◇ The Truth Is Out ◇

▪︎Author▪︎

Despite the extreme tiredness she felt, Verena woke up before the sun lit up the sky. She tried to go back to sleep and enjoy the warmth and safety she felt with Silva's body. Who was hugging her from behind with his breath hitting the back of her neck. Failing to try to rest any longer, she got to her feet carefully so as not to wake her fiancé.

After a quick shower she decided to walk around alfea. The sunlight coming through the windows and panes making a corridor lit up with some rainbows. It passed a welcoming lull. Too bad it wouldn't last long.

Distracted by her thoughts, she didn't hear Dawling calling out to her. She was startled when someone grabbed her elbow.

"Sorry" The headmistress smirked seeing Verena put her hand over her heart trying to slow it down "What world were you in?"

Verena laughed with a shrug.

"Enjoying that we're awake, I have a lot to tell you" Dawling agreed and they started walking together "Bloom is already awake. I think it's better talk to her too"

"How do you know she's awake?" frowned

"That's one of the many things you need to know. Let's go to her."

Verena guided her to a glass door that gave access to the lawn at the back of the school. Opening it she saw Bloom sitting next to Sky. They seemed to be having a friendly conversation. Which intrigued Verena.

Bloom noticed her presence with the headmistress and got up going to them.

"Go ahead with her. There's someone else who needs me now" Without waiting for an answer, she walked towards Sky. Saying good morning and kissing Bloom on the forehead as she passed her.

▪︎Verena▪︎

"Spent the night here didn't you?" I sit next to him

"Did you know that Silva killed my father?" turned to me looking accusing

I let out a long breath, biting my bottom lip.

"Yes. He told me what happened" Sky laughed and tears filled his eyes "He blames himself to this day for that"

"Yeah but that won't bring my dad back" he snapped angrily.

"You think he wanted that? He thought your father was letting innocent people die. Only to find out years later that they weren't civilians and that he did it for nothing"

"Now I know why he was that way with me. He raised me out of guilt. Never cared."

"It's not true! I understand you're hurt but don't say he doesn't care. He loves you"

"I don't know if I can forgive him" he sniffled trying not to cry

"You just need some time. But please don't be so hard on him" I ask pulling him down onto my lap.

I start a ruffle in his hair. He closed his eyes with a sigh. We stayed like that for a few minutes until I saw that he was almost asleep.

"Hey blonde. Don't sleep here"

"But it's so good here" he pouted still without opening his eyes

I laugh with his childness.

"Go to bed, my big baby. Take advantage of the fact that today, you're going to spend the day free. Take a shower and rest"

"Okay mommy" I laugh again. This time I don't care

I followed him as far as I could. I still needed to see Bloom and Dawling.

I pull his head down and kiss his forehead tenderly.

"I missed you like this with me"

"Just don't do shit anymore and I won't get mad. But I'm sorry for what I said. Now it's serious. Shower and bed" I push his body laughing along with him.

"I got it mom. I'm going"

"See you later"

Sky scowled at me in shock. I get confused.

"Aren't you going to hit me?" I tilt my head not understanding "I'm calling you mom and you're allowing it"

"Call me what you want boy. But if you don't stop stalling then I'm going to hit you"

I pinch his stomach with him complaining. Laughing he finally started to head towards his room.

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▪︎Author▪︎

Verena knocked twice on the open door to Dawling's office. Interrupting the little hug between the headmistress and Bloom.

Verena was surprised to see Dawling's eyes watering.

"When I became headmistress, I made a decision. To become a figurehead. To project strength" the headmistress turned around, pouring two cups of tea "It's what students your age need. Admitting mistakes invites uncertainty. But not admitting them means people you care about have to a ask you if you hug. I should've been more honest with you early on"

"I mean...maybe, but...maybe I needed time" Bloom looked at Verena who was leaning against the door with her arms crossed. Just listening. She remembered something that was told to her not long ago. "Or maybe I needed to go through it. We'll never learn our lessons if we keep getting the answers"

"Ah. Verena Neith quotes. Of course" Dawling chuckled a little.

Verena just shrugged, as if she didn't know anything. But her face said the opposite.

"I can't keep ignoring my life back home and lying to my parents. They deserve to know what I am and what happened to their real daughter. The truth."

"You're right. They do" Dawling agreed

That gave Verena an idea.

"Go pack your things then. And tell the others to do the same. I think it'll be good for all of them to take a few days off from school. Don't you agree, Farah?" Verena looked intently at Dawling. Who received the message hidden in her words. They needed to talk. And the girls had to leave. Don't know why she agreed. She just did.

"You're right Verena. It would be great for them"

Bloom jumped excitedly and left in a hurry. So distracted by the thought of going home that she didn't notice the change.

"Meet me at the gateway in an hour. I'll take you" Bloom agreed and ran away.

Verena took slow, calm steps toward the headmistress. The whites of her eyes turning black. Her honey brown iris glowing red. Dawling recoiled in fright. The strength emanating around her was familiar. The same force she felt in Beatrix's mind. How could she have forgotten. How could she not have realized that yesterday.

The door slammed hard. Sealed. Preventing anyone from hearing and seeing what Verena planned to do with Dawling.

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▪︎Verena▪︎

"No need to be nervous. It'll be all right" I try to reassure her with a smile.

Bloom was confident until she stopped at the entrance to her house. Her jittery nervousness passing to me making me restless too.

"But what if they get scared of me?"

"They're your parents Bloom. They will continue to love you just the same. Just...take it easy"

She took a few deep breaths and knocked on the door. Mike appeared and looked at Bloom in surprise. A big happy smile on his face.

"Bloom? How the hell did...come here" The two hugged each other tightly "Vanessa!" He yelled into the house. Calling his wife.

The three hugging each other longingly. I felt like an intruder there. I force a cough to get their attention.

"You?" Mike took Vanessa's hand pulling her slowly towards me.

"Hello" I give an awkward wave

"Mom, Dad, this is Verena" She introduced me coming to my side.

"She is the woman who helped us on the day of the fire" Mike explained to his wife who was not understanding.

"We didn't get a chance to thank you" Vanessa took me by surprise by hugging me. Bloom laughed at my reaction.

Even awkwardly, I hug her back, patting her back twice.

"How are you?" I ask moving away

"I'm fine. All of us. Thanks to you" They smiled gratefully.

"How did you meet? Do you live around here?" Mike extended his hand to shake mine, I gladly accepted.

"No. I'm not from gardenia"

"She works at the school. She's like an instructor"

"Bloom will explain everything right to you"

"Will you come in with me?" Bloom looked at me hopeful

"I can't. This is something you need to do alone"

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▪︎Author▪︎

"Saul!" Verena ran to him and hugged his neck.

Silva and Sky exchanged a confused look. As they pulled away, they noticed that her hands were shaking and her body was tense. Her eyes were teary, and she looked like she was trying not to cry. This worried them both.

"Please don't say anything. Just listen to me" she asked before they could ask what was wrong "Staying with you, falling in love with you wasn't part of the plan. But it was all real. Saying yes to you was real. You will doubt many things about me, but please don't doubt my feelings for you. I really love you. And I hope you can forgive me."

"Celeste you're making me worried. What's going on?" he asked holding her face.

"I messed up Saul. I believed the wrong people. And people got hurt and died because of me. But I'll make everting right. I promise I will."

"Celeste, stop! What's going on?"

"I don't deserve this and I know I'm wrong to ask, but I need you to trust me. Now more than ever."

"I do. Now tell me what's going on?" He felt his heart racing with worry. It increased as the tears she was holding back ran down her face.

"I love you. Please forgive me" she whispered taking his hands away from her face and looked at Sky "Both of you"

Verena wiped her face, her expression drastically changing. Hard. Empty. Cold. Even her eyes were free of any emotion.

She walked towards the lawn, it made them notice the cars approaching the gates.

"They shouldn't be here" Silva frowned "We told them the attack was over"

Soldiers got out of the cars and surrounded Verena. Bows pointed directly at him.

"What the hell is going on?" Sky threatened to pull out his sword, but was stopped by Silva.

He looked at Verena for an answer. She stared at the floor with her arms crossed, avoiding looking at him.

The door of the first car opened, Queen Luna's car, but she wasn't the one to get out of the car first. It was Viperine.

"Ah, it's so good to see you here ready" She Hissed "Ah Silva, it is with regret in my stony heart that I must put you in prison"

Her fake voice irritated Verena.

"What the hell is this, Viperine?" Sky asked

"Don't pretend to be a saint, please" rolled his eyes "For the attempted murder of Andreas of Eraklyon"

Another door opened. From inside the car jumped the man who haunted Silva's memories for years. Sky recognized him from the hundreds of photos he'd seen.

"Well, well, well. The old mouse finally came out of the hole" Verena looked at him trying not to show her resentment.

"Is this how you greet your old man? Didn't you miss me?" She laughed, eyeing her fondly. Sky tried to ignore the pang of jealousy he felt.

▪︎Flashback on▪︎

"Lilura called" Octavian sniffed at her shoulder

"What did she see?" Verena tensed, afraid of what the seer might have seen.

"You will die. Andreas will kill you" he whispered.

▪︎Flashback off ▪︎

Verena blinked discreetly away from the memory.

"Hi Dad" sighed "Of course I did"

Sky and Silva watched the scene frozen. Neither of them knew what to think. She lied to them. She hid from them that Andreas was alive.

"I brought you a surprise" He smiled opening the car door again.

The person who appeared behind him made the woman smile with joy and relief.

"Cassian!" if she bent down opening her arms

"Mommy" The child yelled happily running towards her.

The two hugged each other tightly and longingly. Silva began to feel short of breath. His heart skips several beats. She have a child?

When the little boy looked in his direction, everything around her disappeared. A memory flooding his mind.

▪︎Flashback on▪︎

"You said it in your sleep. More than once in the last few days" he looked at her up and down "I'll ask again, and I expect an answer this time. Who, it, Cassian?"

She swallowed, looking around nervously. She took a few deep breaths before approaching him, holding his hands.

"He's the biggest secret I keep from you, Saul. He's got black hair. Big grayish blue eyes, like yours. He's got your mouth. Your smile. Your laugh" She described fondly "Whenever I looked at him I saw you. He's a mini copy of you" chuckled weakly. Silva let go of her hands, taking a few steps away "That night we had 5 years ago, it gave me much more than memories. Cassian is our son"

Silva looked at her in disbelief at what he had just heard. He had a son. A son he never knew existed.

The surprise on his face changed to anger.

"I have a son? You had my son, and you kept it from me!" he growled trying not to yell at her "How long were you going to keep this, huh? When were you going to tell me I have a son?"

"I can't explain everything to you now Saul"

"What do you mean you can't?" He raised his voice, unable to hold back any longer "Where is he?"

"I don't know!" she yelled back "If I knew he'd already be here with us, and you'd already know the truth. And Rosalind wouldn't be close to being free!"

"What is this story? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Andreas is alive. And I was sent to release Rosalind. Just like Viperine and Beatrix. But that was all before I knew the truth about Aster dell."

Silva took two more steps away from her.

"What?"

"I'll explain everything to you. But not right now" Her eyes flashed an intense red.

Silva's body stiffened. He tried to say something but his lips seemed to be glued together. He widened his eyes, Verena was a fairy.

"Cassian is the biggest reason you don't know the truth. He's the only reason I keep lying, the only reason I keep letting people die. He's the most important reason, and the one that motivates me the most to let Rosalind go. That I'm doing all this. Because that's the only way I'll get him back. I promise that as soon as he's safe I'll fix everything I did. I don't know how yet, but I'll bring everyone back."

With heavy steps she walked towards him, stopping suddenly when she saw his gaze.

"You're scared of me. God what have I done?" She whispered covering her mouth, holding back a sob. She closed her eyes trying to compose herself. After a few seconds she did. Getting her confident pose back "You won't remember this. It'll be kept in a little box inside your head. And it won't open until I think the time is right. You can doubt my word, my loyalty, whatever you want. But Please, never the love I feel for you. And I will never, EVER hurt you with my magic."

She held both sides of Silva's head, already regretting what she was going to do.

"I'll explain everything to you when it's time. Forgive me" A strong dizziness hit him. It felt like his head was under water, or that water was running through it. He couldn't explain.

He opened his eyes confused, not knowing why he had closed them in the first place. His mind was completely covered in fog. Slowly this fog turning into a big hole.

"Saul love" Verena was in front of him looking worried. He looked around, he was sitting on the couch. How did he get there? He was standing a few seconds ago "Baby are you ok? Talk to me please"

"What happened?" He asked

"You staggered a little. You looked sick." She handed him a glass of water.

"Really?"

"Uhm. Do you want to go to our room and get some rest?"

"No, there's no need. I'll rest later. What were we going to do anyway?"

"Go to the greenhouse to see Marco. You're not well, Saul"

"I'm fine honey. It was just a blank"

▪︎Flashback off ▪︎

"Is it Daddy?" Cassian asked softly in his mother's ear. So that only she could hear.

"Yes my love. It's daddy" she whispered back

With that, chaos spread. Verene buried Cassian's face in her neck. She didn't want him to see that.

Silva was handcuffed and placed in a car. With a quick glance, she asked Nicolai and Dorian to go along. With them around, nothing bad would happen.

The soldiers entered the school, rearranging everything as ordered. Verena saw the mischievous look on the faces of Beatrix, Viperine, Dane, and Riven. Rosalind managed to convince them too.

Sky approached Viperine. She was looking at him with the most venomous smile she had.

"Why?" He asked

"I know what you did last summer"

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Five girls walked towards alfea, laughing and talking about random topics. The days they spent in the first world created a great bond of friendship. Bloom sure was excited to tell Verena about it.

They continued on their way watching a black car pull out in front of them. Revealing Rosalind, Queen Luna and Andreas. The Winx looked at each other confused and afraid. Sky's father alive? Where was Headmistress Dawling?

"Welcome back, ladies" Rosalind greeted them "There have been a few changes"

The loud noise of the gate slamming startled them. Behind them was Verena. Dressed in black with her red lipstick and high heels. She idly walked around them until she reached Andreas's side.

"I said I sent someone to take care of you" Rosalind smiled bringing back the conversation they had in the stone circle "Bloom, meet your guardian angel"

"Verena?" she frowned "What do you mean... this whole time you....."

"Do you remember what I told you on your first day here? I gave that advice to all of you, actually" Bloom clenched her hands tightly, feeling anger burn in her chest. " Be careful who you trust...

"You never know what might be hiding behind a friendly smile." Bloom completed

"Exactly" She bit her red lips looking at them hardly "Why didn't you listened to me?"

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