Mariella Kuibreza 

I have to keep the legacy growing.

“She sure is intense,” Shanz commented, lightly tapping my elbow. “What’s the big deal about working in a palace? Believe me, it’s more fun in the city.”

“Easy for you to say,” I laughed at her effort to relax me, “Diamond Winners have a lot more privilege.”

She shrugged with no response. Daz signaled us over to him, and we began to walk to the front and join him and the other officers. I bet they want to introduce themselves to Shanz.

While walking, I remembered that Klaus was still here, quietly keeping up with the pace. I couldn’t help but wonder, what bothered him enough to duck his head? Was his older brother back from summer training?

“How’d you guys like it so far?” Daz started, maintaining a gentle smile, “The meeting was cut short since Chief Lorin had something to attend to.”

“No, no. It’s alright.” I nervously chuckled. “She was so serious I got goosebumps.”

“She’s always like that. Don't let her physique scare you.” He sighed as he lightly shook his head, turning his attention to Shanzina. “Anyways, I hope it’s not much of a bother,  Ms. Merxado, but the other officers wish to have a word with you.”

I smiled at Shanz as she stepped beside me, releasing a breath. “Fifteen minutes.” She noted. 

“Thank you,” Daz said, turning around to gesture for the officers to come, “The Di-”

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you!” Charise beamed as she pulled Shanz’s hand for a shake. “I’m a huge fan, Ms. Merxado!”

Shanz almost lost her balance as the girl vigorously shook her hand, eyes twinkling like she had just met a star. 

"We're happy to have you." Masson bowed, I could barely hear him. 

"Uh, thank you, Millan. " Shanzina said in uncomfortable laughter, slowly trying to free her hand from the tiger's grasp. 

As she let go, Charise began to take it for another shake, but another person beat her to it. 

"It's an honor to have you in our club, Ms. Merxado. I hope we get to know each other in the future." Dorothy said, glancing at me. Her haughty smile matched with the condescending look she'd given Shanz. 

So it really does run in the family. 

"I wouldn't stress about it." Shanzina returned the look by pulling her hand away, wiping it on her blazer a few times. 

Klaus and I shared a worried look— the tension was beginning to build between them. This was exactly why I didn't introduce her to anyone without her consent. Guess a month's worth of social etiquette training doesn't do much.

Dorothy cleared her throat as she continued, "When Daz confirmed you were applying for F.A.R., we couldn't help but appreciate your participation."

To my horror, she'd looped her arm around Daz's, pulling him closer to her. "We could use someone as strong as you around here. Right, Daz?" 

"Does 'we' mean you?" Shanzina muttered, “Because I could kind of see that."

I elbowed her. The last thing anyone else would want in this room is her provoking Dorothy into a challenge. I don’t think anyone would like to see the new girl beat up their own vice president. Well?

To my relief, no one sensed the underlying tone. It would’ve been awkward. “Well, time surely flies quickly.” Klaus interjected. “It’s almost tea time. We have to go, there’s a cafe I want to show you, Ms. Merxado.”

Thank the gods for Klaus.

“I’ll catch up to you later after I’m done.” Daz said, releasing himself from Dorothy and reached out to guide my shoulder to Klaus and Shanz, who were making their way to the exit. I didn’t meet his eyes and walked away, barely missing his touch.

Klaus must’ve noticed when he answered. “Alright, I’ll see you later.” Shanz raised a fist to bump with Masson, and waved at Charise as she stepped out the door.

…

I felt better as the cool air cleared up my senses. We’d stayed quiet the whole walk to the garden, and I’m glad we did. My thoughts were preoccupied.

What did I expect? Everyone sees him the same way I do.

“Mar,” Klaus asked. “Are you okay?”

The chuckle came out nervous. “I am, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Ahh, denial at its finest.” Shanz snorted.

“I’m not in denial.”

In the corner of my eye, I saw Shanz and Klaus exchange a look, the latter shrugging.

“Hey,” Shanz moved closer to me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Don’t stress about it too much.”

I meant for the scoff to come out light hearted, but all I could hear was bitterness. “That’s what you said to Dorothy.”

“He probably didn’t notice.” She assumed. “All men don’t, so you can’t really blame him.”

“I noticed.” Klaus muttered.

“Of course you did,” She smiled at him before looking at me again. “Remember, if they fail to see your worth, they got no girth.”

“Shanzina!” I nudged her off of me, laughing in shock. “Don’t say that kind of stuff!”

Klaus' lips thinned in surprise as he amused himself with the grass underneath him, cheeks darkening red.

Shanz wiped a stray tear as she recovered from her laughter, “Gosh, you people…” She lost her words as she saw something in the distance. “Oh that’s me.”

I follow her gaze to see Marius sitting inside a gazebo, hands inside his pockets with Shanzina’s bag resting beside him. His hair fell lazily in front of his eyes as he waited for her to get to him. I wanted to style it.

“Wait here, it won't take long.” She instructed, walking away from us before we could add anything, leaving me and Klaus to any empty stone bench all to ourselves.

I watched as they talked, Marius slowly walking to and fro, occasionally going around Shanzina, who met his gaze with her own tenacity.

“Any guess on what they’re talking about?” Klaus asked as we took our seats.

“I’m not sure.” I admitted. “Shanz told me last night he’s-”

I couldn’t finish the sentence. A tingling sensation crept up my spine, raising the hair of my nape on its ends. My hands went numb, as if I’d just handled a block of ice without any gloves. The once fresh air turned sharp, cold.

“Did you feel that, right?” I stood, looking around for its source. 

He touched his nape and looked at me, confused as I was. “Yeah.”

Despite it being three in the afternoon, there was no sunlight peeking through the trees, nor clouds to cover it. The garden’s glow thinned into mist, and the atmosphere felt thick. I struggled to move.

We couldn’t move.

An indigo hue lit the plants as Klaus rose from his seat. “Something’s not right.”

I looked at Shanzina and Marius, who must’ve felt it too. The boy took a step back, placing a hand on his nape while Shanz clenched her fist, meeting my eyes with a silent question.

My hands felt swollen, the numb feeling turned into spikes, ripping into the skin until I could feel my blood draining. I studied the bench we’d previously sat on, it all looked the same. The plants didn’t move, and there wasn’t any sign of wind, but the air grew colder, wrapping itself tightly around each of us. We were being choked.

I couldn’t scream, but the forest did.

“STUDENT DOWN!”