He rose up and smiled at me as a single tear ran down my cheek.
"I still care dearly for you, Brianne," he boldly confessed. "Since I was never bold enough to say it, I figured it was now or never. I'm happy you’re with men who not only love you but who encourage your growth and blossoming prosperity. Though I lost my chance, I hope to at least be friends again when I've grown stronger and am in my element."
"Elijah," I whispered.
"Better not hold you guys back," he announced and bowed one more time. "Best of luck, Notorious Five. See you soon."
He headed to the door and was gone moments later. Jax reached out to wrap his hand comfortingly around my right side while Connor did the same on my left.
I was proud of Elijah's growth and strength to admit his wrongs and gratefulness. Now he'd have the time to focus on himself, and maybe one day we'd be able to see how far he's come.
Sebastian walked to the stand before me with Professor Phoenix and Ms. Electra at his sides. He took a moment to acknowledge each of us with his eyes before he bobbed his head in internal understanding.
"Connor and I made an agreement that night in Switzerland, and it's time for that payment," he declared. He lifted his hand as it began to glow a soft purple with hints of gold and silver. "I promised you five wouldn't be torn apart."
We took deep breaths then let them out, and I knew Jax was holding Finnick's hand while Connor held Kaito's. All of us were connected as we waited for what would happen.
"What I'm about to do won't make sense when it's done, but in time, you'll understand the point of it."
With one final glance at us, he smiled a brilliant smile and whispered, "Until your next invite, Witchlings."
He snapped his fingers, and the room was engulfed in light.
Graduation promise to remain together...no matter our payment.
Epilogue: Reunion And Invitation
~ONE YEAR LATER~
* * *
"Yes, Starlight. I heard you, for the fiftieth time. The moment we get off the private jet, turn left into the VIP sector of the airport to the room with the golden envelope we received. It's honestly not our fault there was no added memo that said alumni have to confirm their status by today! You're lucky Jax and I were able to catch a flight. No. We weren't fucking around! I already told you, I was doing an apprentice program with Aurora that went around the world while Jax was attending various world leader events as president of the Witchling Peace Organization we founded last summer. It really hasn't been fun, shopping, travel, and sex, alright? And yes, my hair isn't pink anymore. It's not my fault that I didn't read the coloring box when I was drunk graduation night."
Jax was playing with my hair as I continued to rest on his shoulder and speak with my older sister, who was far too excited about our arrival back home.
I couldn't believe a year had already passed since our graduation from Witchling Academy. After receiving our diplomas, we'd gone straight to a banquet hall with our family and friends to celebrate, which led to some drunk memories and me waking up with pink hair.
Since then, it was decided we'd officially take a year off, and what better way of doing it then by enrolling in an apprenticeship that allowed us to travel the world? The best part? We got to go by aliases and our appearances had been altered thanks to some highly advanced magic machinery.
To be honest, it was difficult in the beginning - simply because none of us remembered when we'd agreed to become "spy" apprentices, which is what I liked to call the extremely rare role.
The opportunity literally allowed us to travel the world while doing something that called out to us. The result of it was that we were able to follow our passions around the world while still keeping in contact, which included monthly get-togethers in our choice of country.
Jax became the official president of a newly created Peace Organization. He went by a different name and had changed his flaming hair to temporary black. I still thought he'd be recognizable, and yet he looked like a different person.
Finnick was traveling the world and opening various art schools and museums under his alias’ name. It was easy for him to run his fashion and newly made perfume brand since he didn't need to make a physical appearance until this fall after our yearly apprenticeship was up.
He'd changed his hair color to silver, which made him look more like a samurai, especially when he was next to Kaito.
Kaito not only got to accompany Finnick throughout the world for the art tours, building projects, and developing Finnick's fashion line, he was also aiding in the creation of special swords and magic incantation weaponry that would aid in countering the illegal weapons that were being exchanged in the black market.
With the help of Finnick's drawing skills, they were able to plan out a complete line of weapons that would aid in defending against and eliminating any of those bullets or machinery created with that specific illegal metal that almost killed us on our last holiday.
Connor actually owned many of those very manufacturers. His mother had shown him a bit about stocks and business management. When the idea was brought to him by Finnick and Kaito, he immediately worked on getting the right resources to aid with the production. We all decided to meet in Dubai, and Finnick's previous agent, who was now the art director of one of Finnick's most recent museums, had a few friends in the industry that could make a brilliant deal that would have Witchling Star and many other protective organizations pushing for the creations of these defensive weapons.
With all that in the works, and with us traveling so often, he began investing in hotels that were bringing in bonus revenue - and scoring us plenty of free stays at five- to seven-star hotels.
As for myself, Aurora accepted me into a very rare apprentice opportunity she's only done with one other student long ago. Though I wasn't sure of it in the beginning, I wanted to do something that would impact change across the world. She decided it would be a marvelous idea to travel and teach about various subjects including topics regarding bullying, teamwork, and finding yourself when life was rough. Some would call it a self-help coach, but I simply wanted to share my knowledge and experiences while integrating my wisdom gathered from books in terms of magic and spell work.
Thinking I was twenty-one and doing what others took years of school and experience to accomplish gave me the sense of confidence I'd yearned for when I entered Witchling. Now I could walk among society without worry or fear of lacking, and it felt amazing.
"Yup! I'll see you soon. Love ya." As I hung up the phone, the seatbelt sign went on as the pilot announced we were landing.
Jax kissed my temple before I moved from resting against him to fasten my seat belt.
"Your sister sounds excited," Jax acknowledged.
"Not as excited as I am that your hair is back to being flaming hot," I tossed back with a wide grin. "Get it? Flaming hot."
"I did not miss your cringe-worthy jokes." He laughed, which made me giggle as he fastened his seatbelt. "It feels good to finally be back. Pretending to be someone else was hard."
"I felt like we were epic supernatural spies living another identity. It felt good, though, because no one knew who we were."