The three days passed in a blur—too fast, too sharp, too full of meaning the twins didn't have time to unpack.
Samara spent the days making calls, packing documents, erasing traces of magic from the human world. Lia spent all three days dramatically declaring that she was "never leaving," only to end the rant by packing anyway. Cas stayed silent, watching everything, absorbing everything, mentally dissecting every word their mother didn't say.
And then—like the storm had never left—the headmistress returned.
But this time, she didn't come alone.
A man stood beside her on the porch. Broad shoulders. Rough jawline. Tan skin. Hair slightly tousled like he'd either run here or fought something on the way. He looked young— late twenties, maybe—but there was something old in his posture.
Controlled. Dangerous.
His eyes, though, were the strangest part—warm and amused, like nothing surprised him and everything entertained him.
"Samara," Headmistress Duskwood said crisply, "this is Professor Elias Gale. He teaches Combat, Strategy, and Potions at Aetherion Academy."
Elias dipped his head politely. "Pleasure. I've heard... very interesting things."
The headmistress shot him a warning glance.
He smiled like he'd collect it and save it for later.
Lia leaned closer to Cas, whispering, "He's cute."
Cas didn't blink. Didn't react. Didn't even breathe differently.
But inside her head?
Absolutely not. Not happening. Don't even think about it, Lia.
Headmistress Duskwood clasped her hands. "Two portals will be opened. One leading to the Council chambers. The other to the Academy. The twins will travel with Professor Gale, while your mother will accompany me to the Council."
"No," Lia said immediately. "Nope. Not happening. You're not taking her—"
Samara gently placed a hand on her daughter's cheek. "My princess... I have to go."
Lia's face crumpled.
Cas stood stiff beside them, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Samara turned to her next.
"Remember, Cassandra—"
"Protect Lia," Cas finished quietly. Always protect Lia.
Samara's nodded. "That's my warrior."
Elias Gale watched the exchange with a subtle shift in his expression—respect... and curiosity.
Headmistress Duskwood raised her hand, and the air cracked open into shimmering silver light. Two portals. One cold, gold, rigid. One swirling with soft violet magic.
"Time to go," she said simply.
Lia clung to their mother like she was being torn from gravity itself. "Be safe. Please."
Samara hugged her tight, whispering something only Lia could hear. Something soft. Something breaking.
Cas didn't move to hug. She simply stepped forward, met her mother's eyes, and offered a tiny nod. It wasn't cold—it was trust.
Warrior to commander. As always.
Samara placed a hand over Lia's heart for half a second.
Then she turned and walked into the Council portal.
Gone.
The twins stood frozen until Elias cleared his throat gently. "Alright. Come with me."
Lia wiped her eyes. Cas didn't. Cas didn't cry. She knew better.
Elias extended a hand toward the violet portal. "Ready?"
"Not even remotely," Lia muttered.
Cas stepped forward without hesitation. "Let's go."
And together, with one last look toward where their mother had vanished, the Maxwell twins stepped through.
———
Light hit them first—bright and warm after the dim portal glow.
Then sound. Laughter, wings fluttering, scales scraping stone, splashes of magic that fizzed like soda.
Then the view.
Aetherion Academy sprawled before them like a castle pulled from starlight and old spellbooks—towering spires, floating bridges, flowering vines that glowed, stone staircases that shifted when students walked near them. Creatures of every kind filled the courtyard: vampires whispering under the shade of a tree, shifters wrestling near the fountain, merfolk chatting in a floating bubble of water, fairies zipping through the sky leaving glitter trails.
It was... overwhelming.
It was also beautiful.
Students froze the moment the twins appeared.
Whispers cut through the courtyard like blades.
"Are those the Maxwell kids?"
"I heard their mom's on trial."
"I heard their dad was human."
"God. Half-bloods."
Cas immediately stepped half a step in front of Lia, chin tilted up, eyes sharp. Her fingers tingled with magic—ready for a fight when a boy practically materialized in front of them.
"HIYA!" he said, grinning like he was announcing the apocalypse. "I'm Riven! Gorgeous, amazing, awesome—oh, and also hybrid. Warlock and demon. Best combo. Triple A rating."
He held out his hand. His eyes flashed demon red for one beat before returning to normal.
"Ignore the elite assholes," he added cheerfully. "There's tons of us hybrids here. You'll find your tribe."
Lia burst into a laugh and immediately shook his hand.
Cas stared at his hand.
Then at Riven.
Then turned to Elias like Riven didn't exist. "What now?"
Riven froze dramatically—then grabbed his own hand with his other hand and shook vigorously.
"Nice to meet you, Riven! And you're right. You ARE awesome. Let's be best friends forever," he told himself.
Lia snorted.
Cas's eyes flickered with the tiniest spark of amusement—gone so fast you'd miss it unless you were Elias Gale watching carefully from the side.
"Follow me," Elias said, lips twitching. "I'll show you to the witch dorms."
Riven followed, bouncing around them like an excited golden retriever that occasionally summoned fire.
Cas ignored him completely—but watched everyone else. The girl levitating her books. The werewolf sniffing them from across the hall. The fae who smirked at them like they were fresh meat.
Her mind raced. Threat. Threat. Annoying. Dangerous. Monitor. Protect Lia.
They reached the dorm hallway, lavender runes glowing along the floor.
"Well!" Riven chirped. "As much as I'd LOVE to walk you to the door, I'm still recovering from the last curse they threw at me!"
He gestured to a faint burn mark on his arm.
A door slammed open down the hall.
A redhead stepped out—sleek strawberry-blond hair, sharp cheekbones, ice-blue eyes locked like a missile on Riven.
"You half-demon spawn!" she yelled. "I told you if I see you near our dorms again, I'll curse you back to hell!"
Riven yelped and sprinted away.
The redhead stopped in front of the twins, nose lifted like she smelled something sour.
"Maxwells," she said, dripping venom.
This bitch. Cas thought while staring blankly at the girl.
Elias Gale sighed. "Selene Arkin. The headmistress has spoken to you about your prejudices. I suggest you try... civility."
Selene rolled her eyes. "Sure. Whatever." Then strutted away.
Cas's gaze followed her like a sniper tracking a target. Threat level: high. Watch constantly.
Lia smiled sweetly. "She seems nice."
Cas stared at her twin. You're insane.
Elias looked between them, shoulders shaking ever so slightly like he was holding back a laugh.
"Welcome to Aetherion," he said softly. "Try not to set anything on fire your first day."
Cas gave him a flat stare.
Lia beamed.
And somewhere far away, in a place lit by cold white magic, Samara Maxwell faced the Council.