Celeste’s POV

*****

"I’m telling you, that’s all we can remember," Dean Thorne insisted for the umpteenth time, still bound by my magic chains. "Varrick said something was off with the wards... we didn’t see it at first, and then—everything just went dark."

He paused, eyes sweeping past each of us. "... I could hear her whispers as the chaotic energies consumed our minds."

"So," Rebecca cleared her throat, "you mean to tell me that one woman—a werewolf nonetheless—was able to bring down a group of Professors AND the academy’s Dean?"

"It’s hard to believe," Professor Varrick chimed, "until you’re the one faced with her power."

"However she did it," the female witch professor added, "it’s clear to us that she has some kind of help. From a very powerful witch maybe."

Azrael and I exchanged a glance at that last part. It’s just like we’d been saying when I tried tracking Atlas. Which means—

"They’re telling the truth." Silas rubbed the bridge of his nose, turning away from them. "Just release them."

I noticed the restraint in his tone.

Silas and I never got real closure over the whole Amelia having control over him. To be honest, I didn’t fully trust him yet—not with that tattoo on his chest waiting for the bitch to trigger.

With a light breath, I flicked my wrist. The chains dissipated into light specks, freeing the Dean and professors. "Sorry for keeping you guys like that." I smiled wryly.

Thorne was the first to get to his feet.

He rubbed his wrists, snapping his neck once. "It’s fine, Celeste." Contrary to what I expected, his mouth curved with pride. "Your magic hasn’t just gotten more powerful. It’s more precise. It took me too long to figure out a way to break out of those chains."

"Thanks." The gratitude was almost void from my voice. "If only I could channel that talent into finding Atlas."

Luther shifted to me. "You said you’ve tried using any objects of his for one of those tracking spells?"

"Mmhm." I sighed. "And I think the professors are right. Amelia is definitely being backed by a more powerful witch."

"What’s their end goal though?" For the first time in a while, Lysandra spoke. Our eyes met for a breath before she went on. "Are they trying to use Atlas to get to you? Or...?"

"Nyx," Azrael muttered. Seeing the confusion on most of their faces, he brought his gaze to the night sky. "Amunira did say she told the others to ’prepare’. Perhaps Amelia and this other witch plan to bait Celeste to... use her as a key or gate in summoning her."

"Uhm, Amunira?" Rebecca frowned. "Who’s that?"

"An old friend," Azrael answered quickly. "If we’re to find Atlas, we’ll need as many reinforcements as possible. Amunira might’ve been kind enough to give me a warning. But the rest of my brethren?"

"You mean..." Luther huffed. "Other vampires?"

"... Vampires?" Dean Thorne cut each of us a look. "What are you all talking about—?"

"You can drop the act now, Thorne," Azrael folded his arms in front of his chest. "I know you of all people must’ve had suspicions of my true nature all this while."

I frowned, looking between the two older men. Sure enough, the shift in Thorne’s face told me Azrael had him cornered.

"So... hold on." Rebecca lifted a hand. "We’ve got crazy professors. Vampires. An evil chaos witch getting summoned..." Her gaze moved to me. Then she squinted. "I’m still lost on how you’re connected to all this."

My mouth parted to say something—but a blood-curdling screech piercing through the night made me freeze. Everyone reacted similarly, staring heavenward in search of the sound’s source.

That didn’t take long to find.

"Vein beast!"

A huge flying Vein beast dove straight from the sky. It had membranous black wings large enough to cover the old Bloodoak tree in darkness, four glowing red eyes lined up in front of its head.

I panicked, already stumbling back... until I bumped into someone. I turned, stiffening when I saw who it was.

Silas.

His hazel orbs settled on me for a split second before he caught my waist, pulling me back. Azrael and Luther stepped forward in place of us, the former’s hand already igniting with yellow flames. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

BOOM!

A blast of fire from Azrael was all it took to drop the beast from the sky. It cried in pain, smoke clouding its form as it fell in the opposite direction.

The smell of burning flesh hit seconds before the beast slammed into the ground

"Gods of Olympus." Dean Thorne’s eyes were alive with terror. "The wards... the Vein energy corruption rendered them completely useless."

Lysandra chirped. "So that means... the academy—"

Guttural roars thundered from the academy’s main gate. Everyone turned there in unison, our postures rigid with preparation.

A six-legged insect-like beast was the first to burst through the iron gates, charging straight at us. Like it was on a mission.

This time, the Dean was the one who reacted first. He struck a palm forward, conjuring a sonic wave. The wave vibrated through the air, hitting the beast with enough force to disorient it.

Unfortunately, he’d barely brought it down when more darted in its place, coming in their tens, their roars and cries layering against each other like a bloodlusted army.

’Now might be a good time to do that thing you did in Monecito.’ my wolf echoed in my head.

’What do you mean?’

’You know—the way they didn’t attack you back then.’

I swallowed hard, my fingers twitching beside me. ’I–I don’t even know how I did that...’

The beasts were only a few meters away from getting to us now. Silas and Luther lowered themselves to the ground, ready to pounce—

—Until violet flames poured from the sky like a waterfall, sweeping out the majority of the beasts in one clean movement. The flames surged, their light so bright that I was forced to cover my eyes.

By the time I opened them again—all that was left was smoke. Charred earth. Hundreds of floating embers. And a familiar figure hovering above us, lush blonde hair whipping around her like clouds.

My shoulders slowly relaxed with relief. "M–Mom?"