Chapter 2: Cassandra

The tail felt cold and slimy despite the mid-day heat. "Good job, Oliver."

Oliver smiled and took a deep breath as he waved his wand at me again. "Changeus reptilius tailis."

I glanced back, and my reptilian tail was gone. "Nice work."

"Brilliant." Aurelius clapped and then patted Oliver on the back again.

Dash made a move to grab my butt, and I playfully knocked his hand away. "How would you like a lizard tail?" I asked. He held up his hands in surrender.

"I know you understand the power Challis had and what she wanted to do with that power. She opted for magic most of us will never use." Aurelius paced in front of us. "Edius is a different animal altogether. He and his henchmen will throw every spell in the book at you, most of which will be sent to cause harm. This is when your defensive skills need to be most impressive." He handed each of us the same list of spells and curses. "These are what they're most famous for and what they used to destroy several of the guilds, including yours." He pointed at Braeden and I. "Your defense has to be as good as your offense. Study those spells and be prepared. Lizard tails are the least of our worries." He patted Oliver on the shoulder and started away.

"What about the weekend?" I asked.

"The five of you have worked hard all summer. You deserve a little break." Aurelius made eye contact with each of us. "School starts next week. Get some rest and be prepared for much harder course work. I promise your sophomore year will challenge everything you've learned and every skill you have honed."

We watched Aurelius disappear through the trees, leaving us wondering what the semester held. It seemed impossible our next year of schooling could be more difficult than the last. However, the gloom and doom of Edius still loomed large over both us and the academy.

"What're you smiling about, brainiac?" Dash lifted his chin at Oliver.

Oliver nodded at me. "We studied all summer long. I love hexing class. It's my thing."

"I thought we decided you needed to get out more," Kyler said to Oliver.

Oliver shrugged. "Make fun of me now, but I guarantee you'll be coming to me during the semester."

"He's right, you know," I agreed. "His smarts are what's going to get us through the semester."

We started back toward the dorms. Dash put his arm around my shoulders. "Your powers are stronger. All the training over the summer paid off. For all of us."

I knew what his comment meant. Yes, my powers were increasing, but his were stronger. No matter how well I advanced, Dash would never admit to my powers being stronger than his. I had to accept the bad with the good. His tougher than nails façade would never go away. As long as he treated me and the others with respect, I could overlook his need to always be the best. We also needed him to retain his confidence if and when we faced Edius.

I walked between Kyler and Oliver, Braeden and Dash following. Though I loved being around the guys all the time, I also needed some girl time. I couldn't wait for Ruby to return to campus. I would even settle for a chat with Nicolette, though I figured she'd have the same attitude Dash did toward my growing powers. I wasn't the kind of person who needed a pissing match. I wanted us all to live in harmony.

A low rumble came from Kyler's stomach, and he quickly laid a hand across his mid-section. "Dinner at our place. Give me twenty minutes and I'll whip something up. Maybe something French."

"Or maybe we order pizzas and have them delivered." Dash reached into his pocket and pulled out forty-dollars. "Three larges should do the trick."

"I'm game." I never passed on pizza. "Double pepperoni for me."

"Breadsticks," Oliver added. "And garlic butter."

Braeden gently grabbed my arm. "I thought we could go back to the dorm and check-in on the guild. See if there's any news."

Dash nodded at Kyler and Oliver, and the three moved ahead.

"We can do that later tonight," I said. "We should have pizza with the guys."

"Cass." Braeden was holding onto a hope I couldn't grasp. "It's our guild."

"I know, Brae." I pointed at the three guys. "So do they. They know today it's been three months. The pizza is to help us get our minds off the tragedy for a little while and try to have fun. And believe me, there isn't a day that doesn't go by without me thinking about the guild and what happened." I didn't want him to think I didn't care, because I did. Everything we did all summer, the hard work, I did to someday set things right, meaning destroying Edius. "It'll be fine." I put my hand around Braeden's.

"We'll even the score, Cass. It's now my single goal in life."

"Just remember, we can't fight with anger." It was a mantra I was trying to live by. "That's what Edius wants. And we need to fight as a team. No going rogue."

The other guys slowed as we approached the dorm. "Do you guys really think we have what it takes to defeat Edius?" Braeden asked. "Or any of his henchmen?"

Dash placed his hand on the door but waited to open it. "Based on all the training we did this summer, yeah, I think we're close. Really close."

"I spoke to Aurelius," Kyler said. "Last night at dinner. He thinks we're all close. When the time comes we'll be ready."

We entered the dorm building and started up the stairs, and I watched Braeden, knowing something was bugging him. I grabbed his elbow, and the two of us fell back. "Don't even think about it, Braeden. You do not go after Edius without me and the others." I studied his face, still not happy with his demeanor. "Promise me, Braeden."

Braeden's eyes narrowed as he stared ahead.

"Brae?"

"Okay. But I don't like all this waiting around. We haven't even been back to the guild to see the damage for ourselves. What about your house? What about mine?" He stopped at the top of the stairs. "I can't promise you how long I'll sit back and let someone else do what we should be doing." He entered Dash and Kyler's room without me.

"Everything okay?" Dash asked, joining me.

I wasn't sure, so I shrugged. "I get it. I know why he's upset. It's hard sitting around, knowing what happened to our home." I looked away and realized it was the second time we'd lost our home. "I'm afraid of what he might do if the academy waits too long to send us out to find Edius."

"We've got his back just like we've got yours. We all know if Edius isn't stopped soon, our guilds may be next, and none of us want that. Give me a chance to talk to Braeden, and I'll let him know we're here for both of you."

"Thanks, Dash." I kissed him on the lips, thankful the door between us and them was closed.

Dash gently moved back from the kiss and patted my ass. "Let's go before we make a side stop."