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…

box and flip

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 be…to be examined, I

box, which doesn’t hold much, though I admit that the contents are fascinating. For a moment I ignore the long crossbow and the set of six vials, opting instead

sink back onto the ground with my legs underneath me, my eyes

Clark, it

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

the Final Destination, noted on

the letter just for a moment, glancing into the box to see that there

your mission to reach the Final Destination quickly and ahead of your fellow cadets. Please note that only the first 60% of cadets to reach the finish line will be invited back in the Spring term; even if you do reach the Final Destination, if you cross the finish line too late, you will not be invited back.

your

part of your tactics. However, be aware that these supplies are not designed to kill. While this is a war simulation at a military academy,

eyes go wide at this warning because….well, I mean, they’ve given me a cross

attention 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 you the best

I’ve committed it all to memory. I crumple it and toss it into the corner of the box, sorting quickly through my supplies as I glance around

1

vast majority of my fellow cadets are now my enemies, seeking to slow me down. And considering who I am, and how small I am?

this. No, I’ve got to move, and

as I strap the crossbow to my back, examining the quiver full of arrows lightening fast before I attach their little belt to my hip. All their points, I noted, are suitably dulled – not designed to rip through flesh, just, as the note suggested, to do

says, her hackles raised, all of her instincts on high alert as she turns around, examining the

because – quite 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, I don’t think, but….

would I?

I were pushed to it, could I kill someone, even