The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0762

"No, I can see her," I whisper to Daphne, frowning at her, wondering what magic pumps through her veins that allows her to see the Goddess. "Just...not everyone can."

I look around to see that everyone has gathered around us, everyone's faces drawn as Cora summarizes the Goddess's words for those who cannot hear. Roger's face breaks my heart - the worry and the agony on it. I tear my eyes away, unable to think about what he could possibly be experiencing with Jesse gone.

I don't miss the way that dad slides his arm around Rafe's shoulders, wanting him close, even as he tucks his own worry for Juniper away somewhere deep.

"Yes, Ariel can go to the Land of Darkness," the Goddess sighs, gesturing towards me once Cora has finished filling everyone in. "Which, I must emphasize, is different from the Underworld, where Juniper has been taken. Same planet but..." she shrugs as if it's complicated. "Different realms."

I cry out a little at the confirmation that Junie is really gone. "We have to help her," I say, frantic, turning towards my mom, who pushes to my side and takes my hand, shaking her head.

"There's nothing we can do," she whispers to me. "June - oh, Ariel, Juniper acted like a real idiot -"

My eyes go wide because mom never, ever insults her children.

"She made a deal," the Goddess intones, drawing my eyes back to her. "With my horrible stepson, the God of Death. She is wound up in a complicated Game now but," she shrugs, "I have sent her aid. You need to trust the girl to find her own way out."

desperate for any good news.

worried, dropping her head. "All we know is that he is there, in the Land of Darkness, with his mate." Daphne gasps, slapping a hand to her mouth, and we all turn towards her, grief in every set of eyes. "Oh, Daphne..." I whisper, my heart breaking for my friend as Cora

grief, "is that the love grows strong between him and his mate. Strong enough that he can convince her to save him."

the dark figure away from him and stumbling back a few steps. "Ow!" the figure gasps, stumbling too and raising a hand to her chest where Jesse shoved,

begin to

gapes at her for a moment - this very tiny person - even smaller than Ariel

Jesse is spinning away, turning, moving hastily beyond that realization, trying

But it's -

the Castle anymore

like a brick, making his shoulders tremble as he looks over the barren expanse of hills under a dark, starless sky. He

Darkness,"

again and spins back

gone now, and he can...see all of her. And she's just a girl - not some insane shadow ghoul with empty dark eye sockets

tries to understand her expression, the

bit. "What?" she asks, looking around. "You