The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0654

"Ariel," Tony sighs, shaking his head and leaning back in the arm chair, looking like he hates to be the one to tell me this. "He does do that to you. Like all the time."

"Wait wait," Jesse says, turning more fully towards Tony with a frown. "You've only been getting close to Ariel lately - since this semester started and then in this past week. But you've been cold to Luca since the moment I first saw you guys interact - when we had magic class here in the room after the God of Darkness attacked and you wouldn't let him stay. So...what gives? Have you been like, spying on us?"

"No," Tony says, slumping back in his chair and covering his eyes with his hand for a second. "Look, if you want to know, my ish with Luca is a little...older than I may have suggested so far."

"What?" I breathe, leaning forward, fascinated and a little horrified. I mean, I know Luca's a celebrity, but what is he talking about?

How old is his grudge against Luca?

And who even is Tony, anyway? I wrack my mind but honestly, I don't know anything about his past. Quite suddenly I feel guilty for not asking and also like a very, very bad spy. "Okay," Tony sighs, looking around at the four of us. "Can I please assume that this is a zone of secrecy in which we do not tell others what was said in our little square of trust?"

"She's definitely going to tell Jackson," Ben says, settling back against the pillows with a pleased smirk, looking like he's enjoying himself.

I glance at Ben but then return my eyes to Tony and give a little shrug, because it's true. I reserve the right to tell Jacks everything.

of trust though? With one

all nod, agreeing to

says, raising an eyebrow as he looks at each of us in turn, almost daring each of us to counter him on it. I start to grin, unable to help

and Ben.

I say with a sigh, curling up on the

he says with a smirk. "I was a city kid - needed money, worked my way up in some bars. But eventually I got a pretty sweet gig - my share of the tips was insane for clearing tables and running drinks and generally letting

still at this, turning my head

his eyes on me.

and Jesse turn towards me curiously. "Yeah," I

giving me that sad little smile. "It

there a couple times," Jesse says, frowning over at

table, though. They talked about you and Rafe in the back, though - always good things. Sinclairs are

scowl at my cousin. "I can't

him a little kick "When we get back to the city me and you

a steady nod and holds palm up. I