*33*

A week has passed since the funeral. Ten students and four professors died that day. We were given another four days to continue to mourn those who lost their lives before class started back up. The academy was quiet, and almost no one spoke a word.

Well, almost no one spoke a word to me. When word got out that I was branded to that Demon, and that I was an Orelie, most of the students began to blame me for what happened. They believed that if I had never come to the academy, everything would have been fine.

At the same time, they wouldn't have known about the Orelie trapped under their feet and would still be getting taught by a Witch. A couple people understood that, but they still refused to speak, or even look, at me.

Thankfully, I could still find comfort in my friends. Myla and Striker stuck by my side. They knew I was not to blame, and that I had saved so many other lives in the process.

"Just let them let off steam," Striker had said as we ate. "It'll blow over eventually. Just know we'll always be right by your side."

"You're a hero; to us, at least." Myla smiled. "I'm sure others feel the same way, seeing as how all the missing Orelie are back. From what I understand, a couple of them were family members. A lot of reunions happened that day."

"I guess you're right." I poked at my food. "I just don't really feel like a hero. Erixsys is dead, Professors and students are dead, and I feel like I'm at fault. I should have tried to contain the Witches better."

"Stop that." Striker hit the table. "You're just one person. You couldn't have done everything alone. The casualties could have been much worse had you not stepped in."

"I guess," I sighed and took a small bite. "I'm just glad it was Crae who was the Demon instead of a different one. That would have posed a huge problem. Then everything would be my fault."

"Kyrene,"

"Sorry, sorry. It's not my fault." The ring caught my gaze. I held my hand out to look. So far, I'm keeping my end of the deal.

"What's that?" Myla grasped my wrist. "When did you get a ring? From who?! Did Striker ask? Why did you say yes?!"

"Hey!"

I chuckled softly. "No, it's not from Striker. Crae gave it to me."

"You're engaged to your Demon?!" She shrieked.

I rubbed my ear, wincing. "No, he just made me promise to remember all the good times we've had together. We made the promise on this ring."

"So it's a Promise Ring!" She gasped. "A promise leads to an engagement!"

I turned to Striker. "What does she mean?"

"Myla," he sighed. "Kyrene doesn't know about the world like we do. She doesn't know what a Promise Ring is, nor what an engagement ring means, or what it all symbolizes."

"I was hoping you'd give me answers..."

"Oh yeah, I forgot." She scratched her neck. "This is awkward. The main gist of it is that you are promised to him, and no other man can take you as his. It symbolizes that you will love each other and no one else."

"I didn't agree to that!"

"Yet there the ring sits!" She gestured to my hand.

Now I was panicking. "Guys, I never agreed to love him! I have someone else out there for me! I saw it in a vision!"

"Did you see who it was?" Striker asked.

"Well, no..."

"Then there is a good chance that it is him you're destined to be with." He shrugged.

"But Orelie visions aren't set in stone." I countered with. "We only see things based on what that person has done and where they are in life!"

A distant memory popped up. "Yet... yet back when I was in Earth, I looked out a window. I somehow locked gazes with someone and I saw me standing in a field of flowers. Someone called my name. The only other person who knew about me being there... was Crae. He said he'd been watching me for a while."

My eyes widened. "But why...? Why would I be with him? Why would I love him? After all the lies!" I covered my arm.

Myla draped an arm over me. "Hey, it's okay. You said it yourself. Things aren't set in stone. Maybe after everything that's happened, you don't end up with him. You'll end up with someone else and live your life here happily."

My fingers gripped the mark. "Even so, he'll need to feed, or else he'll go crazy from the lack of my blood. You saw how he was that day. He looked awful, and drained. He seemed weak and not quite himself when I first saw him. He only started to perk back up when he fed from me."

"Why me?" I barely whispered as I buried my face in my hands. "Why is all this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? I never asked for any of this!"

Slowly, I pulled my hands away. "I have to give him back the ring."

"Kyrene?"

I stared down at it. "I have to give it back. I have to leave. If I go back to Earth and forget about all this, I'll never have to worry about it ever again. I can live a normal life!"

"Wait, let's think this through-"

"I am!" I cut Striker off. "I'm thinking of me! I never wanted any of this! Yes, the magic is amazing, and I loved meeting you guys, but I can't keep putting up with all this! Rodnik is gone, but who's to say someone else won't come along and try to hurt the Orelie again? I'm thinking of myself and my safety!"

"But you'll die faster on Earth!" Myla protested. "This land has done wonders for you, and you're just gonna throw it away?"

That made me freeze. If I do go back to Earth, the magic of Fucrya won't be able to sustain me over there. Would I even be able to do magic over there? Will that draw the remaining energy from me and put me back in the sorry state I was in before? Always sick and creeping closer to dying?

Here, I have a chance at living a full life. How much time would I have on the other side? When I spoke with Vaeri and Brykas all those months ago, they had mentioned me maybe having only a year or so left. If I left today, I probably wouldn't make it past five years. I was practically on death's door before I came here.

I sighed and hung my head, my grip on my arm loosening. "I don't know what to do... I'm scared, and confused, and I don't know what Crae wants from me. Does he want to be with me? Is this as far as we go? Will I have to worry about him feeding from me every so often if I do end up with someone else?"

"I don't know what to do..." I covered my face with my hands.

"We'll help you sort this out." Myla placed a hand on my shoulder. "You won't be alone. I promise, things will turn out okay."

I sniffed and wiped at my eyes, taking in the soft smiles of my friends. "Thank you. That means a lot to me right now."

~~~~

I blew into my gloved hands as I walked towards the cafe. The chill of winter bit into my exposed skin. It feels colder here than it ever did back on Earth. I want summer to come back. It's way too cold.

I stepped into the cafe and kicked the snow off my shoes. The warmth of the fireplace filled me as I took in a deep breath. With some effort, I shrugged out of the academy winter coat and my top two layers and hung them up. I slipped the academy coat back on and made my way to the very back of the cafe, seeing two figures waiting for me.

Mystic waved enthusiastically as she beamed. To her left sat Crae, who wore only a simple coat. He sipped from a mug, not meeting my gaze.

"I'm glad you're finally here!" Mystic pulled a chair out for me and waved at someone behind me. "How are you enjoying your first winter in Fucrya?"

"It's cold." I grumbled as I rubbed my hands together. She chuckled as Crae gave a half smile before hiding it with his mug. "But the fire professor is teaching us how to use our magic to help keep us warm. I'm finding it a bit difficult, seeing as how I'm not used to this weather. Hopefully I can get it down soon. I can't feel my fingers and toes most days." A steaming, warm drink was placed down beside me.

I picked it up and carefully sipped, loving as the warmth spread inside my body. "Oh yeah, that's perfect."

"Are you excited for the holiday break coming up?" Mystic asked, her eyes wide and filled with joy.

"Yes, I am actually." I wrapped my hands around the mug to warm them. "I love it at the academy, but it'll be nice to take a break for a little while. What holiday is coming up again?"

"Winter Solstice." Crae answered before Mystic could open her mouth. "A time to celebrate the symbolism of fire and light, along with life, death, the rising sun, and the moon. It's also referred to as the day of the sun's rebirth. People would hold ceremonies, as that day marked the strengthening of the sun and the wait for the longer days to come. We still celebrate, but it has also become a time of gift giving, almost like Christmas back on Earth."

"Fascinating." I looked away, remembering the other times he joined Mystic and I. The first time was hard. Everything that happened at the academy was still fresh. It was also the day I demanded he take the ring back after I explained what it really meant. He refused, insisting I keep it for now and put it on a different finger until I feel comfortable putting it back on the other.

It's in a small box on my nightstand.

The second time I saw him, he needed to feed. We found a secluded space away from everyone so he could do it in private. I tried to hide my fear at seeing his form again, but he knew. He only took enough to take the edge off. He left soon after.

The third time, which was last month, he didn't sit with Mystic and I. He sat a couple tables away from us, keeping an eye out. Even though the danger was gone, he continued to keep an eye out for anything that could pose a threat.

Even now I can see him darting his eyes around, following the movement of everyone around us.

"So," I focused back on Mystic. "I have some news. Remember Fenin, the one who rescued you from the Merfolk?" Crae tilted his head slightly at the mention of Merfolk.

"Yes, I remember him." I glanced at her eyes, seeing the Vision of her and the baby in her arms. I grinned, having a feeling that I knew what she was going to say.

"First, let me start off by saying that him and I used to... have history together." She swirled her drink. "It never really worked out because he kept leaving for work and would go long stretches without writing me. Anyway, he's decided to leave the entertainment business and settle down in Millpost. With me."

Finally, I could see who the man in her Vision was. Fenin stood proudly behind her, a soft smile on his lips. "I had a feeling it would happen."

"What do you mean?" I gave her a pointed look, waiting for it to click with her. She thought long and hard for several minutes before her eyes widened. "The Vision!"

"You got it." I took another sip. "It wasn't clear who it was until you mentioned Fenin. Just don't go running off to do it now. It looked like it was still a couple years in the future."

"Speaking of Visions," I glanced over to Crae, who looked everywhere but at me. "How are they coming along?"

I slowly nodded as I stared into my drink. "They're coming along great. I can control them better. Apparently I'm some sort of prodigy. I'm able to choose what I want to see in a person, how far out, and now I'm starting to work on staying in the Vision for an extended period of time to get as many details as possible."

When I looked back up, Crae was looking at me as well. I felt myself being pulled into a Vision; one that I knew all too well. I watched myself frolic and play in a field of wildflowers. I wore all white and held a bouquet of flowers in my hand. Once more, a voice called to me. When I turned, Crae stood smiling, one of his hands in the pocket of light brown dress pants, the other holding my staff.

He was dressed in a light blue button down and a crisp white vest. His smile never left his lips as my Vision self practically danced over to him and brought him into a tight embrace. I pulled myself from the Vision as they began to kiss deeply and passionately.

What felt like moments was only seconds. "I-I'm sorry. I have to go."

"Kyrene?" I didn't look back as I grabbed my coats at the doors and carefully ran back to the academy.

It's still the same, even after what happened. The only difference is that now I could see the brand on my arm. I shook my head to clear it, not wanting to think of that future. I wanted it desperately so long ago, but now I don't know.

I thought back to the first time I had that Vision. What I saw and remembered made me stop. I... I think I also had that brand in that one too. If I'm remembering it correctly, it was faint, but still there.

"Kyrene, wait." I turned to see Crae jog over to me. "You had another Vision. What did you see?"

"Crae, I... I can't right now. I have to go. I'm sorry."

"Please, Kyrene!" He took my wrist as I turned away. "I know the Vision involved me. I need to know what happened. Or what will happen. Please..."

My breath hitched in my throat as tears threatened to fall. All I could do was shake my head and pull my arm free. I ran as fast as I could, slipping and sliding most of the way. I can't handle this right now. I can't be near him. Ergo had told me the more often I see the same or a similar Vision, the more likely it'll happen, no matter what people do to avoid it.

I don't want to forgive him. Do I? Should I? No, no! He lied to me! Hurt me! He doesn't deserve my forgiveness.

Yet...

I stopped at the gates to the academy. I turned and spotted him a fair distance away, watching me. He turned to leave when he saw me step inside and shut the gate.

He's still watching over me; protecting me. He's doing everything he can to earn my forgiveness and rebuild what was destroyed. Crae had said Demons don't feel human emotions, but he is acting more human than ever before. I've seen the dark circles under his eyes, the fear when something happens to me. The joy and happiness when I did something right with my magic.

The... love when he knows I'm safe.

I stepped away from the gate and headed for my room.