Intrigue

Chapter 14: Shattered

Wooh, I did it! I managed to write the chapter! I wasn't sure about how I wanted it to go, so I kinda wrote with the flow, ya know...

I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out, though, so...yeah. Though I'm sorry if it seemed a bit abrupt and stilted.

I now declare that right now is random "Thank you" day! I just want to thank all the people who have stuck with reading this incredibly weird and poorly written book (because I know-it's poorly written), and kept on reading and commenting. You guys are the best-my spirits are always lifted whenever I see a comment or a vote or an added to a reading list notification! I'm pretty sure I've thanked you guys all directly, so you know who you are. Thank you, again, and I know that I've been saying those words a lot, but there just aren't any words that can convey the gratitude I feel to all my readers. So...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! :D

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Subject No. 1, we have received word that your Craft has been eliminated. How disgraceful of you to allow such a thing happen. Once a new Craft has been created, inform Yolanda of the new predicaments. Do not forget the reason we sent you to Primrose Academy in the first place.

-Letter from the House of Des Moines to Lana

Chapter 14: Shattered

Cole had forgotten just how grueling a day of classes was.

Even having only four classes in all, he was sore and in a pissy mood by the time his second power control class ended. All he wanted was to head to his room, take a nice, long ice bath, and crash in his bed.

Of course, that wasn't going to happen.

"Good job, everyone!" Kayla shouted, still full of energy despite how listless the rest of the class was. How did that woman do it? Even last year, when she taught a class full of teenagers who acted like they were on a sugar hype 24/7 (a.k.a. Cole, Reed, Fiera, and Quinton), she ended up being the most energetic of them all. "Amazing first day, and you know what would be awesome tomorrow? If you would all stop yakking off in my class." She shot a glance in Ailana's direction, and Cole's gut twisted when he glanced over at her too.

Ailana had slept through Literature and lunch, but Fiera said that she had showed up for History. The girl looked like a part of her soul had been ripped away from her, and Cole supposed that, in a sense, a part of her soul had been utterly destroyed.

Reed-that idiot.

Kayla pasted a faux cheery smile and shouted, "Have a wonderful afternoon, you hooligans."

Paxton, Ben, and Lily were the first to leave, all three of them casting glances towards Ailana before deciding that it wasn't worth losing their heads to talk to her. They quickly left, their feet kicking up clouds of dust as they raced each other back to the academy.

Reed and Fiera made their ways toward Kayla, also tossing glances towards Ailana as they passed her. The heir apparent looked paler than usual-which was saying something-and her eyes were blank.

Cole blinked in surprise as he watched Quinton walk up to Ailana. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and murmured soothingly to her. Cole expected the girl to shout at him in retaliation and suckerpunch him where the sun doesn't shine, but instead, she turned and embraced him, her arms tight around his waist.