Winter held her bracelet up for him to see, "From my experience they use the bracelets to monitor and control our magic, memories, and bonds." His eyes willed her to continue, "I can't remember things about my past and I couldn't feel the soulmate bond until it broke." "You broke it off?" Winter tugged at it, "Yesterday my magic took over and broke it." Disgust dripped from his voice, "Why are you still wearing it then?" She huffed, "I thought taking it off would alert Della so I left it on, but by the time I woke up it had already repaired itself." Winter leaned back, "The only ones who have the bracelets are you, me, and Jax." Sam was revolted. Winter went on, "There's something about the connection between all of us that sparked their interest." Sam took a closer look at her and Winter turned her face, "I mean, I'll figure it out and then let you know what I find." She got up to leave when Sam grabbed her hand, "Aliana." Winter held her breath and stared at him. "Is she really alive?" Winter let out a sigh of relief, "She is." She walked back up the stairs.
When she got to the shelves she let her guard down and internally screamed, "Leo." Seconds later, he came bursting through the doors of the library. He was panting by the time he reached her, "You called, Your Highness." She eyed him, "Take me to your dorm." He took one look at her tattered clothing and scars and led the way without asking any questions. When they got to his room he began interrogating her, "What happened to you? Where have you been? Are you alright?" Winter took a deep breath, "Darren and his goons ambushed me while I was on my way to meet Jax." Leo spat a string of curse words. He jumped up and walked towards the door before Winter caught his leg, "Where are you going?" He looked at her, "Where else? To deal with that bastard." Winter shook her head, "It's okay. I have a plan." He tilted his head and she smiled joylessly, "Next time he tries anything, I'll destroy him." Leo shivered, "I pity him." He looked around, "But how come we're in my room?" Winter pointed to her wrist, "I broke my bracelet so now Della is looking for me. I can't stay in my dorm because she'll find me there and my normal hideout is occupied." He grabbed her wrist and turned it over in his hand, "It doesn't look broken to me." Winter yanked her hand back, "That's because the bracelet fixed itself." Leo blinked aggressively, "How? What is it for anyway?" Winter considered him for a moment. She sighed, "Last night I was in the garden meditating. That's when my magic led me to Sam's sword, I cut my hand on it and now I know." He leaned in, "Now you know what?" She swallowed, "That I am Aliana." Leo's eyes widened, "What? What are you talking about? I thought she died." Winter shook her head, "His magic entered my core when I touched his sword, spurring my memories. The dorm I'm assigned to now used to be my room when I lived here." The shock in his face was evident as he tried to take it all in. Winter raised her bracelet to his eyeline, "Sam, Jax, and I all wear these." Leo stared at her, "Do you know what they do?" She nodded, "They suppress our bond and our memories." Winter started rambling, "I also think it's a way for them to control our powers. Don't quote me on that though, it's just a theory." She twisted her ring, "After Darren attacked me, I panicked and lost control of my powers. My magic broke the bracelet and." Winter trailed off. Leo raised his eyebrows, "And?" She pulled at the bracelet, "And I felt the tug of the bond. With Jax." Leo gaped at her, "How is that possible? You're Sam's soulmate." His eyes widened with understanding, "Unless you have two soulmates." Winter nodded. Leo's eyebrows furrowed, "Wait that doesn't make any sense. Lucas is Jax's soulmate." Winter smiled sarcastically, "That's where it gets a little weird." Leo chewed on his lip, "What do you mean that's where it gets weird? Isn't this whole thing weird?" Winter shrugged, "It confused me too. If I felt the tug with Jax how can he claim that Lucas is his soulmate? From my research, the only way to replace a bond is with someone genetically similar enough for the energies to match." Leo's jaw dropped, "You don't mean." She nodded, "Lucas is my twin brother." Did he know she was still alive? He recognized her. He had to. The reason why he got so jealous whenever Winter and Jax were together was because he knew of their bond. Leo interrupted her thoughts, "Do you know who faked your death or why?" Winter shook her head, "I've been trying to figure it out so I asked both Jax and Sam. They both told me different stories. So, I have no clue what really happened that day." Winter stared off into the distance, "There was only one other person on our team who could know." Leo read her expression, "Lucas." He ran his fingers through his hair, "None of that explains why no one else remembers you." Winter tied up her hair, "My guess is that someone used their magic to erase my memory from everyone's mind." "Like a mass brainwashing?" "Kind of." Winter thought, "In the same way they could've altered Sam and Jax's memories of what happened to me. Consequently, turning them against each other." Leo folded his hands together, "Looks like we have a new mystery to solve." Winter closed her eyes, "I have a feeling it's all part of the same mystery." Winter opened them and watched him, "You can't tell anyone my identity. No one. Not even our friends." Leo tilted his head, "You're not going to tell Sam or Jax?" She waved her hands in front of her, "Not until I break the spell causing them to forget." Leo mimed zipping his lips, "Your secret is safe with me princess."