The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 44

Ben sweeps me up a few staircases, away from the rest of the boys, and he really does take a minute to show me the incredible library that takes up a large portion of the top floor – presumably on the other side of our rooms. I gape around at it in complete awe.

I mean – we have a pretty impressive library in the palace – but this? The arching ceilings are almost entirely made of glass, like the entire space was once one giant. greenhouse or something. The stacks are all tall and white, reaching so high I can’t believe they don’t topple over, with these gorgeous brass ladders steepled all over them.

Obviously, all I want to do for the rest of the day is wander around picking out a stack of books and sinking onto one of the plush velvet chairs with them, but Ben laughs, leading me away to my chemistry classroom with plenty of time to spare.

As we walk, I smile at him even as he glances at his map, trying to find the right halls. Because as much as I know he’s dying to ask me what’s going on with Luca, he’s also sensing that it’s somehow private, and that I’m not ready to go there yet.

Unlike Jesse, who I know will tease me mercilessly and press me for details the moment he gets a chance, Ben lets me have my space.

And so as we arrive at the door to my class, I take a minute to bump my shoulder into his what I’m coming to learn is the manly version of a big hug. “Thanks,

Ben.”

“Anytime, Ari,” he says, grinning at me. And by the crinkle around his eyes, I can tell that he understands that I’m thanking for him for more than the escort. “Good luck in there,” he says, nodding towards the classroom.

I bump him again, and he grins at me before heading down the hall.

When I step inside, I’m surprised both by the smallness of the classroom and by the fact that I’m….

Alone.

I stay perfectly still for a second, the two boys who are already in the class turning to look at me.

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Chapter 44

I mean, it’s not that I’ve never been alone before…

But, I mean, have I?

I have spent my entire life in the company of my family, watched and guarded. Even when I’d go to sleepovers they’d send a guard or two along to stand outside of the house.

But now…

bored

room.

little – he didn’t hit me or anything. I was

down on the black desk at the front, raising an eyebrow at me. He has dark hair, just going grey at the

him instantly – I don’t know why. Nothing about him

I stand up straight, trusting my instincts. “Staying,” I say. “Sorry,” I apologize, coming into the room more fully now and taking a seat at an empty table.

looks down at his

—

little awkwardly, not knowing what to do. I mean I recognize the two other cadets already in the room, and the five more who filter in after. They were all candidates with

and Jesse,

good job of isolating me away from everyone else.

no idea who any

of the room, all business. “Welcome to the Espionage Track. I’m Dr. Neumann, I will be

up a little straighter then, I think anxious and eager to impress. He smirks a little at us, not unkindly, and then

Chapter 44

of information that we’ll be expected to learn in a very short amount of time. I jump when he takes a textbook from below the desk and drops it on the table in front of him, the

your four textbooks for this course. I will expect you to be proficient in all of the information contained within this text by the time the holiday break rolls around.”

break? We….we

not succeed…” he says, his voice slowing now as he looks around at all of us, “will

breathe in

cuts at the end of the first semester,” Neumann says, looking around slowly at all of us, and the other students all flinch and begin

– god, I’d forgotten

completely lost. “In case some of you are unaware,” he says, his voice dry, “which is…frankly abundantly clear from some of your expressions, Alpha Academy cuts a further 40% of its

go pale. What?

40%!?

this Examination!? Why didn’t Jesse and Rafe say anything!? “What I am attempting to explain to you,” Neumann continues, “is that Espionage cuts on top of that. If you pass the Examination but fail your Chemistry exam? You’re out. The rates for continuing in Espionage are the most competitive in the school, which I believe is fair,

perhaps doing the math.

and three of

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my chest. What. What?!

“there is no reason why all eight of you could not make it if you were the most spectacular incoming group of young cadets

to look each of us in the eye, and I don’t miss it when he

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examined in your other affinities as well and will be required to pass those examinations too. You will also need to be fit enough to pass the Examination, which will be your own responsibility. I suggest