Ch. 856..860: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 856-860

Chapter 0856

"There there, little baby," I murmur, thinking of all the nice soft things my mother would say when we were kids, and we were hurt, or sad, or wanting. "We've got you now. We'll keep you safe." I take some of the fire and coat my hands with it, brushing it against his face, drying the residue of oil there until it turns into dark flakes like mud or dirt and then I brush it away.

By the time his face is clear and I clean the muck out from his tear ducts and his ears, most of the dark oily substance has receded from Gabriel's soul. As I clean off his whiskers and scratch the muck from his chin, Gabriel's sweet wolf looks at me with a great deal of shame in his eyes. So much that it makes me laugh.

"Oh, come on," I murmur, scratching at the clean fur now between his ears. "It wasn't your fault, darling. Nobody blames you."

He gives a sad little howl, and across the bridge between our souls Jackson's wolf gives a dark snarl, letting him know to behave. I laugh as my wolf comes to my side, eagerly reaching out for Gabriel's wolf with her snout, wanting to help.

"You ready, boy?" I ask, reaching back behind his neck for his scruff with a flame- coated hand, still very careful not to let that oil come anywhere close to any of my flesh.

He gives a sad little howl, and then a nod, and so I grab his fur and haul him forward, pulling him as best I can out of that ditch into which he's sunk.

My wolf helps too, taking some of my flame into her mouth and grabbing at his fur, pulling as Gabriel's wolf pushes with his withered little legs, trying desperately to get out, to get free.

He's far too light for a healthy wolf, but still very heavy for me, and it takes a great deal of effort to pull him free of the ditch. But finally he's out, and standing on his own shaking feet, panting and looking around with fear and wonder. He tries to turn, to see more, but his legs give out beneath him and he falls to the ground.

"That's okay, little baby," I say, moving near and conjuring more flames on my hands as my wolf trots in proud circles around us. "We'll get you fixed up soon."

I work on the wolf, passing my hands all over his fur, drying out the darkness and the oil as my wolf discovers that she, too, can carry the flame. She trots all around his soul, drying out the nooks and crannies, ensuring that there's nothing left-no darkness, no oil.

I have no idea how much time has passed, but by the time we're finished I feel very tired. But still, my heart soars at the sight of Gabriel's gorgeous grey wolf with his bright blue eyes, laying happily in his soul, his tongue hanging from his mouth as he pants and stares happily up at my face.

I laugh and scratch his ears as my wolf gives him a happy lick. "I don't know what you're going to do about that," I say, nodding towards the big crater still in his soul. "But...I think my business is done here."

I get to my feet and he looks at me quite mournfully.

"I'm sorry," I say, truly meaning it. "But..." I look over my shoulder to where Jackson's wolf still stands, peering anxiously across the bond bridge. "He's been very patient. And I love him a great deal."

Gabriel's wolf huffs but then stretches out his nose, a whine sounding in his throat, his request quite clear. I bend close, taking his muzzle in my palm as he gives me a long lick, just once, up my cheek.

"You're welcome," I whisper, smiling at him.

And then I turn, my wolf at my side, and cross the bridge back to my soul.

Jackson's woff growls a little, pouty and moody, as we come back to his side. Instantly he gives my wolf a sweet, jealous little nip on her haunch and begins to rub himself all

over her, wiping away any traces of Gabriel's wolf's scent.

"Possessive," I scold, grinning, watching him with my hands on my hips.

Damn right I'm possessive, Jackson snarls in my mind. Get back here.

I laugh and do as he bids, leaving his wolf to his business and opening my eyes in the real world.

Jackson drops my hand and cups

my

his pretty dark blue gaze. "Are you okay?" no

estock, staring into my eyes

"I'm fine," I say, beaming at him.

Jacks exhales, long and slow, resting his forehead against mine, his eye falling

shut. "That was amazing."

"It really was," Jesse breathes.

Confused, I look up at him. "How do you know?"

"You were... glowing," he says, nodding to me eagerly. "All blue. Like aunt Ella when she heals. And," he shrugs, nodding down towards the

Prince laying on the ground. "The results speak for themselves."

For the first time I look down at my un-corrupted mate.

And find what looks like a new man staring up at me in shocked wonder. "Ariel," he whispers.

"Hey, Gabriel,” I say, laughing a little as tears spring to my eyes. "It's nice to meet you."

 

Chapter 0857

"Gabe," my mate says, shaking his head at me and working hard to sit up. "Please, call me Gabe."

He groans, though, and falls back.

letting me know that he

"Easy, easy," I say, glancing up at Ben, who nods to me finished administering the antidote via IV and that it all went well. "Your body is still recovering from...well, from when I poisoned you." I grimace. "Sorry about that."

"I'm not sorry about it," Gabriel sighs, turning his head to me and shaking it. "I'm so grateful to you, Ariel. I was completely lost to that darkness - me and my wolf both. And I'm so, so sorry." His eyes take on a true, deep sadness and guilt as he looks over my face, his eyes lingering on the bruise on my jaw.

"Gabe?" Elias asks, hesitant, coming to kneel by my side, Pippa following. "Is it...I mean, is it you?"

"It was always me," Gabriel says, shifting his eyes to his brother. "As shameful as it is, I can't pretend I was body snatched or something. It was me, grasping and jealous and hungry for power. But everything just looked so...different, from inside the darkness." He shakes his head, tears starting in his eyes. "I'm so sorry. Pippa - I," he sighs as she reaches out and takes his hand. "Pippa, I was so horrible to you."

"You were a real brat," she says, laughing a little, her voice thick with tears. "But I forgive you, Gabey-baby. I'm just glad to have you back."

Gabe laughs at what is clearly an old nickname, his eyes fluttering shut in relief and exhaustion.

"Are you...sure he's fixed?" Jesse murmurs, looking anxiously between Jacks and I, Midnight still tucked protectively behind him. "He's not just faking it?”

"He's cleared of the darkness," Jackson murmurs, his voice grumbling as he narrows his eyes at Gabriel. "But like he said – he did all those things, even if his free will was... tainted. I'm not sure he gets to land solidly in the 'good guy' category just yet."

I click my tongue at Jackson, giving his shoulder a little shove, but he just turns his steady gaze on me, shaking his head, letting me know he still doesn't like the guy. And smile@little because...well, because Jacks is biased against anyone who is my mate and has punched me in the face. And I rather like that about him.

"Do...do you still have your magic?" Midnight ventures, taking a step to the side to peek around Jesse, looking interestedly at Gabriel. Jesse smiles at her, encouraging, and slips an arm around her shoulders.

"I don't know," Gabriel says, looking down at his hands.

As we all watch he begins to experiment with it, creating the sparks of magic that are the part of his skill that he lends to me and then flashing up a shield all around him. Jesse tries his shadows against it and finds that they can't get through.

"Um," Gabriel says, apparently trying something else and failing. He glances at Midnight. "It looks like my powers are what they were before I made a deal with Darkness, which significantly expanded them. Before

-

I could start and stop magic – urge other magic to begin, or create a personal shield against it, but now..." He glances around at all of us. "I can't protect the Castle anymore - that big barrier was only possible with Darkness's influence. And I probably can't shift to this world either."

I sigh, and nod, sorry to have taken power from him. But still - this has to be better, right? My memory flashes back to his poor wolf,

drowning in that oil. And to Gabriel's hot temper and avarice - I mean, he killed his cousin so that he could take the throne, happy to be Darkness's puppet there.

Midnight steps back behind Jesse, tucking her face against his back and

wrapping her arms around his waist, looking incredibly anxious. My heart goes out

to her because - what do her powers look like without Darkness's influence? Does she even know?

"Look, this is all very cute," Jesse sighs. "Family reunion with the newly non-evil brother. But..."

Chapter 0858

Suddenly Jesse's face goes pale and his words fade as he stares at something behind me. I gasp even as Jackson grabs me to him, pulling my back flush against his chest as he, too, turns. But then my eyes go wide as I shriek with fear at the darkness turning there just outside of my cage, slow and furious.

I watch in terror as a man steps from the darkness, his face livid, his eyes fixed on

me.

"You dare," the God of Darkness growls, his eyes flashing, "to take my servant from me?"

He waves a hand and the walls of the cage around us crumble to rust, collapsing to the ground. My heart pounds in my chest as I panic, searching my heart and my mind for something to do - a way out-

Immediately I want to shift back to Atalaxia - but I'm only touching Jackson - I can't leave everyone behind -

Darkness stalks slowly forward, glaring at all of us. Midnight's terrified sobs echo through the air as the god turns his eyes to Gabriel, who sits up with Ben's help. "Submit,” he snarls. "Take back your covenant or suffer death for your betrayal.” "Ariel!" Jackson snarls in my ear. "Go - go back -"

"No!" I cry out, leaning out of his lap and reaching for Pippa, for Ben, for Jesse - for everyone - "I can't leave them!"

"You will!" Jackson commands, pulling me back. "Go!"

"I will not submit," Gabriel says, glaring up at the dark god, shaking his head slowly. "I agreed to your bargain once and found the rewards wanting. I won't do it again, even if it costs me my life."

I cry out at this - horrified at the idea - even as Jackson commands me again and again to shift, to tilt, to go -

"Stop," Jesse snarls, stepping forward towards the God, even as Midnight sobs and begs him to come back. She flashes away and back again and again, apparently trying to vanish Jesse with her somewhere safe -

But somehow I don't know how he resists -

The God of Darkness refocuses his eyes on Jesse, who slowly starts to stalk around Gabriel, heading for me. I reach for him, wanting his hand - wanting to touch everyone so I can take them out of here.

"You fool," the God of Darkness

intones. "You think to command

me? I am not some half-soul in your little Castle school anymore, boy. Your meager powers hold no challenge for me - not in my own land."

Jesse holds Darkness's gaze as he comes to my side. “What you seem to fail to grasp," Jesse says, slipping his hand in mind and flashing his eyes to me for a single moment, giving a shake of his head. I still, not a understanding. "Is that it's not just nay powers you have to contend with. Not anymore."

My eyes go wide as Jesse squeezes my hand. And I spin my head to the God, wondering -

Can it be true?

But a memory flashes through my mind - the Goddess, in our little magic

classroom, beaming at Jesse, calling him her protector -

Because his powers, and our bond...

God, we were made for this, weren't we?

Suddenly grasp Jackson's hand tight in my own, even as I squeeze Jesse's "Gabriel!" I shout, extending a leg out to him. "My ankle! Now!"

He turns his shocked face to me, not understanding. But he obeys - which is all

that really matters, his fingers curling around my bare skin.

And when Jesse begins to let his shadows unfurl, flowing from his hands and his skin in great waves, he summons not only his own power.

But mine too. And Jackson's, and Luca's, and Gabriel's.

So that at the heart of each curl of shadow is a blue flame.

The God of Darkness takes a single step back towards the darkness from which

he emerged. "No," he whispers. "Her fire - how is it..."

But it's too late.

In a single swell of shadow, Jesse's magic surges forward and envelops the God whole.

Chapter 0859

I gasp, my hand pressed to my mouth, as Jackson tenses behind me. A glance at Gabriel lets me know that he feels it too - Jesse pulling on our magic – that we're experiencing this in a way that the others aren't. Midnight screams in fear, reaching out for Jesse, only held back by Ben who grabs her wrist at the last moment as she dashes for her mate.

Pippa stands very still, pressed close to Elias, as Jesse moves his hands like a sculptor working clay, creating some kind of ball, or a dome. A shape begins to appear before him, surrounding the God of Darkness, like a dome, or an oblong..... oval orb? To the naked eye it all looks very simple and easy - though those of us whose magic is working can clearly feel the God within, pushing against it, pounding against our magic and seeking escape.

But Jesse pushes, taking a step forward, and his shadows swirl slower and slower, becoming solid. A tiny smile starts to form on my mouth as I feel him shaping my magic alongside his – little sparrows and minnows and panthers, all limned in blue, taking shape within the shadows themselves on the dome's hollow form.

And suddenly, I can feel it - complete. Jesse lets his hands fall, his shoulders relaxing, as I laugh and jump to my feet. Jackson gasps, reaching for my hand - unaware that it's done - but I'm too fast, dashing for Jesse and throwing my arms around him.

"That was amazing!" I gasp, nearly strangling my cousin with my hug even as I look over at the solid mass of shadow now sitting in the middle of the wasteland, the blue forms still moving subtly over its surface. "Did you know you could do that!?"

“Um, nope,” Jesse says, giving me a quick squeeze and smiling at me before turning, looking for Midnight. "No, that was sort of...improvised."

He holds out a hand to his little mate and Ben releases her. She runs, sobbing, into his arms. “What is it?” she whispers, shaking, pressing her face against his chest. "What did you do?"

"I don't know,” he murmurs, bending low to drop a kiss to her hair. "It's some kind of...containment."

"It looks like an egg," Jackson says, a little dry, and I grin as I turn to see him still sitting on the ground, his arms wrapped around his knees, studying the solid shadow before him.

"Oh my god, it does..." Ben murmurs and then bursts out laughing, hisz eyes shining with pride as he turns them on Jesse. "Is that what you made? A magic egg to contain the God of Darkness?"

Jesse's smile is more hesitant even as he, too, laughs, one arm around Midnight as he runs a hand through his hair. "I guess so. But guys - - it's not going to hold him forever. I

mean maybe one day? I cove

something... more solid?" he looks to me now. "But this was hastily done - we have to...we have to move."

Even as he says it, noise breaks out elsewhere in the Land of Darkness. All of our heads turn to see soldiers, of all things, appearing on the other side of the great cage.

"Shit," Elias whispers, looking frantically around at us. "The King - he finally figured out where Gabriel is - he's sending his soldiers for us -"

Pippa squeaks in fear, pressing herself to his side.

"That thing," I say, fast, pointing to the egg as Jackson gets to his feet and comes immediately to my side. "Can you leave it, Jesse? Or is...is he going to break out the moment you go?"

“I can leave it,” he says, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I made it like the little shadow cat I left with..." his voice fades as he glances down at Midnight, who looks up at himè with wide dark eyes. "Um, I made it like Mittens," he says, looking over at me, his face grim. "I can leave it behind. But seriously, it's... he shudders as we both feeba pulse against our magic, the God of Darkness pressing hard against the inside of the shell. "We can't stay in this land long. He'll come for us again."

Chapter 0860

"Okay, well then let's go," Jackson says, all business, pulling me against his chest and reaching out a hand for everyone else.

Everyone scurries close and I take a deep breath, looking around to ensure that we're all here, all touching. When I am sure, I exhale and tilt us all away, the weight of our entire group pulling against my magic in a way that it hasn't before.

We appear a moment later in the palace, but we all shriek and turn towards the door, which is beginning to splinter, someone on the other side starting to break it down.

"Back, back!" Jesse shouts.

I obey, tilting us back to Darkness.

We all stutter back a step when we land, glancing frantically around at the soldiers that are now charging for us from the other side of the castle - slowed by the bars of Gabriel's cage but by no means stopped by them - and over at the shadowy encasement that holds a god hell bent on vengeance.

"Fuck," Elias whispers. "What - what are we going to do -"

"Mids," Jesse says, grasping his little mate by the shoulder and looking at her seriously. "You need to take us out of here. Back to Moon Valley."

"But I can't!" she gasps, shaking her head and pointing upwards. "It's not lined up to here! If I shift, we just go to Atalaxia!"

"Then vanish away first," Gabriel snaps at her, leaning hard against his brother, his body still incredibly weak. "Take them somewhere that aligns with Moon Valley and then shift."

Midnights mouth forms into a little o of surprise and then she nods, stepping away and reaching out her hands. Jesse and Ben move to her side, and Jackson starts that way, but I don't move.

“Them?" I ask, staring at Gabriel. Because - is he not coming?

"Go," Gabriel says, pushing himself up from Elias's side, glancing anxiously at the soldiers who shout and charge our way. “Take Pippa where you'll be safe." He turns his gaze to me. "I have to stay - the King still holds significant influence

can convince him I'm still under Darkness's spell, I can right the wrongs I've made -"

"You can't shift, Gabriel!" I shout, storming for him.

He goes still as he realizes that I'm right.

"Go!" I bark at Pippa and Elias, shoving them towards Jesse and Ben and Midnight. "I'll take him back."

"Ariel!" Jackson shouts, coming to my side. "We need -"

Vinet

"We need to get the rest of the ambassadors," I snap, taking his hand too. “I'm not leaving them here to die." His eyes go wide as he realizes that I'm right.

I grab Gabriel's hand as well, looking over at Midnight and the four surrounding her, each with a hand on her shoulder. "Come back for the ambassadors in...twenty minutes. For now, go."

Jesse looks at me with wide eyes, starting to shake his head, but Midnight - frightened - presses her eyes shut and vanishes them away.

I exhale a sigh of relief.

"This is insane,” Jackson snaps, glaring down at me.

"It is," Gabriel says. I turn my head to the right and can't help my smile when I see that his expression matches Jackson's.

“Oh, you boys,” I sigh. "Why did my grandmother give me two mates so intolerant

of good ole Sinclair chaos? Come on. This is going to work."

On a wave of brash headlong faith, I vanish us back to my bedroom in Atalaxia, one mate on either side.