Leila sat in silence, staring at her hands. They looked the same—smooth, human, normal.
But she didn't feel normal.
Something inside her had shifted, like an invisible thread had snapped and let loose something ancient, something waiting to be claimed.
She swallowed hard and turned to Adrian. "What happens now?"
Adrian studied her for a moment, his dark eyes unreadable. "That depends on you."
Sarah scoffed. "What does that even mean?"
Adrian ignored her. "Leila, your power is waking up, but it's still fragile. If you don't learn to control it, it could consume you."
Leila exhaled slowly. "So, what do I do?"
Adrian hesitated. "You train."
Sarah's jaw dropped. "Train? Like what, she's supposed to do magic now?"
Adrian gave her a flat look. "She needs to understand what's inside her before it controls her. If she doesn't, the covenant will find her. And they won't ask questions before putting a blade through her heart."
Leila's breath hitched. The reality of it all pressed against her chest. She had gone from being an ordinary girl to someone hunted—because of blood she never even asked for.
But she couldn't afford to break now.
Leila squared her shoulders. "Fine. Where do we start?"
Adrian's lips curled slightly, something almost like approval flickering in his gaze. "Come with me."
---
2
Adrian led her deep into the woods behind his apartment, moving with effortless grace between the trees.
The night was cool, the wind whispering through the branches. Moonlight dappled the ground, casting silver shadows over the leaves.
Leila followed him, her heart pounding. Every step felt like she was walking toward something inevitable.
Finally, they stopped in a clearing. The air was thick here, heavy with something she couldn't name.
Adrian turned to face her. "Close your eyes."
She hesitated. "Why?"
"Just do it."
Leila exhaled and shut her eyes.
"Now," Adrian said softly, stepping closer. "What do you feel?"
Leila focused. At first, nothing. Just the cool night air, the rustling leaves, the distant sound of an owl.
But then—something shifted.
A pulse beneath her skin.
It was faint, like the heartbeat of something sleeping. But it was there.
Her brows furrowed. "I feel… something. Like a current under my skin."
Adrian's voice was gentle but firm. "Good. Now reach for it."
Leila hesitated. "How?"
"Will it," Adrian said simply. "Call to it. Let it rise."
She swallowed hard and focused.
The pulse deepened, slow at first, then stronger.
Heat flared beneath her skin. A whispering sensation curled inside her chest, like unseen hands brushing against her ribs.
Then suddenly—pain.
A sharp, electric surge shot through her spine.
Leila gasped, her knees buckling.
Adrian caught her before she hit the ground. "Breathe through it," he murmured.
She clenched her teeth, riding the pain. It felt like something inside her was breaking open.
Then, just as suddenly as it began—the pain stopped.
Leila sucked in a breath.
And when she opened her eyes, the world had changed.
The trees around her seemed sharper, their edges humming with energy. The night air was thicker, like she could feel every shift in the wind. And Adrian—
She blinked.
Adrian was surrounded by a faint, dark aura.
Her breath hitched. "Adrian, what—"
But before she could finish, the world lurched.
A ripple of force exploded from her chest, blasting outward.
Adrian cursed, shielding his face as the shockwave swept through the clearing.
The trees bent backward. Leaves scattered like torn pages. The ground trembled.
And then—silence.
Leila staggered, staring at her hands. They were glowing faintly, lined with gold veins that pulsed beneath her skin.
Sarah's voice was a whisper behind her. "What the hell was that?"
Leila didn't answer.
Because deep in her bones, she already knew.
She wasn't just awakening.
She was becoming.
---
3
The following nights were relentless.
Adrian pushed her harder than she thought possible, forcing her to tap into power she didn't understand.
Some nights, she could barely breathe from exhaustion. Other nights, she felt alive in a way she never had before.
But every lesson carried the same warning—control it, or it will consume you.
And then, one night, everything changed.
They were in the clearing again, moonlight stretching long shadows across the grass.
Adrian stood in front of her, his gaze sharp. "Defend yourself."
Leila frowned. "From what?"
Adrian didn't answer. He simply lifted his hand—
And darkness exploded from his fingertips.
The shadows shot toward her like living snakes.
Leila barely had time to react. She raised her hands instinctively—
And the gold veins under her skin flared.
A pulse of light erupted from her palms, colliding with Adrian's attack.
The force of it sent them both stumbling back.
When the dust cleared, Adrian was smirking. "Not bad."
Leila was breathing hard, heart hammering. "You attacked me?"
Adrian arched a brow. "Would you rather it be someone who actually wants you dead?"
Leila's stomach tightened. He was right.
The covenant wouldn't hold back.
If she wanted to survive, she had to be ready.
Adrian's voice softened. "Again."
Leila exhaled sharply, setting her stance.
This time, she was ready.