“To ensure the headmistress''s efforts to unify witches and monsters aren''t in vain," Cassia said, her voice smooth as silk, yet simultaneously sharp as a blade, “my son will watch over little Beatrix here."


    Dracula stepped forward with a sneer. “You can’t be serious,” he scoffed.


    The devil duchess turned to face him, her yellow eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. "Oh Vlad," she drawled, drawing out his mortal name mockingly. “I’ve always had a soft spot for bullied witches. Kicking the poor girl out now will just undo all the good Bloodgood''s been trying to do around here… set back her admirable goals of inclusivity."


    Beatrix watched, stunned, as the mighty Dracula seemed to wilt before her eyes. Even the king of vampires wasn’t willing to challenge a high-ranking devil.


    Cassia''s gaze swept over Grey, then past him to land on her. Beatrix instinctively tried to hide behind Grey.


    "Let''s not kid ourselves,” Cassia went on. “We''ve still got a vampire problem on our hands. Who’s to say more won’t come after Beatrix, or put other students at risk? That''s where my son comes in.” A hint of pride crept into Cassia’s voice. “He''ll keep Beatrix and the rest of the school safe, get to the bottom of this murder mystery. He graduated top of his class in tactical combat. He’ll be able to find your real killer.”


    “This is preposterous!” Bram''s mom erupted, her fangs flashing. “You can''t let that witch stay—”


    Cassia cut her off with a wave of her perfectly manicured hand. “Oh, and do expel those vampire boys while you''re at it. Their behavior has been simply..." she paused, savoring the moment like a cat with a cornered mouse, "... distasteful. We can''t have students attacking anyone, regardless of species.”


    Beatrix felt a surge of satisfaction at hearing someone finally stick it to Bram and Vilhelm. She glanced at Autumn, who looked equally pleased. But when Autumn and Beatrix’s eyes met, Beatrix saw her own unease mirrored there. Was this her ticket out of trouble, or was she just diving headfirst into something way, way worse?


    “I know Beatrix here hasn''t been winning any ‘Employee of the Month'' awards with all these magical mishaps,” Cassia said. “But I promise my son will put an end to it. Give him a chance, and we''ll have Monster High back to normal in no time.”


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    Beatrix and Autumn found themselves back in Bloodgood''s office, in the same seats they’d been in during their first meeting with the headmistress at the start of the year.


    This time, though, the room felt very different. The walls seemed to press in, and to Beatrix’s right, Autumn sat fidgeting restlessly, quietly tugging at the seams on her wrists. To Beatrix''s left, Cassia lounged in her chair like she owned the place. By the way her demon posse stood at attention behind her in crisp black military uniforms, maybe she did.


    As Beatrix sat there, she mulled over all the events that had led to this moment. One minute, she''d been branded Public Enemy No. 1, facing down an angry monster mob on the brink of getting kicked out. The next, one of Hell''s most powerful figures was fighting for her place at Monster High. Talk about whiplash.


    The school board''s decision still rang in Beatrix''s ears: Bram and Vilhelm were officially expelled. Part of Beatrix wanted to cheer—those fanged jerks had it coming—but it felt off. Too neat. Too easy.


    Then, Bloodgood had pulled Beatrix, Autumn, and all the devils from the screamatorium’s crowd, ushering them away to discuss Cassia''s son in private. Now, in the confines of the headmistress’s office, Beatrix kept sneaking glances at Cassia, trying to get a read on her. But Cassia was the picture of composure, giving absolutely nothing away in her expression.


    Bloodgood leaned back in her chair, looking exhausted. “This proposal regarding your son… It’s highly irregular,” Bloodgood said.


    Cassia smiled, her confidence unwavering. "I assure you, Headmistress, my plan is foolproof."


    Bloodgood sighed, rubbing her temples. “If he wants to look into these student deaths, is he applying for a position on our security staff?"


    “Actually," Cassia replied, "I believe he''d do much better as a student here."


    "Why?" The question slipped out of Beatrix before she could catch herself.


    Cassia’s head snapped immediately to Beatrix, looking thrilled to engage with her. “An excellent question, my dear. You see, military academies become rather dull when you’re leagues ahead of everyone else. My boy needs more than that. I want him to receive a well-rounded education, to learn about modern monster culture, how Monster High ticks these days. There’s been... significant changes in the past century, especially in the last few months.” Her yellow eyes gleamed. “That’s why this arrangement is a win-win.”


    “However,” Cassia continued, gently as if talking to a child, "there''s one essential condition. Devils can''t interact with the physical world, even though we appear to."


    “Yeah… like a nightmarish optical illusion," Beatrix said.


    "Exactly," Cassia said happily, not offended in the slightest. "So, for my son to actually help out around here, we''d need to bind him to you.”


    “I knew it!” Beatrix exclaimed, jumping to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. “My aunts sent you, didn’t they? Did they tell you I’d enter into a devil contract? Because they’re wrong.”


    Cassia''s perfect smile faltered for a split second, but she reapplied it before anyone else noticed. “I understand why you''re worried,” she said, sounding entertained by Beatrix''s outburst. “I''m just trying to nudge you in the right direction, that''s all.”


    “If the ‘right direction’ means serving your brat son, then hard pass.” Beatrix crossed her arms, defiant. She knew better than to trust Cassia. Devils and deception were synonymous.


    Cassia cocked her head, studying Beatrix with renewed interest. “Okay, how about this?” she pivoted, her voice honey-sweet. “Try it out for a bit. A temporary arrangement with my boy—a free trial, if you will. See what it’s like having a devil familiar. That way, he can protect you and attend Monster High for a few months.”


    Beatrix paused, caught off guard. “Free trial?” she repeated.


    “Free trial,” Cassia confirmed.


    “No strings attached? No permanent contract at the end of it?”


    Cassia shook her head. “No blood oath required. Only your verbal consent.”


    Beatrix couldn’t believe she was even considering this. She’d been avoiding a devil contract her entire life.


    The clock on Bloodgood''s wall ticked loudly in the quiet room. Beatrix took a deep breath, reminding herself that without a blood oath, a devil couldn''t force her into anything permanent. A real contract had to be completely her choice. But a trial run? That was... kinda tempting. Having some backup at Monster High didn''t sound half bad. With a devil familiar around, her friends wouldn''t have to deal with vengeful bloodsuckers anymore. Plus, someone needed to look into all the student deaths, because the school sure wasn’t doing a great job at that so far. The thought of that freedom, that safety… it seemed too good to pass up.


    “How long would the test trial be?” Beatrix asked.


    Cassia''s eyes lit up like she''d just won the lottery. "One semester. Plenty of time to put an end to these murders once and for all.”


    “... I suppose… given the circumstances... perhaps it''s our best option," Bloodgood admitted, her voice weary.


    Beatrix''s heart leapt. Was this really happening? She could stay?


    “Then it’s settled,” Cassia said to Bloodgood. “Please arrange a private dorm for my son, headmistress. He needs ample room for his belongings."


    Bloodgood nodded slowly. “I can place him in the West dormitory. What is his name?”


    "Astar," a voice behind Cassia answered.


    Beatrix spun around in her seat. The devil who''d spoken wore a black uniform adorned with military pins. He had a sharp jawline, stocky build, and broad chest — and was every bit as noble-looking as his mother.


    Astar caught Beatrix''s eye and gave her a flirtatious grin. "Happy to be of service."


    Cassia leaned in close to Beatrix. "Repeat after me," she instructed. "I, Beatrix Felicity Ravenwood, agree to be bound for eighteen weeks to Astar Phlegyas Devilman, the marquess of the fifth circle of hell, the ruler of the wrathful—"


    "Wayyy too many words,” Beatrix interrupted. “Can''t we just shake on it and get this over with?"


    Behind his mom, Astar’s mouth twitched like he was trying not to laugh.


    Cassia blinked, caught off guard. After a moment, she conceded, "A handshake works."


    Astar swaggered over, confidently holding out his hand to Beatrix. His red hand sported sharp, dragon-like talons. Taking a deep breath, Beatrix reached out too.


    She expected her hand to pass right through his. And at first, she felt nothing. But then, eventually, a palm materialized in hers. Astar''s hand became solid, firmly gripping her own. His touch was warm, almost burning, and Beatrix felt a jolt of energy surge between them.


    Just like that, the deal was sealed. His form was real. He was actually here, in the flesh — or whatever devils were made of.


    “Congratulations! You’re now under the protection of the fifth circle,” Cassia declared, beaming like Astar had just solved world hunger. Except, of course, a devil never would. Helping humanity wouldn''t be any fun for them. "I''m beyond excited for you and Astar to get acquainted," Cassia added, then turned to the headmistress. As the adults'' conversation faded to a low murmur in the background, Beatrix tried to process what had just happened. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her of how long it had been since she''d last eaten.


    "Here, Bea," Autumn said, pulling out a tupperware filled with pumpkin bread from her satchel. The sweet, spicy scent wafted through the air, making Beatrix''s mouth water.


    As Autumn passed the bread to Beatrix, a red blur intercepted it. Astar snatched the container and took a massive bite, crumbs falling onto the pristine carpet of Bloodgood''s office.


    His eyes widened in surprise, a look of pure pleasure crossing his face. "Hot damn!" he exclaimed, voice muffled by the mouthful of bread.


    Autumn, taken aback, timidly smiled and said, "Glad you like it..."


    For a moment, Astar seemed less like a terrifying entity from hell and more like a child experiencing something new and wonderful for the first time. It must be the first time he’s taken a bite of real food.


    “You''re ''Bee''? Like the bug?" Astar asked Beatrix as he devoured the remaining bread.


    "Like a bumblebee!" Autumn chimed in to ease the awkwardness of him swiping Beatrix''s snack. "You think she''ll sting you, but she''s actually a cuddle bug!"


    "Autumn!" Beatrix hissed through gritted teeth. The last thing she needed was for this devil to think she was soft.


    Astar wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. A smirk played on his lips as he locked eyes with Beatrix. "Let''s get along, Bee," he said.


    Beatrix had a feeling they wouldn''t. Not even a little.


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    Beatrix''s legs burned as she crouched behind a dusty file cabinet in the language building''s attic. Her chest heaved from dashing up six flights of stairs. Dim light filtered through a grimy window, casting long shadows across the cluttered space as she tried to steady her breathing.


    Her heart pounded in her ears as she listened for any sign of her pursuer. The attic door creaked open. Beatrix held her breath, pressing herself closer to the file cabinet. After an agonizing moment of silence, she heard the soft flap of wings.


    “BOO!”


    Beatrix yelped, stumbling backwards. Her back hit the wall, sending a cloud of dust billowing around her. Coughing and waving her hand to clear the air, she looked up to see Astar perched atop the file cabinet like a gargoyle. His red skin stood out starkly against the gloom, yellow eyes gleaming with triumph as he folded his wings. “You’ll have to be faster than that if you wanna ditch me.”


    Beatrix glared up at him.


    “You almost had me fooled this time," Astar said, shifting into a more comfortable position on the cabinet. "Thought you were headed for the history building. But get this — when I got there, I ran into some hideous goblin scurrying around in the attic.” He grimaced dramatically.


    Beatrix frowned. “A goblin? You mean Greta?”


    “Who’s Greta?”


    “The old goblin who works in the creepateria. What was she doing up there?”


    Astar shrugged. “Beats me. Talking to someone, I think. Her voice was unpleasant." He wrinkled his nose. "By the way, why is everyone here so ugly?”


    Beatrix''s eyebrow shot up, her irritation returning in full force.


    Astar feigned innocence. "Present company excluded, of course. It’s a good thing you have me for a change of scenery.” He winked at her.


    Beatrix rolled her eyes. Astar''s constant jabs at Monster High''s residents didn’t surprise her anymore, but they still grated on her nerves.


    She couldn’t wait for winter break to be over. Although the halls were empty and most students had left for the holidays, including Grey, Beatrix and Autumn had decided to stay on campus. But now she was second-guessing that choice. Without the usual mayhem of Monster High to distract her, Astar''s constant yapping was driving her up the wall.


    Before Grey had left, he’d called Autumn’s iCoffin one last time.


    This devil situation... it''s not good, Beatrix, he''d said, tension obvious in his tone.


    Tell me about it, Beatrix had groaned, flopping onto her bed. I should''ve known my aunts wouldn''t let me off the hook that easy. It’s their life mission to make sure I sell my soul. But don''t worry, Astar won’t be here long.


    The line had gone quiet for a moment. When Grey spoke again, his voice was low. If that devil even thinks about messing with anyone at school... He’d trailed off, the threat clear.


    Beatrix picked up on the strain in Grey’s voice, like he was being pulled in a thousand different directions. She got why Grey hated the idea of a devil at Monster High — he''d explained their dangerous nature when they''d talked behind the gardening shed. But why did Grey feel like he had to protect everyone? It wasn’t his responsibility to keep other students safe. Yet, it seemed to be eating at him.


    Hey, she''d said, trying to sound more confident than she felt, I''ll keep you in the loop, okay? Try not to stress too much.


    There was a moment of silence before Grey muttered a quick “Okay. Thanks” and hung up.


    So he left, and campus had been a ghost town for weeks. Leaving Beatrix alone with her scarecrow friend and a clingy devil babysitter.


    Beatrix wanted to keep Autumn away from the devil, which had actually turned out to be surprisingly easy since she was busy studying all winter break. Autumn had gone into full-on study mode after getting an A- in Biteology. Beatrix still remembered how crushed Autumn had looked when she saw her report card. Despite getting straight A''s in every other class, that one tiny minus sign was all that mattered. Now Autumn was camped out in the library, determined to "properly prepare" for next semester. Beatrix worried about her friend''s perfectionist streak, but at least it kept her out of Astar''s orbit.


    Meanwhile, Astar had been practically glued to Beatrix''s side. She''d expected commands, threats, maybe some attempts to corrupt her soul. But he hadn''t commanded her to do anything evil so far. He was just... annoying.


    Astar had ditched his harsh military uniforms and now mostly lived in sweatpants and black tank tops. Every morning, like clockwork, he''d go for a run around the school’s perimeter, then hit the student gym for an hour of pumping iron.


    That morning, Beatrix had tried to sneak off during his workout without telling him which attic she’d be cleaning out today. She''d hoped to avoid his pestering during her janitor shift, but as usual, he''d managed to track her down.


    Beatrix reached for her broom with a sigh as Astar gracefully hopped down from his perch on the file cabinet. Despite his muscular frame, he landed with surprising agility. They stood toe to toe now. He was only a bit taller, but his sharp devil horns gave him a few inches.


    Beatrix attempted to sidestep him, but Astar wasn''t easily deterred. His lips curled into that infuriating grin of his, falling into step beside her as she began to sweep. “You know, your aloofness is just pulling me in,” he teased.


    Ignoring him, Beatrix pulled her hair into a braid. She could feel Astar''s eyes on her, watching her every move.


    "C’mon," Astar nudged. "You''ve got a once-in-a-lifetime thing going on here. How many mortals can say they''ve hung out with a devil?"


    "Will you just drop it already?" Beatrix grumbled, sweeping the attic floor with more force than necessary.


    "Where''s the fun in that?" Astar said, leaning against a dusty shelf, studying Beatrix. "I know you''re dying to know more about me. How about this: for every question you ask, I get to ask one in return. You start."


    Beatrix stopped mid-sweep, her grip tightening on the broom handle. She looked at Astar. Really looked at him.


    Finally, she bit. "Fine. Did my aunts send you and your mom here?"


    “Yes,” Astar answered immediately. “Your aunts summoned my mom months ago when you showed up at Monster High. You''re the first witch to walk these grounds — we found that pretty fascinating.” Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Beatrix pressed on. "So my aunts told you about my school board trial?"


    Astar snickered. "Oh yeah. From what I heard, you''ve been using quite a bit of witchcraft here. Your aunts said you sucked at magic, but it seems they underestimated you."


    He held up two talons. "My turn. Two questions. You came here to avoid a devil contract. Why?"


    Beatrix’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to answer. "I don''t want to live like my aunts do,” she reluctantly confessed. “Why would I want a tyrant forcing me to obey their whims? And if I don''t meet your demands, you''ll abandon me, or worse. Devils are ruthless when they don’t find a witch useful anymore."


    "You can''t blame devils for that,” Astar said nonchalantly. “With so many witches lining up to serve us, why would a devil stick with an unruly or untalented one? We let witches thrive, help them harness power in this earthly realm." His eyes locked with hers, intense and searching. "I can see you haven''t witnessed the true benefits of a contract."


    Before Beatrix could fire back, Astar went on, "Anyway, question number two: tell me about your scarecrow friend."


    “Why do you care?” Beatrix snapped, instantly protective.


    Astar shrugged, maddeningly casual. "I''m curious about the monster who brought you here.”


    Beatrix hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Aunt Clarice created Autumn to work on our farm when I was a kid," she said, curt.


    Astar didn’t look satisfied with her answer, but Beatrix rushed to change the subject. "My turn," she said. "Why was Bloodgood so accommodating to you?"


    A slow, unsettling grin spread across Astar''s face, revealing his pointed teeth. "Because she was scared," he said, dark satisfaction dripping from every word. "I don''t expect you to know this, but most monsters are created by black magic."


    Beatrix fought to keep a neutral poker face on. Thanks to Grey, she already knew how monsters were made, but she wasn''t about to let Astar in on that.


    Astar kept going. “Look, Bloodgood’s not an idiot. She knows what happened to her family—the headless horsemen. They exist because of witchcraft, because a devil commanded a coven to curse them. So tell me, why would she want to piss off the ones who gave her this undead existence?"


    His tone was disturbingly casual, as if he was chatting about the weather, not the fate of an entire bloodline. Beatrix felt her skin crawl as she realized just how detached Astar was from what he was saying.


    Beatrix didn’t hide her contempt. "Devils are despicable.”


    “Oh, don’t get your stockings in a twist,” Astar said. “Without that curse, Bloodgood’s family would’ve faded into meaningless obscurity just like 99% of humans. Here today, gone tomorrow, blah blah blah.” He spread his arms wide, as if presenting a great gift. “A devil made the headless horsemen into legends. And look at the headmistress now. She''s doing well running this school full of docile, tame little monsters."


    Astar flapped his wings and propelled himself to an attic window. The sudden gust of air stirred up a cloud of dust, sending Beatrix into a coughing fit. "Speaking of," he said, looking through the grimy glass, "check out all the corpses shuffling around down there."


    Beatrix joined him at the window and peered out. The new semester started Monday and students were finally arriving back on campus. Outside, swarms of monsters headed for the gymnasium to watch the first casketball game of the season.


    “Shoot! I lost track of time!" Beatrix exclaimed, remembering she was supposed to be on standby for Autumn''s fearleading routine in the gym. "You distracted me," she accused Astar. "I''m nowhere close to finishing cleaning!"


    "What''s the rush, Bee Bee?" Astar asked.


    "Don''t call me ''Bee Bee''," Beatrix growled.


    Astar straightened up and gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma''am. Any other orders for me?"


    Beatrix narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "Orders you''ll actually follow?"


    “I can choose which requests are appropriate, but I’m not an unreasonable demon,” Astar said, shrugging. “I scratch your back, you scratch mine. That''s how this works.”


    Beatrix surveyed the massive, cluttered attic, cobwebs clinging to every corner, and an idea struck her. “Alright, hotshot,” she challenged, turning to Astar. "Clean this place for me in ten minutes."


    Astar''s eyes widened. "Ten minutes? Without magic? You''re kidding, right?"


    "What''s wrong? Can’t handle it? Figures,” Beatrix taunted.


    Astar''s surprise quickly morphed into determination. He squared his shoulders, a competitive fire igniting in his gaze. "Make it five minutes," he countered.


    "As if—" Beatrix began, but her words were cut short as Astar sprang into action.


    He became a crimson blur, snatching up Beatrix''s cleaning supplies and attacking every dusty surface. Starting high in the rafters, he worked his way down, moving so fast that debris swirled around Beatrix. She coughed, shielding her face with her hands as the air filled with the frantic beating of wings and the clatter of objects.


    Behind her hands, Beatrix''s lips curled into a sly grin. This was her chance to ditch the devil. Tiptoeing towards the door, her footsteps masked by Astar''s cleaning frenzy, she slipped out and bolted down the stairs.


    Heart pounding, she sprinted from the building, making a beeline for the gym. But her triumph was short-lived. She''d barely made it a few yards when a taloned hand seized her arm, yanking her upward.


    A shriek tore from Beatrix''s throat as her feet lost contact with the ground. The earth rapidly shrank away as Astar’s powerful wings beat above her.


    "Still playing hard to get, I see!" Astar''s voice carried on the wind, lifting her higher into the sky.


    "Let go of me!" Beatrix demanded, struggling against his grip


    “As you wish!” Astar replied cheerfully.


    Astar released his grip and Beatrix plummeted, her braid whipping back as tears welled in her eyes from the rushing wind. She was too shocked to scream as the ground hurtled towards her.


    Just as she was certain she was about to become a witch-shaped crater in the Monster High lawn, she heard Astar''s wings flap again, and he snatched her mid-air, grabbing her by the leg and hoisting her back up. The abrupt change in direction made her stomach lurch.


    “Kidding. Can’t have you dying on me,” Astar laughed. He tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.


    Beatrix''s fear gave way to fury. "If this is your idea of winning me over, you''re doing a terrible job!" she yelled, her words nearly lost in the howling wind. She closed her eyes and prayed it would end soon. Finally, Astar began to descend. He touched down and skidded to a stop, setting Beatrix back on her wobbling feet.


    "See? Much faster my way," Astar boasted, puffing out his chest, adding, "And the attic is spotless. Did it in four minutes."


    Beatrix swayed, her stomach churning. She was ready to hurl.


    A shrill whistle blew from inside the gym. Despite her queasiness, Beatrix straightened up and stumbled towards the entrance, determined to find Autumn. "Don''t even think about following me," she snapped at Astar without looking back. "That''s an order!"


    Inside, the fearleaders were lined up with their pom-poms, kicking off the casketball game with crowd cheers. A cool, webbed hand touched Beatrix’s arm. She turned to see Lagoona beside her.


    "Crikey, mate, you alright?" Lagoona asked. "You look like you''ve been through the wringer."


    Beatrix reached up to touch her hair. Her braid had completely unraveled during the impromptu flight, leaving her hair looking like a rat''s nest. "That devil’s gonna kill me," she groaned.


    "I would never," Astar''s voice quipped behind her.


    Beatrix''s shoulders slumped in defeat as a headache began to throb behind her eyes. "I told you to stay outside.”


    "And I chose to respectfully ignore that order," Astar replied. His gaze shifted to Lagoona. "And who is this ocean beauty?"


    “Lagoona, sophomore rep for the student council, and captain of the swim team," Lagoona said, her voice taking on a shy quality that was unusual for her. A faint blush colored her cheeks, visible even through her blue scales.


    Is Lagoona… blushing? Beatrix couldn''t believe it. She glanced around, noticing other ghouls in the bleachers glancing at Astar. The devil seemed to have an inexplicable effect on the female population of Monster High, and Beatrix didn''t like it one bit.


    "Say, Lagoona," Astar said, flashing a charming smile, "any chance you could show a new student around tomorrow? I could use a responsible guide for my first day of classes."


    Lagoona returned his flirty smile. “Happy to.”


    Beatrix bristled, stepping between them. "He doesn''t need a tour," she said firmly. "He''s been living on campus all winter break."


    Astar leaned over Beatrix''s head, winking at Lagoona. "Bee''s just being a buzzkill."


    Lagoona giggled, clearly smitten, before saying goodbye. As she walked away, a few ghouls began to gather, all eager to catch a glimpse of the devilish newcomer. Frustration bubbling up inside her, Beatrix stomped ahead to put some distance between herself and Astar''s growing fan club.


    “‘Trix!” she heard Orion’s voice call out.


    Beatrix looked up to see Orion, Guillermo, and Jackson waving from the back row of bleachers. Relieved to see familiar faces, she climbed up to join them.


    Orion snorted as she approached. "Geez, you look like you got hit by a truck."


    Beatrix responded with a swift jab to the werewolf boy''s arm.


    Guillermo''s eyes darted to where Astar stood surrounded by admiring ghouls. "So, uh, how''s it going with the freaky demon-dude?"


    Beatrix sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. She winced as her fingers got caught in the knots. "Apparently, the fifth circle of hell is full of crazy jerks, and he''s the lord of them."


    She turned her attention to the gym floor, watching Autumn clapping her pom-poms to blasting pop music. Across the gym, Astar was now busy charming a group of ghouls from the rival school—a private academy full of forest nymphs. Beatrix felt a twinge of annoyance at how easily he seemed to fit in.


    Beatrix scanned the stands for Grey, but didn’t see him anywhere. Jackson piped up. "Hey, Beatrix. I researched the circles of hell over winter break," he said. "Did you know that the fifth circle is known for its devil warriors? I read that the wrathful fight each other for eternity down there."


    “Foul!” Orion hollered at the court, not listening to a word.


    Guillermo elbowed the werewolf. "Orion, you can''t root for the other team."


    "But Clawd totally fouled that nymph guy!" Orion protested. "Just ''cause he''s alpha doesn''t mean he can get away with it!”


    Just then, thud echoed through the gym, cutting through the cheers and music, and a collective gasp rose.


    Beatrix''s head snapped towards the commotion. A crowd was quickly gathering at the front of the bleachers where the fearleaders had been performing.


    Beatrix shot up and pushed her way ahead. As she broke through the crowd, her worst fears were confirmed. Clumps of straw and mangled threads were scattered across the gym floor.


    Beatrix’s jaw dropped. “Autumn!”


    She dropped to her knees beside her friend, frantic hands hovering over Autumn''s broken form, desperate to collect the scattered threads and hay that once made up her friend. "Autumn! Can you hear me?"


    Autumn''s shoulder was torn almost clean through, the gash extending down the front of her chest. Her right arm dangled precariously by a thread, barely attached to her torso. She lay crooked on the ground, button eyes wide in shock. The usual sparkle in them was gone, replaced by a vacant stare that chilled Beatrix to her core.


    Through her panic, Beatrix caught snippets of conversation around her. She heard Toralei saying, "I didn''t mean to! I jerked away ‘cause I didn''t want her to get caught on my claws!"


    Abbey''s blunt voice responded, "I know, it vas simple mistake."


    Beatrix leaned in close to Autumn. "It''s okay, you''re going to be fine," she said, but the words felt hollow. Autumn blinked wearily, completely out of it.


    Frankie and Clawdeen moved to help.


    "Don''t!" Beatrix shouted, imagining Clawdeen''s sharp nails or Frankie''s unpredictable electric touch causing more damage to Autumn''s body. Beatrix tried to gather all of Autumn''s stuffing, but with so many monsters around, she worried she’d miss some under their feet.


    Suddenly, a commanding voice cut through the chaos. "Make some room! Back it up!" Astar ordered. The crowd took a few steps back, creating a small circle of space around Autumn.


    "Watch it!" Manny the minotaur protested as Astar pushed past him.


    Astar turned to Manny, flashing a sharp-toothed grin that was more a threat than a smile. "Or what?" he challenged.


    Despite Manny being much larger than Astar, the minotaur looked nervous, his bravado crumbling. "Hey, man, I''m a lover, not a fighter," he muttered, backing away.


    Astar knelt beside Beatrix, sweeping his arms in a broad motion to gather Autumn''s scattered parts in one go. Despite his talons, he was surprisingly meticulous, collecting more than Beatrix could have managed on her own.


    He handed the stray hay and threads to Beatrix, then gently lifted Autumn into his arms. "Which way to the nurse''s office?" he asked, his voice carrying over the murmuring crowd. Clawd, who had paused the casketball game, pointed them in the right direction.


    As Astar strode towards the exit, Beatrix matched his pace. She turned back to the fearleaders. "Someone go to our dorm and grab replacement hay from Autumn''s closet!"


    "On it," Clawdeen said, dashing off.


    Hurrying down the hall, Beatrix couldn''t tear her eyes from Autumn. Her friend hung limply in Astar''s arms, blinking slowly, each flutter of her button eyes a small reassurance that she was still with them. She’d never seen Autumn in such bad shape.


    Astar entered the nurse''s office, carefully laying Autumn on the nearest bed. Beatrix glanced around the empty room, anxiety rising. "Where are the nurses?"


    "I''ll find one," Astar said, his footsteps echoing as he left in search of help.


    Alone with Autumn, Beatrix quickly pulled out a needle and thread. But as she looked over her friend''s injuries, she realized this repair job would be far from easy.


    "What happened?" Beatrix pressed, trying to keep Autumn conscious and talking.


    Autumn''s voice was weak, but she managed to explain. "I was cheering on Toralei''s shoulders… she slipped and couldn''t catch me when I fell… got snagged on Abbey''s yeti horns on the way down."


    She paused, gathering strength before adding, "Toralei didn''t mean to… It was an accident. Promise me you won''t get mad at her… she already feels awful."


    Beatrix wanted to storm back to the gym and confront Toralei, but as she looked at Autumn, she noticed tears welling up in her friend''s button eyes. The sight immediately doused her anger like cold water on embers.


    "Okay, I promise," Beatrix said softly. She reached out and squeezed Autumn''s hand, careful not to disturb any of her loose threads.


    The room fell into silence for a moment, broken by the distant sounds of the casketball game picking up again. When Autumn spoke again, her voice sounded small. "I thought I’d be able to handle Monster High… but look at me. I''m such a burden."


    Beatrix was caught off guard. "What? Where''s this coming from?"


    "Don''t act like you don''t think so too," Autumn sniffled. "Last semester, you didn''t tell me anything."


    "I didn''t—" Beatrix started, but Autumn pressed on, her words spilling out as if a dam had broken.


    "All that magic stuff, the vampire drama... you told everyone but me. Grey, those seminar guys, even Draculaura. But never me." Tears welled up in her button eyes. "Because I''m not strong enough. What kind of friend am I if I can''t even help you?"


    "Hey, hey, don''t cry!" Beatrix scrambled for a tissue box, gently dabbing at Autumn''s eyes to keep her burlap skin from getting soaked. As she tended to her friend, realization dawned. No wonder Autumn had been so distant lately, giving her the cold shoulder, so sick of that dumb "strawhead" nickname. She''d been wrestling with this for a while.


    "I was so mad at you last semester for keeping secrets,” Autumn said. “But really... I was mad at myself. You don''t need me the way I need you. I brought you to Monster High to get you away from all that devil stuff with your aunts… but I still couldn''t protect you."


    A lump formed in Beatrix’s throat. She took Autumn''s hand, focusing on sewing up a small tear on her fingertip. It gave her a moment to gather her thoughts.


    “Autumn, I didn''t tell you everything last semester, not because I didn''t trust you or thought you couldn''t handle it…" Beatrix said, focusing on her needlework. "I just... I didn''t want to pile more onto your plate. This whole Monster High thing is your adventure, and you''ve been crushing it!" She glanced up. "I mean, a year ago, would you have ever imagined yourself acing your classes and being the star flyer on the fearleading team?"


    A faint smile tugged at Autumn''s stitched mouth.


    "Seriously, you need to give yourself more credit," Beatrix continued, her voice warm. "You''re the bravest scarecrow I know, hands down, remember? So... no more secrets?"


    "No more secrets," Autumn agreed, her voice steadier. "From now on, we tell each other everything."


    Just as Beatrix finished patching up Autumn''s finger, the door creaked open. Astar sauntered in, followed by a cyborg nurse whose metallic body gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights.


    The nurse''s digital eyes whirred and clicked as she scanned Autumn, her voice calm and clinical. "We''ll need heavy-duty wire for these repairs. Ms. Patches, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?"


    Autumn considered the question for a second. "... I don''t really feel pain, exactly. It''s more like... a weird, empty tingle in my chest? And I''m kinda woozy, like everything''s not quite real." Worry crossed her face. "Wait, this isn''t a dream, right?"


    "No," the nurse said matter-of-factly.


    Autumn visibly relaxed. "Oh, phew. Okay, so... maybe a 3?"


    Beatrix, still holding Autumn''s newly-mended hand, turned to Astar. "Hey, did you see Clawdeen out there? What''s taking her so long with that hay?"


    Astar looked blank. "Who?"


    "Maybe she got lost," Autumn suggested weakly.


    Beatrix gave Autumn''s hand a final squeeze before letting go. "I''ll go look for her. If I can''t find her, I''ll run to our dorm and grab the hay myself." She fixed Astar with a stern look. "Stay here and watch over Autumn. If she needs anything, listen to her like you would to me... Except you don’t listen to me much."


    "I''ll stick around. Unless I get bored." Astar glanced at Autumn, wiggling his brow flirtatiously. "But I don''t think that''ll be a problem."


    "In all the nine hells," Beatrix muttered as she headed out, scanning the halls for any sign of Clawdeen. What could be taking her so long?


    As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with someone leaning against the wall. "Cleo?"


    Cleo looked up from inspecting her nails. "How''s Autumn doing?"


    "She''ll be fine," Beatrix replied, confused. "Why are you out here?"


    "I was waiting for you to leave before checking on my teammate."


    "Gee, thanks." Beatrix couldn''t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.


    Cleo''s eyes narrowed slightly. "I didn''t mean I was trying to avoid you," she scoffed. "I overheard some of your conversation with Autumn. Didn''t want to interrupt."


    "Oh," Beatrix said, feeling guilty for assuming the worst. "Well... thanks, I guess."


    Cleo''s expression softened, just barely. "You''re not what I expected," she admitted. "The way you reacted when Autumn got hurt... made me realize I might''ve judged you too quickly."


    Beatrix blinked, taken aback. Cleo de Nile admitting she might be wrong? That was new. "Autumn''s my best friend," Beatrix explained. "What, did you expect me to be like that witch from Deuce''s Halloween story or something?"


    "Yes. Like that witch," Cleo said, her tone dead serious. She absently rubbed at the golden wrappings on her arms. "I hate that Deuce keeps telling that stupid story, like hearing about a sorceress trapping monsters in stone walls is entertaining. Being alone in the dark for an eternity... It''s a kind of hell people can''t even imagine. It takes someone truly heartless to do that to another person."


    Beatrix felt a chill. Wait... as a mummy, she must have spent a lot of time in a tomb... Does that mean…


    "A warlock locked me away," Cleo finished the thought for her. "A high priest, technically."


    “Cleo… I’m so sorry," Beatrix said, the horror of it sinking in.


    "Yeah. Me too," Cleo said quietly. "That''s why you''ve surprised me." With that, she strode into the nurse''s office. As Cleo entered, Astar was on his way out. His yellow eyes gave her an obvious once-over, but the mummy princess breezed past him, chin held high, completely ignoring him.


    As the door closed, Astar sidled up to Beatrix. "That mummy''s hot stuff."


    “She''s taken. And not exactly a fan of dark magic." Despite herself, Beatrix couldn’t help but soften a bit. "Thanks for helping me with Autumn."


    Astar''s and Beatrix''s eyes connected for a moment, and Beatrix felt a twinge of genuine gratitude.


    "Hey, that''s what I''m here for," Astar said. "To help you out."


    "And to investigate the deaths," Beatrix''s voice sharpened, snapping out of the moment. "It seems like you''re more interested in flirting and working out than solving these cases."


    "Who says I can''t do both?" Astar quipped. “This place is surprisingly fun. Domesticated monsters are pretty entertaining, and it’s the first time I haven’t been stuck doing military drills like I was back in the fifth circle.”


    “Where the wrathful duke it out for eternity?” Beatrix asked.


    Astar shot Beatrix a playful look. "Oh? Been reading up on my hometown?"


    “No way,” Beatrix huffed. “My friend Jackson likes to research different types of creatures. He told me.”


    “Sure,” Astar teased. "Admit it, you can''t resist my charms."


    Beatrix opened her mouth for a comeback, but the sound of pounding footsteps cut her off. She turned to see Clawdeen racing down the hall, arms full of hay, skidding to a stop in front of them.


    "Clawdeen! There you are!" Beatrix called out.


    Clawdeen was panting, eyes wide. "Something''s going down outside. Security isn''t here yet to lock down the area—"


    "What are you talking about?"


    Clawdeen couldn''t find the words. Astar was already heading for the exit, Beatrix hot on his heels.


    They burst outside to see a crowd of students gathered near the school''s fence line. Something pale was in the grass just beyond the school''s boundaries, on the other side of the wrought iron fence.


    Without hesitation, Beatrix sprinted to the cluster of students, and as she got closer, she could see what the pale shape was — a boy named Henry Hunchback she vaguely recognized from serving food in the creepateria. The sight of his motionless body lying face down in the forest made her stomach lurch.


    She spotted Grey''s tall figure by the fence. He noticed her too, quickly grabbing her wrist and pulling her back from the crowd. His eyes were cold as he looked down at her.


    "You shouldn''t be here," he said.


    But then Astar wedged himself between them. Despite being shorter than Grey, his devil horns and chest-puffing made him seem taller than his actual height.


    "And why can''t she be here?" Astar challenged, yellow eyes flashing. "You her dad or something?"


    Tension simmered between the two boys, like ice meeting fire.


    "It''s none of your business," Grey said darkly. A clear warning for the devil to back off.


    Astar, however, didn’t back down. "It is my business. I''m Bee''s familiar now, I’m sure you heard. I''m taking care of her." His voice dropped, taking on a dangerous edge. "It''s weird that you’re trying to keep us away from this crime scene, Reaper."


    Grey remained stoic, ignoring Astar''s attempts to provoke him. However, Beatrix noticed his hand move subtly to the retracted weapon at his belt.


    "We both know you can''t use that on school grounds," Astar needled, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What a shame."


    Beatrix wasn’t following everything they were talking about, but Astar had a point. Grey always seemed to show up quickly at these murder scenes, gathering intel. His involvement was... odd.


    Why doesn''t he want me here? she wondered, mind racing.


    Beatrix then had the strangest feeling that Astar might be more honest with her than Grey.