"Ughhhhh," I groaned at the sound of Star's alarm. I reached over, grabbing it quickly and turning it off as I felt a headache coming on.

"Wake up," I said, jumping onto her bed and shaking her as I used one hand to rub my eyes awake.

"I didn't hear the alarm go off," she muttered.

"That's because I stopped it, now get up," I said, crawling off her bed.

"Hey, why are you wearing the same dress from yesterday?" She questioned, noticing my attire.

"Forgot to change last night."

"What were you guys doing that made you so tired?" She said, grinning.

"You're horrible," I laughed, throwing a pillow at her that she was too tired to dodge.

"Hey!"

"Get dressed," I called out from over my shoulder as I headed to the bathrooms. I tore off the dress, ready to be rid of the reminder of last night. I washed up quickly, got dressed, and returned first for once. I sat on my bed, waiting for Star as I checked my phone.

There was a text from Edward that I missed last night. Weird. Edward never texted me before he's a caller. I clicked on it immediately, curious as to why he texted.

Come after you finish classes. We need to talk.

About what?

I waited for his response but it never came. Giving up, I pushed my phone in my pocket hoping it was something serious. If it was about my jealous remarks over Esat, I'd rather not waste my time. We had bigger fish to fry.

"I'm ready!" Star said excitedly, hopping over to me and grabbing her bag. I stood up, walking with her out the door and towards the Common.

"Why are you guys always late?" Jeremy whined, frowning at us.

"Let's just go," Tom said, walking off.

"What's wrong with him?" Star asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He didn't sleep much," Joel explained before following him.

I sped up to catch up with Tom, startling him as I popped by his side. It definitely wasn't sleep bothering him and now was my chance to find out.

"Hey," I said casually.

"Hey."

"Joel said you didn't sleep?"

"Yeah, bad dream," he answered, staring straight ahead.

"About what?"

"Nothing important."

"Tom, you know you can talk to me right? I can tell something's bothering you. You've always been there for me and I want to be there for you too."

"It's nothing, really. Just a bad dream. You have enough on your plate already."

"It's not the dream that's bothering you. What is it?" I persisted, looking him in the eye.

"What are you two talking about? Star and Joel aren't doing much talking," Jeremy said, interrupting our conversation. From the relief on Tom's face, I could tell he was glad we were interrupted. Whatever was bothering him, I was clearly the last person he wanted to tell.

I turned around to see Jeremy was right. Star was giggling as Joel was planting kisses all over her face.

"That'll be you soon with Bonnie. Our plan starts today."

"Saron, what're you going to do?" He asked me suspiciously.

"I can't tell you that," I said, laughing as I took off into the air trailing Joel and Star.

"I'll talk to her, I swear. Just don't do anything," Jeremy pleaded, flying up beside me as we passed the staircase.

"No you won't," Tom laughed, calling his bluff.

We regrouped at the top, walking through the pathway before seperated off into our designated classes. The first three classes flew by, the makeup work piling up for me and Star from the days we were gone. I couldn't complain since I'd already been exempted from so much work due to my multiple near death experiences. There was only so much leniency they could give me.

"So what's the plan to get Bonnie to fall in love with Jeremy?" I asked, consulting with Star.

"Finally! I was tired of him talking my ear off about her. We should start with something low key so she doesn't think he likes her. We have to make her fall in love with him without knowing he's in love with her."

"How are we gonna do that?"

"Invite her to lunch with us."

"How is that gonna make her fall in love with Jeremy?" I asked.

"None of us are going to show up but Jeremy."

"You're a genius," I said, grinning at her.

We walked in, finding Jeremy sitting down looking incredibly anxious. We walked over, settling down beside him as he looked between us suspiciously.

"What are you guys up to?"

"Why would you think we're up to something?" Star asked, innocently.

"Bonnie!" I called out, waving her over. Jeremy stared daggers at me as I smiled brightly at her.

"Why don't you sit for a sec?" Star offered, gesturing to the chair near us.

"Sure," she said, giving us a surprised smile that exposed her deep dimples. I saw why Jeremy was so smitten by her, she was stunning.

"How's class been the past few days?" Star started, making small talk.

"Honestly, boring without you guys. Where were you guys anyway?" She asked, turning to Jeremy who still hasn't said a word.

"We uh-" he paused, unable to finish his sentence. She cocked her head at him in confusion.

"He had a stomach bug. His voice goes in and out," Star said quickly. saving him from looking like a complete idiot.

"There was a special project we had do for another class. The Headmaster exempted us for a few days," I said casually.

"What kind of project?" She asked curiously.

"Hey, do you want to eat lunch with us?" Star asked, saving me having to come up with another lie.

"Me?" She asked, surprise written all over her face.

"Why not? When are you free?" Star pressed.

"I should be good after class."

"Great! I won't be able to be there because I have another class but Star and Jer should be there," I added.

"Okay, sounds good," she said happily before getting her things and returning to sit with her friend on the other side of the room.

"Whoooo," Star cheered, high fiving me.

"I hate you both," Jeremy muttered, running his fingers through his hair in distress.

"You have now until the end of class to learn how to talk. You got this," I encouraged.

"Alright class, get in positions. You three, come to the front," Miss Sewx said, pointing at us.

We quickly got up, making our way towards her.

"And where have you three been for three days?"

"We had a project to complete," Star said, going with the lie I told Bonnie.

"For the headmaster," I added.

"Very well, take your seats. You've missed a lot so you'll spend class today watching your peers."

We took a seat, watching them as they practiced flying forwards, backwards, sideways, in single file, all the possible ways I could imagine but in unison, as a group. Their movements were so fluid and in sync from afar you might think it was just one person. It must've taken them the entire three days to perfect it.

We sat back and watched, chatting amongst each other the entire class until she dismissed us.

Bonnie walked over, joining us as we walked out together. I waved them goodbye, winking at Jeremy before taking off.

"Missed me?" I joked, darting up to Narxus as I entered the room.

He stood up, quickly making his way over to the end of the room to gather weapons before returning. All business as usual.

"Can't we just sit and talk for one day?" I complained.

"We don't have time to spare. With dark magic and the witch's power within you, your emotions must be heightened. You need to learn control."

I had almost forgotten about the old witch. I hadn't realized it before but now that I think about it, I have been more emotional lately and more easily triggered. I thought it was just my period coming on.

I reached out my hand, grabbing the spear he tossed my way instinctively without looking. I looked down at my hand then back at him, surprised.

"Good."

We continued like that for almost two hours. Him attacking me with all sorts of weapons from every angle and speed he could think up which I dodged.

At the end, he tossed the weapons away before leaving with, "we train your mind tomorrow."

I wiped the sweat on my brow before grabbing my things and exiting the room. I searched the building, locating Edward in that same room he always was.

"Please tell me this is something serious because I am star-" I started as I entered the room before I stopped.

Edward, the Headmaster, and Crexus were standing in the room waiting for me.

"What's wrong? Where have you been?" I asked, cocking my head at Crexus.

"We needed him to fight off intruders. He's still bonded to you so if you were in danger, he'd alert us," she explained quickly.

"Intruders?"

"Since we left to see the Old Witch, apparently there have been trespassers. The magical boundary protecting the school from unauthorized individuals has been going off almost nightly according to your Headmaster. We believe it's Liam, trying to get to you," Edward explained.

"If he wanted to get to me, why doesn't he come? A boundary spell shouldn't be a problem for someone with dark magic?" I asked.

"That's what we were thinking. Which is why we came to a conclusion," Edward started.

"What conclusion?"

"Liam may have dark magic but he might not be able to access it, at least not enough of it to attack you. That would explain why he is trying to reach you by infiltrating the school and through the dark magic. You took control of the dark magic when you broke up the Five and again when you removed it from Liam. Dark magic craves power. That explains why it attached itself to your body and is trying to control you. But dark magic, like anything else, needs to be invited in. Until you invite it in, Liam may not be able to access the magic he wants because you still maintain some control over the dark magic and it craves your power over his," he explained.

"Wait so, does that mean as long as I don't let it in Liam won't be strong enough to kill me?"

"Technically, yes. Basically, the dark magic is at your bidding," the Headmaster answered.