Page 53 of Revenge is a Witch

My stomach tightens as I read the messages, feeling the familiar sting of betrayal creeping in. Two weeks? How long have they been plotting? I should have known something was off, but still… Sam? AndKyla?

“What is it?” Derek asks, noticing my frown.

I hand them the phone, sighing. "They’ve been working together. Sam’s been with Kyla and Bethany for weeks. Planning their final assessment." The room grows tense as both boys lean in to read the screen. Derek’s jaw tightens, his normally easy-going demeanor shifting into something more… agitated. Sebastian, on the other hand, looks completely unfazed, but I can see the glint of irritation in his eyes. “I get it. You two clearly have something to say, so say it.” I gesture for them to speak, tired of the tension.

Derek is the first to speak, his voice low but laced with anger. "I knew she was messed up, but this is a whole new level of—" He cuts himself off, clearly biting back something nastier.

Sebastian, though, doesn’t hold back. "Kyla’s a manipulative, power-hungry bitch. And your ‘best friend’ Sam? She’s not far behind. The two of them are perfect for each other. One’s a snake, the other’s a rat. Can’t tell who’s worse."

I blink, surprised by the venom in their voices. "Wow, tell me how you really feel," I mutter, though I can’t help but agree.

“They’ve been using you, Z,” Derek continues, frustration clear in his voice. “This isn’t just some high school drama—Kyla’s dangerous, and Sam’s... well, she’s willing to screw you over just to climb the social ladder.”

Sebastian nods. “Sam’s too spineless to come at you directly, so she’s working through Kyla. It's pathetic, really.” The words sting, but they also make sense. I’ve known something was offfor a while, but hearing it spelled out like this makes it all too real. I clutch the phone tightly, feeling the weight of the betrayal settling in.

"Well, if I didn’t hate them before, I sure do now," I say, trying to inject some humor into the situation, but it falls flat. "I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming."

Sebastian leans back, his expression softening just a little. “You’re not the one who should feel bad. They’re the ones who should be worried. You’ve got two powerful guys on your side now.” He winks, but there’s a seriousness behind his words.

Derek crosses his arms, looking equally as serious. "And we’re not gonna let them get away with it." I nod, feeling a sense of resolve. It’s one thing to be caught off guard, but now I know. Now I can act.

"Thanks, guys," I say, looking between the two of them. "But we’re not just gonna fight back—we’re gonna play smarter. I’m done being the pawn in their little game." And just like that, we’re all on the same page, ready to turn the tables on Kyla, Sam, and anyone else who thinks they can mess with me.

Sebastian leans back on my bed, arms crossed over his chest, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. “You know, this could be our group assessment. Kyla’s expecting me to be on her team, thinking I’m still under her command, but I’m not planning on doing half her assignment for her.”

Derek nods, leaning against the wall. “Makes sense. I was gonna partner with Sam and you, Z, but since Sam’s clearly out of the picture, Seb could just take her place.”

I raise an eyebrow. "And what, exactly, would our topic be? Sabotage 101?"

Derek mutters, “Revenge.”

My brow furrows, unsure if he’s joking or serious. Before I can ask, Seb actually agrees. “Why not? Can you imagine their faceswhen we do our presentation and realize everything crumbling around them was caused by us?”

I glance between the two of them. Their smirks are a little too gleeful for my comfort. “Look, I want their worlds to fall apart as much as the next witch, but I’m not exactly keen on making a public spectacle of it. That’s not how I operate.”

Seb sighs, dramatic as ever. “Fine, we’ll think of something else. But it would’ve been glorious.”

Just then, Kyla’s phone buzzes again. Derek hands it to me without even thinking twice, and I unlock it to see the latest message in the chat between Kyla and Sam. This one hits me right in the gut.

Can’t believe that idiot Zaria actually thought she could keep those spells to herself. Already sold 10 of them—cha-ching! And the school’s giving me an advance for the grimoire. Taking you both to that fancy new place tomorrow to celebrate.

My grip tightens on the phone, my nails digging into the case. My mind races as I read the message again. They’re literally profiting off my work. Mystolenwork. Every nerve in my body screams for me to run straight to a teacher, show them this proof, and end it.

But another thought creeps in—Seb and Derek’s earlier idea. Revenge. Sweet, calculated revenge. This wouldn’t just be about justice. This would be about taking control.

“Okay,” I say slowly, my voice surprisingly steady given the rage bubbling just beneath the surface. “You know what? Let’s do it.” Derek and Sebastian both raise their eyebrows, surprised by my sudden change in attitude. I look at them, feeling the fire in my chest growing. “Let’s make it our assignment. If you two are in, I’m in.”

Sebastian grins wickedly. “Oh, I’m very in.” Derek smirks, his eyes glinting with mischief.

As I sit back, the weight of everything suddenly feels lighter. Sure, it’s going to take time, patience, and probably more magical scheming than I’ve ever done in my life—but it’s going to be worth it. Kyla, Sam, and Bethany have no idea what’s coming.

And they won’t see it until it’s too late.

Let's Get Magical

As we sit together, the three of us talking and scheming, Derek suddenly grins and brings up, “So, Zaria, what about that five-phase plan you mentioned? You know, the one to ruin Kyla’s life in five easy steps?”

Sebastian leans in, looking intrigued. “Five phases? Do tell.”

---