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Fallen Rose Trilogy~A Vampires story

Written by:

Rina Patricia LimsicoIII- Obedience


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~ Are there even such thingsas happy endings in the real

world?

PREFACE

Never in my life did I experience this kind of feeling...This feeling that is so vivid in my stomach that it almostmade me sick. Dreamily, I stared at Nathaniel as though he

was the sun. He must have sensed me because he turned tome then flashed me one of his blinding smile.

Somebody beside me sighed with annoyance. Aina,hes not that cute you know. Rica said as she gave me oneof her doubtful looks. Dont tell me you like him because helooks exactly like Nathan. I blushed then I looked at myfoot. I felt my stomach curl up into a tight ball when Ismelled the basil scent of Nathaniel as he neared us.

Hey, wolf. Nathaniel greeted Rica with a sneer. She in

return rolled her eyes at him before greeting him using theancient language. Diyetra, Louyvierre. Hello, snake. Ricaglared at Nathaniel as though she wanted him gone.

Nathaniel snorted at Rica then he turned to me. I couldfeel my face turn a bright shade of red as I peered at himthrough my eyelashes. Hey aina Youre going to be on theplay right? He asked me while he adjusted his sword belt.

Yeah Im going to play the role of PrincessEsperanza. I said slowly because I just noticed a somethingstrange passed in Nathaniel's eyes as I mentioned my role.Rica suddenly trembled beside me and I was vaguely awarethat Robert and his coven are coming towards us.

Nathaniel cursed under his breath then he looked at meand said. See you at the practice aina. Before hedisappeared and Neal appeared in front of me.

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Hey. He said coolly as if he didnt even notice Ricatrembling beside me nor did he notice that my pack hasformed a semi-circle behind me. My expression suddenlydarkened as I remembered what happened in the woods.

Neal tried to get closer to me but before I could react,Danny pushed me back a little so I ended up in the middle ofmy pack. Back off, leech. Danny growled at Neal, I noticedwhat was happening immediately so I pushed Danny behindme then I faced Neal.

Leave us alone, Neal. We dont want any trouble sojust please go away. I said to him in a cold voice. I glared athim as he shrugged.

He smiled at me again then he turned towards hiscoven without taking his eyes off me. Kent. He said and I

immediately knew what was happening.So did the others because Danny pulled me away just

as Rica stepped in front of me and did a counter-spell thatwill backfire to the user. I felt a slight pressure in the air andwhen I looked up. I saw a smoke forming between Rica andKent. Apparently Kent is putting up a good fight.

I tried to attack the other coven but Danny is keeping atight hold on me so I shouted a spell above the confusion ofsmoke and power. Bedalte! Stop. Everything around me

froze including the smoke and the wind. Diaspora!Disperse. A slight shift in the air then without any warning,Neal and his coven disappeared to a far away place.

I sighed and let my spell disappear into the light. Aftereveryone unfroze, I immediately felt my strength decrease.Aina? You okay? Danny breathed on my ear. I nodded andstood up.

I broke away from him and stood there in front of mypack. Theyll be back. I told them with a scowl on my face.

Nicole started shaking her head in disagreement. Howcan you be sure aina? I mean, we dont even know what theywant. She said tilting her head to one side.

I took a deep breath then I looked at her in the eye. Iknow what they want and thats my power. She flinchedand looked away. I turned to look at the others. So I can besure that theyll be back.

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I know they will because they wont stop until they gotmy power, got me married to prinx or kill me without asecond thought. I told Rica and Danny in my mind. Ill haveto stop this war once and for all and Im sure Ill need your

help.Both Rica and Danny looked at me with a hint ofsadness as they nodded to me. I broke away from my packand walked towards the forest of era until I melted into theshadows.

I looked at the full moon as I walked inside the forest,unaware of everything around me not even hearing the howlof the wolves that seemed very distant now

CHAPTER 1: GOODBYE, NICK

Ten years ago, a little girl name Aina sat down in asnow covered ground. It was Christmas Eve when a warbroke out near their village. Ainas parents were theguardians of this certain village so they set out to stop thewar from getting out of control, leaving Aina to her brother.

The two of them quickly set out towards a safer place butwhen they were seeking shelter, Aina got separated from herbrother. She didnt know where she was, so she justcontented herself by sitting on the ground and waited for herbrother.

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Aina never did find her family again. After the warended, she walked towards the north thinking her parentswere waiting for her beyond the setting sun.

As she walked down a beaten path, a woman appeared

in front of her. The woman had a very pale skin and silverhair, she leaned down at Aina and then she smiled.Are you lost little girl? she asked. Aina just stared at

her and didnt speak. The womans smile faltered before shetransformed into a monster with long nails and pointy teeth.

Aina was stuck to her place in shock, the monsterlunged for Aina. Fortunately, a hand came out of nowhereand saved her. After that, Aina didnt remember whathappened next.

She woke up on an orphanage three months later. She

didnt remember anything that happened in her past exceptthat her name was Aina Sugihara and that she had a goldenlocket that wont open no matter what. Sometimes though,she dreamt of her last memories with her brother and thatwas all. No relatives, no friends, nothing.

Nobody in the orphanage pestered her about her pastand she was grateful for that. After a year, she was soonadopted by a tall, plump man named Houriss and his short,annoying sister named Isabel.

Aina was never happy with her life ever since the dayshe woke up in the orphanage not even rememberinganything about her family except that her brother was stillout there looking for her.

* * * * *

In the present15-year old Aina is sitting in her mid-

afternoon algebra class but instead of listening, she isstaring out of the window dreamily. Aina is twirling her longblack hair with a pale finger while her dark brown eyes arescanning the horizon. You know, so much that I want to denythe truthI still cant because of my promise that I still dontknow why I still kept it. And even though I really, REALLY

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want to deny itI still cant change the fact that I am andwill always be Aina.

I suppressed a sigh as I stared out of the window; Ienvy the birds that fly freely in the sky and the plants that

enjoy the warmth of the sun. I wish that I would be outsidethis moment; sitting under one of those trees but instead Imstuck here in this stupid algebra class

Ms. Sugihara, you know thatit would be more politeif you will be with us this moment and listen to thediscussion, instead of daydreaming all day. Mr. Lukemockingly said from behind me. Everybody in my class burstinto laughter, except one guyNick. I looked at my shoesuntil the bell rang then I ran out.

Nick soon caught up with me when I was rounding the

corner. He looked agitated and from the looks of his messyhair, I would guess that hes been sleeping the whole hour.At least nick isnt like my other classmates who are back-stabbers.

You know Aina? He shouldnt have humiliated you infront of the class like that. At least, you arent dozing off likethe others! nick said angrily. I gave him a weak smile thathe quickly returned.

Nick is the only one in the whole school who hasnt

called me a freak, at least notyet. I stared blindly ahead as Iremembered the first time we met

It was the season of fall. I was sitting under one ofthe willow trees while reading a book to pass the time whena guy with dark brown hair and light blue eyes approachedme.

Hello, my names nick moon. He said while holdingout a hand, I stared at his hand then I looked at him.

Is this some kind of a joke? I wanted to ask him but Iheld my tongue.

Ercan I sit here? he asked me while pointing in thevacant spot beside me, I nodded once then I resumedreading my book.

Both of us sat in silence for a few minutes while a softbreeze swayed the trees. Out of the corner of my eye, nick

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kept snatching glances at me and looked like he was aboutto start a conversation but thought better of it.

Hey nick! Lets go dude or else were in for a seriousyelling from coach! a guy shouted from across the lawn.

Dont worry! Ill catch up with you in a minute! Nickshouted from beside me and when the student was gone, heturned uncertainly to me.

Er see you tomorrow aina. then he stood up.How did he know my name? I asked myself in my mind.

When nick was half way across the lawn, I heard a crack.I stood up slowly, looking at nick who was fifteen feet

away from me when suddenly a strong breeze suddenlyblow in, I heard a loud snap and I saw a huge branch felldirectly towards him.

Hey, watch out! I shouted while in a mid-stride, I sawhim turn to me then he looked up. The last thing I saw isnick putting his arms in his head because I put my hands inmy eyes.

I didnt hear any crash but just to be sure, I slowlyremoved my hands from my eyes. What I saw totally left mewith my mouth hanging openthe branch is floating a fewfeet from nick like there was an invisible shield stopping thebranch from hitting him.

He stared at the branch then he slowly looked at melike he didnt believe what happened, he stood upuncertainly then he jogged towards me.

HHow did you do that? The loudness of his voicemade me jump which made the levitating branch also hit theground.

III dont know I said to him while shaking myhead, I was shocked by what happened. I cant even feel mylegs anymore.

You just saved my life. He told me then he smiled. Iquickly returned his smile, grateful to finally found a friend.

I shook my head back to the present then I sighed.Hello! Earth to ainaAre you still there? he asked me

which made me chuckle, I looked at a small family crossingthe street as we walked.

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Sorry, I was just thinking of the first time we met. Itold him as we walked around the corner, I let out anothersigh because I saw the dark blue rooftop of my fosterfather's house.

HmmReally? I thought you might be thinking of howto finally escape houriss. He said jokingly again before hesaid good-bye to me, I walked slowly towards the house thenstopped just before I opened the door.

I heard voices in the house.One was the grumbling voice of my foster father

houriss which made me snort in irritation and the other wasthe voice of someone unknown to me. He sounded like aprofessional and had a touch of British accent as he spoke.

Good morning Mr. Dale. We are here about your

adopted daughteraina. Our school committee is interestedat her because of her unusual talents, so we are asking foryour permission if you will permit us to enroll aina to ourschool. She will be taken to our school to enhance herabilities and talents that havent been the mans voicewas quickly cut off by Houriss loud and grouchy voice.

Aina doesnt have any abilities, she is worthless and ifyou are here just for her then you are just wasting your time.Isabel, my sisteron the other handis very talented and I

assure you she is more interesting than ainawho on theother hand is useless.I felt my blood suddenly boil in frustration. I mean, Im

not useless or worthless either. In fact, I was even the onewho is doing all the chores and the cooking in the housewhile they sat there like king and queen.

Im sorry but we are here for aina, if she agrees tocome with us then we will take her away and she will studyon our school. Aina could board one of the rooms in thedormitories designed for the students. The man saidcountered houriss, I felt a hope rise inside my dark andmiserable life. Im gonna be taken away from my irritatingfoster father at last!

I pushed the door slowly and when Im inside Islammed it shut with my foot. I walked towards the livingroom where I found a man with black hair and light brown

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eyes sitting on the sofa across the plump figure of houriss. Isaw another guy about eighteen years old. He has a paleskin which feels oddly familiar and he also has a pair of scaryblack eyes that followed my every movement.

I walked hurriedly towards my room just behind thesofa where the O, hail king houriss sat. I could almost seea crown materializing on his fat head as I passed behind him.

Aina, come here you brat! houriss shouted frombehind me, I rolled my eyes at my door then I opened it. Myusual creaky bed greeted me with annoyance; I never getenough sleep because of that bed.

I removed my body bag then I threw it towards mypillows, it missed and landed instead at the edge of my bedbut fortunately it didnt fall off.

I stepped back from my room then I slowly closed thedoor. I walked towards houriss who was tapping his foot withimpatience.

I cant help but roll my eyes on his fat and greasy backbefore I walked around the sofa which made me almostcollide with Isabel, who scowled at me and pushed me away.She put down a plate of cookies and three glasses of milk onthe table then she smiled sweetly at the visitors which mademe scowl silently to myself.

Ill bet all my allowances that she just bought that milkand cookies across the street; I mean she never touches oreven dare to see any cooking utensils!

Isabel gave me a dark look before she walked back tothe kitchen

Hurry up, will you?! he hissed at me Dont be such anuisance to my life!

I sighed miserably before I sat beside him; houriss gaveme a warning look before he turned to smile at the visitors. Ihurriedly shifted my attention to my shoes.

Please excuse her rudeness. Houriss said politely tothe man, his politeness made me scowl at my shoes.

Aina, this is Mr. Scothmark Mr. Scothmark, this isAina. He introduced us to each other.

Please, call me Dane. The man said while we shookhands and after we finished, he continued. Its nice to

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finally meet you, Aina. We were just talking about you goingto our school. If you will be permitted then we will take youfar south to our school where you can enhance yourabilities one by one my hopes has started to resurface and

finally escaped the dark depths of my miserable soul.That is if you will permit us. Dane told houriss whomerely grunted before he gruffly said.

If it will take freak show away from this house and ourlife thenfine! He threw his arms, I surpressed a gasp ofdelight I smiled at him. Dane drew a sigh of relief; he lookedat me with finality.

Aina, can you pack your stuff today? We will leave assoon as you finished packing but only pack the things youwill use for the trip because there are clothes there you

could borrow. Dane told me, I nodded once then I quicklywalked to my room.

I pulled my clothes from my cabinet then I crammed itinto the body bag I used earlier. I stuff it with the books thenI stood up, thats when I caught a glint of gold in my pillow. Isnatch the pillow then I pulled out the locket that is left ofmy past, I hurriedly put it around my neck.

I took hold of the strap of my body bag as I ran back tothe living room. In my excitement, I collided this time on

Isabel. She landed on the floor with a loud thud while I fallface first on the floor. Fortunately, two hands came out ofnowhere and took me by the arms, I stumbled slightly but Istayed upright. I turned my head around to who was holdingme and saw myself looking in the black eyes of the pale guy,I heard houriss coughed sarcastically from where he wasseating. The guy quickly let go of me, faster than I couldimagine a human being could go then he moved away. Danenodded at him as the pale guy passed like there was someinvisible connection going on between them.

Hmmvery nice, aina. Fifteen minutes is faster than Iexpected. So, are you ready to go? Dane asked me, I heardhouriss snort before I nodded happily.

I followed behind Dane as we walk out of the door; Ismiled quietly to myself as I finally left my miserable lifebehind.

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CHAPTER 2: What an odd

night

Aina, are you hungry? Danes head popped out of thefront passenger seat, his driver sat rigid behind the wheelwhichunfotunately for meleaves me to sit with the oddguy. Ever since we got out of the car and into the house, hewas straining away as far as the cars space could provide. Iwas starting to think that Im a newly developed virus thatcould kill by just physical contact.

Remembering Danes question, I thought about it for aminute. The last time I ate was lunch at the school and

judging by the position of the moon, its probably about pastmidnight by now. My mind suddenly flashbacked at the timewhen nick used to tease me about my accuracy to tell thetime by just looking at the position of the sun or the moon,an ability I learned back at houriss house when Isabel usedto throw me out of the house just because she wants to.

That memory with nick suddenly sends a pang of guilt which

hurt as if I was being shot by a gun again and again.Oh no. I havent even told him I was going away! I know

that its not my fault that I havent told him I was going awaybecause Dane only came to my house this afternoon butstill

I looked at Dane hopefully, maybe I could ask him if Icould borrow his phone for a minutehes a guy who travelsa lot surely he has one, right?so I could at least call nickand tell him the bad news, I dont even care if its late to

make a call but the guilt of leaving him unaware is killingme. I was just opening my mouth to ask him when the oddguy spoke up and answered the question that was meant forme.

Well, Im hungrydo you think you could at least dropme off here? I looked wide-eyed at him, this is the first time

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I heard him spoke and his voice sounded like it came from agod instead of an ordinary senior student.

Nobodys asking you, Robert. Just sit down therequietly and would stop your growling. Dane snapped at him,

Robert slumped back on his seat looking defeated andirritated.He must have sensed me looking at him because he

turned to look at me warily at first, the wariness quicklyturned to friendliness when he found out that I wont lash outat him (Yeah right). He grinned at me widely; I blushed again(Ugh! What is wrong with me?). I gave him a shy smile; hisanswering smile almost melted my heart.

Aina, are you hungry? Dane repeated his question; Inodded while still staring at Roberts coal black eyes.

I suddenly felt the car make a hard right; it turnedtowards a luxurious looking restaurant. My heart skipped abeat when the car makes another turn making me hitRoberts chest, he looked at me with quiet satisfaction in hiseyes as I tried to sit upright.

The car halted outside luxury the restaurant, Danecame out first and when I turned to look at Robert he wasnot in his seat.

Come on out Aina. Roberts voice suddenly made me

jump; he was already outside my door holding it open forme.How did you get out that fast? I asked him

confusingly as I got out of the car, he just shrugged and thenhe flashed me again his perfect smile.

Im used to being fast. He caught my wrists then heclosed the door as he pulled me away.

But I tried to protest because his explanation is notenough, you are just too fast! For goodness sake! I wantedto tell him but he put a finger on my lips then he continuedto drag me towards the restaurant.

Inside the luxury was amazing, the tables are made ofcrystal and the walls are made of mirrors so you could easilysee outside forest. Dane asked a waiter for the best seat inthe house while I was distracted by the place; Robert tuggedmy sleeves towards the table.

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After a while, I was just surprised when the food wasserved. There are many dishes that are unfamiliar to me butnevertheless it smells amazing. Robert started to stare at mefunnily.

Go on Aina, eat up youll need all your energy fortomorrow. Dane said as I hesitated at eating the food, Igave him a smile as I tried the dishes.

During the rest of the hour we were eating, I kept onglancing at Robert. I was a little puzzled because he wasnteating at all; he was even the one who was complaining thathe was hungry.

After an hour, I excused myself from the table. I quicklyheaded towards the powder room, unaware that Robert wasfollowing me.

Aina, do you have friends at your old school? Robertsvoice made me suddenly stop on my tracks; I turned myhead towards him.

Yeah I do, his name is nick hes my best friend. Thetalk about nick brought tears to my eyes, so I quickly lookedaway embarrassingly.

Hmm do you like him? I decided not to answer thatone as I continued to walk towards the powder room. Withno noise or warning whatsoever, Robert suddenly appeared

in front of me.Please answer my question Aina do you like him ornot? his voice didnt sound threatening but my conscienceis screaming to me to Run away! Hide! Scream!

I felt a shiver down my spine as Robert gave meanother funny look, which I tried to avoid but to no Vail. I juststared at him eye to eye unable to look away, he took a steptowards me at the same time that I felt something cold reston my shoulder. I froze.

Roberto Shievalle Stewart! Stop threatening this girlimmediately or else youll get detention for the wholemonth! deep with a British accent, Danes voice shoutedfrom behind me which quickly stopped Robert in his track,his confident and authorative voice also brought comfort tomy mind that I almost fainted in relief.

But Dane I was just asking Aina if

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No buts, Stewart go back to the car and get thedriver to run the car. His voice left no room for argument,which made Roberts broad shoulders to slump in defeat. Ashe walks away, Dane turned to me with a look of

reassurance.Aina, are you hurt? You look pale. I just shooked myhead then I turned towards my original destination, Danenodded at me once before walking towards the exit.

Inside the powder room, I splashed my face with hotwater. It helped stop the shivering in my spine and calmedmy mind, I sighed as I stared at my reflection. My black hairwas a mess so I tried to comb it with my fingers, when I gotmy hair to its natural wavy straightness. I got out of therestaurant and walked towards the car, unfortunately I was

still stuck with Robert at the back of the car.The car was already weaving the highway even before I

got then door closed, afraid that Robert will give me anotherone of his funny looks. I turned my head to the window andstared at the black forest until my eyes were heavy, I felt anicy cold hand took hold of my arm and pulled me away fromthe window.

Startled, I turned to where the cold was coming from.Roberts black eyes caught mine which send my heart to

overdrive.Dont worry I wont bite. I was puzzled by his wordsbut his eyes said everything, he was sorry.

I smiled contently as he pulled me closer to him; Isnuggled happily at his chest. Honestly, his freakishly coldbody was relaxing in the warm autumn night that I feltmyself slid into unconsciousness

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CHAPTER 3: CELESTIAL HIGH

I woke up with a start when I heard a door slam; the

sun was just rising so everything was still a bit dim.You had a nice sleep? Robert asks as I got out of thecar, we were in a middle of an untamed forest.

Yeah, I got a bit of sleep. I told him as I stretched mystiff body, every bone of mine cracked.

Only a bit? I thought that by the way you snored youwill have enough sleep already. He told me with a teasingsmile, my cheeks reddened quickly in response.

I dont snore, thank you very much. I rolled my eyesthen I looked at the tall trees and an old mansion. And

where are we anyway?Robert only smiled at me; I almost melted there in my

spot if it werent for Dane who materialized out of nowhereand beckoned us to follow him.

Come on, youll find out soon Robert took my armand dragged meagaintowards the old mansion; I startedhaving Goosebumps when he held me tighter.

Aina, WelcomeDane said mysteriously then heopened the two wooden door of the masionto celestial

high!I let out a small gasp when I saw that inside the

mansion was a very huge field that is enough to hold twothousand students at once; students were playing soccer onone side and another playing tennis. From the corner of myeye, I saw Dane and Robert smile at me. The students gaveway as we followed Dane across the field; all eyes are on meas I walk tensely beside Robert. The whole place smelled abit odd and the aura of the place is so strong that my hair

stood on ends.Luckily, Dane shoved me inside a room followed by himand shut the door. Robert

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CHAPTER 4: New Beginning

A bird chirped outside my room as I stared at myself inthe mirror. I was blowing my hair when I recalled my dreamlast night. In my dream, it was dark and musty. I was walkingtoward a prisoners cell where I saw a little girl sobbinginside the corner of her cell. Sympathy touched my heartwhen the little girl called for her mom, I reached out a handto comfort her but then the darkness swallowed me up.

Ugh! I made a face as I put on a denim skirt and agreen sleeveless top. I wanted to make a good first

impression on my first class starting with the way I dressedbut how hard I tried. Every outfit I put on doesnt seem to fitme.

In the end, I stuck with wearing an orange jacket over adark purple tank top and a dark blue skirt. I was putting onmy socks when I saw some books on top of the study table.

Being such a bookworm, I approached the table andlooked at the titles of the books. It turned out that thesebooks are what Ill be using for my classes. I picked up one

book. The one which was leather bound, but as my handtouched its cover. A sort of shock runs through me. The booklanded on the floor with a thud then it opened in a randompage. I stared at a blank page.

Suddenly, the edges of the pages started to blackenthen the blackened edges started to merge in the middle. At

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first it was just a series of unillegible words, but it continuedto scramble itself until I could read the words. It said:

Diaspora spellium

~A spell used to defend at the same time used asoffensive. In defensive state, you could use it to deflect anattack. You could also use it as a magnet, use this spell toattract things to you and also prevent an item from hitting

you.

I suddenly remembered when I saved nick from that

branch. So I used a Diaspora spell without me noticing it, Ithought silently.

My mind was still digesting that piece of info whenitems around me started floating without me noticing what Iwas doing. I only became aware of it when I saw a pencilfloating near my head.

I stared hard at the pencil before I looked at the otherfloating things in my room.

Wow. How did you do that? That spell is supposed to

be advanced but you activated it without even aware of ityou must be really good! I jumped as a girl just about myage walked into my room and smiled at me. Oops! Sorry tostartle you, my names mandy nite! the girl smiled as shestopped beside me, she was an inch taller than me and has along black hair which parted in the side just like mine butinstead of dark brown eyes, she has a couple of milky browneyes.

Urr hey, Im aina. I said while smiling. Mandychuckled while looking around my room.

Silly! I already know you! Did you know that when theteachers told us you are moving here every student talkedabout you every minute like you are the President of theUnited States! Mandy looked at me eye to eye and Isuddenly felt this weird feeling that she is trying to read mymind.

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Erm well thats odd. I muttered while grabbing mybooks then emptying my bag.

Ah ha ha Its not odd you know! Mandy movedaway as the things that were floating started to fall down

with a thud.How come? I asked her while putting all my booksinside my bag. I felt Mandys gaze at my back as I locked mybag.

You mean you didnt know!? I looked at Mandy withconfused expression as she started gaping at me.

What? What is it? The crease on my foreheaddeepened. I walked away and sat on my bed.

Come on aina! You must know something about yourhistory! Even before Mandy was finished, I was already

shaking my head.Sorry Mandy but I cant remember anything from

my past. I fitted on a Chuck Taylor shoes which reach untilbelow my knee, Mandy sat down on the floor as she lookedat me with concentration.

You really dont know, do you? I shook my head whilemandy sighed.

Okay Ill explain to you while we walk why its notodd that you are popular in this school. With that, mandy

stood up then she beckoned me to follow her out of myroom. I took my bag and then I walked out of my room. Thedoor slid into place as I walk with mandy down to thegrounds.

Start talking. I told her as we passed a couple ofstudents who stopped and stared at me as they heard myvoice.

You do know that your parents are loyalty, right? Inodded as I recalled the elder talking about a throne. Good.Well your parents control a kingdom full of werewolves andmortals. I studied about how your parents defeated the armyof vampires when I was in my childhood days. Your parentsare part of our history so it is a very huge honor to have theironly daughterWhich is youto enroll at our school. Iremained silent for a while as she walks towards one of thecottages.

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Mandy I looked at her before she opened the door.Yeah? Whats up?I Do you know where my brother is? Mandy smiled

at me as she opened the door.

Sorry aina I dont know but maybe Dane knows, theonly thing I know is that your brother graduated here. Inodded slightly as I followed her into the room then I lookedaround. Every bit of the wall is covered with rows and rowsof file drawers. There was a single counter in the far side ofthe room.

Lucas!! Mandy shouted. There was a distant replybefore she shouted again. We need the schedule of ainasugihara!!

Mandy smiled shyly at me just before a cute guy came

out holding a paper. I stared at him more when he nearedus. Hehas eight hands just like a spider.

Geez Mandy you dont have to shout you know.The guy named Lucas looked annoyingly at Mandy before heturned and stared at me like the other students. YouShe! Lucas stammered as Mandy noddedunderstandingly. I smiled at him while holding out my handfor my schedule. Mandy nudged him then she rolled hereyes.

Huh? Oh, umm s-sorry about that. Here! Lucashanded me the paper with trembling hand. Mandy shovedme out of the room in a flash. Just as I heard a distant bellrang.

She dragged me towards another cottage with a signof general education. I nodded thankfully at her as she saidgood-bye. I then looked at my schedule before going inside.Monday

~General education, fighting arts, levitating class,black arts, Chemistry 101, Elemental arts, Cam class, andmystic arts.

At least theres no algebra I thought happily to myself. The door in front of me suddenly opened revealing abeautiful woman of about her thirties. She smiled at mehappily before I came into the room.

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Umm Mandy said I gave the schedule to her, thewoman signed on one of the subjects while I looked down onmy foot. Many students are already staring at me curiously.

Welcome to celestial high aina, you can call me rose

because thats what they usually call me around thecampus. You can seat at the back, dont worry I was juststarting my class. I was walking towards the back seatwhen a girl a year older than me stuck out her foot to tripme. I nimbly jumped over it before seating on my seat. Thegirl gave me a dark look while rose is talking in the front.

General education is a class in which helps youdiscover your hidden talents and abilities. Rose pausedthen she gazed around the room. There are 48 here today,so I want you to partner up with someone before we would

start our activity. I will only give all of you 20 minutes, nodelays. At that she left the room without another word. Theother students started talking to each other, others startedto form groups. I noticed a group of girls in the nearby cornerwith the girl who tried to trip me, talking to her audiencewith an angry look. I averted my attention to the other sideof the room where the boys are crowding and by the looksthat they kept on giving me, I wonder what they are sayingabout me.

Hows your first day here so far? A guy with ashaggy mess of a hair and surprisingly green eyes looked atme. I didnt notice until now that he was the one who isseated in front of me.

I think its fine so far. I said in a far away voice, thenoise all around us became silent as they tried to listen toour conversation.

So far He repeated then he smiled at me. ImJake, Jake Stewart.

Wait, Stewart? Are you related to Robert? I looked athim, Jake let out an irritated sigh.

Yeah. Hes my older brother, an irritating hell of anolder brother. Jake said grimly then he looked at me. Letme guess hes been very nice to you, didnt he?

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My silence confirmed that, I cant think of Robert as asnob of a brother but I heard the honesty in Jakes voice thatI cant help but wonder if he really is irritating.

Oh hey, want to be partners? the air inside the room

suddenly became tense that I cant help but look arounduncomfortably.Uhh sure, why not? A guy from the corner of the

room looked up at me when he heard my answer. He hasthose pair of brown eyes that caught my eye and a shortmessy auburn hair. He looked at me with a bored expressionas I looked away.

Students, please go back to your seats now. We willstart our activity shortly. Roses voice rang out inside thesuddenly very silent room. Jake turned his back to me as

rose swept the room with her gaze. Okay, I see that everyone of you has a partner so lets start. She then beganthrowing papers in the air then she muttered something, thepapers suddenly threw itself down one by one to the desk ofeach student. I got a paper with a griffin on it, the griffin isblack with a huge open wings.

Your activity will be that you will try to turnyourselves with the help of your partners into the creatureon your designated papers. Ill give the rest of my time for

you to practice. I expect that youll be able to show thecreature by tomorrow. You can start now. Several studentsdisappeared from their seats and appear somewhere aroundthe room practicing already.

Aina, lets go. Jake pulled me out of my seat anddragged me to one corner of the room. So what kind ofcreature did you get? He asked me when we are safely inthe corner of the room.

I held up the paper I got while he gaped, he poutedwhile he showed me a white Belgian tiger.

Your griffin is better than my tiger, that so unfair! Ilaughed as he showed me a puppy dog eyes which didntwork.

Come on. Lets get started before we fail. I saidwhile looking at the paper.

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Uhh Jake, how do we get started? I asked whilelooking up at him, I found myself looking at a very big tiger.

The only indication that I knew that he is Jake is because ofits bright green eyes.

I backed away a little as he changed back to hisnormal human form. His jeans were torn and his shirt wasshredded to pieces.

Easy. Just concentrate on the form you wanted thendirect all your energy to your body. I was still confusedabout how to do it but I have no choice but to imitate theway he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. As I closemy eyes and do the deep breathing, I pulled out a visualimage of the griffin from my mind and concentrated on it.

I suddenly felt giddy as the blood pounded on my ears,

everything around me seems to swirl and I felt like I wasbeing stretched. I let out a gasp while I opened my eyes.

Jake was looking up at me with satisfaction.Cool. Lets call rose so you could change back. Jake

suddenly disappeared in front of me like a ghost. I lookedaround the room with my griffin eyes. Everything looked likeyou are looking from a magnifying glass. I looked at the girlwho tried to trip me and saw her skin glittering when thesuns rays hit her.

Oh aina! How wonderful! You already got the hang ofit. Rose said as I looked down at her, I tried to talk but theonly noise that came out was a loud kraaawwk! which asyou guessed it, made everybody look at my direction.

Rose produced a big mirror in front of me so I couldsee myself more clearly. A big black griffin stood in front ofme, I stood up straightly and it did the same. Wow this isso cool, I thought to myself as I opened my wings.

Alright aina, time for you to change back. Just repeatwhat you did before and youll be fine. Jake said while Iclose my eyes and concentrated really hard to my originalform. This time I felt myself being squeezed on every side ofmy body. When I opened my eyes for the last time, myvision was back to normal and fortunately my outfit was nottorn in anyway unlike jakes torn shirt and pants.

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Ugh. I dont feel good. My vision started gettingblurred as Jake took hold of my arm to keep me fromwobbling. Rose nodded as if she already knew this wascoming.

Yes, that always happens to first timers to do thiskind of transformation. Rose let me sat on my seat whilethe other students followed me with their gaze. Are youfeeling dizzy? Or some throbbing at your head?

I shook my head as I felt the dizzy spell left me as fastas it came. Rose nodded to me before she turned to theothers.

Go on. Go back to work everybody, nothing to seehere. Rose left us to sit on her own desk. Jake snickered asa guy winked at me from their group.

You know Jake. I still cant believe that Robert is thatbad I mean, he looks nice and sweet and all. Jake gaveme aw-come-on look before he spoke.

Aina, Im his brother! I always see him every dayfromsunrise till sunset and you wouldnt even believe me. Jakesface was crestfallen because I still cant believe him thensomething hit my head.

Ouch. I muttered as I picked up a piece of rock. Jakepursed his lips trying unsuccessfully to hide his laughter.

I quickly looked around the room trying to figure outwho threw the rock but everybody seemed busy talking,texting and smiling at each other. I examined the rock thathit my head. It was not a rock really, it was a crystal. Abeautiful, shining orange crystal that is darker on its edges,creating an image of fire when I held it to the sun.

Co-o-ol. Jake snatched the crystal away from me andstared at it more closely, his thumb twirled it around andaround.

Come on Jake, give it back. Ill ask rose later whatkind of stone this is. Jake gave the thing back then I heard adistant bell rang and all the other students returned to theirseat.

All right everyone. Your assignment for tomorrow is toread I havent heard what rose was saying because I hadtoo many thoughts talking at my mind all at once.

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Come on hes not that bad but if Jake is telling thetruth then that means that Robert is only being nice to mebecause

Aina! Hey aina! You okay? Mandy raised her hand up

and down my face. In return, I gave her an apologetic look. Ihavent realized that we are already walking to my nextclass.

Sorry, I was onlythinking. I looked at a couple ofstudents who were pushing each other playfully. Heymandy, is it true that Robert isyou know, bad? I turned toher uncertainly when she only nodded and didnt talk untilwe were in front of my next room.

YeahHes a little picky on others, he bullies otherkids who are weaker than him and you know her voice

lowered to a whisper that I have to strain my ears to hearwhat she is saying. When we were in grade school, a girlactually angered him andit was very sad, well the onlything I could say is that. It consists of hanging in the neckand six months in the hospital for the girl. My eyes widenedas I listened but mandy looked on as if she was onlycommenting on the weather.

I walked inside my next class where a tall, bearded mangave me a dark look. UmmIm sorry Im late sir, I was

just He raised his chin which made me more nervous andmade the words I was saying came out with a rush. ErMandy said you need to, um, sign this I gave him thepaper I was holding. I heard him snort before he took mypaper and signed it with flourish.

Next time try not to be late Ms. Sugihara, punctualityis my only policy in this class. I opened my mouth toapologize again but he thundered on. Punctuality is alsoneeded in a fight, you understand Ms. Sugihara? I nodded.All right, my name is Lexus Revalle. I will be your teacher infighting arts, you can go sit on the back aina. At least, itaina now. I thought as I walked to the back of the class,enduring the humiliation I got. Just as I was nearing my seat,something caught my eye.

It was the same guy who looked at me with a boredexpression in Roses class. He was looking straight ahead

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but he quickly straightened his shoulders when I sat besidehim.

There are many kinds of weapon when fightingthetwo kinds of weapons is the short ranged and the long

ranged weapons. For example, for the long ranged weaponsare the spears, bow and arrow, a lasso and others. For theshort ranged weapons are the swords, sabers and etc Itried to write everything in my notebook but I was too slowand Lexus was too fast.

In the end, I gave up writing because Lexus wasalready changing into a new activity and I was still stuck inthe previous topic. Unexpectedly, a notebook appeared infront of me. I looked at the guy beside me but he was stilllooking ahead, not meeting my eye.

Uhhthanks. I whispered while copying from hisnotes. His writing was like typed in the computer, it wasperfect and his writing doesnt show that he was in a hurrywriting his notes.Now Ill need to group you according to your seat for the

next activity. I heard Lexus said just as I finished copying. Ireturned the notebook to the guy beside him without sayinganything. He took it slowly without removing his stare fromthe board.

This group, go over there youll be group five. Lexuspointed from me to a brunette girl with wide light blue eyes.I moved to where they are sitting and tried to look cheerful.

Hey, youreAina Sugihara, right? The brunette girllooked at me, I smiled and nodded. Im Rica, Rica Ferelleand this is Alexis Browne. She pointed to a girl sitting nextto her. Alexis looked nice and perfect with her golden hairand green eyes. She smiled sweetly at me which made herlook like an actual princess.

Hi, uhhDoes anybody know what to do? I lookedaround, the guy from Roses class stared at me with a boredexpression which matched his bored tone as he talked.

Yeah, we need to make a presentation about thedifferent fighting tactics in the battlefield. I stared at hisbrown eyes as he talked, theres something in his eyes thatcaptivated me.

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Well thats an easy one, I think aina could be one ofour fighters and Andrew here could fight her. I looked atRica with an are-you-crazy expression then I looked at theguy from roses class, he looked back at me assessing my

reaction.I-I dont think thats such a good idea. I stammeredas I looked at her with a panicked expression. Rica onlysmiled and said oh so cheerfully. Thats ridiculous aina, Ithink Ill ask Lexus to make us the first presentation. Ilooked shocked as Rica and Alexis made their way to thefront of the class, that shocked look was stuck to my face asAndrew dragged me towards them.

Andrew poised in front of me holding a long metalstick like a sword. Rica threw me another stick which is

identical to the one Andrew is holding. The metal stick waslight and moved easily in my hand, I twirled it like a batonand it moved easily enough. The cheers of my classmatesmade me blush as I realized that they were watching me.

I saw Andrew crouched then he attacked. I knew bythe looks of things that I would be hit in the head but myhand involuntarily moved and blocked off the attack before ithit my face. When Andrew lunged for me, I quickly threw himwith a judo technique that nick was teaching me. I put my

knee between his shoulder blades to keep him from standingup.Everybody cheered including Lexus as I helped Andrew

to his feet. Impressive. Thats a great display of tactic,aina. Lexus said while patting my shoulders. Okay,everybody who hasnt presented yet. Stay here. I quicklymoved to get my bag then I headed out just in time to get tomy next class.

Levitating How am I supposed to levitate when I donteven know how to jump high? I asked myself as I came into aroom which looks like a big gym. There are many studentsthere but fortunately I found mandy.

Oh, hey! she said as she turned to look at me when Ipatted her shoulder. Were on the same class! Mandylooked cheerful as we walk around. I was about to ask aquestion when Hello students! Great day to float in the

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sun, right? A guy about his forties came into the roomfloating like he was lighter than air, his white frizzy hair wasa mess as he landed in the platform and his dark green eyeslooked at the face of each student. Finally, his gaze rested

on me. A new student? Oh! You must be aina! How nice tomeet you at last! he floated towards me while the otherstudents quickly moved out of the way to avoid being runneddown by the man. Im John Jensen.

Hello sir, uh, could you please sign here. I held out apen and he signed it quickly like he was just breathing air.

All right, students. I want you to close your eyes now.Come on, close your eyes. I did what he said and only sawdarkness but I still heard his cheerful voice as he talked.Now I want you to touch the person next to you and try to

make that person float. I felt someone rest their hand onmy shoulder and suddenly a shock run through me. Theshock pushed me backwards and sends me flying. Justbefore I hit the floor, I threw out a hand and rolled safely butmy head banged on the wall pretty hard.

Aina, you okay? Mandy asked me as I stood up usingthe wall as support. I felt something warm and sticky on myhead as I put a hand there and when I looked at my hand, Isaw blood. A roll of nausea enveloped me quickly but I felt

mandy held my hand steadying me. The atmosphere in theair suddenly became tense.Oh no! Sir!I saw mandy turn to our teacher who was

already hurrying to something in the wall. James, no!Mandy moved to stop a guy with red hair and light ambereyes but he only pushed her away and then I saw him crouchin front of me readying to strike.

Instinctively, I put my arms in front of me creating an xwith my hand. When James jumped towards me with histeeth bared and nothing but a look of wildness in his eyes, Ifelt something inside me stir.

I removed my hand from my face and spreading it onmy both sides like an eagle readying to fly. I felt a suddenforce released from me and the impact send James hurtlingtowards the platform which broke into two. James lookeddazed as he lied there in the broken platform.

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My knees buckled under me as I felt all my energydrained from my attack.

Aina! Mandy again kneeled beside me lookingworried. Whats taking the doctor so long? I heard the

irritation from her voice as she put an arm at my shoulders.Ill take her to the clinic. Itll be faster that way. Iheard the bored voice of Andrew; his voice was the last Iheard before I blacked out.

CHAPTER 5: Undecided

A cool hand was touching my forehead, I was going toopen my eyes when I heard Danes voice from somewhereon my right. You know, if she keeps on getting herself in

danger. She might not have enough energy to lead the war.I heard a sigh beside me then I heard a very familiar

voice which sounded very tired. I know Dane I know but Ihave faith on my little sister and I know that shell be able totake over the kingdomsomeday. I felt a tingle in mysystem when I suddenly knew whom that voice belonged.

I felt my brother took my hand and squeezed it hardthen the space beside started to shift as he stood up.

Its still early Why dont you stay with your sister? I

mean, the two of you havent seen each other since thatwar. Dane sounded a bit concerned, I tried to open my eyesbut they felt as heavy as a whole sack of grain. Ugh!

I think that aina could survive without me, I want herto be independent. My brother kissed my forehead beforehe got out. No, wait! I want to talk to you! I wanted to say tohim but I was already slipping into unconsciousness

* * * * * * *

I dont know aina. Mandy shook her head as we walkdown the field. It was already the start of the weekends andIm still baffled on how I healed remarkably fast in a wholeday that I was able to get to her and tell her about mybrother. Are you sure you werent dreaming?

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Positive. Im sure thats my brothers voice that Iheard. We were walking in the middle of the field wheremany people are playing different ball games.

Well if your brother was here then I should have heard

of it. She furrowed her brows as she thought of something.Or maybe your brother secretly came in here without usknowing it an

All of the sudden, mandy was hit on the back of herhead with a soccer ball. She fell down and the ball bouncedoff. A handsome guy with a spiky dirty blonde hair and lightgray eyes approached up, I helped mandy to her feet.

Sorry bout that mandy, I got the ball going off on thewrong directzon His accent was just like Alaenas but hiswas less pronounced. Mandy looked annoyingly at the

ground before she moved to throw something at him but theguy dodged away so fast that he was like a blur.

Oooh, Nathan! She said through her clenched teeth.This is so going to get to Dane! Dragging me, mandystormed away. I looked back at Nathan and the otherstudents. Nathan is standing with his arms crossed on hischest, a hint of a smile crawled into his face when he saw melooking. I quickly turned away blushing.

Hey where are we going? I asked mandy as she walks

down a path.To Lucas, we need to give your paper back to himbefore lunch. I looked ahead where I found the familiarbuilding where I got my schedule.

Mandy was just opening the door, thats when I felttroubled. I felt like something is wrong, very wrong.Mandy I whispered as she opened the door revealing adark room inside.

Huh? Lucas must have gone out. She came inside theroom then she flickered on the lights. A gasp and a screammade me ran into the room revealing a very grotesque sight.

Looking absolutely pale, Lucas lied unconscious in thehands of an unknown man. The man who has fair hair andlight hazel eyes stopped sucking the blood of Lucas andturned his attention to us.

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His smile made me shudder and at the same time,made my adrenaline rush kick in. W-who are you? Mandytrembled a little as she circled the man. She looked sidewaysat me and I nodded.

A chuckle made me alert and looks at the man. Myname doesnt matter. He looked at mandy as she looked atLucas. Mandy made a run to Lucas but I saw that the man isreadying to intercept her.

Hey! I shouted, successfully distracting the man frommandy which enabled her to reach Lucas and tend hiswounds.

The man looked at me then he disappeared. I lookedaround the room and thats when I saw him. I ran then Islammed the man hard making him fell down on the floor. A

snarl came out of his lips as I held his neck to keep him frombiting me but his hands were digging at my arms.

With a sweeping move, he threw me away making mecollide with some stack of documents and file drawers. I waslooking at him with a pained look when an idea struck me.Hmm if I could turn into a griffin. I wonder if I could turninto a wolf. I mean, in all the stories Ive read aboutvampireswerewolves are usually their enemy.

I concentrated very hard on the wolf as a triumphant

look cross the mans face. I closed my eyes and I suddenlyfelt the familiar stretching feeling but this time it wasaccompanied with a warm feeling.

I heard a surprised gasp from somewhere as I openedmy eyes and growled menacingly at the man. Shocked, theman turned and fled away from me.

I sighed in my mind then I walk to mandy slowly turningback to my human form. Aina, I need your help. Would youhold him for me? Mandy was struggling to keep Lucas fromwrithing like he was in pain. I quickly held him down in placebut his chest still moved to the left and right like somethingwas trying to get out.

Hold him tight aina. She turned to Lucas with aworried expression. Dont worry Lucas youll be all rightnow. I sat with muted silence as mandy put her hands onLucas open wound then she muttered something probably a

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spell. A blue white glow covered her hand as she recited thespell over and over again, until she was shouting it.Diarumusse Vreelnium! Diarumusse Vreelnium!!DIARUMUSSE VREELNIUM!! the blue white glow was so

bright that I have to put a shield on my eyes, mandy held onLucas wound while her hair and dress flew up like a strongwind is blowing. After a minute, the glow started to dim andwhen I removed my hands I saw the reason why.

The glow transformed into a liquid-liked substancewhich mandy is pouring into the wound. That should do it.Mandy said as she wiped a film of sweat on her forehead.He should wake up soon then we could move him to theclinic. Sure enough, after several tense seconds. Lucaswoke up groaning and then he looked at us before he

massaged his head with one pair of his eight hands.Ugh. This headache is going to kill me! Mandy what

happened? he looked from mandy to me then he groaned.Wait. That man attacked me from behind when I wasarranging the schools files. He stood up then he closed hiseyes. His other three pairs of arms disappeared. I stoodthere gaping at him.

Come on aina lets get Lucas to the clinic. I tookone of his arms and supported most of his weight. We

walked out of the door then mandy locked it. We werehalfway from the cottage when mandy stopped, her face wasblank and her startled expression turned to concern.

What the? Mandy? I reached out to touch her butLucas held my hand stopping me when I looked at him, he

just shook his head.Mandys sort of having a vision right now. I looked at

him for more explanation but he only looked at mandy withconcern. Finally after a minute, mandy started to relax thenshe looked at us.

What did you see, mandy? I saw mandy give me alook of curiosity.

Aina. I saw aina. Mandys face and voice betrayed noemotion.

What? How? In what state? instead of answeringLucas question, mandy walked towards me.

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Aina? her voice was calm and soft but Im sure Idetected a change of tone in Mandys voice. Do you haveany plans for tonight?

I shook my head as I search my mind if I made a

decision tonight, nothing came up. Good. Dont. Aina,whatever you dodont go to the forest alone, understand?I nodded, still baffled. Okay, lets go Lucas. You need yourrest.

Hey, aina How did you turn into a wolf? I thoughtthat youre a human. Lucas looked at me as I shrugged andsighed.

Well, I just did the same activity we had in roses class.Only I did it with a wolf instead of a griffin. We reached theplaying field where several students stopped to ask Lucas

whats wrong. He answered their questions politely sayingthat hes been attacked but at the same time concealing thefact that the one who attacked him has escaped.

As we reached the clinic, a plump and rosy-cheekednurse took Lucas and made him sit down on a chair while adark haired doctor examined his injuries. Lucas told thedoctor about what happened while both mandy and stayedsilent as the doctor clicked his tongue loudly. Well, I cantsee any fatal injuries. Theres no sign of venom left so I think

that youll just need a rest and youll be just fine. The nursetook Lucas to the infirmary while we stayed with the doctor.Dont worry mandy your brother will be just fine. Now letme have a look at you. Mandy nodded while I stared at her.

Lucas is your brother? I asked her while the doctorexamined her.

Yeah hes my twin but were the total opposite ofeach other. The doctor gave mandy a slip while hebeckoned me to sit on the chair which mandy has justvacated.

All right aina let me see those injuries that the vampireinflicted on you. I raised arm which has a long gash butwhen I showed it to the doctor, it was gone just like my otherwounds.

Wow aina! You didnt tell me that you have awerewolfs bloodline! Mandy exclaimed while she looked at

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my arms. I looked at her with a look of that between anamazement and confusion.

Me? A werewolf? That cant be right. I looked once ather then I whirled to turn and look at the doctor whose name

is still a mystery to me.Hey, Timothy when are you going to start yourclasses again? I stifled a gasp as mandy winked at mebefore she turned to the doctor. How did she do that?! Now Iknow the doctors name.

Huh? UhhTo tell you the truth, I never give muchthought about that. He smiled sheepishly at mandy and Ihad a good look at timothy. I saw that he is not much olderthan me, Maybe a year or so only. At first look at him, helooks a bit older but with a closer look I found that he is

younger than he looked.Why not? Its nice to have a helpful wolf around when

we are doing some exercises and not to mention somebodyto make the teachers distracted for a while. Timothys fairface turned bright red as mandy elbowed him.

Err Id rather stay in the clinic than his voicetrailed off as he turned to look at me with his dark blue eyes.Wait aina. May I ask, what race do you belong?

Race? My brows furrowed with confusion as I turned

to him but when I saw mandy my confusion cleared. Oh youmean my kind? Umm I dont know.Shes has all three races. Dane came into the clinic

followed by Robert. Both mandy and timothy simultaneouslygaped at me as Dane stood beside me while Robert leanedback on the doorway. I saw several emotions pass attimothys face before he composed himself. Mandy juststared at Dane like he was talking another language. Awhole minute passed and both of them still havent movedfrom their position. If the nurse didnt come into the roomand talked to timothy, we will still be in the same position forhours.

D-Dane Mandy voice stuttered as she gave timothya nervous look before she turned to me. Are you sure ainahas all three bloodlines?

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Yes Im sure mandy. Dane replied coolly. Timothyturned bright red then suddenly turned sickly green.

Are you alright? I asked timothy and when he shookhis head, I pulled him out of the room to get some fresh air

but I could still hear mandy as she talked to Dane.But Dane, how can that be? The disbelief in Mandysvoice was obvious. Timothy turned to stare at me but I didntmind him, I was too absorbed in the conversation inside.

Her mother is a werewolf while her father is half-vampire, half-human. I leaned closer as Danes voice turnedto a whisper. She is amazing. I havent seen anyone like herin my three thousand years of teaching. She is possiblymuch more powerful than her mother and probably moredangerous than her father. The speaking suddenly stopped

when the door swung open a bit and Robert smiled down atme. I blushed before stalking away, embarrassed that Ivebeen caught eavesdropping.

Timothy followed me as I walk down the field and satdown on one of the benches there. The whole field remindedme of a park back home but this field was much, muchbigger andwider. It reminded me of nick especially when weare simply hanging out, laughing at the students who thinkof them as cool or popular but in reality they are just as

normal as any of us.So you have all three bloodlines. Timothy said simplyas he sat down beside me. I shrugged and continued downmemory lane as he continued. My brother has threebloodlines too.

That shifted my attention to him. Really? He laughedat my expression then his face grew dark.

Yeah, thats right but He turned to me with hatefilling his eyes. He turned to the dark side and foughtagainst us. He got killed trying to overpower an elder. Iswallowed hard at the word killedthen I turned away.

Im sorry. I said in a small voice, timothys expressionsoftened then he made me turn to him.

Dont be. He whispered before patting my shoulderbefore walking away. I sat there aghast, watching him walk

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away. Only when I saw Robert walking did I removed mygaze where timothy disappeared.

Roberts posture and grace would have broken anysuper models heart and under the darkening sky, he looked

like a god walking to his subjects. I grimaced when a girlwalked up to him asked him something before smilingsweetly. I fought back an urge to throw something at her justto wipe that sweet smile off her face.

I saw Robert said something rash because the girlssmile disappeared. My grimace deepened when I saw Robertpush past her which made her almost fall to the ground. Aguy noticed what he did to the girl and shouted at Robert, Istood up and walked closer.

Robert continued walking without paying attention to

the guy. The guy became angry and I noticed that it wasNathan, the one who accidentally hit mandy on her headwith a ball.

Nathan took hold of Roberts arm and pulled him back.Now that I was closer, I could hear what Nathan was nowsaying to Robert. Hey! Give Andra some rezpect! Robertgrowled at Nathan, which made the hair on my arms stoodup.

That is none of your business. Now, Let. Me. Go!

Robert tried to shake off Nathans hand but Nathanremained his tight grip on his sleeves. That set him off.Robert let out an angry snarl before lunging at Nathans

throat. Nathan reacted instinctively and snarled beforethrowing Robert flying towards the benches.

Unfortunately, I was on the way.

CHAPTER 6: Timothy: Friend orfoe?

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I quickly dove to the ground just as Robert landedlightly where I was a second ago. He looked at me brieflybefore he growled and jumped at Nathan. Both of them

rolled on the floor, a tangle of arms and legs while I stoodthere shocked by Roberts behavior.

What is going on here? With his British accentbecoming more pronounced with each word, Dane strodetowards us followed by a concerned mandy and a boredlooking Andrew.

Behave yourselves! Dane said in a commanding voicethat every student around us took a step back. Dane pickedup Nathan from the ground as he glared at Robert, who was

struggling to get out of Andrew's arm lock. Mandy looked atme with concern as I walked towards Robert and place ahand on his shoulder which made him stiffen, he turned toglare at me.

Calm down Robert. I cautioned him with my eyes untilhe subsided into a growl. Thats right, calm down. I felthim relax then he closed his eyes as Andrew let go of hisgrip.

Well done aina! You are good at calming people,arent you? Dane exclaimed with much astonishment that Iblushed. He looked sternly at Nathan then at Robert. Youtwo. In my office. Now. He stalked away with Nathanfollowing a little behind him.

I turned uncertainly to look at Robert. I felt my heartcompletely stop beating when I saw that he was lookingdown at me with his mysterious black eyes. How cansomeone be so handsome? I asked myself then I blushedwhen I noticed that my hand has slide down to his chest.

He took my hand with his wintry hands and squeezed it

appreciatively before he walked gracefully away. Andrew letout a snort as I watched Robert disappeared into the gloom.

What is yourproblem? I snapped at Andrew but whenI turned to look at him, he looked bored as ever.

You want to know my problem? He suddenly lookedat me angrily. His normally bored tone was touch withirritation and for a moment, the air was had a hint of

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bergamot and rose which made my hair stood on its ends.My problem is you. He continued with his cold bored tonebefore he turned and left me frozen in place. Why iseverybody in a bad mood today? Again, I asked myself stiffly

trying I unknot my tense muscles.I only managed to turn away when I saw Alexis andMandy enter the building. I quickly followed, walking towardsthe Ceretune Daeke where I found them eating in the studyhall mostly called as the common room.

Oh hey aina! Lucas called out while taking a bite of apizza. Come on! Lets eat, you must be starving. Hepushed me towards one of the tables where mandy is seatedwith Alexis and several other students then he made meseat on one of the chairs.

Whats the occasion? I asked mandy as she pushed tome a plate of food. She smiled before answering.

Theres no occasion. We always eat dinner heretogether. Then she paused as if remembering somethingbefore she broke into a wider grin which made mesuspicious. Which reminds me. Wait here. She then walksaway before I could ask where she was going.

Puzzled, I started nibbling on one of the croissant untilshe reappeared again. Mandy appeared to be pulling

something or someone from behind one of the huge pillarfoundations.Come on. She tugged harder. Danny! Stop being

such a coward! Mandy looked impatient as she pulled againthen she smiled at me while pulling a cute timid guy with ashort glossy hair and a pair of dark emerald-colored eyes. Heblushed a little as mandy pulled him to a stop in front of me.I laid down the croissant I was eating before I stood up.

Aina. This is Danny martin. She pushed Danny closerto me which made his blush darker. Danny was a lot tallerthan me. I probably looked like a dwarf next to him. Ugh,why are they all taller than me?

Hi, nice to meet you Danny. I held out a hand whichhe shook with his incredibly warm hand. If I thought that hewas blushing before, well now he turned an impossible shadeof red.

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Ill leave you to for now. Mandy almost dance awaylooking like an innocent angel, well an angel with hornssticking out of her head. I said grimly to my mind as I satdown.

Danny sat down next to me as I continued nibbling onmy food and glanced uncomfortably at me until I manage totalk to him. It turned out that we have the same class fromroses class until mystic arts.

I learned that he wasnt the one who is used to fillingsilence with chatter so I remained silent after that. After awhole minute, I noticed timothy on the doorway. Whencaught his eye, he beckoned me outside.

Whats up? I asked him once I was out of the warmconfines of the hall. I didnt notice before that it was cold

outside.Aina? Timothy seems to be weighing his words

carefully. Can you help me? I need to retrieve somethingfrom the woods, its important. He quickly added when hesaw my hesitation.

I bit my lips, still hesitating. Going to the woods with aguy that I didnt even know or trust is pretty risky then Iremembered Mandys warning to me, to not to go to thewoods alone.

But Im not alone, Im with timothy. A stubborn voice inmy head said while I looked over my shoulder to the hall.Even though I didnt completely trust timothy, mandytrusted him which means that I shouldnt have to worrybut for the second time this day, I felt that Im in a serioustrouble now.

Sure. I immediately replied when I saw Robert comingout of one of the buildings, did he saw me? I didnt want tostay and find out. Lets go! I hurriedly pulled Timothy outof Roberts sight.

Timothy must have sensed my panic because he tookhold of my hand and pulled me away into the woods. Thetrees blurred past me as I ran beside him, I kept a wary eyefor low branches but we soon stopped deep in the woodsunscathed.

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Were here. Timothy said while looking at me,calculating the expression I wore. I walked away from himlooking for any signs of life in the surrounding areas. Whatare you doing? he asked politely as my eyes darted back

and forth.Nothing, just old habits of mine. Though, I dont reallyremember it fully. I muttered to him while trying to shakethe sense of unease. Hey, how did your brother you know,coped with his powers when he learned what he is. Timothydidnt speak and I knew deep inside me that I will neverknow the answer.

After a few minutes, I was so used to the silence that I jumped and whipped my head to look at timothy when hegrowled at something or someone.

Two men came out of the shadows, one was a guy Ididnt know then I drew in a sharp breath when I recognizedthe man who attacked Lucas. Timothy moved in front of meprotectively and tried unsuccessfully to keep me out of sightbut the man who attacked Lucas saw me.

The mans upper lip curled back into a smile as hecontinued to look at me. Well, well timothy you got her.

The mans glowing red eyes appraised me with hungry eyes.Seemingly not aware of timothy crouched protectively in

front of me.Hand her over, youre no match to us. The other guylooked at timothy with impatience in his eyes. I stared at theguy with his pale complexion, dark brown hair and lightbeige eyes.

Timothy growled, his whole frame shaking. This is notpart of our deal, Philip. I agreed to bring her to you so youcan ask her a few questions then set her free, not

Timothys voice trailed off as he let out a shudder. He turnedslightly to me with apologizing eyes. Im so sorry I got youinto this mess. He whispered to me before turning to theother two, growling.

I wonder if this was what mandy saw earlier, will shesee me now? Will she get here in time to?

I didnt have enough time to think, the two men in frontof me crouched. I instinctively backed away, thats when I

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felt something. I moved my hand to the thing I felt on myback and found something dangling. A surge of memorycame back to me and I suddenly knew whatthis was.

I clutched and withdrew the two identical short black

swords from my back just as Philip and the other guyprepared to spring. Timothy caught sight of my movementand retreated out of my way as I drew myself into anoffensive stance.

Both vampires lunged. I felt some heat roll off my armsas I ran towards them headfirst. Fyeria! I shouted. Theheat ignited both my swords, making it blaze into a brightblue color.

I thrust one of my swords towards Philips heart whenhe landed beside me. He easily side-stepped my attack but I

was quick, my mind and my adrenaline rush gave mestrength. I swung my left sword when he pushed my rightsword harmlessly out of the way. It caught Philip on his armand I almost dropped my hold on my sword when a staticshook me in time with the loud grating sound I heard. Thescream Philip let out, pushed my teeth on edge.

I could hear timothy and the other guy, fighting but Ididnt pay attention. I swung both my swords around incircles until it was as fast as a planes propeller. I let go of

one of my swords towards Philip, who was getting up to hisfeet. I could see his gnarled arm oozing of blood, making mystomach curl into a ball.

I let go one of my spinning blade, making it headtowards Philip. Even though he is wounded, Philip easilydodged the spinning blade just before it beheads him. Myblade stuck itself halfway to the tree behind Philip.

I immediately changed into a defensive stance, keepingmy right hand at the hilt of my sword while my left handcaressed the flat side of the blade. My mind kept onwondering on how I knew all this fighting stuff but a smallvoice in the back of my head kept on saying nervously that Imighthave been an assassin before,probably.

I kept circling Philip and mimicked him when hejumped. I planned on intercepting him and killing him withone stroke but as I neared him, the flame on my sword

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spiraled around me. Enveloping me in thick blue flame but Icant feel it. In the last minute when the flame covered myvision for a second, I saw Philip too close to me. I didnt evenknow what happened then and there but what I do know is

that before I could even try to stab Philip, before I couldmove to defend myself from his incoming figure. I passedthrough him like a ghost.

I landed on the ground face first then I whirled aroundto look at him. Philip stared at me horrified with his mouthopen then when I was about to lash out at him, a suddenwind suddenly came in and

He turned into ashes.I started hyperventilating when I saw that the wind

scattered his ash around the clearing. Timothy caught my

gaze as I tried to calm myself enough to stand up.The two of them had stopped fighting and the other

man let out an inhuman scream. Timothy suddenly appearedin front of me and he held my shoulders tightly whilekeeping an eye on the other man.

We both stared at him as the man pointed a pale fingerat me. We will hunt you down daughter of the moon, nomatter what happens you cannot escape from us once weunleash our power on the humans you were supposed to

protect. I swear on the name of the silver snakes that WE.WILL. HUNT. YOU. DOWN! And with that, he disappeared. Icollapsed on timothy while he took a look around.

Lets get out of here before Neal gets back with hiscoven. Timothy said then he lifted me effortlessly like Iweigh nothing more than an empty box. I didnt complainbecause for starters, I felt too weak and I dont think my legscould walk that far.

He walked slowly, looking down at me every time Isighed. How did you know those guys? I asked timothy, hegrimaced then looked away.

Timothy turned his gray-brown eyes to me. Aina, canyou keep a secret? He asked me.

I nodded and watched as the light coming from themoon seems to reflect on his eyes. Well, I once worked withthe society. My job is to assassinate people who come too

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close to important resources. Thats how I met Neal andPhilip, they were assigned to, um, extract the informationsfrom the prisoners. Timothy watched my face warily,looking for something but I just nodded to him to go on.

Well, they killed my best friend so I walked awayfrom the society without a second glance and I ended upbecoming a part-time doctor here at celestial high. Helooked up at the moon, lost in his memories. I closed myeyes and tried to imagine him as a violent and cold assassinwho would kill to protect.

I mustve fallen asleep because when I opened myeyes, I was lying on my bed. My new room felt mysterious inthe dark, I looked at my clock and saw that it was two-thirtyin the morning. I sighed, got out of my bed and froze.

A pair of glowing eyes was looking at me from thecorner of my room. I felt my heart hammer on my chest as itgot up and took a step towards me. I secretly panickedinside my head.

Neal came for me.Hes going to kill me.WHAT the hell am I gonna do?!I automatically clutched my sword. Its me. Timothy

said. He flicked open my lamp and I blinked from the sudden

light.Oh. I lowered my sword, embarrassed. How did youget in here? I asked nervously. I wasnt comfortable havinga guy inside my room.

Timothy shrugged then a smilewhich screamsDANGEROUS in all directioncame to his lips. I wasguarding you just in case Neal came back for revenge andHe started walking towards me. I wasnt planning on lettingyou out of my sight until Dane told me to.

At this point, he was so close to me that I could almosthear his heart beating. I looked away, hoping that he didntnotice the faint blush on my cheeks.

Why? I asked, looking sideways at him. I saw thepuzzled look on his face so I quickly added. Why wouldntyou leave me? Its not like Neal could penetrate my roomwithout being spotted.

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Timothy sighed then he stared at me. With half his facein the shadows, Timothys features looked very angelic anavenging angel, my mind quickly thought. We stayed at thatposition, staring at each others eyes. Finally, I averted my

gaze.We heard a wolf howled somewhere in the forest. Iimmediately looked as to where it came from then I heardtimothys sudden stopping of breathing.

I looked at him. That was Larry. He whispered beforehe ran to my balcony and

Hejumped.I froze for a second before running as to where he

jumped and looked down just in time to see him land gentlyon two feet as if the four stories fall didnt bother him.

Timothy took off his shirt before running towards theforest. He disappeared into the shadows. A few secondslater, I saw a sudden explosion of light a few feet from wherehe had disappeared.

And a new howl echoed into the night.

CHAPTER 7: A good luck charm

Dane looked like he was going to explode as I passedhis office on my way to my classes. What do you meanTHEY got into the campus?! Despite my good nature, I canthelp but listen into Danes office. I leaned on a lockernearest to his office and pretended to read some notes.

Were sorry sir but we found a couple of our guardsdead last night, not to mention that I leaned a bit to hear

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what the man has to say when a cold voice suddenlyaddressed me. Arent you suppose to be back to yourclasses? I stifled a gasp and then looked at my back. Isuddenly found myself staring at a muscular chest.

Erm. I guess Ill be going now I started walking offto the opposite side when the guy caught my arm andsuddenly dragged me towards a classroom. I couldntprotest, well not really. I knew that if I opened my mouthsomething unpleasant might come out so I kept it firmlyclosed.

After a few minutes of stumbling and dragging, wefinally reached the classroom. He opened the door andclosed it firmly behind us. It turns out that it was an emptyclassroom which might be one of the reasons I suddenly felt

a feeling of unease.Why did you bring me here? I asked while setting

down my bag on top of a dusty desk. I suddenly shivered.Oh, Nothing special really. I just want to talk to you

about a couple of things. Timothys dark voice slithered likeice inside the empty classroom. I turned to face him,planting my both my fist on my waist.

So Im cutting classes just so you could talk to me? Iarched my brow, looking at him in disbelief. He has the

shame to look sheepish before he shrugged and then madea look saying does it matter?Oh screw this. I took my bag and head for the door,

thats when he blocked my path.Again.I looked annoyingly at him. Sorry, Im really sorry aina

but we really should talk. He said in a slow way, testing myreaction. I sighed and shifted my weight to the other foot.

I looked at him, thinking of a way to escape but hisbody blocked the only exit. Okay, fine! I raised my arms insubmission before sitting down on the desk.

He sighed before pacing around the room while Ifollowed him with my eyes. Aina, remember what happenedin the woods? I nodded once. He continued. Well I wantyou to forget that you saw me there okay? He pleaded atme with his eyes but I was stubborn.

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Why? What for? I asked him keeping my voice evenand calm but I cant help but feel the air suddenly beingtense. Whom are you hiding from, Timothy? Whats with allthe secrecy?

His gray-brown eyes suddenly hardened and his handsclenched into fists. You dont know anything about me aina.It would be better for the both of us if you wouldnt mentionseeing me that night. Dont look for me either. With thoselast words, he walked out and slammed the door behind him.I sighed again, this time not knowing what I did to make himangry.

As I walked out of that abandoned classroom, I startedthinking about our talk. Timothy is one mysterious person. Itold myself as I started walking. I dont know anything about

him well, not yet.That was also the last time I saw or heard from him.A month passed and I had gotten used to my new

school. I found new friend and of course, new enemies. Manyexperiments with my powers usually got awry and with meending up in the nurses office but I managed to control it.One month passed and I still hadnt heard news abouttimothy.

* * * * * * *

Maybe he got mauled by a bear. Lucas said through amouthful of bread, grinning in front of me. Or got pushedoff a cliff or something. I sighed.

We were sitting outside the cafeteria where we gotused to eat. A couple of weeks ago, a pair of nasty spritesstarted creating havoc inside the caf, so me and my littlegroup were forced to move out.

I stared at my sandwich before putting it down. Rumorsare already circulating around the school about Timothyssudden disappearance. Come on Lucas! You know Timothyis a shape shifter and that hes immortal. He cant be killedthat easily. Mandy snapped back dismissively. She looked abit worried, looking at the sky as Jake sat down beside her.

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Aina, whats wrong? You look pale. Danny sat downbeside Lucas. I bit my lower lip before smiling.

Oh, its nothing. Im just thinking about those rumorsabout timothy. Do you think hes dead? I asked him bluntly.

Danny reached for a pretzel on the big tray of desserts in themiddle of our table before answering. I doubt it. Timothystough. Hes not that easy to kill besides I think hes justcooling off. After that last stunt he pulled out on Dane, hewont be showing up for a couple of months. I perked up,this was news to me. Others followed suit.

Last stunt? What prank did he do this time? Jakeasked beside me. His arm draped around Mandys waist. Ileaned closer to Danny as he talked.

Well, the last time I saw him was in our advanced

physics class. Dane was walking past our lab when timothyaccidentally mixed a couple of chemicals together. Hes mylab partner so I know what hes been up to lately so whenthe beaker where he mixed the chemicals started to frost allover, I panicked and told him to throw it out. Mind you, hedid throw it out but not out of the window.

He threw it out the hallway straight at Danes facethen the thing exploded! You should have seen theexplosion. The principal was frozen on the wall when we got

out. Mr. Advincula, our physics teacher started yelling attimothy. Bad thing to do when hes all shook up so the nextthing we knew, timothy suddenly yelled at Advincula. Gofucking back to hell. Before running away and thats the lastI saw of him. When Danny finished, we were all silent.

Finally, I couldnt take the silence anymore. Why didntyou follow him? I asked Danny while he stared at me.

He looked surprised. Aina, are you nuts? I dont wantto dieyet. If I followed him, he couldve killed me. He toldme and the others agreed. I sighed and let the issue go. Thebell rang signaling the end of our lunch so we all got up andwent our separate ways.

Aina, did anyone ask you to the summer dance yet?Danny asked me as we walked towards our class. I pausedbefore continuing my pace.

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Yeah, a couple of guys had asked me but I said no. Itold him. We reached our class and sat at our seats.

Will you say no to me if I asked you out? He askedme. Danny turned his dark eyes on me and I cant help but

swallow a sigh.I smiled at him instead. How can I say no to you?Youre my best friend. I laid a hand on his arm. Besides,youre the only guy besides Nathan and Jake that I couldtrust.

He nodded. He then let out a slow and sexy smile thatwouldve made other girls fall in love with him. Thank youfor trusting me aina. It means a lot to me.

After our conversation, we started our class and I wasto busy the whole period to talk to him. The rest of our day

passed uneventfully and when the last bell ended our lastperiod, I sighed in relief.

Danny and I walked together towards the commonroom. Twilight has already fallen and a heavy fog coveredthe campus. This is creepy. I whispered to Danny as wecrossed the field towards our building. Danny nodded inagreement before he held me closer to him.

We were walking a few minutes when a figurematerialized in front of us. Hey Aina Danny. I stifled a

gasped. Standing a few feet away from me is Timothy. It hasbeen a month since I last saw him and he already changed.His hair was longer and spikier. His eyes has also changed,there was an edge of darkness there. I could clearly see thatas he stared at me.

Timothy, w-what are you doing here? Danny said. Hewas clearly shocked so I nudged him a bit to bring him backto his senses.

Timothys response was just a slow and dangeroussmile. I just came back to finish what I started. All mysenses are on high alert, something about this isnt right andI feel like something bad is going to happen. In the last fewweeks, I learned that my instincts is always accurate so if ittells me something bad is going to happen then its going tohappen.

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Finish what? I asked him as I stepped away fromDanny.

Timothy suddenly took hold of my wrist and I cant helpbut pull away. It was all the indication he needs before he

lifted me off my feet and ran.Danny was after us in a heartbeat. He wouldve caughtup with us if timothy didnt murmur a transportation spell.

Within seconds we disappeared, leaving a very angryDanny in the middle of the field. Meanwhile, Timothy and Ireappeared at another place.

Where are we? Bring me back to the school timothy! Iglared at him as he set me to my feet. He looked at me for abrief second before he turned away.

No. He firmly told me before he paced around the

small clearing where we arrived. I looked at him, shocked.After a few silent minutes, I quickly collected my scatteredthoughts. Why? Why not? Come on! I havent told anybodyabout the fight! I looked at him with daggers.

Timothy simply walked around the clearing withouteven looking at me. Do me a favor aina. Just please stopshouting. He raise

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