Fate Breakers

Chapter 26

Aviva

Greyson Aina is like a Gods damn bomb that just got dropped on our heads. Doesn't help that I already like this bastard. Orchard was just giving me shit yesterday, too. It's as if one of the Gods whispered in Greyson's ear and told him how to get on my good side.

August isn't having it, though. He yanks Greyson back onto the bench, snapping, "Sit still! I haven't gotten all the oats out of your hair."

Greyson slaps him with his tail, the massive thing forcing August to recoil. "I hardly have any hair left on me! What the hell are you even struggling with!?"

Rowan and Constance are no help at all. They're a giggling mess on the floor. Bruce walked off ten minutes ago, like the smart-ass he is. I wish I went with him, but then again, these are my monkeys, and this is my circus to deal with. Gods, I wish I was never promoted.

Greyson's shorter hair is concerning, however. Werewolves have to keep their hair long. Their skin is more sensitive, and for those who grew up in colder climates, the extra hair is necessary for warmth. To see Greyson with bare arms, his ash colored hair almost fully shaved to his scalp, and even the charcoal hair of his ears and tail cut short is a massive concern.

Lenore looks over at me. "Should we ask Fox about this?"

"Later." I shake my head. She's still in her meeting with Quarx. "You got any more of those fancy toiletries you snuck in from court?"

"Of course I do. What, you thought I only brought in one box?" The silence stretches longer than I expect it to. Lenore raises her brows. "You really thought I only brought one box."

"This is the military, Lenore!"

"Hence why people are desperate for nice things. Seriously, Viva, I gotta teach you how to start throwing your hips around and bribing people."

I really don't understand Lenore. One minute, she's this sheltered little princess who seems too jumpy to be here, the next she's a hardened criminal. I'm starting to think that the aged Melanthian wine she conveniently found a few days ago isn't the worst of what she snuck in. I'm not entirely sure how much more I wanna see.

No, focus. One problem at a time. Greyson. "Look, Aina, I understand that Orchards was in the wrong, but you can't just go around fighting with people."

Greyson blinks, looking genuinely confused. "You seriously don't do that over here?"

August blinks back in disbelief. "There is no way in hell fighting is how the Vipers settle every dispute."

"It is." Greyson looks at the rest of us like we're insane. "We had a pit and everything. Everyone would use the pits to settle disputes, from cadets to first lieutenants. Sergeant Rhyfel did that shit all the time."

My chest tightens like it's trying to make my heart stop beating. "I'm sorry... Sergeant Rhyfel?" I was told she got demoted. I was told a lot of things about Rhyfel. "As in, the one everyone calls Bones?"

Greyson lets out a laugh. "Don't let that scare you." He gives a smirk. "She's called Bones, because when she was in basic, she fell off the climbing wall, broke her own arm and then broke at least one bone in like six other cadets."

Rowan lets out a laugh I mistake for a whoosh of air, both hands on his knees. "Are you serious?! That's just as bad as Tin Man."

"I can't tell if you're just saying shit or if you're being serious," August sighs, rubbing his temples. "Who the hell is Tin Man?"

The question makes Rowan laugh even harder. "Doctor Leda."

Liam Leda, the only one in this battalion with a prosthetic of any kind. It's just foul. That kind of evil shouldn't be used on someone like Liam. Tills on the other hand. If there's a way I can get this entire company to start calling Tills goat, I may still be able to die happy.