Chapter Ten: Under | Part 5 Thirtyx’s eyes scrunched shut against the pain, which was probably helpful. They couldn’t entrance him if he couldn’t see them. He thought. Was Professor C humming? He couldn’t cover his ears with his hands bound. Much as he didn’t want to focus on the venom crawling up his arm,Continue reading “Nonsense”
Category Archives: Traitor to the Throne
It’s Your Own Fault
Chapter Ten: Under | Part 4 Thirtyx wrenched his gaze away from the ring. It fell on the seal skin tied around Professor C’s waist. Selkie charm. She’d tried to disarm him just enough to fall into the trance. And it had very nearly worked. Something the headmistress seemed to notice. Her expression had grownContinue reading “It’s Your Own Fault”
Circular Movements
Chapter Ten: Under | Part 3 The sudden onslaught of secretive energy made Thirtyx nauseous. He fought to keep his breathing even as his panic rose. Azirenne pushed her glasses up higher on her nose—slowly, methodically. “Venma— Thirtyx. I understand that you care about your friends, and you think you’re keeping them safe. But whenContinue reading “Circular Movements”
I’ve Never Given Two Damns
Chapter Ten: Under | Part 2 In the present day, Thirtyx felt the headmistress pull out of his mind. “Trying to elicit pity won’t work. But I commend you on your shielding skills. Ironic that you’re using them to betray the friends who taught you.” “I’m not betraying them, I’m protecting them! Please, Headmistress—I believeContinue reading “I’ve Never Given Two Damns”
Bury the Information
Chapter Ten: Under | Part 1 By the time Thirtyx reached the headmistress’ office, Professor C and Professor Bavarren had joined the procession. Before Thirtyx even noticed Bavarren, he’d cast enough fancy spellwork to make Thirtyx’s hands useless and his balance questionable, such that he had to lean on Azirenne to remain upright. Public humiliation.Continue reading “Bury the Information”
Helpless
Chapter Nine: Lockdown | Part 6 Benn was not there, but the headmistress and Professor Dexerro were. And they were staring at a sigil floating above Benn’s bed. Thirtyx’s already agitated stomach flipped. He recognized the sigil as a Mark of Ryedaan, a sign soldiers typically left on battlefields to indicate their safety before theirContinue reading “Helpless”
Something Big Happened
Chapter Nine: Lockdown | Part 5 It was torture to hold Seerla’s gaze like he did. He hadn’t planned to address this head-on, but now that he knew it was bothering her, he couldn’t keep playing dumb. “I’m not worth this, you know,” he said evenly. “I can pass the Comp on my own. YouContinue reading “Something Big Happened”
The Chaos Was Intentional
Chapter Nine: Lockdown | Part 4 Thirtyx spent the rest of the day repeating his assertion that he did not, in fact, have a crush on Seerla—in more mental channels, out loud, and using several different phrasings. He knew they were mostly doing it to annoy him, but there were far worse things they couldContinue reading “The Chaos Was Intentional”
Resigned Acceptance
Chapter Nine: Lockdown | Part 3 “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you guys.” Seerla tucked a strand of escaped hair behind her ear. “Or show up here uninvited. I just… had a question for Thirtyx, and my friends made me mad, and—” “Seerla.” Benn was fixing her with that same condescending look he’d givenContinue reading “Resigned Acceptance”
It’s Not Interference
Chapter Nine: Lockdown | Part 2 “Give that back!” Rhea dove for Benn’s bed, but he was too fast, casting a bubble around himself that Rhea bounced off of. Thirtyx choked back a snicker. By the time she had righted herself, Benn was studying the paper, turning it slowly in his hands. “You study forContinue reading “It’s Not Interference”
Calley Jones 