I ran full speed over to Jeremy before howling into my werewolf form. As soon as I was in my furry state, I grabbed Jeremy's shirt with my teeth before tossing him over my shoulder. I ran over to rejoin the group, noticing Zion trotting over as well, with Tom sprawled out across his back.

"Alright, remember nobody travels alone. Let's keep moving forward."

I fell in pace with Zion as the rest of them took to the air. We raced forward, taking large leaps to cover as much distance as possible.

After about 5 minutes, I felt Jeremy start to rustle on my back. I could see Tom coming to as well, from the corner of my eye.

"I could get used to this," Jeremy said, sitting up comfortably on my back.

"Thanks Zion," Tom said awkwardly, patting Zion who grunted in response.

Tom outstretched his wings, jumping up in the air once he decided he no longer needed the free ride.

"Come on man, now I feel bad," Jeremy whined. Seeing Tom wasn't willing to change his mind, he jumped up joining him in the air as well. We must've went on like that for hours without any sign of danger. I could feel the magic pulsing within me, getting hotter as we got closer. It was only a matter of time now.

I reverted to my human form, flitting to keep up as I sent a message to Crexus.

We're almost there. We should regroup.

I heard whooshes as the other slowly swooped near us, not slowing their pace. I looked to the side to see Zion had changed as well, darting beside me.

"Are you scared?" He asked, noticing my unease.

"Sort of," I answered honestly.

Remembering the woman from my dream however, she didn't seem like she meant me harm. If anything, it was as if she'd been expecting me.

I kept pushing forward despite how tired I was. From the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, I could tell we were all anxious.

"Stop," I said, halting in my spot.

I focused my hearing on the whispers that were beginning to surround us. I swiveled around, scanning the forest for any signs of danger.

"What is it?" Edward asked.

"I don't know."

"You must prove yourself one final time before entering."

She knew we were here. Hadn't we already been tested enough. A part of me feared to ask it, but knew I had to. We hadn't traveled all this way for nothing.

"What must I do?"

"You must sacrifice someone you love to enter as the ultimate commitment."

"NO!" I screamed aloud, infuriated at her ask.

"What is it?" Zion asked, grabbing my arm.

"If you must kill someone, kill me."

"Don't be foolish child."

"If that's what's required to enter, take me. You're not laying a finger on them."

After a long silence, I heard her voice faintly say, "Only you may enter."

I opened my mouth to tell them I was going in but I felt the ground beneath me drop away.

I have to go in alone. Don't worry about me.

I hoped Crexus got my message. All I could do was close my eyes and wait for what was to come next.

I dropped onto a plush, red couch, sinking into it as I looked around. This must be the witch's house. It was more homely than I had imagined, decorated with flowers and plants of all kinds with blue and white tiling and wooden flooring.

"Ahem," the woman cleared her throat, bringing my attention to her. She looked the same as she had in my dream, except now she was wearing a purple dress and her hair seemed to be combed through.
Taking in her cleaned up look, I couldn't help but wonder if she had dressed up for me.

"It's not everyday people make it through my forest alive. Thought I'd dress for the occasion," she said, answering my unasked question. I looked down, cheeks flushing as I had been caught staring.

"Tea?" She asked, gesturing me to follow her to the kitchen. I rose up, following her without question. My eyes scanned the house, noticing the impeccably designed rooms. Each room had a theme and each piece of furniture and decoration seemed as if it was made to be placed in that room.

"Even witches have style," she said, noticing my wandering eye.

"Oh, I didn't mean to-"

"It's quite alright. Do have a seat."

I sat down, taking a small sip from the tea she had placed in front of me. It was absolutely delicious, easily the best tea I've tasted. It was a perfect mix of each spice just enough mint to give it a pungent scent with a dash of ginger and cinnamon to achieve the sour and sweet mixture that exploded on my tongue. With each sip, I could taste a different spice, causing my tongue to experience different tastes with each slurp. I eyed a huge pot on the stove, with  weird pink smoke radiating off of it. I wondered what was in it.

I looked up, noticing her watching me silently, almost amused. I cleared my throat, straightening up as I focused my attention on her.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Why on earth would I do such a thing?" She asked, shocked.

Perplexed, I explained, "You told me to sacrifice one of my friends, I offered myself instead. You let me in. I assumed you'd-"

"That was the test, you silly girl. I wanted to see how deep your loyalty ran and how committed you were to those friends of yours. You passed. That's why I let you in. You're the first one to pass that test in decades. So many have made it so far only to sacrifice their loved ones for themselves and meet their ends."

I relaxed, leaning back into the chair in relief.

"You're not what I expected."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The prophecy painted you as as weak, it even foreshadowed that you'd fail at your mission. You're much stronger than I expected and I believe you will bring about great change."

"I'm sorry, what is the prophecy?"

"Your father never told you?"

"There's little my father does tell me."

She stood up, walking over to the shelf in the corner of the room, pulling out a book. She sifted through the pages until she found what she wanted. She handed the book to me. It was written in Latin, translating in my mind as I read it.

The girl will be born into the world and that world will despise her. She will endure many pains and those pains will change her. She will be the light, shining for all to see. She will be the darkness, bringing death to all she touches. The fate of the world will rest on her decision.

I looked up at her, struggling to understand what it meant.

"What decision?"

"You'll know when the time comes."

"Now, come. We must complete the binding spell if you are to rid this world of that cursed vampire."

Noticing the surprise on my face, she added, "This has always been my destiny. It was fated to be so."

I didn't understand what she meant but decided not to ask, following her into a different room.

There were foreign symbols drawn on the ground that I didn't recognize. She led me to the center, holding both of my hands in hers. I couldn't help but notice how frail and how ice cold her hands were to the touch. She whispered a few words and I could feel our magic bond, flowing within one another as she stepped away.

"That's it?"

"Binding spells are the simpler of the lot. Come with me."

I followed her as she went back to the kitchen. She reached for the kitchen knife, slashing it across her wrist without a flinch. I winced, watching her blood pour out as she dropped it into the pot on the stove and stirred. When she was satisfied, she poured a cup before handing it to me.

"Drink."

I gulped it down, gagging at how disgusting it tasted. I forced down the bile riding up my threat as I drank the rest.

"We are now bonded. You may draw upon my magic when you need it. It's time for you to return to your friends."

"Wait, aren't you coming with me? Don't we have to fight him together?"

"No, I will not be leaving my house. You need my magic to win and we have been bonded. I gave you the potion that allows you to use my magic. It is stored deep inside of you ready to be used when you need it. There's nothing more for me to do for you now. Good luck child. The fate of the world rests in your hands."

"Wait!" I protested, but she was already gone and I was back in the forest.

"You're back!" Star exclaimed.

I turned around, realizing I was back with my friends in the same place I'd left them.

"What happened?" Zion asked.

"It's done. We're bonded. She gave me her magic to defeat Liam."

"Great, so we can leave," Jer said happily.

"Yes we can. Where's Crexus?"

On cue, he appeared by my side.

"I can open a portal for you to return Esat to her mother," I offered, looking to Edward.

"No! I want to co-" she started to protest.

"That would be great. Just take us to Texas and we'll find our way through there," Edward cut in.

I nodded, walking over to Esat who looked crushed about leaving us.

"We can keep in touch. Don't worry. We'll see each other again," I reassured her.

She threw her arms around me, squeezing me in a hug without warning. I returned the hug, wrapping my arms around her as well.

She went around, hugging everyone even Crexus, to his surprise before returning to Edward's side.

I closed my eyes, imagining Texas. I'd never been before so it wasn't easy. I just kept repeating the word over and over again hoping the right portal would pop up. After awhile, the portal opened. Edward and Esat gave a final wave before hopping through.

After they left, I closed my eyes thinking of the Academy, imaging every part of it in detail. The portal came faster, easily able to place it. My friends hopped through one by one, leaving me left. I took a final look around at the forest before stepping in. I could've sworn that I saw someone out of the corner of my eye, hidden amongst the trees. Writing it off as another trick, I opened my eyes taking in the Academy. I had never been so happy to be here. Even the glares of students seemed welcoming after being constantly attacked and tested in the forest.