Ava and Theo found a hostel to spend the night. The next morning, they planned on touring the city.

"Where did you hear about Gravemont Academy?" Ava asked the moment their heads touched the bed.

Theo had seen this question coming from a mile away. The only thing that had delayed it was them almost running Charlene over.

"Some guys were talking about it earlier, at the race,"

"Let me guess...it sounded familiar?"

"Yeah. I heard it’s only for strong male heirs,"

"That is correct,"

"And I’ve been there before?!"

"Yeah,"

"Interesting,"

Ava watched Theo warily. She could literally smell her growing curiosity in the air, and she gave a straight reply even before the question came.

"No, Theo, you’re NOT going to Gravemont!"

"I never said I wanted to go!"

"But you were thinking about it, and don’t even try to deny it!"

"Ugh! Fine, I was," Theo said, and faced Ava, "But isn’t it the perfect escape from my father? There, I could train, my dad wouldn’t be able to reach me, and I know you’re worried that people would recognise me instantly, but my wolf once told me that she could change my appearance so I think this could work!"

Seraphina groaned inside of Theo.

"You are crazy!" Ava said, "You’re really, really crazy. What makes you think it’s the perfect escape? What makes you think changing your appearance would help? What if they still recognise you?"

"They won’t! I could change my gender completely to resemble that of a man. I’d fit in perfectly!"

"No, you won’t!"

"I’ll look completely different!" Theo threw both hands up dramatically, while Ava continued to stare at her in disbelief, but Theo kept going, "I could cut my hair shorter—"

"You already did that once."

"What?" Theo exclaimed, blinking in shock.

Ava froze for exactly half a second, then immediately recovered, "I mean, it wouldn’t suit you.

Theo narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and Ava confirmed her suspicion when she quickly looked away like she had been caught doing something she shouldn’t be. Or in this case, said something she shouldn’t have.

"...Ava," Theo called warily.

"No." Ava shook her head.

"You hesitated."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

Ava dragged a hand down her face tiredly, "Can you not investigate me right now?"

Theo’s eyes narrowed further, "You’re acting weird now,"

"Because you’re talking about sneaking into the most dangerous male academy in existence like it’s a fun vacation!"

"That’s exactly why it sounds appealing! And yes, it’s like a fun Vacation. It’s not like I plan to stay there till graduation,"

Ava looked like she wanted to scream into a pillow, and Theo laughed when she saw her new expression, "Do you really hate for me to go to Gravemont Academy that much? Do you think I can’t pull it off?"

She continued to laugh, till she wasn’t anymore. Her voice faded, and then a soft quietness took over the room.

Then, "Ava..."

Ava looked back at her.

Theo’s fingers tightened lightly around herself, "You know I can’t stay hidden forever."

The room went quieter.

"I know you’re trying to protect me," She admitted. "And honestly... I’m grateful for it. More than you know. Waking up to such an intense scene, closing a veil because I feel obligated to, taking in the realisation that begins like demons and Werewolves exist...watching someone who means a lot to me die in my arms...I really thought my head was going to explode, but you dragged me out of the chaos and helped me get my head straight during these six months. And I know that apart from my father’s approaches, there are other things happening that you don’t want me to know because of my wellbeing, and I’m so lucky to have someone like you,"

Ava’s expression softened a bit.

"But six months is a long time."

Theo then looked back up at her again and continued, "I wake up every day feeling like someone dropped me into the middle of another person’s life. I don’t know who I used to be. I don’t know why everyone looks at me like I’m important. I don’t know why my chest hurts whenever someone mentions certain names or places, and as much as I don’t want to admit it...I wish I could catch a glimpse of Zeke or Zevon’s face,"

Ava stayed silent.

"And now... I’m hella curious about Gravemont, about everything. I think I’m ready...to be overwhelmed...if you get what I’m trying to say,"

Ava understood it perfectly.

"And I’m not just curious about Gravemont only, I’m curious about the world. About myself. About...who I was before I forgot everything. I want to know the reason why my name is so popular, I want to know how we became friends, I want to know how the hell I caught the attention of the two people that now happen to be the most dangerous beings in this world," She laughed weakly.

"I don’t want to spend the rest of my life hiding in a house pretending I’m okay."

Silence filled the room afterwards, and Ava slowly looked away from Theo and toward the ceiling.

Her chest felt strangely heavy. She wanted to keep trying to convince Theo otherwise, but Theo was right.

Six months ago, Ava had been terrified.

Theo’s soul had literally shattered and rebuilt itself out of sheer will. When she had opened her eyes in that battlefield looking all shocked and confused, Ava had vowed to protect the newborn she had become.

But at the end of it, Ava realised she wasn’t just protecting Theo from others. She was just scared of losing her best friend again, and that was why she did all that.

And for these past six months, Theo had lived without any expectations. That was at least, till her father started calling and trying to fill her head with the idea of her becoming his heir.

And now, Theo looked restless.

It was as though she was standing in front of a cage with the door already unlocked, and the only thing holding her back was Ava.

Because she was still scared. That the world could be cruel. That some bad guy would try to take Theo away again.

Ava exhaled slowly, her eyes falling close.

No matter how scared she was, she couldn’t keep Theo from the world forever.

"You know," Ava murmured eventually, "When I first brought you home after the war, I thought keeping you away from everything would help."

Theo listened quietly.

"I thought if I gave you enough peace and enough time, maybe you’d stop hurting." A faint smile crossed Ava’s lips, "But look at you now. You still want the world."

The words landed softly, and Theo didn’t deny it.

Ava laughed quietly under her breath and rubbed her eyes tiredly, "You’re unbelievable. Have I ever told you that?"

"I get the feeling you have, many times," Theo smiled faintly, "So..."

Ava looked at her again.

Theo’s expression practically screamed ’Please say yes!’

"Oh my God." Ava groaned loudly, and Theo immediately sat up straighter.

"That’s not a no," Theo said, happiness radiating off her.

"You are exhausting."

"That’s ALSO not a no." She was practically squealing now.

Ava pointed at her threateningly, "If you die or something happens to you, I will literally kill you myself."

Theo gasped dramatically, "That’s so supportive."

Ava dropped her hand over her face, "Do whatever you want, Theo."

Theo stared at her in surprise.

Ava looked back at the ceiling again, "I can’t keep deciding your life for you because I’m scared something bad will happen. Plus, you already died like...twice before!"

The room fell silent again.

"And somehow, even after losing everything... You still want to run toward life instead of away from it." Ava murmured, then smiled, "So maybe...maybe that’s just who you’ve always been."