As I entered Ravenor, I took in the scene. A sea of high end outfits, jewelry, and fancy hairstyles greeted my eyes as I stepped up to the podium and gave my name.

The girl behind the stand checked her list, then smiled saying, “Your table will be in the garden.”

She turned and began leading us toward the back of the restaurant and through a stained glass door.

The garden was a lush oasis of well-groomed greenery, manicured stone pathways, and elegant flowers in all shades of color.

A soft breeze brushed against my face as it danced through the leaves.

A candlelight flame flickered from the table as Jyanna's crimson gaze locked onto me from across the space. Her long curly hair hung down to her shoulders, a ruby hairband holding it back.

I swallowed. Although Alex had refused to join me, he did lend me a purple tux. I really wished he’d come instead.

Jyanna sat smiling beside her uncle as I approached, but I hardly noticed him next to the girl with pink hair at his other side. Her blue eyes were deadly as knives, and sharp enough to keep my gaze from lingering on the strands of white fabric bound together over her breasts by chains.

As I sat, Jyanna chirped, “I was beginning to worry that you weren’t coming.”

I shrugged. There were a hundred places I would rather be than here. I only came because I was hoping to find out what she really wanted from me, and to get her to leave me alone.

Rivayne raised his wine glass, sipping before he said, “All this just for some natch. Honestly, how can she—omph!” His hand jerked as his eyes bulged. Trembling with rage, he turned to face the pink haired girl. “Alice, you—”

She smiled sweetly as she leaned back in her seat.

Rivayne pushed away from the table. As he stood his hands balled into tight fists at his sides as his face turned beet red.

He shook, looking like he might start spouting profanity any moment, but instead, he took a deep breath then walked off, taking out his magi-phone as he left.

Jyanna smiled as he departed. Then her gaze moved to the other girl. They exchanged a series of odd facial expressions, then the pink haired girl—Alice—frowned as she said, “He’ll be back; but before he returns, I have a message for you Dexter.”

She held up her hand as a badly damaged magi-phone formed in the air. It dropped into her palm then she slid it across the table.

I stared at it for several moments refusing to believe my eyes. There was no way, it couldn’t be…but it was.

Dried blood still covered the camera lens and part of the screen, the device was cracked with some of its circuitry exposed. It looked like someone, maybe several someone’s, had trampled over the device, but light behind the screen suggested it might still function.

“Go on,” Alice said, “pick it up.”

Jyanna looked as flustered and confused as I felt, but she kept her composure better as she asked, in a more reserved tone,“What—what is that? What’s this all about anyway? Why does uncle want—”

Jyanna cut herself short as Alice placed her index finger to her own lips, shaking her head as she said, “Be a good girl Jyanna. Your guest doesn’t have a glass, why don’t you go and get him something from the bar.” Her voice came out stern but quiet. Jyanna nodded and beads of sweat formed on the back of my neck as I fought the urge to object.

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When Jyanna stood, she smiled. Turning away with her hair dancing as she walked.

Then I was alone with Alice.

“Go on,” Alice repeated with a gesture towards the device.

Breathing through my hesitation, I picked up my father's broken phone. The moment I did, the video he sent me started to play. The screen glitched with colors and large dots, too damaged to display accurately, but his voice came through clear and sharp.

“Dex, buddy, you can’t trust the Society! Terminia isn’t ours to explore. There are… Fuck! I have to hurry, we found something Dex, but we won’t make it back.”

A wet crunch followed by my mom's scream interrupted him. The sound of thunder drowned her out, then there were several long moments of silence.

Dad sniffled over the sound of rushed steps. “Sorry Dexter… be safe, buddy. Don’t follow the plan. I—”

The message cut off abruptly at the same place as before.

What I heard seemed to confirm my fear, that whatever happened to my parents might’ve been similar to what happened to the professor.

“Terrible isn’t it?” Alice whispered.

I looked at her, struggling to read her expression and wondering why she would give this to me, especially here.

As if to answer my concerns she said, “Oh, don’t worry. No one else can hear us now. You can say or ask whatever you like without fear of reprisal, or you can just listen. I really don’t care. My only concern is making sure you understand your current position, and what will happen if you refuse our offer of protection.”

“Your offer?” I spat the words out like they were poison on my tongue. My mind reeled with thoughts of how she got the phone, what happened to my parents, and what she really wanted from me. If it was just about protection she wouldn’t need to coerce me.

I glared at the pink haired girl with cold anger burning in my gut. I needed answers, but I didn’t feel confident I could get them from her. I was pretty sure she was another spell tome like Nyx, an instrument of the founders.

Her smile deepened as her cheeks darkened with a flush of pink as she said, “I see you have some understanding, good.” As she adjusted in her seat, I noticed Jyanna returning with a fizzy drink in hand. Alice continued, “One of my sisters will find you when you’re ready. If you understand, then do as she says.”

With a wave of Alice’s hand, my fathers magi-phone vanished as Jyanna set my glass down in front of me. Then she crossed her arms and huffed as she took her seat.

My mouth opened and closed a few times before I managed to ask, “Does Rivayne…?”

Alice nodded. “Even fools can make smart choices. I hope you’ll be as smart, now please be a dear and enjoy your meal. The chicken is particularly delicious, you should try some, especially if you want to stay strong.”

Jyanna glanced, with furrowed brows, from her companion to me. Her gaze seemed to be trying to communicate something, but I couldn't begin to understand what it might be.

Then she turned back to the girl and said, “What the hell is this about Alice? My uncle promised to give his referral to me, so what does he want with Dexter?”

Alice gave no reply as a Rivayne came up behind her. Placing his hand on her shoulder he said, “Come on Alice, we have work to do.” Glancing to Jyanna he added, “Enjoy your date,” then he gave a painfully awkward smile and walked away.

I sighed with relief when Alice stood. The less time I spent with her the better. I didn’t feel the least bit hungry anymore. I wanted nothing more than to be rid of the girl and the uncomfortable feelings she brought with her. I was also worried how her presence might’ve affected Val.

As soon as she was out of view I said, “I've lost my appetite, see you in class tomorrow.” I smiled sympathetically at Jyanna, ignoring her scowl as I turned and walked away.

The rest of the evening, I thought about my parents. My heart hurt just thinking about what happened to them but it only made me more determined.

When I returned to my dorm, Alex was waiting with Amhir.

“You’re back early,” Alex said.

“And you owe me three points,” Amhir said with an obnoxious laugh. “I knew Jyanna would never be interested in someone like—well…nevermind.”

I shook my head.

What was the point?

The two of them couldn’t understand my problems. Even if I told them, I doubted they would believe me. With a shrug I said, “Her uncle just wanted to chat.”

As I opened the door to my room, Valentina shot from my pouch, personifying with her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her lips. Her expression shifted the moment she saw me though, a warm smile replacing the look of frustration as she asked, “Should we tell the professor about this?”

I nodded and closed the door.