61. (PERCY POV)

(PERCY POV)

Returning to the townhouse, Jo was acting like a completely different person. Deirk mentioned that it was all for show, but it was still disorienting to see her behaving like a child, throwing tantrums and pouting. It didn't make sense to me, and I couldn't help but question what was really going on.

We were trying to eat dinner when Jo threw her fork on the floor for the second time. Dane's eyes went dark, and he calmly stood, picked her up, and walked out of the room. Moments later, we heard the sounds. Sharp pops and anguished cries.

It was clear what was happening.

I turned to Deirk, confused and a bit alarmed. "Okay, explain, because I have to know what's going on here."

"Look, wards are expected to act with childlike obedience after they get through the initial stages of acting out," Deirk explained, "It's all part of the academy's way of maintaining discipline and control."

"So, Dane and Jo are okay with it?" I asked, trying to grasp the whole concept.

"Not really,