KELANIHeadmaster Kendrick entered the room, his face more serious than usual. A hush fell over the previously noisy space, and all eyes turned toward him in curiosity. It seemed uncommon for the headmaster to show up with such a solemn demeanor. Despite Mary's passing, I hadn't expected him to gather everyone for a talk like this.His gaze scanned the room, and when his eyes met mine, he offered a brief smile before exhaling audibly."Hey," a gentle tap on my shoulder made me turn to find Lance sitting beside me. Riley had vacated her seat, and I scanned the room to discover her chatting with a blond. Typical Riley, I thought, not surprised.My focus returned to Lance as he leaned in, prompting a frown from me. "Can we talk after this?" he asked."Why?" I responded almost instantly, wincing at the sharpness in my voice.I didn't understand why he wanted to talk to me. We hadn't spoken one-on-one before or had any reason to."I need everyone's attention because what I'm about to say i

VESPER POVA groan escaped me as I watched Kelani storm away. The urge to stand and run after her filled me, but I resisted, remaining in the same spot.Call it ego; I didn't know exactly what it was.Besides, I guess I deserved her anger. I shouldn't have said what I did, but it wasn't meant to come out that way."When did you start caring?" Miles asked."Quiet, Miles," I muttered, shoving a hand into my hair.I glanced at the items I had brought for the training inside the backpack – a journal on different supernatural beings' cultures and a handball. Damn, I had even brought a handball despite knowing she wasn't good at it.I had combed through the library, too. I doubted I'd ever spent as much time there as I did these past few days, all for her.Yes, I wanted her to be capable of some basic things. Working on her handball skills could make a significant difference.I didn't want a partner who'd keep tripping when we were on the run because this showcase appeared to be much deeper

LANCE POVOn my second lap of the day, I raised my head from the water upon reaching the ladder.Letting out a deep breath, I gripped the ladder and climbed out of the freezing water before snatching the white towel draped over the white chair nearest to the door wrapping it around me.This was my safe haven. I came here most times to have a clear thought whenever swimming training wasn't going on, just like today.The door to the swimming area swung open, revealing Lia's, sauntering towards me confidently.My brows creased as I gazed at her. This space was usually exclusive to swimmers, with occasional exceptions for joint PE classes. Lia, however, seemed to disregard the rule, entering as if she owned the place.Well, she did that to literally all the places around the school even when knowing it was off-limit."What do you want?" I inquired, using a second towel to pat my wet hair."Oh, I thought Zain was supposed to be here," she claimed, glancing around with widened eyes.I could

VESPER POVI was in over my head. I fucking knew that, but there was no way I could sit to listen to all that Coach Jensen and Headmaster Kendrick had to say while Kelani was out there with Lance.How important was the news that they could just say it in her presence and wanted her out so Lance could go speak to her?I glared at Coach and Headmaster Kendrick for the longest of time as they kept looking at each other."Will you let me know what is happening, or do I leave the room so you both can talk about it later?" I asked them, standing from the bed."How are you?" Headmaster Jensen asked."I told you I am fine," I replied, letting my legs hit the floor."No, I am internally. Do you feel any burning sensation? You held onto the Infernaut for too long, which can be dangerous.' He said.Infernaut, so it was the name of the monster that had come."How dangerous can it be? You saw it flung me about many times from your hidden locations, and you think anything could be more dangerous th

KELANI POVI wondered if my coming to the cafeteria would ever end well. The first time I came, a monster had attacked us, and now it was Lia.She was insane. Her eyes flashed with dangerous intent, and her hair bellowed around her as she kept muttering spells upon spells, but Riley countered her each time.The cafeteria, which was once in order with tables and chairs neatly arranged, was now in disorder; some were even broken, foods were scattered around, and I saw some students had food in their hair.But that didn't stop them from filming all that was happening."Both of you should stop," I said, trying to get in between them, but I was shoved aside and slammed hard into one of the tables."Kelani!" Riley exclaimed, my fall catching her off-guard, and that made Lia have the opportunity to grasp a fist full of Riley's hair, tugging."You can't take me down, bitch. I've been learning how to fight even before you ever had the thought to. I am a pure witch, and I am the queen of Mystic