The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,55

four-story house with the pool, golf course, lake, and runway for that private jet?"

"Yup. That one. Since we're attending here, we decided to go back to our old home to stay for the year. We'll head to our second home in the next district during the summer," Zeus explained.

"Ah. Wow." That was all Sallie could say, looking shocked with the new information.

"Jade?" Zeke's warm voice had goosebumps running up my arms. I looked over to him, a second before he lightly kissed my lips, earning a few gasps from our audience.

"I'm heading back home. Only came to tell my bro something real quick. I'll see you later?"

"Yes. Text me when you get back," I replied. He rubbed his hand lightly up my thigh again, slipping under my skirt and gripping it slightly before he rose up.

My heart was racing, and I didn't want to focus on the spot between my legs or I'd bail out on the lockers and head straight to the girl's washroom.

Wasn't going to go into my next class with an ache like that.

"Okay. Bye, Jade. See ya, bro." Zeke waved, giving me a wink for added measure, and began to walk away, many of the other students watching his exit before turning their attention back to our table.

"Are you done?" Zeus asked, looking down at my tray.

"Yup." I nodded, pushing my chair back. "Can we pass the lockers? I need my tie."

He nodded his head in a silent reply, reaching for my tray and picking it up.

"So, Zeke," Sallie squeaked. "You're coming for sure?"

Zeus gave her a look, and she quickly put her hands in defense like he was about to attack her.

"I-I need it for the guest list."

"Yes, I'll be there. Is that all?" he questioned, his voice deeper and lacking emotion, making Sallie tremble.

Not in a good way.

"Yes, that's it. Thank you so much. I can't wait to se—"

Zeus turned away, heading to the three bins to separate the recycling from the trash and placing the tray on the already stacked ones.

Slipping my hands into my blazer pockets, I walked over to Sallie and winked.

"My twin will see you at the party. Have fun." With a proud smirk, I skipped over to where Zeus was waiting for me, hooking my arm around his.

He didn't seem to mind me playing along, the two of us heading to the exit, knowing well that all the students were watching us.

We reached the hall and began to make our way to our lockers.

"Are you going to pop a vein?" I happily asked, leaning over to look at him.

He gave me side-eye, but his anger calmed down a notch. "I feel that would only excite you."

"It would. Blood everywhere." I used my free hand to demonstrate how it would pop. "However, I wouldn't want to clean it up."

"Doesn't even care about the chance of me dying." Zeus shook his head.

"Hmm. I'd be worried," I admitted, feeling the fire and thunder elements doing their thing inside me. Having a simple arm interlocked with his was already making it difficult to think.

"Just a little," I concluded.

Zeus looked at me, our eyes locking. I wondered what was running through his head when Zeke arrived, or what they were even talking about.

"Why did Zeke show up?" I inquired, trying to divert my attention from the pulsing energy between us.

"He's testing out Zion's prototype device. Trying to see if he can detect the same energy that was lurking around when you and Zackery were stuck in that trap," Zeus replied, looking away as we continued forward.

We turned down the empty hallway, heading for my locker, which upon arrival looked different than the rest.

Zeus grimaced, while I turned my head to the side to view the graffiti. "Hmm. The person misspelled slut," I pointed out, using my right index finger to point to the black paint that slashed against the red of my locker.

"That's what caught your attention?" Zeus sounded irritated.

"I don't care if they vandalize my locker. It's temporary. I only keep my tie in there because I hate wearing it all day long and I'll lose it if I keep it with me. Zeke puts his tie in his locker. Just makes sense," I voiced. "However. If they’re going to try to call me an insulting term, they could at least spell it correctly."

Zeus sighed. "What's your code?"

"Why would I tell you?"

Zeus moved to face me, inching his face so close our lips were nearly touching. He stared into my eyes first, lowering