The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



"I mean, I prefer badass assassin one?" Tony says, grinning his wry half-smile as he steps forward to shake the duke's hand. "But sure, that works too."

Roger laughs, instantly liking Tony, as dad shoos us all forward into the center of the tent where there's a large table waiting with the details of the battle clearly sketched out on it. Roger moves to stand with Jesse, draping an arm around his son's shoulders and making it quite clear which of his parents Jesse more closely resembles.

I grin, suffused with happiness to see my family again so close together, wishing with a sudden vehemence that Mom and Cora and and Junie and Mark were here too. And all five of Jesse's siblings. But even as I wish it, I know it's ridiculous - we're here for war, not a reunion.

Still, I lean close against my dad, feeling quite warm and cozy with Jackson on my other side. Quite passively, without realizing that I'm doing it, I reach out and slip my hand into Jackson's. He makes no protest, simply wraps his fingers around mine and gives my palm a little squeeze.

"How are you all?" dad asks, looking around at the group. "I know this was all rushed, but it's important. Tonight we're going to make a serious strike in Moon Valley's favor - one which we very much need."

"We're fine, dad," Rafe says from dad's other side. "Glad that we can help." I peer around dad to see my brother give a very casual little shrug, looking dad evenly in the face. I grin, looking between them in their military uniforms, reminded again of just how much Rafe is my father's younger double.

"You were all briefed last night?" Roger asks, looking around at us, his humor falling from him so that his much more serious side can come forward- a side which I know the rest of the world is more familiar with but which is rarer for us, to whom he is close.

We nod, confirming this, and dad and Roger turn their eyes to me. "Good," dad says. "Then I think it's time that we see what you can do, Ariel. I doubt that we'll use your abilities in the strike tonight, but if it's as powerful as your mother and the Captain suggest then we'll want to start making you a more intrinsic part of our battle plans."

I gulp a little because...I mean, while I told the Captain that I was a powerful weapon in this war...I don't know, to hear my father say it makes it much more real.

"Okay,” I say, straightening up from dad's side and tilting my head back to look up at him properly. "But, I mean, it's...flashy. If we do it in camp people are going to notice."

"Can you downsize it?" Jackson asks, peering down at me.

I turn my face up to him in turn, a swivel that's threatening to pinch a nerve in my neck from bending my head back so much. I scowl a little, thinking that I might need a stool if I'm going to be on a war council withnoveldrama

all of these big men. Conten

belongs to

Jackson, sensing my thoughts, nearly laughs out loud.

"What do you mean, downsize it?" I ask, frowning at him.

"You've gone small before," he says, shrugging. "You concentrated on melting a marble and didn't set your chemistry book on fire. Can you do the wind and the flame and the shadows just...a tenth of the size?"

"Um,” I say, standing up straight and looking at the table before us. "I mean, we can try."

"By all means,” dad murmurs, gesturing towards the table.

I give a brief description of everyone's roles as people make space and we all shuffle into new spots. Jacks stays on my left and Luca comes to take my right hand while Tony steps close in case

close control. Jesse stands behind me, again placing his palm against my neck.

"Ew, why is your hand all sweaty?" I ask, turning to glare at him.

"Just do the trick, shrimp," he snarls, making me laugh and face forward.

I catch a little glimpse of dad and

Roger standing side-by-side, smirking at us, both of them with their arms folded and looking so. much like brothers that my heart swells. But I turn my attention back onto the table and exhale a deep breath.

Rafe, ever helpful, rips a piece of paper from a notepad and wads it up, tossing it onto the table - a little piece of kindling for me to get started.

I take a deep breath, hoping I don't burn this whole damn tent to the ground.