Even though I hate waking up early and leaving Draco's warm and comfy bed, I am making an exception today. Going back to the orphanage is stirring up some unwanted memories and feelings from my childhood, but I brush it all off because I want to go there. I need to go there. Maybe seeing it will help me get over my past and I can forget it all.

I tugged away some of the presents I wanted to give the kids in the orphanage, and after handing out the presents to the workers in the Evren's company, we visited other charities first. Mr. Evren asked me everytime we finished if I want to go to mine choice, but I am still nervous about going back and randomly popping out in front of the nuns again, so I gladly let them drive us around the city. It didn't last long and now we only have one stop left, the Holland orphanage. I stop joining the conversation Draco and his siblings have buring the drive, and only stared at my hands while playing with my fingers. Using nails I kept removing invisible dirt from under the ones on my other hand or twisted my fingers. Suddenly, a big hand landed on top of mine and grabbed it. I looked up to catch Draco giving me a reassuring smile. I would love to do this with Reilly, but having Draco around is good as well.

We pulled up to the drive way and as I got out of the car, I saw three familiar faces waiting for us. In the middle is Mother Superior who got assigned to the orphanage a year after I joined. She noticed me and gave me a smile but I knew that it's a fake one. Besides leading the nuns, she was also a leader for the punishments. Mostly my punishments everytime I was brought back. She was convinced that I am possessed by a demon for sure. I don't know if she knows about the existence of magic or is a really strong devotee. Maybe if she knew they really exist, the punishments would take a different turn. After seeing her again, my mouth dried up and gulping saliva felt like there is sand paper in my throat. My insides churned and pushed up an acidic liquid. With my trembling hands I squeezed my stomach and tried to resist the urge to puke. I probably would if it wasn't for Draco who slided in front of me, blocking the way. He placed his hands on my upper arms, brushing them up and down, telling me to try and calm down.

Danielle: You two lovebirds mind giving us a hand?

Draco didn't reply to her sister and I couldn't even open my mouth or I would risk throwing up the breakfast and lunch we had. Draco leaned closer to me and said that it's okay if I don't go in. Danielle yelled at us again but Draco kept looking at me, waiting for an answer.

Draco: I don't know what happened to you in here, but if you are not feeling good, we can stay out here. Just let Danielle know which gift is for who and she will manage the delivery.

Me: I want to go. I was just reminded of things and I it hit me harder than I thought it will.

Danielle: You guys!

Draco: Kaitlin just needs time. She feels a bit sick.

Dantes: Are we getting a niece or a nephew already? Maybe we should keep some of these presents to ourselves then.

Draco barked back at his brother who is smirking at us and also at giggling Danielle. But this little joke took away some of the darkness hovering over my mind and I laughed. In my head I know what that joke implies but imagining that future is like a spark in that helped me calm down my mind. I told Draco that I am okay now and we can go inside.

Luckily for me, all I had to do is greet the Mother Superior and the two nuns accompanying her, since she talked mostly to Mrs. and Mr. Evren, thanking them for the donations. I took the presents I picked personally and sneaked away into the common room that used to be mine.

I hesitated when opening the door but I got here so there is no point in turning back. I got inside with the familiar screeching noise of the door. They haven't bothered to fix it. Besides the noise of the broken door, the whole room is silent. Only my steps and the crackling sounds of the paper bags follow me as I leave the small lobby and I enter the room.

All the kids are not talking, sitting on their beds and looking down, avoiding the eye contact with whoever just entered the room. I greeted them with a soft hello that was more of a whisper than a proper greeting. No one even budged.

Me: Hi guys. You don't have to be afraid. I have brought some gifts.

Teenage boy: We were instructed to behave nicely, not talk and don't accept anything. All the presents should go to the nuns and they will distribute it to us later. I shouldn't be even speaking to you. Please don't tell the Mother Superior. We thank you for the presents and you can leave now.

Me: That's a rat's ass rule. Was it the witch Madison's idea?

Small girl: Wait!

Teenage boy: Don't talk or we will all get punished if they catch us.

Small girl: But rat's ass... that's what Kaitlin used to say.

Me: It's me, Judy.

Finally the small girl who is sitting almost at the back of the room looks up and jumps up from her bed. She stands while staring at me for a few seconds, with her mouth open and probably not believing that it is really me. She grew taller a little bit. The teenage boy must be new because I don't know him. He must have heard my name though because he started saying it over and over while thinking about it, but he also warned Judy to just go back to her bed. Of course the little devil she is, Judy didn't listen and she sprinted towards me. When she reached my spot, she jumped up and launched herself on me. I had to drop the bags to be able to catch and hug her. I could hear Judy's sobs and felt her warm tears fall down on my shoulders. She tried to speak up but the words were all just a mumble.

The teenage boy, who I am guessing is the oldest one here and the leader, told us to be quiet. I patted Judy's back and set her down, telling her to calm down as I brushed away her tears. If the nuns gave them this rule, I can only imagine what the punishment for it is going to be. It gave me an idea but I need to get a promise from the children firsts.

Me: I have something that will help out but you have to promise not to tell anyone.

Teenage boy: We won't. I would rather not get punished.

Me: Not to just nuns, to anyone, ever. It would be very bad if you did.

Judy: If it's for you Kaitlin, I promise.

I let go of Judy and sat on my heels. I went through all the correct motions for casting but nothing happened. Ah yes, my powers are block. What an idiot am I? I forgot that I am not able to use my powers right now. Judy gave me a weird look and asked what was I doing. I just looked up and smiled to not worry her. Why is this timing so bad? I want to help them but if we get caught in here, the nuns will definitely punish them. I am not worried about the older kids, but the small ones look so weak and tiny. I won't be punished anymore since I am already out, but I think to know that I got the kids into trouble, would be punishment enough. I have to help them how I can and what are magical powers if not for this? I close my eyes, take a deep breath and start casting again. Imagining the shield forming around the room, I tell with my inside voice for it to appear, begging my source to wake up.

I don't know what's happening inside the room since I am keeping my eyes closed still, but I hear Judy scream out, then a slap over her mouth. Gasps and exclamation of surprise filled out the silent room. I can feel it. The power is weak but I know it's there. Before I finish the casting, I finally open my eyes and see the threads of the soundproof shield knot and connect. I looked around to see the faces of the kids. Everyone seems terrified of me. Nobody dared to speak up, until the leader finally found his courage, even though he stuttered with his words.

Teenage boy: What... was that?

Judy: Was that magic, Kaitlin?

Me: Yes, Judypie, it's magic.

Judy: THAT'S AMAZING!

Teenage boy: Don't be so loud! And don't be ridiculous, there is no such thing as magic. Why are you lying to small kid?

Me: Go out the room and check it out then.

I folded my arms in front of my chest and raised an eyebrow at the teenage boy. I am the oldest one in the room now. It's not that I want to take away his leadership, but I want him to see that I mean no harm. And it is also to hide my excitement that my powers actually worked.

The boy, Cameron, with a code name Bomb, as Judy whispered to me, stood up and went outside the room. I could see that he is scared to go outside, not because of my magic, but because he might get caught by the nuns. I still wouldn't back down though. He saw my expression which made him give me a weird grimace back and he left the room. I told everyone to make as much noise as possible and don't stop even when Bomb comes back. All the kids looked concerned, besides Judy. She started to scream and run around the place. Then a second kid joined her. He stood up, on the bed, and started to jump. Chris, for who I brough the snowglobe for.

Soon after, all the kids were screaming and jumping on the beds, throwing around their pillows. Bomb comes back inside the room and he yells at everyone to stop, which they do. I told him that it's okay and let them continue. He called me crazy but I won't lose this fight. I told him to walk in and out as fast as he can while the kids continue having fun. He did it a few times and after maybe like fifteenth one, he doesn't walk out again. I tell the kids to stop and then turn towards Bomb.

Me: Believe me now?

Judy: What happened? I want to know too!

Bomb: But how is it possible?

Me: I told you. Magic.

I quickly take out my phone and text Draco to stall the nuns as much as he can and let me know when we have to leave. He told me how much time he can probably gain me. It isn't much but I can do my best to help the kids around.

I finally gather everyone around me in a circle and I tell them about the magic, how it is a shield that makes everything silent in this room to the people outside. Of course some of them are skeptical about it but I still asked them to promise me and keep this a secret. In a shortened version, I explained how I learned real magic and if they take it as just a bedtime story, I won't mind. Judy definitely believes me though since she is trying to imitate the movements and cast her own spell. I chuckle and tell her to try it in secret after I leave, definitely don't do it in front of the nuns.

When I finished saying my story, I told the children to clean up the room first. After that, I gave them the bags and showed them how to hide the new clothes or toys. I kept one bag, the one containing the rabbit, snowglobe and other toys I remembered the kids wanted. Sadly, none of those kids are around except Judy and Chris. I gave the snowglobe away first and it made Judy a little bit jealous. She pouted and sat on the floor with her thin malnourished arms crossed. I patted her head and showed her the white bunny plushie I picked out for her. She immediately forgot her tantrum and went straight for the toy. She hugged it tight, wiggling a few times on the spot until she finally decided to hug me too and thank me for it.

Hanging out with the kids brought back so many memories of mine when I was here. Not all of them are good, but seeing how many kids from those memories are gone, hopefully in a good home, warmed me up from the inside. It is sad that Judy and Chris didn't have that much luck, but hopefully they will still get their chance.

Draco texted me a heads up, so I urged everyone to get to their spots and wait for the nuns. Luckily Bomb has a phone, old model but still usable, so I exchanged numbers with him and told him to call me if something bad happens. I warned him that I might not be able to come everytime, since I will be bound to the academy, but if I am around, I will definitely stop by.

Draco's family is packing up the bags and boxes, making space in the van. I still wanted to roam around, mostly because I wanted to see if that stray dog is still here. The nuns wouldn't let me, saying I am not allowed to be in those areas since they are private and belong to the orphanage. Like the hell I want to spend more time around you lot?! I thought of multiple bad words to call those nuns but I kept it to myself. Instead I waited in the drive way and kept looking around to see a glimpse of the dog.

Not being able to see it at all, I gave up and just got inside the car. The driver started the engine and the car slowly moved to enter the road. I was disappointed to not be able to play with the dog, so I just sighed and stared out the window. We were making a turn when I saw something move in the distance, a ball of gray fur running after our car. I quickly yell out at the driver, asking him to stop the car. We already joined the main road so there is no way for him to just pause. He had to find a spot where he can momentarily park.

As soon as we stopped, I get out of the car and try to see if the dog is still coming after us. I notice it in the distance, running at full speed. It only stops when it sees me and tries to get to our spot, which is on the other side of the road. Without looking around, it runs into the traffic and my efforts to yell at it and make it stop are all in vain. Before I could catch another breath, I see the dog pausing and looking at a car that's dangerously approaching it. The driver must have noticed the dog and stomped on the breaks, but it is too late. After I hear a whimpering sound, I rush into the traffic myself and zig-zag between the cars until I get to where I want to go and drop on the ground.

I took the body of the dog into my arms and start patting it. We are blocking one path of the road while the other one is back on track. Some of the cars try to go around us but not all of them get out, so they are stuck until Draco rushes to my side and helps me drag away the dog that got run over. He tried to reprimand me, saying that it was dangerous and I could have died but I don't care. I yell back at Draco to help me get the dog to the vet or I will walk there myself. Draco gets shocked by my sudden anger directed towards him but he doesn't say anything anymore. Instead he picks up the dog and makes the time stop. We walked through the frozen cars with ease. I get in first and let Draco load the dog into the car, placing it on my lap.

Everyone got surprised how we suddenly appeared in the car but since they are also Chronos descendants and know Draco's powers, they didn't question it. Nor did they question my demand to go to the nearest vet clinic.

The nurse got scared when I barged in all bloody and wanted them to take care of my dog first. She was confused at first since I came in alone, but after Draco followed me with the dog in his arms, the nurse urged us to get it inside the office.

We waited for god knows how much which made me anxious, so I kept going to the nurse to ask if the dog survived and why is it taking so long. She told me to just wait and reassured me that the doctor will do everything in his power to help the dog. I don't know what will I do with it, if I can even bring it with me to the academy or if I will have to leave it in the streets, but I don't want the dog to die like this.

Fighting my tears, I hear the door open and the veterinarian comes out. He pulls down the mask and looks around to find the owner. He doesn't have to search for long because I run up to him and ask if the dog is okay. He explains that despite how it looked, the dog only suffered a few broken bones and is in a good shape, should recover soon.

We took the dog home with us, patched up and binded under bandages. We let it recover for a few days, but sadly, I have to go back to Ms. Do'or. I don't know if she will let me keep the dog around, but I couldn't leave it and impose Draco. I guess we will find out because I am standing in front of the house, not wanting to just go in. I ring the doorbell and wait for Ms. Do'or to come.

The door open, revealing Ms. Do'or in the same apron she had on as when I first got here and her surprised face, asking me why did I ring the bell and if I lost the key. I took a step to the side and faced at Draco who is standing behind me, holding the dog. I suck a breath and bare my teeth at Ms. Do'or, asking her if it's okay for me to keep it in the house. I quickly add "at least until it gets better" to maybe persuade her let me do it, that it is just temporary. I think she was going to say no but she looked at the dog closely, or more like into its' eyes and then told me that it can stay. I thanked her and without even thinking what I am doing, I jump at her and hug her as a thanks.

Leaving the dog rest in my room, Draco kisses me goodbye and then leaves. Ms. Do'or called me to eat lunch. She didn't talk to me at all and I don't know if she is angry about me suddenly bringing a random stray dog into her house. I broke the silence and told her that I will go buy the dog food and I will take care of it. She started to laugh for some reason.

Ms. Do'or: A dog food, huh? Good luck with that.

I didn't understand why she finds that funny. I haven't used that much money since the start of the holiday so I should have enough to buy it, maybe even some chew toys. Ms. Do'or kept laughing but I let her, as long as she isn't mad at me.

I helped clean up the dishes and ran upstairs immediately to check on the dog. It is still sleeping so I have time to go buy some food for it. I have to go out anyway, because I have another date with Reilly.

We are at the same department store, but this time we are shopping for some dress. Reilly reminded me of the Equinox ball and that we need proper attire for it. I am not in a mood to be picking out pretty dresses but since everyone has to attend, I will just go and pick whatever I find first.

I thought we will go browse clothing stores but instead we walk into this small shop, tucked away in the corner at the back of the third floor. You barely even notice it. There is only a tiny door leading into it and the store isn't even that big. Only four figurines are placed in the window, all dressed in prom-style dress.

As we entered, a lady behind this reception table greeted us. I looked around to see hangers filled with dress and wanted to go to browse them, but Reilly me pulled with her. She greeted the lady back and then told her that we are here for the Equinox special. The lady nodded and looked around for some reason. After she was done with checking the store, she welcomed us again and pulled a little bronze statue on the table in front of her. Suddenly the walls of the shop turn around. At first, I thought I am getting dizzy and everything is spinning, but then it stopped and the shop changed.

We are not in the same store anymore, and all you can see around now are white marble statues wearing a Greek style dress for male and female. They mostly look the same but have a few minor different details. I shake off my surprise because I have been attending a magical academy so this should be nothing. The lady tells us to roam freely and browse the styles, then when we are ready we are meant to call for her and she will come take our measurements. I wanted to go pick one of the dresses, hopefully within my budget but I noticed a girl, around our age, sitting in the corner and drawing something.

I walked up to the girl and took a peek at what she is doodling. It's a sketch of a dress, similar to those they have around the store, but she added colorful shawls or embroideries on her designs. I told her that it looks nice and she probably didn't even notice me walk up to her because she got scared when I spoke up. I apologized for startling her and followed it up with a conversation.

Me: Hi, I am Kaitlin. Do you work here as a designer?

Designer girl: It's my grandma's shop so I kinda have to. I am Sin.

Sin? That's a weird name for a person but I can't say much in this case, because I could have ended up the same. Being an illegitimate child with Ulferonn's mistress might have landed me with a similar name or nickname. Brushing off the thoughts of my origin, I get back to the conversation and talk to Sin about her designs, until we are interrupted by an old lady, probably her grandma.

Shop owner grandma: Cynthia, stop bothering the customers and come help me with the measurements.

Oh Cynthia. You spell it Cyn, not Sin. I mentally facepalm myself for getting it wrong, even though the girl probably chose to shorten her name for that purpose, making it sound like "sin". Not my place to dig into it though. But I do like the dress she designed so I told the owner I would like that dress. She apologized and said that those designs are just Cynthia's way of killing time in the store and not for sale.

Reilly got interested in our conversation so she joined me and asked to see the designs. The owner lady repeated herself about not selling those dress but Cynthia gave us a mischevious smile and gladly handed over her sketchbook. Reilly flipped through the pages and handed the designs back.

Reilly: The owner is right. We cannot have those dresses Kaitlin.

Me: Why not? They are pretty.

Reilly: I am not saying they are not, but they are colored. The traditional dress for the Equinox ball for Umbras students are white togas. You can have additional jewelry, plus you will be marked with the one you ordered, but the dresses are always white.

Me: Is it a set rule though? I haven't seen anything in the rule book about it.

Shop owner grandma: There is no rule, but has always been like that, child.

Male voice: Let the girl have the dress she wants.

A sudden voice resonated from behind me and the sentence is definitely meant to join our conversation. I turned around to check the owner of that voice and got greeted with a face that for some reason looks familiar. There is a guy whose hair and eye mirror mine in color. He is joined by a girl that has hair as white as snow, braided in locks and it's practically shining against her dark skin. Her blue eyes, that are more in the shades of a turquoise crystal, checked me up and down, but then she turned away to look at the guy, tangling her arms around his she tries to pull him out of the shop. They are both dressed in black tactical clothes, resembling our teachers for the Combats class, but I haven't seen them around the school at all. Even Reilly doesn't seem to know them, so they are probably not from Aveus or Umbras, but they are in the magical part of the shop, which means they must be magical descendants.

Me: Who are they? Or more like, what are they?

Reilly: Sgaard students.

Reilly confirmed my thoughts about them being magical too but my brain got stuck at the word Sgaard. I definitely heard it somewhere before but I can't remember where. I knew that there are other descendants, different from us, but never heard the actual names for their academies.

The owner lady thanks for the Sgaard student's purchase and the guy takes the receipt. As they start to walk away, he turns around one more time and also checks me up. Not in the same way as his girlfriend did, like I am some enemy who is going to steal him away. His stare didn't even make me uncomfortable, even though his suggestion made his girl throw me a glare and that felt unpleasant.

Sgaard male student: If you want color, I would go with sky blue in your case.

I do tend to wear clothes in that shade and it is a bit suspicious that he also chose it, but maybe it's a color that really suits me. Not that he seems to be a stylist or anything, being able to match colors and clothes with people, but his suggestion seems nice and I do like that color. One of the sketches had a dress that has a sky blue portion too.

The owner lady tried to persuade me from sticking to the traditional dress, saying that those drawings are just Cynthia's sketches out of boredom, but I am set to get her design. And she couldn't do anything after Reilly also joined me, asking for a design that will have a red in it.

Reilly is getting measured by the owner lady, while I am working with Cyn. She thanked me for picking out her design and that she will make the most beautiful dress ever, personally. Not that she had any word in that, because her grandma still remained angry and said that if we want those dresses, Cyn will have to make them on her own. I would feel guilty for putting so much work on her, but Cyn looked so smug and happy about it. Probably her first time making the dress I would guess. And she got even happier after she got another order. This time a toga with green parts, placed by Nima, who got into the shop soon after we were done with our measurements. She accompanied Gaia, who decided to join us in our little mischief and also ordered colored dress, hers with light grey parts. She also asked for it to be a flat visible surface, because she wants to embroider something on it by herself. I am so glad that she is trying to pick up what she loves again. Either because of me or because of Nix, doesn't matter though which one.

After finishing our ball dress order, I got some dog food and toys, then we went to grab something to eat but I didn't stay long. I hurried back to Ms. Do'or and wanted to start the training but she turned me down again, telling me to just take it easy for the rest of the day. I wanted to protest but she reminded me that I have a patient upstairs and I vouched for it, promised to take care of the dog, so I agreed to not train this time and went to change the bandages based on how the vet instructed me.

Next day was the same. And the next one. Even the days after that. Time flew so fast that it's the end of the year now. Ms. Do'or prepared a small dinner and made plans for us to go into the town to watch the fireworks. We could go because the dog healed very quickly, almost like a miracle. Maybe Ms. Do'or used a healing magic or something on it too.

I tried to put a leash on the dog but it kept running away. Even putting just a collar on it is a problem. Ms. Do'or is standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame and laughing as I struggle to try and grab the dog, then tie the collar. Despite living on the streets, this dog a very picky one. No leash, no collar, it wouldn't even eat the dog food I bought. Instead it ate the food we had. Ms. Do'or cooked steaks and steamed veggies, putting in on a plate and then placing it down for the dog to eat. Maybe it realized it could be spoiled now so it is using this opportunity to be pampered.

We ended up going with the dog without anything tied to it, but it followed us without getting lost or distracted. The firework didn't bother the dog at all, even though I was scared that it will bolt of somewhere after hearing the loud blasting sounds.

How we got to the center, we got back the same way without losing the dog. I am still pumped up from the champaigne and sugar I had during the day so I won't be able to fall asleep that soon. Ms. Do'or seems to be awake as well. I cuddled myself on the sofa and she joined me too. I turned on the TV but then handed over the remote to Ms. Do'or and let her pick what we're watching.

I silently watched the movie but I couldn't keep being quiet about the training anymore so I finally blurped it out. It came out more like a demand filled with anger rather than a normal question, startling Ms. Do'or, but she didn't get mad.

Ms. Do'or: You should put your mind at ease and not think about the school all the time.

Me: But I need to unlock my powers and train them. I might have done the first part already.

Ms. Do'or: What do you mean?

I forgot that I am not supposed to reveal magic to non-magical people and now I have to expose what I did to a freaking investigator who can hand me over to some magical police or jail or dungeon?! I bit my tongue and say nothing, but Ms. Do'or gives me a concerned look and I remember how she didn't bust me for leaving academy so she might not reprimand me this time either. I tell her about being able to summon the soundproof shield in the orphanage and she got angry. Maybe I was mistaken about her being okay with it.

Ms. Do'or: You revealed magic to humans?

Me: Just the kids in the orphanage. I had to protect them from being punished by the nuns for disobeying and not staying quiet.

Ms. Do'or: Did anyone else see you?

Me: I doubt that. And the kids won't tell anyone. We are a tight bunch and they know better than to talk about magic. The nuns in the orphanage are crazy with punishments when it comes to magic. They call it the Devil's work or blame it on being possessed by a demon just to excuse their behavior.

Ms. Do'or: I am sorry.

Ms. Do'or didn't say what she is sorry for. Raising her voice? Sorry for what I lived through? Maybe both of those. She quickly finished the conversation about me exposing the magic and said that she will deal with it. The atmosphere is now awkward and I don't know what to say. Ms. Do'or mutes the movie and breaks the silence, asking me to summon the electricity.

After many attempts, I am not able to use my powers at all, not even the shield. I slouched on the couch and gave up. I should probably give up on the training too and not bother Ms. Do'or with it. She can still teach me some useful things about magic or maybe some history too, just to fill out the time and not waste her efforts to help me during Winter holiday.

Ms. Do'or: The reason I keep postponing the training is that I want you to have a free time, free of worry. I want you to have fun and get a new perspective about your powers. Like this.

I follow the arm of Ms. Do'or that's stretching towards the TV. Electricity crackles around her fingers, the lightbulbs flicker for a few times but they stabilize after that. She points her index finger at the TV and then flicks it to the side. As her fingers move, the channel switches. She does it few more time, skipping the channels by using her powers. It's such a small trivial thing but I am genuinely interested in it, gawking at the TV like a little child seeing Santa for the first time.

Despite not being able to still use my powers except that one time with the shield apparently, I go to bed peacefully tonight. I think about everything that Ms. Do'or told me and showed me with her powers. I doubt that the school will use me to flip channels for them and I will still have to practice my powers in a way to become a weapon, but I am the master. I hold the trigger and I am the one that decides where the powers go and what I want them to do. I gave up on the begging for the training and will just take it easy.

I ended up also giving up on the "taking it easy part" and tried to practice in secret. My main course – trying to swap a channel. Besides that, I take the dog for walks or play with it. Even though our way of playing is just hanging around the living room and be spread on the couch, just watching TV, trying to use my powers on it from time to time.

At the end, Ms. Do'or caught me practicing one time and finally gave in, decided to train me. We couldn't do much, since I can't use my powers but we will went through the motions, feelings and how to navigate the power within me, then control its' movement after being released.

After a few days, a small sparks of blue electricity started to flicker when I practiced. It's not much, but Ms. Do'or praised me for the progress. But outside of that, I continued to just having fun, pretending to be a normal girl just hanging around her parent's house, even getting a first pet. Not that you can consider this dog a normal pet anyway. It is like it is another member of the family, a person. Eating the same food from a plate not a bowl, not having collar or a leash, being shy about peeing outside, not looking when I am changing. The last one is probably the most suspicious one. Everytime I went to change my clothes, it either turned around or left the room completely. I shared my thoughts about it with Ms. Do'or but she brushed it off, saying maybe the dog is really intelligent.

By the end of the holiday, I can access my source again, even though the power output is not as strong as before, but baby steps. There is only three days left, so I might make a bigger progress before I leave, I will definitely try.

Everything got overturned suddenly by a sudden banging on the door. It is louder and heavier than your casual knock but I still went to open the door anyway, thinking it's something important. Before I could pull down the door knob, Ms. Do'or grabbed my arm and dragged me away. She is out of breath and she also brought my duffel bag. Putting the winter coat on me, she tells me to get my things and get out of here. There is a concern in her voice, rushing me out of her home but I still want to know why.

Me: The holiday is not over though.

Ms. Do'or: I am sorry to cut it short but you need to get out of here now.

Male voice: Investigator Do'or, open up.

Me: What's going on, Ms. Do'or?

Ms. Do'or: Nothing good and I can't let them find you here. Take the Oratris info and destroy it after you are back at the academy. Don't let anyone else see it, understand?

Me: But why?

Ms. Do'or: Do you understand?! I devoted my life to try and save the mixed children.

Me: Aren't they dangerous though?

Ms. Do'or: They still deserve to live. And people deserve to love who they want. I thoroughly investigated your powers from the Oratris copy, double, triple checked it. Listen, Kaitlin, I don't know if you realized it by now but you are a Morrigan.

Me: I suspected.

Ms. Do'or: Go with her, protect her and make sure she gets back to the academy.

The last sentence wasn't directed towards me but someone behind. I turned around but there is no one else besides me and Ms. Do'or. At least until the stray dog got up and braced itself, standing in like a fighting position with its' front legs spread and its' head lowered. It started to wheeze and I thought it might have eaten something small, now choking on it. I went to help it but Ms. Do'or grabbed my upper arm and twisted me around, pulling me towards her and burying my face into her chest, saying that maybe I shouldn't be seeing this. I could definitely hear what's happening though. Animal coughing, whimpers and growls, bones cracking. I painted a picture inside my head and it's not a pretty one, but I still wanted to turn around to see if what I imagined is true or not. Ms. Do'or didn't stop me this time, maybe because when I turned around, the dog is gone. Instead, a person walks from behind the corner. His long black hair covering his naked torso and his bottom half covered in sweats that definitely belong to Ms. Do'or, because the clothing barely covers his legs up to the half of his calves. My gaze shot up to his face and I am lost for words at first, until I recognized that familiar face from my dream. And there he stands casually in front of me, in a house that I've started to take as my own home. Another heir to the Viysus throne and my brother, Woreus.

~ end of Book II. ~