Next day, Aleksander meditated in his dorm, body hovering three feet off the floor, faint blue runes pulsing under his skin.
His telepathy and empathy ran wild— the raw power was too hard to control without restraint. Five mental seals clamped it down, forged from sheer will.
Drop even two? He could peel minds like pages or project his astral self coast-to-coast. But it frayed too fast; he'd never risked past the first seal.
Aleksander's eyes snapped open, irises glowing vibrant blue before fading. He descended smoothly from the hover, boots touching floor with a soft thud.
Xavier and Rowan pushed in, dressed for the Harvest Festival—leather jackets over Nevermore tees.
Xavier smirked, eyeing the faint vibrant afterglow around Aleksander. "Done with the hover meditation?"
Aleksander nodded. "Yup. Anything new?"
He'd tasked them with digging on Gates family news and Garrett's murder.
Xavier shrugged. "Nothing fresh. Principal Weems is pushing everyone to the Harvest Festival tonight."
Rowan adjusted his glasses. "You wanted Gates family watch too, right? Garrett's murder got handled by now-Mayor Noble Walker. He was sheriff back then."
Aleksander muttered, "So the mayor buried it."
He knew they covered the Gates scandal—Garrett's death was no accident, but there something to explosive behind it for public eyes.
Aleksander whistled sharp. Stitch barreled in from the hall, claws skittering; Matthew swooped through the window, perching with a ruffle.Both eyed him eager.
Aleksander smiled. "You two follow me."
Stitch bounced, yipping excitement.
Aleksander nodded at Matthew. "Keep an eye on him."
Matthew sighed theatrically. "Babysitting duty. How the mighty have fallen."
Stitch bared teeth to retort—Aleksander's look shut him down. "Ihk... Fine," he grumbled, slumping.
Xavier chuckled. "Their bickering's gold. I'll watch 'em too."
Rowan shrugged. "Not much on my plate. I can tag along."
The group hit the Harvest Festival under a canopy of string lights, booths glowing warm against the night—Ferris wheel creaking slow circles, merry-go-round pipes trilling, swings whooshing arcs.Ticket booths flanked the entrance. Donut stand wafted cinnamon-sugar haze. Dart booth drew a line: outcasts chucking at red balloons, popping sets to snag plush pandas.
Aleksander scanned the crowd with Wednesday, Enid buzzing ahead, Xavier and Rowan trailing. An invisible Stitch was excitedly looking around from Aleksander's shoulder; Matthew circled overhead.
Enid's eyes locked on Tyler Galpin across the lights, locked in a heated huddle with Sheriff Donovan. "You sure you can trust that normie?"Wednesday's gaze didn't waver. "We know enough to handle it."
Aleksander caught Donovan's hard stare cutting through the crowd as Tyler broke off, heading their way.
Aleksander leaned to Wednesday. "I'm chatting with the sheriff. You two keep Tyler here."
Aleksander nodded toward a nearby table, where Principal Weems sat poised, sipping cider. "Tell her you're not running anymore."
Wednesday traded a flat glance with Weems, who arched a brow—I'm watching.
Aleksander approached Sheriff Galpin, flashing a calm smile. "So, Sheriff—did you check that hunch I gave you, or ignore it?"
Galpin's jaw tightened at the smile, eyes narrowing like he'd bitten lemon.
He wasn't above morals, though—sighed rough. "Like you said, kid. Something's rotten in Garrett's murder. Trails lead straight to the Gateses. They were livid at first... then dropped it cold."
He hated Gomez with venom; now this stank too.
Aleksander nodded. "Only explains if Garrett was neck-deep in something vile—revelation would've nuked the whole Gates empire."
Galpin grunted agreement, arms crossed.
"I believe you were deputy then," Aleksander pressed.
Nod. "Case went to my boss—now Mayor Noble Walker, sheriff at the time. He buried it. Probably cashed a Gates favor for his mayoral ride."
Aleksander tilted his head. "No proof. Just logic."
Galpin's fist clenched. "Proof or not, I'm digging to the bottom."
Galpin eyed Aleksander hard. "Heard about you and Gomez's little girl. Solved two big cases."
Aleksander smiled faint. "Yeah. Wasn't easy."
Respect flickered in Galpin's stare—for Aleksander, at least. Wednesday? Still poison.
Aleksander flicked a subtle Muffliato Charm—air shimmered faint, muffling words from festival din.
He locked eyes with Galpin, voice low and serious. "Sheriff, my powers sense emotions. Deep ones."
Galpin frowned, arms crossing tight. "Get to it."
Aleksander simply said."Your son... he's like his mother."
Galpin's face drained. "Hyde."
Aleksander nodded. Galpin rasped, haunted by Françoise's torment, "Not possible. He's normal."
"He is one. Can't deny it. And you've guessed who killed those people."
Galpin surged forward, voice a growl. "My boy ain't a killer."
Aleksander stayed ice-calm. "Maybe not by choice. But Hydes need a master to survive. He's got one—and they're pulling the strings on the murders."
Galpin yanked off his hat, hands shaking. "I gotta talk to him. Now."
Aleksander gripped his arm. "You can't. His master's ruthless—if they sense you know, Tyler kills you next."
Galpin froze. "What the hell do I do?"
"I'll get Tyler back. But stop icing him out. He needs his father—Hyde's warping his head. He needs an emotional anchor now, more than ever."
Galpin gulped hard, nodding ragged. "You...can cure him?"
Aleksander met his gaze. "Keep the Hyde. Strip the control."