A new day had began, as indeed had a new school term, and after that highly eventful spring break the students of Alfea were getting back into the normal routine. For Musa, that meant walking with Tegryn to classes (with Polli in tow - the poor thing, she didn't like being away from Tegryn, even if it was just for a day or two), just to make sure he didn't get lost - apart from his disappearance a few weeks ago after he was hoodwinked by Darcy into believing Musa had cheated on him, he had missed a few classes simply because he couldn't find the right room, a fact that annoyed Griselda more than a little bit.

As they walked down the corridor alongside the Starz, they were met by Ms Faragonda.

"Good grief!" she exclaimed with some surprise as she saw his black eye. "Mr Devanallt, what on Majix happened to your face?"

"My face?" he said, gingerly touching his still-swollen eye. "I, err, got into a bit of a fight."

Faragonda laughed. "Well at least it wasn't on school property! Fist-fights are most un-fairylike!"

"Ah, but how do you know it wasn't here?"

"Don't worry, I know all about your weekend excursion. It must've been good to finally see your family again after all this time. So tell me... who gave you that black eye?"

"A jealous ex-girlfriend."

"Ouch! Well let's just hope she hasn't followed you here!"

"She'll have to get through me first!" said Anyuna grumpily. "We almost lost Teggy because of her. I tell you, if she ever comes anywhere near him again, she'll be the one with the black eye!"

"Now now Yuni!" Tegryn said, patting his friend gently on the back. "There was no harm done, was there? The main thing is I'm still here with you guys, just as it should be, and that's how it's gonna stay... right Musie?"

"You'd better!" she said, planting a small kiss on his lips. "Polli, you look after Teggy, and make sure he behaves himself, okay? I'll see you at lunch, babe - laters guys!"

And so off Musa sped to her first lesson - advanced metamorphsimbiosis with Professor Wizgiz, one of the more enjoyable courses. The lesson itself was ordinary enough (well, ordinary by Wizgiz standards anyway) and the Winx girls sat quietly at their desk, listening hard to the Professor and busily scribbling down notes, but as the lesson wore on, Layla suddenly felt an odd sensation.

'Layla...'

She looked around, confused. "Who said that?" she said.

"Who said what?"

"Hmmm? Oh, I'm sorry Professor."

As he carried on, Flora leant over and whispered "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think so." she whispered back.

'Layla... don't say anything, just think.'

"Who are you? What do you want?"

'Heh heh heh... come on, is that really any way to think to your boyfriend?'

'Kaiser!' Layla smiled dreamily as she recognised the voice of her love.

'Good, you remembered my name. Now then, I want you to get out of class as quick as you can.'

'Why?'

'Never mind why, just do it.'

'But...'

'You said you would do anything for me.'

'Yes, but I can't just walk out of lessons.'

'You will if I tell you to...'

A strange sensation started to come over her, the same numb feeling she had felt in her dreams, growing more and more intense until she was once again totally in his power.

'Now then my dear, it's time to skip class. Don't worry, I'll give you a good excuse.'

Without warning, a stabbing sensation shot across her. She doubled up in pain, clutching her stomach and groaning in agony. Her friends rushed over to her to help.

"Layla! What's wrong?"

"I think you'd better get yourself off to Ofelia." Tecna said. "Do you need any help?"

"No, thank you." she grunted as she staggered out into the corridor. "I can go on my own."

As soon as she was out of sight, the pain suddenly disappeared.

'I do apologise for that... I hope it didn't hurt too much! Now then - are you ready for my next instruction?'

'Yes... I am ready.' she replied, almost trance-like.

'Good... make your way to Stella's room - and make sure no-one sees you.'

Obediently, Layla snuck her way into Stella's room, and quietly closed the door behind her.

'Very good baby. Now then, I want you to find the Ring of Solaria. And don't worry about doing it neatly neither.'

Layla did as she was told, totally powerless to resist his orders. One by one, she tore out the drawers from Stella's dressers, rummaging through their contents. She opened all her wardrobes and flung out every piece of clothing she could lay her hands on. She opened every jewellery box and emptied their contents onto the floor.

'There! That's it!'

Sure enough, Layla had found the Ring of Solaria, and she quickly picked it up.

'Excellent work. Now, put it in your pocket and bring it to me, quickly. Walk out into the forest - I'll guide you.'

Meanwhile, the lesson had just finished and the Winx girls were rushing over to the infirmary.

"Oh, I do hope she's okay," said Flora. "She's been acting rather odd lately."

"Odd?" said Bloom. "How do you mean?"

"Well, that night when we were camping in the forest, I noticed she was awake and she looked really shaken. She had she'd had a strange dream, but she couldn't remember what it was about."

"Hmmm, that is odd."

"And then there's those flowers she's been getting. She swears they smell really beautiful, but none of us can smell a thing. Do you think it has anything to do with this?"

"It could be."

Eventually, they reached the infirmary where they were greteed by Ofelia.

"Ah, hello girls."

"Hi! Is Layla alright? How is she?" asked Bloom.

Ofelia looked rather baffled at this. "I really don't know. Why?"

"Where is she?"

"Who, Layla? How would I know?"

"What? Isn't she here?"

"No, I haven't seen her at all."

"Really?"

"Really. What's wrong?"

"She fell ill during class, and she was going to come here to get it checked out."

"Oh dear. Well, maybe she went to her room for a rest instead. Have you tried there?"

"No, we haven't, we'll look there now. Thanks."

And so they rushed over to their rooms as quickly as they could, but as soon as they arrived they noticed something odd... the door to Stella's room was open. Warily, they walked in - and to say Stella didn't like what she saw would be a major understatement.

"Argh! My room! My accessories! My beautiful clothes! How could anyone do this to them! How could they!"

"Now now Stella, calm down. You're hyperventilating!"

Flora looked puzzled. "Oh my! Who could've done this?"

"It couldn't have been Layla, could it?"

"Surely not, she could never have done..."

"Look!" shouted Musa, pointing out of the window. "There she is!"

Sure enough, there was Layla, walking quickly out of Alfea's main gate and into the forest.

"There's something very strange going on here guys." Bloom said. "Come on, we'd better follow her!"