The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 700

“Tony!” I sigh, slipping out from beneath his arm and swatting him in turn. “I already feel horrible about that, you can’t –“

“What the hell are you doing here?” Tony snaps, interrupting me and frowning over my shoulder towards the entrance.

I turn suddenly, surprised, and blink in the sunlight coming through the tent flap, silhouetting a figure standing there.

When he drops the flap my mouth falls open in surprise to see Perry Gibson standing there, his mouth drawn into a straight, determined line. He doesn’t say anything.

Tony goes rigid, stepping slightly in front of me. “Don’t come another step closer, Gibson.”

“I have work to do,” Gibson growls. My eyes go wide when he speaks and I see his extended canines flash.

“Here to finish Wright’s job?” Tony snarls. “Always the fucking lackey, Gibson –“

My heart starts to pound even as Tony steps fully in front of me, as my eyes dart between them. No – there’s no way – Gibson always tried to calm Wright down – always the voice of reason –

“No,” Gibson snarls, his eyes shifting to me. “This isn’t for Wright. This is for Atalaxia.”

Then he moves.

Gibson darts fast towards us as a panicked shout breaks from my lips, knives slipping from his sleeves and into his hand. Faster than should be possible, he’s across the tent to me, dodging around Tony, slashing.

My hands are up, blocking the blow, and I scream as I feel the knife rip across my palms. Instantly flames erupt somewhere in front of me – but I’m too panicked to aim – don’t know what they’re catching on –

There’s a guttural yell and suddenly Tony is knocking me backwards, knives in his own hands as Gibson comes again. They move too fast to see, grappling wildly, until there’s a shout of pain and a groan as Tony’s body comes flying back, slamming into mine, taking me to the ground.

I scream as my back hits hard, Tony’s body sprawled over mine. Tony gasps, thick and wet, reaching for his throat -

But the flash of steel above me draws my attention upwards as it arcs down towards my face.

Red, just…everywhere.

Red all over my hands, my clothes – red all over him, his face, his pale skin –

Red, where Gibson slashed him across the neck.

Red smeared across his face, his cheeks – his eyelids, which have fallen shut.

“Tony,” I whisper, my whole body starting to tremble as I stare down at his empty face, at the wound across his throat still pulsing blood.

And then I gasp and grab for my friend as Luca transforms again and falls to his knees before us, reaching out a hand for Tony’s throat, clasping his palm against it like he can do something to stop the flow.

“Medic!” Luca screams, panicked, his eyes flashing up to the woman behind us. “Get a fucking medic! Now!”