23. Calculations

Calculations

And a Rubik's cube?

I sit sideways on the bed, legs tucked beneath me, my back pressed up against the wall as I try to focus on filling in more of my grimoire. The boys, sprawled across my room as if they own the place, are deep in conversation about one of their shared classes—something I'm not part of, because, you know, witches are human. But shifters and vampires? Apparently, they've got their own little club.

Their discussion is weird, though. I mean, I've overheard them talking about assignments before, but this one sounds downright bizarre. Derek's complaining about something involving "animal instincts under pressure," while Sebastian seems less concerned and more amused by the whole thing.

"Honestly, it's just dumb. They expect us to handle transformations while solving puzzles?" Derek grumbles, stretching his arms over his head. "Like, who cares if I can shift into a wolf and also complete a Rubik's cube under stress?"

Sebastian chuckles, leaning back in my desk chair. "It's about control, wolf boy. You know that. They want to see if you can suppress the urge to bite someone when you're in wolf form and simultaneously figure out what three plus three is."

"That's the worst part," Derek mutters. "Everyone knows what three plus three is."

I smirk to myself, their banter filtering into my mind as I scribble another line into the grimoire. Their assignment does sound a little ridiculous, but then again, being part of a class that's specifically for non-humans must come with its quirks.

It also gives me an idea.

My mind starts racing as I think of a fun spell—a hex that could turn non-human beings into humans, just for a short burst of time. Imagine! It'd be great for keeping werewolves from getting all bite-happy on a full moon, or for temporarily taking away someone's powers when they're getting a little too big for their supernatural britches.

Not to mention, it could be a lifesaver for someone like Skylar. If mermaids can cast minor hexes, which I'm pretty sure they can, she'd probably get a kick out of this one. Being able to neutralize someone's supernatural advantage for a moment? Yeah, I'm thinking that might come in handy.

I quickly jot down the rough outline of the spell in the margins of my notebook.

Temporary Human Hex:

Ingredients: Moonstone, ground rosemary, a drop of human blood (because what's a little blood magic without a creepy ingredient?), and something personal from the target (preferably something they wear frequently—because turning people human for a few minutes is easier when you've got a strong connection).

Incantation: "Human hearts, human form, for this moment, be reborn. Mortal flesh, mortal guise, till the truth is realized."

Effect: The target is turned into a full human for 10-15 minutes. No powers, no heightened senses, no supernatural strength. Just plain, ordinary, break-a-bone-if-you-fall humans.

A wicked grin spreads across my face as I imagine casting this on Derek mid-transformation. Oh, the look on his face.

I lean my head back against the wall, tapping my pen against the notebook as I watch the boys still bantering back and forth. "Hey," I interrupt, my grin only growing. "Would either of you want to know what it's like to be... well, you know, a regular ol' human? Just for a little while?"

Sebastian raises an eyebrow, intrigued, while Derek just snorts. "Why? Planning on stripping me of my wolfy powers?"

"Maybe," I say, smirking. "Or maybe I just think it'd be fun to watch you two fumble around as regular mortals."

Sebastian chuckles, his dark eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Sounds like you've got something wicked brewing in that grimoire of yours."

"Oh, I do," I say, holding up my notebook. "You boys are just lucky I'm not testing it on you. Yet."

Derek rolls his eyes but grins. "Better make sure it doesn't backfire and turn you into a something too, Z. That'd be a real buzzkill."

"Please," I wave a hand dismissively. "I'm the one writing the spells here. I know what I'm doing... most of the time."

Their laughter fills the room, but my mind's already drifting back to the spell. I've got some work to do to perfect it, but I've got a feeling this one's going to come in handy sooner rather than later.

As we continue chatting, the conversation spirals into more banter, as usual. "So," I say, trying to keep a straight face, "What do you guys think is the most human thing you could screw up if I cast my little ‘turn you into a regular mortal' hex on you?"

Derek grins, leaning back on the bed. "Probably opening a pickle jar. No super strength? I'd be useless."

"Please," Sebastian scoffs. "I'd be useless with emotions. Humans get all weird about feelings—who's got time for that?"

I can't help but laugh. "Yeah, because you're not already weird about feelings, Seb."

Sebastian grins at me, dark eyes glinting with mischief. "I only let you see my weird side, witch."

Derek rolls his eyes. "Can we not? It's too early in the afternoon for the brooding vampire routine."

"I'll brood when I want, wolf boy," Sebastian shoots back, the smirk never leaving his face.

"Uh-huh," Derek grumbles, clearly not impressed. "You brood any more, and you'll give yourself wrinkles."

Before I can join in, I hear a faint buzz. My bag, still on the floor from when I came in, vibrates again. I frown as I realize it's Kyla's copied phone—the one I've been snooping on.

Derek, always the gentleman, leans down and grabs my bag, tossing it to me. "Your fan club is buzzing again."

I roll my eyes but grab the phone, unlocking it to see a fresh message on the screen. The first one's from Kyla—demanding to know if Sam has finalized their group's assessment topic yet. The response from Sam makes me pause.

I'm working on it. Stop stressing!

I scroll up, and the conversation is longer than I expected. It looks like Sam, Kyla, and Bethany have been working together on the final assessment… for two weeks .

My stomach tightens as I read the messages, feeling the familiar sting of betrayal creeping in. Two weeks? How long have they been plotting? I should have known something was off, but still… Sam? And Kyla ?

"What is it?" Derek asks, noticing my frown.

I hand them the phone, sighing. "They've been working together. Sam's been with Kyla and Bethany for weeks. Planning their final assessment." The room grows tense as both boys lean in to read the screen. Derek's jaw tightens, his normally easy-going demeanor shifting into something more… agitated. Sebastian, on the other hand, looks completely unfazed, but I can see the glint of irritation in his eyes. "I get it. You two clearly have something to say, so say it." I gesture for them to speak, tired of the tension.

Derek is the first to speak, his voice low but laced with anger. "I knew she was messed up, but this is a whole new level of—" He cuts himself off, clearly biting back something nastier.

Sebastian, though, doesn't hold back. "Kyla's a manipulative, power-hungry bitch. And your ‘best friend' Sam? She's not far behind. The two of them are perfect for each other. One's a snake, the other's a rat. Can't tell who's worse."

I blink, surprised by the venom in their voices. "Wow, tell me how you really feel," I mutter, though I can't help but agree.

"They've been using you, Z," Derek continues, frustration clear in his voice. "This isn't just some high school drama—Kyla's dangerous, and Sam's... well, she's willing to screw you over just to climb the social ladder."

Sebastian nods. "Sam's too spineless to come at you directly, so she's working through Kyla. It's pathetic, really." The words sting, but they also make sense. I've known something was off for a while, but hearing it spelled out like this makes it all too real. I clutch the phone tightly, feeling the weight of the betrayal settling in.

"Well, if I didn't hate them before, I sure do now," I say, trying to inject some humor into the situation, but it falls flat. "I can't believe I didn't see this coming."

Sebastian leans back, his expression softening just a little. "You're not the one who should feel bad. They're the ones who should be worried. You've got two powerful guys on your side now." He winks, but there's a seriousness behind his words.

Derek crosses his arms, looking equally as serious. "And we're not gonna let them get away with it." I nod, feeling a sense of resolve. It's one thing to be caught off guard, but now I know. Now I can act.

"Thanks, guys," I say, looking between the two of them. "But we're not just gonna fight back—we're gonna play smarter. I'm done being the pawn in their little game." And just like that, we're all on the same page, ready to turn the tables on Kyla, Sam, and anyone else who thinks they can mess with me.

Sebastian leans back on my bed, arms crossed over his chest, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. "You know, this could be our group assessment. Kyla's expecting me to be on her team, thinking I'm still under her command, but I'm not planning on doing half her assignment for her."

Derek nods, leaning against the wall. "Makes sense. I was gonna partner with Sam and you, Z, but since Sam's clearly out of the picture, Seb could just take her place."

I raise an eyebrow. "And what, exactly, would our topic be? Sabotage 101?"

Derek mutters, "Revenge."

My brow furrows, unsure if he's joking or serious. Before I can ask, Seb actually agrees. "Why not? Can you imagine their faces when we do our presentation and realize everything crumbling around them was caused by us?"

I glance between the two of them. Their smirks are a little too gleeful for my comfort. "Look, I want their worlds to fall apart as much as the next witch, but I'm not exactly keen on making a public spectacle of it. That's not how I operate."

Seb sighs, dramatic as ever. "Fine, we'll think of something else. But it would've been glorious."

Just then, Kyla's phone buzzes again. Derek hands it to me without even thinking twice, and I unlock it to see the latest message in the chat between Kyla and Sam. This one hits me right in the gut.

Can't believe that idiot Zaria actually thought she could keep those spells to herself. Already sold 10 of them—cha-ching! And the school's giving me an advance for the grimoire. Taking you both to that fancy new place tomorrow to celebrate.

My grip tightens on the phone, my nails digging into the case. My mind races as I read the message again. They're literally profiting off my work. My stolen work. Every nerve in my body screams for me to run straight to a teacher, show them this proof, and end it.

But another thought creeps in—Seb and Derek's earlier idea. Revenge. Sweet, calculated revenge. This wouldn't just be about justice. This would be about taking control.

"Okay," I say slowly, my voice surprisingly steady given the rage bubbling just beneath the surface. "You know what? Let's do it." Derek and Sebastian both raise their eyebrows, surprised by my sudden change in attitude. I look at them, feeling the fire in my chest growing. "Let's make it our assignment. If you two are in, I'm in."

Sebastian grins wickedly. "Oh, I'm very in." Derek smirks, his eyes glinting with mischief.

As I sit back, the weight of everything suddenly feels lighter. Sure, it's going to take time, patience, and probably more magical scheming than I've ever done in my life—but it's going to be worth it. Kyla, Sam, and Bethany have no idea what's coming.

And they won't see it until it's too late.