A lot can happen in nine months, and as Lucas Faye blocks every attack that Professor Bane throws his way, he realises just how much can change in a few months. Though his muscles ache from exhaustion, his eyebrows are still furrowed in determination. Standing here, before his favourite professor, Lucas isn't entirely sure where he would be without the help of his mentor.

Professor Bane steps away.

"You're doing great Lucas."

Lucas nods, his cheeks colouring and a bright smile on his face.

"Thank you, Sir."

The professor's hand squeezes Lucas's shoulder. "With the level of skill and power you practise, I do believe that if you were born a few decades ago, you truly could've flown on a broom."

At the quizzical look that adorns Lucas's face, the professor speaks, "You do not know, my son?"

Lucas shakes his head so vigorously, he's surprised it doesn't fall off. Sierra's thirst for knowledge is clearly rubbing off on him.

"Not a long time ago, witches were capable of wielding brooms, though only Seer witches had the ability to. However, when the revolutionary wars began, all of the brooms in the world had been destroyed," Professor Bane explains, his voice mournful.

"Were you there for it?" Lucas questions, knowing that his mentor was much older than he looked.

The professor nods. "Once a time, the kind of witches were very divided. Some believed we were born to prevail over mankind, others wanted to live a peaceful existence. The divide resulted in many rebellions. It's actually where the Dark King's rise began."

Lucas notes that the professor doesn't refer to the Dark King with his birth name, but the title handed to him, unlike all of the other professors and notable figures at the academy.

"What did he believe in?" Lucas asks curiously.

"Surprisingly, the Dark King did not have a care for the rebellions happening. Until, his family was slaughtered due to it, for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And that is when he decided that the kind of witches had become too problematic," the Professor answers, his hand twitching as he pours himself a glass of water.

"Do you agree?"

Professor Bane looks into Lucas's eyes, the eye contact not wavering. "I think that the Dark King is – was a very powerful witch."

As the Professor passes Lucas a glass of water, Lucas's eyes drift to the white scar on his hand that wasn't there a week ago. With a glance at his glass of water, Lucas wonders if he should breach the topic.

"Everything alright, professor?" Lucas asks, trying not to think about the training session when the professor had pushed Sierra too far.

"Of course, Lucas." The professor pauses in his actions and asks, "Why is that?"

Unsure of why he is hesitating, Lucas adds, "You just look tired."

A lie. Lucas has just lied to his mentor, and for no apparent reason.

With a warm smile, Professor Bane replies, "It is all good in the hood, Lucas. Now, you better scurry off to dinner before you miss Principal Cashore's opening."

After an uncertain nod, Lucas thanks the older witch for the training session and as instructed, hurries to dinner. But not without, some doubts floating in his mind.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Amisha's feet dig into the grass, her hands moving in a dance as she spars with Alec. Her right leg lifts into a kick, that Alec blocks swiftly and smoothly. Occupied with blocking the kick, Alec misses the attack spell coming towards him. His breath is knocked out of him, as he stumbles back.

"Sierra!" Zoe screams, stealing both Alec and Amisha's attention.

Amisha watches as Sierra and Day step out of the academy and onto grounds, as Sierra's first appearance out of the infirmary. By the looks of the pair being donned in their training gear, Sierra isn't planning on lying around and getting more bed rest. Amisha doesn't miss how Day's eyes follow Sierra as she walks up to Zoe and finds herself wrapped into a hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Zoe gushes. "Are you sure you're ready to train?"

"Don't bother, she's a stubborn witch," Day remarks, walking up to Zoe and Sierra.

Zoe's eyes pass between Day and Sierra, her gaze questioning, but she simply nods and moves back to Lucas.

"Ready to have your ass handed to you?" Sierra asks Day, as she positions herself, ready for an attack.

Day smirks. "If you're so eager to embarrass yourself, Kingsley, then I can't do much."

"Actually," Amisha interjects, walking up to the pair. "I think I'm going to train with Sierra today, I'm done entertaining your best mate."

Day glances at Amisha and then Sierra, wondering if he should back down or not. Day would never verbalise it, but he looked forward to not just physically sparring with Sierra, but verbally too. Without another word, Day moves away, back to Alec, who looked wistfully at Amisha.

"Unlucky, mate," Day murmurs to Alec.

"You're a bit needy today," Sierra teases, as her and Amisha begin training.

"Just making sure I don't get replaced with Blackwood."

Sierra raises an eyebrow at the witch's response. She purses her lips, trying to keep a pleased smile off her face.

"Is that so?"

"You going to tell me what that's about, or do I need to beat it out of you?" Amisha adds, grunting as she blocks Sierra's blow.

"We're friends."

"Hmm." Hit. Block. Hit. "Is that all he wants to be?"

Sierra rolls her eyes.

"He's dating Raylene Tan."

"We'll see for how long," Amisha replies, smirking.

Uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, Sierra puts more force into her spells, trying to catch Amisha off guard.

"Have you looked into the bond?" Sierra asks, her voice dropping lower, as if they weren't quiet already.

Amisha gives a slight nod, and if Sierra hadn't been watching her every move, she would've missed it.

"I haven't found anything," Amisha replies, her eyes no longer dancing with mirth.

"We'll figure it out," Sierra adds encouragingly. "Together."

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

There aren't many days at the academy where everyone is relaxing and acting like they're actually nineteen years old. But today happens to be one of them. Sierra Kingsley's brown eyes roam around the salus lounge, skimming and scanning the birthday decorations. The last Saturday of September this year happens to be Day's birthday, and to celebrate, Day so far had spent his day in Sydney, with his family. But an hour ago, Day had returned, and now twenty other witches stand around the room waiting for Day to walk in.

Sierra toys with the hem of her cream coloured playsuit, bouncing on the tips of her boots. Two days ago, when Sierra had been discharged from the infirmary, Day had told her about his family, and how much he'd missed them. With Zoe's permission, Sierra had peered into her brain and plucked a memory of Day laughing with his mother and brother. Sierra then spent an entire night awake, trying to transfer that memory into a crystal ball until she had finally succeeded in the wee hours of the morning.

Now the box feels heavy in her hand, as she frets over his reaction. Alec's phone buzzes, and he hushes everyone, and only a moment later the doors open revealing Day and Zoe.

"Surprise!"

Day steps back, his eyes wide with alarm. As he recovers, Zoe engulfs him into a hug. Sierra watches with a smile as Alec walks up to him, saying something that has Day laughing before hugging him.

Sierra moves from her place to wish Day, when her eyes fall on a moving Raylene Tan. The Bender witch walks up to Day, and plants a kiss on his lips. Sierra's eyes narrow on Day's hand on her waist, and she feels her stomach churn. Orion walks towards the couple, and shoves a shot glass into Day's mouth before he can protest. And then Day is dragged away, into the arms of well-wishers that want to see him get drunk.

Amisha saunters up to Sierra, before she says, "You look like you need a shot."

Sierra eyes the two shot glasses in Amisha's hand. She's never been one to drink straight spirits, always sticking to beer or a RTD. But now the liquid looks like the best idea Amisha's had. Without another thought, Sierra throws the shot back, and grabs the other one and throws it back just as quickly. Amisha's eyebrows rise in surprise.

"The second one was for me, but that's alright. Clearly you needed it more than." When Sierra doesn't reply, Amisha asks, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Sierra shrugs, her eyes following Raylene Tan as she chatters away with her friends. Sierra's never envied Raylene before, and she is very much aware that Raylene and Day have been dating. Despite spending so much time with Day the past two weeks or so, she'd never actually seen the pair interact.

Amisha follows her gaze and with realisation she says, "Ah, I see."

At her words, Sierra's eyes shift back to Amisha.

"You don't see anything."

"Just admit that you like him," Amisha says dryly.

"Like who?" Noah says, walking up to the chatting witches.

With wide eyes and very abruptly, Sierra replies, "No one."

Noah raises his hands in surrender, not understanding what he had just walked in on. Before Sierra knows it, Lucas's dragging her away to drink and then she finds herself joining the circle of dancing witches. Sierra finds herself forgetting about her newfound negative feelings regarding Raylene Tan, and enjoying the music. It's only after half an hour of dancing, that she moves away from the crowd. With the box still grasped in her, Sierra searches for the Consumer witch. When she can't spot him, she leaves the room, hoping for some fresh air to sober her up.

She heads toward domus lounge, hoping to leave Day's present in her room before she loses it. The alcohol is still strumming in her veins, adding a slight bounce to her steps. And before she can process it, a hand wraps around her wrist and she's pulled around the corner. Sierra screams in surprise, only to come eye to eye with a grinning Day.

"What the fuck was that?" Sierra asks, her eyes wide and her breathing heavy from surprise.

Day chuckles cheekily, no remorse on his face.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

Sierra tilts her head, and then asks, "What are you doing out here?"

"Just needed a breather. You?"

"Same." Sierra hesitates before adding, "Happy Birthday."

She lifts the box up and Day looks at it, noticing it for the first time.

"You didn't have to," Day says, feeling oddly nervous.

"I know, but I did. So open it."

Day reaches for the box, trying not to focus on how soft her skin feels as he brushes against her fingers. He grabs the lid and lifts it. Reaching into it, he pulls out the crystal ball, his eyes taking a moment to adjust to it in the dark. His lips part in surprise, his eyebrows rising.

"Sierra..." He looks at the crystal, amazed, remembering how happy he was in that moment. Studying the memory, it's as if he can hear Derek's laughter in his head. "This is incredible."

"I'm glad you like it," Sierra replies, a soft smile on her face.

"This is just amazing, I don't know what to say," Day says, looking up from the crystal to gaze at her. Before Day realises what he's doing, he pulls her into a hug. Sierra gasps at the unexpected move, but wraps her arms around him, wondering if she has just gotten herself into more trouble than she is ready for.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

The last time Alec had seen Amisha was approximately two hours ago, when she had been downing shots with Sierra. Now he searches through the grounds, hoping to find her and catch a few moments alone with her. The wind bites at Alec's skin, and he wonders if he should've brought his jacket. In the distance, a figure moves through the body of water charmed to act like a swimming pool. Alec's eyes widen and he jogs up to the pond.

"Woman, are you crazy?" Alec yells, amazement evident in his voice.

"And why am I crazy?" Amisha asks, her voice lilting.

"Because that water is bound to be fucking freezing."

Alec's eyes fall onto the discarded top and leggings on the ground.

"It's not that bad," Amisha answers with an eye roll. "Are you just going to stand there?"

"What?" Alec sputters. "You think I'm going to come in there."

"Nope, figured you were too scared," Amisha replies challengingly.

Alec knows he's being baited. He groans when he realises that he's going to join her anyways. Throwing his shirt over his head, he chucks it next to her clothing. His pants follow. Without another thought about modesty or the risk of hypothermia, he dives into the water in just his boxers. He breaks the surface, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"Holy fuck!" he exclaims, shocked by the thrill of it.

His eyes fall onto a grinning Amisha, and he's taken aback by how pretty she looks when she smiles genuinely. With his eyes a little softer, he wades towards her.

He sighs dramatically. "You're going to be the death of me, Amisha Jeet."

She looks up at him, and Alec isn't surprised when his heart beats a little faster.

With a seductive smile – that according to Alec, could have any man on his knees – she says ruefully, "Ah, but what a way to go."

And that has Alec throwing his head back to laugh. The laughter dies in his throat, when Amisha reaches up to brush a wet strand of his hair away from his eyes.

"What are you doing out here?" Alec asks, curiosity eating away at him.

"I went looking for Sierra and ended up here."

Alec nods accepting the explanation. Amisha moves past him to shallower water, so she can stand without floating, her feet getting tired. Alec turns around facing her, trying to keep his eyes from moving down to where the water reaches her chest. His Adam's apple moves as he gulps and moves towards her.

"How much have you had to drink?" Alec asks, his hand playing with her wet hair.

"Not enough," Amisha replies dryly.

Alec stares down at the girl captivating his attention and before he can back out, Alec leans down and captures her lips with his. She gasps into his mouth, her body freezing up. Just as Alec thinks she's not going to kiss back, her lips move against his. Amisha's hand moves up his bare chest, and Alec groans when she presses her body against his. His other hand finds itself on her waist, hyperaware of everywhere they touch. He doesn't want to do anything more than kiss her, only to keep kissing her. Alec has wanted to do this for so long, and he never wants to stop.

"Gods," Alec murmurs over her lips. Before she has a chance to respond, his hand moves up slightly, so it rests just under the material of her bra. And then he's kissing her again.

His lips slow down and they hover overs her, not touching but not moving away.

"Go out with me," Alec says, his breathing as heavy as hers.

Amisha's eyes open, and she blinks trying to clear the cloudy mist over her eyes and brain.

"Why?"

"Because," Alec starts, closing his eyes and still trying to catch his breath. "You drive me crazy, but then you smile and all of it seems okay."

"You don't want to go out with me."

Alec's eyes snaps open and he looks at her with a mixture of confusion and incredulity.

"One, you're wrong. Two, how can you even know that?"

"Cause you don't know me," Amisha replies, her voice firm as a brick. She backs away slowly, and turns around before jumping out of the water."

"Then let me find out!" Alec yells, moving in the water so he can get to her.

"You're not ready for that," she says, shrugging her clothes on over her wet body.

"I'll change your mind."