Euphemia Arc"We interrupt today's standard broadcast to bring you an important news bulletin!" the radio host announced. The spoon froze an inch from my lips and my eyes flickered over at the large radio hanging on the wall. My mother was frowning at it, adjusting her head so she could glare at it and me. I pointedly ignored her. From his spot on the wall, I could see Godfrey shaking his head. "At 10:31 today, a bomb went off in the bathroom of Bayard First Nation Bank. The Bayard Bank services the entirety of the Tyché colony, competing against such juggernauts as the Bank of Aquitaine."The bombing took place at the Bayard Headquarters and the building had to be evacuated by police. As of yet, we do not know who is responsible or the motive behind the attack, but I could tell you, dear listener, that the angry patrons who must wait-"My mother clicked the radio off. Now it was my turn to glare at her. Louise Arc didn't seem to care that her youngest daughter was glaring at her and

Interlude: Student ZaneWhen the bus reached Pendragon State University, Zane stood up and stretched. Yawning into his hand, he followed the small crowd out the doors. Today was the day, but he wasn't worried. In fact, he was more afraid for Michael and Dani than himself."Are you tired?" Dani asked, leaning on him from behind."Yeah. I was up all night finishing my project." Another yawn. "You're way too bubbly.""I'm a morning girl. Michael!"Michael was waiting for him by the curb, flicking through his phone. He looked up at Dani's scream. Zane could see the bags under his eyes."You're too loud," he said.Dani gave him a look. "Jeez. I thought you were a morning person.""I am... Just not when I've been up all night. Don't you have a huge report due for-""Nope," she said, popping the p. "I already turned it in yesterday.""How did you already finish it?""I work faster."That was true. For as long as he knew her, Dani was a very fast worker. Unlike him, who needed to take his tim

EuphemiaBefore I got woken up by the pounding at my door, I was dreaming of the past. When I attended the Imperial Academy"Arc!" Coach Monarey yelled, shaking me. I looked up at him. "What's going on with you, girl? Are you hurt? Injured?"If this was anywhere else, I wouldn't have been treated that way. I was part of the imperial house, but at my school, they are trained to treat me like everyone else.I shook my head. "No sir.""Then why the hell have you been ignoring me?"Coach Monarey's face was an inch from mine, and I did his best to ignore the spit."I-ignoring you? I would never, sir-"The coach shoved the pole into my hand and pointed. "See that? You're going to try and jump over it with this pole, do you understand?""... Yes, sir.""Good. Then GO THERE AND START RUNNING!" he yelled.I ran over to the start of the field. Coach Monary was glaring at him, arms crossed. I took a breath, cursing myself for daydreaming in Coach Monary's class. Of course, the jerk would call on

Euphemia ArcI had lost my virginity a long time ago, but thankfully no one would know. Bianca had ambushed me, and before I knew what was happening, Bianca had her shirt on the ground and she was taking her bra off. We were both sixteen and it might have just been my teenage, hormone-ridden body, but her tits were firm and her stomach was toned. She slipped out of her green pants easily enough, wearing a lacy pair of panties. She undid her ponytail, letting her long blonde hair slip free, and pulled down those paints.Then she jumped me, in a literal sense. She was on top of me before I could process what was happening. Then we were a tightening knot of flesh being drawn together. Her hands were tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. Her breath was hot, and it was in my mouth and she tasted strangely like strawberries. Her breasts smashed against my bare chest which she just uncovered. She smelled like flowers and ripe apples, a musk that I hadn't noticed despite spending the last ho

Calixte Arc"Are you okay?" Tanya asked, turning me to face me. She looked me up and down, but my vision was still swimming. I could see her, the Roslachnian village, and the rest of my team, Mireille and the professor, but it was like they weren't there. It was like staring at the illusion that was weaving in and out. "What did you do to him?""I wanted to see the effects of this building," Mireille said. I think I heard just a hint of regret in her voice. "Calixte? Are you alright?""Is he alright? Of course, he's not alright."I shook my head. "I... I'm fine.""He sounds like he's drunk!" Tanya said through her teeth. "He certainly isn't fine."I wanted to defend myself and Mireille. I didn't want to give her and Tanya another reason to be at each other's throats, especially behind enemy lines. The Roslachnians could be back at any time.Yet the building or the tower or whatever it was wouldn't let me. It had one more vision for me.The end of my quiet, peaceful life came in the fo