Lena's eyes fluttered open, her mind foggy. She was lying in her bed, Aria sitting beside her.
Lena sat up, rubbing her temples. "What happened? How did I get here?"
Aria's expression turned guarded. "You fainted in the classroom. I found you on the floor and brought you home."
Lena's eyes searched Aria's face. "I don't remember anything. I just remember saying Kaelin's name, and then...nothing."
Aria's gaze dropped, her voice measured. "That's probably it. You must have gotten overwhelmed and fainted."
As Aria helped Lena settle in, Lena's mind wandered. She remembered everything that happened in the classroom, including the compulsion that Kaelin had used on Aria. Lena assumed the compulsion had worked, and that's why Aria didn't seem to remember anything.
Aria's thoughts whispered in her mind, "I know Kaelin's compulsion didn't work on Lena. She's trying to protect me, but she has no idea what she's dealing with."
As Aria slipped out of the house, her mind wandered back to the past, to the moment she met Valentin.
She remembered the night, the darkness, the feeling of being drawn to something powerful.
Valentin was a warlock, ancient and mysterious, with eyes that seemed to see right through her.
He had made a pact with a dark entity, trading his mortality for immense power and immortality.
Their meeting was chance, or so it seemed. Aria had been tracking a lead on a powerful artifact, and Valentin had been tracking her. Their paths crossed in a dusty, old bookstore, the air thick with the scent of parchment and forgotten knowledge.
Valentin's eyes locked onto hers, and Aria felt a spark of electricity run through her veins. They circled each other, their words dripping with tension, until finally, Valentin spoke.
"You're a witch," he said, his voice low and husky. "A powerful one."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"
Valentin smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I am Valentin, warlock and collector of rare and precious things."
Their conversation was a dance, a delicate balance of power and intrigue. Aria was drawn to Valentin's darkness, his power, and his mystery.
As the night wore on, their words turned to whispers, their whispers turned to kisses, and their kisses turned to something more.
Aria's thoughts snapped back to the present as she approached Valentin's location. She could feel his power calling to her, drawing her in.
Valentin's gaze snapped to Aria's, and he sneered. "Aria, always so quick to interfere."
Aria's expression remained neutral. "Valentin, always so quick to cause trouble."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "What did you do, Valentin?"
Valentin's smile was cold. "I did what needed to be done, Aria. I protected my interests."
Aria's gaze didn't waver. "And what exactly are your interests, Valentin?"
Valentin's eyes glinted with amusement. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Aria. Lena. She's special, isn't she?"
Aria's expression turned guarded. "What makes you think that?"
Valentin's laughter was low and menacing. "Oh, Aria. You know exactly what I'm talking about. And I think you'll do anything to stop me from getting it."
Aria's eyes flashed with warning. "You're not getting anything, Valentin. Least of all, Lena's power."
Valentin's smile grew wider. "Oh, Aria. You're so predictable. You want to keep her power for yourself, don't you? You want to stay young and beautiful forever."
Aria's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with venom. "You have no idea what I want, Valentin."
Valentin's eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh, I think I do."
Without warning, Valentin's lips crashed onto Aria's, sending shivers down her spine. Aria's eyes fluttered closed as she felt the familiar spark of electricity run through her veins.
"Have you missed me?" Valentin whispered, his breath hot against Aria's skin.
Aria's eyes snapped open, her gaze locking onto Valentin's. "I've always missed you."
Their lips met again, the kiss deepening into something more. The air around them seemed to electrify, their bodies drawn together by an ancient power.
As they broke apart for air, Aria's eyes gleamed with a fierce light. "We'll see who gets Lena's power."
Valentin's smile was cold. "I'm counting on it."
Their lips met again, the kiss sending them tumbling into a world of ancient power and forbidden desire.