Marcel, Freya, and Kol (reluctantly) went on their way back to Louisiana. But not before Freya gave me her new phone number in case I needed anything. That and she showed me a few pictures of baby Nik and gushed over him for half an hour before her brother practically dragged her away.

Eventually Ric did decide to give Davina a teaching position that needed to be filled. She took over Emma's spot because she already had a seemingly full time job as the school's councelor... and therapist, for some. The only slightly worrying part about this new change is that I'll occasionally be shadowed by Davina. Sweet person or not, the power she possesses is scary.

As of now though, I was entering some magics class or whatever which was the new start of my day around here. Dr. Ric said that if I'm gonna be here, I have to play by his rules. Which meant I actually have to take classes. And learn. It's both an upside and a downside what with being homeschooled and limited on what I know and all. But at the same time I enjoyed my quiet times.

I wound up getting here so early that the teacher wasn't even in yet, so I just picked a spot in the very back of the classroom and hoped I didn't thief anyone's good place.

While waiting, I pulled out a couple sheets of paper and started writing a few music notes down. Whether it becomes an actual rhythm or not... I guess we'll have to see.

And I quickly realized how out of practice I was with this. I mean, jeez, I used to always make little melodies all the time and tried them out with my instruments.

God I miss those. I might have to go get some. And soon.

It wasn't too long until I heard someone walking into the room. I turned to see none other than Mrs. Claire herself. "You're early."

I shrugged and went back to fiddling with this new tune. "If I'm gonna be doing this student thing, I might as well be as efficient at it as possible. Being early is being on time."

"Point made. Whatcha got going on there?"

"I don't know, honestly." I put the papers away and decided to figure that out later. I watched Davina go and quickly set up a workspace for herself at the desk. "So what's this class about anyway?"

"Magic, of course."

"I got that part but what are we going to be doing here?"

"Learning how to do certain practical spells. Learning how to harness your magic. That sort of stuff. It's a class for witches."

"So why am I here?"

"I asked Alaric to put you in here. You can do magic, it's just a lot more difficult for you. But you'll never get ahold of your power if someone isn't willing to teach you how to do that, so..."

"You volunteered," I nodded. "You know it's going to be difficult on you too, right?"

"I do. But it's fine. We'll just need to set up an after class session so I can have more time and leniency with mentoring you. If that's setting you want."

I nodded, mostly to myself because Davina was focused on organizing herself. It sounded like a good game plan to me. And if I do this and do it right, it counts as one more advantage against the big bad tar boy in the future.

But since the other witches were filing into class I simply kept my head low, watching, learning, and keeping many many mental notes for later.

---

After my final class of the day, I found myself taking a little walk outside. A lot of other kids were sitting in the grass, talking to themselves or studying or playing little games amongst themselves. Some of them glanced my way and did a little friendly nod (which I did return the favor, don't worry), and honestly that probably made my day.

I found myself standing at the edge of a freaking huge lake that I never realized was here, just watching the scenery.

I heard familiar giggling to my left so I let my eyes travel in that direction. Hope and her man child were sparring- or I should say play sparring because there's no way that kid knows how to fight, I'm sorry. But seriously there's no way.

Someone tapped on my shoulder from behind me but then came around to my side so I could see them. It was a girl who I'm certain is a witch because she doesn't smell like death or a sweaty wolf. Plus the only female wolf I was aware of looks nothing like this one.

"Hi there," she smiled.

"Hello."

"It's Melori, right?" I nodded slowly, both confused and surprised she's talking to me. "I'm Jack. Short for Jaquelin. I don't know if you saw me in class? Uh, Davina Claire's?"

I shook my head, kind of feeling bad because I really didn't notice her. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you."

"That's okay, I don't blame you. I mean it looked like you were really invested in the lesson. Though I didn't expect a hybrid to have that class, but..."

"Oh it's a personal request," I lied. "I've always been interested in understanding the craft, you know."

Jack smiled widely. "That's so cool of you. I don't know anyone other than a witch that's willing to learn. Well, I guess apart from you, now, huh?" Jack looked out across the lake, taking in the view as I was doing before. "Fun fact: I've always wanted to know what it's like being a wolf. How it is running in the woods and all."

"There are very few good words to describe it but there's at least one I'd use."

"What is it?"

"Liberating. It's like all your problems are gone. You've got nothing to worry about besides how the hell you're gonna get back to where you were."

Jack snickered a little while nodding. "Yeah that sounds like trouble. But listen, for what it's worth, I'd like to be your friend. I know people have been tough on you because, you know... but you're not a bad person and I see that, so. If you're looking for a friend, I'm here."

I couldn't help but smile like a little damn fool. That's now three individuals that have active sought out my friendship which felt pretty freaking good. I offered my hand to shake and she didn't even hesitate to take it. "Thank you, Jack. It's nice to meet you and I'll definitely be taking that offer."

"Good. I'm glad. But hey, I've got football practice to get to."

"There's a football team?"

"Yeah. Hey, you should consider joining. It's good fun, good exercise. But only if you're interested."

"I'll think about it. But go ahead, don't let me hold you up."

"Okay, see you later. And it's nice meeting you too." Jack waved goodbye then jogged off to whenever football practice is.

When I turned back towards the lake, I saw that Landon had gone and Hope was now making her way over to me. I started walking towards her to meet her halfway. As we got closer, I saw that she was smiling at me.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but... you've just made a friend."

"Y'know, I think I did. It took all my social energy but I did, didn't I?"

"It's about time. I thought you'd be withdrawn forever."

I rolled my eyes playfully at the comment. I motioned for Hope to join me on a walk. "So how are you?"

"I should be asking you that considering yesterday."

"You mean Marcel."

"Mhm. I mean, you didn't want him to remember you then he showed up here having remembered you and-"

"I'm fine. That was unexpected and kind of scary, but it's cool. And I asked you a question."

"I'm okay, actually. I have a proposition for you."

"Which is what?"

"Becoming my new sparring partner. Dr. Saltzman has officially been booted."

"I thought your boyfriend was your sparring partner. At least from what I saw back there."

Hope scoffed. "Landon is a lot of things but s fighter is not one of them. Besides I don't wanna hurt him."

"And you want to hurt me?"

I was punched in the shoulder pretty hard for absolutely no good reason. Hope rolled her eyes, sighing, "I'm asking you because you're strong and capable of handling yourself and I don't have to worry about you breaking your back or whatever."

"If you punch me like that again, my shoulder will be what's broken," I whined. "But fine, I'll be your dummy."

"Sparring partner. You fight back, dummy."

"Dummies don't fight back."

"But you're not a dummy."

"You just called me a dummy, though."

"You- ugh." Frustrated, Hope stormed off into the school. I cackled deviously before following after her since we're likely going to the exact same place.

"Can't escape me, Princess."

"Why do I put up with you?"

"Come on, you love me," I teased.

"Melori, stop talking." I sighed and zipped my lips until the reached our room.

Hope must've had an exhausting day because as soon as she got to her bed she just... flopped, face down. I just let her have her moment until eventually she turned her head to look at me. "We need a plan."

"For what?"

"Malivore. If we're to figure out how to kill him without killing ourselves, we need a good plan. So, do you have any ideas?"

"Well liked to think one of you had a plan. You know more about the thing than I do."

"None of us do, unfortunately."

I sat up to sit at the edge of my bed. "How was Malivore even created?"

"Simply put, some witch used her blood and the blood of to others- a vampire and a wolf- to create something that could consume a dragon since they didn't know how destroy it. That something ended up being a golem which they named Malivore."

"Aren't golems supposed to obey they person that created it?"

"They are. He did. But after continuously absorbing monsters and their DNA and whatnot, Malivore became a living thing."

"So what? He grew feelings and betrayed this makers?"

"That exactly. And from there on he just kept consuming and consuming until he eventually started to consume the things that created him. Vampires, wolves, witches. Eventually another three came together to try to destroy him, but they couldn't, so they made into a pit. The first one that we went into. The one in Fort Valley. It's been there for centuries before I destroyed that."

I nodded, kind of understanding the cliff notes version of the story. It took me a minute to process it, but I think I understood it. "Okay. That's fun. I'm a little confused, and I still wanna know how he had children, but that's for another day."

I'd rather not have my head explode.

"Here's a thought," I said as I did indeed think of a solution now that I have a bit of a backstory. And so I don't forget my thoughts, it's best I say it aloud. "So if destroying him means using the blood of a vamp, wolf, and witch...and throwing them into a pit to destroy it is like killing them, then maybe we don't have Malivore be a pit?"

"Please make some sense, Mel."

"We turn Malivore back into a golem and destroy him with a spell opposite to the one that ancient witch used to make him. That way it takes, what, maybe a few drops of your blood or mine instead of our entire selves?"

Hope almost literally jumped off the bed, standing up straight while frantically waving her hands. "Mel, you freaking genius! I could almost kiss you right now!"

"Uh-"

"Oh, but... no one knows what spell the witch used to create him. Or the spell to turn him into a pit."

"Then we find them. However long it takes to figure out how to take that step, we do it."

"You're right," Hope nodded, coming to a second realization as to how we can actually get rid of Malivore. "You're right, and you're a genius and we should go tell the others."

I groaned, flopping right back on the bed. "Noo. Tomorrow, please? It's been a long day, I need a shower and some sleep and so do you."

"Ugh, you're right. Again." Hope sat back down with a sigh, running a hand through her hair. "We share the plan tomorrow."

"Thank god."

with a new name comes a new face. the cast chapter has been updated, adding Jack as an official important character