Me, Gloria and Harriet walked down the hallway and into the assembly room.

Principal Le Torneau looked at us.

"Have a seat, you three," she said, "you're just in time." "For what?" I asked curiously. We sat down next to Natalia and the others.

"Tonight is the Midnight Moonflower Ritual," Natalia said excitedly. I saw Eliza wave at me and I waved back with a smile.

Once we sat down, I saw Opalina Hunt and a few other professors standing on the stage. Principal Le Torneau stepped up to the podium and waved her hand, signaling for the students to quiet down.

"Dear witches," she began, "as many of you know, tonight is very important. For tonight begins the Midnight Moonflower Ritual."

Excited chatter rose around me but the principal quickly calmed them down. "Yes, yes, we're all very excited to see what the Spirits have in store for our futures," she chuckled, "but the professors and I will still take precautions and make sure every student here is safe."

I looked at the Professors, wondering who they were.

Gloria tapped my shoulder and pointed to a second teacher standing by Miss Hunt. She had umber brown skin, hazel brown hair and clear blue eyes. A Cobra was wrapped around her shoulders.

"That's Cleo Shackleton," Gloria whispered, "she teaches us how to talk to spirits; specifically dead people and animals. Her daughter, Tabitha Shackleton, comes to school here."

I nodded.

Miss Hunt looked at me then looked away. I fidgeted a little as I listened to Principal Le Torneau speak.

"Once every young witch has completed their ritual, there will be a celebration feast in your honor," she said. The crowd burst into applause and cheers.

After the assembly ended, everyone started talking excitedly about tonight.

I sighed as I started to follow Gloria and the others but I nearly yelped when someone's hand landed on my shoulder.

"Apologies for scaring you," Miss Hunt said and I looked up at her, startled.

"But... I would like to warn you, Youngblood, that even the path into the Realm of Demons will be difficult. Don't let your heart lead you astray," she said, gently patting my shoulder before walking away.

I blinked in confusion and I rubbed the back of my neck with a frown. While I tried to consider her words, I couldn't help but feel like she was hiding something.

And something else didn't feel right to me.

When night fell, I was standing with Natalia who looked equally as nervous as I was. I looked around.

"I'm so excited!" A girl whispered to her friend, "what demon are you gonna see?" "I don't know! I just hope it's friendly."

I looked at Natalia, "what demon are you gonna see?"

"Probably a fox," she chuckled, "seeing those kinda runs in the Dupree family."

She had a point. The Dupree witches were always good with foxes. And fire.

I thought back to my mom. I couldn't help but wonder what demon she had summoned during the Midnight Moonflower Ritual. I looked at my hands.

Would I even be able to summon it?

I swallowed nervously and Natalia looked at me before she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You're gonna do great," she said with a reassuring smile.

I smiled a little and nodded and glanced around. Everyone was wearing black robes.

Principal Le Torneau stepped forward, "may the moon bless this ritual and the souls of all witches. May their blood be strong and the demons they summon ordained to their will. And may their covenant bring them prosperity for generations to come."

Miss Hunt lifted her hand. "First, Mabel Queen... and Paige Youngblood."

I felt my shoulders tense and Natalia gently squeezed my hand. I silently exhaled before I walk forward to a door. Miss Hunt gave me a look that silently told me, 'be careful... and good luck.'

I gave a slight nod before I opened the door, pushed it open and stepped into the chamber. I heard the door close behind me and I glanced back at it.

I didn't know why I was so jumpy. I looked back at the stained glass. The moonlight shined through it, giving the room a calm but eerie feeling.

I looked at the symbol. I could never understand how people made them so fast. Maybe it was already done and waiting for the youth to use it.

I sat down in front of it before I hugged my knees to my chest. "Why does it feel so... wrong?" I whispered to myself. I looked at the stained glass and I saw the moon.

"There must be something I'm doing wrong," I said, "can't you just... tell me what it is? Because my mom has done everything before I was born."

I looked back at the symbol.

"I'm here now," I sighed, "the least you can do, Moon, is... tell me... tell me why."

I looked back at the Moon. A part of me wanted an answer but I knew I wasn't going to get it. I felt my heart sink and I looked back at the symbol.

I took a breath and exhaled before I held my hands out and closed my eyes, concentrating on what I wanted to do.

I felt lighter. Lighter than I normally would be. I opened my eyes with a gasp and looked around. I widened my eyes.

The grass was glowing silver and the sky was a purplish-white color. A few feet away from where I was stood a large statue that looked like a winged wolf that was covered in thorns. There were odd designs engraved into the wolf's back.

I slowly reached out towards the statue.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

I spun around to see the woman from before. She was sitting on a small plateau. Her hair was tied up in a bun.

Her eyes landed on me and she smiled. "We meet again, Paige Youngblood," she said.

I stumbled a little, surprised. "Y-you know who I am?" I squeaked. She chuckled, "are you truly surprised by that, my dear? Every demon in the Inferno Isles knows you."

I blinked and looked around. "The... Inferno Isles? Is this... your realm?"

"Oh no, my dear," she said and I looked back at her. She waved her hand and flowers grew at an amazing speed.

"But this is my realm," she said, "I am the only one who controls what grows and what withers here. Flowers and plants, so to speak."

I stared at the plants in awe. I looked at her and she placed a lily in my hair.

"There," she said, caressing my face, "perfect." I felt my face heat up.

She chuckled softly and gently booped me on the nose before she sat back down on the plateau. She clapped her hands together and looked at me.

"You brought yourself to me, dear," she said, "what would you like from me?" "I never got your name," I said, flustered.

Her eyes softened and she hummed softly. "I am afraid I do not have one," she said and she closed her eyes for a moment.

"Would you like to give me a name?" She asked and I blinked in surprise. For a demon, she was being absolutely calm with my presence. My expectations were low but I knew that it wasn't going to be hard.

I did something right.

"Camille," I said, "I like the name Camille." She opened her eyes and smiled.

"I love it," she said and she held her hand out to me. I slowly placed my hand in it and squeaked as she suddenly yanked me forward and I looked up at her, eyes wide and face red.

She chuckled softly as she slowly leaned forward and her lips met mine. My eyes grew wide as saucers and I slowly leaned into her.

She wrapped her arms around my waist. After a few moments, she pulled away, leaving me to gasp for air.

She lifted my head up. "Until next time, little gem," she whispered before a bright light filled my vision and I sat up with a soft gasp.

I looked around, startled. I was in my dorm room.

"How did I...?" I murmured and I could hear excited voices outside. I looked out the window and saw a whole bunch of students gathered outside. They looked like they were having fun.

I frowned in confusion and squeaked when the door opened and I looked to see Miss Hunt and Principal Le Torneau come in.

"I'm glad to see you're awake, Miss Youngblood," Principal Le Torneau smiled with relief as she made her way over to me.

"What happened?" I asked. "You completed the ritual but you didn't come out of the chamber," Miss Hunt said, "we found you passed out. It... it must have been a lot."

"It...," I paused and felt my cheeks turn red, "it felt like a lot."

"Gloria and Harriet helped carry you to your dorm," Principal Le Torneau chuckled, "Natalia was worried about you."

"I hope I didn't ruin anything," I said. "Nonsense," she replied, waving her hand, "everyone completed their ritual and as you saw, they are extremely happy about it. Feel free to join them. But I would continue resting if I were you."

I nodded and me and Miss Hunt watched her leave.

Miss Hunt looked back at me. "I hope you're doing well," she said. I nodded, "I'm okay, Miss Hunt. I promise."

She stared at me for a moment, looking me up and down. Then she nodded, "alright. Your friends are waiting for you."

She walked out of the room. I got up and got dressed. I exhaled in relief. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and my chest.

I smiled happily and danced around the room before laying back on my bed with a giggle. "I did it! I did it," I smiled as I looked at the ceiling. Then my eyes widened as I quickly remembered what Camille did.

I shot upright and covered my face with a muffled squeal. A Demon kissed me. Kissed me!

I didn't know what to feel but my main feelings were excitement, fondness, curiosity and fear.

I smiled softly before I got up and went outside. "Paigey!" Marley, Charlotte and Serenity hug me tight. I laugh, "hi, girls."

"Glad you could make it," Joanna chuckled, holding a cup of fruit punch. I chuckle as I take the cup.

"Like I would miss a party."

Gloria chuckled. "You're light as a feather."

I playfully smacked her shoulder and she grinned. Harriet snickered. "Be nice, girls," she said playfully.

"Haven't even downed a cup and we're already acting like we're drunk," Tasha snickered. Iris smiled, "maybe they spiked the punch."

"The Academy's too high up their asses to do that," Charlotte huffed. Kaitlin chuckled as she leaned against the wall, "don't let the principal hear you say that."

I looked around as I tuned out the other girls' conversations. I could see Mabel scowling and talking with her friends, Tabitha, Vanessa and Bridget.

I tilted my head as I watched. I glanced around before I caught a glimpse of a light. I narrow my eyes and I walk towards it.

I turn round the corner and I stop in my tracks. There was a nineteen year old girl standing near the shadows. She had pale porcelain skin and blonde hair that was streaked with white. She looked in my direction and her eyes were glowing a bright green.

I stared at her, "who... who are you?"

Her eyes narrowed and a snow white snake curled around her arm. It lifted it's head, eyes glowing as green as hers, and it hissed at me.

I step back, startled. The girl runs her finger across her familiar's scales and looked at me before she gave me a dark grin.

I blinked and the girl was gone. I blink a few times and looked around nervously. I rub my eyes and yelp when Gloria gently grabbed my shoulder.

"Hey, hey, it's just me," she said quickly, "you okay?" "Y-yeah...," I sighed, "I thought I saw someone. Let... let's head back."

She nodded and we walked back to join the others.