With a sigh, she forced herself to pay attention to the stage as her aunt continued.

  “Let’s start with our new faction heads for the Magicks, Vale Abreo and Zara Del la Croix.”

  Caroline clapped along with her classmates as the two students took the stage and walked to the center, where Aldrick gifted them with their new head badges, which they each fixed to their sweaters. They shook hands with both Aldrick and the headmistress and walked over to the other side of the stage to wait patiently.

  “For the Voyante faction, please congratulate new head students, Baron Cadieux and Simone Gerard.”

  Caroline tried to pay attention to the ceremony, knowing she really should be familiar with who the faction heads were since she technically belonged to all four of them, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Aldrick.

  Aldrick had spent his holidays at home with his family, and each day Caroline had hoped to hear from him, but she never did. She was too embarrassed to ask the others if that was normal if there was some rule or some spell that prevented communication between their realm and the common realm. Mostly, she didn’t ask because she didn’t want to be told no and have to face the fact that he just didn’t want anything to do with her.

  “Please give a warm round of applause to your new faction heads for the Surnaturals, Javier Badeaux and Katriane Houde,” the headmistress announced, and Caroline absently applauded.

  “Last but not least, your faction heads for the Metamorphes, Orson Favre and Honore Joubert.”

  Caroline forced the thoughts of Aldrick and Corbin from her head, instead intently inspecting the faction heads where they stood together on the stage, proudly displaying their new badges. She watched as her aunt perused the auditorium until she paused, seemingly looking straight at Caroline. She stared back, certain her aunt wouldn’t be able to see her through the bright stage light, but not wanting to show any sign of weakness, just in case.

  Once again, Caroline zoned out as the headmistress droned on with the other start-of-the-school-year announcements. As she did, she felt a strange sensation, like a gentle caress on the back of her neck. It was like the sensation you got when someone was watching you. Caroline frowned—she was often stared at these days, but something about this felt different. Almost menacing rather than curious. It was all she could do not to turn around. Once the assembly was finally over, and the auditorium lights came back on, Caroline rose from her seat and discreetly scanned the rows of students behind her. No one seemed to be paying her any attention.

  “Everything okay?” Nadine asked, swinging her bag over her shoulder.

  “Yeah, it’s nothing,” Caroline said, picking up her own bagand sliding out from the row of seats.

  “How do you feel about going to the library for our first tutorial? I didn’t think you’d really want to be holed up in your room like the last time,” Nadine said as she followed.

  “That sounds good,” Caroline agreed, and together they filed up the stairs with the other students and out into the corridor.

  “So, you still haven’t told me what happened between you and your aunt,” Nadine stated, hooking her arm through Caroline’s to prevent them from getting separated in the swarm of students.

  “There isn’t much to tell. She completely denied locking me in my room. In fact, she even went so far as to say I imagined it.”

  “She what?” Nadine exclaimed.

  “I know. She said that perhaps I was simply experiencing paranoia resulting from the sudden changes in my psyche with the rapid unlocking of all four keys,” Caroline said.

  “Wow, she even makes it sound legit,” Nadine said before quickly back-peddling as Caroline shot her a sideways look. “I’m not saying she’s right; I’m just saying she’s even more cunning than we gave her credit for. Like, if she succeeded in getting you to doubt yourself, then you’re not so powerful, are you?”

  Caroline raised her eyebrows as she considered it, “I guess when you put it like that. But do you really think my aunt is threatened by me? Or by anyone for that matter?”

  Nadine shrugged, “You’re the first person ever to unlock all four keys. You’re a walking prophecy. I think if she’s not scared, she’s at least cautious. She’s too smart not to be.”

  “After overhearing the conversation she had with my dad the night of my first morph, I’m certain she’s known all along it was going to happen. I think that’s why she was so adamant I come to the academy—and why my mother and brother are still missing.”

  “Well, at least your dad has come around now. Do you feel a little better knowing he’s out there looking for them?” Nadine asked, steering them into the library and towards the tables in the center.

  “I do. I just hope he finds them soon,” Caroline sat down and dumped her bag on the table.

  “Did you mention anything to your aunt about Tempeste looking like you or that your first Morph you turned into your mother?”

  “Do I look crazy to you?” Caroline scoffed, “I mean, she could already know—you know how she is. But I’m not going to volunteer that information.”

  Nadine dragged over a trolley full of books and passed two over to Caroline, “Let’s start with these: The Greats: A Who’s Who of the Magicks World, followed by Interdimensional Perception.”

  “Wow, just for some light reading…” Caroline joked as she inspected the front covers.

  “Are you kidding? I’ve seen how fast you read through your textbooks, remember? You’ll have these committed to memory in no time.” Nadine laughed as she sat on the opposite side of the table.

  Caroline opened the first book and tried to read as Nadine started jotting down notes for the first pop-quiz she was designing for her new pupil. She pretended to read the pages in front of her, and she let her mind drift back to the last time she’d seen her father.

  Caroline stared out her bedroom window, hardly able to make out any of the academy grounds for all the rain, but she didn’t really mind. It was nice to have some time to herself to get lost in her thoughts—the heavens knew her head was brimming with them.

  A knock on her bedroom door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned and frowned at the door as though it had intentionally interrupted her. Walking over to the door, she glanced up at the clock above her desk and wondered who could be visiting her after curfew—and hoped it wasn’t her aunt. Opening the door slowly, she saw her father standing there.

  “Dad? What are you doing here?”

  “I need to talk to you quickly.” He flicked rapid glances down each end of the corridor before Caroline stood back and let him in.

  “I owe you an apology, but I can’t even begin to explain everything right now.” He paced the room, barely even looking at her. Caroline recalled the argument her father had with his sister, and she wondered once again if he’d been just as innocent in all of this as she had. Wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, she sat on the edge of her bed and waited.

  “You need to be careful. I…I want to protect you, but I have to leave.”

  “Leave? What do you mean?” Caroline exclaimed.

  Gaspar stopped pacing and strode over to her. He clasped both of her shoulders as he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Nothing is what it seems. Our family is simply a pawn, but we can’t let it be for nothing. I’m going to go and find your mother and brother. Then I’ll come back for you.”

  “What? Why can’t I just come with you?”

  “Your aunt is right about one thing—you need to learn how to use and utilize your powers, or you could become a liability to both yourself and those around you. This is the best place for you to do that. Just try and steer clear of your aunt.”

  “How am I supposed to do that? She’s the headmistress!”

  “Make it your priority to learn what you can about cloaking and blocking. Your aunt is powerful, but she doesn’t have all four factions to call on like you do. I don’t doubt if you commit yourself to your studies, that you will be able to protect yourself from her. But be careful. If you do anything too obvious or for too long, she’ll catch on, and the last thing you want is to endure her wrath.”

  Caroline thought back to when she was locked in her room and shuddered. “I need to tell you something about Mom.”

  “What is it? Have you seen something?” Gaspar asked, staring at her so intensely, she felt like he was trying to see into her mind to garner the answers for himself.

  “When I unlocked my Voyante key, I saw Mom and Justin. They were together at home and seemed fine like nothing had ever happened to them. But when I noticed the photo frames, I was no longer in the photographs.”

  Gaspar frowned and stared into the space over her head for a few seconds before responding. “Okay. Try not to worry about it. Visions aren’t always literal, but we’ll sort it out.”

  “There’s something else,” Caroline said, still a little uncertain as to whether to confide in her father.

  “Tell me,” he instructed.

  “When I underwent my first morph, I…, I turned into Mom.” She watched her father steadily, waiting for his reaction. He was silent for so long she wondered if he’d heard her.

  “Who else knows about this? Have you told your aunt?” he finally asked.

  “No! I’m not stupid. My friends know they were there. But that’s it.”

  Gaspar nodded slowly, “It’s not ideal that your friends know, but it is what it is. Just keep it contained as best as you can until I get back. And whatever you do, don’t let your aunt find out.”

  “But why? What does it mean?”

  “I know you want answers, and I promise, as soon as I know everything, you will too. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I really need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

  Caroline looked hard at her father for the first time since he’d entered the room, and she noticed the darkness under his eyes, the pallor of his skin, and the way the corners of his mouth downturned in worry. As much as she wanted to, Caroline wasn’t sure that she trusted her father any more than her aunt—but she was prepared to try if it helped him find her mother and brother. She nodded.

  “Thank you.” Gaspar pulled his daughter in close for an embrace, but Caroline’s hands remained at her side as she reminded herself that her father had been dead to her for ten years. She pulled back.

  “Just find Mom and Justin and bring them back to me,” she stated.

  Gaspar nodded, placed a kiss on his daughter’s head, and he left the room.

  “Earth to Caroline?” Nadine threw her pen across the table, where it landed with a clatter in front of her friend.

  Caroline looked up with wide eyes, “I’m sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.”

  “Really? I hadn’t noticed,” Nadine said dryly, tapping her pen on the table.

  “I’ll concentrate better, I promise,” Caroline said with a sheepish smile.

  “That’s okay. How far along have you read?”

  “Uh, I’m about three quarters through the table of contents,” Caroline admitted.

  Nadine laughed, “I’ll forgive you since it’s the first day of school, but help me out, okay?”

  “Of course. Sorry,” Caroline shifted in her chair and stared at the pages before her, and as she became more focused, the pages started to flip as she absorbed the information.

  “Whoa, that is so cool…”

  Caroline jumped, surprised by the sudden appearance of another student beside her. It was a young girl in the black and white Destine Academy uniform; she was likely a year seven or year eight student.

  “Um, hello,” Caroline said, feeling a little self-conscious that someone other than Nadine had witnessed her special form of speed reading.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you, I just want to say hi. I’ve been so excited to meet you.”

  “Um…” Caroline had no idea what to say as she looked over at Nadine, who unhelpfully shrugged her shoulders.

  The girl seemed oblivious as she continued talking, “I’m Amelie Veilleux.” The girl held her hand out, and Caroline shook it, feeling a little silly by the gesture.

  “I’m Caroline. Caroline Destine.”

  “Oh, I know who you are,” Amelie stated, releasing her grasp. “You’re the headmistress’s niece, which is cool enough, but you’re also the first person ever to unlock all four factions, and you did it all in a matter of weeks! What does it feel like?” Amelie finally stopped to take a breath.

  “It’s hard to say. I don’t really think about it,” Caroline said.

  “That is so cool. Wow. I can’t believe I’m meeting you for real. Do you have a favorite faction?”

  “Not really, though I tend to lean towards the Magicks, I think, because it was the first key I unlocked.”

  “Awesome! I was hoping to be a Voyante, but maybe now I’d like to be Magicks, I don’t know.” Amelie looked over her shoulder as her name was called. “Well, I’d better go. I’m here with the year seven orientation group. I can’t believe I met Caroline Destine on my very first day at the academy!” Amelie exclaimed, hugging her bag to her chest and with a beaming smile, turned and skipped back to her group.

  “What the…” Caroline looked at Nadine, who was biting her lip to keep from laughing.

  “It’s not funny,” Caroline scolded. “I don’t want to be singled out. It’s weird.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you’ll get used to it,” Nadine giggled.

  “Not likely,” Caroline scowled and looked back down at her books.

  “Who do you have tutoring you after lunch today?” Nadine asked. Caroline looked at her without raising her head. “Corbin.”

  “Ah, …how’s that going?” Nadine asked.

  “It’s not. I don’t think he’s said a word to me since I morphed,” Caroline replied.

  “He’s just nursing a bruised ego. I don’t think Corbin’s been turned down by anyone in his life,” Nadine explained.

  “I know, and I feel terrible. I didn’t turn him down exactly…”

  “No, you just kissed another guy when Corbin thought you were an item,” Nadine stated.

  “When you say it like that, it sounds so terrible!”

  “I didn’t mean it to. You can’t help how you feel—you just have to decide what that is and who you want.”

  “Not that I think it really matters. Neither of them is talking to me,” Caroline said softly.

  “They will. Just give them time. But in the interim, work out which one of them you want. Before someone else decides for you,” Nadine warned.

  Chapter Three

  The dining hall was at capacity, and Caroline was almost thankful for the increasing noise as she grabbed her tray of food and walked back to her table. She’d only gone a few steps before she was nudged hard in the shoulder, causing her to drop her tray, splattering her food all over the floor.

  “You really should watch where you’re going.”

  Caroline looked up to find the newly appointed Surnatural head, Katriane Houde sneering at her with her hands folded across her chest. Caroline said nothing as she bent down to start cleaning up the mess. She reached out to pick up the savory muffin, now split in two, but before she could, Katriane placed her shoe on it and squished it hard into the floor. Caroline gritted her teeth but refused to give Katriane the satisfaction of looking up at her. Instead, she waited for her to remove her foot so she could finish picking up the mess. Caroline deposited her ruined lunch in the trash and placed the now empty tray on the rack above it before walking back to her table and sitting down with her friends.

  “Where’s your lunch?” Laurent asked with his mouth half-full of sandwich.

  “I decided I’m not hungry,” Caroline said, looking over her shoulder to where Katriane sat staring back at her from the table she sat at with her other Surnatural friends.

  “What do you guys know about Katriane Houde?” Caroline asked.

  “She’s okay. Super competitive about everything, which isn’t exactly unusual for a Surnatural. Why’s that?” Fleur asked innocently.

  “I don’t think she likes me for some reason,” Caroline replied, turning back around.

  “Ahh…had a run-in with her, did you?” Tilda asked.

  Caroline looked at her, suspiciously, “Yes…is there something I should know about?”

  “It’s just she’s developed quite the infatuation with Corbin over the holidays,” Tilda explained.

  “…and everyone knows he’s still into you,” Laurent added with a grin, and Tilda nudged him in the ribs. “What? It’s true.”

  Caroline groaned and rested her head in her hands, “Fantastic. That’s just what I need.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Nadine said, picking the grapes out of her fruit salad.

  “Don’t worry about it? She’s just been appointed head girl of the Surnaturals.” Caroline whined.

  “So what? She’s just jealous is all. Just steer clear of her as best you can, and she’ll get over it.” Fleur tried to reassure her.

  “Or she won’t,” Laurent teased, ducking to the side before his girlfriend had the chance to nudge him in the ribs again.

  Caroline was grateful as the subject was changed, and she listened to her friends’ playful banter as they ate. As their lunch break neared an end, Caroline found herself increasingly nervous knowing she had to face Corbin for her Surnatural tutoring session and feeling completely clueless as to what to say to him.

  “You ready, C?” his voice came from behind her, and Caroline tried to swallow the lump in her throat as she got to her feet.

  “See you guys later,” Caroline said. Corbin gave them a friendly salute before leading the way. Caroline looked back and saw Katriane sitting back in her seat, her arms folded against her chest again as she scowled in Caroline’s direction, her friends on either side mirroring her.

 

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