Chapter Thirteen

Wes sat down in the dining hall Monday morning, setting his breakfast tray on the table and glancing around at the other four boys sitting there. David and Trent were deep in conversation, while Nick and Jeff both looked like they were about to fall asleep in their oatmeal bowls. "What's up with those two?" he asked David.

"Trent and I had to give them a task last night. I'm not entirely sure they were very happy with it," David said, reaching for the ketchup.

The Asian witch frowned. "What task?"

"We asked if they could track down something of Winston's for us. We've been working on a spell for Kurt."

"For Kurt?" Wes clarified, turning to Nick and Jeff. "Did you find anything?"

Nick stifled a yawn before answering. "Took us all freakin night, but we managed to find his class ring under a shelf in the main library."

Wes frowned. "Why would it have been under a shelf in the main library all these years?" he asked. "That sounds kind of suspicious."

David frowned. "The main library is in the west wing."

Wes wasn't sure where the other boy was going with that. "And?"

"Johnathan told Raymond that Devon received a note to meet Ethan in the west wing. The Unexpected visitor, isn't that what Blaine said?"

Wes frowned even more. "But if what happened, happened in the west wing, why did Winston die in his dorm room?"

David sat up straighter. "Maybe it started in the west wing, but Winston managed to get free and ran to his room?"

The Asian witch sighed. "You know what this means, don't you?" he said, sounding resolute.

"We need to bring Hunter back in?" Trent asked.

"Unfortunately," Wes said.

…

Kurt woke up slowly, momentarily disoriented, wondering why his pillow was so lumpy, not sure where he was. As the room came into focus, he became aware that the pillow was actually a pair of legs clad in pajama bottoms. He sat up fast, looking up at Blaine in embarrassment.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep in your lap."

Blaine looked down at him with an unreadable expression on his face. "Oh, you didn't?" he asked, trying for nonchalant, but only managing to sound disappointed instead.

Across the room, Thad rolled his eyes. "Beatz is on his way up with your breakfast. Kurt, there is a little change in plans. I know you were supposed to hitch a ride with Trent back to Lima after classes today, but I'm going to drive you after you eat instead. We need to be back by three to meet a VIP guest at the airport, as well as your aunt."

Kurt blinked, forgetting for a moment what Thad was even talking about. "I'm still not even sure why she just told me she would be on the next flight out and hung up. I'm so confused," he said.

Blaine was also a little confused, and curious. "Who is the VIP?"

Thad just shook his head. "I couldn't answer that, but Wes wants me to meet her at the airport in one of the official Circle vehicles, and offered to allow Kurt and his aunt to join us."

"I didn't know there were official Circle vehicles," Kurt said.

Blaine was looking just as confused. "They are usually reserved for the High Council and important visitors. They have protective spells surrounding them. A Nuclear bomb could fall on top of one and it wouldn't leave a scratch."

Kurt looked at him as if wondering if the other boy was being serious or not.

Blaine looked contemplative for a moment. "Hey, since they're that safe, does that mean I can go with you guys? I really need some air."

"You can take that up with Wes," the other boy said, shaking his head. "I'm not taking that responsibility."

"So that's a no then," Blaine muttered, tossing the magazine he was looking at down on the end table in frustration.

Kurt patted his knee in sympathy. "We'll figure this all out soon, and then you'll be free again."

Beatz arrived then with their food, and they ate in silence, and then Kurt grabbed his overnight bag and headed into the bathroom to shower and freshen up. When it was time to leave, Kurt placed the demon vessel on the couch next to Blaine to safeguard, and resisted the urge to kiss the curly haired boy goodbye, smiling at him instead. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

Blaine reached out a hand to take Kurt's in his for a moment. "I really hope so. I never knew what a fulfilling life was until you walked into mine," he said, and blushed.

Proprietary be damned, Kurt thought, and leaned in and placed a gentle kiss to Blaine's cheek, before quickly turning and walking away.

The curly haired witch cupped a hand to his cheek, eyes wide in surprise as he watched Kurt leave the room. Damn, that boy was going to be the death of him one day.

…

Santana was frowning at her phone when Mercedes spotted her outside the cafeteria. "What's up?" the latter asked.

Santana glanced at her briefly before looking back down at her phone. "I just got this cryptic message from my Abuela. It says, 'Royalty is coming. Be prepared.'"

Mercedes frowned as well. "Sounds rather Lion King-ish." Just then her phone chirped an incoming text, and she pulled it from the pocket on her backpack. "Weird. I just got a message from my mom saying that a VIP Circle member is coming, and that if we encounter them, to be on our best behavior."

"Why do adults have to be so cryptic?" Santana asked, shaking her head. "Can't really be on our best behavior if we don't know what kind of best behavior."

Mercedes gave her a funny look. "There are different kinds?"

The Latina witch rolled her eyes. "Different members of the hierarchy have different ideas of what is considered appropriate behavior around them. It would help to know who this VIP royalty witch is so we can act accordingly."

Mercedes just sighed. "I wonder if the Dalton boys know about this?"

"Let's give Kurt a call, see if he knows anything. We don't have any of the others' numbers," Santana replied.

Mercedes blushed. "I have Beatz's number."

The raven haired girl raised an eyebrow. "You sure all you were doing was getting work done?" she asked.

Before Mercedes could reply, a voice called out her name. "Mercedes!" Rachel's stringent voice blared. "Where the hell is Kurt, and what is this I hear about him transferring?"

Mercedes and Santana exchanged a look. Neither of them had said a single word about Kurt transferring, at least, not while they were at McKinley.

"First of all, Kurt is sick with the flu, Rachel," Mercedes said. "Secondly, where did you hear that?"

"I just came from Figgins' office, and there were two men there telling him they were there to help prepare the transfer paperwork for Kurt."

Again, Mercedes and Santana glanced at each other. "What were you doing in Figgins' office manhands?" Santana sneered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I was there to report JBI for putting a spy camera in my locker. Now, what is going on with Kurt? He better not be defecting with our Sectionals setlist!"

"What do you care if he defects? It's not like he has a solo we have to rely on," Santana quipped.

"The point is, Kurt is one of our strongest background vocals, and he makes me sound better! And if he gives away our setlist, we'll have a replay of last year, and I don't know if we can pull off another fly by the seat of our pants performance like that again!"

Santana opened her mouth to reply but Mercedes beat her to it. "Oh hell to the no! There is no way you honestly think Kurt would ever give away our setlist! I cannot believe you just said that, Rachel!"

"Why? Everyone knows he's jealous of me, ever since that Diva off last year! He's probably been plotting this for the last twelve months!"

Mercedes and Santana looked at her like she was crazy before they both busted up laughing.

"The idea that anyone would ever be jealous of you is beyond laughable, manhands!" Santana said. She looked at Mercedes. "Should we tell her?"

"I don't know, not sure she can handle it," Mercedes replied, glaring at the girl.

"What are you both babbling about? I'm right, aren't I? Kurt did steal the setlist and sold us out!"

Santana rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Sectionals and Glee club are the last things on Kurt's mind right now. But here's the newsflash, since you're so curious. You won that Diva off last year, because Kurt threw it. He wanted to lose."

"WHAT?" The screech was so loud, they probably heard her all the way down in Westerville. "You're lying! Take that back! I won that sing off!"

"It's true," Mercedes said. "Kurt blew the note because someone called the garage just to tell Burt his son was a fag. He didn't want his dad facing that kind of criticism any more than he already was."

"I don't believe you!" The spoiled diva said, stomping her foot and covering her ears. Mercedes was losing her patience with the girl, Santana could tell.

"Ix-nay on the exes-hay," the taller witch muttered so only Mercedes could hear her. Mercedes let out her breath and walked away. Santana narrowed her eyes at Rachel. "You better consider yourself lucky, because you just escaped a serious beat down, one you would never be able to defend against. The fact that you would go around saying all those things about Kurt when he is probably the most selfless person in the entire Glee club only shows that you don't deserve to be idolized, which is just as well because I would never idolize you. I'm surprised any of us even act like your friend, you selfish, spoiled little baby. Grow up, Rachel!" She stalked off, swishing her ponytail behind her.

…

Thad and Kurt pulled into the Hummel driveway just before lunch. Kurt had called his dad to let him know he was on his way, so Burt could come home from the garage for lunch. He was waiting for them in the kitchen. "Hey kid. Another new friend?"

"Dad, this is Thad. Trent was working on something important, so Thad drove me."

Burt looked a little concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine, dad. I presume Mr. Anderson and Mr. Thompson explained everything to you?"

The man grunted and nodded his head. "Seems like you got yourself in the middle of quite a Sherlock Holmes novel, kid."

"At least I have the wits for it," Kurt attempted to joke.

"Nice try, kiddo." Burt looked at Thad. "You staying for lunch?"

Thad shook his head no. "I'm going to visit a friend while you and Kurt have your talk, and Kurt gathers what he needs. I'll be back in two hours."

Burt nodded his head and then gave Kurt a curious look. "Jackie called me this morning," he said, eyeing his son in a slightly suspicious manner. "Turns out she's flying here out of the blue. Do you know anything about that?"

Kurt shrugged. "I need to learn more about mom's side of the family. They specialize in reading memories, and apparently I inherited both Line's magic, but I got a rare form of mom's magic. No one at Dalton knows enough about it."

"So you called Jackie? Kurt, we haven't really spoken to her since your mom's funeral," Burt said.

"I know, but she was the closest one to mom in her family. I mean, she had six sisters, and so many aunts, but it was always Jackie who was there when mom needed someone to talk to."

"I find it interesting that she was so quick to pick up and fly out here," Burt said.

Kurt had been surprised as well, but he only shrugged again. "She seemed eager to reconnect. I told her I needed to learn more, and she said she was on her way, and hung up." As he talked he began preparing two turkey sandwiches on multigrain bread. "So, are we going to spend the entire time talking about Jackie, or were there other things you wanted to talk to me about?" Kurt asked.

Burt took a seat at the table and looked at his son. "Are you sure this transfer is what you want, Kurt? You'll be leaving all your friends at McKinley behind. And I get that these boys are all part of this Dalton Circle, but you really don't know them that well. Coming when they beckon isn't a decision to be taken lightly."

"It's not like that, dad," Kurt argued, setting a plate before him before taking his own seat. "I know you aren't going to understand this, but I really feel like I belong there, despite the horrible uniforms they wear. Maybe if you come to the school and check it out, you'll know what I mean. These guys accept me for who I am, and I don't have to fear the jocks there." He lifted his sandwich, but paused before taking a bite. "Plus, I can't learn to control my powers at McKinley. I have to be at Dalton for that."

Burt grunted. "I suppose you're right about that last part. Now that you know about them, you can't exactly go around hiding them from everyone," he said. "I'm not sure I have time to come up and look at the school. I just want you to be absolutely sure this is what you want, kid. Because it would be quite a hassle to take it all back afterward."

"I know, and I promise, this is what I want. And it's not like I'll be on the other side of the country or anything. I'll be less than two hours away, so I can still see you and my friends here whenever I want." He had just taken a large bite of his sandwich when his phone rang. He chewed hastily and wiped his hands before answering it.

"Hey, Mercedes. What's up?"

"We've got a problem," the dark skinned witch said.

'What?" He asked, just as someone began banging on the door. "Hang on Cedes, someone is at the door."

Mercedes had been about to reply when he told her to hang on. Kurt lowered his phone as he made his way to the door.

He pulled the door open just as Rachel was about to pound on the door again, and he just avoided getting a fist in the face. "Geez, Rachel! You didn't have to attack me!"

The girl snorted and glared at him. "How dare you Kurt Hummel! I so graciously give you a chance to lift me up and then you run off and give our setlists and secrets to some other school!"

Mercedes' voice came from the phone. "That would be the problem I was just about to warn you about."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the heads up, boo. I'll talk to you later." He hung up and slipped the phone into his pocket. "Rachel Barbra Berry, once again you are spewing nonsense out of that hole in your head with no proof whatsoever but your own delusions of grandeur and misplaced belief that you are somehow more talented than anyone else in Glee club."

Rachel stomped her foot. "I have proof that you don't have the flu," she stated. "You are not allowed to transfer, Kurt Hummel! You're my best background vocalist!"

Before Kurt could answer, Burt Hummel had traipsed into the entryway to see what all the commotion was about. "Hey!" he yelled, giving the girl a stern look. "Whether or not Kurt transfers schools is not up to you, Rachel. And frankly, it's none of your business either. And I don't know what you're accusing him of, but Kurt is transferring because this other school will be safer for him. If you were truly his friend, you would care about his safety."

Kurt was tempted to pull his phone back out just to capture the fish-faced expression on Rachel's face as she fought with herself whether to respect her elders or continue to be the brat she was and tell Burt to butt out like she wanted to. In the end, he couldn't resist though.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Rachel," Burt said, a bit calmer. "You're making accusations without even knowing the full story."

Rachel looked from Burt to Kurt back to Burt, and settled on Kurt. "Did you really blow that note last year?" she asked, voice suddenly incredibly small.

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Who told you?"

She shook her head. "Doesn't matter. You let me win, why?"

He refused to answer for a moment, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly, but finally answered. "Winning didn't mean as much to me as I thought it did."

"How can you say that?" Rachel asked. "Winning is everything!"

"See, that's the difference between us, Rachel. To you everything is a competition. That's why you have no real friends, and why Finn is so confused. You're petty and selfish and think of no one but yourself and winning. You say you're going to be a huge star on Broadway one day. But with the attitude you have, it's going to be pretty lonely at the top. Good luck finding love in a shelf full of Tonys."

Rachel just gawked at him, unable to find a response for once in her life. She couldn't believe Kurt was saying anything like this. Kurt, whom Santana claimed was the most selfless person in the club. And now here he was telling her all this.

"If you don't mind, I'm kind of in the middle of something serious right now and we need you to leave."

When she continued standing there, searching for another argument, Burt pulled Kurt back a step and moved forward. "Go home, Rachel. Don't make me call your dads. I'm sure they at least tried to teach you more respect than what you've shown here today."

It seemed that for the first time ever, Rachel had nothing to say. She awkwardly turned around and walked out the door, an expression on her face that suggested she was merely operating on autopilot.

They watched as she walked down the street to her car, before closing the door and turning back to the kitchen. "Okay," Burt said, "after that little tantrum, I'm not going to ask again if you are sure you want to transfer. Her words were almost as vicious as the bullies' shoves."

"Really?" Kurt said. "I think they're more vicious. Because she's supposed to be my friend."

"Friends like that would put a knife in your back," Burt agreed. "Come on, let's finish eating. I have a feeling this may be the last meal we have together for a while."