Manny couldn''t stop fidgeting as he stood guard by the weight room door. There was no more of that weird, soul-stealing light flashing through the windows, no more rain pounding against the glass. Only Astar… still stuck in the middle of the spray-painted square on the floor. Although the devil hadn’t said a word since he’d gotten trapped, Manny kept his eyes glued on him.


    Astar looked every bit the demon he was — his jagged horns reached for the ceiling, and sharp claws extended from his fingertips. But he just sat there, not moving, snake-like eyes staring at the painted lines holding him in place.


    Grey had ordered Manny to stay behind and watch the devil while everyone else dealt with the horsemen.


    The moment the group left, Astar had rushed the sigil’s lines over and over, but each time, Beatrix’s magic yanked him back to the center like a chain pulling tight, forcing him to give up.


    The demon''s shrieks had eventually subsided into silence. But that silence somehow made guarding him even worse. Manny felt like he was locked in a room with a coiled viper.


    Suddenly, footsteps running in the hall outside made Manny''s ears perk up. Through the door, he caught snippets of a conversation:


    "Zey actually took down two of zem!" That was definitely Rochelle.


    "They’re heading to the Black Lagoon next," said a voice that sounded like Venus. "Johannah told me the last Reaper''s cornered there..."


    Manny couldn''t help himself. He cracked the door open and whispered after the ghouls running past, "Hey! Wait up! What''s going on out there?"


    Astar''s head tilted slightly at the commotion, like a wolf catching the scent of prey.


    Rochelle, Venus, and Robecca skidded to a stop in the hall, steam hissing from Robecca''s copper joints.


    "Manny?" Rochelle asked. "What are you doing in there?"


    "I''m, uh..." Manny scratched his head awkwardly. "... watching the weight room! You know, to make sure nobody, uh, steals the dumbbells…"


    "Right now? During all zis?"


    Manny shifted uncomfortably from hoof to hoof as he blocked the weight room doorway. "Well, Grey told me to guard—" Manny’s brain caught up with his mouth. He slapped a hand over his muzzle, but the damage was done.


    "Guard what?" Robecca asked, her gears whirring as she tried to peek around the massive bull.


    "Nothing! I''m not guarding anything! Just the weights! It''s super boring in here—" Manny spread his arms across the doorway.


    But the ghouls were already ducking under his arms, slipping past despite his clumsy attempts to block them. They gasped as soon as they entered.


    "Mon dieu!" Rochelle exclaimed.


    Astar''s chains clinked as he lifted his head, his yellow eyes burning like twin flames as he sat there chained up like a feral animal.


    "Is that..." Venus whispered, taking a step back.


    A cold chuckle from Astar made them all jump. "Oh, don''t mind me," the devil said. "I''m just waiting to see how this all plays out."


    The ghouls exchanged nervous glances. Astar was enjoying their fear, savoring every second of it.


    Robecca looked at Manny. "What''s going on? Why is he chained up?"


    "Um… I wasn''t supposed to tell anyone Astar''s in here, but… apparently he''s been helping the Reapers since day one," Manny said.


    "Sacrebleu!” Rochelle erupted. “First ze witch brings down ze barrier, and now we find out ''er pet devil was working against us too? I knew zey couldn''t be trusted."


    "Oh, please," Robecca teased. "Like you weren''t totally crushing on Astar. I saw you making googly eyes at him in our History of the Undead class."


    Rochelle''s stone face took on a rosy tint as she glanced at Astar, who was doing his best to look extremely fascinated by the ceiling. "I did no such thing!" Rochelle said hastily, "And wasn''t ''e seeing ze scarecrow girl?"


    "I thought he was dating Beatrix," Manny chimed in.


    "No way, he was always hanging around Autumn," Robecca said. "Remember that time in the creepateria when—"


    Astar’s shoulders slumped as his captors started gossiping about his love life right in front of him. So much for looking scary and intimidating.


    "Not important!!” Venus burst out. “What actually matters is that Beatrix is out there risking everything to help us. She could''ve just bailed when everything went down, but she stayed."


    The other ghouls went quiet. They could tell Venus meant every word.


    "Yeah, I mean..." Manny rubbed his thick neck. "For a witch, she''s actually been... I mean, she helped us catch her own devil, right?"


    “You do realize I can hear everything you''re saying?" Astar''s voice made them all freeze. The devil rose slowly to his feet, chains clinking ominously as he fixed them with a glare.


    The group huddled closer together, unnerved by the dangerous edge in his voice.


    Then, a distant shout echoed from across campus — it sounded like Grey''s voice, but the words were too muffled to understand.


    Astar went very still, every muscle in his body tensing. His yellow eyes snapped to the spray paint symbols surrounding him, narrowing with sudden interest.


    Something in the air had changed — a shift in magical energy that only he could sense.


    Astar took a slow step toward the edge of the painted square. The pull of Beatrix’s summoning magic should have yanked him back to the center of the sigil by now.


    "Uh... Manny? What''s he doing?" Robecca whispered as Astar crept closer to the edge of his painted prison.


    Manny didn’t get all this magical stuff, but everything in him was screaming that something was wrong.


    The demon reached one taloned hand out. Astar''s hand passed beyond the magical line without any resistance. Beatrix’s sigil didn’t work anymore.


    "... Guys… you should get out of here... now,” Manny said, stepping forward to position his bulky frame between the ghouls and Astar.


    A smile split Astar''s face as he realized the symbol that had trapped him was now nothing more than paint on the floor. But the smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared.


    "Bee..." Astar muttered, his voice strained with an emotion none of them could read. If her magic didn’t work, something terrible must have happened to her…


    Astar shoved the thought aside. The chains at his wrists rattled as he stepped beyond the useless paint, stretching his wings until they scraped against the weight room walls.


    "OH NO YOU DON’T!" Manny bellowed as he lowered his horns and charged, but Astar nimbly sidestepped the rushing minotaur.


    The devil moved with fluid grace despite his chains. Venus''s vines shot out to snare his limbs, but Astar was already weaving between the exercise equipment, using it as cover to dodge her attacks. When Rochelle dove at him from the left, her stone fingers merely grazed his wing as he spun past her.


    "STOP HIM!" Manny yelled. However, Astar was already airborne, his wings carrying him up toward the ceiling in a burst of speed.


    Robecca''s shoe-rockets fired up with a roar as she shot herself after him. Her fingers reached for his ankle, but Astar tucked his wings and dropped back down at the last second, leaving her grasping at empty air as she flew past.


    "Don’t let him get away!" Venus called desperately from her corner.


    Manny charged again, horns at the ready, but Astar timed a jump perfectly to vault over the minotaur''s head. Mid-leap, he hooked the chains binding his wrists onto one of Manny''s curved horns.


    YANK. CRACK. Astar’s restraints snapped apart.


    Manny was thrown off balance, arms windmilling as he stumbled forward and crashed headfirst into a weight rack. Dumbbells went flying across the floor with a clatter and Astar was through the door and gone, leaving only his broken chains behind.


    Manny pushed himself up just as the weight room door swung shut. "Zeus’s beard… I’m so dead…" he cursed, then glanced nervously at the ghouls beside him. "Don''t tell Grey," he groaned.


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    Viggo''s dark laughter rolled across the Black Lagoon as Beatrix''s possessed body writhed. Her eyes flickered between a toxic green and a sickly purple — her gorgon sight now mixed with Spectra’s ghostly glow.


    "Don''t look at her!" Deuce yelled, diving behind a log. "Whatever you do, don''t look at her face!"


    Abbey and Lagoona scrambled behind Draculaura''s car as Beatrix''s deadly gaze swept past them. Guillermo ducked his head and hit the mud with a splash.


    Beatrix''s spirit could only watch helplessly as Viggo spurred his horse through their scattered group. With each galloping stride, the glass pendant around Viggo''s neck swung wildly, the trapped souls within swirling.


    "Not today, death man!" Abbey declared as she stepped out from behind Draculaura’s car. Frost spread along her pale blue arms as she turned the puddles around her into jagged ice crystals. They burst up from the ground to encircle Viggo and his horse.


    Hovering above it all, Beatrix saw Spectra forcing her hands to smear more snake scale paste across her eyes. Angry red welts blossomed on her eyelids wherever the mixture made contact.


    Petra! Beatrix pleaded. If you keep using that paste, you''re going to destroy my eyes!


    But Spectra ignored her, smearing the last of the paste on, busy scanning the battlefield, searching for victims.


    Below Beatrix, Grey darted between Abbey’s spires of ice. He looked at Beatrix''s possessed body, then to Viggo, then back at Beatrix again. The conflict was written all over his face — he didn''t know which threat to deal with first.


    Then he made his choice. He vaulted over a spike of ice and landed next to Abbey, dropping low with his scythe ready. "We take Viggo out first," Grey said through clenched teeth.


    Abbey gave him a nod, and the two of them quickly found their rhythm against the Reaper. Ice shot out of the ground, forcing Viggo''s warhorse into a wild dance. The beast''s hooves slipped and scraped across the frozen earth while its breath came out in huge plumes of steam. Viggo''s scythe never stopped moving, smashing through the ice forming around him like it was made of glass.


    As Abbey kept him distracted, Grey struck wherever there was an opening, swinging his scythe again and again at Viggo. But hitting the Reaper was like hitting a stone wall. Grey''s arms shook with each hit while Viggo barely seemed to notice the impacts.


    "You''ll need to do better than that, boy," Viggo''s deep voice rumbled, knocking Grey''s weapon aside like it was nothing but a toy. "I thought the son of Death would put up more of a fight."


    That insult made Grey work overtime. He ducked and rolled under one of Viggo''s brutal swings, giving Abbey a chance to launch a wave of ice spears at the Reaper. Viggo’s horse spun away, its massive hooves crushing the ice to powder beneath it.


    However, none of it registered with Beatrix. She was too busy searching for her bath salts, but it was too late, they had melted away in the mud. She had to find another way to shock her spirit back to her body.


    A splash caught Beatrix’s attention. At the edge of the lagoon, Lagoona was diving in, cutting through the dark waters before vanishing beneath the surface. What was she up to?


    Suddenly, Beatrix heard her own voice screech — "Look at me!"


    Spectra was jerking her stolen body toward Deuce. Her fingers clawed for his face while his snakes recoiled and hissed. Deuce caught her wrists, still trying to avoid looking at Spectra, but fighting blind left him stumbling.


    Spectra twisted in his grip. "Just one little peek!" she cackled with unhinged delight as she ripped one hand free. "Don''t you want to see what I''ve done with your friend''s pretty eyes?"


    Deuce staggered back, twisting his face away, fighting not to look. Spectra pounced, her fingers snagging his sunglasses. She tore them off, the lenses shattering against a rock.


    "No!" Deuce squeezed his eyes shut and shoved Beatrix''s body. He fell to his knees, hands scraping through dirt as he felt around blindly for his broken shades. "Drac! Help!" he yelled. "I can''t open my eyes — I don’t want to turn Beatrix to stone!"


    Draculaura zipped between fallen trees and ice spikes. "Hang on, Deuce! I’m on it!"


    Guillermo wheezed as he stumbled after her. "Master! What can I do?"


    "Hide behind that tree and stay out of the way!" Draculaura said, not even turning to look at him.


    "But, master—" Guillermo was cut short as he lost his footing on a patch of ice.


    "Guillermo!" Draculaura spun around. "Just—"


    Draculaura''s face transformed as an idea struck her. “Actually..." Draculaura waved her familiar over.


    The vampire grabbed Guillermo’s sweater vest and pulled him in. Draculaura whispered something in his ear, too quiet for Beatrix to hear. Guillermo''s eyes got huge and he nodded hard. Then Guillermo scurried away to hide behind a pine tree close by, hiding in the shadows of its thick branches.


    Draculaura’s gaze locked onto Beatrix''s possessed body — onto Spectra wearing her flesh like a costume.


    At that moment, Spectra went rigid, her muscles locking up, and she stopped moving.


    Mind control, Beatrix realized. Draculaura had done the same thing to Vilhelm last semester.


    But even as Spectra was paralyzed, her gorgon eyes continued to move, darting back and forth, hunting for someone to turn to stone. Beatrix screamed a warning to Draculaura, but it was pointless — no one could hear her voice when she was out of her body.


    That''s when Guillermo crept out from behind the pine tree and pulled off his sweater vest. Just as Spectra''s deadly gaze found Draculaura, Guillermo threw his vest over Spectra''s face, using it as a blindfold.


    "I did it, master!" Guillermo bounced up and down.


    “Nice… work…” Sweat beaded on Draculaura’s forehead while forcing her eyes to stay on Spectra. Keeping her mind under control was clearly draining. Draculaura couldn''t release her hold, not yet—


    A dark shape plummeted from the clouds above.


    Beatrix''s mind went blank with disbelief. Before she could process what she was seeing, Astar crashed into Draculaura, sending her tumbling across the grass.


    With Draculaura gone, Spectra burst back into motion, tearing away Guillermo''s vest with a snarl and hurling it into the mud. Guillermo gasped, both at the turn of events and because his beloved sweater vest was ruined.


    The gorgon paste had worn off, and Spectra’s eyes were now an angry, irritated red, tears streaming down her cheeks. "My eyes! I can’t see!" Spectra shriek pierced the night as she scratched at Beatrix''s burning eyelids.


    "That''s karma for stealing my body!" Beatrix shouted. "Give it back already!!”


    Spectra ignored her, still rubbing her eyes and blinking frantically.


    Astar slowly moved to join Spectra, his wings spread against the dark sky.


    The sigil in the weight room was supposed to hold him — so how had he escaped?


    "Astar..." Beatrix drifted over, trying to call out to him, but he turned away as if her spirit didn’t exist. Of course. Why had she expected anything else? He was probably glad Spectra was running the show now.


    Instead, his attention moved to Draculaura, who wobbled on her feet, lightheaded from using her mind control.


    Astar’s pitchfork appeared in his hand, its three wicked points shining in the moonlight. He struck without warning.


    Draculaura managed to twist away from his first thrust, but her movements were clumsy. The vampire fell back until her shoulder hit a tree trunk, her dark bangs plastered to her sweat-streaked forehead.


    Astar pressed forward mercilessly. Even with her vampire reflexes, Draculaura could barely stay ahead of those deadly pitchfork points. Her face had gone ghost-white, fangs bared in a grimace as she tried to concentrate.


    Beatrix could tell Draculaura was trying to slip into Astar’s mind, but Astar didn’t give her the chance. He threw his pitchfork right at her head. Draculaura dropped, and the weapon sank into the tree behind her, leaving three smoking holes when Astar ripped it free.


    Guillermo yelled, furious and desperate to protect his master despite being powerless to help. His outburst caught Spectra’s attention. She turned her rage toward the panicked Guillermo, staggering toward him through her blurred vision. "You!"


    Guillermo let out a terrified squeak and tried to run, but even half-blind, Spectra was faster. She tackled him to the ground, her fists hammering down on him as she screamed incoherently.


    Beatrix couldn''t just float there, watching that body-stealing witch use her own hands to attack her friend. Beatrix tried to reach out, grab, pull, anything to deter Spectra, but her spectral fingers passed through everything. A scream of frustration built in her chest as Guillermo curled into a ball, trying to shield himself.


    Suddenly, the Black Lagoon began to bubble, sending ripples across its surface. Spectra stopped attacking Guillermo to look. The disturbance grew stronger and stronger, waves crashing across the once-calm waters. Whatever lurked below the water was stirring the surface into a menacing water frenzy, and then… Lagoona burst out.


    And she wasn’t alone.


    Rising beneath Lagoona was Levi — her "friend" from the bottom of the lagoon that Beatrix had heard about, although "friend" didn’t seem to capture what was emerging.


    "Holy…" Beatrix whispered.


    The battle between Abbey, Grey, and Viggo came to an abrupt halt. Abbey''s ice storm died mid-blast, her jaw dropping as water cascaded off Levi’s dark, armored scales, each scale the size of a jagged dinner plate. Grey lowered his scythe, dark eyes wide with disbelief. Even Viggo took a step backward as the creature rose higher and higher, blocking out the moon.


    "Menyin, Levi! Menyin!" Lagoona shouted in some native language Beatrix didn’t recognize, nearly drowned out by the cascade of water pouring off the beast.


    Levi lifted its horned head above the water, and Lagoona looked small perched behind his massive horns as she guided the lake dweller to the shore. Levi''s tentacles were thick as tree trunks and whipped through the air shockingly fast for something so massive.


    Grey ducked behind a cluster of rocks just as one of Levi’s tentacles smashed into the shoreline. The impact sent a spray of mud and pebbles flying past his head. "Abbey!" he shouted. "Over here!"


    As Abbey ran to him, Viggo was quickly realizing his horse would be useless among the thrashing tentacles, so he dismounted and maneuvered through Levi''s writhing limbs on foot. A tentacle as thick as an oak whipped toward him with impossible speed. Despite his fast reflexes, one of Levi’s tentacles caught Viggo mid-dodge, slamming into his side with the force of a battering ram. It sent the cloaked Reaper flying, his dark form tumbling across the muddy ground before he finally skidded to a stop. Fueled by rage, Viggo flipped his grip on his scythe and drove the staff deep into the soft underside of a tentacle, like plunging a splinter into flesh.


    Levi roared in pain, the sound shaking the ground and sending waves crashing against the shore. Before Abbey could reach Grey, one of Levi''s massive tentacles struck her in the chest. The force launched her over the perimeter fence and into the woods beyond. Through the sound of breaking branches and rustling leaves, Abbey''s voice rang out: "Is fine! Just a scratch!”


    Lagoona pulled at Levi''s horns desperately. "Levi, mate, aim for the Reaper, not our friends!"


    But Levi''s rampage continued. A wild swing of a tentacle caught Spectra next. Beatrix saw her own body ripped away from Guillermo and hurtled toward the dark water nearby. Spectra landed with a SPLASH in the middle of the Black Lagoon.


    Beatrix''s spirit rushed over to hover above the waves. Below the murky surface, she watched as Spectra thrashed around in her body, getting more and more frenzied. Instead of swimming up, she was sinking deeper and deeper. Her arms and legs flailed and splashed without any coordination, fighting against the water but getting nowhere.


    Spectra doesn’t know how to swim.


    Beatrix dove down into the lagoon in her spirit form, gliding easily through the water. Spectra was consumed by total panic, her glowing purple eyes locked onto Beatrix''s, wide with fear. Silent screams escaped her, sending bubbles rushing to the surface.


    Spectra! Kick your legs! Use your arms! DO SOMETHING!! Beatrix demanded. She couldn’t let her own body die, even with Spectra in it.


    But Spectra’s movements grew weaker, and deep in the dark water, a faint purple glow began pulsing from the chest of Beatrix''s body. The light grew brighter, intensifying like a star igniting underwater. Then, in a blur of motion, Spectra’s spirit shot away, ditching Beatrix''s body, leaving it floating limply behind to sink.


    The instant Spectra’s spirit fully separated, Beatrix felt an intense pull — one moment, she was watching her own body drowning, and the next, she was slammed back into herself like a rubber band snapping into place. She suddenly felt her lungs screaming for air, her vision blurring and burning from the gorgon paste Spectra had slathered on too thickly, lagoon water coating her throat, oxygen-starved and impossibly heavy


    No matter how hard Beatrix kicked, the dark depths dragged her under, weighed down by her wet clothes and the water pressing in.


    Just as she was about to black out, something grabbed her shoulders. Through the blur, she saw a flash of blonde hair floating beside her like seaweed in a current.


    Lagoona''s powerful strokes hauled them upward, cutting through the lagoon''s depths with practiced ease. Finally, Lagoona and Beatrix broke the surface. Beatrix gasped desperately, sweet air filling her burning lungs between violent coughs. Lagoona''s grip pulled Beatrix along to the muddy shore.


    Beatrix collapsed onto her hands and knees the moment they reached land, expelling mouthful after mouthful of lagoon water. Her soaked clothes clung to her skin like a sagging second skin, the night air biting at her wet flesh.


    "Beatrix, are you okay?!” Lagoona asked through her coughing. Then, suddenly tense: "Wait — is that even you in there?" Webbed hands clamped onto Beatrix''s shoulders, holding her back at arm’s length. Her sea-green eyes turned hard, suspicious. "Quick — when we were by the Black Lagoon, before the homecoming assembly last semester — what did I tell you about Levi? I need to know it''s really you."


    The world swam around Beatrix as she tried to focus on Lagoona. Her vision was shot — Spectra had pushed the gorgon sight way past what any mortal eyes could handle. Lagoona''s features kept blurring and doubling, making Beatrix''s stomach roll.


    "That..." Beatrix''s raw throat burned as she forced the words out, "that Levi''s a sweetheart. Just... shy." She sucked in a painful breath. "And lake dwellers get a bad rap."


    Relief washed over Lagoona''s face, her webbed fingers instantly loosening their grip. But before she could say anything, Deuce came stumbling up the shore just yards away from where Levi was going berserk on Viggo. He had his arms stretched out blindly, feeling his way forward without his shades.


    "Lagoona? That you?" he hollered, eyes squeezed shut.


    "He needs help," Beatrix croaked. “You should go.”


    "You sure about that?" Lagoona asked.


    "Just go," Beatrix managed a weak nod. “And thank you.”


    "Hold on, Deuce!" Lagoona called, taking off after him.


    Behind Beatrix, Levi slammed a tentacle into the ground again, the impact making the earth shudder under her palms. Beatrix pressed her hands against her burning eyes, desperate to make the world stop spinning. But everything stayed a nauseating blur, each blink like acid against her eyeballs.


    She forced her eyes open, her vision clearing just enough to catch a familiar purple shimmer materializing above. Beatrix''s heart seized, her fingers digging into the pebbly shore. Even through her limited sight, there was no mistaking Spectra, now a spirit again, rippling with pure, cold rage in front of her.


    No no no no no no no no no no no… Spectra''s voice splintered through Beatrix''s skull like shards of broken glass, each word driving deeper. Beatrix''s breath hitched as she scrambled back, loose stones cutting into her hands.


    "GIVE IT BACK!" Spectra''s screech made Beatrix''s ears ring. "GIVE IT BACK GIVE IT BACK GIVE IT BACK!"


    The world tilted. Up became down, left became right, everything spinning too fast for Beatrix to dodge a vengeful spirit shooting straight at her, determined to steal her body again.


    Beatrix screamed, yet through her blurry vision, she saw a black line slash through the air.


    Spectra suddenly jerked sideways, yanked off course like a kite caught in a gust of wind. Spectra contorted in the air, her furious scream warping and stretching as she was pulled into…  a glass pendant dangling from a shadowy figure''s neck.


    Viggo, Beatrix''s mind screamed, here to steal another soul...


    Her hands shook as she rubbed her eyes, smearing away the burning mix of tears and green paste that scorched trails down her cheeks.


    But no —- as her sight cleared, she saw Grey.


    He stood in front of her, chest heaving. In one hand, he was holding the pendant at the end of his own necklace.


    Inside, Spectra’s soul twisted like violet smoke, slamming against the glass. Her face emerged in flashes, contorted in silent rage, only to dissolve again into the swirling chaos.


    His first collected soul.


    Grey swallowed hard, gripping his pendant tighter. “Good riddance,” he muttered.


    "Grey!" Beatrix rasped. His name felt strange in her throat — her voice hoarse from the lagoon water — but at least it was hers again.


    Grey crouched down, his boots scattering pebbles. “Welcome back,” he said, forcing a smile, though the strain in his voice betrayed him. He glanced over his shoulder. "I can''t stay long. Viggo—” Grey cursed under his breath. “I can’t slow him down, but I had to make sure you were okay first." He hesitated. “I… I don’t think I can take him alone…”


    "That’s okay, I’m coming to help—” Beatrix coughed, struggling to focus. "Gimme a sec… everything''s so blurry."


    "Don’t move,” Grey murmured. “That green stuff is everywhere.” He wiped at the tears and toxic paste streaming down her face with his sleeve, then went back over it again, as if he could wipe away her pain along with the mess.


    "I got you, I got you," he repeated, his breath shaky. "Damn it, where''s Cleo and her bandages when you need them?"


    “It’s alright,” Beatrix said. She leaned into him, letting him help her to her feet.


    Supporting her weight, Grey kept his grip firm on her elbow. "The ghost — how did you get her out?"


    "She almost drowned, and I — WATCH OUT!"


    Even through her ruined vision, Beatrix saw the tall, dark Reaper coming at them. Grey yanked her down just as the Reaper''s scythe whistled overhead with a bone-chilling WHOOSH.


    Only a second later, an enormous tentacle erupted from the Black Lagoon. Grey shifted his weight and rolled them both sharply to the side, his arms locked around Beatrix, and they narrowly avoided the spot where Levi slammed into the muddy shore. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, spraying them with mud and murky water.


    The sudden attack had thrown Viggo off balance, but the Reaper recovered quickly. Grey jumped to his feet, planting himself between Beatrix and the towering enemy. He tightened his grip on his staff and spun to block Viggo’s next blow. Their weapons collided with a CRACK that echoed across the water.


    Beatrix stumbled onto the grass by the lagoon, her heart pounding as she frantically dug through her sopping wet pockets. "Come on, come on," she muttered, praying she had something, anything left that could help. Her fingers closed around a few soaked wolfsbane leaves. Then she felt it — the smooth plastic of a baggie she''d sealed earlier.


    Inside were some ashes and oil she needed for fire magic, still dry and ready to use.


    The clash of metal on metal made Beatrix’s head snap up. Grey was losing ground fast against Viggo, struggling without Abbey’s ice powers to back him up. Beatrix fumbled with the baggie, trying to spread the mixture across her palms before it was too late.


    Another massive splash erupted from the lagoon as one of Levi''s tentacles whipped out of the water and slammed Viggo aside. The Reaper went sliding again, his dark robes slick with mud. It gave Grey precious moments to recover and Beatrix time to properly coat the fire magic materials on her hands.


    "Grey, move!" Beatrix yelled once she was ready. He didn''t need to be told twice, sprinting out of the way.


    Her hands prickled as the fire magic lit up her palms. But then, a strangled cry from across the lagoon made Beatrix freeze. She spun to see Astar standing over Draculaura, his wings spread wide as he pressed his shoe into the vampire’s shoulder. Draculaura tried to fight back against his weight, but she was too weak from overusing her powers.


    "ASTAR! DON’T HURT HER!" Beatrix screamed, but the devil didn''t flinch. His pitchfork gleamed as he angled it over Draculaura''s heart. Beatrix couldn’t shoot a flame that far to stop Astar — not without lighting up Draculaura too — and vampires and fire did NOT mix.


    "Astar! Wait!" Beatrix shouted, forcing strength into her voice despite her burning lungs.


    Astar''s head snapped to her. Finally, he acknowledged Beatrix’s existence. However, his pitchfork didn''t move an inch from Draculaura''s chest. Something clicked in Beatrix’s exhausted mind. A crazy, desperate idea.


    "You''re really going to let Viggo steal Autumn like this?" Beatrix asked him.


    His face flickered with confusion. "What?"


    Viggo was pulling himself out of the mud. Swinging from his neck was that damned orb with its storm of captured souls.


    "Look at his pendant," Beatrix pressed, pointing at Viggo, her heart hammering. "Autumn’s soul is in there, swirling with all the others. Viggo collected her back by the library. I saw it with my own eyes. She’s about to be damned to hell with everyone else."


    The effect was instant. That cold mask cracked, real fear bleeding through as Astar''s eyes darted to the pendant. For a split second, Beatrix saw past the demon to the boy who might actually care about someone other than himself.


    Grey caught on immediately, his black eyes meeting Beatrix''s. Though his lip curled with disgust at having to appeal to the devil, he drove the point home: "What''s it going to be?" he spat. "You gonna stand there playing with your pitchfork while your girlfriend burns in hellfire?"


    Astar''s body stiffened. He stared at Viggo’s pendant, his taloned fingers flexed around his weapon. Beatrix held her breath, praying her lie would convince him.


    Autumn — beautiful and kind Autumn. If anyone could break a devil, it would be her. She was the best of all of them.


    In a flash, Astar was next to Grey. They weren''t friends, not by any stretch. But right now, reluctant allies would have to be enough.


    Viggo stood opposite them, and his composure faltered for a moment at seeing Astar align himself with Grey.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    “I’ll take high, you go low,” Grey muttered to Astar.


    Astar snorted his disgust, wings unfurling behind him in a dramatic sweep. “I’ll go high Reaper,” he spat, shaking his head. Without waiting for a response, Astar launched himself to the sky, wings carrying him in a sharp arc before he pivoted mid-air, as if he was a deadly missile aimed straight at Viggo.


    Grey, caught off guard by Astar''s explosive start, shouted to Beatrix, "B! FIRE!"


    Heat surged through Beatrix’s veins as flames erupted from her hands. She poured everything she had into it, and the timing was perfect — Astar''s pitchfork slammed into Viggo just as the flames caught his cloak. Before he could recover, Grey''s scythe struck hard against his other side.


    Their attacks wove together with deadly precision — Grey''s staff becoming a silver arc in the moonlight as he struck blow after blow, while Astar''s pitchfork and talons stabbed from above. Between their strikes, Beatrix''s fireballs forced Viggo to constantly divide his attention, never letting him focus on a single opponent.


    "His pendant!" Beatrix shouted at Astar. "And the scythe! You have to break them both!"


    "Cover me!" Grey ordered, his black eyes locked on Viggo’s glowing orb.


    Astar swooped low without hesitation, his pitchfork forcing Viggo to raise his scythe in defense. The opening was brief, but it was enough. Grey lunged forward, his staff hooking the chain that held Viggo’s soul-filled orb. Beatrix''s flames roared past Grey''s shoulder, keeping Viggo from countering as the young Reaper yanked hard on the pendant.


    Beatrix''s blurry vision suddenly sharpened as she caught sight of something down the shoreline. Draculaura, who loved pink and swore off human blood centuries ago, now had her lips pressed to Guillermo''s wrist, drinking deeply from her familiar''s veins.


    Guillermo''s face went pale as paper, but he didn''t move a muscle. He sat perfectly still, almost peaceful, as his blood trickled down Draculaura''s chin, staining the lace collar of her pink top.


    When she finally lifted her head, Draculaura''s violet eyes were now a bright, terrible red. The human blood had changed her, sharpening her dainty features into something ancient. The sweet, bubbly teenager was replaced by a creature that bore an uncanny resemblance to her father.


    Those blood-red eyes locked onto Viggo as she rose. Draculaura opened her mouth and spoke two words: "Be. Still."


    Viggo stilled as Draculaura''s blood-enhanced power seized his mind. The Reaper''s massive body shook as he fought against her control. His fingers twitched on the handle of his scythe — he wouldn''t be contained for long.


    But a moment was all they needed. Astar saw his chance and took it. With a fierce cry, he plunged his pitchfork deep into Viggo''s side, pinning the Reaper in place. Viggo''s hollow roar vibrated through Beatrix’s bones as Grey darted in, wrenching away both the ancient scythe and the glass pendant that held so many trapped souls.


    "Beatrix!" Grey shouted, throwing Viggo''s scythe to her, desperate to get it away from the Reaper.


    Beatrix didn''t hesitate. When the scythe landed in her hands, her fiery palms searing the dark wood, she brought it down hard against a boulder jutting from the shore.


    The crack rang out across the water as a dark energy exploded from the broken scythe. Like Mahlon and Cassius before him, Viggo began to dissolve, his ancient bones disintegrating into black smoke that whirled away on the cold wind. His robes collapsed empty onto the wet earth.


    Grey lifted Viggo’s pendant high above his head and smashed it against the ground. The pendant shattered and light burst around them in a blinding wave. The trapped souls broke free, spiraling up into a brilliant tornado reaching toward the stars. They flew across campus like shooting stars falling to earth, each one seeking its rightful owner to revive the fallen students.


    Beatrix and Grey stared at each other, both breathing hard. The triumph in Grey’s eyes matched the wild relief in her chest — they''d done it, they''d actually done it.


    Without thinking, Grey let go of his scythe, letting it clatter against the rocky shore. He took a step toward her as Beatrix pressed her hands into the cool grass, letting the fire magic seep away until the last flames died out. She pushed herself up, her exhausted muscles protesting, but she couldn''t have cared less. A giddy grin spread across her face as she scrambled to her feet and practically launched herself at Grey, heart soaring.


    He caught her mid-leap, strong arms locking around her waist as she crashed into him. The impact sent them spinning around, and Grey laughed — an actual laugh, rich and real and completely new to her ears in the night air.


    "We did it!" Beatrix squealed, her face buried against his shoulder. She could feel his heart hammering against her chest, matching her own frantic rhythm. They spun together, squeezing tight, neither of them caring how cheesy they looked.


    Then a scraping sound interrupted their celebration.


    They stopped, and Beatrix lifted her head from Grey''s shoulder just enough to see Astar, who had moved to stand a few feet away from them. His taloned fingers were curling around the handle of Grey''s abandoned scythe as he straightened up, looking over the weapon dangerously. Ice flooded Beatrix''s veins.


    "Astar? What are you..."


    Was he about to break Grey''s scythe in half? Destroy Grey, just like the other Reapers?


    “DON’T!” Beatrix cried out.


    But when Astar''s yellow eyes lifted from the weapon, they weren''t focused on Grey at all. They were on Beatrix, still in Grey''s arms. Something terrible seemed to dawn in those inhuman eyes.


    "You lied," Astar said, his voice soft but cutting. "Autumn wasn''t in there, was she?" He clutched the scythe harder.


    "Astar—" Grey released Beatrix, trying to rush between them to shield her, but Astar was too fast.


    The scythe swung down straight at Beatrix. She saw it coming, but she was too scared to move, to even breathe—


    Numbness ripped through Beatrix''s body, every nerve dying as her soul was ripped away, leaving her floating in… nothing. Black empty nothingness. Where was she?


    The void exploded into light.


    Colors danced and spiraled around her like paint in water, first as thin as ribbons, then as vast waves that pulled her along in their current. Crimson melted into blue, emerald green burst into gold, until a deep violet took over.


    The violet fractured like stained glass, and through the cracks poured memories that didn''t belong to her:


    A torch-lit cave… a coven standing wrapped in ceremonial robes… their hidden faces chanting in an ancient tongue…


    The vision was replaced by a young woman Beatrix had never seen before… she had black hair that reached her knees, crowned with streaks of orange and purple, as she studied herself in a cracked mirror. Suddenly, her face twisted in horror… the woman''s skin began to turn a harsh green, first at her fingertips, then it crept up and up… the woman clawed at her arms, her hands, her face — trying to tear the color from her body…


    She melted away… now Beatrix saw a short girl with freckles. Somehow Beatrix knew this was a young Greta, when she was still human four centuries ago, smiling brightly in a sunny meadow. Greta was teaching another girl the names of herbs, her laughter ringing across the grass… the two girls ran arm-in-arm down a winding mountain path, their skirts catching the wind as purple wildflowers swayed behind them…


    Beatrix''s own memories began to seep through with that same dreamlike quality. She was six years old again… watching her mom’s car disappear down her aunts'' gravel driveway… Beatrix’s small hand gripped the handle of her suitcase as her aunts loomed over her, their stern faces already planning how to shape their wayward niece into a proper witch…


    The scene twisted, pulling her into the main house on the farm… into the musty attic… now she was thirteen, secretly practicing magic by candlelight while her aunts slept below… her fingers trembled as she tried to levitate one of Aunt Cordelia’s teacups — just a simple floating spell… the cup shuddered, rose an inch, then exploded into razor-sharp shards… one sliced Beatrix’s cheek before she could duck… she pressed her sleeve against the cut, fighting back tears. Why couldn''t she get it right like other witches could? Hopelessness pressed in around her like the darkness beyond her candle''s light…


    The memory wrenched violently, throwing her into the farmhouse kitchen. Aunt Cordelia, Constance, and Clarice were huddled around their dining table, their faces filled with terror… What was scaring them so badly? Then she saw it: a monstrous shadow in front of them, crowned with massive twisted horns that touched the ceiling… her aunts fell to their knees, pressing their foreheads to the floorboards as they begged for mercy…


    The visions began to spiral, each more bizarre than the last: Bram and Vilhelm''s red eyes glowing in that dark New Salem alley as they drained those human girls dry… ancient pyramids rising from desert sands... a tomb sealed for millennia, its surface carved with hieroglyphs... a man in Egyptian garb, shrouded in shadow, raising what appeared to be a wand… Grey standing alone beside a steaming river of fire, his black eyes reflecting flames as souls burned around him. When Beatrix reached for him, her hand was old, wrinkled, skin rapidly withering away, just like Venus’s carnivorous plants had when the Mahlon, Viggo, and Cassius slashed them with their scythes…


    Deuce’s voice, his story from the All Hallow’s Eve campfire, echoed through it all: And that’s where they remain… alone in the dark… with nothing but their own minds to keep them company for all eternity… both heaven and hell haven''t answered…


    Then Beatrix was back in the scarecrow village, watching Aunt Clarice create Autumn from hay and cloth. When Autumn breathed her first breath, she turned to her, but her button eyes were cold, distant, clouded with betrayal...


    Beatrix looked down. In her hands was a long, black knife, her fingers wrapped around the handle. She was driving it into her own stomach. A young, human Greta screamed. But her voice was quickly drowned out by another scream, from something monstrous — no, demonic.


    Beatrix tumbled through this kaleidoscope of horrors until it split open, and—


    Everything stilled. The chaos settled like dust after a storm, and Beatrix found herself standing in a bright forest glade. She was in the woods surrounding Monster High, before the school existed on the mountainside, the trees younger, brighter, untouched by death. Across from her stood a young woman with kind eyes and a servant''s simple dress.


    "Petra." The name fell from Beatrix''s lips. Before she became Spectra. Before she''d sacrificed everything to save her friend.


    Beatrix stared at the young girl before her — so different from the vengeful spirit she’d become. Petra smiled sadly at Beatrix. For a moment, there was no hatred between them — only understanding passing between their two souls.


    The forest dissolved as they drifted apart into the swirling void…


    Beatrix gasped awake, cold mud from the lagoon’s shore pressing against her back. Warmth flooded into her limbs as her soul reconnected with her body, every sensation sharp and new — the bite of rainfall, the scent of wet grass, her own heartbeat.


    She jolted up to see Grey and Astar locked in combat, their bodies silhouettes wrestling against the moonlit water. The rain had started up again, and it pelted her face as she watched them. Golden blood trickled from Astar’s split lip where Grey had landed a punch, while Grey''s face was carved up with angry red cuts from Astar''s talons.


    Grey''s scythe lay forgotten beside them, and at their feet was scattered shards glinting in the darkness — the remains of Grey’s orb necklace.


    A purple wisp of light drifted up from the broken glass. It was Spectra, but the spirit no longer seemed interested in tormenting Beatrix. Instead, she simply disappeared into the night sky without so much as a glance back.


    The crack of Grey''s elbow smashing into Astar''s jaw made Beatrix wince. The devil tripped away, his yellow eyes glaring first at Grey, then landing on Beatrix.


    Whatever was going through the devil''s head remained a mystery, as he suddenly flapped his wings with a powerful swoop and shot into the air, vanishing into the storm-dark clouds above.


    Once the sound of the devil’s wings faded, Grey turned to Beatrix slowly, the fight draining from his body all at once. "Beatrix?" he said, like he couldn''t believe it. Then he was right there beside her, his legs giving out as he dropped down.


    Rain poured down his face as he leaned in close, his hands shaking above her shoulders, like he was afraid she might disappear if he touched her. In the harsh moonlight, she could see his eyes wild with hope and fear all tangled up together. He was beat to hell, covered in cuts and already-swelling bruises.


    She blinked at him, her fingers brushing against one of the glittering pieces of his orb that had scattered near her — it was warm.


    That’s when she realized: her soul had been trapped inside Grey’s pendant. And he’d broken it, even though it meant letting Spectra loose too.


    Grey''s hands reached for her face. "I didn''t—" He brushed wet strands of hair from her forehead, his touch lingering like he needed to convince himself she was really there. "I couldn''t let him— the ghost that possessed you escaped, but I had to get you out... because… because I—"


    The emotion in his voice knocked down the last of Beatrix''s walls. She surged forward and pressed her lips to his, the kiss rain-soaked and desperate. When she pulled back, shocked by her own boldness, Grey looked like he''d forgotten how to breathe.


    For a heartbeat, they stared at each other.


    Then his fingers tangled in her dripping hair and he pulled her right back in. The rain faded away until all Beatrix could feel was the warmth of his lips, the pressure of his hands in her hair, the way her breath hitched when he shifted closer.


    “You were fangtastic, Guillermo! How are you feeling?” Beatrix heard Draculaura gush, making Beatrix and Grey part abruptly, both flushed and breathless.


    The vampire''s voice sounded much stronger now, full of bubbly enthusiasm. Draculaura stood nearby in the rain, droplets sliding down her black bangs, one arm wrapped around Guermillo''s shoulders. Her eyes were slowly fading from blood-red back to their usual violet.


    Guillermo grinned like he''d just won a prize, even as he pressed a hand to his still-bleeding wrist. "Don’t worry, master… I’m doing great—" he managed, right before his complexion went green, looking ready to throw up any second. Draculaura let out a warm, affectionate laugh at her familiar''s brave front, her violet eyes twinkling.


    A crash of breaking branches announced Abbey''s return as she emerged from the woods where Levi''s tentacle had hurled her. With twigs and leaves tangled through her white hair, she looked like she''d wrestled a tree.


    Draculaura brightened. "Abbey! Oh my ghoul, you''re okay!"


    Abbey brushed the dirt off herself like it was nothing. "Takes more than angry squid to keep Abbey down."


    "Over here, mate. Mind your step." Lagoona was guiding Deuce around the edge of the Black Lagoon, which now looked like a warzone thanks to Levi''s rampage. "We gotta fix those shades…" Lagoona glanced around at the group. "Anyone got something we can use to patch Deuce’s glasses up?"


    Despite still looking queasy, Guillermo dug through his pockets, wincing at the bruises Spectra had given him earlier. He pulled out a roll of tape with flourish. "A good familiar always carries emergency supplies.”


    Lagoona carefully helped Deuce with his sunglasses, and the gorgon slipped his shades on. He cautiously opened one eye. "Phew. This should do the trick," he said as his snake-hair relaxed. "You guys are the best — for real."


    That''s when they all noticed Beatrix and Grey tangled together on the ground, Beatrix’s hands pressed against his chest, Grey’s arms still around her.


    "Are we interrupting something?" Draculaura''s playful question made Beatrix and Grey spring apart as if they''d been shocked, both of them blushing furiously.


    As the group''s good-natured laughter and teasing washed over them, Grey and Beatrix''s eyes met. Beatrix couldn’t help but laugh too, and Grey''s lips twitched up at the corner in that subtle way of his — a tiny smile meant just for her.


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    The first rays of sunlight painted the sky as Beatrix and the others made their way to Monster High''s gates. A crowd had already formed — students and teachers mingling together, including those who''d just gotten their souls back after Viggo''s pendant shattered. Beatrix felt her chest tighten with joy watching monsters finding each other in the crowd, hugging and crying and laughing. They were bruised and exhausted, but they''d made it through together.


    Grey''s fingers were woven through hers as they walked toward the growing crowd. Her heart skipped when he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.


    As they moved through the sea of monsters, Beatrix caught pieces of excited chatter. "Did you see our Trix in action?" Marsha''s voice rang out, bursting with pride as she bragged to the other lunch ladies. "Who knew our chef had that kind of fight in her?"


    Beatrix''s smile faded when she realized Greta wasn''t there with the other creepateria staff. Those strange visions of Greta as a young human flashed through her mind — her laughter echoing across that sun-drenched meadow with Petra...


    Mr. Gore stood near the entrance, looking dazed but whole again now that his soul was back where it belonged. "Professor!" Johannah called out as she ran up to him. "You missed everything — Beatrix, Grey, everyone, they were amazing!"


    "Well then," Mr. Gore chuckled weakly, adjusting his crooked bow tie, "I suppose they''ve more than earned their passing grades in Monster Sensitivity, don''t you think?"


    Cleo threw herself at Deuce, kissing him with such passion that several teachers awkwardly looked away. Not far from them, Frankie yanked Holt''s headphones off mid-song, catching a very confused Jackson as he transformed back into himself. She wrapped him in a tight hug, sparks flying.


    "What... what did I miss?" Jackson stammered through fogged-up glasses.


    Through the crowd, Beatrix saw Autumn swept up in a group hug with Abbey, Lagoona, and an unusually friendly Toralei. Meanwhile, the wolf pack had formed a rowdy circle around Orion, howling and cheering as he showed off his missing fang to Howleen.


    "So there I am, right?" Guillermo''s voice carried across the courtyard, his hands flying dramatically as he acted out the battle for a group of vampires. They huddled close under their parasols, shielding themselves from the pink-gold sunrise while hanging on his every word. "I whip off my vest — whoosh! — and throw it right over her head!”


    Beatrix felt Grey''s fingers tense around hers. She looked up to see his eyes scanning the horizon, the morning sun lighting up the red scratches Astar''s talons had left across his face. "Parents are going to start showing up soon," he murmured, worry creeping into his voice.


    "Oh no," Beatrix groaned. "How am I even supposed to explain my part in all this? Where do I even start?"


    "Hey," Grey said softly, giving her hand a squeeze. He nodded toward the gates. "Look — you won''t have to do it alone."


    A dark figure was standing at the school gates. This Reaper moved differently from the others they''d fought — there was something regal in his posture, commanding respect rather than fear. Grey''s whole face lit up as he broke into a run toward his dad. The Grim Reaper''s attention went first to his son, then shifted to Headmistress Bloodgood. When he spoke, his voice was surprisingly gentle. "Nora... I came as soon as I saw your calls.”


    They moved away from the celebrating crowd, though Beatrix noticed more than a few students trying to eavesdrop, necks craning to catch what was being said. As Beatrix got closer, the darkness under the Grim Reaper’s hood wasn''t the same impenetrable black as the others. She could actually make out his features, so similar to Grey''s but weathered by time. The Grim Reaper’s black eyes fixed on her, studying her with an intensity that made her want to shrink back. "So. You''re the witch who helped my son."


    Beatrix shifted her weight nervously, fighting the urge to look away. Even seeing the clear resemblance to Grey, there was something deeply unsettling about being in Death''s gaze.


    "Dad," Grey jumped in, sensing Beatrix’s discomfort, "we took down all three of them. And the souls they trapped in their pendants — we broke everyone free.”


    "So I''ve heard." The Grim Reaper tilted his head slightly toward Bloodgood, something unspoken passing between them. "It’s fortunate you shattered their pendants before they processed those souls through the afterlife. Very fortunate indeed."


    "Tell me," Bloodgood said quietly, her eyes sharp. "Was I right? Did those three attack the school to overthrow you as CEO of Death Co.?"


    "I wouldn’t be surprised. And the devils were more than happy to help, of course," the Grim Reaper answered, a trace of bitterness in his voice.


    Beatrix leaned closer to Grey, keeping her voice low. "How would taking down Monster High overthrow him?"


    "Death Co. works like a democracy," Grey explained, aware of his father and Bloodgood listening. "The CEO position is determined by popular vote among Reapers. Mahlon, Cassius, and Viggo figured they might win points with the underworld by destroying Monster High and the ''controversial'' monster-Reaper peace treaty here…”


    "They thought they''d gather enough support to force me out," his father finished.


    "Hells… sir, I''m so sorry about everything," Beatrix burst out, the words tumbling over each other as the Grim Reaper’s presence made her nervous system buzz. “If I''d known I was a pawn... I mean, the devils and those Reapers working together, using me to—"


    The Grim Reaper''s hood tilted slightly, and she could have sworn she saw the ghost of a smile. "A witch with connections to devils showing up at Monster High... it definitely spelled trouble. But even I didn''t see this particular disaster coming. Don''t torture yourself over it. And... thank you."


    The Grim Reaper looked between Grey and Beatrix, and something like warmth crept into his voice. "You both showed real backbone out there. Maybe there''s hope for witches and Reapers cooperating after all."


    Grey''s fingers found hers again, squeezing gently. She held on tight, returning the Grim Reaper’s smile.


    The celebrating crowd at the gates gradually grew quieter as Beatrix took a step toward the Grim Reaper. There was still one crucial thing that needed to be solved.


    "Sir," she said, fighting to keep her voice steady despite her racing heart. "About what happens to monster souls after... after death. Does it have to be hellfire? It seems so wrong to condemn them…"


    The Grim Reaper studied her for a long moment, those dark eyes impossible to read in the shadows of his hood. "The plagues and evils of this world aren''t mine to decide. That''s the Maker''s domain. I''m just the cosmic paper-pusher who makes sure souls get where they''re meant to go."


    "Is that so?" The crowd split apart as Cassia the Conniving appeared in their midst, her devil entourage lined up behind her. Astar stood at his mom’s left side, crimson wings pulled tight against his back, carefully avoiding Beatrix''s eyes across the courtyard.


    Across the courtyard, Beatrix caught sight of Autumn standing alone, staring at Astar with hurt in her eyes. But Astar might as well have been carved from stone, standing at attention with the other devils, giving nothing away.


    "Cassia." The Grim Reaper''s voice stayed level, but Beatrix felt the temperature around them drop. "I was wondering when you''d show your face."


    "Your own son, taking down three Reapers?" Cassia''s painted lips curved into something that wasn''t quite a grin. "Wouldn''t have missed it for the world."


    Grey tensed beside Beatrix, but his father''s hand came down firmly on his shoulder. "My son defended himself against those who twisted everything we stand for. I''m officially pardoning him of any wrongdoing in this matter."


    Whispers spread through the crowd.


    "How... touching," Cassia practically purred, her voice sticky-sweet with mock sincerity. "And completely self-serving. You do realize how this will look to the other Reapers, don''t you? Destroying your own kind is sacred law." Her eyes glinted with cruel satisfaction. "Makes things rather messy for your plans to hand over that CEO chair to young Grey, doesn''t it?"


    "Though perhaps," Cassia went on, examining her polished claws as if they were having a casual chat over coffee, "we could work something out. Something that works for everyone involved." She paused, letting the tension build. "A new approach to monster souls. No more automatic ticket to hellfire. We evaluate each case individually. After all..." Her smile revealed far too many teeth. "Shouldn''t every being on Earth get to choose their final destination?"


    "And what''s your price?" the Grim Reaper asked. There was always a catch when dealing with devils.


    "Your son." Cassia''s eyes fixed on Grey. "He steps down from the CEO track. Instead, he becomes our ambassador to Hell — for my circle specifically. Only the fifth circle. A bridge between our worlds."


    The crowd held its breath. Grey''s father stood motionless, his dark robes stirring in the dawn breeze. "And if I say no?"


    "Then nothing changes. Monster souls keep burning. Their eternal suffering continues to feed our flames." Cassia gave an elegant shrug. “But wouldn''t you rather be the forward-thinking leader who changed an unjust system? With your son blazing the trail between realms?"


    Before his father could speak, Grey stepped forward. "I''ll do it."


    "Son—" the Grim Reaper started, but Grey cut him off.


    "Dad, no. She''s right — this has to change. And if this is what it takes..." He straightened up to look Cassia dead in the eye. "I''ll do it."


    Cassia''s smile was like watching a knife unsheathe. “Swell. I’m looking forward to working with you.”


    While the demons around Cassia began to fade like morning mist, she turned those razor-sharp eyes on Beatrix. "Oh, and little witch? It’s such a shame we''re parting on bad terms. Watch yourself, won''t you? We have... special arrangements... for those who fail to do what we ask." Her final words hung in the air like poison: "Why don''t you ask your aunts about it sometime?"


    With that, Cassia was gone. Just as Astar was about to leave alongside her, Autumn burst through the crowd, reaching for his arm. Beatrix couldn''t hear what passed between them, but she watched Autumn''s determined expression crumble into confusion at whatever he said. Then he disappeared too, leaving Autumn reaching for empty air, her hand grasping at nothing but a memory.


    The crowd stayed quiet for a heartbeat before erupting into whispers as the reality sank in — no more automatic hellfire waiting for them after death. But the victory felt hollow, tainted.


    Beatrix looked up at Grey, her heart tight with worry. He met her eyes, and for just a moment, she saw his mask slip — saw the fear and uncertainty he was trying so hard to hide.


    "What... what does this mean?" she whispered. "You''ll be living between worlds?"


    "I... I honestly don''t know," he admitted softly.


    Near the gates, the Grim Reaper pulled Bloodgood aside, their heads close together as they spoke in hushed, urgent tones. The Grim Reaper seemed ready to leave, his shoulders heavy with the weight of what had just transpired, troubled by this devil''s bargain his son had agreed to.


    Something caught Beatrix''s eye as they spoke — a flicker of purple in the woods beyond. Spectra''s ethereal form emerged from between the trees. The ghost''s eyes were clear now, free of the hatred that had consumed her for so long.


    "Wait!" Beatrix called out as the Grim Reaper prepared to leave. "There''s something else. A monster who actually wants to pass on." She pointed to where Spectra hovered. "There''s a spirit here who''s no longer bound to this mountainside. She''d like to be taken to the afterlife."


    The Grim Reaper stood silent for a moment, his presence commanding the attention of the crowd. "I see…" He turned to address everyone, his dark eyes sweeping over them. "If any among you wish to move on from an immortality you never asked for, I will guide you myself. Every monster has the right to choose their path, even if that means continuing lives marked by struggle or darkness. But understand this — I know true evil when I see it, and it is not what stands before me."


    A ripple of uncertainty went through the monsters there, but no one moved.


    Then, from the back, someone walked forward — Greta, her green skin almost glowing in the morning light. "I think," she said, soft but certain, "it''s time."


    At the sight of her old friend, Spectra drifted forward from the shadows of the woods. The two moved toward each other as if drawn by an invisible thread, and when their eyes met, centuries of pain seemed to melt away from both their faces. They were sticking together again, this time for good.


    The Grim Reaper stepped forward, drawing forth a scythe unlike any Beatrix had seen before. Its handle was adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change as she watched. When he raised it, the motion wasn’t threatening. The light of souls shone from the crystal orb hanging from his scythe’s base, bathing Spectra and Greta in a soft, otherworldly glow as they faced him, ready to cross over together.


    Just before the end, Spectra and Beatrix’s eyes locked one last time. Beatrix gave her a gentle nod — telling her without words that everything would be alright.


    The scythe descended in a graceful arc. In a flash of light, Spectra vanished, and Greta''s body was tenderly gathered by the staff to be given a proper burial.


    The Grim Reaper turned to Grey. "We''ll talk soon about this new... arrangement." He then nodded to Bloodgood before starting down Monster High''s front path alone. Just as the Grim Reaper reached the treeline beyond the school, reality seemed to ripple around him, space folding in ways that made Beatrix''s brain hurt, and he slipped into the shadows, leaving only the whisper of wind through leaves.


    "Well," Headmistress Bloodgood''s voice finally spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention to her. "I believe it goes without saying that finals are canceled this year."


    A wave of cheers erupted from the gathered students.


    "As well as prom."


    The cheers came to a halt, replaced by a collective groan.


    "What?" Draculaura''s voice rose above the others, her hands flying to her cheeks in horror. "But I already bought my dress!"


    "And I''ve been working on my moves!" Deuce protested, launching into what he probably thought was an impressive dance but looked more like a zombie having a seizure. Next to him, Cleo pressed her hand to her face, hiding her secondhand embarrassment.


    As the crowd dissolved into excited chatter and playful arguments, Bloodgood turned to Beatrix. "I suppose I''ll need to reconsider the ban on magic on campus." A smile tugged at the headmistress’s lips. "At least for one particularly troublesome witch."


    Warmth bloomed in Beatrix as she looked around at her Monster High family. They were battered and exhausted, sure, but they were alive. Grey''s fingers laced with hers again, his thumb drawing soft circles on her hand that sent little shivers up her arm. In that moment, despite everything — despite devils, deals, and an uncertain future — she knew this was where she belonged.


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    "LET’S PART-AY!!!" Holt''s voice boomed over the pulsing music that made Draculaura''s entire mansion practically shaking. The whole school had packed into her place in the woods for their unofficial celebration, just a few days after their visit with the Grim Reaper. The windows lit up with spinning colors while Abbey''s ice sculptures turned the rooms into something between a dance club and an ice palace that moved with Holt''s beats.


    Beatrix saw Frankie and Clawdeen in the crowd, talking animatedly as they planned elaborate beach trips with the kind of excitement that only comes from narrowly avoiding Death and living to talk about it.


    "Guess we got our prom after all," Autumn said with a laugh as they pushed through the packed room.


    Toralei slipped up next to Autumn, flashing a feline grin. "Can''t get in trouble if Bloodgood can''t see it, right?"


    "Beatrix!" someone called out. She spun around to see Guillermo waving at her, standing next to — of all people — Henry Hunchback, now very much alive and kicking, dancing like he''d never left.


    "Thank ghoul you didn’t get cremated!" Beatrix said as she made her way over. "It’s nice to finally meet you!”


    "Man, you should''ve seen the morgue security guard when I sat up,” Henry shouted over the music. “Thought the poor guy was gonna pass out!"


    A chorus of happy howls erupted from deeper in the party — the wolf pack celebrating with Brocko, who was just as back-from-the-dead as Henry.


    "BEATRIX!" Draculaura''s high-pitched squeal called to her. The pink vampire appeared with Cleo at her side, both of them trying — and failing — to hide something behind their backs.


    "We''ve got a little surprise for you!" Draculaura announced.


    "Can''t have you missing out on the group chat over summer break, can we?" Cleo pulled out a sleek black iCoffin. "Consider yourself officially part of the Ghoul Squad."


    "You bought me a phone!? You guys didn’t have to..." Beatrix felt her throat get tight, touched.


    Draculaura bounced on her toes. "Oh! By the way — is it true Bloodgood''s letting you come back next year?"


    "As a real student this time," Beatrix confirmed, then added with a self-conscious laugh, "Though I should probably warn you — I''m not exactly what you''d call ‘academically-gifted’..."


    "Please," Cleo waved her hand dismissively. "Have you seen how Clawd does in Dead Languages?"


    "Hey!" Clawd''s voice carried over from nearby. "I heard that!"


    The night stretched on. Vampires danced with werewolves, ghosts floated among gorgons, witches and normies mixed together — celebrating not just the end of an absolutely insane year, but the beginning of something entirely new.


    Through the pulsing lights, Beatrix spotted Grey cornered by Heath, nodding along politely while the fire elemental rambled about whether Abbey''s looks from across the room meant anything. Beatrix bit back a grin as she headed over, reaching for Grey''s hand.


    "Sorry Heath," she said, not sorry at all, "but I need to steal him for a minute." She led Grey out to Draculaura''s massive balcony, where the party sounds became a distant thrum. Beatrix pulled out her new black iCoffin, holding it up next to his matching phone case. "Look — we''re phone twins now."


    "Let me see," Grey said, surprised, taking the phone to put in his number.


    "So," Beatrix bumped his shoulder, trying to keep things light despite the weight of what she was asking. "Heard anything about your... uh… new job?"


    Grey’s face fell. "Not much yet... Becoming an ambassador for the fifth circle is some way to end my senior year… It''s all Dad talks about now. That, and my grades this semester."


    Beatrix nudged him playfully. "Been slacking off?"


    "Hard to focus on grades when you''re fighting killer Reapers," Grey gave her a half-smile. "And chasing you around."


    She laughed at that, then grew more serious. "I''m sorry about what happened with Cassia. Just... keep me posted about what it all means, okay? We''ll figure something out. I mean, I was able to wiggle out of a permanent devil contract after all."


    Grey''s knuckles whitened against the balcony railing, worry creating deep lines around his eyes. Beatrix''s heart ached at his distress. She covered his hand with hers, making him visibly relax. His expression softened, vulnerability replacing the harder edges as he met her eyes.


    Grey’s hand came up to brush her cheek. Then he leaned in, close enough that she could feel his breath against her lips, and he kissed her. The kiss was gentle at first, then hungry as Beatrix pressed closer. Grey backed her against the railing, one hand sliding to her waist, his body caging hers as he deepened the kiss. The chill night air raised goosebumps on her arms, but everywhere they touched felt like fire. Her hands roamed across his shoulders, feeling the muscle beneath his shirt. He broke the kiss only to trail his lips along her jaw before capturing her mouth again. When they finally pulled apart, Grey stayed close, his forehead resting against hers.


    "You better come visit me this summer," Beatrix said.


    "I will."


    "And you better not make me wait more than a week, or I might start thinking you only like me for my spells."


    "Your cooking''s not bad either,” he teased.


    “Shut up,” Beatrix playfully swatted at his chest.


    The smile hadn''t yet faded from her lips when a shadow swept overhead, blotting out the glittering stars. Wings — broad and silent against the velvet-dark sky. Beatrix''s pulse jumped. "Did you see—"


    Grey frowned up at the darkness. Beatrix slipped from his arms, following the shadow''s path along Draculaura''s balcony. She rounded the corner and found Autumn standing alone, her face tilted to the sky as an owl disappeared into the night.


    "Oh!" Autumn jumped when she noticed her, hastily wiping at her eyes. "Sorry, I thought... for a second..." She couldn''t finish, but she didn''t need to.


    "Me too," Beatrix said quietly, knowing exactly who her friend had hoped those wings belonged to.


    Autumn drew a shaky breath, wrapping her arms around herself. After a long moment, Autumn spoke again with a hollow sort of humor. "You know what''s weird? Birds don''t scare me anymore." She gave a weak laugh. "Funny how things change."


    Beatrix settled beside her friend, letting her shoulder brush against the scarecrow’s in silent support. Grey followed, and all three of them gazed up at the starry sky together, each lost in their own thoughts. The night carried the faint scent of spring.


    "You know…” Beatrix said. “We don''t have to go back to the farm for summer break."


    Autumn turned to face her, moonlight catching the stitches at the corners of her mouth as concern filled her face. "But your aunts... they''re already mad that you went against them. Is making them angrier really the best idea?"


    "That''s exactly why we should stay away,” Beatrix said.


    "But…" Autumn started, "... your aunts aren''t exactly the scariest thing we''ve faced lately… Besides," Autumn’s voice softened, "we can''t just abandon everyone in the scarecrow village. And you''re different now, Bea. You’re stronger than when we left."


    "I guess you’re right…” Beatrix sighed. “I bet I can help change things up at the farm when we get back…"


    Grey stayed quiet beside them as the girls worked through their thoughts.


    "Bea," Autumn said cautiously, "I know you don''t want to hear this, but Astar did help us in the end. That gorgon sight he gave you—"


    "Oh, come on," Beatrix said. "All he did was tell us how to trap a Reaper long enough to run away. We had to figure out how to actually destroy the horsemen by ourselves. Everything that mattered? That was all us.”


    "No, there''s something you don''t know,” Autumn insisted. “That day, when Grey’s dad showed up, I tried to reach Astar in the crowd... but my hand went right through his arm. He wasn''t solid anymore, Bea. That means the devil contract between you two was already broken."


    “What are you trying to say?” Beatrix asked.


    “Before Astar left with his mom, he told me why he killed you with Grey''s scythe. He did it to break your temporary contract with him. A devil familiar can break their contract by..." she hesitated, "by killing the person they''re bound to. That''s why he did it. To free you."


    Beatrix stared her friend''s face, shocked Autumn was still defending the demon after everything he’d done. "You''re saying I should be grateful he murdered me?" Beatrix''s words came out harsher than intended.


    "No, that''s not—" Autumn struggled to find the right words. "Look, you know what happens if you fail to obey a devil while you’re in a contract with them… If he hadn''t done something..."


    The balcony door creaked open, cutting her off. They turned to see a girl step out, obviously trying to escape the party inside. Beatrix recognized her immediately — it was Gilda Goldstag, the same face and antlers Beatrix had seen on all those memorial posters during her first week at Monster High.


    "Oh, sorry to interrupt," Gilda said quietly, shrinking under their gaze. "I just needed some air. Parties aren''t really my thing. I feel so... out of place. Everyone keeps talking about all these crazy things that happened while I was... gone."


    Something in Beatrix softened at Gilda''s lost expression. She managed a gentle smile. "You might want to sit down. We''ve got a lot to catch you up on."


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    The evening sun stretched Beatrix and Autumn’s shadows like dark fingers as they trudged up the dusty farm road from the train station, their suitcases leaving tracks in the dirt behind them.


    Autumn let out a tired huff as she peeled off her "normie" disguise. They''d passed through several human towns on their journey back from New Salem, so Autumn had wrapped a black scarf around her face to hide her painted features and hidden her straw-filled body in a long, bulky jacket.


    Just then, excited shrieks erupted from the cornfield nearby.


    "Autumn! Bea!" A small stampede of little scarecrows burst through the corn stalks, led by Autumn''s youngest cousin who bounced more than ran, bits of straw drifting from her patched dress. They were all holding woven crowns made from wildflowers.


    "Welcome home!" they chorused, their stitched smiles stretching wide as they rose on their tiptoes to place the crowns on both girls'' heads.


    "We missed you all so much!" Beatrix laughed, bending down to scoop up the nearest child in a hug. Within seconds, both she and Autumn were swarmed by scarecrow kids, who clung to their legs and arms as they continued down the road.


    The scarecrow village came into view down the slope — a cluster of cabins and barns around an old church with a steeple. All of Autumn’s family and friends had gathered in the packed dirt yard to welcome them home. Beatrix spotted Autumn''s Grandpa Harry, his burlap skin softened to a gentle grey with age, leaning on his wooden cane. By the well, some of the older scarecrow boys — Raine, Sawyer, Forrest, and Oakley — were doing their best to look casual, though they couldn''t hide their curiosity about Autumn''s unexpected early return.


    "Oh Granny," Autumn said as they reached the group, adjusting her slightly crooked flower crown. "You won’t believe what happened this year..."


    Granny Magpie wiped flour-covered hands on her apron. "Your letters did get rather... interesting toward the end there," Granny Magpie said with a raised eyebrow, though her smile was warm as she wrapped both girls in a hug that smelled like fresh bread.


    Several of the scarecrows stepped forward to help with Beatrix''s bags, but she shook her head. "It''s okay — I can handle this part myself." Beatrix noticed their poorly hidden relief — none of them were exactly jumping at the chance to get close to the looming Victorian manor where the witches lived.


    "Haven''t seen your aunts around for a few days now," Granny Magpie mentioned, keeping her voice carefully neutral. "Been awful quiet up at the main house lately."


    "Yeah..." Beatrix said, fidgeting with the leather strap of her bag as she glanced at the dark house on the other side of the property. "They’re not happy with me…" Beatrix straightened up to face the long walk ahead. "Wish me luck."


    The dirt path winding between the corn stalks seemed to stretch forever as Beatrix made her way to the main house. When she finally slipped in through the old back door, she noticed the remnants of scorch marks still across the spell room''s floor and walls — leftovers from that disastrous pyrokinesis potion before school started. Back when Beatrix’s life was way simpler.


    The kitchen welcomed her with bundles of dried herbs dangling from the ceiling rafters, spellbooks piled in precarious towers, and that same old smell of burnt sage and old magic that had worked its way deep into the house''s bones over the decades. Beatrix’s bags hit the floor at the bottom of the stairs with a hollow thud that echoed through the weird silence.


    Something was definitely off. The house’s front door was slightly ajar — letting in a whisper of breeze. That was totally unlike her aunts, who were obsessive about their privacy, guarding it like dragons hoarding gold.


    "Hello? Aunt Constance?" Beatrix called out, her voice sounding too loud in her ears. "Aunt Cordelia? Clarice?"


    Nothing.


    Her iCoffin suddenly buzzed at her hip. Her heart did a little flip when she saw Grey''s name lighting up the screen — after that kiss at Draculaura’s, just seeing his name gave her butterflies.


    "Miss me already?" she answered, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.


    "Maybe," Grey said. She could hear the smile in his voice. "Though I''m also calling to see how much trouble you’re in."


    Her elation at hearing Grey eased Beatrix’s nerves. "Not sure yet..." Beatrix glanced around the empty entryway. “It’s weird… My aunts aren’t here. I think they went out—"


    She stopped. Her eyes fell on something out of place on the wooden floor — an elegant calling card adorned with a crimson sigil. Picking it up, she turned it over to find cursive scrawled on the back:


    Cassia the Conniving. Demon Duchess of the Fifth Circle of Hell.


    No.


    No no no.


    Her aunts wouldn''t have... they couldn''t have...


    “Beatrix?" Grey asked.


    The card slipped from Beatrix’s numb fingers as she rushed into the dining room.


    “Beatrix, you okay?”


    Time froze as Beatrix took in the sight of her family''s long mahogany table — and the three witches'' hats and black robes lying in crumpled heaps before it.


    With a hand that wouldn''t stop shaking, Beatrix reached out and pulled back the heavy fabric of Aunt Cordelia''s cloak.


    Beneath it lay bones. Bare, gleaming bones.


    Just like the villagers. The ones Spectra and Greta had watched melt from the inside out centuries ago.


    That’s when she knew. Her aunts had sworn their souls to Cassia.


    And when they failed to push Beatrix into Astar''s plans — failed to fulfill Cassia’s orders to end Monster High for good — this was the price.


    The only reason Beatrix wasn''t punished along with them, turned into nothing but a pile of bones, was because she was no longer bound to Astar by their temporary contract. Without a tie to a devil, she couldn’t be harmed.


    "B?" Grey''s voice called out from the phone, small and far away. "What happened? Beatrix?? What’s wrong?"


    Beatrix’s iCoffin slipped from her hand, clattering against the hardwood floor.


    ~ o ~ O ~ o ~


    Author’s Note:


    Thank you for reading “Monster High: Season of the Witch” !!! This is my first fanfic, so I’ve really appreciated your comments, feedback, and patience as I’ve worked on it!


    Sorry to end things on a dark note (I couldn’t resist haha), but this isn’t the end for these characters. I’m brainstorming a sequel, so stay tuned!


    Thank you so much again for taking the time to read!! <3