Why did I agree to do this, Killian whines as we walk into the school. I should've just stayed at the house and watched over the twins. I never should've stepped foot back in another school.

Too late to change your mind now, Flash, I say. But we only have school for five days, then it's Christmas break and we're gone by the time school starts again.

Killian sighs. "OK, so we're lockers 180, 181, 182 and 183." He looks at me, "Where are they."

"Why do you think I know?" I ask.

"Because you know everything," Zaine says simply, playing with his blonde hair.

I roll my eyes and mutter quietly so only they can hear, "You idiots are lucky I still remember numbers of the lockers I had two years ago. I had locker 183 my first year here and I still remember where it is. Come on."

I lead them to where the lockers are, upstairs by the math rooms. The four lockers are on their own, with a drinking fountain to one side and a small space of brick wall on the other side before more lockers continue down the hallway.

"Whose locker is whose?" Clove asks, looking at her schedule, which has the locker number in the top corner.

It turns out Zaine is locker 180, I'm 181, Clove is 182 and Killian is 183.

"Hey guys."

I force myself to give Scott a warm smile as he, Dean and Kia come up to us.

Don't glare at her, don't glare at her, don't glare at her, Raven mumbles.

Are you talking to yourself or to me? I ask.

Both of us, Raven replies.

"Did you find your lockers alright on your own?" Dean asks.

"Yeah, we found them alright," Zaine says just as Kia mutters something.

"What was that, Ki?" Scott asks.

"Mate," Kia whispers, staring wide-eyed at Killian.

WHAT?! Raven screams. HELL NO! THIS HOE IS NOT GETTING WITH FLASH! SHE DOESN'T DESERVE HIM AND HE BELONGS WITH CHANGELING!

I grit my teeth together to keep myself from punching the redheaded bitch. Clove's mouth is open, her expression shocked. Zaine on the other hand looks depressed and... accepting?

Changeling, what are you thinking? I ask in our private mind-link.

He hesitates before whispering softly, I always feared that Flash would find somebody else to make him happy or that he'd be mated to a werewolf. If he was a werewolf's mate, I knew they'd be able to make him happier than I ever could. So I prepared myself to be able to let him go, to tell him to be with his mate.

I hiss softly. Zaine, there is no way that Kia can make Killian happier than you can. She used me to get to Raiden and if she wasn't related to Asher, I bet she would've gone after him too. And besides, Killian loves you,and even if you tried, there's no way he'll let you just walk away from him.

Zaine doesn't answer. I take his hand, holding it in mine and he gives me the smallest of smiles. I smile back, then we both turn back to the conversation.

"I already have someone I love," Killian says, crossing his arms. "And I'm not giving hi- her up."

"What are you saying?" Kia snaps.

"I'm saying I don't want to be your mate," Killian hisses.

Kia laughs harshly. "You're rejecting me? For what, the stupid blonde bitch?"

I growl softly. "Don't talk about my best friend like that."

Kia ignores me and continues. "What does she have that I don't? I have everything. Perfect face, perfect body, I have money and I can make you happy."

Zaine unconsciously squeezes my hand tightly. When it starts to hurt, I squeeze back gently and he relaxes his grip.

"Go with her," he mumbles to Killian.

Killian's eyes widen and he stares at Zaine in shock. "What?"

"Go be with her," Zaine repeats, speaking louder. "She'll make you happier than I can. I'm ending between us. Just try to make it work with her."

Beside me, Clove chokes on air. "What?! No way in hell is that happening!"

"Zaine," Killian whispers softly, reaching for him and clearly not caring if Scott, Dean and Kia hear Zaine's real name. "Please, don't. I don't want her, I want you."

"And I want you to be happy," Zaine replies. "And if that's not with me, then so be it."

I catch Kia smirking in triumph and I know Zaine sees it too. He pulls his hand out of mine and runs off down the hall and disappears down the stairs. Killian stares at the steps, a heartbroken looks on his face. Clove looks from Killian to the stairs and back again, her expression shocked and sad. Scott and Dean both look the same as Clove. Me on the other hand, I'm trying to keep myself from killing Kia.

What do we do? Clove asks desperately.

I can tell she doesn't want to see her brother and her best friend heartbroken.

I doubt Zaine will want to see Killian right now. You stay and help Killian, I'll go after Zaine, I say, then mutter darkly, If I stay any longer, Kia's gonna be nursing a black eye and a damn lot of broken bones.

Clove smirks slightly. And that would be simply dreadful if she was hurt.

I chuckle and head off after Zaine. I follow his scent out of the school and into the neighboring forest.

Well this brings back memories, I say, jogging through the forest that was so familiar to me, I still know it like the back of my hand after two years of never seeing it.

Yeah, good and bad ones, Raven whispers.

Zaine's scent leads towards that old maple tree, the one where Kia gave me the note saying Asher banished me. I growl softly, shaking off the memories; I need to focus on finding my best friend.

I shiver in the cold air. It hasn't snowed yet but the wind is freezing.

Eventually, I hear crying. Immediately, I start running towards the sound.

"Changeling?" I call out.

"R-Reina?" Zaine's voice replies weakly.

Despite the circumstances, I smile slightly, hearing his real voice, not the girly one Regina has. I find Zaine in his normal form, leaning against the old maple tree, tears falling freely down his face. I sit down beside him, and rest my head on his shoulder.

He's shivering. Knowing Killian will fret if Zaine gets sick, I use my power over fire to warm up my body, making myself a living heater. Zaine cuddles closer to me, needing the warmth. Heat doesn't bother me anymore, not since Lydia's death. I could wear a parka in the summer and not sweat a drop. Coldness however, I still feel.

"You sh-houldn't be using t-too much of your p-power, Reina," Zaine whispers, hiccuping from crying.

"And you shouldn't be out here without a coat," I reply. "And you should've just let Flash reject Kia."

Zaine looks at his hands sadly. "He'll be better off with her than with me."

"No, he won't be," I argue. "Kia's a gold digger and will play dirty to get what she wants. Killian loves you, Zaine. How many times has Strange said that she's never seen Flash as happy as he is with you."

"Reina," Zaine whispers. "I n-never told you th-this, but my dad l-left because he met his w-werewolf mate. H-he loved my mom, but the b-bond pulled him to th-the wolf. Who says F-Flash won't be the s-same?"

I hesitate. "Kia's unworthy," I say finally. "The way she spoke about you and the way she tried to convince Flash to be with her. We've both seen Flash show his hate of the 'queen bee' kind of girls, I don't think that hate will go away just for Kia, the queen of the queen bees."

Zaine sighs and doesn't say anything for a while. My eyelids are starting to feel heavy and my head hurts. Slowly, I stop using my power, letting my body cool down and stop emitting so much heat.

"How does it feel to be back?" Zaine asks softly.

"Weird," I reply honestly. "To see all these familiar faces but to have them not know who I am. And just to be back here in general, where I thought I'd never go again. But to be so close to Raiden and my dad... It feels... exciting. I just want to see them again."

Zaine smiles and puts one arm around my shoulders. "I love you, sis."

"I love you too, bro," I reply, smiling. "Sing for me?"

Zaine chuckles, "Only if you join in."

Zaine's voice is actually really beautiful. He says singing was one thing he was allowed to do while he was being abused by his coven. They liked his voice, and so do my rogues. They say my voice is beautiful too. It was a big change from hearing Asher and the other people who bullied me say my voice is like nails on a chalkboard.

I nod. "What song?"

"Just follow my lead," Zaine replies, smiling. "It's one of our favorites to sing together."

(, Rei, )

"

And I don't believe it but I guess it's true

Some feelings, they can travel too

You're always on my mind

To be where you are

We all need something watching over us

Be it the falcons,

But even closer to you, you seem so very far

Wish that you were here

"

Zaine and I sit together in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly, I hear someone call out, "Hello?" My eyes widen and a small smile appears on my lips. I know that voice.

Raiden, I think.

Beside me, Zaine quickly shifts back into Regina. He looks at me and mouths, "Your brother?" I nod. Then that scent reaches me. Earth and maple.

Asher.