— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
The room pulsed with tremendous energy, its origin ancient, reacting to the shift she had felt in her bones. The woman swung her legs over the edge of the bed, the glass walls catching the glint of moonlight and reflecting fractured images of her veiled face.
She didn't need confirmation—she knew, as she hurriedly exited the room.
The bloodline had awakened.
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
"When did I fall asleep?" Aria muttered under her breath.
The last thing she remembered was walking to the mirror because of… Her face turned pale as memory struck. The mark.
She threw back the duvet, inspecting her right arm—but there were no signs. No claws, no scratches. Nothing.
Just like when she thought she saw a shadow watching her—it had disappeared just as quickly.
"I really need a break," she sighed. "There's school and Theo… a lot to catch up on and share."
"By now, I must be the object of gossip," she added with a roll of her hazel eyes.
A sharp knock on her door jolted her from the spiral of thoughts.
"Who could that be?" she muttered, slipping into a robe and heading for the door.
"My lady," came the familiar voice. The butler.
At least I can remember little details.
"I have a message for you from the Alpha," he said, handing her a folded note. "Breakfast is at 8:00. Would you prefer the dining room or here?"
"In here," she answered absently, closing the door and cutting off his bow mid-motion.
She tore the ribbon seal, heart quickening as she read:
---
Aria,
You must begin training today with Kaelith in the open field behind the estate at 9:00. You're trusted with him more than anyone else.
And for yesterday—sorry.
But I can't promise you anything for now.
Remember to keep to time.
—Ronan
---
"His same tone," she muttered, walking back to the bed.
"This place feels so modern, yet so old," she said, folding the note and sitting down.
Even the message came as a handwritten letter, sealed with wax—something out of another century.
Maybe it was just tradition. Or maybe tech didn't work well on this land. Too much magic in the air, perhaps.
Whatever the reason, everything here seemed laced with history, even when it pretended to be present.
Wondering what to wear, she glanced at the wardrobe—its door slightly ajar.
"I might find something useful," she mumbled, walking over. Throwing it open, her eyes lit up at the collection of clothes.
"I take back my words," she said with a grin, pulling out something fit for training.
After showering, she returned to find a tray of food by the dresser.
"When did that get here?" she whispered, stepping closer.
The note on the tray read:
Sorry for the inconvenience, miss, but there was no reply after knocking for a while.
Her eyes darted to the clock—9:30.
"When was training supposed to start?" she gasped, snatching the letter.
"9:00."
"Dammit," she hissed, yanking her clothes on and grabbing a piece of toast before slamming the door shut behind her.
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
Kaelith was already waiting in the field, his expression unreadable.
Time to get serious, she thought, walking up to him, still catching her breath.
"Good morning," she said quietly.
No response.
Then, like an afterthought, he muttered, "Don't you think you're supposed to keep to time?"
Without warning, he tossed a wooden staff at her.
"You'll need that," he said.
"You're not here to learn. You're here to awaken."
"We'll start with a few laps. You'll need endurance."
"A few?" she groaned, running her tenth lap.
"Enough," he finally called.
Iswear he reads minds, she thought, collapsing to a stop.
"Next is practicing balance. Ready?"
How can I be? she thought, barely catching her breath.
He studied her silently. She's something, he mused. No athletic background, yet she endures… It hints at something deeper.
"Start with one leg. On that," he said, pointing to a narrow pole she hadn't noticed before.
"Wouldn't mind falling," she joked to lighten the mood—but his expression remained unchanged.
She climbed up, shakily balancing her weight, then raised her right leg slowly.
"You'll stay like that for thirty minutes," he said.
I almost forgot I'm not alone, she grumbled inwardly.
Ten minutes in, her legs started trembling. Then she fell.
"Fifteen minutes," he said flatly. "Do better next time."
"I think I deserve an applause," she muttered, sprawled on the grass.
"Don't get too cocky. We're not done yet," he said, offering a hand and pulling her up.
"You'll follow what I'm doing now."
He threw a series of swift punches into the air.
She mimicked him, her movements sloppy. One strike missed entirely.
She paused, hoping for praise.
Silence.
"You missed the last one," he said coolly.
No eye contact, she noticed. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's shy. And he clenches his fists when he's worked up.
"Again," he commanded.
She tried—but slower this time. Her frustration boiled over.
Kaelith's eyes narrowed. He knew her power was linked to her emotions.
"Do better," he snapped. "Or are you just like those soft, powerless humans?"
"Go faster."
She screamed—unleashing a surge of energy.
Her eyes flickered gold. A faint glow shimmered across her body. The air shifted.
He stepped back, stunned.
The mark appeared—spiraling, fang-like, ancient in design—faintly glowing at the base of her spine.
A gust of unnatural wind stirred, trees bending. The ground cracked. Her bones snapped audibly as she rose midair, shifting. Nails became claws. Her body burned with power.
From her chest bloomed a radiant symbol, synced with the golden glow of her eyes.
Power simmered inside her, ready to erupt.
I was born for this, she realized.
As if on cue, a voice drifted to her ear.
"Ariahna, you're not yet ready."
Making a mind connection, she asked, "Were you the one that spoke to me in my chambers?"
"Time will tell", came the voice.
Then everything went black.
She fell.
Kaelith sprinted toward her—so did the butler, who had been watching from a distance.
"The last time this happened was when—"
"Tell the Alpha what's happened," Kaelith cut in.
The butler nodded and left at once.
Kneeling beside her, Kaelith stared at the faint mark that still glowed.
Spirals. Fangs. Just like the ancient prophecy.
"She doesn't even know what she is yet," he whispered.
"That makes her more dangerous."
The mark was only the beginning— now, the hunt begins.