14. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

The bell rings out, calling the class to an end. With all the strength I can muster, I stand, turning for the door without glancing at anyone. My movements are steady, unhurried, and focused. The hairs on the back of my neck rise. Again. No sooner do they calm are they back at high attention.

Everyone seems to give me a wide berth as I slip between the desks and out into the hallway. They might not be in my personal space, but that doesn't stop their eyes from tracking my every move.

After Bozzelli exposed my secret to the academy, all eyes landed on me and they haven't turned away since. Not when we were dismissed from homeroom and sent back to our scheduled class, not a single beat during said class, and now it feels even more prominent.

The class professor was no better. Every time he adjusted the glasses on the tip of his nose, his gaze locked on mine. I didn't look away. I held my ground. For what, I don't really know, but I did it anyway. The last thing I need right now is to appear weak.

I'm acutely aware of every single piece of attention aimed my way. My magic is going haywire inside me, frazzling my focus with its need to reach out and protect me, but it's not necessary.

I've got this.

I knew this was coming; it just happened sooner than expected. To be honest, after this weekend, I was expecting it to happen before classes began. At least I got to experience combat class before every eye in the academy was turned my way.

Some of the stares seem to be in awe, while others give the vibe that they want to rip my throat out. I'd like to assume it's still the vampires and wolves that have already been giving me shit, but it's more than that. The knowledge of my presence isn't going down too well.

No one has said anything to me yet—yet being the keyword—but I'm alert and prepared for when the moment comes.

Brody has tried to speak to me a few times, but I've ignored him. I really can't be distracted by any of them right now when I need to be as vigilant as possible.

Stepping outside, I let the warmth from the sun soak into my bones, restoring life to me as my eyes lock with Flora. Someone else I've avoided since the information dropped. Now it's lunchtime and I don't think I can hide from the situation anymore.

A flutter of panic clenches in my chest as I step toward her. I shouldn't care, but I do. As if I'm not moving quick enough for her, she marches toward me, Arlo hot on her heels. With a whoosh of her cloak, she stops at my side, links her arm through mine, and takes off toward the dining hall.

Everyone else tends to stick to the halls, but I guess she knew I would head out here first and take the long way around.

"I'm just saying I think we should sit with those guys today. Out of choice. They may work as a buffer for you," she states as Arlo appears on my other side.

"What?" I ask with a frown, turning to glance at her, and she shakes her head.

"Sorry, I started that conversation in my head. I think we should sit with Cassian, Raiden, Kryll, and Brody. They'll be like a protective shield around you," she explains, but it does nothing to make my frown disappear.

"Protective? They're not going to protect me."

"I'm not saying they will, but people tend to steer clear of them so it's another layer of defense. People fear them. That might stop people approaching altogether," she adds, eyebrows raised as she nods along with herself.

She seems certain about it, but that doesn't mean it will turn out that way.

Reentering the academy building, the food from the dining hall lures us closer. The second we step inside, the room falls silent. I pause in my tracks, glancing around the room and all of the eyes taking me in. It seems the moment of reprieve I was just basking in is gone again.

"Keep moving. They're not allowed to get under your skin," Flora whispers before tugging me toward the line for food.

As noise starts to register around us again, I take a moment to look at her. Concern crinkles her nose and worry dances in her eyes, but otherwise, there's nothing out of the ordinary.

"You're not mad," I state, making her eyebrows pinch in confusion.

"About what?"

I give her a pointed look that has no effect until Arlo nudges her.

"She means the fact that she's a princess and didn't tell us," he mock-whispers, tossing a wink my way. I almost roll my eyes at him, but Flora whacks him in the stomach with the back of her hand instead, and that seems good enough.

"Why would I be mad?" she asks, turning her attention back to me, and I shrug.

"I don't know. I lied to you." It sounds lame when I say it like that, especially with the way she's looking at me.

"For good reason," she blurts, her voice louder than necessary. She quickly presses her hand over her mouth, but it does nothing to hide the familiar pink blush taking over her cheeks.

I smile at her. Really smile at her. "Thanks, Flora," I breathe, something settling inside of me. It may be safe to say that I'm not in this alone. I have one friend at my side, at least. Maybe two if Arlo counts as well.

"Do I get a thanks?" he asks, as if sensing his name in my thoughts. This time, he definitely earns an eye roll, but I say it anyway.

"Thanks, Arlo."

He places his hand on his chest, fluttering his eyelashes as he sways. "The fucking princess just thanked me."

"You're insufferable," I grumble, turning away from him as he snickers.

"And don't you forget it."

How could we?

Moving farther along the line, Flora steps in closer. "How did Bozzelli find out, and why does everyone seem to be gaping at you except the four guys I think we should sit with?"

That's such an observational question right there. Damn.

Sighing, I glance at her. "I think she found out the same way they found out… through Cassian's father." There's no use denying it. It's not like that part really is a secret. Who he has in his grasp, however, seems important, especially since it's my mother—the same woman who was apparently seen on campus. Or was that a lie? A way for them to announce my presence without mentioning Kenner at all.

"I hate him," Flora declares, making my eyebrows rise as I reach across the serving tables to grab my food.

"Do you know him?"

"No, but that's not the point," she retorts, making me grin.

Loaded with our food, we turn for the table I've dreaded ever since Cassian demanded it. I lead the way, ready to turn away if I get the slightest inkling that something has changed. Brody and Cassian are seated next to each other as usual, but across the table, with their backs to us, are Raiden and Kryll. Instead of sitting right next to each other, there's a spot free between them.

It seems odd, but I don't think too much of it as I place my tray down beside Kryll just like I did this morning.

"We shifted around for you to sit between us," Raiden explains, not lifting his gaze from his food as Kryll smirks up at me.

"I'd rather not," I bite before I consider whether it's worth it or not.

"I'd rather eat my lunch in peace without your presence causing a scene," Cassian interjects, glaring at me, and I scoff.

Fuck this.

"Then I can sit elsewhere. I'm here because you demanded it, remember?" I cock a brow at him in challenge as I reach for my tray, but Kryll stops me from lifting it off the table.

"Sit down, Princess." My eyes narrow at him. He's never called me that before. I don't need him to start now. He must sense the irritation because he quickly continues. "Come on, Addi. Park your ass. I won't bite, I swear it."

It's not really him I'm worried about, and he knows it.

Breaking our stare-off, I peer at Flora, who is sitting beside Arlo. She nods for me to take the seat, and with great reluctance, I do.

The second I sit down, Raiden is up on his feet, lightning fast. The flurry of commotion quickly settles when Raiden pins a guy to the ground behind me. He's wearing a red cloak, confirming his origin as he snarls and snaps up at me.

"Fuck off, Sean," Raiden growls, slamming him into the floor before standing tall and dusting his clothes off.

"Did you not hear who she is?" the guy retorts, making me frown.

Confused, I glance at everyone else at the table, and it's Brody who offers an explanation.

"He was about to go for your throat."

My eyebrows rise in surprise. Well then.

"I heard perfectly well," Raiden states, drawing my attention to the two vampires.

"Then we take her out," Sean yells, rushing to his feet before jabbing a finger in my direction.

"Says who?" Raiden challenges, leaving me even more shocked than the fact that he attacked this guy to stop him from getting to me.

"Says history," Sean spits, a deathly glare aimed my way.

As much as it kind of makes my insides flutter that he jumped to my defense, I can handle myself, and if I want any chance of surviving this place now that my secret is out, then I need to remind them of that fact with more than just the bullshit that Vallie throws my way.

Standing, I stare down the vampire intent on putting an end to me. "What's your issue?" It's not demanding or defensive. If anything, I sound bored. I like it.

"You're the daughter of the king who brought our kingdom to its knees," he snarls, eyes wild as he takes a step toward me. Raiden lifts a hand to stop him, but I wave him off. To my surprise, he drops his hand without a word, and I narrow my eyes at the assailant who has done nothing but enlarge the target on my head.

"Do you mean the king who was never given the chance to help raise the kingdom from its pain and misery?"

He scoffs, shaking his head at me dismissively. "It was too late."

"What do you remember of it?" I ask, tilting my head to take him in.

His jaw ticks and his nostrils flare. "What?"

"Are you speaking from experience or from words spoken to you by your elders?" I push. Most of what we see and believe is what is told to us, which isn't always factual. Besides, we're also the product of our surroundings. If this guy was raised around vampires who hate King Reagan and anything associated with him, then the chances of him following suit are incredibly high.

"That's irrelevant," he mutters. It's my turn to shake my head as I take a step toward him. His hands flex at his sides, eager to reach out and grab me, but he doesn't.

"Is it? We're here, trying to find an heir to the kingdom because The Council isn't working. Are we going to officially call for the demise of each of The Council members too? I'm not standing here using my heritage to demand I take the throne. I'm here to prove that I deserve it."

My words hang heavy around me as my chest heaves. I can feel eyes staring at me from every direction and goosebumps rise along my skin, enhancing the tingling sensation of the hairs on the back of my neck.

"It's a wasted effort," he snaps, and I shrug.

"So you say, but one thing that does run through my blood is unwavering determination. I'm not going to give up here just because my presence makes you unhappy."

The cords of his neck throb, the only indication that he's going to attack, but before I can make a show of putting him in his fucking place, I'm swept up off the floor and turned away from my target.

"Get him the fuck out of here. Now," Raiden growls, his chest rumbling against my back.

"That sounds like a good idea." Everything stills at the sound of Dean Bozzelli's voice echoing through the dining hall. Raiden slowly lowers me to my feet, giving me a split second to lock eyes with the leader of the academy before she speaks again. "That's quite enough from you, Miss Reagan. My office. Now."