October 20, 493 U.C.

  I looked down at my journal. Then, I looked up at my English professor. She was droning on and on. The low drone had put half the class into a stupor. Ela’s excitement had worn off. Like some fallen angel, she was lying on my desk and staring at the ceiling.

  I considered shouting “Witch” at my teacher, but my survival instincts won out. Instead, I finished my book and decided that it was good enough for the moment. I even had an ending! Yeah, it wasn’t perfect, and my life was still a giant mess, but still.

  I stashed my journal and realized something else. I’d leveled up. It was time to upgrade my skills!

  Turning inward, I meditated, and time froze again.

  “Casey,” Death said, appearing next to me. “Please don’t use it.”

  I had no idea what he meant. “Use what?”

  “I know what spell you are going to get. I’m asking you not to use it. I don’t need the headache.” Death gestured at a new sapling.

  “What is it?” I asked, walking over to it.

  “Reality travel. I’d prefer that you didn’t. Just leave them alone and talk to me if you want a reality tour.”

  My eyes lit up. I could go anywhere! I rubbed my hands together, causing Death to groan.

  “Casey,” he warned.

  I looked at him with a glint of madness in my eye. “What? I just want a peek.”

  “There are dangerous things out there. Don’t do it.”

  “I’ll just pop right back!” I protested.

  “Casey, later. I’ll take you. Please don’t use it. It can become a disaster. Spacetime can get tangled.”

  I huffed and scowled at him. “Fine, but you owe me.”

  “Deal.” Death patted me on the shoulder and looked at my English class. “This looks unbelievably boring. Good luck.” He vanished.

  I scowled and looked at all my trees. Death had foiled yet another ability. I touched it all the same, just to check.

  Since that was out until I bothered him again, I made the rounds. This was a big one. I was due several upgrades, ideally one that let me cast haste on the clock.

  I grabbed the first one and sighed. My plan had been foiled. Passing by my pocket dimension, I was a bit sad to see that there weren't any choices. It had just doubled in size. Still that worked well enough for me.

  I took the second one because I did not want another lecture from Death. He had already forbidden one ability. Besides, I could cast this on my English teacher, and that was tempting. Walking to teleport, I saw that it had stopped growing. I supposed that was because of the new skill. Walking to the rest, I saw that enchanting and potion making had leveled up.

  Walking around my little grove, I smiled. In truth, I could hardly complain. And I could push the others now that I could practice.

  Leaving the place behind, I sat there bored and wondered if I could practice. Was that allowed? What were the rules for a fae girl raised as a human?

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  It was daunting and frustrating. Opting to preserve my sanity, I followed Ela’s example, sprawling in my chair and being as lazy as possible. It was the only way to survive.

  After a small eternity of lounging, the bell rang, clattering out a message of sweet, sweet freedom. Leaping to my feet, I happily embraced it, walking out into the hall before realizing that my freedom was destroyed. I needed to go to guardian command and probably had to talk to my parents.

  That was all sorts of daunting. I started to panic. Ela landed on my shoulder and patted me. “It’ll be alright, Casey.”

  “Casey!” some senior girl shouted, barreling at me like a wild giltasaur.

  My eyes bulged. I grabbed Daniele and teleported, appearing at Guardian Command. That was faster than walking and beat dealing with the students.

  Daniele blinked and looked up at the towering building. “That is so wild.”

  “We’ll visit Earth later,” I replied, looking at the building. Doubt gnawed through me.

  Daniele grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, tugging me into the building.

  I let her do it, staring at the shining steel and glass. She pulled me through the airlock and up to the counter. The officer behind it was far too busy staring at me to do anything productive. His eyes bulged, not unlike my classmates.

  I scowled at him, and Liani appeared from nowhere. With cat-like reflexes, I leapt, and Jolzki pulled me into his arms.

  Blushing, I looked over at the fae man and tried to calm my fiery cheeks.

  “It’s good to see you,” Jolzki said with a large smile. “How was school?”

  “Boring,” Ela proclaimed dramatically. “So boring! It was fun until the classes started,” she moaned dramatically.

  I laughed. “It was strange. People kept asking, and I really need my disguise back.” I smiled nervously at Liani.

  She pulled me into a hug. “Sorry. That, I can’t allow.”

  Pulling me tight, I gasped.

  “Sorry,” Liani said, letting me go. “We’re just excited to see you. We were wondering if you’d like to see our home. The meetings and the rules can wait. We’ll be teaching them at the school anyway.”

  I looked at Daniele nervously.

  “I’m coming too.” Daniele grinned at me.

  I smiled up at the two of them. “Okay.”

  Moments later, I was standing in front of a house that was built into a tree. The massive tree towered up to the purple sky. That was when I realized I wasn’t on Vuln anymore. I spun and looked out at the massive forest. Buildings were built inside and around them, like some living city.

  A swarm of faeries blazed out of some building in the treetops, heading straight for Ela, who fluttered off.

  I spun and walked into the cozy little house. It opened up into a room that smelled strongly of something like maple. In the center was a staircase winding around the core heartwood. Furniture sat around the outside of the room.

  “Most of the house is up above,” Liani said, gesturing to the staircase. “We have a room for you up there.”

  “When you are ready,” Jolzki added. “We would love to have you?”

  I swallowed and looked at the two. “You really want me?”

  Liani was next to me in a flash. She pulled me into a hug. “Yes, Casey. I wish that we had known sooner.”

  “When did you figure it out? The bugs? Or wait –” I spun and eyed Daniele. She clearly had told them something.

  Daniele blushed. “I had to, Casey. For your own good.”

  I sighed. “Tell me everything!” I demanded.