Hidden Powers

Lila couldn't sleep. The words from the blood pool kept spinning in her thoughts. FIND THE CHILD. SHE IS YOU. What did it mean? Who was this child?

She got out of bed and walked to the window. The Blood King had moved her to a new room, higher in the castle, with a view of the forest. He said it would be safer here. But Lila didn't feel safe anywhere anymore.

A soft knock on her door made her jump. She grabbed a candlestick, ready to protect herself.

"Who is it?" she called.

"Kael. Can I come in?"

Lila opened the door. Kael stood there, looking tired but better than before. The black lines on his neck were totally gone.

"Sorry to bother you," he said. "The Blood King asked me to check on you."

"I'm fine," Lila said, not putting down the light. "I just can't sleep."

Kael noticed the candlestick in her hand and smiled. "I don't blame you for not trusting anyone. After what happened with Darius..."

"And you," Lila reminded him. "You tried to kidnap me too."

"That wasn't me," Kael said softly. "Well, it was my body, but Darius was controlling me. I would never hurt you, Lila."

Lila wasn't sure if she believed him, but she put down the light. "What happened in that chamber? Why was my blood floating like that?"

Kael stepped inside and closed the door. "The Blood King thinks the contract you signed is working faster than normal. Your witch powers are waking up."

"Because I drank Selene's blood?"

"Yes, but there's more." Kael looked nervous. "The Blood King didn't want me to tell you, but I think you deserve to know. He's been testing your blood."

Lila felt anger rise inside her. "Testing it? Like Darius wanted to do?"

"Not exactly. He's been looking for something specific." Kael took a deep breath. "Your blood isn't just special because you're a witch, Lila. It's special because it has vampire blood in it too."

"That's impossible," Lila said. "My mother was human."

"Are you sure about that?" Kael asked.

Before Lila could answer, a strange sound came from outside. A child's laugh, faint but clear in the night air.

Lila ran to the window. In the moonlight, she saw a small figure running along the edge of the forest. A little girl with dark hair.

"There's a child out there!" Lila grabbed Kael's arm. "We have to help her! The message said to find the child!"

"What child?" Kael looked out the window but shook his head. "Lila, there's nothing there."

"But I just saw her!" Lila pointed to the trees. "She was right there!"

"It's a trick," Kael said strongly. "Darius is playing with your mind."

"No, it's real." Lila pushed past him and headed for the door. "I'm going to find her."

Kael blocked her way. "You can't leave. The Blood King's orders. It's too dangerous."

Lila felt her rage grow. "Get out of my way!"

As the words left her mouth, something strange happened. The furniture in the room started to shake. The bed slid across the floor. Books flew off shelves. The lamp she had put down rose into the air on its own.

Kael stared at her, eyes wide. "Lila, calm down."

"I didn't do this," she whispered, but she knew she had. Somehow, her anger had made things move.

The door burst open. The Blood King stood there, taking in the scene with calm eyes.

"I see you've discovered another talent," he said to Lila.

She tried to control her breathing, and slowly, the floating items settled back down. The shaking stopped.

"What's happening to me?" Lila asked, her voice shaking.

The Blood King walked into the room. "Your powers are growing faster than I expected. The contract is working."

"What exactly is this contract doing to me?" Lila asked.

"It's not doing anything to you," the Blood King said. "It's unlocking what was already there. Your true nature."

Kael looked between them uncomfortably. "I should go."

"No, stay," the Blood King ordered. "Lila needs to understand what's happening, and you're part of this now."

He turned back to Lila. "The contract we signed isn't just linking our powers. It's protecting you while you change."

"Change into what?"

"Into who you really are." The Blood King's eyes glowed red in the dim room. "The seventh incarnation. The one who will finish what Selene started."

"And what exactly did she start?" Lila asked.

Instead of replying, the Blood King went to the window and looked out at the forest. "You saw something out there, didn't you? A child?"

Lila nodded, shocked. "You believe me?"

"I've seen her too." He turned back to face Lila. "She appears to those with Selene's blood. She's a guide."

"To what?"

"To the truth." The Blood King pointed to a small door in the corner of Lila's room that she hadn't noticed before. "Through there. It's time you knew everything."

The small door led to a narrow stairs. The Blood King went first, with Lila following and Kael behind her. They climbed up and up, until they reached another door at the top.

The Blood King stopped. "What you're about to see may frighten you. But remember, I kept this secret to protect you."

He opened the door.

Inside was a small round room with seven mirrors on the walls. In the middle stood a small bed. And in the bed was a child – the same dark-haired girl Lila had seen from her window.

The girl sat up, smiling. She looked about seven years old and had bright amber eyes exactly like Lila's.

"Hello, Mother," the child said.

Lila gasped. "Mother? I don't have a child."

"Not yet," the Blood King said quietly. "But you will. This is Aurora."

"I don't understand," Lila said, backing away.

The child got out of bed and walked toward her. "I'm from the future, Mother. I came back to help you."

Kael looked as confused as Lila felt. "How is this possible?"

"Blood magic," the Blood King explained. "During the last blood moon, a tear opened between times. Aurora came through it. She's been here for years, waiting for you to arrive."

"Waiting for what?" Lila asked.

Aurora took Lila's hand. Her small fingers were ice cold. "To warn you. You're in great danger. Not from Darius, but from someone much closer."

"Who?" Lila looked at the Blood King suspiciously.

Aurora pointed at one of the seven mirrors. "Look."

Lila stepped toward the mirror. Instead of her image, she saw Kael standing behind her, a knife in his hand, ready to strike.

She spun around in fear, but the real Kael was still by the door, empty-handed and confused.

"I don't understand," Lila said.

"The mirrors show possible futures," Aurora stated. "This one will happen tonight unless you stop it."

Before anyone could say more, a loud crash came from below. The building shook. Dust fell from the roof.

"He's here," Aurora whimpered, fear in her young voice.

"Who?" Lila asked.

The Blood King's face turned grim. "The real Lucian. And he's not alone."