Page 38 of Ava: Part Three

There was no point breaking any more rules before they knew what the Council wanted from them. Plus, she was still disappointed in Zeke because whatever she decided to do, she had to consider that her father was right there with her. The Council could grab him right now and tell her to become their soldier, and she would do it without question.

“Ava.”

But she was already heading to the section where she was supposed to have been sitting all this time. The blazers were plain like hers, and they all automatically lowered their gazes as if they didn’t want to challenge anyone accidentally.

Emily waved at her from a seat at the back. The back row would be perfect. Since most students were taller than her, she would be hidden from the Council’s vision and maybe attention. Maybe it would be easier to hide her thoughts that way.

She lost count of how long they all sat in silence before she felt the unease in her bones. And then the darkness approached. The evil in the air. The oppressive, sickening tingles along her skin.

Claire and her friends came in first, as if they were making a point that they belonged to the Council. She watched them walk directly to the Alpha section and force a row of students out of their seats without a word.

And then her eyes went back to the door.

The Alpha of all Alphas, King of all Kings, with his startling purple eyes, was looking right at her. A slow smile appeared on his lips, promising her a world of pain.

This was it—the first day of the rest of her life.

Chapter 22

Avasankbackintoher seat, hiding away from the purple gaze she saw in her nightmares every night. It felt like he could look into her soul. She couldn’t see the stage, but somehow, she knew their attention was still on her.

From the tension she felt around her, she realised the Omegas could sense they were in the presence of evil even though their gazes lowered. Her heart was pounding, but she knew that for the first time, hers was not the only one.

She felt some pressure in her head, and then the icy fingers probed at her, the same icy fingers she felt in Isolation and the forest. She could almost feel the thick molasses feeling all over her body as the dark magic tried to work its way in. She sat still, afraid to even breathe.

“Good morning, students.”

The dean’s voice rang loudly in the silent room, startling her. And with that, she realised her head had become a little foggy, as if she had been on the verge of being trapped in a spell.

She had to think about something else. Focus on something else like she did in Isolation. But she couldn’t think straight. It was as if something was snatching things out of her head, and incomplete thoughts were jumbled inside her.

“This semester, we have seen several changes in our academy that are guaranteed to bring out the best in each and every one of you,” the dean said. “Most of you have done the academy proud, while others still need to learn the values of our school.”

Focus.

She needed to focus before she gave anything away.

The dean’s words just floated around her head as she tried to remember the beach and her imaginary Zeke. Would he come to her aid here? Would it work the same?

She looked over at the Alpha section to try to see Zeke, but she couldn’t find him. Instead, it was Claire’s cold gaze she met. She lost her focus again, staring into those lifeless eyes.

“As we prepare for the real evaluations at the end of the semester, I am honoured to welcome our guests, Councillors Luca, Dalca and Lupei, and our esteemed President, Mr Hansson.”

Again, the dean's words pulled her out of the fog. The magic in the air was not allowing her to focus. What were they looking for? She hadn’t felt this the first time she met the councillors.

The dean’s words whirled around in her head again. He’d said Mr Hansson. Not Alpha or King. Not even the High Priest. Just Mr.

She would have the man who ran the whole show would want the world to know his role. But she couldn’t even tell what he was.

“The president has kindly taken time out of his busy schedule to ensure we reach our full potential. To this end, we will see some changes in some of our schedules in the areas that need improvement.”

Her hands went to her temples as the pressure increased again. What were they trying to do? Mash her brain? The probing had stopped, but it felt like the icy fingers were just squeezing her insides now. Her heart felt like it was going to explode.

“Please welcome our President to the stage.”

There was a short silence, and then a gentle, silky-smooth voice filled the room.

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Dean Russell,” Mr Hansson said.

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