The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 772

Roger nods once and the four of us fall into a line, moving out towards the front to join the fight.

“Here’s the deal,” Roger murmurs, glancing down at me from my right. “Cora’s got a storm coming in from behind the Atalaxian front that should do a great deal of work towards distracting them. Plus, they won’t be able to get many aircraft off the ground with what she’s got brewing.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyebrows going up as I consider that that is, indeed, going to be help. I think the stars again that I have a powerful weather goddess as an aunt.

“What we need from you,” Roger continues, shifting his eyes to the wide front of Atalaxian forces before us. “Is to take out as much of this as you can. We’ve managed to enter after the battle has already started, so hopefully no one has taken note of one transport truck delivering four soldiers.”

“But considering that they always seem to have eyes on us,” Rafe murmurs, also glancing at me, “who knows. So, we need to move fast.”

Roger nods as he taps his own earpiece. “I’ve got your dad right here, Ariel, to direct the battle. But mostly we just need you to…take ‘em out, in whatever way works for you. We’re here for guidance and for cover. But…whenever you’re ready, kid.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyes going wide. Because…I just…go? I think I was expecting more preamble than that. I glance up at Jackson, anxious, and he takes my hand, looking steadily down into my eyes.

The power begins to flow between us, itself a powerful encouragement, making me feel full of energy and ready to blaze.

“You ready, baby?” I whisper.

His face bursts into a smile at the pet name – the first I ever called him, the one I think he likes the most, though he’d hate it if others knew it.

“Ready when you are, tiny,” he murmurs in reply. And I watch as he physically restrains himself from leaning down to kiss me.

Because we’re at war. And there’s no time for that.

But still, the impulse makes me grin, and I exhale a long breath. “Okay. Let’s go.”

I step forward and join the battle.

I press all the thoughts and worries from my mind – all of my sadness about Tony, and my worries about Juniper, and my horror for both Jesse and Daphne. I tuck it all away, as Roger has done, and instead just look for something to burn.