CHAPTER 3 Those words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me momentarily stunned. My once burning desire for vengeance flickered and faded, replaced by a deep-seated hatred for my uncle that rivaled my loathing for the daimons themselves. I fixed my gaze on him, my heart racing as anger coursed through my veins. Mister Steroids cleared his throat, breaking the tension with an awkward attempt to interject. “If I may say something?” He had the confidence of a man who’d just lifted a mountain, despite his appearance suggesting otherwise. Both Marcus and I turned to him, surprised he had any words left to speak. “She killed two daimons.” The gravity of his statement hung in the air like smoke in a stagnant room. “I know this already, Leon,” Marcus answered with a dismissive tone, the weight of impending doom evident in his voice. Leon pressed on, unfazed. “When we discovered her in Georgia, she was holding her own against two more. Her potential, if honed, is limitless.” My heart swelled with disbelief. A pure defending me, speaking up in my favor? I slowly sank into a chair, disbelief battling the hope that twinkled in my chest, but Marcus remained as cold as ever, ice reflecting in his bright green eyes. “I acknowledge her abilities, but her past actions—before what happened with her mother—can’t simply be overlooked. This is an institution of learning, not a playground. I won’t babysit her. I need to be certain she’s not wreaking havoc through these halls and setting a terrible example for the other students.” I rolled my eyes at his accusatory tone, feeling like he portrayed me as a master criminal set to overthrow the Covenant. “Then assign someone to mentor her,” Leon suggested, his voice filled with determination. “There are Instructors present during the summer who can oversee her progress.” “I don’t require a babysitter. I’m not going to torch any buildings,” I snapped, but my words fell on deaf ears. Marcus exhaled deeply. “Even if we assign her a mentor, she’s woefully behind in training. She’ll be at a disadvantage compared to her peers come fall.” This time, Aiden, who had been increasingly quiet, spoke up. “But we have the entire summer to prepare her. It's entirely feasible for her to catch up in time for classes.” “Who has that kind of time?” Marcus frowned, unimpressed. “Aiden, you serve as a Sentinel, not as an Instructor. Leon is in the same boat. And Laadan will soon head back to New York. The other Instructors have commitments that I cannot expect them to abandon for just one half-blood.” Aiden's expression turned inscrutable, and before I could comprehend what happened next, he declared, “I can train her. It wouldn’t impede my duties.” Marcus shook his head, looking disheartened. “You’re one of our top Sentinels. It would be a shame to waste your talents—” They exchanged more heated arguments regarding my fate while I sat mute, worrying that my earlier attempt to speak had earned me a warning glare from both Leon and Aiden. Marcus continued emphasizing my inability to improve, while Aiden and Leon passionately argued that I could be salvaged. The thought of servitude at Lucian’s hands sent a chill down my spine. It was a future cloaked in darkness and fear; whispers about the brutal treatment half-bloods endured, especially female half-bloods, haunted my thoughts. Laadan stepped forward, her demeanor calm as she spoke. “What if we make a deal, Dean Andros? If Aiden believes he can train her while fulfilling his responsibilities, then it’s a risk worth taking. Should she fail to improve by the summer’s end, she doesn’t stay.” I turned to Marcus, hopeful. He scrutinized me, as if weighing his options against a life-altering decision. “Fine.” He leaned back in his chair, surrendering to her proposal. “But this falls squarely on you, Aiden. If she fails to meet expectations, it’ll reflect poorly on you. And mark my words, she will stumble—it’s in her blood, just like her mother.” Aiden’s eyes flickered with caution as he glanced my way. “I understand.” A broad grin spread across my face, a flicker of hope igniting within me. However, joy quickly faded as I noticed Marcus’s icy glare. “I’ll have far less patience than your previous Dean, Alexandria. Do not give me reason to regret this decision.” I nodded, careful not to overstep. Disappointment hovered nearby, ready to strike the moment my mouth opened. I stood to leave, the weight of uncertainty lingering. As I exited the office, Laadan and Leon remained behind, but Aiden followed close at my heels. Turning to him, I whispered, “Thank you.” Aiden’s expression remained unreadable. “Don’t thank me just yet.” I stifled a yawn, shrugging it off. “Well, I just did. I guarantee Marcus would’ve shipped me off to Lucian if it weren’t for you three.” “He would have. Your stepfather is your legal guardian,” Aiden remarked, his tone grave. A shudder coursed through me. “That’s comforting,” I muttered, though there was nothing comforting about the thought of Lucian hovering over me. “Did something happen that made you and your mother leave?” Aiden asked, curiosity piqued. “No, but Lucian never had much love for me. I’m just a love child. What’s the Minister of Council doing these days anyway?” I shot back, attempting to laugh off the tension. Aiden raised an eyebrow. “That ‘Minister’ is Lucian.” My jaw fell agape. “No way! You’re joking.” “Why would I joke? So, you might want to avoid calling him a prick in public. It wouldn’t bode well for your reputation.” The realization of Lucian’s rank in the Council tightened my stomach. Pushing thoughts of him aside, I focused on immediate concerns—training. “You should rest up. Tomorrow, we’ll begin our training... assuming you’re ready,” Aiden suggested. “I am,” I insisted, though doubt clung to my voice. Aiden scrutinized my bruised face as if assessing my readiness. His gaze dropped, studying the remnants of my recent escape from Miami—the wounds and scars that told a story I wasn’t eager to share. “What will we start with? I didn’t get to any offensive tactics or Silat training,” I asked, excitement edging into my voice. “Sorry to disappoint, but you won’t be starting with Silat training.” Disappointment washed over me. I had an affinity for daggers and their deadly elegance; I longed to master their use. As I turned toward my dorm, Aiden's voice caught me. “Alex. Don’t let me down. Anything you do will reflect on me. Do you understand?” “Yes. Don’t worry; I’m not as troublesome as Marcus portrays me,” I assured him. Doubt flickered in his eyes. “Fraternizing in the male dorms?” My cheeks flushed crimson. “I was visiting friends—not that I was hooking up. I was only fourteen! I’m not a ho-bag.” “Good to know,” Aiden replied before walking away. Sighing, I navigated back to my room. Fatigue washed over me, yet adrenaline surged from the prospect of a second chance. After staring absently at the bed for an eternity, I ventured into the quiet corridors of the girls’ dorm, where pures and half-bloods cohabited within the Covenant’s walls. Nostalgia struck as I recalled the rigors of training, the endless studying of mundane subjects, and the social maneuvering among pures and half-bloods. It was a delicate balance; a temporary truce amidst a battleground of teen angst and raw power. In this life, having a firestarter in your circle could mean the difference between survival and demise. Everyone had their role to play. I had been considered a “cool” half-blood, but now I stood on the edge of uncertainty, unsure of where I would fit come fall. Wandering through the vacant common rooms, I stepped outside into the courtyard of one of the smaller buildings near the marshlands. This building housed the cafeteria and recreational rooms, surrounding a vibrant courtyard that thrummed with energy, despite the weary summer break. As I approached one of the larger rooms, laughter and the sound of crashing furniture drew me in. Would they welcome me back? Would I even be recognized? Would it matter? I inhaled a steadying breath and pushed open the door, stepping into a world brimming with life. To my dismay, no one noticed my arrival, captivated by a pure who was attempting to float several pieces of furniture—a novice wrestling with the air element, much like my mother once did. The memory stirred a bittersweet ache within me. I studied the girl—a flurry of bright red curls and impossibly wide blue eyes—standing petite against the towering half-bloods. At only five and a half feet tall, I felt like a mere sprite among giants. I couldn’t help but blame my mortal father for my lack of height. The girl’s concentration faltered, sending a chair toppling to the floor and the room erupting into laughter. Among the crowd, my gaze landed on someone familiar: Caleb Nicolo. Tall and blonde, his charming smile lit up the room, and memories of our tumultuous friendship flooded back. I hadn’t anticipated him being here during summer break—his mother had always steered clear of her “weird” child and his pure-blood father was nowhere to be found. His eyes widened as they locked onto mine. “Holy... crap.” With that exclamation, attention swung towards me, breaking the spell of levitating furniture. I raised my fingers in a playful wave. “Long time no see, huh?” Caleb snapped out of his shock and crossed the distance in two quick strides, enveloping me in a bear hug before lifting me off the ground, spinning me around as laughter bubbled from him. “Where the hell have you been?” “Three years, Alex? What the hell? Do you have any idea what half the students thought happened to you and your mom? We thought you were dead! I could punch you right now—I might.” I fought a grin, warmth spreading through me. “I’ve missed you too.” He stared at me like I was a figment of his imagination. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. You better have one hell of a story.” I laughed, shrugging. “Like what?” “Baby, murder, or sleeping with a pure. Those are your three options. Anything less is unacceptable.” “Pretty sure you’ll be disappointed. It wasn't anything thrilling.” Caleb draped his arm across my shoulders, guiding me towards one of the couches. “Then tell me what you’ve been up to and how you ended up back here. And why you didn’t call any of us? There’s no place on this planet without cell service!” “I’d bet on the fact that she probably killed someone,” another voice chimed in. I turned my head, spotting Jackson Manos amid a group of unfamiliar half-bloods. He looked exactly as I’d remembered—dark hair parted perfectly, a physique sculpted to attract admiration, and those alluring dark eyes. I flashed him my best smile. “Whatever, you d—bag. I didn’t kill anyone.” Jackson approached us with an exaggerated shake of his head. “Remember that time you dropped Nick on his neck during practice? Almost had him out of training for months!” Laughter erupted at the memory. Poor Nick had spent a week in the infirmary following that incident. Like moths drawn to a flame, the other half-bloods gravitated towards us, their curiosity piqued. As questions about my absence flooded in, I concocted a simple tale of my mother’s wish to live amongst mortals. Caleb cast me a doubtful look, but didn’t push further. “What’re you wearing, by the way? That looks like a guy’s training outfit,” he remarked, plucking at the hem of my oversized shirt. “It’s all I have. I didn’t come equipped with a wardrobe. Plus, I doubt I’ll be leaving anytime soon, and money… well, that’s nonexistent.” He chuckled, a spark of mischief igniting in his eyes. “I know where they keep the training uniforms. I can grab you some extra clothes tomorrow when I head into town.” “No need. I don’t think you shopping for me is a good idea—I'd end up looking like a stripper,” I cautioned. “Don’t worry about it,” he assured, laughter dancing at the corners of his mouth. “Dad sent me a small fortune recently. He must feel guilty for being a lousy father. I’ll drag a girl along or something.” The pure girl, who I learned was named Thea, eventually approached us. She seemed sweet and genuinely curious about my return until she asked the question that knocked the wind from my sails. “Has your mother... reconciled with Lucian?” Her innocent voice stung, and I fought to mask my reaction. “No,” I replied curtly, forcing the uncomfortable truth through clenched teeth. Her surprise was palpable, echoed in the eyes of the other half-bloods around me. “But… they can’t divorce, right?” Caleb interjected, confusion replacing surprise. “Are they going for that separate house, different zip code thing?” Pures had a strange aversion to divorce, believing their partners were ordained by the gods. I’d always thought that notion was absurd, yet it explained the number of affairs that unfolded among their kind. “Uh… no,” I began hesitantly. “Mom didn’t make it out…” Caleb’s mouth fell open. “Oh. I’m sorry.” “It's okay,” I breezed, forcing indifference over the edges of raw emotion threatening to rise. “What happened to her?” Jackson blurted, tactlessly digging deeper. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself, prepared to tell them the truth. “A daimon got her.” Gasps rippled through the group, and another wave of questions followed, each tinged with genuine shock as I recounted my fight against the daimons, leaving them on the edge of their seats. Even Jackson couldn’t hide his fascination; none of them had encountered a daimon firsthand. I chose not to divulge the details of my recent reunion with Marcus, but I did suggest that my summer would be heavy with training alongside Aiden. Groans erupted in unison. “What?” I queried, glancing at my audience. Caleb kicked his legs from my lap, rising to address the crowd. “Aiden is one of the toughest—” “Roughest,” Jackson added, his tone somber. “Miserable,” chimed in Elena, a half-blood girl with a juir short haircut. Nerves coiled inside me. What exactly had I signed up for with Aiden? Their descriptions continued to pile on. “Strongest,” one boy piped up. “Sexiest,” Elena added, her smile turning sly. A chorus of sighs echoed from the girls in the room, but Caleb frowned. “That’s not even the point! He’s a beast—not even an Instructor, just a Sentinel.” “The last couple of classes got stuck in his area,” Jackson noted, shaking his head. “He’s not a Guide, but he filtered out over half of them and sent them back as Guards.” “Oh,” I shrugged, attempting to downplay their warnings. I was about to point out that it didn’t sound too menacing when a voice cut through the chatter. “Well, look who’s back? Our very own high school drop-out,” Lea Samos drawled from across the room. I closed my eyes, counting to ten to fight off my rising agitation. By five, I found my composure wavering. “Are you lost, Lea? This isn’t the place for handing out free pregnancy tests,” I shot back. “Oh boy.” Caleb moved behind the couch, seeking refuge. I couldn’t blame him; my history with Lea was legendary—most often involving her name landing on the punch lists from Marcus. Her throaty laugh danced through the air as I opened my eyes to meet her. It was a surprise she hadn’t changed much—if anything, she was even more stunning than I remembered. With her long copper hair, amethyst eyes, and perfectly bronzed skin, she resembled a model from a magazine. Meanwhile, I could only lament the lackluster color of my brown eyes. Our rivalry hadn’t faded, but her gaze swept dismissively over my casual attire—an oversized shirt and rumpled pants, and her perfectly sculpted brow arched in disdain. “Looking lovely, darling.” She sat in one of the trendy fluorescent chairs, adorned in the tightest skirt imaginable. “Is that the same skirt from third grade? It looks a little tighter now—you might want to go up a size or three.” The gathered half-bloods chuckled softly, but Lea was far more focused on me—her nemesis. We’d been at each other's throats for years, forged in the fires of childhood animosity. “You know what I heard this morning?” I sighed in resignation, “What?” Jackson, now beside her, tugged on her hair to draw her attention away from me. “Lea, stop it. She just got back.” I tuned out, my annoyance flaring as I saw their intimate exchange. Instructors put limits on student relationships, but with merging populations, it often spiraled out of control. Lea continued, unfazed. “I heard Dean Andros didn’t want you back. Your uncle wanted to throw you into servitude. How sad is that?” I returned the gesture she made toward my pride, flipping her off calmly. “Three pures needed to convince him to keep you around,” Caleb chimed in, supportive. “Alex is one of the best—doubt it took much convincing.” Lea opened her mouth to retort, but I interjected, “I was one of the best, but apparently my reputation precedes me. Marcus thinks I have too much to overcome." I faced her with a grin. “You remember last time we sparred? It’s been a while, but I’m sure it’s still etched in your memory.” A pink flush crept to her cheeks. Her hand instinctively rose to her nose, a subconscious reminder of our past fight that had broken it in two places—a lesson learned born of insults that ended with my three-week suspension. Her lips thinned into a line. “You know what else I know, Alex?” Arms crossed, I shot her a challenging look. “What?” “While everyone here believes whatever excuse you gave for your mother leaving, I know the real reason.” The coldness in her eyes sent chills through me. “And how do you know?” Her lips danced into a sly smile. “Your mother met with Grandma Piperi.” Grandma Piperi? I rolled my eyes; she was a crazy old woman who claimed to have oracle powers, her direct line to the divine ridiculed among half-bloods—a drunken mystic interacting with the gods. “So?” I asked, trying to mask my growing irritation. “I know exactly what Grandma Piperi told your mother that made her go crazy. She was crazy, right?” Before I knew it, I’d risen from my seat. “Lea, shut up.” “Calm down, Alex. One fight and you’ll spend the rest of your life cleaning toilets.” My fists curled into tight balls. Had she somehow been eavesdropping on conversations, perhaps hiding beneath Marcus’s desk? How else would she know so much? Her cruel insight into my past made my skin crawl, but as true as her taunts rang, the prospect of being the bigger person felt unbearable. Leaving her words unchallenged would crush my pride, and the urge to retaliate was almost instinctive. It pulled me backward, inviting chaos into my life. I pushed past her chair, the intoxicating pull of confrontation urging me to lose control. Yet within me lay a thin layer of restraint, urging me forward. Without another word, I would keep moving onward—different, stronger. “Don’t you want to know what she said to your mother that drove her insane? You’ll love to know it had everything to do with you.” I paused, letting her voice seep into my psyche as if entrapping me. Caleb stepped closer, grasping my arm gently. “Alex, if what she’s saying has any merit, don’t let her get to you. You know she’s full of it.” Lea twisted in her seat, an insatiable grin stretching across her face. “But I do know. Your mother and Piperi weren’t alone in the garden—oh no. Someone else overheard their conversation. You see…” With little regard for those surrounding me, I could feel the darkness stirring deep within me. “Who heard them?” I demanded. She shrugged nonchalantly, but I knew her words were laced with poison. “The oracle foretold that you would be the one to kill her.” The room around me grew silent, and I felt a chill creep across my skin. “You think I’m some weakling who can’t even defend her own mother?” Every eye in the room remained fixed on me, tension building until finally, a smile flickered across my face. The overwhelming emotions culminated in a surge of defiance, and before I could think rationally, I swept forward, grasping a handful of her copper locks and yanking her forward out of her seat. Screw being the better person.