The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Hi! Hi cuties!" Mom's voice rings out the moment the five of us troop into the room. The Captain enters too, going to stand out of sight in the corner. "It's so good to see you, I - oh!"

I frown when I see her go a bit still on the video screen, seated there next to Cora with dad and Roger standing behind them, bending down so that their faces are in the frame.

"What's wrong, mom?" I ask.

"It's not what's wrong with me, it's what's wrong with those two." She narrows her eyes and looks interestedly between Rafe and Jesse, who come to stand behind me. "What's wrong, boys?"

Neither Rafe nor Jesse say a word, each looking away. Cora grimaces, worried.

"There's no time for this," dad sighs, shaking his head and likewise peering at us from the screen as

Jackson goes to one knee at my side and Ben leans down on my other. "We have to -"

"Why are you all dressed up?" I ask, tilting my head, frowning at them. Every single one of them are in state dress, dad and Roger with black sashes across their chest. But why would they -

My mouth falls open as I realize what it must be.

"Funeral got moved to today, sweetie," mom says, leaning forward to peer at me. "We're sorry - we knew you'd want to attend, but your father wanted you at school."

"And we're leaving for the front immediately after," dad snaps, nodding seriously to all of us. "And we want the five of you there."

My eyes go wide as I glance up at Rafe and Jesse, who look at each other for the first time. Whatever's going on between them, they're clearly putting it aside for the sake of the war.

"What's going on, dad?" Rafe says.

"Atalaxia is moving against us, hard," Roger answers, his arms tense across his chest. "With what looks like everything they've got. We didn't expect an assault like this so soon but...if we don't meet them on the field they're going to bowl us right over. We even risk..." he sighs, pressing the bridge of his nose between his fingers. "This isnoveldrama

classified, so please don't share, but we risk having our borders breached for the first time. And if that happens

it will be...disastrous."

I go very pale and very still. "We'll get on the helicopter," I say, nodding seriously. "Right now." Because I

can turn it - I can do that - I'm very powerful, they can put me at the center of the force and -

The way my father looks at me

through the screen makes me pause, and then I reach for

Jackson's hand, wanting him close, needing it. He's there, instantly, grasping my hand right back. My parents eyes see it - I know they do and a little smile comes to my mom's lips.

But dad speaks what we're all thinking. "Can you do it, Ariel?" he asks quietly. "Without Luca there - what are your powers like?"

"I - I don't know," I whisper, shaking my head, my gaze shifting to Cora, who looks stern and

contemplative.

"I think we have to go too, Roger," Cora murmurs, keeping her eyes on me. "Ella and I will need to experiment with Ariel to see what she's capable of. But even without the wind, the flames and the shadow combined should be formidable."

Dad sighs, scraping his hand down the length of his face, but then he nods. "All right. Kids, are you agreed?"

"Yes sir," Rafe says, answering for the rest of us, who just nod. "We understand. We'll be on the battlefield as soon as you need us."

"Good," dad says on a sigh. "We're going to go. We'll see you soon. We..." he hesitates now, and I see a muscle flicker in his cheek. "We love you very much."

"We love you too, dad," I say, leaning forward, eager for him to know and understand it. "All of you. You can count on us."

"You probably have an hour to pack," he says, nodding once. "Helicopter on the roof." Then he leans forward, flicking off the screen.

The five of us exhale, looking around

at each other as the Captain comes

forward from the corner of the

room. "Are you ready for this?" he asks, tense. "This isn't a trial or. place filler, like the last battle was supposed to be. If you five don't have your heads on right, I'm not sending you to get killed. So if they're not, you tell me now."