The sun beat down on the sandy arena as the girls landed gracefully. Cleo nudged Kiki with her snout, straightening herself as the girls approached.

‘Kiki, class is over,’ Cleo told her, her tail wagging ever so slightly.

Kiki yawned wide, her jaws stretching as her four legs extended. She shook the sand off her sleek black coat and blinked lazily as the girls stood before them.

“What do we do now? We still have about twenty minutes of class left, right?” Lily asked, brushing her hands on her skirt.

“We could…” Celeste began, but her voice trailed off as a shadow fell over the group.

The girls looked behind Cleo and Kiki to see a small group of girls. 

Their smug expressions and the way they crossed their arms sent an immediate chill down Cleo’s spine as she glanced briefly back at them.

Cleo, feeling nervous around these new girls, started to make her way to Celeste before a sharp yank on her tail made her yelp in pain.

Cleo whirled around, her eyes widening in horror. For a fleeting moment, the girl holding her tail looked just like Dinah—the woman who had ended her human life. 

The blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and that wicked grin… Cleo’s body froze.

“Let her go, Alicia!” Lily’s voice broke through the haze, sharp and angry. “What’d she ever do to you?”

Alicia chuckled darkly, releasing Cleo’s tail. The two rushed together, Celeste kneeling to hug Cleo’s now shaking form.

“I’ve been hearing a funny rumor,” Alicia began, stepping closer to the pair. “Something about you and your… dirty mutt, Rathmore.”

Celeste stiffened, standing and squaring her shoulders. “What’s it matter to you? She’s my familiar!”

“Oh, I think it matters,” Alicia sneered, leaning in close. “Is it true your dumb dog can’t even speak to you without opening its mouth?”

Celeste’s fists clenched. “What’s your point?”

Alicia’s smile widened, cold and cruel. “It means you’re cursed, Rathmore. Cursed to a life tied to the Mad Emperor. How does that feel?”

Cleo sensed Celeste’s body tense, her breath hitching. At that moment, something inside Cleo snapped. She wouldn’t let this happen. Not again.

A deep growl rumbled from Cleo’s throat as she turned to face Alicia, crouching her body low to the ground. 

Her teeth bared, sharp and threatening. The laughter from Alicia and her goons faltered, replaced by wide-eyed fear as Cleo inched closer.

“C-control your dumb dog, Rathmore!” Alicia stammered, backing away.

The girls scrambled, abandoning their brooms and retreating toward the school. As the tension broke, Celeste knelt down and threw her arms around Cleo, her voice soft and warm.

“You sure showed her we’re not to be messed with, huh, girl?” Celeste whispered, rubbing Cleo’s fur.

“Yeah, that was awesome!” Lily added, holding up her hand. “High five?”

Cleo hesitated but raised her paw, smacking it against Lily’s palm. The group laughed, and the rest of the class quickly gathered around, their awe evident.

“Wow, Celeste, your familiar is amazing!” one student exclaimed.

“She’s so cool!”

The compliments made Cleo’s fur bristle with embarrassment. ‘Oh no. Don’t praise me! I just threatened a group of children!’ she thought, cringing as the students patted her head and scratched behind her ears.

“It should’ve been you,” a voice cut through the chatter like a blade.

The crowd parted to reveal Harlow, his dark tattoo-like swirls glowing a bright white against his skin. His once black hair, now turned into fiery orange curls, shimmered under the sunlight, his expression cold as his eyes bore into Celeste.

“What do you mean, it should’ve been me?” Celeste asked, her brows furrowing.

Harlow rolled his eyes. “If you have to ask, it’s not worth explaining.”

With that, he turned and strode toward the school, his hands tucked in his pockets.

“Don’t let him get to you, Celeste,” Ophelia said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah, forget Mr. Cryptic! Come on, we’ve got one more class and then we’re free!” Lily chimed in, pulling Celeste by the arm.

Cleo and Kiki trotted after the group, but Cleo’s mind lingered on Harlow’s cryptic words. 

She knew what he meant and he was right. Those words made Cleo feel even more upset with her choice the more she focused on them.

To be continued…