"It is with great sadness that I have to share with you the news of the passing of Maeve Montgomery, one of our first-year students." Mrs Kennedy explained solemnly from the raised platform, her eyes moving over the sea of students.

Her all-black suit and lent itself well to the already serious air and tear-stained faces in the crowd showed just how hard the news had hit everyone.

Other year groups were a mix of shock and disbelief as we collectively mourned someone we hardly knew.

"You might have heard rumours about what has happened, but the only information I am able to share with you right now is that a full investigation is underway so we can ensure the safety of all." She cleared her throat, "As those who knew Maeve will know she was hardworking, kind and always willing to help other students. It is with this in mind and in her memory that her family have asked us to plant a garden in her memory where students can take a moment and read empowering messages spelled into the walls around it. If you'd like to provide an empowering quote, please speak to my office by the end of next week."

She paused, allowing everyone to absorb that news. When chatter began to break out she raised her hand. "As part of the investigation everyone will be interviewed and asked to provide a short statement and submit to scanning. The team will be working through the list in alphabetical order throughout the day. If anyone has information, they would like to give they can provide it during their session or through making an appointment with my office. Finally, I know this news has been a shock, and I have organised to have counselling staff on hand over the coming months. Anyone can receive this support and you can access it anonymously using the computers in the library if you'd prefer. Thank you for your time and I wish you a safe rest of your day."

I turned to Nancy who forced a reassuring smile despite the fact she looked as exhausted as I felt and I knew she had panicked when she realised I was gone after she woke up.

"We should probably get to class." She said quietly.

Enzo gave her shoulder a squeeze as he stood. "I'm in private training this session but I'll see you both at lunch?"

Nancy and I nodded, and he cut through the crowd and disappeared. I turned to Nancy to ask if she knew the way to ours and noticed her focus was on her phone. "Everything ok?" I asked.

"Oh," She laughed nervously. "Yeah, sorry, my family are a bit worried so I was just calming them down."

"Don't apologise. It's cute that they care." I replied, moving my still full breakfast plate onto the pile everyone was making.

It seemed I wasn't the only one who didn't really have much of an appetite today.

"Oh, I'm sorry, that's so inconsiderate of me. You aren't able to contact your family and here I am going on about mine." Nancy looked horrified as she hurriedly joined me moving towards the exit.

"No, you're anything but inconsiderate. I don't have any family left to contact, but it doesn't mean I don't want you to talk about yours. Why don't you tell me about them on our way to our," I consulted my schedule, "Interspecies understanding class?"

"There's not much to tell." She smiled, looping an arm through mine and towing me up the stairs to classrooms I hadn't yet explored. "It's just my mum, dad and sister."

My heart gave a pang of longing, "Older or younger? I've always wanted a sister."

"Older." the sadness I sometimes saw returned to Nancy's face, "Jenna was in an accident a few years ago and she hasn't been quite the same since."

Her hand tightened on my arm and I wrapped my fingers around it, giving what I hoped was a comforting squeeze back. "I'm so sorry Nance, is there anything they can do to help?"

Nancy shook her head, her gaze resolutely in front of us as she weaved through the people, "I don't think so. She's there, but it's like her mind isn't. My mum was a healer, she gave up work to care for her. It's shit but at least she's still here. I don't know what we would do if something happened to her."

Maybe this was why we connected. She knew more hardship and struggle than she let on. "I'm sorry." I repeated softly.

"Yeah, me too. Now come on let's get into our interspecies understanding class. Sounds positively thrilling." She joked, pulling me through the door into a wide open auditorium space and up the stairs to the row of seats nearest the back.

Throughout the class, names were called and people vanished and returned looking a little shaken. When Nancy's name was called I caught her hand, "You'll give me a heads up on what it's like?" I whispered.

She nodded, scooping up her things, "I'm sure it's not half as bad as you think."

I couldn't quite bring myself to get on board with the optimism as I anxiously awaited her return.

"Erica Winters?"

I startled at my name, freezing in my seat and looking towards the door where a mousy-haired woman stood with a clipboard.

She arched a delicate brow, her foot tapping the floor impatiently, "Is Erica Winters in this class?"

"Yes. Sorry." I replied jumping to my feet, "She, I mean, I'm right here."

I ignored the barely smothered laughter from the other students and hurriedly collected my things before making my way down to her.

She looked me up and down before leading the way out into the corridor and letting the class continue behind us.

My heart was pounded as I silently followed her through winding passages to a room with an open door and the glow of a fireplace from within. It looked far more welcoming than I had expected.

"If you just head straight in, they'll see you now." the woman said, then turned on her heel and marched back the way we came.

I watched her disappear around the corner and listened until the clip of her heels faded and I was left in silence.

"Ms Winter?"

I span back towards the door, where a man now stood, his huge body almost filling the frame. "Yes?"

"Please come in, I'm Albert and I'll be assisting Inquisitor O'Connor with this session." His rumbling voice was warm and his smile kind.

I followed him in and took in the scene. A fire crackled in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth and light, which was fortunate considering the only window was covered by thick heavy drapes.

Two mismatching green patterned armchairs had been set up opposite and equally garish cream and floral print sofa. Between them was a low coffee table covered in stacks of paper and notebooks.

Sat in one was the man I had seen arriving this morning. Up close I wondered why I had almost confused him and Professor O'Connor. Although they were undoubtedly similar, this man's face was harder, less kind and about as open as I felt.

His grey hair was pinned back in a small ponytail and his sallow skin looked like it didn't often see the sun. I wasn't one to talk with skin so fair I could be mistaken for Casper the Friendly Ghost, but this man looked like he already had one foot in the grave.

"Ms Winters, take a seat." He commanded, gesturing to the sofa.

I knew instantly he was a man used to getting his own way, and it made me want to resist. I managed not to, pasting a smile on my face and taking a seat on the end of the sofa furthest from him.

His eye twitched, but he showed no other signs of being bothered by my reaction to him.

The door clicked closed behind me and Albert moved round, taking a seat in the other armchair before shooting me an encouraging look.

"Ms Winters, my name is Inquisitor O'Connor and I am here today to take your statement and ascertain the level of threat you pose to your fellow students. I understand you are human." He explained, tapping his pen against the edge of the notepad rest on the arm of his chair.

I nodded, my mouth suddenly too dry to speak. His eyes bore into me and there was a buzzing in my ears that made me want to shake my head to get rid of it.

He grunted, noting something down on his notepad. "Can you tell me where you were between the hours of 9pm and 1am last night?"

"In my bed," I replied, until the screams woke me sometime before midnight and I went to see what was going on."

He noted something else down, "You expect me to believe you went to bed before nine?"

I shrugged, "I mean you don't have to, but it's the truth. It has been a pretty intense couple of days so forgive me for needing my beauty sleep."

Albert chuckled, "Did you notice anything unusual prior to going to bed, Erica?" he asked.

I shook my head, "I don't think so. I mean no weirder than this place already is to a human."

He nodded like he understood, "Erica, would you be comfortable if I scanned you now?"

"Scan me?"

"Albert is a fae with a powerful ability to see into the truth of what and who someone is." The Inquisitor explained.

"Will it hurt?" I asked, my voice shaking a little.

I was human, we all knew it. So what was the aching fear in my chest from?

"Not at all. It might be a little uncomfortable if you resist, but if you're human, then you won't feel a thing." Albert soothed.

And if I'm not? The question was on the tip of my tongue, but I didn't dare voice it.

"Ok," I whispered, "What do I need to do?"

Albert stepped around the coffee table and took a seat on the sofa next to me, "Close your eyes and empty your mind."

Empty my mind? That was impossible with everything going on right now, but he seemed nice so I was willing to try.

"You're safe Erica, just let go." Albert's voice sounded weirdly far away, and I felt my body drooping in the seat, slumping over the arm.

It was the strangest feeling to have my thoughts melting away until there was nothingness.

"Well done, Erica." I could hear the smile in Albert's voice, "Now Erica Winters, show me who you are."

At his soft request, something burst to life inside of me.

It was like lighting a match as a golden light flared to life in the darkness of my mind. I gasped, reaching out mentally to touch it and feeling the tingle in my fingers and the musical hum echoing from it.

"Who are you?" He asked again, and I felt a tugging in my chest as the light began to grow until it met a resistance.

Something tried to push it down, but it was too late. It had already been seen.

My eyes burst open, wide with wonder. "What the hell was that?"

Albert sat back, dropping glowing hands into his lap. "That Erica Winters, was your magic. You are far from a human young lady, you are fae."