1.22

After that was done, Evander came to Lucian's table and whispered in his ear, "You have to find an excuse, Lucian."

Lucian whispered back, "Ev... I still think you should tell them the truth. You know this can't go right."

Evander sighed, "I know... but I have no choice in this, and you know that. If something happens to me, you get my mythic magic mirror and my storm wand."

Lucian replied, "Don't say that. Something can happen, Ev..."

Evander said firmly, "Fine. If you don't want to help, then I have to sneak out of here."

Thorn overheard the last sentence and murmured softly, "What is he planning to do?" Athena overheard and asked, "Who is going to do what, Thorn?"

Thorn hesitated before saying, "Uhm, did I say someone is going to do something?"

Rowan chimed in, "Mate, we heard you."

Thorn tried to cover up, "Oh well, I am going to the WC."

Felix interjected, "That's not what you said!"

Thorn feigned a yawn, "I feel so sleepy."

Felix pointed out, "Mate, it's 7 am."

Thorn quickly responded, "So late already. I'm going to bed." With that, Thorn walked away.

Flate remarked, "He's up to something, isn't he?"

Athena nodded in agreement, "He probably is, but let's not push him too hard."

Rowan commented, "Well, he's been obsessed with Evander lately, which is weird."

Felix suggested, "Guys, let's just eat. He's probably going to open up soon enough."

Athena agreed with Felix, saying, "I agree with Felix."

Rowan teased, "Athena agreeing with someone? Wow, this is new." Athena playfully slapped his arm in response, causing Rowan to exclaim, "Hey! That hurt!"

Felix laughed and said, "Deserved."

Thorn followed Evander closely as they made their way to a room. Evander muttered a spell to make himself invisible, and as he did, Thorn caught sight of a strange woman— the same one from the other day, the killer woman. He overheard her saying, "Finally. What took you so long?"

Evander replied, "Don't forget I still have school."

The woman rolled her eyes and retorted, "Are you ready?"

Evander sighed, "Do I have a say in this?"

The woman replied, "Actually, no."

"Exactly," Evander muttered.

The woman continued, "I can't believe the plan didn't work, all thanks to your dear friends."

"They're not my friends," Evander countered.

The woman smirked, "I forgot, you don't have any friends."

Evander snapped, "Shut up, I do have!"

The woman dismissed his protest, "You said your goodbyes."

Evander shook his head, "That would make it too suspicious. I don't want them to think anything weird."

The woman scoffed, "Well, isn't death weird enough?"

"I still don't want to die," Evander confessed.

The woman explained, "Do I look like a killer to you? Never mind, don't answer that. Plus, you're not going to die for real. We only need to make a scene so everyone believes that you are dead, and then, after years later, you are going to be the new leader."

"But I don't want to!" Evander protested.

The woman's tone turned sharp, "Annoying brat! Who do you think you are? You have no say in this."

Just then, Thorn burst into the room, his wand pointed at the lady. But before he could act, she was faster, teleporting away with Evander in tow.

Thorn called out, "Frost!" But when they were gone, he looked around in horror, sinking down to where they had been and whispered, "No... This can't be real."

Thorn stood up and teleported but ended up in Professor Limunos' shower. He heard the water running and the professor singing, "My love, would I get back with you again? My love, if the time got right, would I save you from the dead?" Thorn hesitated, then opened the shower curtain. 

Professor Limunos turned around, still singing, "My love—" until he saw Thorn's face and screamed, "Get out! Get out!"

"But, Professor—" Thorn started.

"No, get out! Get out!" Professor Limunos repeated.

Thorn quickly exited, waiting outside the bathroom. After a few moments, Professor Limunos emerged, looking flustered. "If you hadn't covered your eyes, I would have been fired!"

Thorn, unable to resist, teased, "Oh, I'm sorry. I needed help and did the teleport spell for Professor's help, and saw you in that shower! And why do you even need a shower duck?"

Professor Limunos gasped. "You did not say that."

Thorn grinned, "I think I just did."

Professor Limunos shook his head. "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. Now, what do you want?"

"Oh, yeah! A killer-looking woman kidnapped Evander," Thorn said.

Professor Limunos' demeanor changed instantly. "Why didn't you start with that? Let's search for him."

They walked down the hall dramatically. Professor Limunos asked, "Do you know what they were talking about?"

"Uh, I only heard something about death," Thorn replied.

Professor Limunos quickened his pace. "Follow me."

Thorn rolled his eyes. "I already was."

Meanwhile, Felix, Athena, Rowan, Flint, and Flate were in the hall. Rowan asked, "Thorn, what's wrong?"

Thorn hurriedly replied, "Can't talk now."

Flint grabbed Thorn and pushed him against the wall, causing Professor Limunos to stop. "I'm done with the secrets! What are you keeping from us? I thought we were friends, Thorn. But since you're so obsessed with Evander, you've been ignoring us!"

Thorn screamed, "I am not obsessed with him!" His outburst drew the attention of everyone around. Some looked scared, while others whispered among themselves.

Flint said softly, "Thorn—"

Thorn repeated, "I am not obsessed with him."

Professor Limunos interjected sternly, "Enough! If you want him alive, get over here. We are searching for him now."

Flint looked confused. Thorn explained, "I thought he was up to something, which is why I followed him. Then I saw the same killer lady from the other day... I tried to stop her, but she teleported with him, and we don't know where they went."

Athena suggested, "Maybe Lucian knows. He was whispering something in Evander's ear."

Thorn looked surprised, "You saw that too?"

Athena nodded, "Yeah, it was..."