Io should've known things would not be so simple.

  "It's simple, really." Diane dusted off her peaked cap and touched her own shoulder as if appointing herself Emperor. "I'll apologize. All you need to do is prostrate yourself completely. Like actually kiss my shoes." She grinned. “That should do it.”

  They'd crossed paths on the internal train back to the dormitories at the Academy's bow. The setting sun of Tyumen filtered through the trusses in the window, casting fast-moving shadows over the empty carriage. Only the air conditioner made a sound.

  "Don't," she heard Ema bark from behind. "You are not her bitch, Io."

  It was not a suggestion. Io almost couldn't breathe, caught between someone she had good reason to fear and someone she'd been told to. Her calves tensed in preparation to simply dart as soon as the train stopped.

  Diane walked past her with powerful strides, her blue cape dragging on the floor—towards Ema.

  "Watch your mouth, Cairnbrae. You lot were supposed to have died off centuries ago. I know you didn't come back just to get in my way."

  Io was too afraid to look back, but it was quiet enough in the car that she heard the faint click of Ema unfolding her Athame.

  "G... Get back," Ema stuttered. "I'm not afraid of you."

  Her knees clattered together as she held the blade in front of her. The girl's eyes were glassy and distant, as if Diane's words had triggered an unpleasant memory.

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  Diane didn't even look at the knife. Her hand reached out for one of the standing poles and gripped it tentatively.

  Io couldn't help but notice that the pole had begun to bend.

  "Go to hell," Ema said, scowling. "If I told you to, you'd drive that thing right through your skull."

  "You wouldn't dare." Diane glowered. "You'd just be repeating history, over and over. Do you think your ancestors would be proud?"

  Io couldn't bear to watch this. Ducking, the girl placed herself in front of Ema and opened her arms to shield her. She felt her heart rise in her throat, beating viciously as the adrenaline prepared her for whatever was about to come.

  "I... I may not know what's happened between your families," she gulped, "But I'm not about to watch you stab each other to death."

  Where Diane once looked at her with contempt, she now shook her head and wrinkled her brow in pity.

  "If only you knew what you were protecting—"

  "—Shit!" She suddenly stumbled back and gripped the pole.

  Before Io could process what had happened, she felt the floor come out from under her feet and slipped forwards towards the rubberized surface. She managed to stick her elbows out to cushion her landing, but it wasn't for much. Ema's full weight toppled forward onto her from behind, knocking the wind from her lungs with a squeal.

  Without warning, the train had come to a screeching halt.

  "I... Io, are you okay?" She felt Ema touch her neck as if looking for a pulse. "I didn't mean to—"

  "Wait," Diane said, raising her finger. "Listen."

  The three fell silent. They heard the intercom crackle before a distant voice filtered through, barely identifiable as Lin Carrageenan.

  "A... Attention, all students," Lin began, her voice shot through with a weariness that seemed total, even for her.

  "Class 1-E has been eliminated."

  "I repeat, Class 1-Epiphyllum has been eliminated. 38 students are with the stars."

  "All remaining pilots are requested to convene in Hangar B for immediate launch preparations."

  "This is not an exercise. St Light Academy is under attack."