Set In Stone | Fate: The Winx Saga

Chapter Nine

The grounds outside Alfea's boundaries were quiet, the nature resuming on its course as if it was never disturbed by the dangers lurking between its woods.

Amber knew it was hopeless to stand by the border and try to track the Burned One that had attacked Silva. But she had to try, she owed it to him. However, even standing for hours each day for the past week, trying to reach as far as she could with her magic, did nothing but drain and spite her.

She couldn't feel it. Professor Harvey said that it was rare for them to stay at one place so that monster could be miles away from the school, but Amber couldn't bring herself to give up just yet.

Tap, tap, tap.

"You know you don't have to check up on me every day, right?" She said with half a smile. Her eyes were still shining with an emerald blaze as she turned to look at the blond-haired specialist.

"Yeah, I'm not gonna apologize for looking out for you," Sky said, standing in front of her. "I want to find it, too, but you shouldn't be doing this for so long, Ambs. You look exhausted and frustrated."

Amber raised an eyebrow, "Great, at least now we are matching," She responded and gestured to his messy attire. Her tone was light and playful, yet she knew Silva's state took a toll on him, too. Sky rolled his eyes, amused but still slightly worried.

"I meant what I said, though. You really don't have to check up on me," Amber started, watching as Sky's mouth began to form a reply but she beat it to him before he could, "And I'm only saying that because my parents literally sent someone to do just that."

Sky's frown was immediate, "What?"

She motioned to a spot behind him, directing him to where a brown-haired specialist was standing, watching them attentively. He was there every time Amber went to the barrier, trying to stand out as less as he could, whether by pretending to read a book, work out, or do his homework. His efforts could have been nice if it weren't for his presence that pissed her off so much.

"That's Jaden. He's one of the castle guards, or basically a glorified babysitter if you like that name better," Amber informed the blonde, bitterness coating her words.

Sky remained silent for a few moments, he seemed almost angry even, before it was replaced with a look of concern as he spoke up, "Aren't you worried your suitemates will find out? That guy is kind of a dead giveaway,"

"The odds are unlikely. Most of the Eraklyons are fighters and soldiers, so I have to be more careful around the specialists, and luckily, you're the only one of them I want to be around." The earth's fairy eyes finally returned to their normal dimmed shade of green.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." He flatly stated, but then the bright smile on his face melted all the fake seriousness away.

"Tell that to your roommate. Although he's probably too busy kissing his own ass to listen,"

They both laughed together and continued bantering until Amber noticed how he slightly clenched his jaw for a moment. She knew that look, something was bothering him. "What is it?" Amber asked, confusion written all over her face. He looked at her apprehensively, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Sky, what is it?"

"The other night..." He started but trailed off. She knew that conversation was coming eventually.

"I'm fine now." And it was somewhat true. She had some headaches but that could also be from using her magic every free moment she had to track the Burned One. But whatever had happened that night was over.

"But you weren't then. Stella told me all about the bangle but maybe I should have tried harder to—"

He looked guilty, as if he was sure there was something he could have done to help, to somehow reach out to her. "Don't. There was nothing you could have done. I barely remember what happened in those moments. Stella was right to activate the charm."