Norae promised to inform us if she saw anything that might help when I rushed us out of there. My vision shook me to the core. I couldn't erase the images in my head of everyone I loved lying bloody and lifeless in a field. Then there's the images of Zach's lips on mine. I could still taste him on my lips and that kiss was a lot more meaningful than the one in that alleyway. My hands involuntarily move to my lips. The vision showed us being in love but that couldn't be possible. I promised myself I'd never let my feelings get in my way again because it would only end badly. I'm going to make sure that vision never comes true.

Ever since we left Norae's house everyone has stared at me with concerned expressions. They know something is going on and they know it is bad. This is all starting to become too much. I need to find out who the demon in my vision is. He must be the man in charge of starting this war and leader of them all. I knock on the large wooden doors of Cyndi's office.

"Come in," Cyndi says with authority. We enter and she sends the man she was talking to away. He shuts the door behind him. "What did you find out?"

"Nothing from her. She said if anything came to her she would call but I did have a vision." When Cyndi sees me and the expressions on the others faces she knows something is wrong.

"What'd you see?" She steps around her desk and walks over to me. They were all in my vision. They deserve to know what I saw.

"Death. There was a battle against the man who's starting this war. He's a demon but I'm not sure what kind. I do know he is extremely powerful. He can bring back the dead and everyone was dead. You, Abby, Ash, Dean." I swallow the lump in my throat. "Zach." I finish. "Everyone was dead except for me." I stop the story there. No need to tell the rest.

"What aren't you telling me?" Curse Cyndi for knowing me so well. No one else can tell when I'm hiding something.

"I gave him my soul in exchange for your lives and everyone else's who was dead." I lift my eyes to meet hers. "Something was happening to me. I wasn't controlling myself. My senses and power were overflowing. The ground began falling apart around me because of my rage. Strange markings appeared across my body. In the end, my eyes looked like his. Black bottomless pits. There was no humanity left in me." Cyndi takes my trembling hands in hers. "What am I?"

"I've told you already, sweetheart. You know what you are." I shake my head.

"You lied. I wanted to believe you because I know it'd be better than the truth but I can tell you lied. Tell me, mére. What am I really?" I plead.

"What I told you is the truth. You are a bellator. A warrior chosen by God and soon we'll find out for what. You must never give yourself to him. No matter what. You're far too important. If you do the world will be hopeless. What the fallen said was true. Whoever has you on their side wins and no matter how many of us die. No matter what you must sacrifice and go through, you can't leave our side. I know it is a lot to ask but I know you can and will do it." Cyndi gives my hands a squeeze but I feel as if I'm a million miles away. "This isn't a good time but you have a visitor. If I could stop it, I would." The doors open and a man clears his throat.

"Hello, Jade. It's been a while since we last saw each other." I turn stiffly and slowly to face him. He's not safe here. Heat fills my veins as panic spreads through me. Clenching and unclenching my fists I take deep breaths. "Jade?" He says when I'm fully facing him. I fall to my knees clutching my head as everything around me hits me all at once.

"Control," I whisper to myself. He crosses the room in three quick strides and kneels in front of me.

"Jade?" He repeats. But it sounds like he's talking through a concrete wall. Voices fill my head. The thoughts of those around me and in the school.

What's happening? Is she okay?

We should not have brought him here it isn't safe.

You can fight it, Jade.

Conversations students are having join the voices.

"He is so cute. He and I are going out as soon as we're allowed off campus."

"Did you hear what Emily did in elemental training?"

"Do you have the notes from last week's class?"

I can smell the emotions radiating off people's skin.

Fear

Panic

Sadness

Lust

The sound of blood pumping through their veins. I can hear each and every breath they take. The ground beneath my feet begins to tremble. Books fall from their shelves. Picture frames fall from Cyndi's organized desk.

"Control," I say again. Cyndi's big green eyes fill my vision.

"Breathe. Keep your eyes on me." She holds my face in place preventing me from looking around. "Control. You can do it. You've done it all your life. Control." I patch up the cracks in the mental walls I have set up in my mind. The spot where most of my unknown power lies always trying to get out. I take deep cleansing breaths helping bring me back to reality.

"Control," I say for the last time. I stand up ramrod straight with my hands by my side as if nothing happened. "It's getting worse."

"It's only because your birthday is close. You're going through a lot of changes and getting closer to transcending. Once your birthday passes it'll be easier." I give her an impatient head nod.

"All of you stop looking at me like that. I'm fine and can take care of myself. You," I say turning and pointing, "go home."

"I need to talk to you." He says catching me by the elbow as I try to walk away.

"Deyvon you need to leave. If your parents found out you were here they'd kill me and lock you in a dungeon for the rest of your life. They made that very clear last time I was in their presence."

"I wouldn't have to come down here if you had just responded to my letters."

"Responding would get you in trouble. You sending them would get you in trouble. I'm trying to protect you but now I can't because you brought your little watchdogs with you. They'll snitch the minute you get back home." I say glaring at the two bodyguards.

"Watch it, girl." One of them grunts. They both are dressed in black suits with white dress shirts. I let out a soft chuckle.

"You think you can strike fear into me by puffing out your chest and grunting." I laugh at him again and I smirk at him in a challenge. "How cute. All you are is academy bred brats who think you're better than anybody when in reality you aren't. You are beneath everyone. You need to leave and swear these dogs to secrecy." I yank my elbow free from his grip.

"No, you will talk to me. Don't make me order you to do it."

"Oh, Deyvon, even though you're my prince what makes you think I'll listen to your orders."

"Because you're about honor and integrity. If I give you an order, you'll follow. You're a warrior. That's what you do." Curse him for knowing me so well. I stare into his deep blue eyes and take all of him in. He's grown out his dirty blond hair to the point that it hangs in his face and he's grown a lot.

"Prince?" I hear Zach say from the corner.

"You still have so much to learn." I groan and rub my temples. I'll never understand why Cyndi put him on my team. "In the near future, our king and queen who brought all the creatures in our world together to form the council will pass down their power to Deyvon."

"The near future would be in two weeks exactly and that's why I've come here. I have an offer for you."

"Let's talk in private." I head toward the office exist away from the curious stares. "You can stay here, pets," I growl at the two bodyguards when then they begin to follow us. Deyvon puts a hand up to stop them. I lead him down the hall to my barely used bedroom. "Close the door behind you. I'm sure all of them will be trying to listen. Let's not make it easier for them."

"I've missed you, ya know?" He says taking a seat next to me on the huge bed. It was a waste of money getting a bed so nice since I don't need it.

"I've missed you too but you know what I said in Cyndi's office is true. Your parents will be very unhappy with you for being here and will take it out on the both of us."

"Yes that was true but I convinced them into letting me come here. It took a lot of work but since I'll be ruling soon they put some faith in me. Especially because they know that the plan I have is the best we have."

"What is it that you're up to Dev?" When we were young and I was in charge of watching over him we became close. I didn't know he was a prince until years after he was under my protection. He was sworn to keep it a secret to keep him safe. One day in training he told me he didn't have a nickname. I don't remember how the topic arose but when I found out who he was it made more sense why he didn't have one. No one was around to give him one. That day in the training room I gave him the nickname Dev. It wasn't anything creative or spectacular but the gratitude I saw on his face let me know he loved it anyway.

"I want you and your team to be my bodyguards for the next two weeks." He raises a hand to stop me from interrupting. "I'm going to be doing a lot of traveling and going to parties, meetings, excreta. Usually, I'd have my usual team guard me but I can't. I wouldn't be asking if the situation wasn't as bad as it is. Someone's been sending me death threats. I don't know how long they've been watching me but they know my team. They've threatened their families and if I can prevent anything from happening to them I will. My parents and I also believe someone might be spying for a group we've been keeping an eye on. You and your team are the best. If you weren't I wouldn't be here."

"Death threats? Have you tried tracking where they came from?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be here if the tracking worked. The threats have been sent by letter. They leave nothing that can be used for a tracking spell."

"This is insane Dev," I mumble.

"I know it is but I wouldn't be here if I didn't need you. Will you do it?"

"Yes, I made a promise to protect you the day we met. I don't ever break my promises. When do we start?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Great. We can work all the details out then. Get some sleep." I yank my door open and peak my head out. "I'll explain this shit storm in the morning. Get a good night's sleep, you're all going to need it, and pack for a two-week trip." My team nods their head in acknowledgment. "Eavesdropping is rude you know."

"We were just making sure you weren't doing something that would jeopardize your future," Abby says trying to step around what she really means. "Or friendship with the prince."

"Abby you can just say what you were really checking on. No, we are not having sex. Dev is like the annoying brother I never had. You can stay in this room for the night. We'll talk in the morning." I leave Deyvon in the room to explore. "Now what are the rest of you doing here?"

"Trying to see if we could sneak a peek if you guys were getting down and dirty," Dean says.

"Gross." Asher groans.

"If she wasn't your sister you wouldn't think that."

"This is why Dean is my favorite. He's always honest." I give him a kiss on the cheek. "If you need anything my bedroom is the same one."

"Thank you," Deyvon says sincerely. "For everything."

"Get some sleep." I step away as if I can dodge his gaze. "All of you." I lock eyes with Zach. His expression is blank as he turns on his heel and heads for the dorms along with everyone else.