I kept my feet planted on the ground, my fists raised in a defensive stance as I faced my opponent.

  Her fiery red hair gave way to her order.

  She was tall... much taller than me and faced me with a deadly glare.

  "This won't take long..."

  She grinned revealing rows of pointy sharp teeth.

  I visibly gulped feeling a sea of eyes of every student surrounding us on the sparring mat.

  Before I could react Mrs. Ruthless blew the whistle and like a firetruck shark lady she ran straight for me. I almost screamed, my heart jumping as I disgracefully dodged her attack.

  I put my hands up to block what I thought was a punch but she surprised me with a low kick swiping the rug under my feet. Literally. I grunted as my back collided with the floor but I stood up, barely dodging another hit.

  "Come on Scarlett control! Don't run from it!"

  Miss. Ruthless called out and a few students laughed at my weak display of strength...

  "Yea, withered! Stop being a little bitch!"

  A student mockingly yelled out and a round of laughter erupted from the circle of students.

  I clenched my fists and threw a less-than-controlled punch at her stomach. I was surprised I actually landed a hit but it was short-lived as soon as her eyes narrowed and she lunged at me.

  "Kick her ass Jess!"

  I fell off my feet and she pounced on me like a damn lion.

  I rolled to the side with a gasp, dodging her once again.

  She scowled and stared at me with a vengeance as I jumped to my feet and kicked her in the ribs.

  Students cooed and chanted for Jess to hit me... one person even begged her to break a bone. I had no doubt she would if she could... Miss. Ruthless made no sign of stopping the match, Jess's gaze calculating and sharp like a predator circling its prey.

  I was on full alert gearing up any strength I could muster, flinching at every step she made.

  "Don't run from it..."

  Miss Ruthless's words echoed in my head... and I watched for an opening... looking for any sensitive spots that I could hit.

  We both charged at each other after a bated breath, but this time I slid under her legs kicking her down... She grunted and a few students gasped... I was just as surprised I'd managed to catch her off guard.

  "You got this Scar!"

  "Yea come on you can do it!"

  My friends cheered me on. Jess was back up on her feet though, drilling daggers into me with her icy gaze. She cracked her knuckles, showcasing her brute strength... her muscular form tensing.

  I was scared shitless as her red her lit up in flames... her true nature sprouting from within her in a burst of raw fiery magic.

  She was a fire nymph.

  And I couldn't have been more fucked.

  Before I could react she threw a blazing fireball at me, it singed my hair and I screamed as she suddenly charged at me like a damn bull. She tackled me to the floor in a chokehold and my eyes widened.

  Maybe she was gonna kill me... What if she did try to break my bones!?

  I tried to wriggle free from her gasp but she held me down, her arms like iron. I could feel the heat of her flaming hair on my skin and I started to feel the air leaving my lungs.

  Students cheered Jess on and Miss. Ruthless's voice was just a blur along with everything else.

  With a defeated sigh I tapped the mat and Miss. Ruthless blew the whistle, indicating that Jess had won.

  I lay against the floor gasping for air, feeling so cowardly and useless that the very thought of standing up felt pointless.

  "Better luck next time withered."

  Jess chuckled as she smirked down at me. I fought the urge to flip her off despite my soreness...

  My friends crowded around me, Lyra and Noah helping me up as Robynn gathered our things.

  ***

  "This wasn't a fair match... you can't even heal yourself as quickly without your fae form... Miss. Ruthless could have suggested you do on-one training..."

  Lyra said with disappointment. Noah nodded in agreement,

  "I'd look even more weak if she just put me on the side... I need to learn combat..."

  "Yea but Scar... after the incident 3 weeks ago..."

  Robynn began.

  "Can we not... bring that up..."

  I groaned and she looked at me with remorse. I sighed and smiled weakly at them.

  "I'm fine..."

  I said, and I wanted to believe it too... I couldn't let them know how painful it was getting my ass kicked like that... they'd already been so worried for me after the drowning incident. I didn't want them to worry any more than they already had... after seeing Robynn sob. And the way Lyra and Noah had stormed into the dean's office to demand justice.

  I couldn't ask for better friends... but as Floren said... I need to be strong. I'd chosen to stay here... so I'd have to face the consequences.

  Mrs. Ruthless approached us with her stone-cold gaze and her clipboard.

  "Scarlett... you should consider remedial training... there are a few teachers who can support you. I'll Cmail you a list. You'll have to sit out practices from now on until you can use your magic fully."

  My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to retaliate but she gave me a stern-no-nonsense gaze.

  So much for blending in... now everyone would know just how withered I was...

  Mrs.Ruthless walked away and my friends rubbed my back.

  "It's fine... it was bound to happen..."

  I sighed.

  "Hey it can't be that bad right..?"

  Lyra smiled at me,

  "Yeah.. at least now you don't have to worry about getting your ass kicked..."

  Noah laughed trying to lighten the mood and I chuckled.

  "I guess you're right..."

  ***

  I was so wrong...

  I stared blankly at the list of teachers who Miss. Ruthless had suggested I get support from... and at the very top... highlighted in bright yellow... was Professor. Grey....

  I stared at my phone with dread... so far every single one of Professor Grey's classes had taught me two things.

  He was a merciless brute, and I needed to stay the fuck away from him. Especially after how he'd treated me after the drowning incident.

  Just last week he'd given me detention for arriving 2 minutes late... and he'd thrown a damn pixie out of his class because she'd gotten a low grade in another course... his reasoning... "Because if she was failing in other courses there was no hope for her success in his course."

  I swear the man reveled in the misery of his students... every single moment spent in his class felt like Russian roulette. You never knew when he'd snap... I remember a boy had failed one of his tests and he'd used his magic to force him to write out "I need to study more often because I'm stupid..." All over the classroom... then forced him to clean it off without any magic. His reasoning "If you fail a test now what hope is there for your success in an exam?"

  I guess it had to be part of his hybrid demon nature to relish in other people's sufferings.

  I hated him...

  But somehow I'd only been punished 3 times... once he'd poured cold water on me for getting distracted during a lesson... and the other two times I'd been forced to reorganize and clean his office.

  What a bum...

  Today though... I was dreading his class for another reason entirely... I'd asked two other professors for guidance and training but they'd all denied me for the same reason... I didn't have a fae form and they would need to know what order I took to determine the kind of training required. I had begged 3 other professors 2 were already busy with other advanced training for top students... and 1 well. I was on my way to ask. Professor. Crowe. He was my last and only hope of getting training and guidance...

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  I made my way through the halls to his classroom. I was hoping he wouldn't disappoint.

  I knocked on his door and he called me in,

  "Ah... Scarlett. I was expecting you..."

  Sitting with his legs crossed, one over the other on his desk was a slender man with purple eyes and a long scruffy chin.

  "Hi... Mr. Crowe?"

  "Please just call me James..."

  He grinned gesturing for me to take a seat.

  "So I hear you... need some assistance harnessing your magic?"

  I nodded.

  "You're... my last hope honestly... I've asked around and nearly everyone has said—

  "That you need a fae form?"

  He finished my sentence for me and my eyes widened, his eyes sparked with amusement and something else.

  "It must have been so... stressful for you... going around and searching for someone to guide you. "

  He tsked looking sympathetic.

  I nodded.

  "Well... you are in good hands... I would love nothing more than to help you reach your full potential, my dear..."

  He took my hands in his giving me a suggestive grin. His hands rubbed against my palms and I squirmed with discomfort.

  "Please close your eyes... I wanna assess the pure energy of your abilities..."

  He continued to rub his cold fingers against my palms as I closed my eyes.

  "Listen to the sound of my voice..."

  He spoke in a hushed tone that made me tense up.

  His fingers continued to rub against my arm... moving higher and higher... I was starting to question his methods...

  "Umm.. sir... how is this... umm gonna help me?"

  "Hm?"

  He hummed and chuckled hands continuing their sensual trace further up my arm.. His other hand rubbed my thigh. My skin crawled as I hear him groan slightly... suddenly I felt a sucking sensation on the magical energy brewing in my core... like it was being whisked away by something... or someone...

  I had a strange sense of foreboding and I tried to pull away from his grasp but he held me firm... his claws digging into my skin like an iron grip.

  "Focus.."

  He growled out and I shivered...

  I was starting to get lightheaded...

  It almost felt like my energy was depleting... he then brought his lips to my wrist and ran his tongue up my wrist, his saliva wet and unwanted on my skin. My eyes snapped open as I felt a sharp pain and saw him sink his fangs into it. I cried out, but he kept a firm grip on me his other hand snaking under my shirt. I recoiled, reeling back and staring at him with disgust and disbelief.

  "What the hell are you doing?!"

  I couldn't believe what had just transpired...... he touched me...

  "I'm just tasting the true extent of your magic my dear... this is all part of the process..."

  I felt my stomach knotting up as he licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with lust like a damn predator.

  "I think... I'm gonna go."

  I stood up abruptly my heart racing...my skin suddenly unbearably itchy. I felt disgusting. Violated... I could still feel the ghost of his touch inching towards my breast.

  I pushed open his door and his laughter echoed in the background like a devilish taunt. Riddling me with doubt, fear... the bile in my throat threatening to explode from my lips.

  The memory of his long bony hands scraping against my flesh and his lips against my wrist as he sucked my magic into himself followed me down the halls.

  How could someone do something like that...

  Why was everyone so evil in this damn school... I wish I'd run away... I wanted to scream at him for touching me... for drawing me into this false sense of security stealing my magic... and violating me.

  My energy felt depleted... I couldn't believe that happened... and I'd let it happen... This was my fault...maybe I was gullible—

  My face collided with a firm chest and I mumbled an apology as I stumbled back, but I didn't even bother to look up, It felt like a snake had coiled itself around my throat... like something was suffocating me from inside and as I fell against the floor I began to spiral... my heart racing as wildly as my mind.

  "Scarlett?"

  The fae spoke.

  "Do you need help?"

  It surrounded me in whispers... and it sounded so taunting... was he making fun of me? Was he trying to hurt me? Why did everyone hate me...

  I barely glanced in his direction as I ran off like the wild wind, hyperventilating and gasping for air. The world around me was a blur of whispers and unnamed faces.

  I needed to get out of here... I needed to leave...

  I ran and ran until I tripped and stumbled over a rock falling face-first into a pool of mud.

  It was then that the tears started to pour... and something else within me screamed to be set free. It cried out along with me, like a banshee and I tried to hold it in... tried to keep it hidden but It erupted from my core, spreading through my body and onto my fingertips.

  Power...

  Pure unrivaled. Power coursed through my veins.

  I set it free, screaming my lungs out with perspiration.

  I blasted out a beam of light that swallowed the darkness within me, surrounding me... It was formidable and raw... illuminating in streams of pure light and enveloping me like a protective shield.

  Incandescence...

  "Scarlett!"

  A voice rang out through the white noise... my ears were ringing but as the voice got closer I could feel myself drifting into darkness... the light that burned bright was soon enveloped by a pool of deadly silence... pure, raw darkness.

  Death...

  I fell against the ground my voice finally giving out...

  ***

  I woke up in a hospital bed... my lungs were sore and my body was ridden with fatigue.

  I looked around my surroundings... I was in the infirmary.

  I groaned and my gaze flicked over to a blurry figure standing beside the window. I blinked and his tall frame slowly came into view.

  Professor. Grey...

  "What... where..."

  The professor flinched and turned to face me with a somber gaze... I'd never seen him so... stressed.

  "You don't remember... seriously??"

  He looked at me as if I had grown to heads.

  I looked down at the bed sheets and concentrated trying to recall my previous memories...

  The memories came flying back... but there were still a few missing pieces...

  The image of Professor. Crowe touching me started to trigger my anxiety and I gripped the sheets.

  The heart monitor recited my rapid pulse and Professor Grey quickly appeared by my side grabbing hold of my hand.

  "Breathe Scarlett... Breathe..."

  His hands were warm on my skin... a stark contrast to his brass and cold demeanor. But I couldn't focus... I couldn't stop the memories from eating me alive...

  "Hey... look at me. Look at me."

  He demanded firmly, and I tightened my grip on his hand my eyes meeting his wearily...

  His gaze softened ever so slightly... just enough to consume the noise in my head... his touch was like a warm pillow in the messy bed of restless thoughts. I felt a stream of magic flutter around me and I started to breathe. In and out... in and out, squeezing his hand like it was my last lifeline...

  I didn't want to let go.

  The silence fell over me like a soft blanket... my heart finally settling down to a steady beat.

  "Breathe angel. Breathe..."

  He repeated like a mantra,

  He'd never spoken to me this way and the look in his eyes felt like a warm sea of red and blue hues... his voice a melodic hum.

  "Good..."

  He keeps a firm grip on my hand and starts to lean in, my heart driving down the speed limit... but just as quickly as the warmth had arrived it disappears with a fleeting glance. Leaving behind a dull emptiness that sickens me to the core.

  He returned to his usual aloof self, his gaze flickering from warm to cold in seconds.

  "Do you remember what happened to you?"

  I swallowed and shook my head...

  "You were drained by a psychic vampire... Do you remember who it was?"

  I shook my head again. It was better to lie than let him know the truth. Because if I said it out loud it would be too real. I was still struggling to accept what happened. He didn't just drain me...he'd violated me.

  "How did you know?"

  I piped up,

  Professor Grey sighed before looking back up at me.

  "You have puncture marks on your wrist and your powers... were triggered."

  I stare blankly at him.

  "Triggered...? But... how...?"

  He lets out another long sigh, "When a fae is fed on by a psychic vampire... as a final protest... when your body is weakened it ignites the magic inside you and creates... a whirlwind inside of you like a... defense mechanism. Now usually some fae might lose control of their order and shift... but in your case... it triggered your abilities and you lost control. I think... you burned down a couple of trees from your light alone."

  I look at him with concern.

  "Light...?"

  He groans visibly frustrated as he stands abruptly.

  "Yes... light. Don't you know anything about elemental magic? What even happened during the ascension?"

  I look down at my hands still processing the fact I burnt down a few trees and lost control of my powers. At least no one was hurt...wait...

  "Did anyone get hurt?"

  He shook his head.

  "You'd nearly run off past the barrier by the time I got to you... you seriously don't remember anything?"

  I swallow and shake my head again. I did remember... that man... but I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth.

  "Scarlett..."

  He looks at me with a sense of urgency but there's something else behind his icy gaze...

  "I don't really wanna talk about it..."

  I confess and he sighs in defeat.

  "Fine... well, here's something we can discuss. Your powers, Scarlett... do you have any? Knowledge of your ancient heritage?"

  I blink up at him and shake my head.

  He lets out another sigh.

  "Great... well... it'd be a good thing for you to speak to your parents. You are capable of solarmancy... which is ancient elven-fae magic... no one has been able to use it for hundreds of years because of how powerful it is... but you... you were able to harness it in your moment of distress, do you realize what this means for you Scarlett?"

  I shake my head admittedly, his words dropping like an anvil on my head.

  "This means you're special. It's one thing for a withered fae to not have a fae form but still be able to use their elemental magic... and it's another thing entirely for you to able to harness ancient elven magic as well as water and fire and wind. You're an enigma, Scarlett. But in the wrong hands, it could jeopardize everything."

  He leans in closer speaking in a hushed and stern tone.

  "You cannot tell anyone that you can use solarmancy... not a single soul can know of this. Some people would exploit and use you or worse... not even your friends can know. If this gets out it could spread to the ears of the king and queen and you might find yourself in more trouble than you bargained for."

  My heart races at the implications of his words, my blindness and ignorant disposition seeming to disperse as I let it sink deep. I was special? Me...? A withered fae with no fae form...

  "But... how can I control it..? How can I master this... ancient magic and my other elements?"

  He takes a moment to close his eyes and take in a deep breath as if he's battling his inner demons whilst simultaneously trying to assess the situation.

  "You will train with me from now on. I... I specialize in obscene or ancient magic since I've been around a couple hundred years..."

  My eyes widen slightly.

  "Couple hundred?"

  His eyes narrow,

  "Don't look at me that way. I'm not a goddamn grandfather if that's what you're thinking. Demons age differently than other fae..."

  There isn't much bite to his tone and for a second, there's almost a ghost of a smirk on his lips.

  "Right. Sorry professor."

  I clear my throat and he rolls his eyes, seemingly playfully.

  He stands adjusts his tie and straightens out his clothes. I try not to stare at the way his muscles contract beneath the thin fabric.

  "For some reason, I always seem to be saving your ass from something Miss. Thorne..."

  He cracks his aching neck muscles and turns to leave and my eyes graze over the way his firm ass looks in his pants. I am not better than a male...

  Professor Grey suddenly pauses in the door and I fix my gaze on patterns on the wall instead. They suddenly seemed interesting...

  "I'll send you the schedule tomorrow morning get some rest... and for satan's sake please stay out of trouble..."

  He steps out of the room leaving me to soak in this new sea of knowledge he's drowned me in.

  Things couldn't possibly get worse than this...