"What would... that be?" Jess asked, concerned. "I already know it's weird for witches to not need their tools, but-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but that would not be what we are talking about," the researcher quickly cut her off.

"Then what is it?" Jess ran a hand through the back of her hair.

"You... appear to have the abilities of the other species as well as those of a witch. Are you sure your parents are fully human?" She asked slowly. Jess stood there in shock.

"Yes, I am fully sure. How did this happen? I thought what I can do is just what witches could do."

"If they had their tools, sure, but the spectral image you produced... no witch was ever recorded to do that." Jess felt like she was being punched.

"Wha-?"

"Miss Brown, you are something else. Your ability to control the abilities of the other species is something we have never seen before." So I'm a monster?

"What do I do about that...?" Jess laughed, trying her best not to whimper. Any pride she felt for her supposed gift sank and drained out of her body. She was a monster. She didn't belong to any species the way she was. How could she? If she was just a witch, she could maybe be called human in today's world, but this? This was too much...too weird and wrong.

The researcher's eyes softened at the brokenness of the girl before her.

"Jessica, I'm afraid there is something bigger at stake before us. Do you think you are ready to handle it?" The researcher's voice was soft but firm.

"What do you mean?" Jess took a deep breath.

"There is something we have yet to tell you, and it's important for the fate of humankind." Jess ran a hand through her hair and she refocused her gaze onto the researcher. "But we're afraid we can't tell you yet. You're not ready yet. We have to train you." Jess couldn't help but laugh.

"No. I'm going back home to my family, ma'am. I don't know what war you're talking about, but I do not intend to risk myself for it." The researcher's eyes widened.

"How did you know what I was going to say?"

"'Something bigger at stake?' ' Important for the fate of humankind?' You meant a war of some kind, ma'am." The researcher straightened up.

"We can put a stop to it before it even starts with your help!"

"And what? Use me like a tool? Is that what you're training me for? No way!"

"Not as a tool. You will not be fighting, but you can be an ambassador."

"And why would I want to do that?" The researcher smirked.

"Because if you don't, who do you think the other species are going to target first? The only person who can stop them: you." Jess wasn't having it.

"And?"

"And I'm sure they'll be gunning after your parents as well. Just to get to you." Jess stopped breathing for a second.

"We'll be fine." Jess snapped herself out of it.

"Will you? Can you handle a hoard of each powerful species coming after you?" The researcher cocked her head and Jess gritted her teeth. Fuck her. Fuck this. A war? What the hell? I hate that she's making a point here. She better not be lying.

"Then what did you have in mind?"

"Lyonhall Woods." Jess' eyes widened.

"I thought that was a myth! It's real?" The researcher curtly nodded.

"We are offering you a chance to prevent the war by attending Lyonhall to become a human ambassador there. You can hone your... special skills while gaining relations with members of the other species. You think you can do that?"

"Wh-what about my parents? I promised them I would return to them!" The researcher's smirk softened into a smile and shook her head.

"We wouldn't be so cruel as to not allow you contact or a goodbye with them, Miss Brown. You'll be permitted time to gather your belongings, but then it's off to Washington you go."

"The state?" The researcher started to laugh but caught herself in a cough.

"Yes, Jessica. Where else could the school fit? Lyonhall needed a large, wooded area without many people to settle itself." Jess nodded, trying not to blush in embarrassment. That made me sound so stupid....

"A-Anyway, where do I sign up? When does school start?" The researcher smiled.

"I knew you'd agree with us. We just need you to sign some documents and pack our things. In order to make it to the start of the first term and have you acquainted with the area, we need to leave tomorrow ideally."

"O-Oh. I see." The door opened behind Jess. She whirled around to find Arnold there alone... except for a guard or two.

"I knew ya'd join us!" He beamed. Jess couldn't help but smile, her energy coming back to her. Lyonhall Woods. It's really real. I'm really going. But what about my parents? What if the war starts and I'm not there? What if they aren't as protected as they should be?

Jess snapped out of it when a hand swung in front of her face.

"Jessie girl? What's on your mind?" Jess cringed at the name Jessie as Arnold's question left his lips.

"You're very interesting, you know that?" Jess retorted in the nicest way possible, causing Arnold to laugh.

"Apparently not as interesting as you! Come on now, we need to go back home." With a nod, Jess followed Arnold out of the Victorian styled lab. Eyes were on her again, but it wasn't as bad as the first time. It was when she felt that same pair of six that she shuddered slightly, looking down. She hated the intensity of the gaze. She never did perfect under pressure like that.

"Arnold," A low, gravely voice introduced itself to your ears. It was like the light in the room dissipated and there was nothing Jess could do to stop it. She looked up in shock to find that it was that demon you saw earlier. All six of his eyes bore into your head while he greeted Arnold.

"Ah yes, Reficul! What can I do for you?" Arnold clapped his hands together and the demon crossed his arms. He was at least over a foot taller than Jess, and she was average height for a human woman, sixty-four inches tall. She tried her best not to widen her eyes as she slowly met his gaze.

"Why have you brought a human to our sacred place?" Arnold shook his head.

"That I cannot tell you, I'm afraid. Don't have the clearance. Say, have you gotten your teaching certificate yet?" A small smirk showed off Reficul's sharp teeth.

"Yes actually, I'll be going to Lyonhall Woods in the next few days." He said that fairly proudly if Jess said so herself. Jess noted how despite the pride in Reficul's voice, he spoke rather monotone. Arnold's eyes widened and he gently elbowed Jess. I suppose it would be something to be proud of.

"Oh ho ho! So I'll guess you'll find out for yourself soon enough!" Jess forced a small smile at Reficul, which in turn earned a glare. Oh boy.

"What does that mean, Arnold?" Arnold just winked at him.

"Oh you'll see, you'll see..." Together, Arnold, Jess, and the guards left Reficul there, his arms still crossed, eyes still trained on the back of Jess' head.

The ride home was uneventful, well, for Jess at least. Arnold simply kept bombarding her with questions about the powers she now hated. The conversation couldn't be worse for her.

"So! I'm sure you're excited to make new friends, maybe even a lov-" Arnold teased, but got cut off.

"Nope! I mean, maybe the new friends part..." Jess trailed off, remembering how in high school, she didn't have very many friends around her, only online ones. It only made Arnold laugh more at Jess' reaction.

"I'm only teasing, Jessica, but I'm happy to hear you think you can make new friends!" For some reason, it felt offensive the way he said "you think" to her. She didn't like it, but made sure to not show it. After all: He was probably sincere.

The car pulled into her driveway, and Jess saw the surveillance team watching her parents, and, at least in front of Arnold (whatever his status was), looked very, um, surveillancey. No, that's silly. They were observant. That's the word. Jess was happy with herself after figuring it out.

"I have two questions," Jess started, and Arnold hummed in response. "What is Lyonhall like? And what do I need to pack?"

"Well, pretend you're going to a boarding school, which you kind of are, and go with that! Y'know, toiletries, clothes, definitely your tools, any entertainment you'd need, and other things. As for Lyonhall Woods... it's like a human version of a college, but for other species it's more like a high school. I'm sure you're wondering if the kids there will be your age, and they will be, it's just that for them, they're learning what they would consider elementary level stuff, and you'll be learning what I'm sure you'd consider college-level material. It's just a difference in views, ya see?"

"So, I'll look like a child next to them because they can control their abilities better than I can?" Arnold stopped for a moment before noticing Jess' smirk.

"Oh ho ho, ya got me there for a second missy! But truth be told, some will, but others will be just as impressed as I was, and for what it's worth, you control your powers very well." Arnold laughed. Yeah, if I'm not scared shitless. Arnold calmed down slightly. "Anyway, you should go pack. We have your tools in the truck and already called your parents. They seemed... open to the idea once we explained the you-know-what." Jess nodded.

"Okay. Sounds good." Jess headed over to her small room and started packing.

She packed her favorite outfits, hoping there was a washing/drying room, toothbrush, favorite soaps, shampoos, and conditioners, and other things she thought she might need. That was when a particular chunky, orange cat jumped on her bed.

"Cheez-It. What are you doing?" Jess asked her cat, her familiar. He had orange and pale orange stripes over his body and a stubby tail. You weren't sure what had happened to his tail, but it was okay as long as he was. His tail wagged back and forth like a little dog. Jess knew this meant he required some love and affection. After all, he donated a lot of his energy into her spells. "Aww of course my chonky boy." She started scratching around his ears while stroking his back. He immediately started purring. Then, she scratched him at the base of his tail and his little tush raised into the air. It was nothing short of adorable for her. "You know what, Cheez-It?" The cat cocked his head to the side. "I need to bring you with me." In response, the three-year-old cat headbutted her.

"J-ster?" She heard her Dad and immediately turned and rushed to hug him. "Whoah-ho-ho! Slow down there. I'm not going anywhere." Her dad laughed in the hug, returning it as quickly as she received it.

"I know! But I am..." Jess trailed off.

"And you'll be okay! I know you will. Have you finished packing?" He gave her one final squeeze before setting her down.

"I think so! Except for this it seems." Jess grabbed her family photo and gently placed it on top of all her stuff.

"Ah, can't forget that," her dad chuckled.

"Yeah! Where's mom?"

"She's waiting for you in the living room. You ready to go?" Jess faltered for a sec, her bag on her shoulder.

"I suppose so. After I tell you two goodbye, of course."

Of course her mom was crying to see her baby go in the living room, but Jess was used to it of course. She did it every school year and she did it at graduation. I guess I'm just thankful I didn't commit to any college yet. That would be a lot of money to lose.

After a few tearful goodbyes, Arnold gently cleared his throat. Jess looked over to find him with a gentle smile on his face. It had to be time to leave. Jess wiped her eyes and cleared her throat.

"Oh! Arnold, I have a question for you," Jess mentally called Cheez-It over. One could hear his little bell as he came running to the living room.

"Who's this?" Arnold came over and started reaching for the cat.

"Don't!" Jess reached out to stop him, and thankfully he did, meer inches away from a very scared Cheez-It. Arnold let out a nervous laugh.

"What's the matter?" Arnold straightened up. "Overprotective of your cat?"

"No, he's my familiar."

"Oh...?"

"Yeah. Do you not know?"

"I suppose not. Enlighten me, please." Jess didn't know how to put this.

"Well, the um, when you touch a familiar, it amplifies the feeling on the witch. At least from what I've read and experienced." Arnold's eyes widened. "Yeah, so maybe don't touch the cat that likes to be pet too much." Jess let out a shaky laugh and Arnold cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable.

"Noted, Miss Brown. I suppose you'll want to take your familiar with you?"

"If that can be arranged. I think he might be overdramatic and die if I don't give him attention." Jess' laugh seemed more sure of itself, laughing at her own joke. Cheez-It glared at her. Arnold chuckled.

"Well, I'm sure they won't mind as long as you take care of him. Speaking of, will you need anything for him?" Jess' eyes widened.

"Yes. One moment." Jess set her bag down and rushed to her room to grab his favorite banana toy, bag of food, water and food dishes, and a small bag of litter and a litter box for him. Arms full, Jess returned back to the living room.

"Woah! Lots of stuff for the little guy, huh?"

"He's basically a little baby, yes." Jess laughed, as did her knowing parents.

After packing the car, Jess and Arnold made their flight in Atlanta to Washington. He wouldn't tell Jess exactly where they were going on a long drive through the woods, but it didn't matter when she saw it.

The campus was gorgeous and wonderful and pretty and- Jess had to stop herself. The tall trees towered and concealed the grounds of the school. Jess saw the glimmering water of a lake far off beyond what appeared to be the main building. The main building itself had its own unique architectural design to it. To her left was a tall tower attached to a building. To her right was a ghostly building, but it still had the same charm to it. Of course there was the main building with a large courtyard in front of it. At the top of the yellow dome sitting at the top of the building was a wizard pointing his wand to the sky. It was certainly a lot to take in.

"Beautiful, ain't it?" Arnold asked her.

"Definitely," Jess breathed. Cheez-It jumped out of the car and started trotting along as soon as the car door opened. "Oh no you don't, mister!" Jess followed and hooked him on a leash. "I know you want to explore, but we don't know where we are and I need you around me." Arnold laughed at the slight scolding.

"The guards can handle your stuff, but for now, let's head to the Main Office to get your dorm room." With a nod, Jess and Cheez-It followed Arnold towards the main building. There were students on campus already. Jess ran a hand through the back of her hair.

"What the hell is a human doing here?" She heard a passing siren say just a little too loud.

"I hope she's fresh meat for practice," She heard a demon say. Jess bit her bottom lip and followed Arnold with her head held high. They're only talking like that because they don't know what you're capable of.

He led you through the doors, and inside was just as impressive. There was ample room for winged species to fly and escape the stairs, but the stairs spiraled beautifully creating paths to different rooms. Through the corner of her eye, she spotted a giant... lunchroom? She didn't know how to put it. It looked like a giant eating area. She saw the sign above the doorway, and it read "Great Hall." Let's go with that. She spotted a sign that said "Library," "Activity Center," and "Music Room and Stage" with arrows pointing in different directions. She was especially excited to spot out the music room, as she played a clarinet, trumpet, and cello in her high school band, jazz band, and orchestra. She was looking forward to playing those instruments in college, but that wouldn't be happening now... it'll be okay.

"Jessica? Can you come here for a moment?" Arnold called to her, and she and Cheez-It walked over to the office manager.

"Of course! What did you need?" Jess tried to sound as cooperative as possible. The manager was a nice-looking female angel with the trademark golden eyes all angels she's seen have. She had long, flowing blonde hair and fell just past her shoulders. Where her ears were was a pair of what looked like miniature wings that complimented the larger wings folded neatly behind her.

"Just for you to sign some papers, dear," the angel, like all angels Jess hoped, had a comforting, soft voice.

"Sounds good. May I ask what I'm signing?"

"Of course Miss Brown..." The angel continued to explain every paper you signed, from the rule book to the allergies warning for the food. It took a while, but eventually you three, well four including Cheez-It, got it done. "Alrighty then, now that it's out of the way, how about I-"

"Mrs. Renae, how are you doing today?" You heard a slightly higher male's voice. You looked up and found a neatly dressed male fairy with the same blonde hair as the receptionist, just pulled back as much as possible into a bun. He had green wings, they were large due what Jess could assume was because he was male, and deep, purple eyes. Jess watched his eyes flick to Jess and they widened in only what could be assumed to be shock. He smiled. "Pleasure to finally meet you Miss Brown!"

"How did you...?" Jess started to ask, her eyebrow raised.

"Oh just a hunch that our one and only witch would show up today." He winked and laughed at his joke.

"If you know my name, shall I know your's, sir?" Jess tried to charm him, and it seemed to work. The fairy beamed.

"You may call me Principal Willow, Miss Brown. I'm in charge of Lyonhall Woods." He shook her hand over the counter and Mrs. Renae cleared her throat. "Oh, my apologies Mrs. Renae."

"It's quite alright, sir. I was just about to explain the dorm situation to Miss Brown and then set her loose to explore," Mrs. Renae explained.

"You're always full of wonderful ideas, Mrs. Renae. Go ahead. I won't stop you."

"Alright sir. As I was about to explain," Mrs. Renae elbowed Principal Willow, and he smiled sheepishly. "As the only human, you will have a dorm to yourself." Cheez-It jumped onto the counter. "And a cat?"

"He is my familiar Mrs. Renae," Jess explained. Mrs. Renae reached out to touch him.

"Ooh! I wouldn't do that, ma'am," Arnold stepped in, stopping Mrs. Renae.

"Well, I'll respect your boundaries Miss Brown," Mrs. Renae retracted her hand, much to the dismay of Cheez-It. He resorted to flopping on the papers. Jess sighed and placed him back down on the ground. Though she would love to place him on her shoulder, he was never a shoulder cat.

"Thank you ma'am. I can explain later," Jess promised her.

"Well, here is the key to your dorm room." She handed a rather large, golden key to Jess.

"Why thank you." Jess accepted it.

"Yes, but don't lose it. They're fairly expensive to replace y'know."

"Heh, fairly, like fairy," Principal Willow joked. Mrs. Renae didn't laugh.

"Anyway," Principal Willow groaned. "Your dorm room will be on the fourth floor on the fourth door to your left."

"Nice, four's my lucky number," Jess mentioned, suddenly feeling better about her dorm room. Mrs. Renae smiled.

"Well, I suppose you should go explore. Just remember not to go into any dorms that aren't yours. Not that you can, but some students leave their doors unlocked."

"Sounds like a plan, ma'am." Jess noted that once she settled in, she planned to visit the library first.

With a pleasant goodbye to her two new acquaintances, Jess left to head up the stairs. She thanked the guards that helped bring her stuff upstairs to her room and said goodbye to Arnold.

"I'm sure you'll do great here, Miss Brown. Just remember to pay them no mind, alright?" Arnold gave her not-so-encouraging advice and Jess nodded.

Once they all left, Jess gazed around her room. It was like a college dorm room. A small bed and a desk in the corner, but this room was connected to a bathroom. Sweet. My own bathroom. Jess setup Cheez-It's things and unleashed him so he could relieve himself

"Now, if you want to explore with me, you have to be on your leash. Are you okay with that?" Jess called from the bed. She opened the curtains to her window and gasped slightly. There were more students that before flying about and the view was still stunning. I can't believe I'm here and this is real.

She felt something rub against her leg and smiled when she saw Cheez-It accepting her request.

"Why thank you, Cheezy boy," Jess giggled as she leashed him and stepped out of her dorm room. Thankfully, there was no one in the hall. She made it down to the library with no troubles and sat at a table.

That's when she felt six eyes on her.