Addison’s POV

The plan was intricate—layers upon layers of deception, strategy, and just enough chaos to tip the scales in our favor. Wiccan stood at the head of the table in the dimly lit room, his fingers tracing the map of Seabrook spread out before us. His crimson aura flickered faintly, casting ominous shadows across the walls.

“This is where we’ll start,” Wiccan said, pointing to Seabrook High. “We need to establish our presence without drawing suspicion. Addison, your return will be our cover. The town already expects you back for senior year.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “And the glamours?”

“They’re essential,” Ivy chimed in, her voice soft but deliberate. “If anyone sees us for who we really are, it could compromise everything.”

I reached for the small vial of shimmering liquid sitting beside me. Crafting these glamours had been my job for weeks. The magic pulsed faintly in my hands, a mix of potions and spells strong enough to obscure even the keenest eyes.

Rowan leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. “How convincing are they?”

“They’ll hold,” I replied confidently, though the strain in my voice betrayed my nerves. “No one will see through them unless they’re actively searching for magic.”

Wiccan’s gaze flicked to me. “Good. We’ll need to stay close to Addison. Seabrook is her domain; she knows the terrain and the players.”

I resisted the urge to snap at his phrasing. Her domain? Like I was some chess piece in his grand game. But I kept my mouth shut. He was right—Seabrook was my home, and I had to play my part.

---

The next morning, I arrived at Seabrook High. The halls were just as I’d left them six months ago—bright, cheery, and nauseatingly normal. Students bustled about, excited chatter filling the air as they caught up after summer break. My return sparked a few surprised glances, but no one said anything outright. Good. Let them wonder.

Wiccan, Rowan, and Ivy arrived shortly after, their glamours flawless. Wiccan looked like an average teenage boy—his fiery aura masked by sandy blond hair and a pair of unassuming glasses. Rowan’s sharp edges were softened into an approachable smile and a cascade of red curls. Ivy, pale and ethereal, now blended in with a pixie cut and glasses that gave her an air of mystery. They were perfect strangers, and yet, the magic thrumming around them was enough to make anyone with a hint of supernatural awareness take notice.

“Everyone’s staring,” Rowan muttered as we walked down the hall.

“Welcome to high school,” I replied dryly, my heels clicking against the polished floor. “Get used to it.”

---

Bellatrix’s POV

The scent of overpriced cafeteria pizza assaulted my nose as I walked into the Seabrook High commons. Wyatt trailed behind me, holding my bag like the sweet but overly accommodating boyfriend he was.

“Do you think Zed’s going to ask about Addison again?” Wyatt asked.

I rolled my eyes. “If he does, I swear I’ll scream. The girl’s gone—he needs to get over it.”

Across the room, Luna and Willa sat at their usual table, huddled together like the lovebirds they were. Luna noticed me first, giving a small wave. I waved back halfheartedly, making my way over. Wyatt and I sat down just as Willa leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“There are new students,” she said, her tone dripping with suspicion.

“So?” I replied, stealing a fry off Wyatt’s tray. “It’s a high school. New kids show up all the time.”

“Not like this,” Luna added. “There’s something...off about them.”

Before I could respond, the “new kids” walked in. The first one, a tall redhead with an air of smug confidence, scanned the room like she owned it. The second, a short girl with sharp, assessing eyes, stuck close to a boy with blond hair and glasses who seemed to blend into the background.

“Speak of the devil,” I muttered, watching them approach.

“They’re coming over here,” Willa hissed, her tone acidic.

“Let them,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Maybe they’re just lost.”

The redhead—Rowan, I assumed—was the first to speak. “Hi. I’m Rowan, and these are my friends Ivy and Liam.” She gestured to the others. “We’re new here and thought we’d introduce ourselves.”

Luna gave them a tight-lipped smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Welcome. Hope you enjoy Seabrook.”

Willa wasn’t as subtle. “Where are you from?”

“Small town up north,” Rowan replied smoothly. “Not much to talk about.”

My eyes narrowed. Something about her felt...off. But I wasn’t ready to jump to conclusions like Willa and Luna. “Well, welcome to the most boring place on Earth,” I said with a smirk. “Hope you survive the monotony.”

Rowan’s lips twitched upward in what might’ve been a smirk of her own. “I think we’ll manage.”

---

Addison’s POV

Watching from across the room, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of satisfaction. The plan was in motion. Rowan, Ivy, and Wiccan—now “Liam”—were already making their mark. And Bellatrix? She was already curious. I could see it in the way her gaze lingered on Rowan, her sharp mind trying to piece together the puzzle.

This was going to work. It had to. Bellatrix wouldn’t know what hit her.

But even as I turned away, a flicker of doubt wormed its way into my mind. Was this really the only way? Did I have to destroy her to achieve what I wanted?

I shook the thought off. Weakness had no place here. Not anymore.