Destruct: The Guard Trilogy (Book 1) Read online

  I’m going to see if I can get some time off work in the next few weeks to spend a weekend in the guest housing at the Academy.

  Bianca - I hope you’re staying out of trouble. I haven’t had any calls from your teachers yet, so let’s keep it that way. How are you going with Combat Training?

  Mills - How are you enjoying the Junior Campus? What teachers did you get this year?

  I miss you both,

  Mom

  “What did she say?” asks Jacinta quietly as she runs her manicured fingernails through the long blades of grass.

  “Oh, not much. She’s just curious why she hasn’t had a phone call from any of the teacher’s yet,” I add with a smile.

  “She must be worried you’re sick,” she says in mock horror. “Tell her not to worry, I’m sure it won’t be long before you get busted doing something stupid,” she laughs.

  “She said she would try to get some time off work to come and visit for a while,” I say dismissively, trying not to get my hopes up as this isn’t the first time Mom has promised a visit. Though, I know it’s not her fault, her supervisor at work is a jerk. She works under The Guard, helping with the planning of their events, which seem to be all the time. Though, she rarely attends the parties she actually plans. She’s a home body like Millie. I must have got my wild spirit from my dad.

  “Oh seriously?” Jacinta says, sitting up and beaming. “My parents said they wanted to come for a few days. Maybe we could arrange it for the same weekend.”

  “Yeah, that sounds awesome,” I say trying to hide the resentment in my voice that Jacinta’s parents are able to drop everything to visit whenever they want. “But I can’t promise anything, you know how Mom is with work.”

  “I know, but fingers crossed,” she says, giving me an encouraging smile. “We’ll give her heaps of notice so she can get the time off with her supervisors. We’ll make it happen,” she adds.

  “Hope so,” I murmur. “Now, should we go watch a movie, with a bowl of ice cream and turn off all the lights until this killer headache goes away?” I suggest, knowing exactly what her answer will be.

  “Sounds phenomenal,” she says, jumping up and reaching a hand down to me to pull my lazy ass off the ground. We cut across the field and right through a game of soccer, attempting not to get hit or bowled over in the process.

  Once we’re finally out the other side, we start heading back towards the dorms, but something stops Jacinta in her tracks. “Who the hell is that talking to Ms. Layton?” she asks with a lot more enthusiasm than my pounding head can handle. I quickly look up trying to figure out who she’s talking about. “They look pretty damn cosy together.” I follow her gaze and in an instant, I recognize the figure Jacinta’s greedy eyes have come across.

  My heart races as I take him in, looking a lot more relaxed on a weekend than he had in class. In a white shirt that hugs his body just right and a pair of loose jeans that hang off his narrow hips. And just like that my mind has gone into a whirl. I stand frozen in place staring for what could have been a lifetime and remember Jacinta is probably waiting for an answer.

  “Oh, that’s my Combat Instructor, Rylan,” I say, stuttering through my sentence and attempting to sound as though his very presence doesn’t affect me.

  My eyes linger on Rylan talking to Ms. Layton who reaches out a hand and places it on his forearm, throwing her head back in laughter, a pathetic attempt of flirting if you ask me, but nonetheless, jealousy shoots through me like a bullet. But it’s his easy way of conversing with her that really gets me, it’s the softness of his face when he isn’t in instructor mode, all the things that I so desperately want to experience with him. I tear my eyes away, making a mental note to keep an eye out for Ms. Layton.

  I focus back on Jacinta who I notice is watching me very intently with calculating eyes and I see the very second she works it out. Her green eyes pierce mine. “You’re crazy about him,” she grins as though she’s proud of her revelation.

  “I might be,” I say back, breaking into a grin that confirms her suspicions.

  “Since when?” she demands. “I mean, I don’t blame you. He’s hot. But you could get in serious trouble if anyone found out,” she says in a hushed whisper remembering the strict student/teacher relationship rules.

  “Well, that’s just it, no one is going to find out and besides it’s not like I’m actually going to do anything about it. I mean, he is a teacher for god’s sake and he must be at least 22. There’s no way he would be interested in me and besides, it looks like Ms. Layton already has her claws buried deep in him.”

  “You are a feisty little thing today,” she jokes, but then turns serious at my glare. “You have no idea what he’s into. He could be gay for all you know. But I do suppose you’re smart enough not to actually go after him. This is dangerous territory,” she says almost begging.

  I give her a small smile and am just about to agree and get into her for the gay comment when she stops me. “This is why you didn’t go after Daniel,” she says, finally understanding.

  “I couldn’t start something with him when I can’t get Rylan out of my head,” I admit, relieved to finally have the words out.

  “Did you consider that starting something with Daniel is the perfect way to forget about Mr. Dreamy over there?” she says, letting her eyes wander for another long look of his perfect ripped body.

  “Of course I did. But it wouldn’t be fair to him,” I say. “Though, seriously look at him, how could I possibly date Daniel when I know there are boys… no, men like that around?” I add.

  Jacinta shakes her head at me then suddenly scrunches up her face. “Hold on,” she says. “Didn’t you say he was an ass?” she asks in confusion.

  “Ah, yeah,” I laugh. “I’ve changed my mind, I think it’s an act. I just can’t figure out why,” I add.

  Jacinta is quiet for a short while, then gives me one of her mind boggling grins. “Wow, you really do like this guy,” she says as we start to walk back up to the dorms. “Just be careful. I don’t want to have to make a new best friend because you’ve been shipped to some ‘normal’ school for an inappropriate relationship with a teacher,” she says as a joke, but I know her well enough to know this is also a true warning.

  “I know, I’ll be careful. Like I said, I’m not going to do anything about it. It will go away,” I say almost hoping for a miracle. I turn back to feast my eyes on him one last time before we turn the corner.

  ”Yeah right. We all know that when you want something, you’ve got to have it and you’ll stop at nothing to get it.”

  “Hmm,” I say, making out as though I’m deep in thought. “That does sound like me, doesn’t it?” I agree.

  We finally get back to our dorm room and I pull out my laptop. I hit the power button and wait the agonising five minutes for it to slowly power itself up. I open my emails, find the one from Mom, and hit reply.

  To: Gabrielle Moore

  From: Bianca Moore

  Subject: Re: Checking In

  Hey Mom,

  We miss you too.

  That would be great if you could get the time off work to come and stay for a weekend. Jacinta said her parents are wanting to come visit too, so maybe we could make it for the same weekend. What do you think?

  Combat Training is going alright. It’s a lot harder than I thought and my body is aching after all the work I’ve been doing, but I’ll get used to that. So far, all I’ve managed to do is make friends with the floor, and the guy’s fists, but I’ll work harder and I’ll be better.

  My instructors said we start on weapons this week, so it’ll be a nice break. Hopefully, I have a little more talent with guns and knives than my fists! I’ll keep you posted.

  Shocker! I haven’t been in too much trouble, but don’t worry I’ve got plenty of time.

  Let me know about your visit and I’ll arrange a guest room for you.

  Love you, Mom. Hope you’re doing ok.

  Bianca xx

&
nbsp; I hit send and close down my laptop. “What’s up?” Jacinta says, startling me.

  “Oh nothing, just worried about Mom. She must be lonely,” I murmur.

  “I’m sure she’s ok,” Jacinta says trying to brighten me up. “Now, look at the state of your nails,” she says, sounding horrified.

  I look down at my hands and their fading bruises from the week of torture, and notice my nails definitely need some attention. “Oh yeah, they look awful,” I say, just as Jacinta gets up and makes her way into the bathroom. She pulls out the large box of nail polishes and hand creams, and just like that, the rest of our afternoon is completely filled.

  ----------

  I push my way through the door of my math class on Monday morning and scan the room for Jacinta who I find sitting up the back of the room. I make my way through the maze of students and plonk myself down next to her. “How’s your day going so far?”

  “Oh, you know, I’ve just sat through an hour of language with Trey sitting beside me, not talking and looking completely awkward. I had no idea what to say and he clearly wasn’t in the mood to strike up any sort of conversation, apart from ‘hey, can I borrow your eraser?’” she says in a deep tone as she attempts to mimic his voice.

  “That bad, huh?” I say, slightly amused. “Sorry, I asked.”

  “It’s so not funny,” she demands. “I need a break from this place. I’m going to sign us up for the shopping trip this Sunday.”

  “Fine by me,” I say, suddenly feeling the urge for the weekend to come along and start making a mental list of all the things I’ve been wanting to buy.

  “Girls,” our math teacher calls out, whose name I still haven’t been able to figure out. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class or do you mind if I begin the lesson?” she scolds in the most sarcastic tone.

  “Oh, of course, go right ahead,” I respond in an equally sarcastic mood earning myself the look of death before she snaps her attention back to the rest of the class and starts her lesson.

  “You’re going to end up in detention again,” Jacinta whispers once the teacher's back is turned.

  “I know. I can’t help it,” I whine.

  After class Jacinta and I make our way into the cafeteria, grab a sandwich each, and head out to the courtyard to eat in the sun.

  “Hey, wait up,” we hear Daniel call from behind us with Trey awkwardly following behind, looking like he would rather be anywhere but here. “Where are you fine ladies going?”

  “We thought we’d sit outside today,” Jacinta says, looking everywhere except for at Trey.

  “Cool, we’ll join you,” Daniel announces with a smile.

  “Oh... ok, sure,” she mumbles as we walk out to the courtyard.

  “We didn’t see you much over the weekend,” Daniel says openly, though I’m pretty sure he’s directing his comment at me.

  “Oh yeah, we had a pretty quiet weekend. We woke up pretty rough on Saturday so just had a girly day. You know, played with each other’s hair, gave ourselves manicures, had a pillow fight in our underwear, and watched the Notebook,” I say with an innocent smile.

  “What? Seriously? Where was my invite?” he scolds.

  “Oh, you didn’t get it? I swear I sent you one,” I promise sweetly as we finally reach a spot for us to sit. I plonk myself down as gracefully as possible and break into my sandwich. Jacinta sits down on my left and Trey to my far right, each as quiet as a mouse.

  Daniel catches my eye and mouths, “What’s up with them?”

  I give him a dramatic eye roll, “I’ll tell you later.”

  “So, you guys excited about starting weapons today?” I ask, trying desperately to break the awkward tension.

  “Yeah,” Trey says, finally breaking his silence. “But I doubt they’ll actually let us use anything. It will probably just be a demonstration and lectures on what to do.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I admit as the urge to start sulking takes over.

  “What? Did little Bianca Moore just say I was probably right?” Trey says in mock horror.

  “Oh, shut up,” I tease. “And I’m not little anymore,” I add.

  “No, you certainly are not,” Daniel agrees, dropping his tone low and fixing me with an incredibly suggestive look.

  “Get a room,” Jacinta laughs with a mouth full of bread. Her laugh’s quickly cut off when Nora, the bitch from her Fairy class walks past with her posse of losers, each giving Jacinta a nasty look.

  “What’s your problem?” Trey says in a harsh tone, rushing to Jacinta’s defence.

  “Who me?” Nora says as innocently as ever doing her best to act offended. “My problem is this skank,” she says with a smile.

  “Oh really?” I crack, jumping up to face Nora. “The only skank I see around here is you,” I say slowly and menacingly. “Jacinta has done nothing to you. You need to back off.”

  I see Nora sizing me up, clearly trying to figure out if she could take me, though, we both know who would win in a fight. “Get out of here,” Daniel says, suddenly by my side pulling me just out of reach of Nora.

  “Whatever,” she says, changing her tone. “I’m bored. Let’s go,” she orders to her tribe of dimwits, then turns and leaves.

  “Seriously,” Trey says. “What is her problem?”

  “Who knows?” I say sitting back down and picking up my sandwich.

  “I do,” Jacinta grumbles, as three sets of eyes land on her waiting for her explanation. “She has a mad crush on Trey,” she says, nervously.

  “What? No way,” he shudders, clearly with a mental image of the two of them together. “That doesn’t explain why she’s such a bitch to you, though?” he asks completely clueless.

  “Come on, man. Figure it out,” Daniel encourages quietly to Trey, though loud enough for us all to hear. Though, Trey clearly doesn’t catch along. “Nora is feeling a little territorial.”

  “What?” Trey replies, looking even more confused.

  “Hmm, put it this way,” Daniel says. “When a dog pisses on a pole, and another dog comes along, that new dog is then going to re-piss on the pole…. Making sense now?” he asks with a triumphant grin, clearly very proud of himself.

  “I really don’t think you’re helping,” I laugh.

  “Oh, you two, shut up,” Jacinta shouts, her face turning red as she turns to Trey. “She hates me because she thinks I’m trying to steal you away from her because I like you. Which is completely ridiculous, and apparently the rumour is that you like me too. Though, it’s pretty damn clear after Friday night you don’t,” she yells, slightly hysterically before her eyes widen in embarrassment. She instantly gets up and storms away, leaving Trey and Daniel with their mouths hanging open.

  “Girl logic….. you’ll both do well to figure it out one day,” I say, shrugging my shoulders and hopping up to run after Jacinta.

  I hear Trey behind me. “She likes me?” he asks Daniel completely dumbfounded and making me roll my eyes at how ridiculously daft the male species can be.

  “You’re an idiot, man,” I faintly hear Daniel’s reply.

  “Hey psycho,” I call out to Jacinta. “Wait up.”

  “That was probably a bit much huh?” she says embarrassed as I catch up.

  “Yeah, probably, though, on the bright side, at least he knows how you feel about him,” I say, trying to be as cheery and encouragingly as possible. “And on the plus side, I’ve never seen Daniel rendered speechless like that. It was amazing. Pure talent at its finest.”

  “Whatever. I made an ass of myself. If he didn’t like me before, he certainly wouldn’t now,” she groans looking down at her hands, ignoring my subtle attempts of trying to cheer her up.

  “I think you’re being a little too hard on yourself,” I say as the bell indicating the end of lunch break rings.

  She gives me a sad smile. “Let me know if he says anything during training,” she says.

  I reach out and give her a tight squeeze. “Sure
thing, Good luck with Nora in there,” I tell her as we turn and head off to class.

  ----------

  “Alright, we’re all here. Let’s go,” Rylan says, picking up a box and making his way for the door, not looking back to see if anyone is following. The class immediately jumps to attention and follows him out of the room as Tessa stays behind to lock up.

  We follow Rylan silently, all of us trying to figure out where the hell we’re going. He leads us through a maze of buildings that I had no idea existed until we come to an old building with a hard wooden door. Rylan pulls out a key and quickly types a code into an alarm pad, waiting for the three small beeps to indicate the alarm has been disabled and pushes the heavy door open. Our small group floods through the door and into a dark room.

  Tessa follows us through last and makes her way over to another door, this one big and metal. She pulls out her own set of keys and begins typing in a code to another alarm. Once the alarm is deactivated, she pushes her way through the door into what must be some sort of control room. I see Tessa through the glass and watch as she fiddles around with some buttons before the room is filled with light.

  The room is quiet as we take in our surroundings and I feel as though I must have died and gone to combat heaven. I look around the room and see the walls covered in all sorts of weapons. Every handgun and rifle known to man adorn the far wall where directly opposite are all sorts of daggers, knives and swords. My eyes widen when they land on the bow and arrows and the whips. Hell yes! I wouldn’t mind learning how to master that whip.

  “Why don’t you all take a look around,” Tessa says, as though she has just delivered us with Christmas morning. It takes all of three seconds for the room to break into action with all of the boys heading straight for the guns.

  “Don’t touch anything,” Rylan says loudly over the chaos.

  I make my way slowly around the room and find there are much more than your typical weapons here. In front of me lay throwing stars and brass knuckles. I reach my hand out and pick up one of the stars, feeling its edges and taking note of its weight and curves. I imagine myself using weapons like this and the thought thrills me.