In the technologically advanced city of Alvaynia, Herculeana's life was once idyllic-until the weight of her past caught up with her. Forced to move to Egypt to conceal her pregnancy, Herculeana and her powerful family face a world of intrigue and c...
James didn't attended their school anymore. He was only there because he had his families duties to fulfill. He left the school about 2 years ago. When he's not at their school, he's running apart of his father's business. He owns half of one of his dad's many hotels. Which is small considering James is his only son. But he earned enough. He didn't want to complain but he needed more from his father. Something more to make him feel at least grown. His father would tell him that he's only 19, when he's older he'll get more responsibilities. James tried hard to prove himself though.
James stood at the edge of the schoolyard, his tall frame casting a shadow over the other students as they prepared for the day's field trip. It was one of the much-anticipated events for the students who had signed up for the mysterious new games James' father and mother had crafted. The bus, sleek and modern with its electric hum, stood ready to take them all to an undisclosed location. Alvaynia prided itself on its advances in technology, and this school bus was no exception—autonomous, equipped with glass panels that flickered holographic information as students stepped on board.
He was nervous, he knew he'd see Herculeana somewhere. He wanted to see her so he could ask her why she had left, without even telling him. He
Yet, despite all the fanfare surrounding the games, James couldn't shake the pit of anxiety that weighed on him. His father, Malcolm Blackwood, had been even more distant recently, absorbed in his plans. James had noticed the way his father barely even acknowledged him anymore unless it was to remind him of his duty to gather more students for the games. It was as if Malcolm only saw James as a tool, something to be used for his greater schemes. His mind swirled with unease—how could his own father so easily discard him when he no longer served a purpose?
While standing girls and guys from the school started to gather around him. He was familiar with some of the guys but he had no clue who most of the girls were. He was not at all enthusiastic about this trip. In times like this he hated attention. He knew the girls were surrounding him because they wanted a place in the front seat, which was exclusive. Well not really they just made it seem that way, it included liquor sweets and an interactive session with Malcolm Blackwood himself. If interacted with properly who would get one of James mother's brand new devices.
Herculeana caught his eye across the courtyard. She was standing with Celia, her short, bubbly best friend who always seemed to draw people toward her, and Javero, who leaned against a nearby pillar, his curly hair brushing his shoulders. Herculeana's eyes seemed darker today, as if sleep hadn't come easily to her. James' stomach twisted in knots as memories of their past flashed through his mind. No matter how much he tried to push her from his thoughts, she haunted him, lingering at the edge of every decision he made.
But then, as if by instinct, he pulled his attention away from Herculeana and glanced to his right. Rose was waiting near the entrance to the bus, her dark curls bouncing against her shoulders as she laughed at something one of her friends had said. Her big brown eyes held the same innocent trust that Herculeana had once shown him before everything between them had fallen apart, she reminded him of Herculeana though Rose seemed far more naive
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