Chapter 11
Sena
The monotonous tone of Professor Cline drones on throughout the small classroom. I have to shake myself multiple times just to stay awake. He finally moves onto the next subject and changes the slide. My eyes flicker up but freeze when I spot the words on the board.
The royal family. My… family.
His soft words finally filter past my shocked brain, only making every inch of my body turn to ice the longer I listen.
‘Exterminate all living royals. Carnage and slaughter. Utter destruction and devastation. Hunted to extinction. Massacre.’
My heartbeat races, my chest tightens the more I find out about them.
Some of their deaths were not fast. Most royals suffered before each and every one of them were wiped out.
There is no other royal left. Well… no one but me.
Growing up in foster care I always thought I was abandoned and discarded for being too weak and sick.
So, to find out I could have had a family—one who probably loved and cared about me if not for the selfishness of others—is a tough pill to swallow.
My chest tightens further as I reach out to my mates, hoping they’ll be there even if we’re not really talking. But my stomach instantly drops when I come up against their block.
A block so thick and heavy, I can almost feel it like a steel-enforced wall.
It’s been nearly three weeks since I’ve seen any of them. Three weeks of trying not to think about them when all I want to do is see them.
The class is over and I move on autopilot, following Ember, Maia, and Remi to the canteen where I grab the first thing I see before taking a seat at the back of the room.
The girls follow without question and start chatting about their plans for the rest of the day. But my mind is still on the class and the royal’s deaths.
They were completely wiped out by a faction that didn’t want to have to depend on the royals and their power.
Robin was right when she explained it to me in the Shadow Academy. It’s like a beehive. The bees can’t survive without a queen just like the Shadows can’t survive without a royal.
Or at least not for much longer. The crystal’s power will only last so long.
The time will come when I have to take my place as their royal. But how the fuck am I supposed to lead an entire Shadow race when I can’t even control the variables of my own damn life?
The doors slam open dragging me from my thoughts and worries.
I glance over to find a small group of females strutting into the canteen like they own it and everyone else in here.
But from the expression on the face of every Shadow here—at least the males—they seem to be right.
They must be the other Alita.
The male Shadows move out of their way when needed but watch their every move as if waiting to be called upon. And every single one of their expressions is of awe.
I reach up and thumb my pendent, feeling damn glad for the ability to remain hidden right now if that’s how they’re constantly treated.
I’d fucking hate every moment of it.
Ember rolls her eyes at the Shadows and their fawning before focusing on her food. “I’m going to check out another path to make sure I know the best ones for the flag competition.”
Remi frowns. “You’ve been at it for days. Maybe give it a rest.”
A determined glint enters Embers eyes. “I know, but I need this. More than anything.”
Remi shares a look with Maia before glancing back at Ember. “Fine. We’ll go with.”
Maia bumps my shoulder. “Sena you up for it?”
I open my mouth to say yes. Technically I could use the distraction. But a wave of exhaustion hits me like a ton of bricks.
“Actually, I’m a little tired,” I tell them. “I think I’ll pass this time.”
Ember frowns at me. “You do look a little pale. Do you want us to take you to the health center?”
I shake my head and stand up. “I just need to sleep it off.” I get rid of my uneaten food and wave them off, ignoring their worried expressions, and head back to the dorm.
Finding my bed immediately, I curl up into a ball and allow myself to have this moment of weakness.
Tomorrow… Tomorrow I’ll pull up my big girl pants and remember who the fuck I really am.