Cole/Avalon pov
I was able to hear her thoughts up until she got to the principal's office.
What could she have done to make them want her?
Now I'm really worried. If they catch a whiff that she can't be compelled… I don't even want to imagine what they'd do to her.
I can still feel the link though. That means she's alive. Strong. Still there.
But something is wrong.
It's been over an hour. Class already ended and she's still not back.
"Do you think we should go check up on her?"
Mirabel's voice cut through my thoughts as she suddenly appeared beside me.
"Uh… yeah," I muttered, forcing myself back to reality.
"Let me go in first," Zane said quickly. "I could use the advantage of being the principal's child. If you guys go, they might not let you in."
"Not let us in?" Mirabel's face tightened with panic. "Is she in serious trouble?"
"We don't know yet," Zane replied, though his eyes briefly flicked to mine like he was asking for permission. "That's why I should go first."
No. I'm not sitting around while my sister is in God knows what kind of mess.
But I need space. I need to be alone if I'm going to use magic.
"Sure, Zane," I said with a fake smile. "I'm sure blondie will be fine with you around."
"I'll keep you updated," he said before rushing out.
"I'll be right back, Mira," I added, already heading for the door before she could respond.
"Y'all shouldn't leave me alone. Where the hell is Karl?" I heard her complain as I stepped into the hallway.
I headed straight for the restroom.
And unfortunately… I wasn't alone.
A student stood by the urinal.
"Hey man," I greeted casually as I stepped beside him.
No response.
He just stood there like I didn't exist.
"Whatever you're thinking," he suddenly said, "trust me, it won't work."
I froze.
"You hear my thoughts, mate?" I asked slowly, a dangerous smile creeping onto my face.
"Yeah," he replied, turning toward me. "And I'm here to tell you the spell you're about to cast won't work on me."
His eyes glowed gold.
Not human.
Not normal.
"Who the hell are you?" I asked, trying hard to silence my thoughts.
"Oh, I figured you'd be here too," he said calmly. "I've got Astra."
The air shifted.
My blood ran cold.
How the hell did he know that name?
Avelyn's real name wasn't something anyone should know. Unless…
Unless he's from our timeline.
"I've got all the answers you want, Atlas," he continued. "Follow me if you want to see your sister."
Atlas.
The name hit like a punch to the chest.
And then Cole's memories slammed into place.
Karl.
What the actual hell?
"What sick game are you playing, Karl?" I asked, my voice low.
"Karl?" He frowned slightly. "Oh… I guess this body belongs to a Karl."
That confirmed it.
Karl had been possessed.
But by who?
The thought of Astra being in danger tightened around my lungs.
"I promise she's not in any danger," he said.
Get the hell out of my head.
I screamed internally, anger flaring hot and sharp.
"You're refusing to speak," he said with a smirk, "but your thoughts are loud enough."
I clenched my jaw. "So where are we going?"
"I need you to take the principal's form," he replied casually. "It'll make things easier. Less questions."
"I can't take forms," I lied instantly.
He chuckled.
"You're lying, Atlas. What did you think? That I'd know your name and not your power?"
I held his gaze for a second.
Then exhaled.
No point fighting it.
My body shifted, bones reshaping, skin tightening, magic folding over itself until Ms Wilder stood in my place.
He smiled.
And then he led the way to the private wing.
After walking for a while, we got to the private wing.
And then we stopped.
Access door.
Card locked.
"You didn't add this to your plans?" I taunted, folding my arms.
He didn't even look bothered.
"Oh trust me… I did."
Before I could react, he drove his leg into the door.
The iron door flew open like paper.
I blinked.
Thank God I wasn't planning to fight him. One punch and I'd be gone.
He glanced at me and scoffed.
Yeah. He definitely heard that.
We walked deeper into the wing until we got to a room.
And that's when I saw her.
Lilian.
She looked… empty.
Like a puppet.
Like someone hollowed her out and left only a body behind.
Then my eyes dropped to her arms.
And my heart stopped.
Avelyn.
Unconscious.
In her hands.
What the hell…
How strong was she to carry Avelyn like that?
And why the hell is my sister here?
"Lilian here is my vessel," he said calmly, stepping toward her. "And I'm thankful to your sister for opening the gate that brought me here. I owe her. So don't worry… I would never hurt her."
That didn't comfort me.
Not even close.
"This is getting creepy," I said coldly. "Who are you?"
He paused.
Then smiled.
"Pardon my manners. I'm Drasos."
Drasos?
Who the hell is Drasos?
He chuckled softly, clearly hearing me again.
"Oh… you don't know me. I'm ancient. Older than you can imagine. But let me drop something that will twist your mind."
He turned slightly, smirking.
"I'm your great grandfather."
I just stared at him.
No reaction.
No thoughts.
Nothing.
My brain refused to process it.
"I'll tell you a story," he continued casually. "But not here. Let's leave first."
Then he tilted his head.
"Which do you prefer? Karl… or Lilian?"
It took me a second to realize what he meant.
His vessel.
Karl would be easier.
But suspicious.
If Lilian stayed here, she'd die.
Karl could still live his normal life.
"Logical thinking," he said with a smile. "I like you, boy."
And then I saw it.
His soul.
It slipped out of Karl like smoke peeling off skin.
It moved across the room and slammed straight into Lilian.
Lilian gasped.
Her body jerked.
Then her eyes lit up.
Alive.
No… not alive.
Occupied.
"Who's there? Let me out!"
A voice echoed from behind us.
Ms Wilder.
"I teleported them to the dungeon," Lilian said casually. "Can you believe this school has a dungeon?"
Hearing him speak from inside Lilian made my skin crawl.
"Don't worry about them," she added lazily. "Once we leave, Karl will help me clean things up."
She pointed at the real Karl, who stood there looking lost and broken.
I nodded slowly, even though nothing about this felt okay.
"Can I change back now?" I muttered, irritation creeping in. "I'm tired of this form."
"Yeah, boy," she replied.
I dropped the disguise instantly, my body snapping back into place.
And somehow… in my mind I know
Everything just got worse.