VenatIO (Book I Of The IO Series)

XV

BEGINNING OF THE VENATIO

1045 HOURS

LOCATION- PLUTO, BORDERS OF THE PLANET

-

"Princess," Nina yelled, her shoes beat against the marble as she ran into the kitchen. She looked disarrayed as she came into focus. I glanced at the chef, who was waiting for my opinion on the brownie I had just eaten. The only upside of royalty so far was the food.

"What," I asked, my voice muffled by the fudge in my mouth, standing up.

"You have to go now," she said, her breaths coming out fast and hard. She kneeled down for a moment and my heart worked up. What was so serious that had gotten her into this state.

"Huh," I asked confused, finally swallowing the piece. My phone's hologram flickered in the air behind me, the movie I was watching still playing.

"To school, you've got to go now," she rasped, I peered at her suspiciously.

"Nina, this isn't cool," I said honestly not believing her, "I'm eating and today isn't even a school day."

"I don't know why, but you have to leave, now," she said, the urgency in her voice caused me to get up and stuff the last piece of chocolate into my mouth.

"What are you waiting for," Nina asked, eyes wide.

"You think I can go to school wearing my pj's," I asked her. Her mouth widened as she took in my attire. She was adamant about waiting for me outside my room whilst I changed.

"I'm going," I said walking out of my room as my thoughts raced to throw each other off. The only reason I could think of going to school today was the Venatio but the date for that was in two days and we were still under-prepared.

"Good luck," she said, her voice slightly quivering, She was really stressed right now. I changed my direction and walked to the portal.

"I'll be fine," I said to her and I shut the door behind me.

"Where to? Princess," Soldier Linton asked.

"School," I said, he looked confused for a second and then obliged, he opened his mouth to say something but shook it off seeing my tight-lipped expression.

"Certainly princess." I walked through the ready portal that had just sprung up.

"Good luck," I heard a faint voice behind me saying. I paused as my mind comprehended the words. Even Linton thought that I was going to have the Venatio today and I wasn't ready. No one was. We couldn't do this, could we. The thoughts rolled in my head. The fear had set in and my heart suddenly felt heavy in my chest.

"Ouch," I said, stumbling back after hitting a rock-solid wall. I took a step back and rubbed my eyes. Eli. He stood there with a small smile on his face and twinkling green eyes. I bit my lip as my eyes creased in confusion, why was he happy today.

"What," I asked, my voice on the edge of sounding threatening, as I followed his eyes roving over me.

"Do you ever watch where you're going," his voice was hard, but I had gotten used to his switching moods around his friends.

"Uh, yes," I said, no I don't, I thought. He nodded stiffly and his attention went back to his hand which fumbled with his tie. His hands wrapped and tugged at the noose around his neck. I smiled crookedly.

"Do you want help," I asked smiling sweetly, but he eyed me suspiciously.

"No," he said. His cheekbones deepened as he fiddled with it.