Mystic Grove Academy

3: The Balstead Invitational

3 Weeks Later (Wednesday, October 10th):

Mara P.O.V.

It's been four weeks since I've started at Mystic Grove and things are going like my old school. This time, I have seven best friends helping me get through the day. I head to the office before lunch because Miss Stephens sent me a message requesting my presence. "Miss Stephens," I ease into her office which reminds me of her office at our old school. Her desk sits in the middle with bookshelves behind her.

"Miss Gregson," Miss Stephens waves me into her office, "have a seat."

I sit down in this plush velvet chair noticing two people wearing these fancy purple cloaks standing to my right. "What's going on?"

"We'll get to them in a second. They are my guests checking out the grounds for today. I want to see how things are going for you."

"I'm good. I think I'm fitting in okay. My friends in Elemental Storm look after me so it's not a problem."

"Great," Miss Stephens points me to the two people standing to my right. "Let me introduce you to my guests." The two take off their hoods. The white woman wearing the purple cloak shimmering all of these colors staring into my eyes has these beautiful hazel eyes I'm jealous of. The black guy next to her has these deep brown eyes that creep me out a bit and his cloak has this red all over it. "Let me introduce you to the Mystic Leaders: the lady is Supreme Leader Aurora and the man next to her is Fire Elemental Leader Lyon."

I wave to the two leaders. "What is this about and why send for me?"

"The truth is I sent for you, young lady," Supreme Leader Aurora gets my attention. "There is a reason I sent for you in particular but I'll explain that another time. I wanted someone who wouldn't raise suspicion." That doesn't sound fishy at all.

"About what?" at least I can sound like I'm interested when I have no idea what the hell is going on.

"Slow down Aurora," Mystic Fire Leader Lyon speaks up. "First, she has to know that no one outside the four of us learns of this conversation."

"Huh?"

Miss Stephens and Aurora walk to me each taking my hands. "Mara," Aurora speaks first, "before we go forward, you have to promise me that whatever is spoken in this room stays between the four of us. Not even your friends are to learn this conversation took place."

I shrug my shoulders not having any idea where this 'conversation' is going. "Alright, I promise to not say anything to my friends but tell me what's going on?"

"I'll be glad to," Aurora lets go of my hand seeing me further creeped out. "You're going to be the first to learn this but we Mystic Leaders are planning to retire soon."

This should be news to me but since I just entered this world, I don't know how to take this so I just go with it. "How soon?"

"As soon as we find our replacements but I can't tell you about that. Right now, I, along with the rest of us Leaders, are looking for our replacements." Now we're getting somewhere. "I want you to act as my eyes and ears for the academy but of course no one will know that."

This sounds fishy but I'm still new to this world. "Uh, okay but who do I look for?"

"Let's say we have some people in mind but it's too soon for us to make a move. Basically, keep doing what you're doing with your friends. Every so often, I'll have you do an odd job or two for me."

"We have our reasons for doing this, Mara, so bear with us," Lyon talks to me in this low drawl I find creepier than his stare. "We have a heavy interest in you and your friends but on that, I will go no further. There are some things we're keeping from even you."