My days had grown exhausting. The whispers and glares followed me around constantly on Emiarhia, now charged with a different energy. It seemed like everyone had their own theory. And yet, nobody ever got too close to prove one. It was like I had a plague nobody wanted to catch. As if I could contaminate them by proximity alone. I tried to remind myself that they just didn't understand. And I tried to push back the part of me that resented the treatment, that longed to shout my innocence and rage. If there were to be a time and a place for that, it wouldn't be anytime soon. For now, it was just another part of my routine to deal with.

  Wednesdays were the days that were the most tolerable. I could jump right into training after Earth classes and throw myself into the motions of honing my magic, focusing on my techniques, improving my skills, and pushing my limits. It was an outlet. Something physical. Something tangible. Something that didn't involve people asking questions I couldn't answer without coming across suspicious or hostile. With weapons in my hands, burning lungs, and tired limbs, everything felt like it clicked. Like I fit into my own skin, even if only for an hour or two.

  As I sat in front of my vanity mirror that morning, getting ready for school, I couldn't help but wonder if Kadia and the others would one day get tired of me. Or decide to give up and just abandon me. It couldn't have been easy for them to accept that their trainee was capable of something so forbidden; something their employer hated so passionately. It wouldn't have surprised me if they decided it was best to sever ties and avoid a potential fallout. And yet, none of them had ever hinted at wanting to end our arrangement. In fact, they'd always seemed eager to continue. Were they not wary of me? Nervous of what I might turn into?

  I stared at my reflection in the glass, watching a brush slowly pass through my hair. Then, a sigh escaped my lips, and I let my shoulders slump. It wasn't fair to think like that. They were my allies. My friends. They'd helped me, been patient, and shown me kindness time and time again. It was cruel of me to expect them to suddenly grow cold, as if I was trying to anticipate their betrayal and prepare for it.

  I had to remember that, just because things were difficult, it didn't mean they were unsalvageable.

  A buzz from my phone cut off that train of thought. I picked it up. A text message from Luke.

  Bad news...

  A pang of nerves hit my gut. I replied as fast as I could: What's wrong??

  A minute or two passed before he responded: I think I should stay home today. Not feeling good

  I frowned in concern. Aw sounds like you might be sick :(

  Yeah I think it's just a cold

  Bummer... Hope you feel better soon! Want me to bring you anything?

  It's alright! I don't want you getting sick too

  In all honesty, I was secretly hoping for an opportunity to skip school and hang out with Luke instead. Even if he was sick, he could've used the company, right? It'd be an improvement from my usual routine of stress and uncertainty, and could provide me with some much-needed respite from everything. I let myself daydream for a moment: the two of us sitting together on his bed, watching movies and chatting about school and other little things that didn't really matter. Just him and me. Away from prying eyes and whispering voices. Safe, comfortable, content. It seemed perfect.

  I typed my next text, and then sent it before I could convince myself otherwise: You sure? I have a pretty strong immune system lol. My mom always called me Teflon girl because nothing ever stuck for long

  A few minutes passed before his response came: LMAO, fitting. And you're sweet. I don't want you to skip because of me though

  People skip for worse reasons, I countered. There's nothing important going on at school today. Plus I can bring you stuff: food, meds, blankets, tissues, tea, the whole nine yards. Whatever you need

  There was another pause. Then: Ok, ok. I'd love some company. But only if it's not a bother

  Never. I'll be right over :)

  I smiled as I sent the last message. And then I was back in motion. I grabbed everything I needed in a hurry and headed to the front door with minimal words exchanged with my parents. I was going to school a bit early to work on a group project, I told them. It was a good enough excuse to leave without further questions or concerns, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth to lie so brazenly. It was worth it, though. At least in that moment, I was more eager to see Luke than anything.

  My feet carried me quickly from my driveway and towards his house at a speed that wasn't quite fast enough. My head was filled with visions of how our morning could pan out, how I might make him smile and laugh. He could have some chicken soup and tea... I could provide some comic relief from whatever sickness was bothering him. It seemed simple and sweet, a lovely respite from my daily life that had grown so draining as of late.

  As I approached Luke's house, though, I suddenly stopped in my tracks. Dean's flashy car was parked in the driveway. A quick glance at my watch told me he usually left for work around this time. Was he sick too? Why was he still there? The idea of facing Dean at that moment made my skin crawl, not to mention spending hours cooped up in a house with him. I had a feeling he wouldn't exactly be thrilled about my presence there. The last thing I wanted was to bother him.

  I stood still on the sidewalk for a while, working out a plan in my mind. Just then, a realization came to me. There was another option.

  My pace picked up once more, but it carried me in a large circle around to the back of the house. Luke's bedroom window was on the second floor, facing south, overlooking the backyard and a good portion of the neighborhood. A nearby mature tree offered enough height to get close, and a narrow sill was right below the glass pane. There was also a trellis with vines on the wall beside it. If I got a good grip, I could pull myself up to the window without much trouble. I'd climbed larger obstacles on Emiarhia before; how hard could a modern house be?

  After adjusting my backpack and scanning my surroundings to make sure there wasn't anybody watching me, I jumped up and grabbed a low branch, pulling myself onto the tree's boughs. From there, it was fairly straightforward. I kept climbing higher until I was about twenty-five feet off the ground. I inched my way along the branch that hovered near the windowsill, and then carefully leapt to the trellis. My feet and hands dug into the lattice work. My muscles weren't as used to this kind of exertion as they were in Emiarhia, but I found my bearings again and, with some difficulty, managed to scale my way up to Luke's window. At the top of the trellis, I reached out with a single hand to rap my knuckles gently against the glass.

  The window slid open. Luke peeked out with a bleary expression. Then his eyes widened as he saw me clinging to the trellis like some sort of insect, the backpack dangling from my shoulders.

  "Morning," I said, flashing a smile.

  "What...the hell are you doing, Chloe?" he asked in bewilderment.

  I chuckled a little. "What's it look like?"

  He shook his head and laughed. "You could've used the door, you know. Hurry and come in before you fall."

  "I didn't want to disturb your uncle," I replied as I grabbed the windowsill, hoisted myself up, then tucked my legs inside, sliding through the gap with relative ease.

  "That's thoughtful," he remarked as he shut the window, "but he'll be leaving soon. You really decided knocking on my window at seven-thirty in the morning and scaring me half to death was better than using the door?"

  I shrugged and tossed him a cheeky look. "More fun that way."

  His mouth twisted into a lopsided grin. "You got me there."

  It was only then I noticed what he was wearing. Or rather, what he wasn't wearing. There was only a pair of boxer briefs with small, blue and green geometric shapes all over. ...Nothing else. I did my best to avoid staring, but I could already feel my face heating up as a result. The room felt like it was a lot warmer now.

  Luke caught on quickly, his expression shifting to something embarrassed. "Oh, sorry...! Gimme a sec."

  I spun around to face the wall. "Don't be," I said without thinking. Then I blushed harder and shook my head. "I mean, take your time!"

  I could hear the sounds of a drawer opening, then closing. A few moments of rustling passed before he called, "Okay. You're good."

  Slowly, I turned back around. He had put on a loose-fitting, white t-shirt and some dark green sweatpants. His hair was unkempt, sticking up slightly on one side. It only added to his charm. He flashed me a small, sheepish smile, and then plopped down on his bed.

  "How're you feeling?" I asked, setting my backpack down and slipping off my sneakers.

  "Tired, achy, stuffed up," he replied with a congested voice. "Other than that, I'm happy you're here."

  That made me grin. I stepped over to the bed and sat beside him. "I'm glad you're okay with me stopping by. Sorry, I know this is kinda weird."

  "It's cool," he assured me. "I'm flattered you care."

  We smiled at each other. I then took a moment to take in the state of his bedroom. I'd seen it in passing before, but this was the first time I'd really observed it in detail. It was quite large, with cream walls, dark wood furniture, a large bed with a plain gray comforter, and a dark blue accent wall where a shelf held various awards, plaques, and framed photos. There were some movie posters tacked up and a small bookcase stuffed with various novels and textbooks. A flat screen TV hung on the opposite wall. Everything seemed very clean, almost like nobody spent a lot of time inside.

  Luke moved to recline against the mound of pillows piled at the head of his bed. I moved a little closer. A long, heavy silence hung over us, punctuated only by his congested sniffles. He coughed into his elbow, then sighed, running a hand through his hair.

  "Have you taken anything for this yet?" I asked after a moment.

  He shook his head. "It's just a cold. I can tough it out."

  "You should take some meds, Luke. It'll make you feel better," I pointed out, though my tone remained gentle. "I brought a few different things to help."

  "It's really not a big deal, Chloe," he insisted.

  I wasn't satisfied. I moved from his bed to my backpack, unzipped it, and started pulling out packages. "I've got ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cold medicine, cough syrup, nasal spray, lozenges... I also have a bunch of different kinds of tea, and a few different soup packets, and crackers. Anything else you'd like, I can go get."

  As I rummaged through the various items I'd packed, Luke watched me with a fond, yet disbelieving expression. "You're...kind of incredible, you know that?"

  That summoned a smile to my lips. "Just trying to help the guy I like feel better. Nothing crazy."

  He beamed back at me. "It means a lot. I appreciate it."

  "You're welcome," I replied as I pulled a large, plastic bag filled with tea packets from my backpack. "What's your flavour?"

  Intrigued by the selection, he hummed, as if mulling over the choices, then answered, "Something minty? It helps clear my head."

  "Ooh, good choice." I picked out a peppermint tea packet. "Want me to make you a pot?"

  "I'll come with you," he said, then swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up.

  "You really don't have to–"

  He waved a hand dismissively as we stepped out into the hallway. "I'm sick, Chloe, not dying. I shouldn't just lie in bed all day like some lazy lump."

  We started down the staircase together.

  "If it's any consolation," I remarked, "you'd make an adorable lazy lump."

  "Flatterer."

  We chuckled as we descended. The kitchen was much like the rest of the house: sleek, elegant, and modern. All stainless steel appliances and dark marble countertops. A tad devoid of warmth, but not exactly unwelcoming. It looked like something that belonged in a magazine.

  "How's Dean been lately?" I asked as I put the kettle on. "Still grumpy?"

  Luke made a face as he leaned against the kitchen island. "Eh. It comes and goes. He's keeping himself really busy with work right now, so I've seen even less of him. Which isn't really a problem, because when he is home, it's always the same: 'Any acceptance letters yet?' 'When's your next game?' 'You should practice more.' And if he's in a real good mood, I can expect ol' reliable: 'Stop slouching.'" He rolled his eyes, but there was still some fondness there. "He's not as bad as he was when I first moved in, though. He means well."

  I nodded thoughtfully and busied my hands with prepping the tea bags and teapot. "Do you think you'll ever go back to living with your parents?"

  A brief look of hesitation flashed in his eyes as he seemed to debate how to respond to that. It made me feel guilty for bringing it up in the first place. I quickly tried to correct my error.

  "Not that Dean's bad, or anything. He just seems a little distant," I added with a nervous laugh.

  Luke offered a nonchalant shrug after a brief cough. "It's fine. I mean... Yeah. I'd like to go back to that. But that's not an option right now. Mom and Dad are always away, so I'm probably going to just go off to college, visit them for holidays and summers, then...move on with my life, I guess."

  I couldn't help but frown at that, but he was quick to flash an encouraging smile my way.

  "Don't make that face," he teased. "It'll work itself out. And, if I'm lucky...maybe you'll stick around to be a part of that."

  A pleased blush rose to my cheeks. "I'd like that."

  He smiled, but it seemed to be laced with some deeper feelings that I couldn't quite place. Something in his expression suggested a twinge of bittersweetness to it. I couldn't really understand it, though, as before I had a chance to think on it too deeply, Luke cleared his throat and shifted gears.

  "I should've asked – have you eaten breakfast? You're welcome to grab whatever you'd like. Make yourself at home." He tilted his head towards the fridge. "As long as you don't touch Dean's green smoothies, you won't be punished."

  The kettle started to whistle, and I was quick to grab it off the element before the sound grew too shrill. "I had some cereal before I left. Thanks, though. I'm more concerned about you staying fed and hydrated right now."

  A short, coughing laugh escaped his mouth. "Well, aren't you a saint."

  "Hardly," I chuckled while dropping two tea bags into the pot and pouring steaming water over them.

  A long beat of silence followed as Luke seemed to drift away in thought for a moment. Then, after a deep inhale, he remarked, "It's so weird."

  My eyes darted back at him, brows furrowed. "Hm?"

  "It's just..." He gave me a warm look that made my chest fill with butterflies despite the dark circles under his eyes and the sickly flush on his skin. "It's been kind of weird and a little bit crazy how you make me feel at ease so quickly. Like I don't have to worry about anything when you're around."

  The remark rendered me speechless for a good few seconds. My mouth moved soundlessly until I found the words, "I was thinking the same thing on the walk over, actually. How comfortable everything feels between us. And I worry about things enough for the both of us, so it's good that I can provide some reprieve."

  A broad, endeared smile spread on his face as he shook his head. Then, he leaned farther over the counter, rested an elbow on it, and gave me an appraising look. "How is it that, in spite of your apparent wealth of intellect, you still find yourself stuck with me?"

  That made me laugh. "Because, Luke, my taste is excellent. I happen to think you're quite wonderful, and you just can't convince me otherwise."

  "Then I suppose it'd be in my best interest not to try to sway your opinion," he mused. "But for what it's worth, I'm very glad you're here, and I'm happy we have this."

  "Me too," I said, letting myself bask in the glow of his affection for just a moment longer before turning my focus back to the teapot. "Want anything in your tea?"

  "Not in peppermint, thanks," he answered. "You know... I still can't believe you climbed my house. And I really can't believe you skipped school just to hang out with a guy who's sick. I feel so... I don't know. Like I'm really spoiled to have you around."

  The praise made my heart skip a beat. "I can't pretend that first part wasn't a little weird," I confessed with a giggle, "but I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed. You'd do the same for me." I pushed a steaming mug of tea towards him, and then went on, "Besides, there's not much happening at school today. I'll just ask Spencer for notes later or something. No sweat."

  Luke took a grateful sip before exhaling. "Thank you, Chloe."

  I beamed in reply.

  His next statement was made confidently, with his chin resting atop a loosely curled fist. "Next time you get sick, I'll return the favour. You can count on that."

  We stared at each other for a while longer, smiling like a couple of goofballs. A thousand thoughts rushed through my head as I got lost in that expression of his, as the air in the room became heavy with a haze I'd never experienced before, and the sounds of the rest of the world melted away, replaced by a gentle, comforting silence. The longer he looked at me like that, the more I wanted to just spill everything about myself. Every last detail. Even the ugly ones. I wanted to lay all my cards on the table, tell him about Emiarhia and everything else. The strange abilities, the looming threats, all the nightmares and fears, every doubt I had about my life. I wanted to show him every side of myself, let him hold each part and see every blemish. And, for some reason, I felt like it would be okay if I did. That it'd make everything feel less heavy.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  And more than anything, I just wanted to warn him about my potential erasure from this world, should the worst-case scenario become reality. I wanted to let him know, without any shadow of a doubt, that I would always be thankful for our time together, no matter how little or short-lived it was.

  Instead, I simply poured myself a mug of tea.

  We soon returned to Luke's room and settled comfortably together on his bed, nursing our warm mugs and chatting idly as we sipped. A few hours later, I made us some soup, and then we decided to watch some movies on his TV. I did my best to maintain a healthy distance, as I didn't want to catch his cold or bother him more than I already had. But he kept drawing me closer until we ended up cuddling together with my head resting on his shoulder. It was so worth the possible risk. We made some quips as we watched, laughed, and joked, and stole occasional glances at each other that lasted just long enough to make us both chuckle.

  In that moment, it seemed like there was nothing outside that room. We had all the time in the world, all the space in the universe to just enjoy ourselves. Even when Luke had fallen asleep with his arm loosely draped around my shoulders and his head nestled against the pillows behind us, I made no move to leave or wake him up. I stayed still as a statue and simply let the moment last. There was something about the sight of this typically almost-perfect boy looking so cozy and unguarded – his mouth hanging open slightly, hair sticking out in places, eyebrows twitching as he dreamt – that was so utterly endearing. I wanted burn the image into my brain so that, even if everything went dark, I could always have this little memory tucked away to look back on.

  Time seemed to pass so quickly, however, and before long, I needed to leave if I wanted to make it to training on time and avoid Kadia's ire. Luke had awoken by then. I told him I had a ton of homework to finish for tomorrow. A lie, but one that couldn't be helped. He replied by saying he had work to catch up on as well before thanking me profusely for stopping by and keeping him company. As much as I would've liked to stay, it was time for me to go. We said our goodbyes at the front door. And then we embraced. When we separated, there was a subtle, but odd look on his face that I couldn't quite identify. He had something on his mind, that much was certain. It was clear he wanted to say more than he did. But there wasn't enough time to discuss it, and we both had obligations we couldn't shirk. So I carefully took his head in my hands, pulled him close, and left a kiss on his forehead before walking away.

  Even with the worries of the rest of my life still present in the back of my mind, those hours I spent with Luke washed over me like a soothing breeze. I was reminded of how much that connection was something to fight for. I wouldn't let anything happen to it if I had any say. Maybe if I held on tight enough and stood my ground, everything would work out just fine. Maybe the day wasn't so far off when Luke would get to hear all about my secret double-life. And maybe it wouldn't be that big of a deal in the end.

  "There's no way not a single person saw it, Shaye," I insisted. "Claude always manages to attract a crowd."

  She continued stretching her legs on the changing room bench, freshly-washed hair clinging to the back of her shirt as she moved. "I believe Professor Melann and Humbard – not to mention the Headmaster – did a fine job of containing things. It doesn't matter if some students fleetingly saw your cuff; the rumours will die down in good time. Also, I don't believe Claude has a reputation for being a credible source, so likely no one will attempt to outright prove said rumours."

  I chewed on my bottom lip, brows knitted together, still unconvinced. "I don't know... It's like I'm guilty until proven innocent, but the only reason people believe I'm guilty is because Claude's been running his mouth about how evil I am or whatever. That's not exactly fair."

  Her reply came after a beat of silence. "No, it isn't. Everyone is just...on edge." She then gave me a reassuring smile. "No matter what happens, I know the Headmaster won't let you suffer because of this, Brielle."

  "I don't know what I'd do without him. Without any of you, really. It feels like everything's spinning out of control sometimes."

  She nodded in a way that suggested I'd said something obvious. "Everyone has been subject to that feeling lately. I mean, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say our entire world was uprooted at the revelation of the Tremaium prophecy, and even more so since your arrival. Imagine it: You spend your life in relative peace on a planet that can only function properly with a certain understanding of balance and harmony. Darkness, death, pain, and strife exist, but they do so in their own contained spaces. You don't go walking in unsafe areas late at night, you avoid dark magic like the plague, you ensure not to accidentally get involved with the wrong people, and so on. And then, one day, the universe itself tells you that a rotten apple is trying to make everything as we know it cease to exist. Soon enough, the peace you're used to is slowly replaced by paranoia and dread. Crime increases. People start disappearing. Anarchists start attacking without rhyme or reason, causing chaos and bloodshed wherever they go. You look up to the night sky and think to yourself, 'When is it going to end?' You can't even sleep soundly anymore, because who knows if your own bedroom will be a safe space by the time you wake up? And there is nothing any of us can do to stop it from happening, except hope that our saviours are ready: three eighteen-year-olds – one of whom is not only from an entirely different world, but also may or may not have the same darkness the world is currently under siege by inside of herself. So...yes. Spinning out of control."

  The gravity of that statement caused my pulse to spike. It wasn't as if I'd never thought about the general population before. In fact, I spent a lot of time wondering what they thought of me, and how they might treat me if I didn't have people like the Headmaster and Kadia vouching for me. However, I hadn't given enough consideration to their perspectives. It made sense...why they'd be wary of me. Distrusting. After all, they'd spent their whole lives meticulously avoiding darkness in any form. And now here I was: the potential bearer of said corruption. Of course they'd want me locked away or...dispatched before I could wreak havoc. I didn't know if I could blame them for that anymore.

  I finally answered, "...Yeah. I get it."

  "I apologize. I shouldn't be telling you something so morose, but I think it's important to put everything in perspective," Shaye explained gently. "Everyone's stressed. No one knows what to do or think. Everyone just wants the turmoil to end, so it makes them willing to turn on anything they see as a threat. Including you. And...that's not right, and it's certainly not fair. But that doesn't make it any less of a reality. We must remain grounded in reality in order to do our jobs, right? It's part of the mantle we carry."

  "No, I needed to hear that." I folded my arms and tried to shrug off some of the unease I was feeling.

  She was quick to put her hands on my shoulders in an attempt to offer me some form of solace. "Enough of this gloomy talk. It's not doing anyone any favours. I'm going to go for a walk to visit an old friend; would you care to accompany me? It shan't take long. Perhaps the fresh air will clear our heads."

  "You want me to come with you? To meet a friend? You think they won't mind me barging in on their time with you?" I questioned.

  Her smile was encouraging. "Not in the slightest."

  I shrugged. "Sure, then."

  After grabbing my bag, I followed her out of the change room, up to the entrance of the arena, and then off towards the town proper. Our combined four personal guards were always a few steps behind us. I did my best not to acknowledge their presence as I focused on enjoying the brisk afternoon air. The sounds of chattering crowds and rushing wind helped to dispel any residual anxiety I had in my system. Shaye and I maintained a pleasant chatter as we went, though neither of us brought up what we'd discussed earlier. She led me along streets for about fifteen minutes, and then past the outer walls of the main town centre into what appeared to be a large park. Snowy trees stretched out endlessly into the distance. A path of dark grey cobblestone was carved out before us, cutting through the white expanse. The area was bordered by a short but elegant metal fence with swirling patterns. It didn't take me long to recognize it as a lanternyard: Winithas' version of a cemetery.

  Burial of the deceased wasn't really a thing on Emiarhia, at least not the way it was done on Earth. In this realm, people would freeze-dry their loved one's heart after death, grind it to powder, then seal it away in a unique, ornate lantern. These were lit by magic, and then hung from a short post, where they would suspend eternally in remembrance of their owner's existence. Lanternyards were areas reserved specifically to display them.

  Shaye walked up to the gate, then turned to address the guards. "You four are to wait here, please. Brielle and I would like a bit of privacy. Is that understood?"

  There was a small murmur of reluctant consent amongst them. She seemed satisfied with that as she proceeded inside. I trailed closely behind her, admiring the dozens of waist-high, glowing orbs of all shapes, colours, and sizes. As I gazed upon the sea of lights, I wondered briefly if there'd ever be one for me after everything was said and done.

  I quickly turned my attention back to Shaye. "'An old friend', huh?"

  Her stride was steady and relaxed, with her hands folded neatly behind her back. "Yes. Today is her birthday. I try to come by at least once every year to say hello, even when it's difficult to do so."

  A pang of sympathy made my heart ache a little. "I'm assuming I won't get to shake her hand?"

  She smiled wistfully. "I'm afraid not. But I hope you don't mind me stopping here for a bit."

  I shook my head and let her lead me further into the lanternyard. The path curved, twisted, and snaked around the landscape as we continued deeper in. Some of the lanterns were newer, while others appeared to be quite aged, their surfaces slightly pocked and marred from wear. They were organized into rows, and hung from intricately-carved metal posts upon which was engraved the names of those memorialized. We didn't speak for a while as Shaye kept her focus on finding her friend's. Once we did, she came to a halt and examined it fondly.

  The lantern itself was shaped like a flower blossom, with petals made of translucent, light pink crystal. At the heart was a small flame of gold-orange magic, dancing in perfect circles within its casing. Its post was decorated with spiralling tendrils and metal leaves.

  Shaye knelt in the snow in front of the post, head bowed and hands clasped in her lap. "Happy birthday, Zoraida... How have you been? I hope you've been behaving yourself, as usual." She allowed a brief giggle to escape her. "Oh, I've brought a friend with me this time. I hope that's all right." She turned her head towards me, then patted the empty spot beside her.

  I was happy to comply, kneeling in the snow next to her with a deep breath of the cool air. "Um. Hello," I offered lamely.

  A look of contentment spread across her features as we both sat in silence, gazing upon the shimmering orb in front of us. My eyes wandered from it, to Shaye's calm expression, to the row of similar memorials in the distance, to the sky. It was so serene. I hadn't visited a place like this before, even on Earth. Cemeteries were always places where people would go to be sad and upset about lost loved ones, and while I couldn't say I felt much happiness in this moment, the feeling in the air wasn't heavy, or painful. There was something very gentle about the whole space, in spite of how stark the white landscape looked, and how lonely each row of memorials seemed.

  "We were very close friends when we were young," Shaye remarked, drawing me away from my thoughts. Her eyes shone with the faint glow of Zoraida's lantern as she gazed upon it. "She was only eleven... We did everything together. Even Ashkan would join us on occasion. She was quite adventurous, and optimistic. But then..."

  I cut in, "You don't have to tell me about it, Shaye. Not unless you'd like to."

  "No, no. It helps me to not hold it inside," she insisted. "If you'd care to listen, I'll gladly tell you."

  "Of course." I scooted a bit closer and nodded.

  Her features hardened as she collected her thoughts, eyes still trained on the flickering lantern. "Almost seven years ago, now... Zoraida showed me something she'd found in her attic. A weathered tome containing forbidden spells and curses. It had been passed down through her family for generations, she'd explained, but her parents never let her touch it. I suppose they didn't hide it well enough... One of her ancestors was a mage who studied dark magic quite intensely, she'd said. It was his work, in a way. As you might imagine, we were both curious and foolish. My parents were very protective, and always told me never to get mixed up in that sort of thing, but at the time...it just seemed so intriguing. We reasoned that ignorance breeds mistakes. That we needed to educate ourselves. So we began to pour through that tome in our spare time, eager to learn details about the nature of black magic. It wasn't long before Zoraida wanted to start trying to cast things. I should've... I should've tried harder to talk her out of it..." Her hands curled into fists and pressed into her lap.

  "Hey..." I gently patted her back and urged, "Don't go there. It wasn't your fault. Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault."

  Two tears streamed down her face in tandem as she let out a sigh. "I... She was so enthusiastic... And she'd already decided it was what she wanted to do... So I helped her. I helped her cast it; what else was I supposed to do? I was her friend, and she was my friend... And...it... It... It's so hard to control... To focus. We'd cast it in the forest and hoped we wouldn't harm anything. But we were mere children... We were stupid. I was stupid. ...Do you remember when we rescued Ashkan from Vhinrud, and you cast that...enormous tidal wave?"

  I nodded slowly, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. "Yeah. I...didn't really mean to cast it. It was like the spell took over..."

  Her expression laced with shame. "It was like that. The magic took over. The two of us weren't...competent enough to direct it properly, or to shield ourselves in time. So it...just...tore through anything that stood in its path. Both of us were swept up in it. I suppose my birthmark protected me in some capacity, because I wasn't as gravely injured as she was. Zoraida... She succumbed to her wounds within two weeks. It was an accident... Her family never forgave me, and they haven't spoken to me since. But I don't... I don't blame them. They would've pressed charges would they have not had to admit the dark tome belonged to them. So I've lived with this grief... It's all I can do. The guilt is too great to simply...let go of."

  The silence between us lingered for several minutes as I allowed that information to settle. Shaye had practiced dark magic before. She knew what it felt like to cast it. What it was capable of. I couldn't imagine how heavy that burden was on its own, then combined with knowing she'd lost someone so dear to her – someone she'd been friends with for so long – by the power of that which they both didn't properly understand... It made sense now. Everything made so much sense.

  "It was my first and only time...casting anything of the sort. It will be my last..." Shaye wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks with her knuckles. "It cost me someone precious. I shall never let such a thing happen again. It's the least I can do for Zoraida."

  I carefully wrapped an arm around her. "I'm so sorry that happened... I don't know what else to say other than that."

  "It's quite all right. It feels nice to speak to someone about it. It helps to get the details out every now and again. Thank you, Brielle."

  We shared that moment, allowing our silence to become a form of support. It was an understanding of sorts. As we remained kneeling before her lost friend, I allowed myself to breathe, to be fully present with the situation and not allow my mind to wander off or conjure up my usual worries. Instead, I did my best to offer whatever support I could in the way that Shaye had so generously done for me many times before. She didn't need words or actions that promised a brighter future. All she needed was a simple reminder that she wasn't alone, and that it was all right to hurt. To remember, to grieve, and to move forward despite that grief.

  Once the both of us felt a bit more relaxed, I asked, "Should I give you some privacy? I can wander around a bit and let you visit in peace."

  Her expression remained serene as she nodded in response. "I would like that. Thank you for understanding."

  "It's the least I can do. I'll be over by those trees when you're ready." I pointed into the distance to a spot a little way off.

  "Thank you. I won't be much longer, I promise."

  With one more comforting pat on the back, I slowly stood up from the snow. It was starting to become wet and cold against my shins. The large trees I'd pointed to were about fifty feet away. I strode through the thickening blanket of white with steady, even steps, careful not to tread too close to any other lanterns. Once I was under the shelter of the towering trees, I took a moment to brush some of the snow off myself, and then looked out into the distance. It was all the same: a sea of tiny orbs, glittering like jewels in the dimming winter light.

  Not quite a minute later, the sound of snow crunching nearby grabbed my attention. But Shaye was still kneeling before Zoraida's post; I could see her scarlet hair from where I stood. And my personal guards were still at the entrance way off to my right. I pressed my back against a tree trunk before peering cautiously around it.

  Instead of easing my growing apprehension by confirming it was just some stranger, it was only solidified by who I saw. A brawny man, clad in dark leather with a cloak that fluttered out behind him, making his way in my direction. His face was obscured by the hood of his cloak and his scarf, but I'd seen his frame enough times before to recognize it. I ducked back behind the tree and held my breath. Had he seen me? Did he know I was here? What the hell was he doing in a lanternyard, anyway? I froze in place as the sound of snow being crushed under his boots continued to grow closer, until it finally stopped. The area became silent once more. But not for long.

  A sigh was heard, then the shifting of fabric. Balgaur's deep voice broke through the calm, "Uh... Hello again. It's been a while, I know. Sorry."

  I tilted my head in confusion. That sort of tone didn't fit the profile of the person I knew. Where was his arrogance? His abrasiveness?

  "Looks like the boy's done a good job of keepin' your lantern tidy... Hope you've been restin' easy. It's nice out here, huh? Real quiet." He cleared his throat. "Um, I brought somethin' for ya. Don't ask how I got it, but... I just... I thought you'd like it. So..."

  My head snapped to the side as the sound of more footsteps grew close. Shaye had gotten up from her kneeling position and was now striding through the snow in our direction. I frantically signalled at her with my hands to be quiet and get down. She stopped in her tracks, giving me a puzzled expression. I waved my hands some more and shook my head vigorously, praying to whatever gods were listening that she'd get the hint. Fortunately, she did. She cast a quick silencing charm, then crouched down to join me in my hiding spot.

  I mouthed to her, "Balgaur."

  She blinked several times as if I hadn't properly spoken, then whispered back, "Balgaur?"

  I nodded in response.

  Her brow creased with concern. "What business does he have–? Oh." Her eyes suddenly widened with the realization. "Harwynis' lantern is right there."

  My jaw dropped. "After all he's done?" I hissed.

  "It seems there remains a shred of attachment that he'd like to address..." Shaye frowned as we continued to listen to Balgaur's words.

  "...I can't come by and see ya too often. Don't really think the boss would be happy if he knew I was...visiting. You know how he is." Another shuffling sound. "Y'know, it never gets easier. Seein' you here. And... I know you've gotta hate me now, if you didn't before. I deserve that. I do. I'm not askin' you to forgive me; I just wanna do what I can to... I dunno. Things are gettin' rough. I can't talk to any of them about it, but you... You've always understood. You've always listened. Even when you weren't supposed to." A faint laugh escaped his mouth, and it was one of the strangest things I'd ever heard.

  Shaye and I exchanged a perturbed glance.

  He continued, "Right, so... I wanted to tell you somethin'. Before it all comes crashin' down. And before it's too late for anyone to stop it. While this world is still breathin', while I'm still breathin'... You gotta understand. We've all got a part to play. There's nothin' I can do. He asks me to do things, and I have to do 'em. Or I'll lose everything. ...I don't want to lose you a second time, Har. But he says this'll change everything. I wanna believe it'll be a better future. For both of us. And everyone. Just... Know that I'm sorry. For what I did, for what I'm gonna do, and for what I'll never do. I didn't want to hurt your boy. But...there's a plan. It's gotta be done. I didn't have a choice. I never do..."

  A chill ran down my spine that I was certain had nothing to do with the cold. A part of me wanted to believe he was just spewing nonsense in a last-ditch effort to justify himself to Harwynis. But that explanation didn't fit the tone he was using. He was serious, and remorseful. And, unfortunately for me, I understood exactly what he was saying. It was a plea for forgiveness that was impossible to give. But a plea nonetheless.

  Balgaur shifted once more. "It's gonna be big, lemme tell ya. Big. Just you wait. When all the stars align, when every last one of us is ready... Eh, I know you wouldn't understand it. But it's for the best. Trust me. He knows best. And Lucera's workin' on somethin' for Gunthren... Shame that old dunce's gotta go, but it needs to happen. He's too far gone. It'll all work out. Won't be long now. Then maybe... Maybe we'll all be happy again, right?"

  Shaye's hand gripped my upper arm with urgency. Her expression had fear written all over it. "Miss Lucera...?!"

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. "Why would she be...? No, it doesn't make sense."

  Her hold tightened. "Brielle, we must do something. This sounds serious."

  I gritted my teeth in frustration. "The Academy's closed by now. But it sounds like we have some time to figure something out."

  "I hope you're right..."

  Balgaur's voice cut through our whispered exchange: "Won't be long 'til the eclipse, either. Heh, can you believe it? All these years of waitin'. All that work... It'll all change, and it'll be a feast to end all feasts. It'll be somethin' special, Har... It really will. No more...bloody...filth. No more glare. No more. That'll be the end. We can start over. Start anew. Just how it should be..." He allowed a drawn-out pause to hang in the air for a few moments before stating, "Hm. Maybe we'll cross paths again sometime. Another time, another place... A better place, without all this nonsense. Yeah. It'll be nice. It'll be better." The sound of fabric shuffling echoed as he presumably rose to his feet. "I'll be back before then, if I can. But if not, I just wanted to... Well, nevermind. Take care, and stay warm. Got it? ...Heh. G'bye. And, again... Sorry. ...For everything."

  And with that, the crunching of snow returned, this time getting more and more distant until it was gone entirely. Shaye and I peeked out from our hiding spot and scanned our surroundings to make sure Balgaur wasn't just standing somewhere. But there was no sign of him. Just as quickly as he'd appeared, he was gone again. A small, somewhat crumpled bouquet of pale green flowers had been placed underneath Harwynis' lantern.

  My mind raced to process all that I'd heard. This was bad. It had to be bad. We couldn't afford to assume Balgaur was just rambling about some strange delusions. Not when he spoke about them so earnestly. Not when he mentioned Miss Lucera – which by itself was enough of a red flag. If they were working together, and if they were targeting the Headmaster, then this had to be bigger than us. We couldn't take it lightly. We needed to find out what they were up to. Fast.

  But there wasn't much we could do for the time being. Balgaur was so vague; we were lucky enough to overhear him at all. I knew there had to be some sort of plot afoot, but we couldn't afford to do anything reckless. We needed to keep a low profile until we figured something out. Sending people into a panic would only make matters worse. We had to play it smart. And that meant going to see Headmaster Gunthren tomorrow at school, first thing. Shaye agreed to check on and speak with him as soon as she arrived. I couldn't get there until noon, unfortunately, so I could only hope my presence wouldn't be necessary.

  Questions bounced around in my head well into the night. I was badgered by the thoughts of what would happen if we acted too late. Or too soon. What if nobody believed us? What if we had the details wrong? What was the end goal? And what the hell was up with Lucera? Did she control anything, or was she an unwitting pawn? Where did her allegiance lie? There was so much to unpack. It felt impossible. It was like staring down at a gigantic map that covered an entire room with a million little dots on it that could all potentially lead somewhere if connected to the right places. And if I missed a single dot, it could spell doom for everyone.

  I spent the night tossing and turning. Sleep eluded me. Every time it seemed I'd finally fallen into its warm embrace, the thought of Gunthren's possible demise jolted me awake. The last thing I wanted was for the Headmaster to wind up dead on my account, especially after I'd only recently been granted the privilege of his mentorship. He'd gone out of his way to help me, to fit me into his crowded schedule, to personally conduct my tutorage when Miss Lucera had totally betrayed my trust. I owed him a lot. And it would destroy me if I failed to save him from some kind of imminent danger.

  But that wasn't going to happen. It couldn't. Not on my watch.