I stayed in my room the rest of the night; Opera came a few times to check on and bring me food. He informed me I had lost rank because of certain events, and I had to pretend to be devastated. If only they realized, I would never have given a shit for rank in the first place. It only mattered when I wanted to be so strong that I could protect Eli.

Now I knew that would never be the case. I was no less strong from ranked seven to six. I could be as strong as a nine or ten, but still be a six. That was what made the system so jacked up. I strolled out the back door of the house into the garden. The sound of nature all around me, the ones below the ground to the one soaring in the sky.

A bird landed on a branch. There was a theory I had in my mind, and I wanted to test it out. I encased the bird, it tried to move but could not. I shrunk the barrier down, the bird struggled. I used a crushing force, and the bird popped. Not hard, but I wanted to stop people not kill them. Stopping the flow for a short time would do that effortlessly.

How long was to long? I could steal breath and suffocate someone as well. That might be easier to come back from, use the needles after they pass out to keep them out. Another bird was soring overhead, I trapped it, bringing it to me. I from a secondary barrier over the lungs, I shrunk it as the bird took a breath out.

It flapped in panic and passed out. I released the bird, holding it in my palms. Was it dead? Did I kill this one too? The heart was beating, but faintly. Not dead, it slowly woke up, and I laid it on the ground. Now I know I can do that, two barriers. What if I just held them and stuck them with a needle, which would be the most peaceful?

I was used to full barriers, what if a small hole was made. The needle goes in, they pass out, I release. I would be incapacitating people left and right. This would require dedicated practice. I would not have to fight or even lift a finger. The demon world looked like a playground yet again. My phone buzzed in my pocket, Kalego.

'Do you remember anything?'

'No. I am rather bored being here alone. It feels like yesterday you were coming over to be my teacher, now it's quite.'

'What about Iruma?' I used this to my advantage.

'Out with his friends. I do not necessarily have that closeness with others yet.'

'If you're that bored, you can come over to my place. Balam is also here.'

Perfect, I might be able to dig for clues to what is going on. The dream I had was vividly in my mind. My heart was racing, the thought of being next to him. The thought of what could be. If Balam was there, it would make a good block. I took a breath, texting grandpa. He did not mind. I walked inside, gathering things I usually carried around.

'I was given permission, but I do not know where you live.'

'Come to the school. I'm a lot closer than you think.'

Changed into something more casual, I took off flying towards the school. I never put the two together, but could he live on school grounds? There was one tower no students were allowed in, could that be a living quarters for teachers? He stood out in the courtyard with Balam. I circled around, descending.

I landed and hobbled a few steps, red-faced grinning as I fixed my dress. "I'm relearning reflexes." Kalego showed no emotion.

Balam rubbed my head. "It was an adorable landing. Like watching a young one for the first time."

"Yeah, don't say that. I wish the muscles had not gotten weaker. I guess that is what I get for doing something not so smart. I just can't remember why I did it, seems unlike me." It was not a full lie. All my muscles were weaker, all that hard work I had put in was for nothing. My legs felt weak now and I was only walking.

I knew students who lived farther had a dorm here, but I did not know most of the teachers did as well. When you first walked in there was a slue of hammocks hanging from the ceiling. And then the dorms for students started. Teacher dorms were further back in the building.

"You live here all year round?"

"Yes, some others do as well." He climbed a set of stairs to the top.

I leaned on the wall as he opened the door. "Are we there yet? Was there no window I could have flowed into? You need a roof landing."

"With the way you fly, not a good idea."

Balam chuckled as he walked through. "She wasn't that bad."

"I agree." I chimed in.

I walked past him into his apartment. He had all the amenities, and it was spacious. Could call it a luxury loft, between the kitchen and the living room. It curved around the spiral. He had the whole top floor to himself. He had Cati around the room, some with lights, others in darker areas.

I named them off, making my way to the couch. I leaned back, reading over Balam's shoulder. "What's that book called."

"Demons demise. I must catch up to Kalego." I saw a second copy on the table, I picked it up.

A historical romance novel, boring. Was I interrupting the book club they were having? Kalego was in chapter five. They just started. I read the first chapter; it was not that bad. I skipped setting and moved into the conversations and feelings. Did not care for a three-paragraph description of a weapon. I got the gist on a skim through.

This book was spoon-feeding information like it was detrimental. If these are the kind of books they read, then this will not be a group I will hang out in. I caught up to where Kalego left off, skipping things that seemed unimportant in my mind. I caught up to Balam, just as he closed his book.

"Dali should be here any minute." I was the only girl in the boy book club. Was he pitying me to invite me? No sooner than he said that there was a knock on the door and Kalego answered.

Dali had his book in hand, coming to the couch to sit between Balam and I. He glanced over at me. "This is a surprise."

"I had nothing else to do."

"Kalego informed me you lost your memory."

I glanced at Kalego. "I did." I looked back at Dali. "I remember nothing before the first day I started as a student teacher aid. I have been trying to remember, but nothing has come."

"Don't force it, it will come in time."

"I was told a few things that happened. Something just doesn't add up to how I would handle a bad situation. I have asked for help before, why did I not when I was hurt?" I leaned a hand on a fist, looking out the window.

"Well, I am happy you are alive. Have you… learned anything new."

"This book spoon feeds information." I waved the book in hand.

He chuckled. "It was Kalego's pick this time around, and I have to agree."

"Who needs three paragraphs to describe a catapult?"

He smirked, and covered his mouth from Kalego, whispering. "I skipped that part."

I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh. "I skimmed."

"Already discussing the book?" Kalego set a tray of tea down.

Dali waved his hand at Kalego. "Oh, never without you." Dali leaned forward grabbing two and handed me one.

"Thank you." I flinched. Why were there tiny eyeballs in here? It was loaded like boba tea.

Kalego swapped my cup with his. "My apologies, I should have handed you yours first."

Dali looked in my cup. "What is that, diet tea? Your already so skinny."

"Food aversion. If it moves, or looks at me, I can't. The thought of it." I shivered.

"You are missing out. It tastes great."

No one noticed because the food options at school were vast for me. It was easy to eat around the aversions. "Yeah, for you." I was already feeling like I did not belong. I could use some reassuring head-pats from Balam.

"You know you are in my spot, mind switching me. Not a middle kind of person."

I stood, ushering him to scoot over. I gladly took my seat next to Balam. "Do the thing." I pointed to my head.

His arm came around me, rubbing my head. "Why do say it like that?"

"I don't know, but you understand. Right?" He nodded.

While they discussed the book, I drew, and I watched how the reacted to each other. They may look pleasant, but some words came out in swirls of red. It was a heated conversation on what was the best or worst part. They all agreed that it was a very descriptive book. I chuckled, keeping out of the conversation.

"What about you?" Balam stopped.

"It was alright, I have read better with less description. I don't need to know every curl and diamond with its position. If they wanted to be that descriptive, they should have put a picture in, like this." I showed them my drawings I had sat face down on the table. "I did not even need the full descriptions to draw this, I skimmed those parts."

I leaned on Balam, I was tired. I had not slept all night, from when I woke in the morning to the next day and now. I had been moving around, practicing skills, and thinking about Kalego in the most inappropriate ways. It was not easy to change my mind from what was about to happen in my dream. I shook my head, the images of him still there.

"I ought to go. A vote to continue the book?" They all voted against finishing the book.

"Then what shall we go for next?" Kalego asked.

I leaned up. "I'm halfway through guilty crown. Politics, world build, and dynamic relationships."

Dali smirked. "I heard about that one, I have yet to read it." Balam nodded in agreement.

Kalego stood. "Then Guilty Crown will what is picked next. Better be good."

"Watch out for chapter thirty-six." I smirked, my eyes closing on me.

Dali stood, waving bye as he left Kalego's apartment. I laid across the couch on Balam. He pet my head, and I was losing the battle to stay awake.

"Princess nap?"

"Yes. Are you leaving too?"

"I am." I figured as much.

"I suppose the party is over." I leaned up, then stood.

I was not ready to go home, but if Balam was leaving; I was not going to be alone with Kalego. I could not handle it; I might do something and make him hate me. He rejected Momonoki, he was not going to be one to date anyone. He was the one who had the heart of stone. I picked the cups up, taking them to the kitchen sink.

When I turned, I noticed an invitation on the fridge. It was the one for the crowns ball, it was a formal wear costume party. Set for twelve days from now. Kalego was invited, and the timing was correct. This would be my opportunity to raid Baal's castle, but only if he was going to the event.

"Remember something?"

"Hmm, no. What is this?"

"A Deviculum."

"Oh, I think grandpa said something about this. He didn't want to go but was going out of obligation." I shrugged. "I am not a party person. Who are the thirteen crowns?"

"They govern the Netherworld. If you stay, I can explain it all to you."

"That's not a good idea, um… I must go."

"I see." I need to change the subject.

"Are you with anyone? Married or relationship?"

"No, you have asked me this before. I do not like Momonoki in that way."

I looked down. "Oh, sorry."

"It's fine, I can walk you out."

"No need. I got it." I left out of there fast, being consistent was hard. I caught up to Balam, who was entering his door. Balam put his arm in front of me, I ran right into it.

"In a hurry?"

"Sort of."

"I wish to speak with you." My heart dropped.

"Are you going to do the thing?" I pointed to my head.

"I can, but we talk first. In you go." His space was not as big but was fashioned in the same style. "You lied to Dali, and you're lying to everyone about what you remember." If I do not mean it, his ability will not be tricked. He took his mask off, setting it on the counter. "I hope you do not mind."

"Not at all. I wanted a fresh start. Before it seemed, I had spiraled downhill. I know everyone else remembers but if I forgot then maybe they would eventually shrug it off. Sullivan had."

"When did you plan to tell the truth?"

"Either never, or when I proved myself right. If I forgot, then they might look past all of it and the hysteria I supposedly had. Fake it till you make it situation."

He sat on a couch facing away from me. "Fake it well, you are, Kalego is worried. Not just for you, but if you start to play into the wild fantasies."

I whipped my hands out. "See, this is exactly why."

"When you spoke of him to me, it was nothing but truth to you. It is also nothing but truth from others."

"If you forget then you can speak without it seeming like a lie. That is where your ability downfalls, also if someone means what they say."

He nodded. "He also informed me that Lilith had a child. Narnia visited you before you collapsed."

"He had? Can I play with your hair? It's so long now."

"Yes, and also yes." I combed my fingers through his white hair. It was just past his shoulders. "Whatever you are planning, you should involve us. Let us help you."

I started a braid on one side. "I went to see Thoth; he is a deity. He told me all kinds of things, but the most important one for me was that Eli was alive. He only knows Netherworld knowledge and what I told him of the human world. In all honesty, I thought my foot would heal if I rested it. My wing had, and any time I had a scratched it was gone in seconds." I summoned a hair tie, tying the braid off.

I worked on the next one. "Do you know where he is now?"

"I do, he is Baal's castle. Baal has some people of interest going in and out of his home. Six fingers is one. Cult of two is the other."

"How did you find this out?"

"I have sources. While everyone was busy calling me crazy, I had few who did not join. I learned of blood line gifts, as well as some names. Wett is the one highest on my list. He made everyone forget." I tied off the braid. "If you have a high emotion toward the thing, when he tries to erase it becomes harder to use the bloodline gift." I combed his hair back, added the braids and tied it all off. "That looks nice, I like it."

"I see. So, you're hiding your information for what reason?" He held his hand out and I took it. He guided me around.

"I am getting Eli back. If they think I have forgotten, they may try to approach me sooner rather than later. The thing." I pointed to my head.

He nodded. "Sit or lay."

I laid, head in his lap. He stroked my head. "Baal is a part of the thirteen crowns, which means he will more than likely go to this event. I doubt he will go alone, taking a few of his allies with him."

"Giving you an open opportunity to get in and out. Potentially undetected."

"Exactly." I summoned one picture of Baal with Eli in his lap. "I have more pictures, but this one pisses me off the most. If I did not know he was unharmed, I would have left already. As of now he is alive, unharmed, but ignored for the most part."

"Kalego can bring a plus one but does not know if he should bring you or not. He has been on the ledge."

"If I go, I lose the opportunity."

"No, you gain it. Think about it. They may try to approach you, making them come rather than bail."

"How would I even get the word out properly?"

"Lord Sullivan. I am sure he has spoken with his trusted colleagues about your situation. Just add going to the event. I can speak with Kalego if you need me too." Everything was slowly coming together, I had one setback.

"Um, if I could. I'd rather go with Grandpa."

He stopped, looking down. "Might I ask why?"

"Um, while I was in dream land. Kalego was there. It's hard to explain, but we were close. I don't feel that way now, but I have not been able to look at him the same why. It feels like he's reading my thoughts and knows my subconscious is well… perverted."

He laughed. "So, you and Kalego were having a little fun."

I covered my face. "Nothing technically happened. I mean, a kiss here and there. I just, I can't. It feels weird being around him. If you were not there, I might have turned down the offer to not be bored and alone. I can't until I get the images out of my mind, which was not him. That was what I wanted in a person."

He laughed again. "You like him."

"A friend. Nothing more. Besides, I know he doesn't date like that. I've asked before on behalf of Momonoki, he was quite clear."

"I was also invited; I can take you."

"Then why would you offer up Kalego and not yourself? Honestly, the whole world is out to get me."

"I saw the way you moved around him, how you leaned up to me. If you forgot, then we should not be so close."

"Lies, I leaned on you while drunk."

"You remember that?"

"I sure do, drunken princess asked you to call Opera. Then I passed out like Suzy."

He rubbed his chin. "If I take you, Kalego and Lord Sullivan may gain some jealousy."

I rolled my eyes. "Bite me, okay. If they do it is on them."

"Plan to go regardless, whether me or with Kalego. Just know we would be the better option over Lord Sullivan. We would allow you freedom to roam."

My eyes grew heavy again. The soothing feeling of him petting my head. No sleep since yesterday morning finally waned on me. He was on my side again; I was not sure if he had ever left it. He never disclaimed what I said, no matter how much I talked about it. He was there for me when I felt I had lost everyone.