Maya's POV
I ran faster than I had ever run before. As I crashed through the forest, I heard my mother's words echoing behind me.
"Maya! Sweetheart, don't flee from us! Our goal is to save you."
Her voice, however, made my skin crawl for some reason. It sounded nothing like the loving mother I knew. It sounded odd and cold.
Ethan was breathing deeply as he ran next to me. He yelled, "This way! We can hide in a cave!"
"Why should I put my trust in you?" I replied with a shout. "They came to me because of you!"
"Because I'm the only one telling you the truth!" Ethan exclaimed as he jumped over a fallen log.
I heard the guards of Principal Hawthorne crashing through the trees behind us. And the sound of my parents and their army coming from behind them.
My father's voice called out, "Maya! Return to us! We have a lot to share with you."
However, his voice also sounded wrong. As if he were making an extra effort to sound normal.
Ethan took hold of my hand and dragged me over to a big rock. He squeezed through a small opening and shouted, "In here!"
He led me into a tiny cavern that was barely big enough for us to sit down. In an attempt to catch our breath, we pressed against the back wall.
"Maya," Ethan mumbled, "I need your attention, but I know you don't trust me. You don't remember your parents."
"What do you mean?" I returned the voice.
"The letters Principal Hawthorne showed you were real," Ethan stated. "He didn't tell you everything, though. Your parents didn't simply leave Phoenix Academy. Something changed them."
"Changed how?"
"Shadow magic is a kind of magic," Ethan stated. "People become more powerful as a result, but they also become... different. It eliminates their ability for kindness or love. It turns them into something else."
I was ill. "That isn't possible. My parents love me."
Ethan sadly stated, "They used to. However, did you catch a glimpse of your mother's eyes, Maya? They were glowing. That only happens when shadow magic has fully taken control of a person."
My mother's smile and the way her eyes had looked so wrong came to mind. "However, why would they employ shadow magic?"
"Because Principal Hawthorne has been hunting them for three years," Ethan stated. "They became desperate. They thought that using shadow magic would give them the strength to defend themselves."
"So the villain is Principal Hawthorne?"
"Yes and no," Ethan answered. "He has committed terrible acts. However, your parents have declined."
I buried my head in my hands. "None of this makes sense to me. Why are they all lying to me?"
"I'm not lying," Ethan stated. "Maya, would you like to know why you were kicked out of Phoenix Academy?"
"You told me already. Since my magic is too strong."
"That's part of it," Ethan stated. "However, there's more. Can you remember the events of the day before your expulsion?"
I remembered that terrible moment. "I was in the dining room. A younger student was being teased by some bigger students. I became irate and told them to stop."
"What happened next?"
"Instead, they started making fun of me. They claimed that I had no value and would never achieve anything." Tears began to well up in my eyes. "I should just quit the Academy because I was embarrassing everyone," Viktor Stone said, pushing me down.
"And when he said that, how did you feel?"
"Furious," I uttered. "I wanted to hurt him back."
"What happened next?" Gently, Ethan inquired.
"I... I got up and turned to face him. And then..." I paused, remembering something I had made an effort to ignore. "Then he started screaming."
"What caused him to scream?"
"He complained of chest pain. He claimed that his heart felt like it was being squeezed." With growing horror, I glanced at Ethan. "However, I wasn't even in contact with him."
"Maya," Ethan stated seriously, "Viktor Stone spent the next three days in the medical wing. According to the healers, it looked as though someone had attempted to rob him of his life."
"That's impossible," I answered. "I would never do harm to anyone."
"Not on purpose," Ethan answered. "However, Maya, your magic isn't limited to healing. It can also have the reverse effect. You might accidentally take a life rather than give it when you're upset or afraid."
I looked at him. "You're saying that I nearly killed Viktor Stone?"
"Yes," Ethan answered. "Principal Hawthorne dismissed you for that reason. He feared you would hurt someone else."
"However, I was unaware that I was doing it!"
"I know," Ethan answered. "That's the reason it's so risky. Your feelings are linked to your power. You can heal people when you're at ease and satisfied. However, you run the risk of accidentally hurting them when you're scared or angry."
I thought I might throw up. "Therefore, I am truly dangerous."
"You're not dangerous," Ethan stated. "You lack training. There is a difference."
"What do you mean?"
"The rarest kind of magic in the world is owned by your family, Maya. We call it life magic. The majority of those who have it can only heal. However, your background is unique. You have the power to give or take life."
"That sounds really scary."
"It is," Ethan stated clearly. "However, it's also amazing. When used right, life magic can accomplish amazing feats. It has the power to cure illnesses that no one else can. It has the power to revive dead plants. People's lifespans may even be lengthened by it."
"But in the wrong hands?"
"It can kill with a touch in the wrong hands," Ethan stated. "Principal Hawthorne was afraid of you because of this. And for that reason, your parents really want you."
I was chilly all over. "They want to use me as a weapon."
"Yes," Ethan answered. "The dark magic has made them obsessed with power. They believe they can conquer the entire magical world if they can master your powers."
"But I don't want to hurt anyone!"
"I know," Ethan answered. "I was meant to take you to my uncle's school for that reason. Students like you who have dangerous power and need to learn control are taught by him."
"Your uncle was also expelled?"
"Yes," Ethan answered. "For having dragon magic. He was thought too dangerous by the Academy to be among other students."
"Dragon magic?"
Ethan stated that "he can communicate with dragons and borrow their power. Principal Hawthorne feared he would attack the Academy with dragons."
"Would he?"
"Never," Ethan answered. "One of the nicest guys I've ever met is my uncle. His only goal is to teach children like you how to handle their gifts."
For a while, we sat quietly while we heard the sounds of people outside the cave looking for us.
"Ethan," I said at last, "why did you work for Principal Hawthorne if your uncle is so good?"
Ethan looked embarrassed. "Because my younger sister is with Principal Hawthorne."
"What?"
"Emma is her name. She has the same magic that I do, and she's only ten years old. Two months ago, she was taken by Principal Hawthorne. He threatened to harm her if I didn't help him in locating you."
My heart ached for him. "Oh, Ethan. I'm really sorry."
Ethan stated, "He told me that he'd let Emma go if I brought you back to the Academy. However, I was unable to do it after meeting you and watching your kindness. I was going to assist you in getting away before working out how to save Emma in another way."
"We can still do that," I responded. "We can stop Principal Hawthorne and save your sister."
"How?" Ethan inquired. "Principal Hawthorne has the backing of the entire Academy, and your parents use shadow magic. We are only two children."
"Maybe," I answered. "However, we are two children with extremely powerful magic. Additionally, we are fighting for the people we care about."
For the first time since we first met, Ethan grinned. "You know what? You're right."
"So what do we do?"
"We have to get to my uncle's school first," Ethan stated. "You can learn how to control your power from him. After that, we can work out a plan to save Emma and stop your parents and Principal Hawthorne."
"How do we get past all those people who are trying to find us?"
Ethan said, "I have an idea. But you won't enjoy it."
"What is it?"
Ethan stated, "We're going to have to use your power. The part that drains your life."
I said, "No! I promise not to harm anyone!"
Ethan said, "You won't have to hurt them. Just scare them. They will retire long enough for us to get away if they believe you to be dangerous."
"But what if I'm helpless over it? What if I kill someone by accident?"
"You won't," Ethan stated. "I'll be there to help you."
"How?"
Ethan stated, "Dragon magic can take extra power. I can use some of your magic on myself if you start to lose control."
"Is that safe?"
"Probably not," Ethan said simply. "But that's our only plan."
I considered Grandmother Willow, likely imprisoned by the guards of Principal Hawthorne. I considered Emma, Ethan's younger sister, who was alone and scared. I considered all the other children who had been kicked out of Phoenix Academy for being different.
"Okay," I answered. "Let's do it."
We slithered over to the cave's mouth. I heard my mother's voice calling for me outside. However, it sounded less human now, and I could hear the coldness in it.
"Maya," Ethan mumbled, "remember that you're not alone no matter what. Together, we will beat this."
I nodded as the magic began to grow inside of me. This time, however, I was going to intentionally let it out rather than try to stop it.
Ethan said, "Ready?"
"Ready," I answered.
Together, we emerged from the cave. At that moment, I noticed something that chilled me to the bone. My parents were grinning at me with those awful sparkling eyes from twenty feet away. However, they weren't by themselves. Principal Hawthorne, who was standing behind them, was also grinning.
"Hello, Maya," he said. "I appreciate you making this so simple."
"What's happening?" I inquired.
"Simple," said Principal Hawthorne. "I've made the choice to collaborate with your parents. They get to destroy our enemies by using your power. Additionally, I get to learn about life magic."
"You're collaborating with them?" Horror-stricken, I asked.
"Of course," said Principal Hawthorne. "Why fight over you when we can share?"
My mom moved forward, her eyes glowing. "Come on over, sweetheart. It's time to show your abilities to the world."
That's when I came to terms with the terrible truth. Nobody left to be trusted. I was wanted by all. And I was all by myself.