Page 107 of Hero of Havoc

She takes a seat beside Baron, a soft smile on her lips as she glances at us, before her facial expression turns neutral and she stares toward Professor Viola.

Another exhale, and some of the tension seeps from my bones.

She at least looks calm and collected, which is a far cry from the usual circumstances when packages have arrived on her bed.

The second Archer mentioned an unwanted gift, my blood turned to stone, so it's a relief to see her so at ease. Teddy too. Especially after last night.

I didn’t realize how blessed I was with my family until I realized what those closest to me have endured at the hands of those who should have protected them at all cost. It’s fucking disgusting. I can’t even mention it to my mother, not the whole story at least. She would lose sleep for weeks. Or worse, get involved.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I glance at Teddy again, discreetly relieved to see him be more present. I was concerned last night when his mother stabbed her invisible blade into his soul, tainted with twisted words, hellbent on shredding him apart. The relief of returning home didn’t last long when he plunged into the depths of the ocean. I was one step away from diving in after him, but I quickly recalled that, for him, it’s the equivalent of losing myself to the forest.

What's concerning is how united we all are as fated mates, for a change, while dealing with internal struggles.

Archer and his treacherous father are only growing more intense now that his mother is affected. Teddy and his parents are the complete opposite. His father was his hero; now his legacy is wrapped by shadows created by his awful mother, who seems intent on shattering him for her own entertainment. Then there’s Ivy and her clusterfuck of parents. Even with her father out of the picture, her mother seems too calculated to simply disappear into the night.

We’re juggling an insane amount of bullshit right now. There are parent troubles, on multiple fronts, and Baron is still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the dragon clan is Team Phoenix, in its entirety. While I'm left trying to figure out who we can and can't trust. Which is only heightened when there's a power outage, and the tension grows more heated as I stare around the room.

The sense of a bonded connection I feel with my fated mate and friends doesn't extend to anybody else in this room, really.

Bar Hugo.

He loves his sister like I love my family. There’s no doubting him or his intentions.

Not even Professor Viola offers a sense of comfort.

Her presence is disconcerting, like there's something we're unaware of. Add to that the fact that the professors in the room seem more useless than the students, and, with the latter not at the top of my preferred list, there’s nowhere else to turn to that I trust.

I feel like this meeting is pointless to begin with, but the power outage demands one, so here we are.

“Thank you, everybody, for gathering. I understand the circumstances are growing more intense as we continue to face obstacles, but I am certain that we can find a way through all of this,” Professor Viola starts, earning a scoff, but it doesn't fall from my lips; it came from Hugo beside her.

I knew I liked him.

“The issue we're having, Viola, is that nothing is safe. We're aware of that fact because these power outages keep happening closer and closer together. Also due to the fact that Leonardo Corrigan killed another leader, and that he continues to pursue my sister. Not in the Second Kingdom, in his territory; in our kingdom, on our campus, in. Her. Dorm. Which is supposed to be her safest space. Unfortunately, I think the threat is more than just what lies beyond these grounds and this kingdom’s borders. I think it's bleeding into our system, and we are continuing to react instead of act.”

My eyes widen as he continues to express his doubt, his thoughts matching my own.

“I hate to agree with him,” Francesca grumbles from across the room. “But all that's going to happen is we're going to drain ourselves to perform the Rejuvenating Ceremony, and it’s barely lasting a week. Something needs to change, and we need to stop being on the back foot,” she insists, and my chest tightens.

I take it back. I don't agree with him. Not if she does as well.

Glancing at Ivy from the corner of my eye, I find a twist to her lips, and her eyebrows narrow as she glares across the room. I can't help but wonder if she's thinking exactly what I'm feeling too.

“I understand your concerns,” Viola states, “but we have always been the kingdom of peace, that's what we stand for. Not just for us, but for The Fates. Every kingdom before us has fallen victim to a sodality that believes they should rise above the others. That's not what we stand for.”

“No one's saying it's what we stand for,” Baron interjects, his nostrils flaring. “But why are we not doing something to prove to these other kingdoms that working together as combined sodalities is the right direction? Instead, all we're showing them is how weak we are.”

My pulse quickens, my veins fizzling with adrenaline as the truth sits heavy in his words.

“The fact of the matter is, we don't stand a chance if we continue to play catch up. It's not even just an illusion at this stage. We just are,” I add, running my tongue along my bottom lip as I try to keep my emotions at a simmer.

Hugo nods. “I think it's fair to say we're all in agreement that some things need to change,” he declares, and Viola folds her arms over her chest, lips pursed as she takes a deep breath.

“I am acting as The Fates have asked of me,” she states calmly.

“What is it The Fates have said, specifically?” Baron asks.

He must catch her off guard because her eyes widen a fraction as she places her palms on the table, splaying her fingers.