a half ago never had a negative effect on Connor.
Connor had mentioned he'd let his mother know about it now that we were back from Dubai, but when that would happen would be based on him. It wasn't like he was obligated to, but I think because we now knew her intention versus his father’s, it would be smart to keep her informed.
Jax had been perfectly fine the entire trip. Even with the news about Elsa, he was nothing but supportive. With him, it was so easy for me to show my affection, which I felt was good progress compared to before when I was too shy to do so.
My worry laid with Finnick and Kaito, but even Finnick was maturing immensely. After the beach incident, we'd found out Finnick was the one to command the waters to return before they caused damage to the local shops on shore. He'd also saved Kaito and a little girl from drowning.
We'd tried to leave early once we'd arrived on the beach after being alerted by Sebastian, who was watching over them but ended up being interviewed. Finnick was the highlight of it all, and somehow various people around the world were trying to contact him after realizing he was Professor Rosedale's son.
He'd been ignoring any other offers for his artwork, stating he was still on break, but he did end up calling the man who'd given him his card on the beach.
Not only was he a well-known agent, but the little girl Finnick had saved was his granddaughter. He had nothing but grateful words to give and stated he'd come down to visit sometime during the spring time.
Finnick had mentioned there was an art gallery competition his dad was planning to enter, and I had a hunch Finnick was going to submit his entry or at least work on something for it. I'm sure it would take months of preparation, but if he started now, he'd definitely have a chance.
It gave me comfort that he was healing in his own way while using art as an escape. The picture of me was hanging in the dorm living room, and I'd added some extra magic to ensure it was essentially life-proof.
That's how much it meant to me.
Kaito was the one who was worrying me the most. With us being in our final year, his kendo training would spike as well due to the world championships happening next semester. It was supposedly scheduled for this semester, but due to many policy changes happening across the board with the change of outdated laws, major competitions were moved to Semester Eight.
It was both a blessing and a curse because we'd get a bit of a relaxing semester but be bombarded next term. It would be difficult to balance everything else we had to do.
Kaito’s anxiety hadn't changed. In fact, it had grown since the beach incident. We'd already discussed with Professor Phoenix about it, and she was going to schedule one of her colleagues, who was a good psychiatrist, to assist.
Going that route meant it didn't have to be recorded on our Witchling record since she was from a different district entirely.
The news was somewhat of a relief, and for now, he could take a generic pill that would help calm him down just a bit. At least he was handling the changes well and talking to me and Finnick when he had nightmares, but it felt like he was still pulling away emotionally.
Maybe there was more to his nightmares that we weren't seeing, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
I'd have to keep my eye on him while juggling everything else we surely had to do this semester, but it didn't seem like a burden to me. I loved Kaito just like the others, and I'd do anything to help him to heal and be himself.
Failure must be the final outcome.
The flickering image of the woman with silver hair and blue eyes came to my mind, and it was as though I was standing on that tower once more with my eyes locked on hers as she warned me.
"If you allow yourself to win, the result will only lead to a dramatic falling that one of them won't be able to escape from. I cannot guarantee that pain won't be a part of the serenade of darkness, but you'll survive like many other encounters with those that wish your downfall."
The reminder had me wondering what would happen next. What would hit us, or particularly