KELANI POV"The spirit of discord?" Vesper scoffed. "How would you know that? Are you a witch that can sense powers now?""I don't know how I felt it, I just do, and if we don't eradicate that, I don't think any of us can live peacefully if we don't," I said."How do we do that? Do you have witchery powers?" Vesper asked."I don't need to have it. And I can always ask Riley to help me with one." I said."She's mad at you," Vesper pointed out."Yeah, about that..." I grimaced, shaking my head.It was common sense not to approach Riley when she was furious because she could be mean and even do far more dangerous things.But then, our lives were at stake, and waiting for Riley's anger to quell might even be more harmful than whatever she would do to me if I decided to approach her now."I am sorry. I don't mean for that to happen, and I thought defending you would make...""You don't need to apologize," I cut him off. Stepping towards him, I gripped his hand, locking eyes with him, "Just
KELANI POVRiley arrived as I had presumed, and she walked past me, not asking me any questions.She walked around the room briefly, ransacking through the shelves and checking some of the books.Her brows were creased as she continued to search. Without even saying anything to me, I knew she was searching for the Talisman.But I couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't asking if I had seen it. Perhaps she was trying to keep it a secret from me.Riley hissed, and she turned to me abruptly. She gazed at me longer than intended. Even though I wasn't looking at her directly, I felt her gaze on me, drilling holes in my back."Kelani," Riley said eventually, and I turned.I raised a brow at her, "What's up? Thought you were giving me the silent treatment.""This is not the time for jokes," She said, almost snapping at me."Then when is the time for it?" I asked her."I am too busy for that, but I need a response to what I am about to ask you," Riley stated."You are too busy to joke with me
VESPER POVWatching as Nathan sprinted towards me as though he had been chased by a wild beast. Well, a wild beast could be on his trail now because, at this point, we were in, anything was predictable."What's up?" I asked him.Nathan panted, gripping his knees. His eyes were round, and he looked around the room."What's going on?" I asked him again, and he said nothing.I saw fear in his eyes. Whatever had made him room must been dangerous. Even though it wasn't every time I saw Nathan in this state of fear, this seemed different."Kelani," He said.That caught my attention."Kelani?" I asked, stepping towards him. "What happened and where is she?"I started towards the hallways, but Nathan intercepted me, blocking my path."Please, don't," He shook his head."Why not? She said she was going to search for Riley. Where is she?""She's in a terrible situation," Nathan murmured."Then, I must get to know as soon as possible," I replied."You can't," Nathan said."Why not?! She can be h
KELANI POVFor a few seconds, Riley stared at me, her mouth wide open. It was as though she couldn't believe what I had said and was waiting for me to take back my words."Challenge accepted?!" Riley asked, her eyes wide with laughter.She placed a hand over her mouth, giggling, "Are you seriously trying to challenge me?""I already did," I said, taking a defensive stance. "I am not backing down now."Or maybe I was insane to have challenged seeing as I was the only opponent in the room and Riley or whoever had possessed her could easily blast me with the snap of her finger.She was powerful, while I only learnt how to use my powers recently. Besides, it wasn't all the time I felt so powerful.Just like now."You should back down because you can't win me," She said.Riley stepped towards me, a wicked laughter on her face."I can win you, and I don't need to be all that powerful," I said, sidestepping her.She gripped my hand with a swiftness that I couldn't match, pulled me back, and
KELANI POVMy wolf. Kelly.I had a wolf, just like everyone else. I had a freaking wolf.Excitement unfurled inside of me at the thought. I had thought I was wolfless.A werewolf wouldn't be one without its werewolf identity. I had assumed I was different because I could barely channel any real powers within me.Now, I felt it. With Kelly prowling inside of me, I felt her energy surging inside of me as well."I'll help you defeat her," Kelly said."No," I whispered, shaking my head as I approached Riley.She had slammed Lia into a box several times, almost making her go unconscious. But then Lia was as resilient as Riley.They both had strength and great stamina. They could endure a lot of things that many werewolves wouldn't be able to endure. Well, the weaker werewolves, though.Riley tossed her head back and cackled, the air cackling with energy as she did.The wind drifted into the room from nowhere. I couldn't see any windows in sight nor cracks in the wall to indicate where the
KELANI POVOh, My Goodness."Somebody, anybody, help me!" I cried again, for the second time, my eyes moving around the room to see no one had made a move."I did this, I did this," I chanted over again, my hands trembling as I held her closer. I hurt Riley. I had hurt the only person who cared about me.But then again, I was only trying to defend myself. I wondered if that counted.Biting my lower lip as it trembled, I sniffled and then blinked back, the tears brewing in my eyes away. But the more I blinked, the more tears that gathered."Kelani," I felt a pull on my shoulder, but I didn't let Riley go. I couldn't let her go.She was bleeding, and by the look of things, if no one came to save her soon, she was going to die."Kelani," I heard Vesper's voice again.I turned to stare at him and saw his brows were creased with worries. Shaking my head, I let out a throaty sob."I need help!" I snapped, swiping at the tears pouring down my cheeks. "Why are you people doing nothing? Riley
This was my second time running away from home, and maybe it would be my last because I might actually like it here.Before entering through the high gate, I glimpsed the structure from a distance. The main building, somewhat gloomy, resembled a reused mansion crafted from ancient stones and red bricks. It stood in the center of the school, housing the administrative building and other facilities.Rubbing my clammy palms on my pants out of habit, I let out a deep breath as I continued to gaze around.Next to the main building was the classroom, which I didn't have time to explore. It was sizable and towering, leaving me curious about the total number of rooms it housed.It looked like a regular boarding school.Maybe it was because it didn't feel like how a regular juvenile detention center should feel. The headmaster, Mr. Kendrick, assured me I would fit in just right. I needed to hold onto his word.Contrary to my initial expectations, the school felt inviting on the inside. It was
KELANI POV"You should totally skip orientation," groaned Riley, helping me arrange my clothes in the wardrobe she made available.An hour had passed since I stepped into the room, and we were unpacking my things. Riley volunteered to help, but she also took the opportunity to talk my ears off.I guess I should be grateful; at least, she shared some information about the school's traditions and off-limits areas, although not in much detail.Unlike Lia, who might smother me with a pillow while I slept, I was lucky to have Riley as a roommate.The room Riley and I shared was more spacious than the one back home. Combining my room with the one my dad shared with my stepmother would barely match it.On the wall near Riley's bed hung a painting of a starry night, featuring a woman holding a torch with a wreath around her neck and a crescent moon-shaped crown on her hair.My side of the room was devoid of paintings; maybe Riley left it that way- she might have assumed I would flip if she to