With a yawn, Nyx slipped on her fuzzy mules. She scrutinized her cramped bedroom, gave out a stretch and made for the window. Light was struggling to pierce the curtains, the able shafts pleading with her to let their friends in too.

Her desk, however, delayed the assistance.

'Bleeding Mary,' Nyx cursed as she clutched her right knee, the study material strewn over her desk threatening to cascade to the floor from the impact. And if that wasn't bad enough, the lumps on her head, which still hadn't gone down after over a week, panged so violently that her vision momentarily blurred.

'If this isn't an invitation to go back to bed....' But as if the words had bewitched her, all the pain in her body ceased. 'Ooookay. I guess that just happened.' Though bothered and quite bewildered, Nyx wasn't going to complain. Who knew, a caladrius may have been flying close by outside or something.

Shaking her head, Nyx carried on to the window and pulled back the curtains, the sun's warmth quick to redden her face. And once her eyes had adjusted to the full blare of the day's light, she gazed out onto Hyd Hollow, her focus straight to Portunes Academy looming in the east of town.

With its decorative spires, lofty gables and buttressed roofs adorned with magnificent gargoyles, the school's beauty was one of the reasons she, Jeanie and Ash chose to attend.

The town of Hyd Hollow itself was no slouch in the beauty department either. You can't go wrong with cobbled streets, stone cottages, timber-framed buildings, and a bit of Greek and Roman architecture thrown in there as well, Nyx thought before being reminded of where it was all located.

It never ceased to amaze her that the town and the surrounding countryside was hidden away from the world inside a parkette in one of the biggest cities in the world. Well, technically Hyd Hollow and the surrounding countryside was the parkette, augmented and expanded by magic with skyscrapers too far off in the distance to see.

Eyes drifting down to the lane outside the cottage she, Jeanie and Ash rented, Nyx spied Mrs Nightshade. The old witch was leaving her home, shopping bags in hand and her black cat at her feet. Maybe she was the reason for her miraculous alleviation. Maybe Mrs Nightshade was experimenting with spells again.

After watching a few more people come and go, Nyx shuffled over to her bedroom door. And as she opened it, a most intoxicating aroma hit her, making her stomach gurgle. Ash must be baking, she guessed, and she went down to investigate.

Entering the kitchen not long after, Nyx saw Ash slaving away. Her face was covered in flour and glittery icing, and she was rolling out a large heap of dough on the counter.

'Morning,' said Nyx, popping out the collar of her nightgown. Despite all the windows being open, the kitchen was roasting.

Stopping what she was doing, Ash raised her head and smiled, waving the rolling pin in her hand, 'Morning. Good sleep?'

'Wasn't too bad. I woke up during the night to come down and get a drink. You?'

'Not too bad either. Were you studying late again?'

'I was. I just couldn't stop.' Nyx walked over to the counter. 'So, what are you making?'

'Chocolatey mint cookies. I already have a batch baking in the oven. In fact, they should be done.' Ash turned and opened the oven door behind her, revealing a tray of lightly golden brown cookies. 'Yep, they are good to go.' She took out the tray and placed it on the stove top.

'Ooh, they look scrumptious. And in the shape of butterflies, too.' Nyx reached for the tray even though each cookie was ready to burn her mouth, but her hand was swatted away. 'Hey, what was that for?'

Ash growled, her beast clearly having none of it too. 'These are for SAV. For charity. I'll be taking them over to the lodge when I'm finished.'

Nyx was conflicted, her stomach and sweet tooth begging her. 'Not even just one?'

Ash shook her head with authority.

'I could be your taste-tester,' said Nyx, quite impressed the idea came to her so fast.

'I'm fairly capable of doing that myself,' Ash replied. 'Trust me.'

'Wait. So, you can have one but I can't?'

'I'm doing the baking here.'

Nyx thought quickly again. 'And that's the reason why you need someone else to taste them. You need someone who is impartial.'

Ash gave her a leery look but eventually caved with a huff. 'Fine. But just one.'

'Just one it is.' But Nyx had only got a fingertip to a cookie when it flitted into the air, flapping its wings, and began circling the kitchen. 'What in the—'

Now beaming, Ash replied, 'Oh, how wonderful. I should have told you. I put a bit of fairy dust in the dough mix. I thought they'd be more attractive to buyers if they could fly.'

Nyx and Ash then just watched as the cookie zipped around the kitchen once more before flying out of a window and disappearing outside.

'I guess you need to grab them quick,' continued Ash.

'I guess so,' replied Nyx, eyeing another cookie on the tray. She reached for it, but was swatted away for a second time. 'Now what was that for?'

'Hey, you snooze, you lose,' said Ash.

Nyx frowned. 'But I didn't know it was going to fly away. And what about being your taste-tester?'

'With how well that cookie flew, who cares what they taste like now. They could taste like dragon breath for all I care. Now shoo. Let me bake in peace.'

Nyx would have stayed to help but she had other things to attend to. Jeanie had asked her the night before if she would be her temporary master for one of her classes today and she had agreed. The whole genie/master thing was done away with a long time ago, becoming uncustomary, but the binding connection that connects a master and genie could help train a genie in other genie ways.

Following a shower, Nyx left the cottage and headed for Portunes Academy. Nyx was going to meet Jeanie there as her best friend had classes earlier that morning. And as Nyx walked down the cobbled lane, her own studies crossed her mind.

Despite not having any demon or supernatural powers, Nyx had always been interested in her demon family history. So taking demonic studies at the academy was a no-brainer. And it was only recently that the class had started to learn about Lilith, the mother of demons. What better place to start than the beginning.

Ten minutes later, Nyx found herself crossing one of Hyd Hollow's several town squares. Lined with a variety of stores, the place was packed with shoppers, a lumbering ogre close by pulling a tiny shopping cart behind him.

After giving the ogre a wide berth, Nyx was ready to continue on her way. Suddenly, however, she found a familiar face amongst the humming crowd.

It was Adrian. He was alone and was walking into the Tome Trough, one of the more popular bookstores in town. And although Jeanie's class started in less than twenty minutes, Nyx stopped in her tracks. Her mind then started a game of tug-of-war with itself.

I wonder what he's up to? Maybe I should go say hello. See how he's coping after his uncle's death.

But you need to get to the academy. You don't want to be late and let Jeanie down.

It won't be the end of the world if I'm a bit late, sheeesh. Jeanie will get over it. And it's a decent thing to do.

Are you really thinking this right now?

I mean Jeanie wasn't very caring when I got stung. If I recall, she laughed and joked.

But that's just Jeanie. Deep down, you know she cares. She's one of your best friends.

If she is one of my best friends, she won't mind if I'm late then.

But what if he has a vampirical impulse. Remember, he is untrained. You have no way of defending yours–

The bookstore looks busy. If something happens, I'll just scream. There's also a constabulary across the square too. Not to mention, vampire bites can be treated. The emergency healer is not too far away.

But–

No more. I've made up my mind. I'm going to go say hello.

Nyx turned and headed for the bookstore.