Tarja Titan: Sophomore Year: The Terrian Chronicles, #2

By TC Marti

There is a voice pleading for Tarja Titan's help….

 

….To seek this wounded soul, Tarja must Walk centuries into the past

 

Tarja Titan spent spring break playing catch up to her younger stepsister, Liza Fury. While Liza mastered the Fire Element seemingly overnight, Tarja is nowhere near mastering the Element of Spirit.

 

But when the spirit of a girl she's been recently connecting with turns up and informs Tarja that Trinity works in mysterious ways, an adventure unlike any other begins.

 

While Machi activity grows and havoc wreaks in Benight Society and the Intrepid's iron fist turns Elemental Society into a dystopia, Tarja must turn to an unlikely ally to ease growing global tensions.

 

An ally that's calling for her help not from 2021, but from another time and in another continent. The question remains: When Tarja discovers their identity, will she have it in her to help and join forces with them?

 

Tarja Titan Sophomore Year is Book III in The Terrian Chronicles and the second book starring Tarja as the main lead. If you love strong female protagonists, elemental magic, metaphysical fiction, and alternative history and timelines, you will love Tarja Titan: Sophomore Year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TC Marti
• Release date: Mar 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215167649

TC Marti

TC Marti is an author, book reviewer, and freelance writer. When he's not writing, you can often find him in a gym lifting weights, or running miles on a trail.  He's also a huge fan of Arizona sports teams, an unapologetic Blink, and like most authors, an avid reader. 

Book preview

Tarja Titan: Sophomore Year

The Terrian Chronicles, Volume 2

TC Marti

Published by TC Marti, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

TARJA TITAN: SOPHOMORE YEAR

First edition. March 21, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 TC Marti.

ISBN: 979-8215167649

Written by TC Marti.

Also by TC Marti

Chronicles of Rondure

Civil War

BattleFront

Cymraeg Tales

Spirit and Fire

Elementals of Nordica

Wind Wielder

Wind Keeper

Wind Master

Wind Ruler

Sentrys of Terrene

The Last Sentrys (Coming Soon)

The Rebellion Awakens

The Terrian Chronicles

Liza Fury: The Discovery

Tarja Titan

Tarja Titan: Sophomore Year

Liza Fury - Catch 22

Watch for more at TC Marti’s site.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By TC Marti

Tarja Titan: Sophomore Year (The Terrian Chronicles, #2)

Chapter 1 | Shocker

Chapter 2 | Return

Chapter 3 | Targeted

Chapter 4 | Warm or Cold

Chapter 5 | Spirit Communications

Chapter 6 | Mission Beyond Impossible

Chapter 7 | Secret Meeting

Chapter 8 | Lord Culp

Chapter 9 | Experimentation

Chapter 10 | Explanations

Chapter 11 | Mission Beyond Impossible: Part II

Chapter 12 | Gaea

Chapter 13 | Confusion

Chapter 14 | The Witching Hour

Chapter 15 | Sisterhood Ascending

Chapter 16 | Escapist

Chapter 17 | Disturbing Truths of the 20th Century

Chapter 18 | Marland Heights

Chapter 19 | Incident 0090254011

Chapter 20 | The Curse

Chapter 21 | Shocker

Chapter 22 | Twist...

Chapter 23 | Found

Chapter 24 | Flashbacks

Chapter 25 | The Trifecta

Chapter 26 | The Three Sisters

Chapter 27 | Defying the Odds

Chapter 28 | The Venn Army

Chapter 29 | Necromancy

Chapter 30 | The Search

Author’s Note

Also By TC Marti

About the Author

The sun set beyond the horizon while waves from the Pacific Ocean crashed onto the beach. Honus Rothfell’s spirit saw, heard, and sensed the incoming tide. He visualized his normal body appearing and manifesting into a form so solid, a passing Spirit Elemental could mistake him for someone living. Yet white sand sat where his shadow should have been.

If he crossed a willing host and used a Possession maneuver, he could eat fruits growing off the trees and taste the juices bursting between the creature’s teeth, inhale the flora, and feel the soft earth.

Problem was, the wildlife here was too primitive to survive long in such a state. So he sat on the beach, thoughts projecting to his childhood, before the burden of becoming the anonymous Lord Machi XVI stole his life.

A ship appeared along the horizon, and he watched from afar until an energy he had not felt in ages invaded his aura.

Good evening, Honus, a voice said, which sounded more like a distant echo.

Newt? Honus said, standing and striding toward his brother, who also lacked a shadow. You went for it, didn’t you?

It was the opportune time to fool the Catenarians who thought they had Bastille under control in the World of Rondure.

"What’s left of it? It hasn’t gone the same way as Terrene, has it?"

It will. Newt huffed and stared at his spirit form. "My body disappeared. I saw them frantically trying to locate it back at the Colony. I’m sure they think I escaped and Bastille will be looking for someone no longer walking the confines of their world.

How did you know I was here?

A man appeared behind Newt, nostrils flaring. One who mysteriously appeared in three photos throughout the centuries that baffled independent Benight investigators.

The look on Langennut’s face made Honus think the former was about to end the Lord Machi line. Whether that was a blessing or a curse, who knew?

My Sister still survives, Langennut said, glowering at Honus.

The girl has no idea who she is, Honus said. If it wasn’t for her godbrother, I’d have ended her. Besides, it’s a third of her consciousness, as I’m sure you’re aware?

Langennut whipped around and glared at Newt. "And the Third Sister? The One of Rondure? The Escort?" He shook his head in disbelief. I’d kill you both now. But since you have no heirs, I’m stuck working with the current players on my roster. Ain’t I lucky? So, you two are stuck in a similar situation.

Langennut again shot Honus a piercing gaze. "You failed twice to permanently kill that little demi-goddess in her human consciousness, and now that she has The Lost Scrolls in her hands, she’s going to level up faster than anyone. Even her Escort who I’ve kept my eyes on. And when she learns she’s more than just the Terrian Daughter of Trinity, she’s going to become even more dangerous." He cocked his head at Newt.

Newt studied the sand and looked to Honus’ left. The Third Sister Resurrected another One and her Escort.

And the First Sister did some Resurrecting of her own in the World of Eidolon, Langennut said, "including herself. Like her dear inter-worldly sister."

Honus raised an eyebrow. "I thought the Third Sister cut the string?"

The other half of her consciousness, the physical half walking the World of Rondure, still holds the power of Necromancy. Langennut pointed an accusatory finger, one at each of the brothers. "Your family made its fair share of mistakes in the past, but never has it been this bad. So, a little crash course is in order while you’re still in your spirit forms.

"You’re going to go on a little adventure with me. Back in time to before the Machiavellian started. And you’re also going to learn just how poorly you’ve upheld my honor, and your family’s honor.

"Then you’re going to return home and Resurrect yourselves since I cannot do it for you thanks to Natural Law."

"Y-you’ve broken Natural Law again?" Newt said.

"No, you idiot. Break it once, your soul backslides. Break it twice, you fall into the world of mortals like yourselves. I broke it twice, and I’m stuck with archways serving as my only means of transportation between the worlds. Break it a third time, my soul reverts to mortality. At this point, I can still return to my Higher Self."

"How did you get that girl?" Newt said, nodding down the beach.

What girl? Honus said, staring in the same direction, where in the distance, a cage made of palm trees containing a blonde girl stood.

"Stef Fury. My chess piece put her there before she went out to kill the Escort.. Honus’ lover, am I not mistaken?"

Maddie Dove.

"Dead and gone, thanks to that Escort. Doesn’t that just make you want to kill someone?"

Honus’ jaw twitched.

"What makes Stef the ally, enemy, and unknown?" Newt said. As I’m under the impression it’s through her that someone’s Resurrecting us?

"Stef’s the sister of Braden Hawk and Liza Fury, would-be sister to Tarja Titan. Stef hated Tarja. Hatred that ran so deep, that bond never had a chance to establish itself, even if Liza and Tarja have grown closer than sisters.

Stef’s light aether tells me she’s also a Benight, qualifying her as an unknown in this little conflict between Elementals. Not that she knew they even existed until last April anyway. Finally, she simultaneously became Tarja Titan’s ally because of the girl’s closeness with Liza.

"Are you sure she can qualify as both enemy and ally?" Honus said.

The rift between two souls must close substantially. Tarja and Stef never had the chance to fully close it. Yet, it’s open thanks to Liza.

I don’t understand, Honus said.

"You wouldn’t. Now, Langennut stood between Honus and Newt, we have a little tour to embark on."

Chapter 1

Shocker

Tarja Titan’s holographic watch buzzed and a hologram emerged.

It’s me, Goth Girl, came a text from her godbrother, Braden Hawk. And let’s go. I gotta be in Washington by five a.m tomorrow.

That him? Kira said.

Yep. Tarja closed the hologram with one swipe of her hand. And he sounds like he’s in a hurry.

Kira rolled her eyes, threw a backpack over her shoulders, and picked up two gym bags full of clothes. Oh, wait, she said, scurrying into the hallway, I gotta get one more thing.

Tarja jogged into the kitchen, where Floor sat, eating her third Lenny & Larry’s protein cookie over the last hour. Yo, our ride’s here.

Mouth full of cookie, Floor tossed Tarja a double thumbs-up, dissipated her hologram, and strode to the refrigerator. She took out two cans of C4 Ready-to-Drink, and offered one to Tarja, saying something unintelligible.

You know I didn’t catch that.

Floor squinted and swallowed hard. You want one for the road? We can catch a workout in the rec once we’re moved in.

What flavor is it?

Floor tossed her the can. Grape. Your favorite.

Tarja cracked a smile before she scurried from the room. She’d sip on it throughout the three-hour drive to Celestial. Tarja slung a backpack over her shoulder, lifted one bag, and headed toward the kitchen, where the elevator leading to and from the basement beeped overhead.

The doors opened and Braden led his best friend, Kress Conway, into the kitchen, eyes darting around. Where’re Kira and Liza?

Here! came Kira’s voice, as she stumbled into view, Liza in tow.

Braden pulled Kira into his arms and planted a kiss on her jaw while Liza threw Kress a shy smile.

"You’re sure this Jane Marion won’t catch us?" Liza said.

She does, she won’t have fun the next time I transform, Kress said, flashing a wicked grin.

That would be a bad decision, Kress, came a slow, deep voice.

Ray Fitzgerald, the ex-head of the Spirit Department and President of Celestial University, entered the room, dressed in Sentinel garb that comprised a leather trenchcoat, combat boots, black denim, a jacket under the cloak, and a compression top.

"And why would that be, Ray?"

"Snips, we talked about this," Braden said.

Ray held up a hand. If our side initiates violence of any kind, the Intrepid will drive it home. As much as I hate to say it, it’s best to let them keep being the bullies until we get this Machi issue solved.

"And when they’re paying me to interrogate a man, Braden said, sneering. Freaking Ainge Edwards and his threats to expose our society."

Liza perked up. "Did you say Ainge Edwards?"

"Yup. Hid out in Sweden for a while, then in some embassy in the UK, and now, he’s back in US custody. The guy’s been trying to expose hidden secrets for...Liza? You alright?"

"You’re talking about the same Ainge Edwards who’s been telling the truth about virtually everything that exposes America’s Benight warfare state, right? A warfare state the Machis, and to an extent, the Intrepid, perpetuated."

The guy wants to expose more than Machi and Intrepid corruption, Braden said, tone short.

Liza glowered and her deep breath caused a hint of smoke to flare from her nostrils while embers ignited at her fingertips.

Kress strode to the girl and tried to put a reassuring arm on her shoulder, but Liza tore herself away.

He’s been exposing the Machi-Intrepid agenda, Liza said, whichever one is in more control at the moment, referring to them as deep states and shadow governments.

And it’s risking exposure of more than just Elementals, Braden said. "Do you not realize how much danger we’d be in if the Benight majority realized we exist? Or worse, that Elemental elitists fueled every global crisis that’s ever occurred since the Middle Ages?"

As Liza’s eyes widened, Tarja wore a painful expression. Braden pushed a button that would send Liza Fury into a, well, fury.

"Don’t tell me," Liza said, through gritted teeth, "that you favor mass censorship." 

Sometimes mass censorship is for the greater good, Braden said. There’s a lot at stake here. And the last thing we need is for the Benights not just realizing Elementals exist, but that, he gestured toward Kress, Werewolves are still out there, plus Fae, Witches, Vampires, and Supernatural Hunters. I hate to say it, but this is one area the Machis and Intrepid got right.

As two of Liza’s other newer Benight friends, Erika and Kella, entered the room, she cocked her head to one side. So you’re going to use force to make sure people keep their mouths shut?

I don’t like it anymore than you do.

Then stop contributing to the problem, Liza said, voice tearful, as she bustled toward the elevator, pushed the Ground Floor button, and disappeared.

Snips, Braden said, "call Cesar Hernandez and have him tell Daya to keep an eye on Liza since they’ll be in class together this year since we all agreed it’d be more prudent for the girl to get a head start on learning Smoke Elemental techniques.

I don’t know my sister well, but from what you’ve told me, she can be headstrong. It’s the last thing we need right now, for her to openly support Edwards.

Braden, Tarja said, I love you, but Liza has a point, alright?

"You too? The One and the Escort? Listen, you both need to keep your heads down, remember why you’re at Celestial, stay outta trouble, and keep your mouths shut."

Tarja dropped her backpack, unzipped it, and pulled out The Lost Scrolls that she dubbed The Book of Five.

What are you doing?

She held up a finger and turned to a page written in runes toward the middle of the book. "Says right here it’s the duty of the One and Escort on Terra to uphold peace. And right now, threatening to torture and use any means necessary to get this guy to talk isn’t upholding peace. So I gotta call you out."

Then what do you expect me to do? Braden said, an edge to his voice.

Tarja opened her mouth, closed it, and tried to talk, but a strange hiccupping sound escaped her vocal cords.

What? Braden said.

Y-you’ve never yelled at me before.

"I wasn’t yelling at you. And until your Sword of Spirit permanently pops into existence and you learn how to use it, leave the interrogating to me. You may be part of this society, but you know next to nothing."

Braden, Kira said, voice small, "you’re talking to the One and her Escort. You should know their vibes work differently, since we’ve all read that book. If they’re telling you not to do something, you need to at least consider what they’re saying."

I’ll handle this the way I see fit, alright?

I thought we were in a hurry, Tarja said, replacing the book. She waved a hurried goodbye to a dumbfounded-looking Erika and Kella, before striding to the elevator.

⚔⚔⚔⚔

Oh, before I forget, Braden said from the driver’s seat as they crossed into State College two hours later, "Celestial’s got some real cool new rules this year. Snips, would you like to explain?"

I think it’d be best to first explain how you managed to fit four girls and about a half-dozen gym bags into the back of a Dodge Challenger, Kress said.

I have my ways. Anyway, want to do the honors?

Kress looked back at Tarja and the others with a smile that didn’t reach the magnified eyes behind her glasses. She waved a hand over her watch, and showed them a hologram with her photo on it.

Tarja suppressed a laugh, as Kress’ photo looked like a mugshot.

This, Kress said, "is a nice, little ID. Wanna know why I look so cheerful in it?"

"For the same reason I’m going to look cheerful," Liza said, shooting daggers at the hologram.

Liza, Braden said, do us a favor and control that nasty little temper of yours.

I didn’t know I was walking into a freaking dictatorship!

"Look, the only reason I’m having Kress do this is so you don’t have to stand in line with a bunch of freaking Intrepid-worshiping Sents looking for every excuse to impose their will on the student populace."

"You’re so part of the problem," she said, eyes narrowed, as she crossed her arms.

"Seriously, what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to be a Renegade, that’s what."

"Well, right now I need to keep the Benights from discovering us. Do you realize what would happen? Their scientists would have a field day with us and anyone else not in the Machi or Intrepid ranks. Because the sociopaths currently controlling our society would let them do Trinity knows what, and we’d be forced to go along with it, because guess who’d be running the show?

"And to be honest, kid, you and Tarja wouldn’t be among the normies like Snips and myself. You’d either be dead if the Machis got you, or used in grotesque ways if the Intrepid got ahold of you. Pick your poison."

Maddie should’ve killed me when she had the chance, Liza said.

"Maddie wanted you to die. You weren’t supposed to make it out of that bunker. Braden motioned to Kress. Neither one of you were. Anyway, Snips?"

Yes, so as part of the Celestial U faculty, I have the painful privilege of taking your ID photos, where I’ll create them here, send them to your watch, and you can join the dystopia! She swiped her hologram to camera mode. "Liza, stop flipping off the camera, there you go, and snap! You look angrier than me, girl."

Wearing a glower so deep that Liza’s eyes resembled blackened pits, she hissed when Kress texted her the photo.

And Liza, Kress said, "please don’t be a headcase when you’re asked to show it at Celestial. We don’t need to give the Intrepid an excuse to send their trusted Sents and Marion after you."

No guarantees, Liza said. "And anyway, riddle me this. Why are you sending us to that freaking place when Stacey Peyton had me strapped to a bizarre ER hospital bed and about to run me through who knows what kind of tests had you not shown up?"

Because with the Intrepid in full charge over there, they forced a bill through Washington that education there’s compulsory this year, and we don’t need a womanhunt. Not yet, anyway. 

"Well, I think me being an Escort and Tarja the One already makes us prime chess pieces for a womanhunt."

Unless you do something stupid, Kress said, they can’t legally do anything to you.

"Which is why you’re not doing anything stupid, Braden said, eyes gazing across the rearview. Floor, you doing okay back there?"

Yup, just tuning into one good old brother-sister-sister’s girlfriend convo.

Chapter 2

Return

Hey, James, Tarja said, striding toward her RA with Kira, Liza, and Floor following.

James turned toward Tarja with a blank, determined look on his face. ID.

Oh, yes, Tarja waved a hand over her watch, sorry, Braden just told me about the new standards on the ride over and I’m still getting used to everything.

"We all are," Floor said.

You’re to scan it before entering all halls, suites, and on-campus activities. James nodded to Tarja’s ID. "This unwards those the administration placed within holopads during the break."

He pulled up his watch hologram and clicked an icon. A faint beep sounded from Tarja’s hologram and she threw James a quizzical look.

I sent your binding dormitory agreement. It is to be signed and turned in by tomorrow. Draw your signature at the bottom stating you agree to the new terms and conditions. If not signed and turned in by then, you will be relegated to the barracks. I would just sign it now and get it done with.

Yeah, that works—

Uh, Liza said, grabbing Tarja’s wrist, it’s not smart to sign a contract without reading it first.

"Yeah, but a housing contract?" Floor said.

I’m taking it upstairs and looking it over. I think we all should.

It’s non-negotiable, James said. Just a heads up.

Floor brought up her hologram, signed the document with her finger, and pressed the Submit button. There. Do I need to sign anything else?

You will be required to report to the orientation meeting on Monday. All students must attend this year, regardless of their class standing. James turned to Liza. "When you’ve finished reading it, you might just want to sign and send it. It’d be a travesty if they had to throw you into the barracks."

Liza threw James a piercing glare reminiscent of the one she used with Kress earlier.

Tarja, a cool voice said from behind.

Blood pulsed in Tarja’s ears as she turned and faced Stacey Peyton, whose silvery-blonde hair grew at least two inches over break. Although the girl became friendlier during the Yule Semester last year, Tarja, per Braden’s advice, threw off her advances.

Stacey.

Liza’s eyes further narrowed as Stacey tossed her a glance and smiled before whipping around and striding toward the dorm. She scanned her hologram and disappeared inside.

Her dad was the brains behind our latest techno-Elemental infusion, James said, throwing the closing door Stacey disappeared through an approving nod. "In your agreement, you will see that it states every student in Henget Complex, and the other dorms, must enter one at a time or else it will be housing probation."

"Seems like he’s highly committed to securing the campus this year," Kira said, as though trying to play peacemaker.

"After what occurred last year, no one can blame him. It’s his way of...repairing the damage done to the school’s rep. And he’s slowly getting the parents back on board."

"Slowly propagating them back on board," Liza muttered.

Tarja nudged her bonus sister in the ribs and scanned her hologram. She entered, and after another few seconds, Liza ventured in, scowling, before Kira and Floor brought up the rear, with Kira entering first.

Wonder what Shyla’s up to right about now? Tarja said, as they carried their bags toward an elevator that would take them to the second floor.

Braden and Ray informed them over the summer that Shyla wouldn’t be returning given the events that happened last year. Strange, since the girl stayed for the rest of the Yule Semester. But it opened them up for a fourth roommate, and using the influence returned his way, Braden managed to get Liza into Henget when she was initially going to be in the Smoke-wielding Savu Complex.

Ha, she probably misplaced something and is trying to retrace her steps across some unknown campus, the poor kid, Floor said.

Is it true that her Spirit ability is nonexistent? Liza said.

Floor! Tarja whipped around, How much did you tell Liza about Shyla?

"I dunno? The truth? That Liza here practically has more allotted Spirit ability in one finger than Shyla does of what’s supposed to be natural Spirit ability in her entire body? Because it is the truth."

Tarja exhaled and scanned the holopad recently installed at the elevator, where Riley and Liv stepped out, pausing as they locked eyes with Liza.

Got something to say to me? Liza said.

Riley threw her a pointed look, forcing Tarja to step between the two.

Did you guys have a good spring break? Tarja said, tossing the duo an awkward smile.

Eventful, Liv said, voice dry.

Floor brushed past and held the elevator door open while Kira scampered inside, gesturing for Liza to follow.

"Looks like your girls are waiting," Riley said, turning on her heel and waving for Liv to follow.

Tarja strode into the elevator, before shivering. "I was getting electric-like vibes," she said, as the elevator dinged and opened.

It’s almost like they were trying to be nice without having the vaguest idea how, you know? Floor said.

Yup, Liza said, staring at the hallway in awe. "And man, this place is as bank as the safehouse. You were right. Stef’s dorm," she closed her eyes and bit her lip, sorry, she said, voice cracking.

Kira wore a defeated look while Floor paced to the suite.

Tarja placed a reassuring hand on Liza’s shoulder. Stef would be ecstatic to see us working together to end this madness. You know that, right?

Trembling, Liza rested her head on Tarja’s shoulder.

Kira looked over, threw Tarja a reassuring look, and also scanned in.

Wanna talk a little? Tarja said, sitting Liza onto the leather couch after they entered the suite.

Liza wiped a stray tear from her eye. I’m never going to get over this.

Nor will I, Tarja said, grasping Liza’s hand, "but at least we’re in it together, right? Plus, we can talk to Braden, Kress, or even Braden’s psychologist. Psychiatrist. Whatever the guy’s title is. He’s right here on campus, you know? You have a lot of people that care about you, Liza."

And that’s why I have such a hard time forgiving myself. For the way I treated you for so many years.

"Jay and Janet turned you and Stef against me the second my Resurrected soul somehow found their doorstep. I don’t want you to ever think this is on you, because it isn’t. Now, do you want the right side of the bed or the left side?"

Liza perked up.

Why don’t you sleep with me tonight?

"Tonight only?"

For as long as you want to.

⚔⚔⚔⚔

Help me...a voice whispered, one belonging to a man.

Who are you, Spirit? Tarja said.

~ Don’t be startled. Please.

Then tell me your name.

~ I have no name.

You’re lying.

~ Tarja, it whispered. ~ Just follow my voice.

"No. Tell me who you are."

~ You must Walk, Tarja. Walk into the past and you will discover the truth.

What’re you talking about?

~ You need to trust them, a new voice said, one that belonged to a female.

"Who are you?"

~ The Keeper of Spirit. We’ve spoken before, remember?

Why’re you here? What is this?

~ There’s been a tragedy, the Keeper said.

Tragedy?

~ Come, Tarja, the male voice whispered. ~ There are many truths neither yourself nor even your mentors understand. You must channel your ability to Walk once more, this time deep into the past.

Splash!

Something icy splashed against Tarja’s face and she bolted upward, heaving, the bedside light in her room shining in her periphery.

She okay? said a sleepy voice that belonged to Floor.

She is now, came Kira’s concerned voice. "Oh, goodness, Tarja. You were having like a night terror, or something."

Tarja rubbed her eyes, and Liza’s distressed face came into focus. W-wha’ happened?

You were slashing in your sleep, Liza whispered. "Are you okay? For as long as I’ve known you, I’ve never heard you thrashing like that."

Liza, I slept in a dingy basement and your room was on the other side of the house.

Yeah, well, I don’t know. They thought you had schizophrenia and all sorts of things.

"It was just a really bad dream, Tarja said. Sorry if I scared you all."

You good then? Floor said, holding a shaker bottle half-full of water.

Tarja pushed strands of wet hair behind her ears and dried her face with her t-shirt. I’m alright. Sorry.

Don’t apologize, Kira said, we’re just glad you weren’t having some sort of seizure.

As Kira and Floor filed out, Liza turned to her. "A dream? Were you making that up or were you for real?"

I heard two familiar disembodied voices, Tarja said.

I can see why that’d be a bad dream.

"Not necessarily bad, I think I overstated. It was just, yeah, weird and really scary. Sorry if I scared you too."

It’s okay. Like Kira and Floor said, I’m just glad it was only a nightmare. Liza pulled up her hologram. Anyway, it’s three-fifteen. We’re well into the Witching Hour, if that’s a thing at Celestial.

Chapter 3

Targeted

It took Tarja a half-hour to convince Liza that she would be okay attending the orientation meeting with Floor, Kira, and to their surprise, Shyla.

Shyla arrived late Sunday night, stating that, against her grandmother’s wishes, she wanted to return to the campus. And since she was legally an adult, the choice rested with her. Thanks to the new laws in place, however, Shyla couldn’t avoid school altogether.

Well, I was normal for the Yule Semester, and you guys were the ones who got me outta that predicament, she said, upon arriving with her luggage. Grams isn’t happy, but I’d rather be here with people I know.

No one took this news better than Liza, who seemed all too happy to keep the sleeping arrangement with Tarja permanent. Though at the moment, she looked aggravated.

Well, I have nothing to do since she’s not talking to Savu until three p.m. And besides, I’m rooming with you all in this dorm, so why would they even schedule me for Savu’s time?

Because Braden has you learning how to control smoke this year, Tarja said, since your friend Skeetz is in the barracks.

Liza huffed. "Well, what am I supposed to do in the meantime? It’s not like I can go into Savu Complex or anything."

You got Daya’s number, why don’t you shoot her a text? Braden wanted you to hang out with her anyway.

Is this your way of getting rid of me?

"Liza! I would never do that. We just need to be in, what are they calling the Halls these days?"

The one with the big auditorium where we did orientation last year? Floor said. I think I saw a sign renaming it Hamilton Hall. Wonder who the Intrepid named it after?

"I’m sure it’s Alexander freaking Hamilton," Liza said. And shouldn’t we stick together? What if someone tries pulling a fast one on me and I end up back in that bizarre med center in Thad Peyton’s basement?

Tarja shot Liza a sly smile.