Leila's body trembled, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Something inside her had changed.
She could still feel it—raw, untamed energy crackling beneath her skin. It wasn't just power. It was alive.
Adrian stood before her, watching her with that sharp, knowing gaze. "You felt it, didn't you?"
Leila swallowed, nodding. "It was like… something inside me just snapped open."
"It didn't snap," Adrian corrected, stepping closer. "It was always there. You're just finally feeling it."
She could still hear the echo of what had happened moments ago—the force that had erupted from her, golden and fierce. She had thrown Adrian backward without even touching him.
Sarah let out a low whistle, arms crossed as she leaned against a tree. "Well, that's just fantastic. First, you're obsessed with a supernatural guy. Now you're turning into one? What's next? Are you gonna grow fangs?"
Leila ignored her, still trying to process what had just happened. What did this mean?
Adrian must have sensed her spiraling thoughts because his voice softened. "Leila… this isn't a curse. It's part of you. But you need to learn control."
Her fists clenched. "Control?" She let out a shaky laugh. "I can barely wrap my head around what's happening to me."
Adrian held her gaze. "Then it's time to start training."
The next few days were grueling.
Adrian pushed Leila beyond her limits, forcing her to tap into her abilities at will. He made her train at night when the air was thick with danger, when her instincts were at their sharpest.
Her body changed. Her senses —so fast that she could now dodge Adrian's attacks without thinking.
But the worst part?
She craved something she didn't understand.
It was subtle at first, a hunger that curled inside her stomach, whispering that she needed more.
More of what, she didn't know.
Until one night, when Adrian tested her again.
He lunged at her—fast, too fast for a human to react. But this time, Leila didn't think.
She moved.
In a blink, she sidestepped, her body reacting on pure instinct. And then—golden light burst from her hands, slamming into Adrian's chest.
Adrian was thrown back, crashing against a tree.
Sarah cursed under her breath. "Okay, what the hell was that?"
Leila's hands glowed, pulsing with energy. She stared at them, her breath unsteady. What was she becoming?
Adrian groaned as he stood up, dusting himself off. But instead of looking angry, he smirked.
"Now we're getting somewhere."
That night, Leila couldn't sleep.
The air in the cabin felt stifling, thick with an unspoken tension.
She stood by the window, staring out at the dark forest. Something felt… wrong.
Her skin prickled with unease, a deep instinct warning her that she wasn't alone.
Then she heard it.
A rustling in the trees.
Leila's pulse spiked. She turned, gently shaking Adrian awake. "Something's out there."
Adrian's eyes snapped open instantly, sharp, alert, predatory.
Then the scent hit him.
Blood.
He was out the door before Leila could even process what was happening. She followed, heart pounding.
And that's when she saw it.
Blood. Everywhere.
The ground was soaked in crimson, the scent thick in the air. In the middle of it all lay a body, ripped apart, torn open by something inhuman.
Leila's stomach lurched.
Sarah stumbled back, hand over her mouth. "Oh my God."
Adrian's jaw clenched. His voice was a low growl. "We're not alone."
Then a flicker of movement.
Leila barely had time to react before the shadows lunged.
The attack was brutal. Fast.
Leila didn't think, she acted.
As the creatures lunged, she unleashed everything inside her.
A blast of golden energy exploded from her hands, hitting the first attacker square in the chest. The creature screeched as it was thrown backward, its skin burning where the light touched it.
Adrian moved in a blur, claws ripping through flesh, fangs flashing. He was lethal, a whirlwind of blood and destruction.
Sarah fired her gun wildly. "How many of these things are there?!"
Leila barely dodged a clawed hand before spinning, striking, sending another creature flying. But it wasn't enough.
More came.
They poured from the trees, red eyes glowing, teeth bared.
Then, suddenly.
A voice cut through the chaos.
"Enough."
Everything stopped.
The creatures froze in place. Even Adrian went still.
Leila turned, heart hammering.
A man stood at the edge of the clearing.
Tall. Dressed in black. His silver eyes gleamed like molten metal.
And the power rolling off him was suffocating.
Adrian's body went rigid. His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Lucian."
Leila's blood ran cold.
Because she knew that name.
He was one of them.
One of the Covenant leaders.
And he had come for her.
Leila didn't breathe.
Lucian's gaze swept over her, unreadable, calculating. "She's coming into her power faster than expected."
Adrian moved in front of Leila, shielding her. "She's not going anywhere with you."
Lucian smirked. "Still so protective, Adrian. You were always too sentimental."
Sarah exhaled sharply. "Okay, can someone tell me what the hell is going on?"
Leila felt her pulse hammering against her skin. "Who is he?"
Lucian tilted his head. "Oh, darling. You should know me. I was there when the Covenant decided your fate."
A chill ran through her. "My fate?"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "Leila, don't listen to him."
Lucian's smirk deepened. "She has a right to know, doesn't she?" He stepped forward, his silver eyes gleaming. "You think this power of yours is an accident?" He leaned in slightly. "You were never supposed to exist."
Leila's breath caught.
Lucian straightened. "The Covenant feared what you might become. That's why they tried to eliminate you before you ever had a chance to awaken." He glanced at Adrian. "But someone intervened."
Leila's gaze snapped to Adrian. Something flickered in his expression, guilt.
Her stomach dropped. "Adrian…?"
Lucian chuckled darkly. "Oh, you didn't tell her?"
Adrian's eyes flashed. "Enough."
Lucian ignored him, looking straight at Leila. "You're not just human, my dear." He smiled. "And the Covenant wants to finish what they started."
Leila felt her world tilt.
And in that moment, she knew, nothing would ever be the same again.