Alixia had been standing in front of Ikan's bedroom door for several seconds.
She took a deep breath… then knocked.
- Between.
She opened the door.
Ikan was sitting in the center of the room, legs crossed like a butterfly, his back perfectly straight. His eyes were closed. His breathing slow, deep, almost meditative.
With each breath, the air vibrated.
With each exhale, the room seemed to defy gravity.
Books were floating near the shelves. A chair rocked gently. Clothes were spinning slowly, as if caught in an invisible current.
Everything was suspended. Control. Perfectly balanced.
—...Wow, Alixia breathed. You are more powerful than you look.
"Wasn't it you who called me a kid?" Ikan replied without opening his eyes.
She swallowed, looked away.
— Exactly... I wanted to apologize.
She hesitated, then blurted:
"I don't even know why I was like that with you. Maybe... I was trying to act arrogant. It's rare that a boy is interested in me, so I'm being difficult. But as you can see…no one really cares about me.
The objects fell gently to the ground.
Ikan opened his eyes.
He looked at her for a long time, then patted the space next to him.
— Sit down.
Hesitantly, Alixia approached and took a seat.
"You don't need to play a role," he said calmly. If someone loves you, it must be for you. The real you. Not an invented version.
His words hit home.
"You are extremely strong," she said suddenly.
Ikan immediately blushed.
— Oh… uh… thank you…
—I would like to be at your level. Me, I'm weak.
— That's not true. You just can't control yourself. When you fight, you only use your vampire side. Why don't you use the witch's one?
—…The witch's?
— You're a hybrid, right? Vampire father. Mother witch-vampire.
Alixia was speechless.
— Could I really?
- Of course. And if you're wondering how I beat them all...
He gave a smile.
— My father's hunting and vampire skills. My mother's wizard magic.
— How lucky...
—If you want, I can train you. But for the basics, you'll need my uncle. Asher. He was the one who taught me everything.
She placed her hand on his, enthusiastic.
- Yes. Of course I agree.
Ikan blushed even more.
---
At the same time, at high school, the bell had just rung.
Miria was about to leave the compound when a breathless voice called out to her.
—Miria! Wait!
She turned around. Marlie arrived out of breath.
— I need to talk to you.
- What ?
"Asher…isn't what you think.
— Can you be clearer?
— You are in danger with him. You have to trust me.
Miria frowned... then fell into thought.
— How do I tell her that her new boyfriend is a vampire without explaining how I know…
Miria raised her head, troubled.
— Marlie. If you have something to say, say it now.
– It's complicated…
—So it's also complicated for me to believe you.
She turned and left.
Marlie stood frozen helplessly, watching as Miria joined Asher and the others.
—She didn't want to listen to you? asked Isabella as she arrived with Diana and Ray.
Marlie shook her head, dejected.
Ray clenched his fists.
"I talked to Gale about it," Diana said. He goes to ask one of his vampire friends for help.
"It'll take too long," Ray groaned. And when he answers... it might be too late.
"I tried to contact Axel," Marlie whispered. I wrote to him everything… but no response.
Diana placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
— We're going to save her. All right ? Whatever happens.
Marlie nodded slowly.
But deep inside her, a dull fear persisted.
Time was against them.