The story was hard for Anya to process. A few hours ago, she would have fainted from the sheer gravity of what they were telling her, but now she was intrigued, her curiosity was piqued.
She cleared her throat and spoke slowly. "I'm... I'm sorry for the loss of your father. But why me? How and why did you even find me? Is this about signing the deed to a new human?"
Zephyr shook his head, he smiled slightly. "It's far from that, Anya."
Kai leaned forward. "When we moved into Crimson Estate, we discovered something. Something that revealed a prophecy."
Anya's brow furrowed. "A prophecy?"
Kai nodded. "Yes. It spoke of a powerful being who could help us in our darkest hour. Someone with unique abilities."
Anya blinked. "A powerful being?" She was both confused and intrigued.
Damien took over. "The prophecy pointed directly to you, Anya. It described you perfectly, down to your unique abilities."
She stared at them in disbelief. "Abilities? What abilities? I'm just... me."
Kai exchanged a glance with his brothers before speaking. "Anya, you're a Nyx."
Her confusion grew deeper. "A Nyx?"
Kai nodded. "Yes. You have the power of precognition—a third eye that can see the future. You're also a living fountain—you can heal. And more than that, you can control vampires and other supernatural beings."
Anya's mouth fell open. "Control vampires? Heal? See the future?"
Damien nodded. "You've had these abilities all along, Anya, but you've never known how to tap into them."
Anya was still visibly confused, but the intrigue in her eyes remained. "So, when you figured out it was me... you sent that envelope to Abernathy's, and Geraldine gave it to me two years ago? All just to get me here?"
Kai confirmed, "Yes, in hopes that when you turned eighteen, you'd come to Crimson Estate and fulfill your role."
Anya shook her head, trying to piece it all together. "So, just to be clear... I'm living with vampires, I don't actually have a grandmother who left me this mansion, and I'm supposed to help save your race?"
The brothers all nodded. Damien smirked. "Smart girl."
Anya frowned. "But how do you know the prophecy didn't make a mistake? I don't feel powerful... I've never felt anything like that."
Damien stepped forward, his voice went soft but firm. "That's because you haven't unlocked your full potential yet."
Anya tilted her head. "And how do I do that?"
Kai smiled gently. "That's what we're here for."
Anya shook her head, still in disbelief. "I can't believe this is my life now. Who would've thought?" she muttered, almost to herself.
Kai smirked. "Well, not everyone can be a supernatural savior, right?"
Anya rolled her eyes and flipped her middle finger at him. "Very funny, Kai."
Zephyr gave Kai a disapproving look. "Kai, cut it out."
Anya looked around the room. "So... when my purpose is done, what happens next?"
Damien leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "You'll be free to do whatever you want."
Anya sighed deeply. "I've never done anything like this before. And... honestly, I'm terrified."
Zephyr moved to sit next to her, gently placing his hand on hers. "Don't be afraid. You're not alone in this."
Anya looked up at Zephyr, and a small smile painted her face. "Thanks, Zephyr."
He smiled back, with a reassuring look in his eyes.
Later that night, the rain poured down in sheets, and Anya lay restless in bed. The storm outside was heavy. Her sleep was peaceful, and soon, she found herself in the middle of a terrifying nightmare.
Crimson Estate was engulfed in flames. The fire consumed everything. Amidst the flames, a cloaked figure appeared, standing tall and eerie. Anya's heart raced. "Who are you?" she called out in her dream with a trembling voice.
The cloaked figure stepped closer, the hood falling back to reveal... Anya herself, but older than 18. "I am you... from years to come," the figure said.
Anya's eyes widened. "What? What's happening?"
Her future self's voice was grave. "This is what will happen if you don't embrace your powers... and your true nature as a Nyx. Kai, Zephyr, Damien... they will all die. By fire."
"No... no, no, no!" Anya screamed in her dream, repeating the word over and over until she jolted awake, gasping for air. Her heart pounded rapidly as fear gripped her. She knew she had to act fast.
Without thinking, Anya grabbed her teddy bear and tiptoed to Zephyr's room. She knocked gently on the door, and after a few moments, Zephyr opened it, surprised to see her there. "Anya? What's going on? It's late."
She looked up at him, her eyes were wide with fear. "I had a nightmare... I'm scared. Can I... can I stay here? Just for tonight?"
Zephyr's gaze softened. "Of course." He stepped aside, allowing her to enter the room.
As she walked in, clutching her teddy bear tightly, Zephyr asked, "What was the dream about?"
Anya shook her head. "I'll tell you later... I just... I really need to rest right now."
Zephyr nodded. "Alright." He led her to the bed and, in an attempt to make her more comfortable, built a pillow fort between them. "Here. Just in case."
Anya chuckled lightly. "There's no need for that."
Zephyr laughed softly, removing the pillows. They both settled into the bed, and there was silence between them. After a while, Anya broke the quiet.
"So... if your father was 800 years old, how old are you and your brothers?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
Zephyr turned to face her. "I'm 754. Kai is 762, and Damien is 759."
Anya's eyes widened. "So, Kai's the eldest?"
Zephyr nodded. "Yep."
"No wonder he's such a jerk," she muttered, earning a chuckle from Zephyr.
"It's been hard on him... ever since our father died," Zephyr said, his voice went a bit quieter now. "He wasn't always like this."
Anya's expression softened. "That's not an excuse to be a jerk. I mean, I'm an orphan. I have no idea who my parents are, and I've been mistreated by Grace at Abernathy's my whole life. But I never let it change who I am."
Zephyr looked at her with admiration in his eyes. "People like you are rare."
He took her hand gently, and their eyes met, locking onto each other. Before they knew it, they kissed—it was soft and uncertain at first, then with more passion as they realized they both wanted it.
Zephyr pulled back slightly, he spoke in a hushed tone. "Should we...? I mean, do you want to...?"
Anya bit her lip. "I'm... I'm a virgin. I'm not ready yet."
Zephyr smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "That's okay. There's no rush."
They continued kissing again and again. For Anya, it was her first kiss, and she couldn't help but love every second of it.