Anya woke up with a start, her heart was racing and her breath came in ragged gasps. She had just had a nightmare and the remnants of the nightmare still clung to her mind.
She had seen them—two faceless figures and they had taken Kai, bounded him, and tortured him while she stood there, powerless. Her hands were useless, her voice was hoarse from screaming, begging them to stop, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn't help him.
"I couldn't do anything…" she whispered to herself, her hands shaking as she sat up in bed.
The dream had felt so real. Kai's pain, the helplessness that gripped her. She had tried to control the two figures, tried to use her powers to save Kai, but she couldn't. She had never known in the first place.
Anya pushed the blankets aside and stood, pacing her room. She couldn't let that happen again. She wouldn't stand by helplessly while those she cared about were in danger. She needed to learn to control her powers, and fast.
The next morning, she found the brothers in the living room, Zephyr, Kai, and Damien conversing, but they all looked up when she entered with The Grimoire in her hands.
"I need to learn how to use my powers," Anya announced, with urgency.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Woah slow down. What brought this on?"
Anya hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I had another dream. But this time it wasn't fire… It was something worse." She closed her eyes, the images from her nightmare flashing in her mind again. "There were two people—faceless. They took you and tortured you, and I couldn't do anything to stop it."
Kai's expression softened as he listened with concern on his face.
"I tried to help you," Anya continued. "I tried to control them, to make them stop, but I couldn't. I didn't know how to. I was useless."
"I can't let that happen. I won't. I need to harness my abilities, especially the one that lets me control supernaturals. I need to be ready if something like that dream ever happens for real."
The room went silent for a moment as the brothers exchanged glances. Then, after a beat, Zephyr stepped forward.
"I'll volunteer," he said.
Anya blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"I'll help you practice," Zephyr repeated. "If you want to learn how to control supernaturals, you'll need a supernatural to practice on, right?" He said. "I'll be your test subject."
Anya's eyes softened as she looked at him. "Zephyr, are you sure?"
Zephyr nodded, stepping closer. "Of course. I trust you, Anya. And if it helps you get stronger, I'm all for it."
Kai crossed his arms, watching the exchange with a curious expression. "You're really volunteering to let her control you?"
Zephyr shrugged. "Why not? It's not like I haven't had worse done to me before." He turned back to Anya. "Let's do this. You're not going to be powerless, Anya. Not if I have anything to say about it."
Anya smiled softly. "Thank you, Zephyr."
Damien, who had been silent up until now, chuckled lightly. "This should be interesting. Don't go too easy on her, Zephyr."
Zephyr grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Anya took a deep breath as she looked around the room at the brothers. "Alright," Anya said with a firm voice. "Let's get started."
————
Anya stood in the courtyard, with her hands trembling slightly as she concentrated. She had already learned to heal, something she had done with the help of Zephyr, but now she was trying to tap into the deeper, more elusive powers she hadn't yet mastered—like controlling a supernatural.
Zephyr leaned casually against a nearby pillar, watching her with his usual calm demeanor. He knew how important this was for her.
"I don't know if I can do this," Anya muttered, her frustration was evident as she paced in a small circle. "Healing was one thing—it came naturally. But this? I feel like I'm trying to reach something that's just out of my grasp."
Zephyr unfolded his arms and stepped closer. "It's there, Anya. You just need to stop overthinking it. Let it flow."
Anya sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You make it sound so easy. What if I can't control it? What if I hurt you?"
Zephyr smiled. "I'm a vampire, remember? I've been through worse. I trust you."
She looked at him skeptically. "That's not exactly comforting."
Zephyr chuckled softly and took her hands in his. "Listen, you've already done something most people can't—healing. That's not easy, and you mastered it. Controlling supernatural energy is just another step. You can do this."
Anya glanced down at their hands for a moment, feeling the calmness that Zephyr always seemed to radiate. He believed in her, even when she wasn't sure if she believed in herself.
"I guess maybe I'm just afraid of my powers," she admitted quietly. "What if this power changes me? What if I can't handle it?"
Zephyr squeezed her hands gently. "Power doesn't change who you are. It only brings out what's already inside. And I know what's inside you, Anya—you're strong, compassionate, and smart. You won't let it consume you."
She looked up at him, with their eyes locking for a long moment. His words settled her frustration, easing the worry she felt inside her.
"Alright," she said, taking a deep breath. "I'll try again."
Zephyr nodded, stepping back to give her space. "Take it slow. Don't force it."
She placed the grimoire on a stone bench nearby and laid it open. She closed her eyes, focusing inward, trying to tap into the well of power she could feel deep within.
She knew it was there—like a current of energy just waiting to be accessed. Slowly, she raised her hands, willing the power to emerge.
At first, there was nothing. She could feel her frustration rising again, but she pushed it down, focusing harder. Then, just as she was about to give up, she felt it—a spark.
"I think… I think I feel something," she whispered.
"Good," Zephyr encouraged from a few feet away. "Now try to direct it."
Anya concentrated, imagining the energy flowing through her hands, reaching out toward Zephyr. She tried to focus on controlling him, but the moment she did, the power slipped away like water through her fingers.
"Fuck!!!" she cussed, dropping her hands. "It's like trying to hold onto smoke. I can't get it to fucking stay."
Zephyr walked over to her again. "It's not about forcing it, Anya. You're trying too hard. You need to relax."
She let out a frustrated breath. "That's easy for you to say. You've had centuries to practice harnessing your power."
Zephyr chuckled softly. "True. But I've also seen what happens when people push too hard. They end up hurting themselves. You don't want that, trust me."
Anya's shoulders slumped, her frustration was clear on her face. "I just… I just don't wanna fail you guys. What if I never learn how to do this?"
Zephyr tilted her chin up gently, meeting her gaze. "You're not gonna fail us. You're already further than you think. Just give yourself time."
Anya stared into his eyes for a moment, his confidence in her gave her the strength to try again. She took another deep breath and nodded. "Alright. One more time."
Zephyr stepped back once more, giving her space as she focused again. This time, Anya didn't try to force the power. She let it come to her, slowly and gently. The energy flickered again, but instead of grasping at it, she allowed it to flow through her.
She opened her eyes to see a faint glow surrounding her.
"I… I'm doing it," she whispered in awe.
Zephyr smiled with his arms crossed. "See? I told you."
But just as quickly as it came, the energy flickered and faded, leaving Anya feeling drained.
"This is pointless!" Anya shouted, kicking at the ground. "I can't do it!"
"You're not failing, Anya," he said gently. "It takes time to fully tap into your power. You're just getting started."
Anya spun to face him with her eyes flashing with anger and doubt. "Time? I don't have time! I need to be strong now. What if my dream was a sign and I can't protect Kai, you nor Damien?!"
"You're getting closer and you're failing to see that." Zephyr tried to suppress his annoyance at Anya.
"Getting closer?" she scoffed, "and I still didn't manage to fucking control you."
She lessened her anger and her tone went softer. "I'm supposed to be the Nyx, the one with all this power, but I can't even control you."
Zephyr reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone in this. You don't have to carry this burden by yourself."
Anya looked up at him. "I feel like I do. I feel like if I don't master this, I'll let everyone down. You don't understand, Zephyr."
Zephyr's hand lingered on her shoulder. "I do understand. You're scared of what could happen if you don't live up to everyone's expectations. But you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself. The power will come in time, Anya. Just trust in the process—and in yourself."
Anya blinked. Zephyr's words were so simple, yet they eased her frustration in a way nothing else had. She could feel the warmth of his hand and the sincerity in his eyes.
"You really believe that?" she asked.
Zephyr smiled as he met her gaze. "I do. And I believe in you."
"Thank you," she said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you," Anya admitted quietly as her eyes locked with his.
"You'll never have to find out," Zephyr said.