A Date & a Plan
Heaven
The moment I enter my dorm room, I lock the door so even Karen can’t enter, and open the package.
It’s photos from the grimoires belonging to Endora, the ones that are in the possession of Uncle Rayhan.
The books contain a lot of dark magic, but there are a few spells I had wanted to see, and Aunty Delsanra had said she would look into them for me and would only give them if she thinks they are ok.
I know she asked Mama before giving any to me, but at least they didn’t refuse outright. I can live with that.
I hope Mama understands that keeping me suffocated won’t help, but she has become even more protective since Sienna left. I can’t even blame her for it.
Sighing softly, I look at the small note Aunty Delsanra has included.
Keep these safe. They are for your eyes alone. Love you, Aunty D
“Thank you,” I whisper, about to sit on the bed, but stop myself. I used a spell to clean myself, but I still don’t feel clean, not until I’ve showered. I’ll shower first, and then I’ll look through these.
I safely lock the papers away in my trunk; it’s spelled with several layers, so no one can get into it but me.
Grabbing some clean clothes, I enter the bathroom. Whilst showering, I ponder over everything: Holden, Sienna, that idiot, Allie, Mama, Aunty Delsanra. I need the distraction tonight, otherwise I’ll end up getting a few white hairs early and maybe even eye bags.
The day passes by in a blur of lessons and lectures, and when the final bell rings, I’m looking forward to the quiet. But then I remember I agreed to meet Holden.
The Academy grounds have an area on the far side which resembles its own little town centre.
Since we aren’t allowed to leave the Academy grounds, some things to make it a little easier to remain here were built.
There is a small cinema hall, three food shops, a dessert shop, and an arcade.
One of the food shops isn’t quite ready yet, as well as one other shop, but the other places are.
Honestly, although I was quite critical of this idea when it was first mentioned, I’m glad they went ahead with it.
Sometimes we need a little break from training, and everything opens after Academy hours and all day on weekends.
And honestly, the way it’s designed, it actually hides the Academy from view, so you’re not reminded that you’re still on school grounds.
“Where are you going?” Allie asks, dumping her bag on my bed as I finish off adding some highlighter to my nose. I have braided the side of my hair, pinning it with a small clip to the side of my head as I look down at the clothes I’m wearing with my Schattenblüte belt.
“On a date with Holden. But I prepared a few things that I’ve written down for you. There’s a list in that notebook of the tasks I want you to do today, and I think with a little more push, you might be ready to learn your witch name.”
She snorts. “I don’t have a witch name. If I did, I’d still be the lamest, weakest witch.”
“I don’t think so. Besides, your sisters don’t have a speck of witchiness in them. You do. So, stop being negative, please, and just do what you’re told.”
“Now I really don’t want to do it.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, don’t. Just be grumpy and temperamental like your father.”
She narrows her eyes, grabbing the notebook I left for her. “I’m not like him.”
“Not if you awaken your witch side.” I pick up my bag and look over at her, smiling slightly. “Don’t frown like that; you look even more like him.”
“Heaven!” she growls, grabbing my pillow to throw at me. I stifle a giggle as I slip out of the room. She follows me out, notebook in hand. Turning towards her own door, she pauses, looking over at me. “I wish Si had let you help her.”
It’s quiet for a moment, and I wish I could have, too.
I tried; I really did. I spent days learning about the sigils that could contain her power.
I tried to get her- Stop, Heaven. I don’t want to go down that path.
There’s no point in wasting time thinking about what-ifs when it’s too late to change the past. It’s time to look ahead and fix what can be fixed.
“Yeah, me too,” I reply softly before I continue down the hall, not looking back.
Si is gone, but the pain of the aftermath that she’s left behind isn’t. But slowly yet surely, I’m becoming used to losing people, becoming numb to death.
There was a time I spent days or months secretly crying about all the death around me, but… you learn to control those feelings. When you are exposed to it so often, you become desensitised over time.
Holden asked me to meet him outside by one of the entrances, so I make my way through the halls of the Academy as the students move around me, some in groups and some alone, all busy with something or the other. When someone is gone, life doesn’t stop; it continues without the one gone.
I haven’t seen Jayce much, but when I have, he’s so cold. As if he’s there, but is simply a hardened shell of who he once was.
“Hey.” I turn to see Holden leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He looks good in beige pants, a white tee and with his hair brushed back. He’s easy on the eyes, that’s for sure.
“Hey,” I reply as I walk over to him, sliding my arms around his neck. The soft tingle as his hands wrap around my waist makes my stomach flutter.
“Someone’s looking extremely beautiful,” he murmurs, his gaze dipping to my lips.
“When do I ever not?” I reply, inching a little closer at the same time he does. His lips ghost mine before he kisses me, his hands tightening around my waist.
This feels good… I sink into him, kissing him back softly, but the moment I feel something against my stomach, we both move back, and he lets out a light chuckle.
I haven’t agreed to anything past second base, and I still feel that is the right decision for now. “So, where are we going?” I ask.
“Well, we’ll go to the grill house. It’s always super busy, but I did ask them to save us a table.”
He means The Sizzling Diner, which is one of the eateries that opened recently, and it’s rather popular. The owners are from Leo’s pack, and they’re a friendly duo.
Azura was the one who came up with this entire idea for a little area for us to hang out in and oversaw the planning.
She’s also incorporated a lot of little private areas that are now used for making out.
It’s probably what she had put them there for, but I’m not sure if I’d ever use one.
I mean, I’m not as bad as Allie, but who knows what’s been on those walls. Eww.
“You’re making that face again.”
I peer through my lashes at Holden. “I was just thinking about something unpleasant. Kind of disgusting, actually. So, how has your training been going? I know it’s gotten quite intense.”
He sighs. “Yeah, you know it’s been kind of intense. Apparently, there are rumours that a new Strategy Lead might be brought in. You haven’t heard anything, have you?”
I shake my head. “No, but we don’t really talk about school when we are together as a family,” I point out.
I wonder who it is.
“I thought you might know since your grandmother is the head here.”
“It doesn’t mean she’ll share things with me,” I reply airily. “But I might hear something over the weekend, so I’ll let you know.”
“I’ll make sure to keep the secret.” He winks at me, and I shake my head.
“You want me to find out,” I cajole playfully as we reach the glowing entrance to the cluster of shops.
“A fact I won’t deny,” he replies, taking my hand. “Come on,”
I allow him to lead me inside. The moment the bell tinkles and the music from the jukebox reaches my ears, my smile grows.
The warm ambience with the soft buzz of chatter feels like a relief after the weight of training, and my mind is constantly in overdrive.
“You got my table ready, Phil?” Holden calls out to one of the owners.
“I do, right in the spot you asked. If you had come any later, I would have had to give it up. Nice to see you, Aldona,” he says, giving me a flourishing bow.
“Nice to see you too, Phil,” I reply politely before we go over to the table he’s kept for us. It’s in one of the more secluded corners, and I settle down in my seat happily, looking at the menu, wondering what to choose.
I sense Holden watching me and glance up at him. He wants to say something, but he’s hesitating.
“What is it?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “That’s freaky when you do that. Nothing really, I just…” I cast him a scathing glare, and he sighs. “Alright, earlier when we were on the field, that exchange with-”
“Why are you asking about it?” I ask abruptly.
“It’s not the first time I’ve caught you two-”
“Caught?”
He sighs. “Not- look, I’m just saying I’ve seen you two talk a few times, and there seems to be something you two know that I don’t. Is something going on between you guys?”
I raise an eyebrow. “He’s a senior; it’s not what you’re assuming, but do you really think I’d do that?” I ask, unable to imagine myself with someone like him. Eww, no.
He shakes his head. “No, but girls often like that kinda guy.”
I scoff. “Well, clearly you don’t know as much about girls as you presume. Keep acting like that, and I might definitely have to reconsider my choices in boys. Now, are we eating or shall I leave?”
“We’re eating. We’re absolutely eating, babe. Ignore what I said. I’m sorry.”
Babe. I hate that pet name. Babe, baby, bae. Just stop.
“I’ll be ignoring that last part for sure,” I murmur. “So, what are you doing for your 17th birthday?”
He shrugs. “Nothing special, would have been great if I got to spend it with you. You sure you can’t come stay at my pack? I think if you were there, it would be the best gift ever.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, but we can celebrate when we return to school?” I suggest.
“Sure thing.” He smiles wistfully. I’ve already decided I’ll make the time to go. Even if it’s just for a couple of hours, I’ll be there.
The weekend arrived fast, and we are now at the Night Walkers Pack.
I’m in Allie’s bedroom, unpacking an outfit I’ll be wearing.
The sound of chatter is loud. Dante’s here, and so are Skyla and Royce, along with Grandpa Marcel, Winona and their twin daughters Leona and Jackie.
I can hear Kaden playing with them happily.
“So, is Leo coming or not?” I ask. I have been working on a Schattenblüte design for myself, and I wanted to run the concept by him, plus I needed to show it to him in person because he would need to sign a contract that he wouldn’t use my design for anyone else.
“I don’t think so. He’s working, but I also think it’s maybe because Zu won’t want to come,” Allie says quietly.
“Grandpa Alejandro apologised, though, didn’t he?” I clarify, surprised.
“Yeah, he did, but I think it’s too soon for Azura, and with how Jayce is, she’s really upset,” Allie admits, and for once, I can see true unhappiness on her face. “Mama’s upset, too.”
I look down. “I wish things didn’t go the way they did.”
The room is heavy until I stand up.
“Look,” I begin, pausing. I glance at the open door and go over and quickly shut it before sitting down opposite her. “No secrets between us, right?”
“Yeah, that’s not even something you should be asking. No secrets. No matter what,” she says firmly, looking into my eyes.
I nod. “Alright.” I take a deep breath, my heart failing me as it skips a beat. “The only way to fix everything is to get Si back.”
“And everyone’s trying, right?” she says. “That’s the plan.”
“Yes… But they won’t succeed.”
“But you have a way that might work. Right?” she says sharply. She has always been observant.
“Yes, but it’s not something I can do alone. We need someone’s help, and he’s being an utter snob about it and refusing to help.”
“Who?” Allie asks. “I am very persuasive; I can help. Can I torture him?”
“We might have to. He’s favoured by Hades. If he simply agrees to help, I know I can do this. Will you help me persuade him?”
“Obviously. So, tell me, who am I torturing?”
“Someone you will absolutely love to torture,” I reply, my face breaking into a sly smile.