Half Bloodsucker. Half warlock.

Half Bloodsucker. Half warlock.
Lillith POV

"But I don't eat normal food anymore. How do I do this?" I asked Riley and followed her to her room to change.

She turned to look at me. "You will do just fine. You are meeting my mother again, and it is okay if you don't eat the food. She will understand. You should just try to get along with the family. All right? You will be fine."

I nodded as I glanced at Ava and Cleo. "Help me, guys," I mouthed, but they shook their heads. They couldn't help me out of the situation, either. And I was sure Theo wouldn't have any way to help me out of it, either.

Mrs. Moore was really kind to me during dinner. She understood I was finding it hard to eat the food that was brought to me. Well, we talked about Jackson and what the dean was up to. She wanted us to be prepared for the worst and to have a strategy before the warlock makes a move on the city.

"I have placed some people to watch the cave closely, and they will report to me if something is up. Until then, make sure you get your mind off it and get your body prepared." Mrs. Moore stood up after she finished eating. She requested to see me in her office, and I went.

I stood inches away from her. "Come closer, child," she instructed. I moved toward her. "Please have your seat." I didn't know why she was being so nice to me, but I played along and did as she asked.

I heard the sound of a drawer opening. She dropped three tickets on the table. I had a shocked look on my face. "How... how did you get these so fast?"

She chuckled. "I overheard your friends talking, and your little friend won't stop talking about Spider-Man. I figured you needed to take your mind off the fight for now and see a movie with your friends."

Ava! "But..." It was as if a cat had caught my tongue. I couldn't say anything.

"Just obey, child," she nodded at the paper, and I took them.

"Thank you, Mrs. Moore." I left her office and went to Riley's room.

I gave Ava the tickets and sat on the bed, sighing.

"What? How did you? What made you?" She doesn't know which question to ask first.

"Theo's mother gave that to me. Apparently, someone won't stop talking about Spider-Man." I rolled my eyes and released my hair to fall on my shoulders.

"Oops," Ava laughed. I could see how happy she felt. "So, this weekend, guys, what do you say? Watch this!"

"Don't push it. I'm just going to the cinema because Mrs. Moore asked me to have fun. As if I wanted 

that."

"I guess she's right, Lilith. You have to have fun and put your mind off the fight for the meantime."

"Well, you still haven't told Beauty that her father is up to something," Ava said, and she was right. If Beauty knew what her father was up to, then the fight would be easier for us to handle.

"I haven't thought about that in a while. I have to visit Beauty's house after the movie." I said.

Ava looked at Cleo and then back at me. "That would be dangerous. What if her father is home?" she asked.

"I don't think he's been home for a while now. He's preparing to get revenge on someone I know nothing about. If I guessed correctly, he should be looking for things that would make the Kanima more powerful than ever."

"But are you sure there's nothing we can do? Sitting around while the mastermind tries to find ways to destroy our city makes my blood boil," Cleo said. In the little time I've known her, I've never seen her this impatient.

"We have to wait for others. We know it's about revenge, but we don't know who he's after. So, we need to find that out first," I suggested. "All right? After that, we'll know the next move."

"I like that plan better," Ava nodded. Cleo and I glanced at her. She was joking—we know full well that we won't be involving her in the fight.

I shook my head and stood up from the bed. "Let's go, guys. Ava!" I called.

"Can't we stay here one more night?"

"No, we can't. Besides, we have assignments to focus on. Let's go." I instructed, and she stood up after hesitating for five minutes.

I said goodbye to Theo and his siblings. Ethan still wouldn't look at me. He didn't like the fact that I won the fight earlier and that Ava won $400. Theo insisted he take me to my dorm, but Ava and Cleo brought their cars, so there was no need.

I arrived at my dorm a little after nine, and Ava went to bed. I couldn't sleep because of the assignment I wanted to work on. Alaric crossed my mind—I was worried he would want to participate in the fight. I didn't think I would be able to stop him. He's stubborn and wouldn't listen.

I fell asleep immediately after finishing my assignment and woke up the next morning on my book. I must have dozed off as soon as I finished. I did my morning ritual and headed to Ava's room to wake her up. She was ready early, and we both went to school in her car.

A familiar figure stopped in front of her car, and she stopped the vehicle. I jumped down to meet the person, and to my surprise, I saw someone I didn't expect to see. "Corner?" I called.

"It's been a long time, your majesty," he said, bowing politely.

Ava jumped down and walked toward us. "You know him?" she asked me.

"Yeah, he's a friend," I said. I looked back at Corner. "What are you doing here? I mean, is everything fine in the Shadow World?"

"Yes, there's nothing to worry about there. I got information from a source that ancient magic has been performed again. The last time someone did that was two years ago, and it was..."

"King Cain," I finished, and he nodded. "How did you know I would be here?"

"Well, I know you pass here every day to school, so I waited a little earlier."

"You're right. Someone has been performing ancient magic, and we learned that he is starting a war and has created a Kanima for revenge. We are still trying to find out who he wants revenge on."

Corner sighed.

"You know something?" I asked.

"Yes, I do. I have to tell you something about Alex."

I was confused, and so was Ava. "Who is Alex?"

"The dean of your school. There is something you need to know about him and why he wants revenge."

"All right, but first, let's find a place to talk." I turned to Ava. "You should go to school. I'll be there when I finish."

"No way I want to miss this story. Let's go to the nearby café." She jiggled her keys and walked to her car, and we followed. Corner and I sat in the back seat.

Ava drove to the first café we saw and ordered drinks when we went inside. I never thought we would skip classes, but this was important.

"Alex is related to King Cain in some way," Corner said. I stared at him in shock. How was that possible?

"What? How is that possible? He's a warlock, and King Cain was a full bloodsucker," I said.

"I know you look confused, but it all started when the two brothers were younger."

"Brothers?"

"Yes. They were siblings—Cain and Alex. They were put to a test to see who would get the throne when their father was gone. Cain had always been the father's favorite, so no matter how much Alex tried to prove himself, it was in vain."

"Oh, wow. Your family drama is interesting," Ava said, seemingly enjoying it, but I was not.

"So, what happened?" I asked. The waitress brought our drinks and walked away.

"Well, the test was to see who the strongest bloodsucker was. Their father subjected them to harsh training and made them fight each other. Alex knew he never stood a chance against Cain, so he requested a rare magic spell from the witches to make himself more powerful until the fight was over."

"Lydia!" I called.

"Yes! But the spell went wrong during the process, taking away half of his powers and turning him into a warlock himself."

"What? Are you saying he has bloodsucker powers too?" Ava asked.

"He is a half-bloodsucker, like you, Lilith, but also a warlock."

"How is that possible?"

"Well, anything is possible in the supernatural world," Corner said.

"True," I agreed "He killed your grandfather after gaining warlock powers but couldn't defeat Cain, no matter how hard he tried."

"No wonder he can use ancient magic," I sighed. It all made sense now.

"Cain defeated him and banished him from the Shadow World. Cain became selfish and wanted all the power he could get. He believed that if he was undefeatable, he could control the universe. When he learned about you, he asked your sister to find ways to get to you. Weeks ago, Alex learned that Cain was defeated by a child—the chosen one—and she was crowned queen of the throne and the world he wanted so badly. The throne he fought for his whole life, to the point of losing half his powers." He brought his head closer to me. "Lilith, the power inside you is too great, and that’s why Alex wants you. He seeks revenge and also wants to eliminate you so your powers won't be used against him if he comes for the throne."

"Has he been after me this whole time?"

"Sucks to be special sometimes, doesn't it?"

I sighed. "How do we defeat this, Corner? You must have answers. You do, right?" I asked.

"No, but you can do it. If only you let the power within you grow. I know you can. You don't have to believe the anxiety telling you that you can't control your powers. You have to focus and learn to master them."

"But what if I have blood lust again? What if I transform into something else? What if I can't control it?"

"That's your anxiety messing with your mind. You can do it. All you need is to push through without stopping or overthinking. If you can control your powers, you'll also control your blood lust and be able to defeat Alex and the Kanima pursuing you."

"Whoa, Lilith," Ava said.

"Quite a lot, right?" I asked, and she nodded. "I know—it sucks to be the chosen one. I’ll let Theo know about this as soon as possible. Will you join the fight?" I asked.

"You’re a hybrid. You don’t need me. I know you can do this on your own, and just remember—your will is what others follow. Okay? I have to go back to the Shadow World to check things out. I heard Alex has been trying to break the barrier separating him from the rest of the world."

"But at least help me with one thing. Lydia needs to know her husband is up to something dangerous, or his daughter. She doesn't talk to me anymore; she hates me, so it’s impossible to discuss this with her. Please help."

He nodded slowly. "All right. I will find a way to talk to Lydia about all this."

"Thank you so much, Corner. I’ll take your advice."

"And I’ll be there when you need help," Ava said.

Corner stood up. "You’re leaving already?"

He nodded. "I have an important place to be right now. I have to take my leave. Goodbye, your majesty." He bowed again, and I watched him leave.

"What are you thinking about?" Ava asked.

"It never crossed my mind that, after my father wanted me dead, his brother would also come after me. It’s all because of the magic I never asked for."

"You are a gift, Lilith. You should embrace the power you have."