\[Serenity’s POV\]
I arrive at battle class just as the bell rings, but despite that, Maverick is still nowhere to be seen. Frowning, I find myself wondering where he could possibly be.
“Don’t just stand around,” Professor Alex announces. “Change into your battle gear and get out here.”
As she speaks, Maverick’s warning about a combat test taking place returns to me. However, didn’t he know that he would also be participating in this test? If he so much as failed anything, then he would be kicked out of the academy and wouldn’t be beside me anymore.
“Where are you?” I whisper as Professor Alex glares at me.
“Now!” He snaps, narrowing his gaze. “Why are you just standing there?”
“Sorry,” I grumble before turning and heading to the changing rooms, where the rest of the girls in class are already changing.
While I move, their gazes come to rest on me, and I can see that familiar look of hatred on their faces that I have grown used to. Ignoring them, I continue to move until I spot Eleanor and beeline for her.
“Hey,” I announce, dropping my bag on the bench beside her so I can begin changing.
At my words, her blue gaze comes to rest on me, and I can’t stop myself from searching for some semblance of my aunt Elise in her.
Frowning, she cocks her head to the side in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” She asks, making me realize I was being too damn obvious. “Something on my face?”
Eyes widening, I feel a blush creeping up my neck and then my cheeks as I try to come up with something to say while Eleanor’s lips twitch into a smile.
“Or have you found yourself attracted to me?” She giggles. “If so, I fear your guard dog may come for me.”
“It isn’t that!” I gasp, causing a trill of laughter to escape Eleanor.
“I was joking.”
Getting up, she pats my arm while I reel from what just happened.
“You should quickly get changed before Professor Alex comes screaming at you.” She says now, giving my arm a pat. “No more dawdling.”
Giving me a final smile, she begins to move while I’m left watching and wondering just how that tiny girl, who was clearly a few years younger than me, could actually be my aunt Elise.
Later, I stand in line with the rest of my class, staring at the large circle that Professor Alex has drawn on the floor for us to compete in. It was a quite simple exercise, one that involved strength, skill, and agility. Whoever was forced out of the circle first was the loser, and the one remaining was the winner.
As he explains what will be happening, I look around, trying to spot Maverick, but he still isn’t present, and that alone worries me.
“Serenity,” Professor Alex calls, drawing my attention to the front. “Since you seem to be so bored you don’t want to pay attention, why don’t you go first?”
Instantly, the rest of my classmates erupt in condescending laughter, and their gazes come to rest on me. The fact that they are pleased with me being scolded is clear as day on their faces, all except for one.
“Lame,” Eleanor sighs, shooting them looks of disgust. “Ganging up on someone just because she’s stronger than you is so childish.”
“Eleanor,” Professor Alex announces. “Is this your way of saying you want to compete with Serenity?”
“Sure,” Eleanor shrugs, moving forward while stretching. “I’ll compete with her since everyone else will think that she won just because her daddy is a powerful alpha.”
Feeling a wave of emotion over her protecting me in her own way, I move forward and take my place within the circle. Once in place, I wait as Eleanor comes to stand in front of me.
“Don’t go easy on me just because I’m younger, okay?” She says, her eyes flashing with excitement over the battle. “I’m not so easily broken.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I respond as I once again try to find signs of my aunt in her. “And don’t go easy on me either.”
“Like hell, I would.” She laughs before we bump our knuckles.
Bracing myself, I wait until Professor Alex blows his whistle, signaling the start of the fight, and then I move, lunging forward and reaching out in an attempt to catch Eleanor off guard, only for her to easily dodge me.
Straightening out, I move in again; however, she’s fast—so fast I almost can’t keep up with her movements. I don’t know if it is because of her small frame or her years of experience, but it leaves me both shocked and in awe.
“You’re open!” She announces, moving in and managing to land a hit. “Don’t just sit there and drift off to Lala Land when you’re going against an opponent.”
Nodding, I try to get myself together, but I don’t manage before she is moving in and attacking again, this time landing a blow on my temple, so stars explode in front of my eyes.
“TAKE HER DOWN!” Someone yells as I stagger. “DESTROY THE PRINCESS!”
“Shut up!” Eleanor growls, reaching out to help steady me. “Shit, did I hit you too hard?”
“No,” I manage, though the world around me spins. “Not at…”
I don’t get to finish my words before a single red drop lands on the ground in front of me, causing not only my eyes but also Eleanor’s to widen with shock.
“What?” I hiss, suddenly tasting something metallic in my mouth. “Did I bite my lip?”
“Professor!” Eleanor calls, stooping down and using her shirt to wipe up my blood. “She’s hurt. I’m taking her to the infirmary.”
She doesn’t wait for a response before she leads me away and out into the hall.
“Make sure to keep that lip covered,” she announces as we move through the students. “Otherwise… Oh shit.”
At her words, I realize that she knows my secret, but how? I didn’t tell her, and I was sure that the others who knew wouldn’t either.
“Sorry,” she mutters, continuing to lead me through the crowd. “I may have accidentally overheard.”
“That makes two of us.” I chuckle before I can stop myself.
“What?”
I don’t respond as Eleanor pulls me into the infirmary, which, with luck, is empty.
“Sit,” she announces, shoving me down on the bed. Once I’m in place, she takes a seat in front of me and examines my lip. “It has already stopped bleeding,” she murmurs more to herself than me. “That’s good.”
Nodding, I remain silent as I begin to understand that the girl sitting in front of me, who seems so much older than me, holds many secrets.
“You said you overheard.” I say slowly, deciding that since I knew her secret, she should know mine. “Then I guess that makes us even.”
“Even.” Eleanor repeats, raising a brow. “What do you mean, even?”
Sucking in a breath I brace myself for just how angry she may be once she knows that I overheard her confirming to my mother that she was my aunt Elise.
“I…” I begin, but stop as the door to the infirmary flies open and Maverick rushes in.
“Serenity!” He gasps, moving forward and nearly knocking Eleanor out of the way. “Are you alright? Where are you hurt?”
“She’s fine.” Eleanor huffs in annoyance. “And if you had knocked me down, I would have kicked your ass.”
“You!” He growls, whirling at her. “It was you, right? You’re the one who hurt her!”
“And if I did?” She challenges, getting to her feet and popping her knuckles. “What of it?”