Two days later, Celine informed me that my body temperature was climbing. With the drink she prepared, I stared out the giant window of my bedroom, looking at the same bloody towers, just at a different angle. But at least I had a different view below. New streets, new smaller buildings.

The pain and fever were worse. The only thing that improved was how I masked them. The throbbing headache came and went, but it was there most of the time. But today, I woke up and I felt like the tiniest of noises could cripple me. Worse, my apostles were moving things around in their rooms. Tiff was the worse. She had dragged her bed too many times since she woke up.

Even the soft knock on my door almost made me crumple to the ground and cover my ears.

"Come in," I said, swallowing hard.

Lexie took just two steps into my room, her eyes instantly awed by the large windows that spanned the two walls. "Wow." Then she blinked, face flushing. "I'm sorry. You told Celine not to bother you..." She pointed over her shoulder. "Something from the museum arrived for you. I think it's a closet?"

For a moment, I forgot the pain. Lexie followed me to the hall, where Akira was already waiting with two men. "Where do you want this, Miss Byrne?"

"My bedroom," I replied.

Tiff walked out of her room, her glorious curly hair free from its wrap. "What's that?"

"My repertory," I said, following the men into the room. "Be very careful, gentlemen, please."

My apostles stood in a line, watching as I stared at the closet with wonder. Being an Astral indeed gave me some power, I thought. I didn't even have to call anyone. I just told them who I was and what I needed. And here it was, standing across my bed. Safe and mine again.

"What does it do?" Tiff asked the moment the men left.

"It holds almost everything you own. No one witch has the same repertory." I opened the doors and checked the mirror. I smiled at my pale reflection and it smiled back, holding my secrets within.

"We have something similar. A safe," said Akira, peering inside. He frowned. "It's empty."

I gave him a mysterious smile. "Of course it is."

"A concealment charm," he said, nodding, taking a step closer. "May I?"

"No," I said, closing the doors. "You can touch anything in this place, except this. Understood?" They nodded, and I smiled. "Should we break our fast?"

While eating, Lexie could not keep her eyes off me. "You look terribly sick. I'm worried."

"I suffer a fever whenever I go out," I reasoned. "I'm sure this will pass once I get acquainted with the new environment. The air in this new world is too clean for my body, I'm afraid." They chuckled, and I winced at the sound. I waited until the ringing in my ears became tolerable. "But I've been meaning to ask. Dr. Spinett has been giving me some pills for my headaches. Do you know where I can get one?"

"There are a lot of pills out there for headaches," said Tiff, "but to be sure, we have to ask Dr. Spinett or Akiko. They may have given something especially made for you."

"As you said, your body is not used to the new environment. You may not be genetically ready to consume just anything," Akira added.

Lexie pulled out a thin tablet. It lit up at a glance. She scrolled through. "Akiko has a list of the things we should watch out for. Fever, headache, body weakness, and-"

"Thank you," I said, closing my eyes. "But can you turn that off? It's too blinding."

Hearing me, Celine dimmed the lights as well.

An awkward silence followed as we ate in silence and in near-darkness. To take their minds off my sickness, I asked, "I went to school in my time, but I wonder what they teach you in Windsor."

"Many useful and not-so-useful things," Tiff willingly supplied. "Two years on halo technology, chemistry and physics of elements. And a lot of other branches like history, vampire biology, treaties and other boring law stuff."

Akira was watching me as I listened. "What about you?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I never went to school to learn witchcraft."

"Then what did you go to school for?"

"I studied medicine," I said, waving off their look of surprise. I didn't want to explain the reason, so I simply added, "There was no formal education on witchcraft."

"Then how did you learn?"

I smiled. "Family, of course." I wiped my mouth with the napkin. "Witches were not really welcome in society in my time. We had to hide in the open."

"What did they teach you about witchcraft?"

"Surely not about technology." I sensed they wanted to know more. Mayhap I should tell them we could discuss this some other time because I wasn't feeling well, but I needed a distraction. "The witchcraft I know is not about those things." I nodded at the tablet beside Lexie's plate. "Witchcraft comes from two things: blood and elements." The more I talked, the more eager they seemed, even Akira.

"I've read that many rituals required blood," Akira said.

I nodded. "Being a witch is more than just having the magic within you." My eyes settled on Lexie. "You have to harness it by connecting to the world-its elements. The earth, wind, water, and fire. And in some cases, blood." I leaned back as they absorbed my words. Pointing at the tablet, I added, "Witchcraft should not rely on things lit up by electricity. If I want to learn about something, I read. If I want light, I can light a candle."

Akira considered my words. "But I'd wager you wouldn't be able to talk to people through a screen."

"If I want to talk to someone, I go to them and face them myself," I said, standing. "I'll get some rest. Then mayhap we can start working on the ritual room. It needs decorating."

"How can we use blood?" Lexie asked.

"They teach us about elements, but never blood," Tiff eagerly added.

I studied them for a while. Poor things had never shed blood for magic in their lives. What a bloody shame. "I'll teach you," I said, raising a finger. "But not yet." I looked over my shoulder at the window behind me. "The full moon is coming. A perfect time for a rite of passage ritual."

"Rite of passage?" Akira asked.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and sighed. "Your first assignment is to read on the subject," I said, pointing at the tablet again. "In three days, we'll do the ritual."

"How did you know there's going to be the full moon?" Tiff asked.

I smiled despite the gnawing fire inside me. "I'm attuned to the universe." I studied their baffled looks again. "Which, I think I'll also have to teach you."

***

I was submerged in water holding my crux when Celine's voice echoed in the bathroom.

"The Good Blood requests an audience with you, Miss Byrne. Should I inform them you're unavailable? Your temperature is still above normal-"

"Yes!" I nearly shouted, pulling myself out of the tub. "Tell them I'm coming."

"What time-"

"Now!"

"Very well."

I dragged myself out of the bathroom, robe drenched. My head was spinning, my heartbeat going crazy, but my mind was on only one thing: pills.

Finally, the bloody bastard called for me.

When I walked out of my room, dressed in white, wet hair tied in a bun with strands sticking to my face, I knew I looked awful.

"How did-" I started to ask when I saw my apostles standing by the entryway, all dressed and ready to go. "Never mind," I murmured, striding to the door.

"Who are we meeting at the Good Omen?" Tiff asked behind me as Celine bid us goodbye.

"I don't know," I lied.

"Cedric Corey owns half of the place," Akira said. "The other half is owned by an archaic."

"Harald Evensen," Tiff answered, as if the statement was a test. "I've never been near an archaic before. This is quite exciting."

"Mind yourself when we're out in public, Tiff," Akira reprimanded. "You know the rules."

"And what rules are that?" I asked.

"We should always be at our best behavior," Lexie recited.

"Silent and only speak when spoken to," Akira inserted with a sharp look at Tiff.

"Our actions and words reflect on our Astral," Lexie continued. "Therefore, we must refrain from any behavior that would put our Astral in any danger or distress. We should also remain alert for any signs of imminent threat or danger toward ourselves and our Astral."

"Also, remain alert if said Astral enters questionable negotiations or commits misconducts that negatively affect the society," Tiff added.

"Give information only if necessary," Akira growled under his breath, side-eyeing Tiff, who just smirked in return.

I pursed my lips. "What happens if you catch me doing something wrong?" I looked at Akira because I knew I'd get an honest answer.

His eyes met mine. So different from his sister. Akiko had a gentleness about her, but Akira seemed to have... nothing. "We're obligated to report you."

The way he said it sounded almost like a challenge. I just smiled and nodded.

A vehicle was already waiting for us outside the Keep, courtesy of Celine.

"Why do we have to do the rites of passage?" Tiff asked, breaking the silence of our ride.

"In my time, every witch has to take the rite of passage before proceeding to the next phase of training."

"And what are we going to learn first?"

"Wind. Then earth, and water, and fire," I said. "And blood." Sensing their excitement, I looked out the window.

"We've studied elements for years," Akira said.

"Then I expect it should be easy for you," I retorted, eyeing him with interest. This young man was trying to test me for a reason. Was he doubtful of my skills? Why? Because my knowledge was ancient to them? Or was it because of something else?

***

I almost jumped out of the vehicle when we arrived. Nearly slammed the doors open and almost cried out Harald Evensen's name as we stepped into the hall of the club. Only if I had the energy to do so. Which I didn't. My body was at its limit. I had a feeling that if anyone touched me, they'd go up in flames.

A man greeted us. Vampire, but obviously not Evensen.

I was about to ask where he was, but the vampire spoke first. "Mr. Corey is waiting for you upstairs, Astral Byrne."

Bloody tarnation.

So Evensen didn't call for me. Didn't he say I should go to him? Well, here I was, and he wasn't here.

All hope of ever getting a pill disappeared when the elevator doors opened and no Harald Evensen greeted us. The vampire stepped aside to let me pass, then waited as my apostles filed after me, their faces straight, their stance stiff and perfect. He followed and stood in front of us.

I closed my eyes and took a lungful of air, hand inside my pocket gripping my crux. It was the only thing that was keeping me up, to be honest. I wasn't sure how I'd survive another day without Evensen's pill.

The heartbeats of my apostles were like nails being hammered into my skull. And the hushed conversation above us-of the people Cedric Corey was with-made my stomach want to flip inside-out. I felt every movement of every breathing being vibrating through my skin. The heat pumped by my heart through my veins felt like tendrils and thorns.

I swallowed when I saw my apostles looking at me through the mirrored doors, concern and question in their eyes. I gave them a reassuring smile and closed my eyes again.

"Have a good day," the vampire said when the doors finally opened.

Cedric Corey greeted me, completely ignoring my apostles as he ushered me to the same circle during my assessment. The room still looked the same, but the people were not.

"Aster, I'd like you to meet some friends of ours," he said, gesturing at twelve men and women dressed in black and white. "Delegates from neighboring Saint cities."

One woman bowed before me. "We came as soon as we heard."

Cedric looked quite proud as he smiled at everyone. "They're here hoping to witness your very special gift, Aster."

I stiffened, suddenly aware of the expectant smiles and excited stares. I looked at Cedric and the craving behind his blue eyes. He could barely control it.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw my apostles staring straight ahead. Tiff's eyes skittered toward me for a second, concerned.

"Aster?" Cedric asked.

Smiling at the delegates, I leaned closer. "I don't see why I have to show them my gift."

His smile froze. A flash of annoyance. Through his teeth, he said, "They came all the way here to witness your dreams, Aster."

"I was not informed. Otherwise, I would have come prepared."

He looked baffled. "You're an Astral." As if that was answer enough, he turned to face the delegates again. "If you would all take your spots, Aster is ready to begin. And I dare say, ladies and gentlemen-prepared to be astounded. You are about to witness something far beyond other Astrals could offer."

Without giving me another look, Cedric joined the circle on the carpet. I remained where I was for a moment, my crux digging into my palm, fighting for my life with every bit of its energy.

I looked back at the elevator doors. Where was Harald Evensen when I needed him?

But he and his pills weren't around to help me right now. I was on my own with my crux and my invisible torture.

Squaring my shoulders, I stepped inside the circle and sat down. Slumped, even, because my legs gave in instantly. My tongue moistened my cracked lips. I swallowed through a dry throat. My eyes locked with Cedric's gaze. The selfish bastard was craving for another dose of a delightful dream today.

Blinking away, I looked around at the delegates. They, too. I didn't know them yet, but I'd soon learn their deepest secrets.

I just had to focus. Push through the pain. Nothing could go wrong in a dream I could control.

Pushing a smile against the searing fire within me, I slowly let out a breath.

Then I asked, "Are you ready to dream?"

***

"We should take her to Windsor," Lexie's concerned voice whispered behind me.

"No, I just need some rest and I'll be fine," I murmured, closing my eyes against the light. "Celine, the lights, please." The lights dimmed to a tolerable degree.

"The ritual drained your energy," Akira pointed out. "You shouldn't have agreed to it. You weren't well to begin with."

"It was the longest ritual I witnessed," Lexie said, awe and disbelief in her voice. "Five hours!"

Tiff shook her head. "They all woke up looking like they could conquer the world."

"And Aster woke up looking like a bloody feral," Akira murmured bitingly. "We should have stopped them."

"I'm fine," I said, dragging my feet to my room.

"We should have an escape plan the next time they ambush you into something like this," he said.

I nodded. "Good idea. Let's do that."

"Do you want me to concoct something?" Tiff asked.

"Akiko said we can't just give her anything," Akira objected. "Introducing potentially foreign to her is the worst thing we can do."

"Your temperature is not looking good, Miss Byrne," Celine's voice added over my apostles' argument. "Should I contact Dr. Spinett?"

"No," I snapped. "You may retire, Celine." Over my shoulder, I looked at Tiff, Akira, and Lexie. "If I don't feel well after a few hours, I'll let you take me to Windsor."

"How long is a few hours-" Tiff started, but I didn't let her finish. I closed the door behind me, stumbled toward the bed, then fell like a weightless feather on fire.

***

When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in my room. I still felt weak, but somehow I could stand.

I felt the burning, but it was no longer inside me. I frowned, looking down at the wooden floorboards. My eyes traveled to the window, my bare feet taking me there.

The burning tower reflected in my face. I stumbled back, whirling on my heels to look around the room-the closet, the bed, the portraits on the wall.

My room.

My breath quickened. I looked out the window again, at the fire eating at the manor below. The ballroom where my parents were. I could hear the screams, the cries for help and mercy.

"No." The word slipped out of my lips in a whisper and I turned to run to the door. I had to save them. But I skidded to a stop when I saw the white door.

My old room didn't have a white door.

A shaky breath escaped my lips. This was a dream.

And as I realized that, I felt a presence. The hairs on my arm stood in alarm.

Slowly, I turned, searching, heart frantic in my chest.

Then I froze as he came into view, cloaked in the reflection of the fire outside the window, eyes looking almost bored, as if he had been waiting too long.

"Bloody finally," he said.