The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



Hank waits for Jackson to raise his eyes to his, but when he does, Hank nods and leans forward towards his laptop, searching for a particular file and pulling it up. He puts his hands on the keys, ready to type. "Again, it's incomplete," he says quietly. "But we have something like that. Who are you looking for?"

Jackson shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "It's not precisely...who," he says, staring at the database at Hank's fingertips. "Just..." he sighs and drops his head into his hand. "Do you know? If there are any children in the Community who are...maybe three and a half years old?"

Hank's stomach clenches at the question but he lets no sign of his sadness for the young man in front of him show on his face. "Well," he says, beginning to type. "I'm not sure. Let's see what we can find out."

When I turn the corner to the Chemistry classroom, I see Neumann already at the door, talking seriously with my fellow Espionage Cadets. His eyes flash up, meeting mine, and he sighs before turning back to the few boys before them. As I approach he very clearly wishes them all luck while each holds out their hands, accepting a small packet that Neumann presses into it.

Then they all walk away, not giving me another look.

"What was that?" I ask, stepping close to Neumann, a little anxiety turning in me when I realize that he sent them away so that he could speak to me in private, giving them instructions that are clearly separate from mine.

"That was farewell," Neumann says, uncharacteristically leaning against the door frame and looking after the Cadets as they move quickly down the hall. "Sending underprepared boys off to a war they're too young to remember the start of."

I frown at him as he turns his eyes back to me.

“What?” he asks, the corner of his lip turning up. "You don't like it when I wax poetic?"

"I don't like it when you dodge the question," I answer, crossing my arms over my chest. "What did you give them?"

Neumann smirks at me. "Cyanide,"

he answers, quite calm and serious. So calm and serious that the gravity of his answer takes a moment to hit me When it does, my lips part as I stare up at my professor.

"Are you...are you sending them behind enemy lines?" I ask quietly, remembering what Faiza said - that Neumann has sent everyone he has and that none have returned. I look back at the boys, realizing that they -and I might be all he has left.

"I am," Neumann replies, quite simple, considering me. "The cyanide is...a last resort. A gift, in case things reach their most despicable ends."

I slump, turning back to my professor, looking up into his face.

His expression softens, then, as he looks down at me. "Don't worry, Ari," he murmurs, far more casual than I'm used to him being. "There's none for you. All my pills are parcelled out."

I just stare at him because...what? "Please,” I say, shaking my head. “I don't understand.”

"I have nothing for you, Cadet," Neumann says, standing up straight. "The Captain has heard your plea to go on Command track. You're being reassigned."

“W-what?” I gasp, shaking my head vehemently. "I'm not going to be Espionage anymore? But I -“noveldrama

"You have talents that take you outside of my grasp, Cadet," he sighs, shaking his head. "It's rather a shame that they finally noticed your merits. You'd have made one hell of a spy."

Tears flood my eyes. "But I want to be a spy," I whisper, devastated.

"You wanted to go to war with your little wolf pack, Neumann says, stepping closer to me, sympathy on his face. And, considering what the Captain reported you can do...that makes sense. You're more useful on

the front line, and cons the

fates of my most recent

W

graduates....honestly, my dear, I am relieved."