“But what about what happened with Felicity?” Aldrick asked, and Caroline’s smile quickly fell away.

  “I…I was angry. I didn’t want to hurt her. I just wanted to stop her from talking.”

  “Yeah, I think we’ve all been there,” Laurent chuckled before Tilda nudged him in the ribs.

  “Okay,” Nadine said, stepping forward to stand next to her friend. “We all know Caroline’s powers are unprecedented, and we can’t expect her to answer questions she doesn’t know the answer to. What we can do is help her work out how they happen, what’s triggering them, and how we can help her to control them.”

  Caroline leaned over and hugged Nadine tightly.

  “What was that for?” Nadine asked.

  “You’ve always got my back, even when it looks like I’m completely losing it.”

  “Of course. That’s what friends are for. Besides, I know you don’t want to really hurt anyone. You’re not Tempeste.”

  “We all have your back, C,” Corbin added. “We’re just trying to understand what’s happening and how we can help.”

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” Caroline sighed. “My abilities are evolving so rapidly that I can’t keep up.”

  “That must be awesome,” Vale said, so intrigued by the thought that it took him a few moments to realize everyone was looking at him. “Uh, well, it is kind of awesome in a superhero kind of way, right?” he explained in his defense, and everyone chuckled.

  “The last thing I feel like is a superhero,” Caroline said. “I just want to make sure I can control these powers as they happen, or else there will be no other option but to cut myself off from everyone.”

  “No!” Corbin and Aldrick said in unison. No one knew where to look as the vibe in the room became awkward until Nadine broke the tension.

  “So what were you doing before the first—burst—of abilities?” Nadine asked.

  “I was yelling at my Aunt.”

  “Wait; what? You attacked the headmistress?” Vale exclaimed, grinning as everyone leaned forward in anticipation.

  “Um, sort of. We were arguing, and I kind of just…muted her,” Caroline said, trying to hide the sheepish grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

  “Holy crap!” Tilda said, covering her mouth. “How? I’m sorry, but that’s kind of cool.”

  “I don’t really know. I just wanted her to shut up, and I kind of just flicked my hand in her direction, and she couldn’t speak,” Caroline said as her friends giggled. “It’s not funny, guys! What if I’d actually hurt her?”

  “You’re right. We shouldn’t laugh. It’s just, well, I think everyone in this room has wished they could do that to the Headmistress at one time or another,” Nadine explained kindly.

  “Yeah, I guess,” Caroline agreed. “The second time was different. I was upset. Crying. Then I was angry. Like, really angry. I could feel the power surging through me, and it terrified me. All I could think of at the time was to get as far away from the academy as I could.”

  “So on some level, it seems like you’re registering how much power is generating, so that’s good,” Aldrick stated.

  Caroline nodded, “Then with Felicity, it was like with my aunt. I just wanted her to shut up. Only instead of silencing her, I pinned her to the wall.” She rubbed her hand across his forehead, feeling ashamed at the recollection.

  “Did you picture doing that before it happened?” Tilda asked, trying to be helpful.

  “I honestly don’t know. It happened so fast,” Caroline said with a shrug. “What I do know is my aunt wants to prevent me from going to the funeral. She thinks I’m too volatile.”

  “I’d be more concerned about what you’d do if she doesn’t let you go.” Vale scoffed before Zara slapped him on the arm. “What? It’s true. Clearly, when Caroline is upset or angry, her powers flare-up.”

  “He’s got a point,” Laurent agreed.

  “You guys are right. Nothing is going to stop me from saying goodbye to my family. Not even my aunt.”

  Chapter Two

  Caroline stood alone at the foot of the two caskets. One contained her mother and the other, her brother. The caskets were matching, black with silver fixtures, and she wondered who had chosen them—they didn’t really look like something her mother would have liked, they were too ornate and gaudy. Caroline scowled at the thought of her aunt choosing them—her father would have known his wife better. On her mother’s casket lay a bouquet of lilies, her favorite flowers, and a single, enormous sunflower rested on her brothers. Caroline wanted to look over her shoulder, to the black town car with the heavily tinted windows where her grieving father and her sullen aunt waited. Only the Destine Academy community knew of her father’s return from the dead, and as much as it hurt her to see him so upset, they both knew there was no way he could stand beside her. Caroline wondered if that was part of the reason, if not the entire reason, he’d fought against his sister with such determination. He’d just wanted to make sure at least one of them was at the funeral.

  Caroline felt an ache of loneliness in her chest, and she wished she had pushed further when she asked her aunt if her friends could accompany her. Her aunt had claimed that without signed permission slips, students weren’t allowed to leave the grounds. Caroline knew that was likely the case, but it hadn’t stopped her clenching her jaw angrily on the uncomfortable flight and then drive to her old town. She wanted the emotional support, not just for her grief, but to help her keep on top of her powers if her emotions became too much for her to reign in. Her aunt gave her the distinct impression that she wouldn’t be stepping in should it happen. In fact, Caroline felt as though her aunt wanted to see just how far her powers could go. Would her father come to her aid? He’d have to get past his sister first, and as much as Caroline didn’t doubt that he could hold his own against anyone else, she didn’t like his chances against his sister. She wondered why her aunt had bothered to come in the first place.

  With a sigh, she inspected the small gathering through the safety of the large pair of dark sunglasses she wore. Caroline was the only family member. Opposite her, stood the civil servant, solemnly delivering the service. To her right, she recognized some of her mother’s friends, and others she’d never seen before. That didn’t surprise her—her mother made friends wherever she went. She scowled when she saw Felicity and her mother playing the role of grieving friends, and she could feel her power snake its way up her spine, and it took all of her focus to hold it back. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene at her family’s funeral. Instead, Caroline forced herself to look to her left, where there was a large number of classmates and teammates of her brother, most of which were trying to hide the fact they were crying.

  Inhaling deeply, Caroline held her breath for as long as she dared, waiting until she saw the tiny pinprick flashes of light before her eyes when she released it. Her vision was blurred, and she blinked a couple of times to clear it. As she did, Caroline thought she saw someone standing on a small hill towards the rear of the cemetery, partly obscured by a tree. Squinting, she tried to see who it was, but they were too far away. A hot, prickling sensation spread across the inside of her wrist, and she rubbed at it absently. As the pain intensified, Caroline suddenly remembered the tattoo and pulled her sleeve up to reveal it glowing in warning. She quickly yanked her sleeve down before anyone could see it and looked back up towards the figure on the hill. She knew it was Tempeste.

  Torn between wanting to see the end of the ceremony and wanting to pursue Tempeste, Caroline shifted from one foot to the other, her eyes fixed on the hill. Tempeste didn’t appear to be going anywhere either. As soon as the pallbearers started lowering the caskets into the ground, Caroline fled towards the hill, leaving those behind her to assume she was overcome with grief.

  When she was only about halfway up the hill, Tempeste vanished before her eyes. One moment she was there and the next she was gone. Caroline slowed her pace, wondering where she could have disappeared. Hearing a noise behind her, she spun around in surprise to find Felicity right behind her.

  “What are you doing? Why are you following me?” Caroline hissed. At first, Felicity didn’t reply, and Caroline frowned as her old friend seemed to sway slightly on her feet. Taking a step towards her, she realized that Felicity wasn’t even looking at her, but looking up at the tree atop the hill.

  “Felicity?” Caroline waved her hands in front of the girl's face, but Felicity didn’t so much as blink. A strange, high-pitched hum started coming from Felicity’s slightly opened mouth, and Caroline stepped back again—the sound made her feel on edge like she needed to run. Suddenly, Felicity’s eyes widened and turned a swirling gold. Her mouth fell open, and a voice came out. Yet it wasn’t Felicity’s. Caroline shuddered as an icy chill, ran through her veins at the sound of Tempeste’s voice once again.

  “I knew you would come,” Tempeste stated, a slightly smug tone to her whispering and hoarse voice. It sounded to Caroline like it was a strain for Tempeste to reach her this way.

  “It’s my family’s funeral. Of course, I would come,” she snapped.

  A hissing sigh came out in response.

  “What do you want? Leave Felicity alone!” Caroline stepped forward again but was stopped as Tempeste spoke again.

  “Careful, girl. Don’t let this form fool you. I am still more powerful than you will ever be.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Caroline scoffed, wanting Tempeste to take the bait, hoping she’d reveal something that Caroline could use.

  “What you’ve seen so far has been nothing more than a flick of my pinky finger. But you will see. Soon.”

  “Why not now? What are you waiting for? Is it not enough that you’ve taken my family from me?” Caroline clenched her fists, feeling her anger—and her power—surge. She reminded herself she couldn’t hurt Tempeste without hurting Felicity, and despite who she was now, Felicity had once been like a sister.

  “You’re not ready yet. It wouldn’t be a fair fight,” Tempeste laughed, but it was a creepy, high-pitched sound, like nails scratching across a blackboard, and it caused Caroline to cringe.

  “Then why are you even here? Stop playing games, and let's just do this. It’s me you want, isn’t it?” Caroline demanded.

  “You have a truth to uncover—and you’re running out of time,” Tempeste stated. A loud crack that sounded like thunder came from behind them, causing Caroline to jump. She looked over her shoulder and found the top half of the tree which Tempeste had stood beside was now split half-way down the trunk. When she turned back, Felicity—and Tempeste—were gone.

  What is going on?

  Caroline turned and walked the rest of the way up the hill, wanting to inspect the tree. Yet as she got closer, her steps slowed, and her mouth fell open. At the very base of where the split in the trunk ended was a symbol painted in red. The same symbol Vale had created and the same symbol she now had tattooed on her wrist. Slowly, Caroline approached the tree, her hand outstretched. Her fingers touched the red, and she was surprised to find it wet. She rubbed her fingers together as she withdrew her hand, quickly wiped them against her dress as she realized it was blood.

  What does this mean?

  With her heart pounding against her chest, Caroline backed away from the tree, before turning and running back to the awaiting car, ignoring those who still hovered, hoping to pass on their condolences. Wrenching the door open, she dove in beside her father and slammed the door closed behind her.

  “Where did you go? You were strictly instructed not to go beyond where I could see you,” Marguerite demanded.

  Caroline ignored her and gripped her father’s arm. “Tempeste. She was here.”

  Gaspar’s eyes widened, and he tried to clamber past his daughter to get out of the car, but Caroline pulled him back. “She’s gone now.”

  “What happened?” her aunt asked.

  “Are you okay?” her father asked. Caroline nodded. She told them what had happened but left out the part about the tattoo symbol on the tree in blood.

  “Well, Felicity clearly cannot be allowed to return to the academy. She’s a risk to us all now. Excuse me while I call her mother,” Marguerite stated gruffly, pushing open the car door and sliding elegantly out, slamming it again behind her.

  “I don’t think you realize how much danger you were just in,” Gaspar said, leaning forward and resting his head in his hands. “Why didn’t you call out or run? You have Surnatural speed, after all.”

  “I didn’t need to. She wasn’t interested in anything other than messing with my head,” Caroline stated.

  Gaspar shook his head but didn’t say anything further. Caroline leaned past him to watch her aunt on the phone. She was pacing in short rows, her free hand gesturing wildly, and as Caroline watched, she wondered what the conversation was really about. Her aunt certainly was behaving like the authoritative headmistress.

  “Tempeste said I have a truth to uncover. What did she mean by that?” Caroline asked her father softly.

  He looked at her, his eyes wide. “How should I know?”

  “Because it makes sense that it must be connected to you and Aunt Marguerite. One of you has or is lying to me, and the other one knows about it. You’re twins after all; doesn’t that mean you know everything about each other?”

  Gaspar sighed and leaned back against the car seat. “Sometimes, the lies told to you by the ones you love are for your protection.”

  Chapter Three

  Caroline shuffled along the row of seats to where Nadine sat, ignoring the stares and whispers from the other students. She was grateful for the dimming lights as she felt her cheeks flush from their unwanted attention.

  “How was it? I mean, well, you know,” Nadine asked as Caroline scooted low into her seat, resting her head on the back.

  “You’re not going to believe it.”

  Nadine questioned her. “Can you give me a hint?”

  Caroline quickly made the letter ‘T’ with her hands before lowering them again. It took Nadine a moment, but then she almost jumped from her chair.

  “No way! Are you serious? You can’t be serious!”

  Caroline nodded, turning her attention towards the stage below as the room went completely dark. Nadine muttered under her breath, and Caroline felt bad for making her wait, but they were surrounded, and she couldn’t risk anyone eavesdropping. She didn’t trust anyone except her friends—and maybe her father.

  “Do you know what this assembly is about?” Nadine asked in a hushed voice.

  Caroline shook her head. “We literally just returned from the funeral when my aunt told me to come straight here, that there was going to be an important announcement. Even my dad is here, lurking up near one of the exits.”

  “Well, that sounds ominous,” Nadine replied, turning her attention to the stage.

  They didn’t have to wait long before the headmistress strode out towards the podium. The crackle of the microphone as she adjusted it sounded too loud in the silence surrounding them.

  “Thank you all for your prompt attendance,” her aunt started, looking out at the rows and rows of curious students and teachers alike. “It is regrettable that I need to announce that Tempeste Barrere and The Entiere have declared they plan to attack the academy.”

  The auditorium erupted in panicked cries and questions as students jumped to their feet.

  The headmistress raised her hands in the air, “Everyone be seated. Now!” she commanded. While the raucous quietened, numerous hushed questions and conversations flew around the dark.

  “I know this must seem sudden, but nevertheless, we need to act. All classes are canceled, and students are to train on their defensive techniques and assist teaching staff with magically and physically securing the academy. Assignments will be assigned by your faction heads, which I will ask to please stand.”

  There was a slight rustling as the faction heads stood, and everyone looked around to see them.

  “Vale Abreo and Zara Del la Croix, you can lead the Magiques to the library. Baron Cadieux and Simone Gerard, you can take the Voyantes to the dining hall. Katriane Houde and Javier Badeaux, you can escort the Surnaturals to the gymnasium and Orson Favre and Honore Joubert, you and the Metamorphes can stay here in the auditorium. Yes, Miss Houde?”

  Everyone turned to look at Katriane, where she stood with her hand raised.

  “We know the power of The Entiere has been on the rise for a while now, but the rumor is Tempeste is really just after one thing. A student. Your niece, in fact. Wouldn’t it be more prudent just to hand her over and save the academy from imminent attack?” Katriane asked, a malicious edge to her cloying tone. The silence in the auditorium was thick with anticipation as the headmistress leaned on the podium, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Katriane. As much as Caroline didn’t like the girl, she felt a little bit sorry for her. Yet, Katriane looked smug, as though she didn’t realize the hornet’s nest she just stirred up.

  “Are you questioning my judgment, my authority, Miss Houde?” the headmistress asked, each word sounding like its own sentence.

  “Well, no, I just…”

  “You just, what? Assumed you know more about Tempeste and The Entiere than I do? Assumed you’re smarter than me? Assumed I wouldn’t know what course of action would be best for this school?”

  “I didn’t think…”

  “That’s exactly correct, Miss Houde. You didn’t think.” The headmistress stood up straight, regaining her composure. “Now, as I was saying, you will all be provided with further information as I receive it. Dismissed.” The headmistress turned and strode back into the shadows, leaving an increasingly noisy room in her wake.

  Caroline stood up and looked over her shoulder to where her father had been, but he’d already left.

  Excellent. Thanks, Dad.

  She turned back around to Nadine. “What do you think the chances are of slipping away and gathering the others?”

 

1 2 3 4