Athènia's POV
I snap out of my thoughts when Mara touches me.
Mara: Lis, are you okay?
Athènia: Yeah, I'm fine, just a little lost.
Asher: The sunglasses aren't helping.
He says mockingly.
Athènia: Go ahead, make fun of me if you want.
I reply coldly.
Mara: The class is over, we only have two hours left.
Athènia: Great.
Garth: Lis, are you going to the park today?
Athènia: Of course.
Asher: We won't be able to go with you.
Athènia: But why?
Garth: We need to look for information about hybrids in the library.
Athènia: Okay, fine.
The teacher arrives and we start this cursed class. That teacher really has a problem with me.
Teacher: Miss GRONDS, could you please read the continuation of our last lesson?
Athènia: Sure.
I start reading until he tells me to stop—he doesn't stop me until I reach the fourth page. What an a**hole.
He then explains the lesson for two hours.
Teacher: Alright, we're done for today. See you next time.
He leaves and we pack up our things. We stand up.
Athènia: You're staying longer?
Mara: Yes.
I hand Garth my car keys and Mara the keys to my apartment. He raises an eyebrow at me.
Garth: Why are you giving me this?
Athènia: You can take the car. I'll walk for a bit, and those are the spare keys to my apartment.
Mara: But Lis, we can walk, and it's not really good for you to walk in your condition.
Athènia: MJ, walking will do me good, and I'll be fine, alright?
Mara: We'll see you later then.
Athènia: See you.
We go in opposite directions. I need to prepare for the birth—it's going to be soon, very soon. I leave the university and head toward the park. Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain in my belly.
{Kora: Lis}
Athènia: Don't tell me this is another betrayal.
{Kora: No, I think these are contractions.}
Athènia: But I'm not even at my fourth month yet.
{Kora: I'll try to ease the pain until we reach the park.}
Athènia: I should've taken the car.
{Kora: Keep walking, it'll do you good.}
I keep walking, and the pain starts to ease. After a few minutes, I reach the park and sit down on one of the benches. I don't feel the pain anymore.
{Kora: Lis}
Athènia: I'm fine now, Kora, don't worry.
My phone rings—it's my brother calling. I answer.
Athènia: Jiji…
Junior: Hey, Lis, are you okay? Why didn't you call me? I hope you're doing alright.
Athènia: Calm down, Jiji, I'm fine. I just have a lot to handle here.
Junior: You didn't even have time to call me.
Athènia: And you didn't call me either.
Junior: I was busy too.
Athènia: A lot of things happened.
Junior: Same here.
Athènia: So, how does it feel to become king?
Junior: It's horrible.
I laugh at his sulky tone.
Junior: You know what? We have another sister.
Athènia: What do you mean?
Junior: Turns out our lovely stepmother was eight months pregnant when you left.
Athènia: But her stomach looked flat as a plate when I left.
Junior: Exactly—she had a cryptic pregnancy.
Athènia: So that's why her belly didn't show any signs.
Junior: Nobody knew. You know, women with cryptic pregnancies usually aren't even aware they're pregnant until they give birth.
Athènia: So what's her name?
Junior: Iris.
Athènia: Beautiful name.
Junior: Want me to send you a picture?
Athènia: Yes.
Junior: I'll send it after the call. And what about you—what's happening there?
Athènia: A lot.
Junior: Then start with the most important.
Athènia: I got my powers.
He screams with joy, and I'm sure he's jumping around.
Junior: Yesssssss! I told you you'd get powers!
Athènia: Thanks for the warning.
Junior: How was it?
Athènia: Disastrous. My eyes have two different colors, my hair has silver streaks, and to top it off, everything in my room shattered.
Junior: Wow.
Athènia: Uncle Kevin and Garth said their awakenings weren't nearly as destructive as mine, nor did they have physical changes.
Junior: Even mine wasn't like that. But wait—who are Garth and Uncle Kevin?
Athènia: It's complicated.
Junior: Spill.
Athènia: He's Dad's older brother, and Garth is his son.
Junior: Wait—WHAAAAT!?
Athènia: Stop yelling, you're hurting my ears.
Junior: Tell me everything, from the beginning.
I tell him how I met MJ and Asher, then about meeting my mate—a vampire, and the future Lord of Vampires himself—then Garth's arrival, my meeting with Tevi, Naynah's failed attempt, and Uncle Kevin's appearance. I also told him about the cave, the truth about our mother, the recent war declaration, the hybrids' alliance, meeting Atlas, the love triangle, the confrontation with the supreme Im, and Tevi's death.
Junior: So you mean our mother was supposed to be the future Alpha of Silver Moon, and that the current Alpha is our aunt, and Naynah is our cousin?
Athènia: Exactly.
Junior: This is way too complicated.
Athènia: Yeah, way too much. And… you're going to be an uncle.
Junior: Wha—WHAT!?
Athènia: Will you stop screaming already?
Junior: Sorry.
Athènia: Good.
Junior: But are you serious?
Athènia: Of course I am.
Junior: I'm going to be the coolest uncle ever!
Nevine: JUNIOR, GET OVER HERE, NOW!!
Ah, the king himself.
Junior: I've got to go, Lis. He's in one of his rages again. Good evening, sis.
Athènia: Good evening, bro.
He hangs up. Talking to my brother really made me feel better. My phone buzzes again—it's the photo. I open it, and my jaw drops.
{Kora: Beautiful, our little sister.}
Athènia: Yes, and so different from the family too. Red hair, brown eyes…
{Kora: The king won't like that.}
Athènia: Of course not, since no one in the GRONDS family has those traits. She'll be treated the same way I was. And I don't like it.
{Kora: Then let's take her with us, once we defeat Im.}
Athènia: I'll think about it.
I get up and walk to the lake. Suddenly, a blinding light shines out of the water. I shield my eyes.
??? : White witch.
I lower my hands and see a man standing on the lake. My eyes widen.
Athènia: Dracos…
Dracos: Pleased to meet you, Supreme. I am Dracos, the black sorcerer.
Athènia: I already figured that out.
Dracos: Supreme, I will continue what Tevi started.
Athènia: So you also know what's going to happen.
Dracos: I do, Supreme, and I accept the risk.
Athènia: Come here then.
Dracos: I can't, Supreme.
Athènia: Why not!?
Dracos: I'm only an illusion. The real me is trapped on an island where Im imprisoned me.
Athènia: I can bring you back.
Dracos: No, you can't.
Athènia: With the Vortex spell, you could return to the human world.
Dracos: No, especially not—
Athènia: Vortexus, come forth!
Dracos: …not that, oh no.
Suddenly the pain hits me again.
Athènia: Kora!
A gust of wind pushes me toward the lake as a portal opens to the place where Dracos is. Yes—I did it.
Dracos: Supreme!!
He yells as I fall into the portal. I feel myself flying before I crash violently to the ground, my head hitting hard. My vision starts to blur—I see everything fading.
Dracos: Supreme!!
Athènia: My son…
That's the last thing I say before sinking into darkness.