5. Evelyn
5
Evelyn
I pushed open the doors to the dining hall, a flutter of nerves buzzing in my chest. Adrien must have received my text informing him of my return to the Academy.
The moment I stepped inside, conversations fell silent. Every single head turned towards me, wide eyes locking on my presence. A wave of shock rippled through the room.
After all, I was supposed to be dead.
A shrill, nasal voice pierced the silence. “Evelyn!”
I turned to see Ruby, her eyes as wide as saucers and her mouth gaping open like a fish out of water.
Unable to suppress a smirk, I waved at her. “Yes, it’s really me. Did you miss me?”
It was unexpected to see her sitting with my friends. I guess being besties with the girl rumored to follow in her mother’s footsteps—and being from the Luminary Coven—didn’t boost her popularity.
As I made my way to our usual table, I could hear the whispers swirling around me.
Despite that my friends’ faces lit up with a mix of joy and disbelief when they saw me approaching.
“It’s really you,” Raven breathed, leaping up and pulling me into a tight embrace. I hugged her back just as fiercely. “Adrien said you were back, but I couldn’t believe it.”
One by one, they crushed me in their arms.
Adrien ruffled my long black hair with a familiar grin. “Damn, girl, you had us worried. Lucien said you’d return. So where were you, exactly?”
I plopped down in the chair beside him and grabbed a roll from his plate.
“Oh, you know, just taking a nice vacay in the Shadow Realm,” I said dryly. “I’d rate it one star. Would definitely not recommend.”
Felix’s eyes widened in shock. “You actually went to the Shadow Realm?”
“Yep,” I said, biting into the roll.
Ruby slid into the seat beside me, unusually quiet—an odd look for her.
“What about Alister?” Adrien asked, his voice hesitant. “Is he back too?”
Suddenly, the roll in my hand didn’t seem so appetizing. I set it down. “No, not yet. But I’m getting him back.”
“You’re going back to the Shadow Realm?” Felix’s eyes grew impossibly wider.
“Yes, I have to.” Hoping to steer the conversation in another direction, I asked, “So, what’s been happening since I’ve been gone?”
It worked—suddenly, everyone was talking at once. Questions, excitement, and disbelief filled the air, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mix.
“So Lucien really invited you all to the mansion?” I asked, cutting through the noise.
“Yeah,” Adrien said, leaning back in his chair. “He thought it was important we knew what was truly going on. That we understood why you had disappeared.”
“The mansion is freaking amazing,” Raven added, her eyes sparkling. “I had no idea Alister lived in such a place. The library alone is to die for.”
Aurora, who had been quietly sipping her drink, chimed in, “And the art! Did you see that huge tapestry in the main hall? I could stare at it for hours.”
I smiled, imagining my friends wide-eyed and gawking in Alister’s opulent home. “So, they told you everything?”
Maggie, who had been silent, spoke up. “They told us about you and Alister being trapped in the Shadow Realm and the fight with Morgana.”
“We were so worried,” Adrien said. “The rumors were insane. Some people thought you’d run away; others said you were dead.”
“Or worse,” Felix muttered.
I raised an eyebrow. “Worse than dead?”
“They thought you’d joined Lia,” Raven explained, her tone serious. “That you had switched sides.”
At least they knew the real story, not just rumors and half-truths circulating around the Academy. As they updated me on everything I had missed, students whispered as they passed by, giving me mistrustful looks.
“Most people don’t believe the whole ‘Lia is possessed’ theory,” Adrien said, his voice hesitant. “They think it’s all her doing—she and her mother were just power-hungry, wanting to rule the world.”
“Everyone’s freaking out,” Raven continued with a sigh. “They’re blaming Morgana, Lia, and the whole Luminary Coven for the magic going haywire. Though things have been a little less wonky the past few days.”
“Aside from all that craziness, what have you all been up to while I was busy being not dead?”
Adrien perked up. “Oh, you know, just the usual stuff. Homework, classes, and accidentally becoming a master shielder. No big deal.”
Raven snorted. “Look at Mr. Modest over here. Adrien’s been kicking butt with his shielding skills.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? Do tell.”
Adrien’s cheeks flushed. “It was an accident, I swear. I was just trying to figure out how to make my magic last longer, you know? With everything being so unstable lately. I started thinking outside the box, and then…boom! Super shield. Well, not exactly like that. It took months of trial and error, but now it’s pretty incredible.”
“He’s not exaggerating,” Felix chimed in. “This guy has serious potential. He could probably create a shield that can withstand a nuclear blast.”
I felt a surge of pride for my friend. “That’s amazing, Adrien. Seriously.”
He grinned at us. “Being Lucien’s little brother may have its challenges, but I’ve found my talent.”
I turned to Felix and Maggie. “What about you guys?”
Maggie grimaced. “My parents tried to pull me out of school. They’re freaked out about the whole magic instability thing, especially after what happened with the Luminary coven.”
“Mine too,” Felix said grimly.
Raven leaned closer, her eyes shining with excitement. “Guess who just joined the Verdant Coven?”
Aurora nudged her playfully. “We did!”
I blinked. “You did?”
Adrien beamed. “Yep, and I couldn’t be happier to have them.” He turned to me, his expression hopeful. “What about you, Evelyn? Would you consider joining our coven, too?”
My stomach twisted at the thought. Coven meetings, rituals, pledges…it all seemed so trivial now.
As I avoided Adrien’s gaze, I hesitated before answering.
“I’m not sure,” I finally said. “There’s just too much going on right now. Dealing with the coven isn’t exactly my top priority when there’s a goddess to stop and detach from Lia’s body.”
Adrien nodded in agreement. “I get it. No pressure. So what’s our plan, then?” His familiar, determined look returned as his eyes narrowed.
“Yeah! You must have some kind of plan, right?” Raven asked.
I let out a humorless laugh. “Honestly, I don’t even know what day it is.” I sighed and continued, “But I have a suggestion that may help all of us, although you may not like it.”
“Anything,” they answered in unison.
With a smile, I leaned forward and shared my idea. “I think we should all take tactical defense classes together.”
* * *
After some convincing, Adrien, Raven, and Ruby agreed to skip their usual class and join me for tactical defense. Although Felix, Aurora, and Maggie had chosen not to participate, my excitement grew as we approached the training field.
I loved this class.
By the time Chad bounded over, his grin wide and infectious, I was practically buzzing. Beside him was what I could only describe as his clone—same sandy waves of hair, same cocky smile that screamed trouble on two legs.
“Hey guys! Ready to kick some butt? Meet my little bro, Thad.” Chad’s grin widened, pride radiating off him.
‘Little’ was a bit of a stretch—they could’ve been twins if you didn’t squint too hard.
“Pleasure’s all mine,” Thad drawled, giving me a slow once-over. “Gotta say, you’re pretty easy on the eyes.”
“Watch it, bud.” Chad flicked Thad’s ear so fast I almost missed it. “She’s taken.”
Before things could go any further, the sharp blast of a whistle cut through the air. Instructor Tamsin had arrived, her presence commanding immediate attention. She nodded, an acknowledgment that felt like a silent pat on the back.
“Evelyn, good to have you back among the living,” she said.
“Thanks, Professor.” Being back here felt good like things were back to normal…almost.
She turned to address the newcomers. “You all know there’s only a few months of school left, so I can’t credit you for joining this late. And you’ll have to clear this with your advisors, but you’re welcome to participate for now.”
Adrien nodded, serious as ever. “We’re here to improve ourselves, not for credit.”
Tamsin gave a tight nod before scanning the field in front of us.
Viper approached with a confident swagger, his body tense and his eyes filled with open disapproval as he focused on us. “Why are we allowing more witches into this class?” he sneered, dripping with disdain.
“Aww, Viper. Afraid of getting your butt kicked again?” I taunted, giving him a smirk.
Before he could respond, Ruby stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with what could only be described as pure desire. “Oh wow, you’re just so big,” she purred, letting her gaze linger on him. “Do you, like, bench-press mountains or something?” she continued, flashing him her best smile.
Viper blinked at her, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”
“Can I touch your muscles?”
I barely suppressed a snort.
Viper’s gaze slithered over her, disdainful and dismissive, like she wasn’t worth his time. “No, you can’t touch my muscles, witch,” he sneered.
Ruby wasn’t deterred in the slightest. As he walked away, she followed, completely unfazed.
“Why are you following me?” he hissed, his annoyance clear.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked, batting her eyelashes. “I’m Ruby. Bet you’re amazing at this,” she added, clearly thinking her flirtation was working.
Viper recoiled, his face twisting in disgust as he shot a furious glare back at me. “This is all your fault,” he snarled.
But something shifted as a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’m glad you’re not dead, crazy witch.”
I blinked, surprised by the sudden softening. “Feelings mutual,” I shot back with a smile.
As he continued on his way, Ruby was still chattering behind him, talking a mile a minute.
“All right, warm-up time! Laps, everyone!” Professor Tamsin clapped her hands, signaling the start of what was sure to be an excruciating return to form.
Adrien and Raven groaned in unison, and I laughed.
Yep, the first few days are always the worst.