I was pissed. I was more than pissed.

I was enraged. My fingertips were tingling, begging for me to release my magic but I held back, trying my best to keep calm, sneering at the dragon. Dee, Em, Charity, and I were held captive in a cave, ropes around our wrists, binding us to a rock wall. The dragon huffed, releasing a puff of smoke. Dee and Emmanuel were both asleep, still under the effects of the spell.

I couldn't believe that I hadn't sensed the dragon sooner. But nooo, I just had to be so engrossed in that spellbook that I just HAD to read to not sense that stupid spell that should have been easy to avoid!

Man, I'm stupid. I thought to myself, then I heard Charity's voice in my head.

Don't blame yourself, Caroline. We can still get out of here if we work together!

I sighed. Yeah, right. What are we supposed to do? Emmanual and Dee are still asleep, and I don't think I can do this alone...

You can! You just have to believe in yourself and in your Element!

Swallowing a large lump in my throat, I glared at the dragon. "Why have you brought us here?"

The dragon hissed, and slithered in front of us, chuckling. "Two reasons, actually. Number One: you are the destined child. Number Two: with you and your pesky little friends gone, there will be no one to stop me from finally destroying Wixsity! Vengeance and power will finally be mine!"

"Vengeance? You have some kind of a vendetta against Wixsity?" I asked the beast.

"Something like that. That Headmaster of yours has been after me for the last century, and after I destroy you four, Raphael will finally bow down to my greatness! How I've waited for this day!" The dragon laughed, making me more pissed. I let the fire blaze in my hands, and around my arms like a snake but I couldn't unleash my power. I winced as I felt electricity coming from the ropes and calmed down.

Darn it...these ropes make it so that we can't use our magic... I looked over and Emmanuel and Dee, their eyes closed. Glancing to my right, I saw Charity had her eyes closed, and a wave of fear washed over me.

I heard a snap of fingers, and the dragon vanished. In its place, a woman with dark red hair, a snake tattoo on her wrist, and a cross necklace appeared in front of us, chuckling. "You'll have to excuse him. He can be very relentless when it comes to captives." She looked familiar...but I couldn't give a name to her face and why was she staring at Dee so much?

She snapped her fingers again and Emmanuel and Dee woke up, moaning. "What in the world..." I screamed at them. "Emmanuel! Dee! Are you guys okay?" Charity's eyes were still closed, and I heard her murmuring a spell under her breath.

Dee glanced at the woman and froze, shocked. "But...that can't be..." Confused, Emmanuel and I looked over at Dee, speaking simultaneously. "What's wrong?" Dee glared at the women, trembling, close to tears. "They all said you were dead...how is it that you are standing before us...?"

The red-head chuckled. "I guess some things are better left unseen, after all, son."

Okay, I've had enough! Using all the energy I could muster, I felt a wave of powerful magic coursing through me, and ripped the ropes, blazing flames at the woman. Dee screamed. "Caroline, stop!" I glared at Dee's mom, calming down and turned to Dee. "What are you talking about?! We've been trapped here with NO explanation whatsoever and now you just expect me not to kill her?!"

Dee shook his head, trembling. "Please, don't hurt my mother...I didn't know she was even alive...all these years, so please...let me be alone with her...to talk...please, all of you."

I snarled. "Don't even think for a second, that I'm leaving you alone here!" Emmanuel stared at me, his eyes burning with determination. "Caroline, if that is what Dee wishes, then we need to respect that. Let's go back to Wixsity, and let Dee sort this out, okay?"

I clenched my fists, staring at the ground. "But..." A shining blue portal appeared behind Dee's mother, our way back to the institute. I looked at Emmanuel, and he nodded. Using my flames, I freed my friends and we jumped through the portal, going back to the Institute. I hope you will be okay, Dee.