(Amaia)

Alnilam turns to face me, still holding the map in both his hands.

"You are not familiar with the tale of Celestia?" He asks, slightly amused. The sides of his eyes wrinkle just a notch. That’s the closest this man has ever come to smiling. Today has to be my lucky day, this is the second time today that he almost smiled.

Quickly, I shake my head, pressing my lower lip with my teeth.

"She was a witch and an astrologer, obsessed with finding her true mate through the guidance of stars. She believes the stars will lead her to him." He pauses, pushing his hair back from his shoulders so they won’t reach for me again.

"So she created enchanted maps, each with different constellations. Hoping one of them will lead her to him," he explains and shows me the map.

Ah! What are the odds?

"This one consists of Orion. See." He points at the Orion’s belt which indicates the three main stars after whom the three of them are named.

But I already know that. He is a collector, and I thought this antique-style Orion’s map would be a cool addition to his collection, not knowing it had another meaning.

"So how does it work?" I ask, confused.

"In theory, the owner is supposed to find his or her mate with its help. The constellation will point towards the mate or the location he or she is in. If someone already has a mate and they are away or supposedly get kidnapped or something, the map will reveal the location," he explains, fascinated.

There is a special gleam in his violet eyes. Is it because he still wants his mate? Can’t the map show him? I am standing right in front of him.

The heart desperately aches.

Stupid map.

"I am sure it’s just an urban legend people made up. I brought it because it had that nostalgic look about it." I shrug my shoulders.

"The map worked for her and from what I have heard, all her maps work. There is a signature she left in all her maps which differentiates them from fakes, but only a witch or warlock can see it. I am sure that’s the reason the seller had no clue or it would have cost more than a thousand gold coins."

My jaw drops and I hit the floor. "What?"

He hides his amusement from me and answers. "Yes!"

"But there are conditions which need to be met before the map will work for you. It doesn’t work for everyone and only Celestia knew what conditions she had put in while enchanting them."

Of course, a fucking witch would never make it easier.

"What will you do if it works for you?" The words tumble out of my mouth before I can even stop processing them.

The hint of a smile on his face disappears followed by a dreariness that masks his features. His gaze wavers back to the map, staring with creased brows and gravity.

"I don’t know," he stiffly says and quickly rolls up the parchment. Turning around he places it in his mammoth bookshelf.

"Head over to your next session. You are getting late," he says without turning around.

A resigned sigh leaves me as I give him one last desperate look and exit his office, ready to head over to the training area.

Alnitak’s large arm comes around my shoulder and he pulls me into himself for a hug, bathing me in his scent and affection.

"I came to fetch you. Saiph is taking the next session in Classroom 4."

"Ohh, I thought we would train outside." We fall into steps. I need to put away this book first. So I drag him towards the library.

"Nah! He is going to mentally test us. Be prepared, his power is similar to the Chittering," Alnitak warns me in a low voice and it makes so much sense.

After I hide away the book Alnilam has given me in my locker we head over for our next session.

We enter Classroom 4. It’s colossal in size and bleak in look. Walls are painted grey, the dullest colour in existence and windows are tinted so less natural light crosses in. It’s dark inside and it gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Saiph is standing in the centre of this huge space while everyone else stands at the right-hand corner. He throws a casual glance our way and ushers us to the side. We join our badge mates and I find myself sandwiched between Mintaka and Alnitak, not that I mind.

"Let’s get started," Saiph says in a controlled emotionless voice.

"Just like Professor Alnilam explained, not only do you need to be exceptionally skilled to face a Chittering." He points towards his temple. "This has to be strong."

"He is going to fry everyone’s brains," Mintaka mutters under his breath.

Alnitak snickers as if understanding his underlying joke. "Undoubtedly. Can’t wait to see Ramian crying like a little bitch he is."

Guys and their rivalries.

"Strange that bloodsucker is not here. That would have been a good match," Mintaka quips and my body goes rigid.

"For real," Alnitak laughs and somehow it hurts. I know Alnitak has started a rivalry with Rigel, knowing he is most likely my mate and is going to hate his guts. He believes my pain is because of him, when in reality it’s because of his brother.

"So this is how we are going to proceed. I will summon each one of you here and put you under a nightmare, very similar to one a Chittering can cause." Murmurs begin at his words.

"Your test will be to fight through your worst nightmare and break free from the situation you are stuck in." He paces slowly in front of us, his uniform hugs his toned body. "Focus on that light inside of you. That will to survive and protect the ones you love, use that and fight your way through it," he explains, keeping eye contact with all of us.

Silence follows his words, a pin drop silence.

Stuck in your worst nightmare, fighting and wading our way out.

That’s going to be a challenge.

Saiph points towards the members of Guild Pegasus.

"Mr Kalit, why don’t you join me here, and we can begin?"

Alnitak snickers behind me as Ramian takes a careful step forward, fear radiating on his face.