Celeste’s POV

*****

Bloodoak Academy, 3:55 AM

I sat cross-legged in front of one of the main academic halls in the school. Azrael stood by a window to my right, watching intently as I began my silent incantation.

Between my hands was Atlas’ golden bracelet. My magic wove through the carvings and the residues of his magic on it, tugging hard.

Then—like an invisible, never-ending thread it shot out alongside a trace of my consciousness, scouring through the very fabric of space-time. To locate him.

My brows creased as I struggled to keep my eyes sealed. A soft breeze blew into the hall, carrying strands of my hair over my face.

’Come on. Where are you, Atlas?’

Just when I thought I should give up, I felt something tug back at my magic and consciousness. My eyes widened, a bright silver light bursting out of me.

I sensed Azrael stir with unease but then he paused.

"... Atlas?" I whispered, overwhelming relief washing through me. "Is that really you?"

There was a short pause that made my heart thump like war drums. And then he responded.

’I hear you.’

My back straightened immediately while my grip on the golden bracelet tightened. I squinted hard, attempting to track his exact location or at least make an estimate.

But all I got was static in my psychic vision. Something was messing with the connection.

"A–Atlas," I spoke in a hurry. "Where are you? Can you give a description?"

I could hear him trying to speak, but his mental voice kept distorting; sometimes it sounded high-pitched, and other times it was lower than a whisper.

Finally, I was able to pick up a few things he was saying. ’Don’t... search... they want you to find me.’

My frown deepened. "What?"

’They’re waiting for you... there’s... portal gate...’

Now I was even more confused.

They?

As in, someone else working with Amelia?

Azrael approached cautiously but I was too concentrated to even glance at him. "Atlas, please. Just tell me where she’s hidden you. A–A description. Anything."

A faint ringing grew in both my ears as the corner of my vision blurred.

Then, ’Vein magic. Chains... It’s like a cave but I... Celeste, don’t...’

Before I could make sense of any of that, a sharp, throbbing pain hit my temple. I gasped, doubling over as the bracelet slipped out of my hands.

"Celeste!" Azrael was already by my side, squatting down and grabbing my shoulders. "It’s too much interference. Stop."

The silver light in my eyes died as air rushed back into my lungs. Sure enough, Atlas’s presence in my head was gone now, the connection broken.

"... Shit." I brushed a hand through my hair, gaze rising to the ceiling. "I couldn’t sense him clearly. My spell was supposed to pinpoint his exact location or at least give me an estimate."

Azrael helped me get on my feet, a hand on my shoulder and the other firm on my waist. Sweat trickled down my forehead, my mind working overtime trying to piece together everything he said.

"He mentioned... a cave," my voice broke. "And chains. Then said something about the people holding him wanting me to come."

"People?"

"Yes," I angled my face to him. "Most of his words were unclear but I was able to get the main picture. There’s someone else working with Amelia."

I was able to stand on my own, my cheeks flustered as my magic stabilised.

Azrael rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Of course," he muttered. "It makes so much sense now. I knew there was no way a werewolf like Amelia would have such control over the Vein."

I was already catching up. "Unless a second person is working with her. Nyx maybe?"

He shook his head. "I spoke with Nyx. Or at least, one of her projections." The surprise in my gaze made him add quickly. "Maybe I forgot to mention but it was shortly before I came to Bloodoak Pack. I asked her directly about Amelia and..."

A pause. "... She didn’t exactly take credit for sending her. Which brings me to another thing."

Azrael leaned down, picking the golden bracelet. "The control sigils we saw on the professors and the Dean weren’t perfect. Sure, they seemed to be close to the perfection of the ones that appear on your arms—but they were still merely imitations of Nyx’s design."

"So maybe she sent another witch. One who’s... helping Amelia?" The more I spoke the harder the pain in my head. "We need to do something. He sounded so certain about my not coming. I–I could feel his fear."

"I suspect he’s been taken to a pocket dimension." He said with confidence. "That should explain why it was so hard for you to pinpoint his exact location in spacetime. Because—"

"He’s outside it." I completed the sentence at the same moment my phone buzzed with a notification.

I pulled it out, clicking on the message. "It’s Luther," Azrael moved closer to me as I continued. "Silas and I are at the academy gate. We brought backup. Meet us there."

"Backup." Azrael echoed.

I spun my neck to the hall’s exit, snatching Atlas’s bracelet off Azrael’s hands. "Let’s go."

.

.

As Azrael and I waltzed toward the academy’s main gate, I already had this weird feeling.

It definitely wasn’t because of the controlled professors or Dean—we took care of them and had them chained to the old Bloodoak tree.

When we were near enough to see the Hale brothers waiting for us, I immediately knew the reason for the uneasiness gnawing at my chest.

Beside Luther stood Rebecca Whiteflame.

Aka, Europe’s wolf princess.

She wore a form-fitting white body suit with a silver flame etched on the chest. A few strands of her lush silver hair blew into the wind like silk wisps of moonlight.

While I was shocked by her presence, that was quickly dwarfed by my speechlessness when I saw the other girl lingering behind them like a ghost with unfinished business.

"What... the..."

Lysandra freaking Carrington avoided eye contact as Azrael and I pulled closer to the group. She had on a sleeveless white blouse and black pants.

Luther was the first to break the silence. "Cel," he broke the distance with a few strides, wrapping his arms around me. "Before you say anything—"

"What is she doing here?" Azrael asked the question burning at the tip of my tongue, his tone flat.

Rebecca sighed, clasping her hands together. "Relax. I know how you all feel about her..." She stared directly at me now. "But she’s at least apologetic for everything she put you through. We’ve been talking for some days now and she just happened to crash at my parents’ after your school shut down."

"Still doesn’t answer the question." Azrael pushed.

It was Luther’s turn to explain. "After you texted about Atlas I contacted Rebecca, asking if she knew any witch or hybrid who could portal us here quickly. And... well..."

He gave me some space, gesturing at Lysandra.

The latter finally met my eyes, a wry smile curving her mouth. "I know we aren’t exactly friends after working together during... Mixed Combat Lab." She took slow steps forward. "But I want to help. You might not be aware of this but your brother gave me a potion to treat Nat."

Her voice was filled with gratitude now. "Because of Caelum, one of my best friends has a higher chance of getting better soon. So..." her eyes gleamed. "Let me help."

At the mention of Natasha, I remembered how Lysandra had broken down in tears last night when the professors were running about trying to keep her stable.

I’ve always seen her as a conniving bitch without a heart. But tonight... There was that familiar hint of sincerity in her words.

My chest fell with a heavy exhale. Gods, I better not regret this.

"We do need extra magic power anyway," I shrugged. "Of course, Lysandra. We’ll appreciate your help... but this doesn’t mean I trust you."

As Lysandra’s smile widened, Rebecca cleared her throat. "What’s the situation like? Luther told us something about... possessed professors?"

I nodded, already turning on my heels. "This way."

Azrael and I led them to the old Bloodoak tree. Waiting around the sturdy tree trunk were the corrupted school officials—Dean Thorne and five other professors.

They were fastened to the tree with glowing silver magic chains of my creation.

"Wait." I raised a hand, noticing something.

The sigils on their necks had started fading away, while they regained consciousness. Thorne was the first to raise his head, his eyes narrowed with confusion.

His gaze swept over each of us before he blurted. "What in the witch goddess’ name is going on here?"

"That’s what we’d like to know, Dean," I shot back, folding my arms across my chest. "Tell us what happened. From the top."