"Dad, what's wrong?" I asked, noticing how he seemed weighed down by something heavy. His head hung low, and he let out a deep breath.
"Baby, do you really want to be with him?" Dad's voice trembled with sadness, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him a comforting smile. "Dad, I'm fine. And I promise I will be fine. You don't have to worry anymore because I think I've found a solution."
His brows furrowed in confusion. "What?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
I took a deep breath, deciding it was time to tell him everything. "Yes, Dad. I don't want to hide anything from you anymore." I reached into my bag and pulled out the ancient book, the one that had shaken me to my core. "Look at this. I found something that might help us figure out what that creature was and what it wants."
Dad took the book from my hands, flipping through the pages with a grim expression. He stopped, his eyes darkening as he absorbed the sinister text. After a long silence, he looked up at me, and for a moment, I saw a deep sadness in his eyes.
"Erin," he said softly, "I already know what it wants."
My heart skipped a beat. "What? What are you saying, Dad?" I asked, surprised by his words. I hadn't expected this at all.
He sighed, placing the book on the bed. "That demon, the one you're reading about, has been after you for a long time. It's not just a coincidence that it attacked Jack in your room. The creatures it sends—they're here to take you."
I stood there, stunned. "Take me? But why, Dad? What does it want with me?"
Dad's eyes softened as he reached for my hand. "It wants you because of your bloodline. Your mother was powerful, Erin, and you inherited something even stronger. That demon wants your power. It wants you as a vessel."
I could hardly breathe. The room seemed to close in on me as his words sank in. My bloodline... my power. It all made sense now—the shadowy figure, the strange encounters, the way I felt different from everyone else. I wasn't just in danger. I was the target.
"He wants you, Erin," Dad's voice cracked, his eyes filling with tears. I had never seen him like this before. The weight of what he was saying crashed over me. "I've read countless books, searching for a clue, but I never found a way to stop him. That's why I always forbade you from using your power. But I know it hasn't been easy for you."
I sat down beside him, resting my head on his shoulder. "Dad, you have to believe in God. He'll help your child. And look, I've never taken off this amulet you gave me." I held the small charm up as it glimmered faintly in the dim light, a symbol of the protection he'd always tried to give me.
"Is that enough, baby?" he asked, his voice full of doubt.
I smiled and winked at him, trying to ease his worries. "It's enough, Dad. But there's something else…" I hesitated for a moment. "This Monday, I want to go to prom."
"What?" Dad's brow furrowed, and he narrowed his eyes at me. "I know that brat Jack is putting these ideas into your head. Let me teach him some manners."
"Dad!" I laughed and nudged him playfully. "Please, I really want to go."
He sighed but patted my head gently, surrendering to my request. "Alright, alright. But be careful."
The days passed quickly, and soon the night of the prom arrived. I stood outside, wearing the red gown I had picked out for the occasion, the fabric flowing like liquid fire in the moonlight. My heart pounded as I waited, my mind spinning with excitement and a bit of nervousness. The full moon was high in the sky, its silvery glow casting an enchanting light over everything. The world felt still, almost magical.
Suddenly, I heard a car horn. Jack had arrived. He stepped out of the car, looking handsome and confident in a sleek black suit. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he walked over, extending his hand toward me. For a moment, I just stood there, taking in how far things had come between us.
I took a deep breath, my heart racing, and before I reached for his hand, I leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. His skin was warm under my lips, and when I pulled back, his expression was full of surprise and delight.
Jack lifted me up effortlessly, spinning me in the air with a playful grin. "I'm sorry for being late, honey," he said, his voice warm and full of affection.
"Apologies accepted," I replied, rubbing my nose against his in a gentle gesture. The warmth between us felt comforting.
But then, suddenly, Jack put me down. His smile faded, and his eyes darted upward toward the window of my house. My heart skipped a beat when I followed his gaze. Two ferocious eyes—Dad's—were glaring at Jack from behind the curtains. I couldn't help but smile nervously.
"Don't worry," I said, patting Jack's arm. "Let's go."
Jack waved hesitantly in Dad's direction, clearly a little intimidated, before hurriedly getting into the car. I could still feel Dad's eyes burning into us as we drove away, but the tension melted away once we were on the road. Jack's presence always had a way of calming me down.
After an hour, we finally arrived at the prom. The venue was grand, decorated with soft, glowing lights, and filled with our classmates, all dressed in their finest. It was my first time at a prom, and though the excitement bubbled inside me, a wave of nervousness quickly followed. Eyes were on me—more than I had anticipated. Maybe it was the red gown, or maybe it was because I wasn't someone people expected to see here, especially with Jack.
Sensing my anxiety, Jack squeezed my hand tightly. "Don't be so nervous, Miss Mage," he whispered teasingly, flashing a charming smile that made my heart flutter.
That nickname, mage, made my cheeks warm with embarrassment, but also with affection. It reminded me that he knew everything about me—my secrets, my powers—and yet he still stood by my side. We swayed together on the dance floor, lost in the music, his arms wrapped protectively around me.
But just as I began to relax into the rhythm of the dance, an unsettling feeling crept over me. Someone was watching us. I could feel their eyes lingering, cutting through the crowd. My instincts flared, and I scanned the room.
Then, our eyes met.
Adrian. He stood at the edge of the dance floor, his gaze fixed on me with a strange intensity. He was smiling, but it wasn't the warm, friendly smile I was used to. Something about it felt... different. And I couldn't deny it—he looked even more striking tonight than Jack. His sharp suit and confident demeanor made him stand out in the crowd.
But his appearance wasn't the issue. It was the way he was staring at us. Why was he watching so closely? And what did that smile mean?
"Erin, are you okay?" Jack's voice pulled me back to reality.
I nodded, though I couldn't shake the unease building in my chest. I tore my gaze away from Adrian, but the feeling of being watched didn't disappear. Something wasn't right, and I couldn't ignore it.