"Thank you," I said, throwing my head back as I plopped one in my mouth. I instantly felt better and the pounding in my head resided. I looked at Tom, surprised.

"Yeah. They work fast"

We all walked out together. Star, Jer, and Joel flew up, dodging the staircase as me and Tom walked, as usual. Once we got to the top, Tom and Joel wished us all luck before we went to class.

Math flew by as usual, since I never really ever paid attention. I struggled to focus in History as well. The only thing on my mind was the skills assessment. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was building in my stomach. Once history ended, I made my way to meet Star.

As I walked towards her, I noticed a nervous expression on her face. She was quiet, it was unlike her. She was normally ecstatic, full of energy no matter what she did.

"You too huh?" I asked.

"Yeah," she replied, slowly.

We made our way to Angel class, meeting Jeremy on the way. We settled in to our seats.

"You guys are quiet," commented Jeremy.

"We're nervous about the skills assessment," I explained.

"Don't be. You'll do fine. Even if we fail, we could always get tested again next month."

"You're right."

I turned to Star, attempting to brighten her up, "At least you're not first. Jeremy has it the worst."

She smiled, facing Jeremy before asking, "Are you ready?"

He nodded calmly.

Mr. Sharp walked in, surprised to see us. He walked over towards us before saying, "I thought I mentioned yesterday. You didn't have to come to class today. SInce you're being tested, get some rest. Eat. Get your energy up. Good luck."

I walked towards the door instantly, not needing to be told twice.

"Wait up," Jeremy called out, running to catch up with me.

"I'm starving, Let's eat," I offered.

Star nodded enthusiastically, perking up at the idea of food.

We walked quickly towards the cafeteria. Once we arrived, we got a bunch of food before sitting down. We crammed the food down, barely giving ourselves time to breath in between bites. Afterwards, we chatted for a few minutes before I had to go.

"Good luck guys. You got this. I'll see you both at 7."

"See you then," said Jeremy. Star waved as I exited the Cafeteria.

I made my way towards the room to meet Narxus. I walked in, finding him seated for once with a chair placed across from him.

"Hello Saron."

"Hello. What are we doing today?"

"We won't be training. You need to conserve your energy. Instead, we will be talking."

"Talking?"

"Yes, I will give you a scenario of what might happen when you are in the skill assessment. I want you to tell me what you would do to protect yourself."

"Okay."

"An arrow comes flying at you."

"Use my wings to block the hit."

"A gas bomb traps you in the air. You're struggling to breath."

"Try to fight as long as I can."

"A waterfall comes chasing after you."

"Fly as far away as I can."

"A ball comes flying at you from every direction and you can't escape."

"Split it in the air to lessen the impact."

We continued just like that. Him telling me scenarios and me countering them with how I would approach them. I thought them all through, as an Angel would.

"Good luck. I believe you can do this." He smiled before leaving me alone.

I pulled out my phone to see 3 texts from Zion.

Hey

Are you ready?

??

I typed a reply.

Nervous but I think I'm ready

Are you done with your class?

Yes

I waited for a reply. After not receiving one, I gathered my things to head out. A hum notified me that he had arrived. I ran towards him, throwing my arms around him suddenly realizing how much I missed him. He wrapped his arms around me, planting a kiss on my forehead sending my senses ablaze.

"Hey mate."

I swooned at his words before whispering back, "Hey."

"I heard the rules changed. I'm coming to watch you."

I smiled, grabbing his hand as we walked out.

"How are you feeling," he asked.

"Anxious," I confessed. I wasn't anxious. I was terrified. The feeling of dread was spreading inside of me but I didn't want to worry him so I kept quiet.

We made our way to my class room slowly. Once I arrived, I saw everyone waiting for me. Star and Jeremy grinned at me excitedly. I let go of Zion's hand, rushing towards them anxious to hear what happened.

"Did you pass?" I demanded, looking between them.

"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS," Star shrieked, grinning from ear to ear.

I threw my arms around them both, embracing them in excitement.

"I'm so proud of you both."

"You're going to kick ass. Don't worry," reassured Jeremy. I flashed him a fake smile as I tried to believe it.

"Get in there!" Star said, pushing me. I looked back at Zion who was watching me. He smiled at me, sending a pulse through our mate bond, letting me know he believed in me. I turned to Tom and Joel who were sharing expressions of optimism.

"You got this," said Tom.

"Go win this!" added Joel.

I took a deep breath, before walking in. I entered, shakily into the room.It looked completely different. It was no longer just a plain room. It looked like a rainforest. There were tall trees clustered everywhere. I heard the chirps and clicks of insects rustling about. I looked down to see wet leaves all over the ground. The temperature was humid and you could practically see the moisture in the air. I stepped forward, walking into the rainforest, noticing vines and fallen tree branches. I noticed a few weapons as well. A spear poking out of a tree. An arrow caught in a bush. A couple gas bombs were sitting in the leaves of some of the trees. It looked so real, yet I knew it was just an illusion. I looked up to see who would be observing me. After swiveling around the vast rainforest, I finally saw it. A glass box with Mr. Sharp and a couple of other people inside. I raised my hand to wave when I noticed his terrified expression on his pale face. I cocked my head as I looked around him, seeing what was the matter.

 My blood ran cold once I noticed him. Liam was standing not too far behind him, hands crossed, with a cold smile on his face. Liam, one of the Five would be observing my skills assessment? My mind filled with worry and possibilities. It can't possibly be a coincidence. He must know who I am. Why else would he be here? I scanned the glass box, noticing Zion at the edge, a grim expression on his face, eyes filled with panic. I tore my eyes away, not willing to look for a moment longer as the fear within me began to build. I took a deep breath, repeating to myself what I used to say to myself when I was trapped in bed with nowhere to escape. This isn't real. For all I know, it could be a hallucination. Maybe that was it. Narxus did warn me that they would bring up my friends and my fears and I did fear Liam. I began to relax a little, believing the possibility that it was a hallucination.

I looked around, searching for any signs of danger before taking off running towards the spear. I darted through the forest noisily, stomping on the wet leaves in my path as I made a beeline for the spear. Once I reached the tree it was stuck in, I pulled it out. I lifted my foot to take off running again when I felt myself sinking. I looked down, noticing I was in quicksand. Instinctively, I tried to move, causing myself to sink deeper. I cleared my mind, focusing until I realized what I had to do. I had to fly out of there. I stretched out my wings, flapping them in an effort to pull myself out. I felt myself being lifted up out of the quicksand until I was free. I soared up in the air towards the top of the trees before dropping on a branch. I glanced up, seeing Liam eying my wings with his terrifyingly icy gaze. My heart dropped once I realized I had exposed myself. I looked back at my wings, shimmering in the light. There was no use now. He knew. Distracted, I didn't foresee the branch cracking beneath me, dropping with me falling with it. I shook my head, focusing. This was no time to get distracted. I was still in the test. I spread my wings, letting them catch me as I watched the branch crash to the ground.

I heard a whoosh as an arrow came straight at me. Not noticing it fast enough to dodge it, it pierced into my wing. I howled in pain as it struck, embedding itself in my wing as blood began to pour down. I fought back tears as I reached towards the arrow in an attempt to pull it out. I thought no real weapons were allowed? How was this possible? Before I could reach the arrow, a spiky ball came flying at me. Ducking, I managed to dodge it. But it wasn't long before I heard the familiar buzz of two boomerangs heading my way. I dropped in the air, allowing them both to bang into each other in the air above me as I struggled to fly with my hurt wing. I reached for the arrow, pulling it out. Noticing my wound, not closing up I looked harder at my wing, inspecting it. That's when I noticed a green substance oozing out of my wing. I had been poisoned. This wasn't just a test. They were trying to kill me. My eyes shot up to the glass door to see Mr. Shap, face now white as a sheet, frozen unsure of what to do. I noticed Zion yelling, clanging against the glass door desperately. I noticed my friends yelling, panicking as they realized something was seriously wrong. One tear rolled down my cheeks as I tore my eyes away, unable to see them in pain. I grunted as I dropped myself to the ground, slowly landing before closing my wings.

Liam already knew what I was and was trying to kill me. He wasn't playing fair so neither would I. My wings were no use anymore. I could barely fly straight with one wing let alone dodge attacks. In my emotional struggle, I didn't see the incoming gas bomb until it landed at my feet with a thud, exploding once it approached me.

I outstretched my arms as the gas bomb surrounded me, robbing me of my consciousness. I called out to the Earth to help me, give me air. I was terrified of what would happen to me if I was to lose consciousness. The Earth obliged, pushing the gas away from me, surrounding me with air. I gasped as I inhaled fresh air and the gas left my system. I looked up to smirk at Liam who was looking down at me scowling, disappointed it didn't work. I tapped into my vampire vision to ensure I would see the next attack before it hit me. I raked the rainforest, walking carefully so I didn't walk through any traps. I fought the pain I felt in my wing as I felt the poison spread, infecting my blood stream. I leaned on a nearby tree, feeling a jolt of magic flow into me as I did. The magic rejuvenated me, giving me energy to keep going, slowing the spread of the poison.

I mentally thanked the Earth for helping me as I tenderly grazed the tree. I looked deep into the forest, spotting three dogs making their way towards me. They were nearing me at an unimaginable speed. I bent down, placing my hand on the leaves beneath my palms. I felt power course through me, magic flowing through me and the leaves, making us one.

The dogs attacked, lunging at me all together. I stood up, body filled with magic. I raised my hands causing the dogs to fall back, crashing into the trees. The crash shook the forest, causing the trees to tremble as the dogs fell to the ground, unconscious. I gasped at the hands, surprised at the power of my might.