Winter was scurrying around under the radar for the next few days, camping out in Leo's dorm. Stories Untold appeared in his room one day which allowed her to do some studying on the forbidden powers. There were magic users called hypnotics that had the ability to manipulate things of the mind. Another powerholder was called blockers. They could put a block on the powers and bonds of others. Kind of like Layla's ability. Winter flipped through the pages. That had to be what was causing it. She twisted the bracelet. Spells from a blocker and a hypnotic were cast on the bracelets. Aside from that, the reason why everyone else didn't remember her had to be the work of a powerful hypnotic capable of using their powers on a multitude of people all at the same time. They were believed to have all gone extinct after the coup. Winter's eyes lit up, "Show me The Attack on Fairy Bay." Winter tapped the page. It happened a little over ten years ago. No one knew who headed the coup or any details about it really. They only knew that the ultimate goal was getting magic users under one person's control. It was a tragedy that resulted in many deaths along with the outlawing of certain powers. Winter rolled her neck. Her death didn't happen very long after the coup. That had to be the catalyst. Someone was trying to protect her. Was it because she possessed a forbidden power? That wasn't it. Lucas had teleportation, but he was still here, safe and sound. She thought back to the stories Sam and Jax told her. It seemed like someone's original goal was to keep them apart. But now, they were being pushed together. Why? Winter scratched her head when Leo entered the room, "What are you doing?" She slid the book over to him and told him her theory. He put a hand on his chin, "It makes sense but who was trying to protect you?" Winter pulled a hoodie over her head, "I still don't know. I can't remember anything from that day." Leo helped her roll up a sleeve, "We don't know who the hypnotic is either so how are you going to break the spell?" Winter pulled the hood over her head, "I guess we have to find them first." Leo eyed her silently before saying, "When are you going to go to class again? Everyone's worrying about you." She rubbed her eyes, "When I'm ready for Della to catch me."
Leo rustled around in his pocket before handing her a piece of paper, "I forgot to give this to you." She unfolded it and saw a report from Xae. She mumbled, "They're making more monsters." Winter gave Leo the note and he said, "There has been an increase in sightings since last week." Winter drew on her hand, "Lucas said it is impossible to find who's making them and where since they're using a forbidden power." She glanced at Stories Untold, "But I'm sure we can find a way." Winter closed the book and said, "Show me how to find the monsters." When she opened it again, it depicted a forest. Leo leaned over her shoulder and said, "That's where we're going for our field trip." Winter's head spun to him, "What?" Leo pulled on his ear, "We have an annual camping trip in those woods." Winter rubbed her chin, "Why would that be their hotspot?" Leo stared at the book, shrugging. Winter stood up and Leo grabbed her arm, his eyes fixated on the page, "Where are you going?" She shook him off, "To do recon."
Winter walked out the door and went looking through the halls. She kept track of all the numbers of the rooms that she passed. She approached a door that's presence clashed with the rest. It was painted green, with the same decorative foreign script that she observed on the door of the conference room. She ran her hand over the ancient scrawl. Winter looked around before opening the door. Inside were shelves filled to the brim with scrolls. She glanced behind her before entering. Winter grabbed one of the scrolls, unraveling it on the table. Written on it, was the ancient art of defense that she had mastered as a child. She looked around, grabbing a handful of scrolls from each shelf. On each of them was a special skill taught during ancient times to the most capable magic users. Winter scanned the room and noticed one scroll set apart from the rest. It was rimmed with red and black wax. Winter untied the string and flattened the scroll onto the table. When Winter read the contents of the scroll, she gasped. Immediately, she wrapped the scroll back up, sealing it. More and more of the pieces fell into place in her mind. Winter walked out of the room and didn't look back.
Winter bumped into Sam when she rounded the corner. She thought it was strange how often they ran into each other without the pull of their bond. Winter met his eyes and he motioned behind him. She nodded and kept walking. Winter made her way to the empty room that was down the hall. She closed the door. Sam came in minutes later. Winter held her hand up, putting her ear to the door to make sure they weren't being followed. "What do you remember of the coup?" Sam looked at her, disinterested, "I didn't call you to talk history. Where is Aliana?" Winter glared at him, "You have to help me in order for me to help you." Sam scowled, "I don't remember anything. It was years ago and I played no part in it." She looked at her hands, "What about Aliana? Did she play a part?" Sam scoffed, "None of us had anything to do with it." Finding the conversation useless, Winter turned to leave. Sam slammed his hand on the door before she could pull it open. She turned to face him as he grumbled, "I answered your questions. Now you answer mine." His eyes seemed to devour her, "Where is she?" Winter squinted at him. She spat the words like they were venomous, "I don't know." She moved his hand and walked out the door.