. . .
Drecken Grimsworn was absolutelyinto my mate.
I didn’t need a sixth sense to figure it out. I hacked the academy’s security cameras.
Apex Elite Academy was a fortress, sure, but its security wasn’t a match for Snakey. Snakey’s ability to bypass locks left no trace, and it was non-destructive.
After Drecken had teleported my girl away, leaving me with blue balls, I grabbed my tablet and pulled up the feeds.
I found them in the House of Arcane’s classroom.
Rune and Drecken were standing too close, talking about feelings like it was a lab report and not a gift from the Fates. After he gave her a gross potion, she hugged him.
Then, shekissedhim.
I wasn’t jealous, but I was envious.
Zuko watched, too, but he wasn’t surprised by the kiss either.
Drecken looked like he’d discovered electricity or some grand scheme from her lips alone.
After he’d interruptedmymorning love session with her.
I sat in Systems Breach, waiting for Professor Duskwyn to explain the final. She floated across the floor as her body flickered like a half-loaded hologram.
Her long silver-blue strands spread around her, and her neon teal eyes scanned us like she was collecting data. “I hope you’re prepared for your final examination in this class,” she said, her voice echoing through the classroom.
The classroom was really more of a computer lab that buzzed like a beehive built of tech. Each desk held a terminal, and fae orbs scattered around us.
“Using what you’ve learned, you are individually tasked with extracting illegal surveillance without tripping alarms, ward triggers, and leaving traces. Your target surveillance is located on a hidden server in a neutral-zone where tech monitors human and supernatural comms. The defenses are passive security magic, aggressive counter-trace wards, and a magically infused AI-security system that improves with every intrusion. Best of luck.”
My fingers flew over the keyboard as I looked over at Rune, grinning.
I’d stolen the seat next to her from Zuko for this class, and after a few arguments, I won the honor of sitting next to our mate in Systems Breach.
And it was such an honor.
“So,” I murmured, “if I get caught doing something incredibly illegal, will you vouch for me? Since we’re together and your parents hold power?”
Rune didn’t look over at me, but her mouth curved into a smile. She smelled like Zuko and I, but now, she smelled like Drecken, too. Like old tomes and magic. “If you get caught, I’ll say you bribed me with poison.”
“Done.” I leaned over and pressed a wrapped bar into her palm. I might’ve had Bram steal me some poison fromthe Supernatural Council’s headquarters lab. He was the best brother ever for not questioning me. Though, I had a feeling he knew exactly who it was for.
It was candy coated with a hallucinogenic poison and a pinch of sugar to make it sweet.
She unwrapped it quickly and popped it into her mouth. She moaned. “Fates, Slater, you’re amazing.”
“Successfully bribed?” I smirked.
“Absolutely.” She sighed with contentment. “Good luck on your final, Havoc baby.”
“You too, venom baby.” I blew her a kiss.
I pressed my palm to the screen of the terminal and let my chaos magic seep into it. Heat slicked my hand, and Snakey shouldered out of my shadow and gave me a fang-filled smile. “Let’s do this.”
He slithered into the terminal, slipping between the code and firewalls, and I fed him instructions as he moved through.
The AI system pulsed before pausing. It couldn’t comprehend the unpredictability of chaos magic entering the system.
