Page 17 of Deception
“I don’t know who you think you are—” Victor starts, his face reddening at my words.
“I already told you, Vicky, my name is Olivia. Keep up. You’re just embarrassing yourself now,” I mock, letting out an indignant chuckle. He grits his teeth at his new nickname, and I see steam rise from his skin, embers igniting in his gaze.
He starts forward, murder flickering in his amber eyes. That is until he slams face-first into an invisible barrier.
“You won’t touch my mate,” Adrian bellows, stepping out from his place at the back. His earlier discomfort making him take a backseat in this ordeal until this moment. He steps forward but doesn’t come to my side. I don’t let my mind linger on that for too long. His face is an unreadable mask of cool rage.
It takes everything in me to control my expression, keeping the cool look of disinterest on my face at Adrian’s words. The statement—making me want to leap with joy and race to embrace him. I do let a slight smirk curl my lips, turning my excitement into a look of amusement at the angry red welts spreading further across Victor’s face. It really isn’t the poor guy’s day, is it? Well, perhaps he should’ve thought about that before he tried to mess with me.
Helene takes a step forward, her face not contorted in anger like Victor’s. No—she beams at me, her smile pure delight as she pulls Victor back.
“As I was saying, you came here with a plan already in place. So let’s not waste anymore of our time,” I declare decisively, getting us back on track. This girl needs to shower off the grains of sand still clinging to her skin. And maybe then curl into a ball and sleep for the next week.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say our plans have changed.” Helene steps forward, eyeing the gods behind me with keen interest. “I believe a compromise can be negotiated.”
My father goes to speak, but I clear my throat, not wanting him to discuss the terms. If it was up to him, he would cart me away to wherever he deems safest. I can’t do that, not anymore. This morning showed me that. The pain and loss I felt—still feel—from Adrian’s declaration and distance. I know I need to fix things between us, between all the guys. And I can’t do that locked away in some tower.
“I’ll stay at the academy,” I announce. As I speak the words, they solidify in my mind, feeling right, like this is the path I’m meant to take for now.
“Olivia,” my father warns behind me, his words a deep rumble.
I turn to him, giving him a sympathetic smile. In all their planning earlier, they seemed to forget that the guys are obligated to stay here until the end of this semester.
“But, I agree with my father. I’ll need more advanced training than can be taught here.” I add. I need to stay here, but I can’t let the development of my powers suffer for it. Not if what my father says is accurate, and I possess the ability to wield my power as any of the light gods’ magic.
Helene nods, quirking her lips in thought for a moment. “You’ll have the gods at your disposal for your training.”
Victor balks at her statement, but she raises her hand, effectively cutting him off.
“She’ll need more in-depth training than a demigod since she’ll be much stronger. But, because she is Osias’ daughter,” she gives him a calculating smirk before continuing, “I’m willing to bet she has some sort of power that will need a more skilled teacher to be developed.”
She eyes us expectantly, shrugging when no one offers up any information. As though she predicted as much.
“There is one term that is non-negotiable,” she hedges, a mischievous glint lighting her brown eyes. I swallow dryly. Whatever this is cannot be good, given her gleeful expression. “You’ll need to complete the trials to leave this school.”