We followed Mike into the house. All the wolves surrounding us, I felt trapped. We went into what looked like the kitchen. In which we sat at the kitchen table. I glared at Max and at Phoebe, who just kept smiling at me.
Mike cleared his throat, clearly seeing the tension that was starting to take place, "Cassie, since Jessie brought you here I am assuming your father told you the truth?"
It was his turn for my glare, "Yes, he did, Mike you knew?" I asked him.
"Alpha. I am the Alpha around here, you refer to me that way. Yes, I knew, your father has been a very loyal pack member. So, when he asked me not to mention anything to you until he was ready, I respected it of course."
Alpha. I refer to nobody as Alpha. He seemed like I was already a part of the pack, and part of me felt relieved like how they wouldn't want me. I saw how the wolves were acting around him. I felt like I was back in the Gemini Coven, somehow being drawn into something I was supposed to want. To be a part of, but didn't feel the need too.
"Okay, Alpha, that is so weird. I am just so used to calling you Mike. You do know I am in the Gemini Coven as well?" I said, slowly, spreading out my words.
Mike nodded, "I am aware of that, and that makes sense to me. You are both witch and wolf, it would make sense to be part of a pack, and a coven."
I looked at them, then back at Mike. I sighed, they were so consumed by them. "I mean there are other packs too right?"
This caught Mike's attention, he hesitantly replied, "Yeah there are other packs besides the Midnight Walkers."
"If there are other packs why should I join this one?" I asked, challenging him. Mike shifted in his seat, "Your dad is in this one." As if it was the most obvious thing.
I shrugged my shoulders leaning back in my own chair, "So."
Mike was stuttering, "So? What do you mean?"
"Just because my dad is in your precious Midnight Walkers doesn't mean I get to be too."
Mike scoffed, "Cassie I don't think you get how this works."
I stood up, leaning over him, I could feel the power of the Alpha radiating off of him. He didn't like being challenged, especially by an outsider. I could feel my own power start to course through me, the familiar electricity coursing through my own body.
I felt Oreo tense at my feet. "Don't do it." I heard in my mind. I looked down at her. She was talking to me through my mind.
"Don't do what?" I replied back within my mind.
"Don't use your powers, he can sense how powerful you are too."
"But I am not powerful?" I questioned her, again in my mind. We were somehow using telepathy, a new skill unlocked for me.
"You are, he knows it, you shouldn't let people know Cassie."
We just stared at each other. I looked back at Mike, backing away from him, returning to my seat. I crossed my legs. I smiled at him, "I do know how this works."
Mike and I just stared at each other. Both of our powers are returning. There started to be tension between us. I didn't like this whole Alpha ordeal. I could just feel the control over the people he had in this room. I didn't want control, nor need it for myself. I felt a nudge at my feet, it was Oreo reminding me once more.
With that I got up, Mike jumped up almost as soon as I did. I thought maybe he was trying to insert his dominance over me, but I didn't give him any attention. Oreo got closer to my legs.
"Cassie, I hope you do decide to join us at the Midnight Walkers." Mike said, through clenched teeth, I could tell he was having a hard time keeping his composure.
I smiled at him, "Will do, can't make any promises though." I replied back with a wink.
"Come on Oreo." We left him and his pack standing there, Jessie in behind us as we walked out the door.
"You can't do that." Jessie hissed at me as we reached the port.
"Why not?" I asked back.
"He is an Alpha, much less yours."
I rolled my eyes at her, "I have no Alpha."
"You need one." Jessie said to me.
I looked her in her eyes. "I don't need no one."
I started to walk away, Oreo at my heels. I heard Max call my name out. "Cassie, wait before you go."
I turned around, beside him there was Phoebe grinning widely at me.
I glared at him, he took a step back but cleared his throat. He whispered something to Phoebe, which made her frown. She stayed on the porch as he made his way towards me.
I was frustrated, he just broke up with her. Now she was here, knowing about the supernatural world. "What." I said, angrily towards him.
Max took a step back, hands in a surrendering motion. "I want to explain to Phoebe."
I glared at him again, "What is there to explain?"
Max huffed, "She's my mate."
I laughed, "Mate? She's your mate, you have got to be kidding me Max."
He shook his head, "I'm not. As much as I wished she wasn't, she is, I felt it when we got back to school. Cassie I still have feelings for you though."
I sighed, "Max, we are over with completely."
He furrowed his brows at me, "Oh."
It was now awkward, I could feel Phoebe's smile all the way over here. "Max, you know I wish you the best. Just for the record the best is not Phoebe.."
Max glanced up, "I know she is a horrible person to you, but when she was with me, she wasn't that bad."
I nodded, "I hope you find peace in that."
I turned and started walking into the village. I could hear Max's dreadful steps as he made his way to where Phoebe and Jessie stood. When I got closer to the other houses, I noticed that some were shops. I stopped in front of this little antique furniture shop. It called to me, I made my way forward into the shop.
When I went in, I started to look around. There were different kinds of jewelry, some that the wolves had to wear to protect them. I heard rattling from around the corner. I made my way around it, and there she was.
"Mom?" I called out to her once more. She looked up, our eyes met, and she dropped the box that was in her hands.
"You need to get out of here child." She said, hurriedly making her way to the back of the store.
I followed her, "Wait a minute.," I had to catch my breath.
"Child, I am not your mom." She said almost matter of factly, glancing at the front door to her shop.
"I don't understand, you look exactly like my mother though?" I said, still staring at her.
"But I am not." She stated, stacking books that were behind the counter.
"How do you look so much alike?" I asked, starting to lean over the counter.
She looked up at me then, sighing, realizing I wasn't going to leave until she gave me answers.
"We were twin sisters."
"Were twins?"
"Yes, until Mr. Mason's wife murdered her."
I gasped, my mother was murdered? "Who was Mr. Mason's wife?" I asked, leaning once more over the counter.
"Fayne. Fayne Gemadlor Niaox." The twin lady witch wolf lady replied back.
"How did she kill her?" I asked.
"Dark magic." I frowned, "Who found my mom?"
"The Headmistress Aofnx." I looked down at my hands.
I started to fumble with them, she put her hands over mine, "Meganie was well loved by Cassie."
"How could I not know I have an aunt, much less know your name." Tears begin forming in my eyes.
She wiped them away, "Marley. My name's Marley."
I gave a small laugh, "Marley, why did Fayne kill my mother?"
Marley looked down at her hands this time. "I don't know, child."
I stopped, I thought about the old story surrounding the Mason's Mansion. "Wait a minute, there is this story surrounding the Mason's Mansion."
Marley looked up, sighed at me, "I was having an affair with Mr. Mason. Your mom was trying to protect me."
"I thought you didn't know how she died?" I asked, questioningly removing my hands from her grasp.
"I don't know, truly a child. Mr. Mason was a powerful vampire, and he married Fayne who was a powerful witch. I was barely a witch myself then. Your mom was trying to protect me, by being me. When Fayne did the dark magic ritual, it affected your mom, and not me."
I backed away from her then, "That's not fair." I whispered to her, the tears returning back to my eyes. It felt like my chest was heavy. My mom was taken away from me, because her sister decided to have a stupid affair with a powerful vampire. Who just so happened to have a freaking powerful witch of a wife.
"I would've taken your mom's place if I could have. I never intended for her to get hurt, much less killed. If I could switch places in a heartbeat, I would." Marley's own eyes started to fill with tears.
"Where is this Mr. Mason at?" I asked her. Wondering where he was. I needed to talk to him. He would know what happened that night.
"Dead. Once Fayne found out about the affair, she killed them both." Marley's voice getting caught in her throat from bringing up her grief again.
"How do you know this?" I asked once more.
"Like I said, the Headmistress Aofnx was there." What was the Headmistress doing there that night?
I asked a burning question that has been in my mind since the beginning, "Why does the portal work at his house?"
Marley paused, "Portals work anywhere, before he passed Mr. Mason founded the school. It is a way for all supernatural creatures to have access to the school."
It made sense now for the most part. Now I have more questions about my mother. I mean she was a wolf here, she has a twin. She died protecting her twin. Why didn't my dad tell me any of this, unless. Well unless he didn't know, but the way he said it was impossible. It hurt that he would be so secretive with me.
I get why he would do it for the most part, but my whole life. At the same time he did just tell me about being a witch, and a wolf. I had hoped he was working up the courage about my mother, or maybe he wanted to spare me the hurt. This was new territory for the both of us.
I looked back up at Marley, taking in her state, and how she could feel. I reached out to her, through my mind. Expanding on my powers, the electricity feeling returns to me. That all consuming fire raging in my soul. I closed my eyes, I could feel the grief within her. I felt bad for asking all these questions, but I needed to know myself.
Marley looked at me, she knew I was in her mind. I gave her a smile, and retreated from her mind. I gave her a quick hug, it was all I could do at that moment. I walked out of the little shop, waving her goodbye.
So, my mother was a witch and wolf, Mr. Mason's wife killed her, because she thought my mom was the one having the affair. Somehow the Headmistress Aofnx was there that night. When I head to the Academy I'll try to stop by her office, and ask her myself.
Jessie was outside the shop, waiting for her. "I see you found Marley."
I shook my head, "Yeah, she's my aunt." With that, I opened the portal, this time heading to the school.
Jessie stayed behind, as I made my way through the portal I so effortlessly created, the rainbow sparks still there. This time, they changed to a slight red shade. Interesting. I walked through, feelings sick to my stomach from the way the portal makes you feel.
When I reached the other side, and I was at the Academy, Damian and Kat were waiting for me. "How did you guys know I was here?"
"Remember time doesn't have any effect here." Damian said with a smile. He seemed to be getting back to himself.
I gave him a smile right back, "Right."
"Cassie, we should be getting back to class." Kat replied, elbowing me in the side.
With a giggle I said, "Okay, okay, let's go then."
Kat walked me to my first class, Magic History. The class went really well. I was the first out of my class to conjure a pig. It felt relaxing. I could feel myself growing more and more into my powers.
I felt as if it was almost instinct. I knew what to do, I just needed to trust myself enough to be able to use my powers. I was controlling them. I was way better at using crystals now, cleansing my aura, and trusting the universe. Plus, I had a little notebook of all the remedies I had created myself.
With my incantations and spells cast, it was mostly about rhyming and making it make sense for the most part. Not all the spells and incantations required you to rhyme though. You did need to be careful about word choice though.
We would practice writing some rhyme schemes for spells. I mean sure, we had a book of spells, but those were all created by witches. The point of the class was to teach us to make our own spells, and incantations for us to use. The spellbook was just a guide to give us an idea.
By the time Craft class rolled around, I was beginning to get tired. I smiled when Kat walked in, taking her place beside me. I knew that Kat was very advanced in this class, and having her as my partner, it helped out a lot too. Next, I had MIT or Manifestation, Transfiguration, and Interpretation. Part of me was interested in the transfiguration part.
Given that I was now part wolf, I needed to know how I would be able to control my form. I was nervous, now that I knew, it would be a matter of time before I turned into my own wolf. The Interpretation part of the class was interesting.
The professor talked about dreams, and the meaning for a witch. How it really wasn't just a dream for us, it meant something more. I glanced over at Rory. I have been having dreams about him since I first founded the prophecy. Since I first started putting together pieces that it could really be about him.
He wasn't a witch, how could he possibly have had any connection to finding that prophecy. I kept thinking, why was I attracted to it? It would make sense that I was a witch, I would have that connection, and Rory was becoming my friend more each day. I would need to help him figure it out. I tried to get to know Rory more just in case it wasn't about it. The prophecy repeating in my mind.
A chosen crossbred, born of the creation of betrayal
With the blood of a night crawler
The immortality of the entity
The bewitching of magic
Unleashing the Trials of thou Heavens and thou Hells
A chosen crossbred, born from the nature of humanity
Battling for the lovers
Betrayal comes to harm of the crossbred
Unleashing the powers given of thou Heavens and thou Hells
The crossbred part would be true about him. I mean Rory was part vampire, and dragon, two different mythical creatures coursing through his veins. With the blood of a night crawler, that could be anything that only comes out at night. Which boils down to literally every creature. Unless it meant like a werewolf, or a vampire of some sorts.
Then there was a line about the immortality of an entity. Immortality means forever, so something that could either mean forever, or live forever? The only thing I didn't understand was a chosen crossbred form from the creation of betrayal.
Betrayal could mean anything too. Also, about the nature of humanity part, what the hell was that supposed to mean? The more I tried to break down the prophecy, and figure it out the more of a headache I got. Ouch.
I was brought back to the present when Crafts class was over. I could feel Kat nudging me. We had The Power of knowledge class next which included mindfulness (mind reading), Telekinesis, and flying. Of course. After her first stunt with the fight training class, fling should've seemed natural. Hell, her teacher expected her to get it.
Cassie only practiced her telekinesis skills within the classroom. She didn't want to take the chance of someone at her normal school noticing things. Cassie kept it under control as much as she could. Her mind reading skills were better too. Especially after talking with Oreo earlier, who had followed her into the portal. Oreo was nipping at her heels.
After that class was over, Oreo had to leave to go to the familiar area. She was being trained as well. Finally, their last class of the day, TAT, How to use your powers 101: Telepathy, Astral Projection, and Teleportation. Damian had this class with us.
I watched as Damian was the example of the class today. It was obvious he didn't need to take it, he knew what he was doing. I remember him mentioning how he had been a demon for a long time. My thoughts going back to that moment. I was mesmerized by him.
As he was astral projection, I could feel something lift my hair up. But there wasn't anybody there. When I looked at the front of the room, I could see Damian's smirk. Of course, he was somehow a ghost. It was creepy but cool all at the same time. I didn't want to think too much into these types of powers, for further creeping myself out.
My telepathy was already on point. I could do that more easily the more I did it. When Damian was done showing off his ability to do astral projection, it was the rest of the class's turn. Damian was already in mine and Kat's group. So, he led with teaching us. Kat went first, having trouble trying to in a sense jump out of her body.
She was struggling for the most part. "Kat, just relax, it's not that hard." Said Damian, frustratingly.
"So says the demon, who basically invented astral projection." She comically replied back.
"I didn't invent it, but demons are well known for it." He snarked back.
Kat gave up sighing, "I can't do it. I can't focus right now." She peeked over at me. I gave her a thumbs up and a smile.
Which earned me a smile back, "I can go if you want. You can take a quick break."
Kat nodded, "Ok Cassie let's see what you got." Damian replied, turning towards me.
I took in a deep breath, I closed my eyes, concentrating on my breathing to slow down. I needed to clear my mind, everything was about control. Control over my powers, and how I could connect to them. That's how it affected anything I learned. I needed to control what my powers did.
I could feel them, humming within my veins, I could feel the heat rise in my blood. My powers surging forwards into me. I let it slide along my body, feeling goosebumps as the power radiated my being. At first, I thought this was silly. There was no way I could astral project, I mean, witches weren't known for that. It wasn't impossible, but it was a very cautious task.
I got up from my spot. However, I noticed that I was no longer in my body. When I moved I watched as Kat watched me. However, Damian looked directly at me, and smiled really big. I was doing it, astral projection of it. I went in front of Kat and waved my hand back and forth. Not a damn thing.
I did what Damian did to me, and lifted her hair up. Which sent Kat into a whole frantic spasm. She started to freak out, which made Damian start laughing. I had my own set of giggles. I also noticed the other students who were doing astral projection. We were in our own separate world. I could see them, and they could see me.
I walked over to Rory and his partner. Rory couldn't astral project, it wasn't in his skill sets, however his partner could. I watched as he was picking at Rory, getting on his nerves. Almost like an annoying fly. I only laughed at them. I touched Rory to get in on the fun. When I did I fell back in almost a vision state.
I didn't know how it was possible to faint outside of your body, but I did it. My head shot back, and suddenly I was jolted back into my own body. Jumping from my seat, as if I was gasping for breath. I looked over at Rory and his partner, both staring at me now.
I didn't look at them for the rest of the class. Damian and Kat just gave me worried glances here and there. Once class was over, and we were making our way back to the building they both stopped me.
"Cassie, what was that back there?" Kat asked, touching my shoulder, worriedly. It was adorable how much she cared.
"I saw a vision of Rory." I shudder, I remember how I was jolted into my body.
The vision comes in glimpses. I remember seeing Rory in a blazing fire, with pitch black eyes, and killing everyone in his path. I wasn't about to say that out loud though. No need to worry about them too much.
"Well what did you see?" Damian asked, this was peeking his interest.
"Just Rory in a blaze of fire." I shrugged, I could tell Kat could see I wasn't telling the full truth.
Damian just gave me a puzzling look, "Guys I need to tell you something." Both of them looked at me.
I huffed, "Phoebe is Max's mate." They both rolled their eyes at me. I glanced down at my feet.
"Okay that is not what I wanted to tell you."
Damian waved his hands out in front of him, "Spill then."
"I am also a werewolf. My dad told me just before I came here. It's also how I found out about Max."
Kat's eyes bulged out of her head. "You're a wolf, that explains the wolfsbane."
I nodded my head at her, "Right, I thought about that too."
"How come you didn't say anything when it hurt you?" Kat asked, questioningly towards me.
"I didn't want to believe it myself. Admitting it would mean more."
Kat nodded her head, "I didn't like when it hurt you, and you didn't say anything about it."
Cassie shrugged her shoulders at Kat. "Is that all?" Damian asked, side glancing at Kat as if she had done something to make him mad.
Cassie sighed, "Actually no, I have been gate keeping something from you both."
Damian's eyebrows shot up, "What is that?"
Cassie looked at him with her doe eyes, "I found a prophecy, and I think it's about Rory."
Kat almost stumbled from just standing there, "A prophecy? What did it say?"
I pulled out my phone, showing the picture I had taken. Kat repeating the prophecy out loud.
A chosen crossbred, born of the creation of betrayal
With the blood of a night crawler
The immortality of the entity
The bewitching of magic
Unleashing the Trials of thou Heavens and thou Hells
A chosen crossbred, born from the nature of humanity
Battling for the lovers
Betrayal comes to harm of the crossbred
Unleashing the powers given of thou Heavens and thou Hells
"What could Heaven and Hell have anything to do with Rory?" Kat asked herself silently.
"Does Heaven and Hell even exist?" Cassie questioned out loud then looked over at Damian. He wouldn't meet their eyes.
"Yes, Heaven and Hell exists, Cassie I wouldn't be here if it didn't. I also don't want to describe purgatory as well." Damian replied, looking anywhere but at us.
"What are the trials of Heaven and Hell?" Kat asked him, touching him to face us.
"Let's pray to God that both worlds never find out." That earned a confused look between Cassie and Kat.
"But Damian, what does that mean?" Cassie asked.
"This conversation is over with. I'll see you both tomorrow." With that Damian turned and sprinted away from us.
"That was weird, do you want to open the portal or should I?" Kat asked, grabbing my arm to bring me to look at her.
"You can go ahead and head back. There are some things I still need to do here."
"Are you sure, I can stay with you if you want me too?"
"I'll be alright Kat, thank you though."
I watched as Kat casted her own portal, waving goodbye as she went through. I waited for her portal to close before I made my way into the Headmistress's office. Not giving Mrs. Blabsoki time to stop me.
"I need to talk to you." I said, busting into her office. She was on the phone, hanging it up, "I'll call you right back."
I crossed my arms, bringing myself in front of her desk. "What can I do for you Cassie?"
I glared at her, "You were there the night my mother died."
Horror flashed across the Headmistress's face, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"But you do, I talked with Marley. I also remember you distinctively recognizing me, and my name when I first got here."
"Miss Brooks, again, I am so sorry but I have no clue who this Marley is, or know anything of your mother."
I squinted my eyes at her, ones that reflected my own in that moment. "You're hiding something, and when I find out I am coming for you."
"Is that a threat Miss Brooks?" The Headmistress Aofnx said turning herself around in her chair, not a care in the world at what Cassie was saying.
Cassie noticed the mark on her arm, closely resembling that of her Aunt Marley. Would she get a mark like that when she joined the Gemini Coven?
"No Headmistress, it's a promise, a promise I will figure out what is going on, and the truth about my mother."
The Headmistress Aofnx turned her chair around to face me. A hint of a smile within her eyes, "You won't find anything Miss Brooks you haven't already heard," with a hesitant moment she continued, "or have already seen."
She went to type on her computer. Cassie angrily made her way out of the room. She was so frustrated. The Headmistress knew she knew now. Not to mention the fact, she wasn't being honest about how Cassie's mother died. It wasn't that big of a deal, she knew it was a ritual.
I mean her mother dying was horrible, and a big deal. The fact that the Headmistress was making it seem like she had no clue at all confused her. She just wanted to know more.
Cassie left the supernatural world, making her way back into the human world. She wanted some normalcy for the rest of her night. When she got home, her dad was on the couch. Billy and Max were over. Max refused to make eye contact with her from what had happened earlier.
Cassie didn't blame him, she would be ashamed too. She waited for them to leave before she cornered her dad. "What happened to mom, really?"
"Kiddo, I have already told you this many times."
"You didn't tell me I had an aunt."
Her dad sighed, "You know it was to keep that part of your life a secret until I knew you could handle it."
With hands on my hips, "You didn't tell me she died by a ritual, the same story used around here."
Her dad shrugged his shoulders, "Cassie, those are just rumors."
"Rumors that had some truth to them, dad. You know how upsetting it was to piece that together?"
I went over to the picture of her. Picking it up and really looking at it. The way her eyes were a reflection of mine. She was so beautiful, I didn't get the chance to know her personality, or anything. She was taken from me. I made a promise, I would find out everything, for you mom.