The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0538

He looks up at us and shrugs, his expression wary, like he thinks he might sound crazy.

"That's...scary, man," Rafe says, his voice breathy. "But also really cool."

Slowly, Jesse breaks out into a smile. "Yeah, I...I think it kind of is."

"Fire goddess, shadow lord," Jackson murmurs, looking around at us like he's kind of tickled by it. "Whatever you come up with next is going to be amazing, Rafe, if you're going to match up with these two." Jesse laughs and I grin at my brother, but my smile falters a little as Rafe pretends to laugh before he drops his head, his face falling a little bit.

And my heart sinks again when I realize that my poor brother - who just got dumped - likewise feels left out of this too. Because he's the only one here whose magic hasn't manifested.

Which...probably makes him feel more alone than ever.

"Rafe," I say quietly, reaching for him.

But my brother straightens his shoulders, pretending he doesn't hear me.

My hand falls before I touch him, sensing that he doesn't want that right now.

"Well, we have to get up early," Rafe says, forcing a smile, "especially if we're going to send word to mom and Cora that we want to chat. Do you think you can sleep, Jess?"

Jesse laughs, only a touch hysterically, shaking his

it happens again?"

using his sense of humor and bravado to cover the anxiety that I can still see running through him. After all, he's gone through a big change today - and swirling clouds of darkness are not precisely a warm

that bursting things into flames is. At least not technically. But...well, I

I'm not sure that Jesse likes his as much - at least

up on the pillow on the far side of the bed that Jesse always leaves open. I grin at Jesse as he turns to stare at me. "In case you need

a soft smack on the back. "If you get lost in a cloud of shadows I'm getting lost in

he doesn't protest any more, falling back on his own

then starts to lay down, stretching himself

what do you think you're doing!?" Jesse gasps, sitting up

clear on this?" Jackson asks, looking up at Jesse like he's exhausted at having to explain again, his feet hanging far off the bed as he stretches out

cannot sleep in my

when we were kids," I say with a happy sigh, curling up comfortably as Jackson settles his head down by my feet. Jackson reaches up and puts a warm

staying, so am I," Rafe

as Rafe pulls his legs up onto the bed and then curls up on Jesse's either side. "Guys, this is ridiculous the

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