.

Assholes.

Before he can serenade me with any more of his quick-witted charm, colors flicker across the projector, and a moment later, Dean Bozzelli appears before us. The canary-yellow blazer and fitted skirt she has chosen for the day make my eyes squint. It doesn't help that she's standing outside and the sun is making her glow.

"I think she just burned my retinas," Brody mutters, squeezing his eyes closed. I roll my lips together, trying to pretend like that wasn't funny.

"Good morning, students of Heir Academy," she begins, the smile on her face not quite meeting her eyes as she brushes invisible lint from her jacket. "I truly apologize for pulling you from your usual schedule, but I have just come from a meeting with The Council where I learned some information that I feel is important for everyone."

The room grows quiet as my pulse starts to ring in my ears. My gut twists, and as much as I pray this has nothing to do with me, I really think it has everything to do with little old me.

"I've been informed by a very reliable source that there is someone among us—someone who has been hiding in plain sight."

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Brody's hand clamps down on my left thigh, pinning me in place. My nostrils flare in anticipation, but I don't turn to him. I keep my gaze locked on the projector.

The words are coming. I know they are, but I can't let myself appear fazed by any of it. This is just like preparing for war, for battle, for carnage. I have to make myself void of any reaction that they'll so desperately be seeking. The reality is, I'm not ashamed of who I am.

"A member of the previous royal family is present on campus."

My hands ball into fists, my nails pressing painfully into my palms, and I refuse to even blink as I wait for the seconds to tick by. Murmurs pick up around me again, but I can't piece them together. I'm too tense, too locked in on Bozzelli.

"My students, I tell you now, just as I informed The Council… Queen Reagan has been seen on the grounds."

Gasps ring out as I fight not to frown at the dean. Queen Reagan… my mother? Has she been here?

How?

I'm too nervous to breathe a sigh of relief at the mention of my mother and not me. It still doesn't make sense why she would come here.

For me? I can't see them letting her go, which means they've brought her here for a purpose. But what? And if that was the case, is she captive, or is she able to roam freely?

Fuck.

It's consuming me again.

Sighing, I wipe a hand down my face, trying to ease the tension that continues to build inside of me, but it does little to nothing.

"I know this may be of great concern to many, but I assure you, we have swept the grounds four times now, and her presence no longer lingers. However, the matter of why she was here remains unknown, but rest assured we are going to get to the bottom of it."

"It doesn't make any sense for her to be here," a girl states from the row behind me. My brain wants me to turn and look, see what color her cloak is, but I can't. Any movement could bring unwanted attention.

"Shut up, Leona," someone else hisses, making my veins tingle with irritation as I silently plead for Bozzelli to just spit it out.

"She wasn't here for something, she was here for someone, and we have solid information in regards to who that is likely to be." It's like her eyes settle on mine, even though she's not actually here. "She was here for her daughter."

"Daughter? That's not possible," Arlo blurts from behind me, making my heart clench as I prepare myself for the truth to fill the air, consume my lungs, and claim me.

"Her daughter successfully enrolled into the academy, under false information, but she is here nonetheless."

"Who? Who is it?" Vallie yells, slapping her palms down on the table as others holler in agreement with her.

"Please use extreme caution in your interactions with Adrianna Reagan, also known as Miss Addi Reed."