I fall to the ground, my body feeling heavy and drained. Janie rushes to my side, her arms encircling me as she helps me sit up.
‘Janie?’ I ask, my voice weak.
‘I'm here. It's okay. I'll stay with you,’ Janie says, her hand caressing my hair as I feel the burns along my skin begin to heal.
Janie nods at Tori and Sandra, which frees Tori from the magic restraints and causes the bugs all over Sandra to disappear. The girls rush over to Martha, huddling together in a protective embrace. Martha's eyes are wide with fear, and she's shaking uncontrollably. Tori gently rubs her back, whispering soothing words to calm her down.
Xander focuses his attention back on me. I'm struggling to keep my eyes open, and my body feels heavy and sluggish. 'We'll need to get her back home to rest,' he says to Janie. 'The wolfsbane will take the rest of the day and night to leave her system.'
Janie's face is a mix of confusion and disbelief. 'I don't understand, Xander. How did you know I was a witch? What are you?'
Xander smiles at her, his hands moving together in a graceful motion. His fingertips almost touch, and as they do, zaps of light emit from one finger and travel like lightning to the opposite fingers. 'My name is Xander,' he says. 'And I'm a Warlock that has come here through the portal from Felderia, the world where supernaturals live.'
‘Why are you here?’ Janie asks him.
‘I came to find you, my soulmate,’ he smiles.
‘I know we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, but the term soulmate is a bit farfetched to use so soon. Don’t you think?’ she says to him.
Xander laughs, ‘No, you don’t understand. We are made for each other, just like werewolves have destined fated mates. Warlocks and witches are also fated to be together,’ he smirks.
‘Wait, we’re bound to be together? Forever?’ Janie asks him, shock apparent on her face.
Xander's smile widens, and he takes a step closer to Janie, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and affection. He takes Janie's hand and pulls her closer, his gaze intense as he looks into her eyes. 'We are meant to be together, Janie. It's not just a fleeting romance. Our connection runs deeper than anything you've ever experienced before. I will do everything in my power to protect you and help you discover the full extent of your powers. You're the missing half of my soul, Janie. I've been searching for you for a long time,' he tells her.
‘How did you know I was here?’ she asks him.
Xander shrugs. ‘A little blue bird or two may have told me. Bluebirds are known for their connection to magic and the supernatural world. They're often used as messengers between different realms.’
‘Wait, the bluebirds that keep coming to my balcony each day?’ she asks.
‘Possibly,’ he says.
‘So, Grammy really meant it when she said to stay clear of bluebirds. I wondered what she meant by that. No wonder Mister Kal kept chasing them away, she says, then looks up at Xander. ‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you knew I was a witch and that you were a warlock?’ Janie asks him.
‘I wanted to tell you straight away, but after a little observation and from what the little blue birds told me, you were new to all this. I had a feeling Rose wasn’t human either, but I never would have guessed she was a werewolf. Werewolves prefer to live and stay together in packs. The only lone werewolf ever known in Felderia is the infamous cursed alpha rogue himself. How was Rose able to leave Felderia in the first place? It’s forbidden for any supernatural other than witches and warlocks to be allowed through the portal,’ he says.
‘Rose was born here in this world. She’s never been to Felderia, nor have I, but we should get Rose home to rest and figure out what to do about them?’ Janie points at Martha, Tori and Sandra, who all flinch and cower as Janie points at them.
Xander steps towards them, but then Mister Kal disappears in a puff of mist as the restroom doors burst open. Janie swiftly puts my beanie back on and pushes my tail under my top. Mrs Higglepots and the headmistress storm in, their eyes widening in shock at the sight of the vandalised restroom.
Noticing that I'm slumped over, Mrs Higglepots rushes to help Janie stand me up. 'What happened here?' she asks, her voice laced with concern.
Martha breaks the silence, pointing a trembling hand at Rose. 'Wolf! Wolf! Rose is a wolf!' she cries out.
Mrs Higglepots glares at Martha. 'Oh, for goodness sake, Martha. Rose is not a wolf. What is wrong with you? You obviously have taken that book recommendation too far,' she says, shaking her head in disbelief.
The headmistress glares at Xander, demanding, 'What are you doing here in the ladies' room?'
'I heard screams coming from here and rushed in to investigate,' Xander responds calmly. 'I found Martha, Tori, and Sandra attacking Imogen, trying to cover her in glue, water, and flour. Rose and Janie were trying to help Imogen escape.'
‘It’s true,’ Imogen says.
‘I see,’ The headmistress replies and directs a stern gaze at Martha. 'Get yourselves cleaned up and report to my office immediately. Your parents will be contacted to provide you with scrubbing brushes to clean this restroom and to pay for the broken tiles.'
Martha insists, 'But it's true, Miss. Rose is a wolf, and Janie is a witch. Rose's fingers turned into claws, and her teeth grew sharp. Janie used spells to restrain us, and a black cat exploded into thin air!'
The headmistress and Mrs Higglepots exchange a glance of disbelief. 'Tell me, Martha,' the headmistress retorts sarcastically, 'where are the remnants of this exploding cat? I don't see flesh or fur anywhere, do you, Mrs Higglepots?'
Sandra chimes in, 'It didn't explode in that way, Miss. The cat exploded into thousands of fleas, and they were biting me. See!' holding up her arms covered in flour and glue.
Xander interjects, 'The fumes from the glue must have gotten to their heads.'
‘Clearly,’ the headmistress replies and makes eye contact with Mrs Higglepots, ‘Help Janie, escort Rose to the nurse’s office,’ she orders.
Rose puts an arm over my shoulder, and Mrs Higglepots puts my other arm over hers. We leave the restroom with Xander and Imogen following close behind.