Chapter 1​

What if Avalon grew up as a Bystander, and Flick as a Heretic?Gaia Sinclaire gasped as her golden kill aura flooded the street. Of course, it wasn’t the relief of pleasure that made her gasp—she had so many years of experience that she never noticed it unless her opponent was truly powerful. And powerful though he may be, the pleasure that came from killing Fahsteth was nothing compared to some of Gaia’s past experiences.No, her gasp was that of relief. Relief that she had stopped the mercenary before he reached his destination. The house right in front of her, belonging to Reginald Owens.Fahsteth had been rampaging through the neighborhood, and Gaia had happened to be on the scene. She was there because . . . because she had planned to recruit Hannah Owens to Crossroads.Was it just a coincidence that Fahsteth had chosen this particular neighborhood to attack on this particular night? Stranger things had happened, but in this case, Gaia had her reasons for suspicion. Fahsteth had almost gotten ahead of her in their chase. If he had, she would have had to take a moment to track him again, and by that point he would have made it inside the Owens house.But fortunately, she had kept up, and used a spell to stop him in the front yard. It was because of that that she noticed Fahsteth had changed his path tofor the house. He could have hid himself in the open house next door, which would have been closer and easier to get into (not that it was difficult for a Stranger of his capabilities to break into any home). But instead he kept running, choosing the Owens house as a refuge.If Fahsteth had made it into the house, both occupants would have died for sure. On the same night Gaia wanted to bring Hannah into her school, where she would be safe. No, that couldn't have been a coincidence. Hannah was important to someone, and whoever that person (or not person) was, they were close enough to Crossroads that they knew when Gaia would recruit the girl.Gaia had wanted to bring Hannah into Crossroads early, so that she could spend even a few years as a normal child. She shouldn’t have had to spend another minute under the cruel treatment of her father. But if bringing her into Crossroads meant potentially bringing the girl into danger . . . Gaia couldn’t lead Hannah to her death.If someone was after Hannah, they would surely try again. If Hannah was under Gaia’s protection, they would be careful. But if she had people watch the house from a distance instead . . . maybe they could catch the culprit before Hannah got hurt.When Hannah turned 17, Gaia would be able to recruit her in full. Even if someone was still after Hannah, the girl would at least be able to defend herself. It was the best Gaia could do. She wouldn’t let Hannah live with her abusive father into her adult life.Gaia thought.She just hoped Hannah would forgive her when the time came.The thought wasn’t the most reassuring. A four day wait until school meant four more days with my father.My stomach continued to protest, causing me to sigh. I could have gone downstairs to grab a snack, but Dad was down there. And, of course, he was drinking. Maybe I’d return to my room with something to eat, but I would probably also have a mark or two to accompany it. Not worth it.I got out of bed and began to pace in my room. It didn’t do much to help my stomach, but it felt better than lying in bed all day.School wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. I had joined the school band from the first day of Freshman year. It wasn’t really my thing, but it wasn’t terrible, and it lasted long enough that I usually got home late. Many times, late enough that Dad was already passed out. I could make myself something simple to eat, do my homework, and go to bed. I wouldn’t even have to talk to Dad.Of course, there were the days when I got unlucky, and my return home sparked anger in Dad. The following days at school were never easy. I was never bullied, though whether that was from pity or my appearance (I took the effort to look beautiful, exercising and preparing myself in the morning. Ever since I had begun to do so, it made me feel just a bit more sane), I wasn’t sure. Still, any friends I made stayed school-friends. Anything more, and they would have to meet my father.The sound of a glass bottle shattering against the wall downstairs made me jump, and my face fell knowing what was coming.I winced, glancing toward my window. As tempted as I was to make a run for it, it would be difficult to do so from the second floor. It was better for me to hurry and get it over with. Whatever set off Dad this time, it would only be worse if I made him wait. I couldn’t rush, since that would also piss him off. No, I had to make it to him at just the right speed to satisfy him.The moment I set foot downstairs, my father whirled on me with a glare. “What the fuck is” he demanded, pointing at his newly purchased rug. It now had a deep brown stain on it, likely from his drunken stupor last night.“I-I don’t—I don’t know.” Even after all this years, my voice still quivered when my father confronted me.“You” His fist lashed out, hitting my face with enough force to make me yelp and stumble. I barely caught myself of the stairway railing.“You stained my carpet and now you’re trying to hide it, you little shit! First you kill your mommy, then you drain my money, and now you’re hiding things from me? Don’t—” he punctuated the word with another hit, this time with enough force to make me fall to the ground. “—lie to me, you worthless fucking wretch!”“I s-swear I don’t know!” I reflectively put my hand to my face where he had hit me. “I never spilled anything over the carpet!”He stomped his foot on my stomach, and I held back a scream that would have only made him push down harder. “I said stop fucking lying! You’re a murderer and a thief, and now you do this?” He lifted the foot from my stomach, only to kick me with enough force to knock the wind out of me. Only years of experience kept any tears from flowing out of my eyes.Luckily, Dad finally had enough. He must not have been feeling very creative. “You killed your mommy, and you’re going to destroy me you money-drain,” he snarled before walking away.Slowly, I began to pick myself up. My stomach and side protested at the movement, but I forced myself to push on, putting on my shoes and stepping out the door. I wasn’t going to stay in that house while Dad was in one of his moods. If I did, things could turn out much worse.Outside, the sun shone brightly and the temperature was warm enough to feel comfortable, but not hot. The nice weather did little to raise my spirits.I knew we weren’t doing well with money. Dad’s drinking habits were too expensive for him to afford, yet he didn’t stop. He, of course, blamed me for his money issues. He thought my expenses were costing him too much. Between that, and him blaming me for my mother’s death, even the smallest things were now my fault. As a kid, Dad would have at least had enough good days for me to manage. Now, I didn’t even have that solace.It was even less of a comfort than it had been earlier. What was the point of avoiding Dad if he was only going to get worse, to the point of seeking me out? My best option would be to talk to one of my teachers. Maybe they would be able to do something about it, maybe even get me away from my Dad.No, all that would happen would be Dad finding out, and all that would do is make his beatings harder.I began to trudge down the street. I would head to the park for the rest of the afternoon, maybe find a place to eat in town for dinner. I had a few dollars on me, enough for a small meal. If I was quiet coming home, I could sneak upstairs without Dad noticing . . .My thoughts trailed off as the police car pulled onto my street. No police officer lived in our development, so why would—The cars pulled into my driveway.I stood at the end of the street, frozen, my eyes wide. I wasn’t sure whether to rush home or run away. In the end, all I could do is stand and watch. I was too far to hear anything, but I saw two officers climb out of the car and ring the doorbell. Dad opened it, and immediately the police officers engaged him in an animated discussion. Whatever they were saying, he wasn’t happy about it. That was clear when he shouted loud enough for me to hear him.I didn’t hear their response, but it was enough to make Dad lash out at one of them. My eyes widened even further as I watched the struggle in a daze. When it was over, my Dad had his hands cuffed behind his back, screaming protests and curses as he was led to the vehicle.As he was pushed in, a voice spoke behind me. “I hope that will suffice?”I leaped into the air and spun around, my heart flying out of my chest. The woman who had spoken was . . . well, she was beautiful. Tall, regal, with red hair cut short, she was stunning in a way that, as a child, I would have never thought possible outside of movies.Her gaze softened when she looked at me. “I hope he didn’t hurt you too much. Here, let me help you.” She murmured something incoherent before the pain in my body suddenly . . . lifted? What? How did . . .“I want to apologize, Hannah,” the woman said.“How do you know my name?” I took a wary step back. From what she had said, this woman was the one who had caused . . . that. I didn’t know how much power she had, but until I did, I would play it cautious around her.“I know a lot of things about you, Hannah,” the woman informed me. My name is Gaia Sinclaire, and I’ve wanted to help you for a long time.”“Help . . . me?” If anything, I was even more confused. “Why would you want to help me?”“You have potential,” Gaia said. “A lot of it, actually.” Her expression darkened. “That, and I couldn’t stand to watch what your father was doing. I’ve wanted to do that,” she gestured at the car which was taking my father away through the other side of the road, presumably so they wouldn’t pass by us, “for awhile now.”“So . . . why didn’t you?”She sighed. “Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than that. For one, I had to wait until you were 17 before I could recruit you.”“Recruit me?”Rather than respond with words, a portal opened up behind Gaia, showing a wide, empty corridor.I gasped and jumped back. “W-what? How did you—” A trick. It had to be a trick. A projection or . . . something. But how did that make any sense? I hadn’t seen a screen or anything.“I am the Headmistress of Crossroads Academy,” Gaia explained. “And I would like you to attend my school.”She took my shocked silence as permission to continue. “I am giving you an opportunity like no other, Hannah. The chance to learn the truth. To learn about the monsters that lurk among humanity. I am also giving you a chance to fight back.“I won’t lie. If you are to accept my invitation, the trials you will face will not be easy. They will be dangerous, life-threatening. But in return you will learn the truth. Monsters and magic are real, Hannah. If you wish to be ignorant of it all, you may continue to do so. We would find a foster home for you, and you would never have to see your father again.“If you want to learn the truth, you can come with me an attend my school. You will see the evil of the world, and it will know you can see. But you will have the tools to fight, I promise you.“Make your choice. I can leave, and you can remain ignorant. Or, you can step through that portal, and join the Knowledge. What is your decision?”I looked back toward my house, then at the woman again. She had mentioned monsters and magic. A ridiculous idea, yet . . . I still didn’t know how she had my Dad carried away so easily. Actually . . .“What about my dad? What’s going to happen to him?”I noticed a slight smile on Gaia’s face. “He will be arrested for a physical assault he recently committed at the bar. While he is in holding, his history of child abuse will come to light. He will be prosecuted for both crimes, and put away for a long time. I will make sure of it.”The way she said it—there was no doubt in her voice. This woman had that power.My Dad had tormented me for so long. Yet in the span of a minute, she had changed everything. This was the sort of power she was offering me. Was there really any choice?I didn’t say anything. Instead, I stepped through the portal.