Celeste’s POV

*****

We appeared right inside the academy grounds, just a few meters ahead of the main gates. The chilly night air was the first thing to greet me.

It felt... colder than normal. Which is saying a lot since my cold resistance has increased since I awakened my wolf.

’I can sense him.’ my wolf spoke inwardly. ’He’s still here.’

I relayed the same words to Azrael who frowned.

"Why didn’t he teleport out of here then?" He asked, head tilting as he looked ahead. "I have a really bad feeling about this. If the wards have indeed corrupted professors and the Dean himself—"

"I know—" I tried cutting in but he made his voice firmer.

"The Dean alone is a very powerful witch in his own right," Azrael took a couple of steps forward. "If we’re adding in even a few professors, it’ll be hectic. Worst still if Professor Amelia is here."

My features twitched. "... So what are you saying?" I whispered, glancing back at the wrought iron gates. And the darkness beyond it.

"I’m saying we should be ready for anything," Azrael’s tone was solemn. "The second we find Atlas, we don’t play heroes. We grab him and get out of here."

He angled his head back to the academy while all I could do was follow his gaze. There was something... off.

The usual magic from the academy wards I used to feel was gone. Dead. I couldn’t sense anything at all.

"Stick close." He murmured, taking the lead as we waltzed forward.

My fingers twitched, magic sizzling through them like electricity. We walked quietly, hearing nothing but night birds and crickets.

Even the air felt like it had frozen still in fear of what had happened here.

If indeed there were professors here—we didn’t see, hear or smell them. And that only added to my unease.

When we got to the old Bloodoak tree, I got the sudden urge to call Atlas. So I patted Azrael’s shoulder. "Hey, don’t you think I should call him again? Or..."

I paused, remembering something.

His bracelet!

I lifted my right arm, staring at the golden bracelet glistening under the moonlight. My fingers brushed across its cool, metallic surface—before coming to a concentrated halt.

I rubbed it three times—or was it two?—whispering his name as I did. Hoping that he’d get summoned as he said.

Unfortunately, for once it didn’t work.

"Call him once." Azrael agreed. "Although, I doubt he’ll pick up."

I hastily brought out my phone, scrolling to Atlas’s number. I’d begun dialing it when my ears picked up something. From the administrative buildings.

Footsteps.

"Wait." Azrael placed an arm in front of me. "Listen."

Oh, I sure was. And I didn’t like what I was hearing one bit.

The footsteps drew closer, coming from a corner between two of the buildings. My fists curled subconsciously, magic right under my skin.

"What are you two doing here?" A familiar male voice echoed as a shadow stretched forward. "So late too."

My shoulders tightened when I saw who it was.

Professor Varrick.

His grey-streaked hair seemed sharper tonight, his aura calm as he approached us. "Miss Bloodoak. Mr Vaelmont... I believe I asked a question."

I gulped, the tension in my chest dissipating. But before I could speak, Azrael already answered:

"We’re here to see a friend."

The Professor’s brows arched, eyes sliding between him and me. "A friend?"

"Yes."

"Well," the man shook his head. "Unless this ’friend’ is a professor or the Dean himself, he isn’t supposed to be here to begin with. And neither should you."

I noticed something off just then.

With what he said.

It seemed Azrael caught on too, his lips curving. "We didn’t say our friend was a ’he’, sir. I’m curious to know how you were able to guess."

There was a crack in the professor’s calm demeanour. A scowl. But it disappeared just as fast. "Like you said... merely a guess. I’ve seen the people you and Miss Bloodoak surround yourselves with."

My wolf bristled in my chest just then. ’There is something odd about him.’

’Ugh. You’re telling me...’

’Don’t let your guard down. The guy is literally a Mixed Combat Lab professor.’

"The people we surround ourselves with," Azrael echoed with a dry laugh, a small wind blowing past us just then. "I’ll have to give credit to Amelia. This possession magic would’ve almost had me fooled."

Professor Varrick’s eyes darkened at the mention of ’possession’. But Azrael had exhausted his patience.

He spread out his arms, darkness creeping under his feet before exploding out. The world around us spreading for tens of meters was covered in black, forcing me to take a shocked step back.

The Professor’s hands sparked with a spell but Azrael already moved, appearing behind him in the blink of an eye. He swatted down on the man’s neck, knocking him out cold.

The moment Varrick hit the ground, the darkness around us peeled back like smoke dragged away by the wind.

"Move," Azrael snapped, already turning.

I didn’t need to be told twice.

We broke into a run, feet pounding against the academy grounds as we pushed deeper in. My heart thudded against my ribs, every instinct screaming at me to go faster. To find Atlas. To get out.

We passed Varrick’s body—and something made me falter.

"Wait..." I breathed, skidding to a stop.

Azrael cursed under his breath but followed my gaze.

On Varrick’s neck, just beneath his ear, a black tattoo pulsed. Glowing faintly. Alive.

It wasn’t just ink.

It moved like veins.

My stomach twisted. "That’s not normal," I whispered.

"No," Azrael said darkly. "It’s a symbol of control."

A chill crawled up my spine.

Before I could say anything else—

Footsteps.

Multiple.

"Of course," Azrael muttered.

They came from both sides this time.

Two wolves first—eyes glowing unnaturally, bodies tense like they were being puppeteered. Behind them, a witch I recognised from Beasts and Magic Biology, her hands already crackling with unstable magic.

And beside her—a human Hunter.

His weapon gleamed under the moonlight, aimed straight at us.

"Celeste," Azrael’s voice dropped. Focused. "Stay sharp."

"Always am," I shot back, though my pulse betrayed me.

They didn’t hesitate.

The wolves lunged first.

I met them head-on, magic bursting from my hands in a wave that sent one crashing sideways into a stone bench. The second one came straight for me, claws aimed.

Azrael intercepted.

He moved like a shadow given form, grabbing the wolf mid-air and slamming it into the ground with a force that cracked the pavement.

The witch screamed something—some twisted incantation—and hurled it at me.

I barely dodged, the spell grazing my arm and sent a sharp sting through my skin.

"Not today," I growled, thrusting my hand forward. My magic wrapped around her like chains, slamming her against the wall hard enough to knock the air out of her lungs.

The Hunter fired.

Azrael caught the weapon, twisting it out of his grip before driving his elbow into the man’s chest. The crack echoed as the Hunter dropped.

A heavy silence fell again.

I exhaled shakily, scanning the area. "This is insane..."

"They’re not holding back," Azrael said, eyes dark. "Which means neither can we."

We kept moving. Faster now.

The residential area came into view.

And that’s when we saw him.

Dean Thorne.

Standing in the middle of the path. Waiting.

My steps slowed.

Something about him felt... empty.

His eyes—usually sharp and calculating—were hollow. Void of anything human.

"Dean..." I called softly, stepping forward.

Azrael’s hand brushed mine, like a warning. But I shook my head.

"Dean, it’s me," I tried again. "Celeste. You need to fight this—whatever’s controlling you..."

Nothing.

Then... a twitch.

My breath caught.

"You’re stronger than this," I pushed, voice trembling. "Please—snap out of it—"

"Celeste!" Someone screamed my name just then.

Atlas!

His voice tore through the night like a blade.

My head snapped toward the academic buildings.

"Atlas..."

"Go," Azrael said instantly, stepping in front of me as the Dean’s head tilted unnaturally. "I’ll handle him."

"I’m not leaving you—"

"You are," his tone sharpened, eyes flashing. "Find him."

Another shout echoed. Closer this time.

That was all it took.

I ran.

Magic surged through me as I pushed myself faster, the world blurring around me. My lungs burned, my heart racing louder with every step.

"Atlas!" I called.

No answer.

Just—movement above.

I stopped, my breath hitching.

On the rooftop of one of the buildings—Professor Amelia stood.

And in her grip... Atlas.

Unconscious.

Dangling from her hand. Held by the throat like he weighed nothing.

Rage exploded through me. "Let him go!"

Her head tilted slowly, eyes locking onto mine.

And she smiled.

"Come get him," she said.

I didn’t think, teleporting with a flick of my wrist.

The world snapped and I landed on the rooftop.

Too late.

A tear in space had already opened behind her. Dark. Twisting. Wrong.

"No!" I lunged forward.

Amelia stepped back into it, Atlas still in her grasp.

Our eyes met one last time. She still had that same smile.

Then... They were gone.

The portal snapped shut, leaving me standing there.

Alone.