What could I do? Later that day, before the power-sharing ritual, Mom called my school to inform them that I wouldn't be attending the next day.
And so... the ritual day came.
After what felt like a lifetime of waiting, Mom finally took me to Aunt Simone's house — her aunt, the head of the Guardians of our clan, and the oldest among them. Unsurprisingly, she didn't age like the rest of us.
"Fina, get the water ready," she commanded a follower, who quickly disappeared to some unknown location.
I stared after her, anxiety bubbling in my chest. "Aunt… does the ritual hurt?" I asked, even though I probably shouldn't have. Aunt Simone wasn't exactly a gentle soul.
She turned her gaze to me slowly. "Why don't you ask your mother?"
"I did. She refused to tell me anything," I admitted.
Her smile twisted, cruel and sharp. "Then what makes you think I'll tell you? I won't. Why don't you find out yourself?"
Yeah… exactly why I didn't want to ask her in the first place. Aunt Simone was not known for kindness. Honestly, maybe that's why she and Aunt Diane never got along.
I kept quiet, trying not to let my fear show. Minutes passed. Then hours. I started to wonder what exactly they were doing — and why it was taking so long. Dread settled over me like a heavy cloak, making every breath feel tight in my chest.
Finally, footsteps echoed toward me. Fina returned, followed by a group of other followers.
"My lady, the water is ready," she announced, bowing slightly to Aunt Simone — who hadn't stopped watching me the entire time, like I might disappear if she blinked.
Aunt Simone stood and took my hand. Her grip was cold and firm as she guided me to a glowing lake. I didn't need anyone to tell me it was enchanted. The air shimmered around it, humming with power.
She murmured something under her breath, her eyes suddenly glowing a sky-blue hue. Then we stepped into the water.
And the world changed.
Suddenly, I was no longer in the lake — I stood in front of the costume shop Damian and I always visited. The familiar wooden door creaked open, and a woman stepped out.
She looked just like my mom.
It only took a moment to recognize her. "Aunt Diane!" I ran forward and threw my arms around her.
"Ashely Jenny?" she gasped, surprised, but hugged me tightly in return. "Child… is it true? Are you turning thirteen today?"
I nodded.
She glanced up — and sure enough, Aunt Simone had followed me in.
Diane's expression hardened. She whispered something, and with a flick of her fingers… Aunt Simone vanished.
Thank the stars.
Aunt Diane led me into the shop. I wanted to ask why she was here, but the moment didn't feel right. Instead, I sat in the chair she offered, nerves crawling all over my skin.
"Do you know why you're here?" she asked softly.
I nodded… even though I really wasn't sure.
Mom had always kept me out of outcast affairs, like she was trying to protect me from that part of herself. But why?
"Child…" Aunt Diane looked into my eyes. "I am not a leader."
My breath caught.
What?
If she wasn't a leader… what was she?
How was I going to survive in the Willow clan if I wasn't a leader either?
Before I could speak, Aunt Simone suddenly reappeared beside me — again.
I flinched.
"My dear, you need not be frightened," Aunt Diane said gently, taking my hands. She whispered again, and poof — Simone vanished once more.
"As I was saying," she continued, "I am neither a follower nor a guardian. But I am still considered a leader — because my power mimics theirs. The difference is… we are stronger."
Her words gave me a strange sense of relief, but also raised more questions. If Diane wasn't technically a leader, what was she? What did that make me? How powerful were we?
Before I could gather my thoughts, Aunt Simone returned again — like an unwelcome cold breeze.
"Ashely Jenny," she said slowly, "it's time for you to go. I'll see you on the other side."
Her voice faded, and everything around me blurred.
And then, just like that, I was back in the lake.
The ritual was over.
We emerged from the water, and Mom ran to me instantly, wrapping me in a tight hug. "Ash! How was it?"
I nodded, still dazed — my eyes scanning the area.
Where was Aunt Diane?
Her last words had been "I'll see you on the other side."
And then I heard her.
"Ashley Jenny!"
Both Mom and I turned at the voice. I ran toward her.
"Aunt Diane!" She kept her promise.
But… how did she get here so fast? The costume shop wasn't exactly nearby.
"Diana?" Mom said, clearly shocked.
"The elders finally decided to assign you a student," Aunt Simone said, appearing behind us again. "So you'll finally stay in one place for once."
Diane rolled her eyes. "Is she my student now?"
Aunt Simone nodded.
Mom looked skeptical. "So… Diane will be her mentor?"
"Yes."
"Then I assume you'll be moving back to the old house?" Simone added.
Diane narrowed her eyes. "Since when do guardians have influence over who an outcast meets during their transformation ritual?"
The jab left Aunt Simone speechless.
Mom sighed. "Diane, stop. You know she only asked that because she cares."
Diane turned away. "Jenny, let's go. We'll be late."
Finally, someone on my side.
She handed Mom a light jacket, who helped me into it. We formed a quiet line, walking out of the ritual arena. I watched as the three women — my mother, my guardian, and my savior — muttered something I couldn't hear.
"Jenny… Jenny!"
A voice broke through.
I blinked.
Someone was shaking me. My eyes fluttered open.
"Aunt Diane… I'm awake!" I gasped, sitting up straight. Wait—how did I get here?
Was it all a dream? Or… did I really go through the ritual?
"Get dressed and come down," Diane said simply, then walked away.
I sat up slowly, checking myself over. Everything seemed… normal. At least for now.
After dressing, I found Mom and Aunt Diane deep in an argument. I didn't eavesdrop — whatever they were fighting about, I didn't want to know.
I muttered a quick goodbye and rushed off to school.
"Betrayer!" Damian's voice came at me like a speeding train the moment I stepped onto school grounds.
I ignored his dramatics. "What did I do now?"
"You ditched school yesterday!"
I looked away. "It was nothing."
"Really?" He stared hard at me, like he was searching for something behind my eyes.
And then I saw it.
A flicker of pink. A flash of color.
A glint in his eyes that definitely hadn't been there before.
Pink.
Only followers had pink highlights in their eyes.
No. It couldn't be.
He's a prince. A prince.
That's not possible… right?
My stomach twisted.
Suddenly, his presence felt unfamiliar. Even dangerous.
"Let's get to class," he said, walking ahead of me like nothing happened.
But I couldn't move just yet.
Because something inside me had shifted.
And maybe… it wasn't just me.