ACOTAR - In The Modern World

The Modern Inner Circle

Cassian was being a prick.

First day back at school, and despite Rhys being eager to get back to ruling the classroom, all he wanted to do was crawl back into his cosy bed and hide from the chill September morning.

Emerging from his bedroom, a crash echoed up the stairs from the kitchen, diminishing all fantasies of bed.

"Cassian!" A female screech encouraged Rhys's feet down the stairs.

Mor stood in the centre of the kitchen, a plate smashed at her feet and a slightly scared Cassian leaning against the counter.

Rhys groaned. "Remind me why I decided to let you all live with me."

"You didn't. Your parents died, left you the house, and we came to look after you," Azriel flicked his eyes up from the cup of coffee he stirred. "And we never left."

"And this idiot can't. Get. Out. Of. My. Way." Mor gestured towards Cassian with an irritable flick of her wrist.

Cassian shrugged. "It wasn't my fault you dropped the plate."

Better get used to it, Rhys thought to himself as he handed Cassian a dustpan and brush. Mornings would be like this five times a week for the next year. Grumpy and tired seventeen-year-olds squabbling like a flock of seagulls fighting over a forgotten ice cream.

Rhys observed the group in the kitchen. "Where's...?"

A dead look in his eyes, Azriel took a smooth slurp of his most likely very strong coffee. "In bed. I'm not waking her."

Mor was quick to agree - which brought a blush to Azriel cheeks - and Rhys voted to not wake the furious monster dozing upstairs. Which left Cassian to do the deed that had to be done.

"Are you joking. No way. Uh-uh. Nope." Cassian chucked the china shards in the bin. "She'll slaughter me!"

"Go." Everyone said in unison.

Flicking a finger up over his shoulder as he left the room, Cassian stomped none too quietly up the stairs to Amren's bedroom, leaving breakfast to everyone else.

Rhys opened the fridge, brought out a pack of bacon, and set it on the counter. "Who's ready for this?" He asked.

A screeched get out of my room you oaf answered in reply.

Time to put on his mask.