Chapter 28: The Note

The Note

Lena’s POV

Darkness clung to me like a second skin.

For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. My body felt heavy, drained, like every ounce of strength had been ripped out of me and left scattered somewhere I couldn’t reach.

My head throbbed, dull but persistent, and when I tried to move, a sharp ache shot through my limbs.

A soft voice broke through the haze.

“Lena…?”

Zara.

My eyes fluttered open. The first thing I saw was the familiar high ceiling lined with old wooden beams and shelves stacked with ancient books.

This was Professor Hawthorne’s office. Memory hit me all at once. Zara’s magic… exploding.

I gasped softly and pushed myself up, ignoring the way my body protested.

Zara was right beside me, sitting at the edge of the couch, her face filled with worry.

The moment she saw me awake, relief washed over her features.

“Lena, you’re awake…”

“What the fuck was that?” I snapped, my voice hoarse but sharp.

Across the room, Professor Hawthorne stood calmly, flipping through a thick book like nothing unusual had happened.

His eyes lifted slowly to meet mine.

“Watch your tone, Lena,” he said evenly.

“I almost died!” I shot back, swinging my legs off the couch and forcing myself to stand. My knees trembled, but I stayed upright.

“Zara almost… something happened. What was that?”

Zara looked between us nervously.

Professor Hawthorne closed the book with a soft thud.

“The explanation is quite simple,” he said.

“Zara’s magic has returned… but she cannot control it yet.”

Silence followed. Zara’s fingers tightened in her lap.

“I… I couldn’t stop it,” she whispered.

I turned to her, my anger softening slightly. “It’s not your fault.”

“It is,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “If I lose control again…”

“You won’t,” I cut in firmly.

Professor Hawthorne stepped closer, his expression serious now.

“You both need to understand something,” he said. “Power without control is dangerous. Extremely dangerous.”

His gaze settled on me. “Especially you.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

“You are a Hybrid,” he said. “Your power is not just unstable, it is unpredictable. If you do not learn to control it, you could harm yourself… or others.”

A chill ran down my spine. Zara swallowed hard. “What about me?”

“You are a witch,” he replied. “Your magic can be trained. Controlled. It will take time, but you will get there.”

“And Lena?” Zara asked.

His silence was brief… but heavy.

“She requires more discipline,” he said finally.

I crossed my arms, ignoring the weakness still lingering in my body.

“So what are you saying?”

“I am saying,” he continued, “that both of you need to start training immediately.”

Zara nodded almost instantly. “Okay… we will.”

I exhaled slowly. My body ached. My head still felt light. And honestly… I was exhausted.

“No,” I said.

Both of them looked at me.

“We’re not starting anything today,” I added. “We’re tired. We just went through something insane. We need rest.”

Professor Hawthorne studied me for a moment. Then he gave a small shrug.

“Suit yourselves.”

The walk back to the dorm was quiet. Zara stayed close to me, like she was afraid I might collapse again. I didn’t say anything, but I noticed it.

We turned a corner and almost walked straight into someone. I stopped abruptly.

Adrian.

He stood there, a cup of coffee in his hand, his eyes immediately locking onto mine. For a split second, something flickered across his face.

Relief. Then it was gone. Replaced by his usual guarded expression.

“You’re… okay,” he said, his voice lower than usual.

I raised a brow. “Surprised?”

He scoffed lightly. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

But his grip on the coffee tightened slightly.

Zara glanced between us, already smirking. Adrian cleared his throat and held out the cup.

“I got this for you,” he said.

I blinked. “You… what?”

“Coffee,” he said dryly. “Obviously.”

I took it slowly, still a little surprised.

“What’s in it?” I asked.

He listed it off casually, but halfway through, I realized something. It wasn’t my usual. Not even close. Still… I nodded.

“Thanks.”

He gave a small nod in return, like it wasn’t a big deal. But something about the way he avoided my eyes told me otherwise.

We walked past him, continuing toward the dorm.

The moment we were out of earshot, Zara grabbed my arm.

“Oooooh,” she whispered dramatically. “I see it.”

“See what?” I muttered, sipping the coffee.

“This,” she said, gesturing wildly. “The tension. The care. The future.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please…”

“You’re smiling,” she cut in.

I froze. “…I am not.”

“You are,” she insisted, grinning. “Lena and Adrian, sitting on a tree…”

“Finish that sentence and I swear…”

She laughed, dodging away from me. Normally, I would’ve brushed it off completely. Denied everything. But this time… I didn’t.

Instead, a small, quiet laugh slipped out of me. And for once… I didn’t fight it. We got to the dorm building and stepped inside. The hallway was quiet. Too quiet.

We walked a few steps further and then stopped when we saw him.

Damian.

My eyes narrowed slightly.

“You again?” I said.

He pushed himself off the wall, a charming smile already in place.

“Lena.”

Zara folded her arms instantly. “What are you doing here?”

Damian shrugged. “Just passing through.”

“In the girls’ dorm?” Zara shot back.

I tilted my head slightly, studying him.

“I’ve seen you here before,” I said slowly. “A few weeks ago.”

His smile didn’t falter. “And you're not mistaken.”

Zara snorted. “Oh please…”

“It’s fine,” I cut in, glancing at her. “Let it go.”

She looked at me like I was crazy. But I shook my head slightly. Damian’s gaze flickered between us, amused.

“Well,” he said smoothly, “I’ll be on my way.”

He walked toward us. As he passed me, his shoulder brushed lightly against mine.

And in that same moment, something slipped into my hand.

I stiffened slightly, but didn’t react.

By the time I turned, he was already walking away.

Zara frowned. “Something about him is off.”

I didn’t respond. Because I was staring at my hand. At the tiny folded paper resting in my palm.

Later that night… After a long shower, I stepped out quietly. The room was dim.

Zara was already asleep, curled up on her bed.

I moved slowly, careful not to wake her, and sat on my own bed. My fingers tightened slightly around the paper.

I had almost forgotten about it.

I unfolded it carefully. My eyes scanned the words written in neat, deliberate handwriting. And my breath hitched.

“Look outside the window.”