The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 88

I gasp when my eyes fly open, hauling breath into my lungs as if I’ve just broken out of a pool of water.

I immediately it up. panting, staring around at my unfamiliar surroundings. And my

thought, absurdly, is that I’m in the dream state-

Because this – this is not the dorm room that I was in with my friends ten seconds ago.

first

No, as I look around I realize that I’m in the woods now. But it takes me a few moments and blinks to realize that these are not the dream woods in which I meet Luca – but real woods. And it’s dusk, which is absurd, because it was just night time, but why…

My instincts come back to me in bits and pieces and I curl my legs beneath me, ready to get to my feet as I look warily around, trying to figure out what the hell is going on here. My body feels sluggish and tired, but I would swear that moments ago I was drinking a toast with Daphne

Daphne, who I suddenly remember betrayed us. But why!?

I dart my eyes around, trying to figure out my surroundings, how I got here, why I’m all alone, and I almost jump when I turn to see a wooden box behind me.

Ari Clark, it says, my name written onto a piece of paper nailed to the top. I just stare at it for a long moment, putting together the clues.

I’m here, alone, in the woods, with a long box with my fake name on it.

And the only ones who use my fake name are…the Academy…

the box and flip

to us, telling us it was next week so that we wouldn’t suspect or prepare. And Daphne didn’t betray us – she was just doing her damn job, drugging us with the wine so that they could get us here to

admit that the contents are fascinating. For a moment I ignore the long crossbow and the set of six vials, opting instead for the little folded piece of paper, which surely has the thing I want most in the world right now:

ground with my legs underneath

it begins.

moment you wake and read this note. In order to continue at the Academy in the spring term, you are required to

you reach the Final

the letter just for a moment, glancing into the box to see that there is indeed a map inside along with

mission to reach the Final Destination quickly

your

way to the Destination, should that be part of your tactics. However, be aware that these supplies are not designed to kill. While this

they’ve given me a cross bow, haven’t they? What do they

back to the page, finishing the letter

thirty–six hours to reach the Final Destination. Any candidate who takes longer than that will not pass. We wish

pump through my veins. Once I’m sure that I’ve committed it all to memory. I crumple it

1

I’m on a short timeline here, but I’m also newly aware that the vast majority of my fellow cadets are now my enemies, seeking to

like this. No,

quiver full of arrows lightening fast before I attach their little belt to my hip. All their points, I noted, are suitably dulled

wolf says, her hackles raised, all of her instincts on high alert as she turns around, examining the forest as I pick up the set of

frankly – I’m good enough with a crossbow now that I could sink an arrow into someone’s eye. Not that I’d do that,

mean, would

pushed to it, could I kill someone, even a countryman, as the note