CHAPTER 65

Ariana's POV

The sleek black screen lit up, and the name flashing across it sent a strange flutter through my chest.

My Lycus.

My fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before I finally answered. “Hello?”

“Ariana,” his deep, husky voice rumbled through the line, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. There was something about the way he said my name — like it belonged only to him.

“I’m glad you called,” I murmured, lowering my voice as I sat on the edge of my bed. “Thank you… for everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” Lycus replied. “I told you I’d do anything for you. And I meant it.”

His words were like a comforting warmth, wrapping around me. He always had a way of making me feel safe, even when we were worlds apart.

“But promise me something,” he continued, his tone softening. “Be careful. Damien isn’t someone to underestimate.”

“I know,” I reassured him. “But don’t worry about me. I can handle it.”

There was a pause, then his voice dropped lower, sending a thrill through me. “I miss you, Ariana. Your voice. Your smile. Your scent.”

My chest tightened. I missed him too — more than I wanted to admit. The way his hands had held me, the way his lips had claimed mine. The ache of wanting him still lingered.

“I miss you too,” I whispered, the confession slipping out before I could stop it.

There was a deep exhale from his end, like he was savoring my words. “If I could, I’d come for you right now.”

“And risk getting yourself killed?” I teased lightly, though a part of me wished he really could.

“For you?” His voice was laced with amusement. “In a heartbeat.”

A soft laugh escaped me, but the warmth was short-lived. Reality always found a way to creep back in.

“I should go,” I murmured reluctantly. “Before someone decides to barge into my room.”

Lycus groaned playfully. “You’re always running away from me.”

“I’m not running,” I countered, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Just being cautious.”

In the background, I heard a faint voice calling his name. Knox.

“Lycus!” Knox's tone was firm, likely impatient. “We have a situation.”

Lycus sighed, clearly annoyed. “Duty calls.”

But just as I thought he would hang up, I heard something else. A voice.

A woman’s voice.

It was soft, melodic, almost too sweet. “Lycus, are you coming?”

My body tensed. The way she said his name — it wasn’t casual. There was familiarity there.

“I have to go,” he said quickly. “I’ll call you soon.”

And before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at the phone, my heart racing.

Who was she?

I had heard Sasha’s voice before. This wasn’t her. But the unsettling feeling gnawed at me, refusing to let go.

Whoever she was, one thing was certain.

She was close enough to Lycus to call him like that.

And I hated that it bothered me so much.

——

The following morning, I stood at the training grounds. Warriors sparred around me, their grunts and the clash of weapons filling the air. Yet none of that held my focus.

I was here for something else.

After what felt like a restless night, I had finally caved and called Harley. She had answered almost immediately, as though she had been waiting for my call. The conversation lasted for hours — more than three, in fact. She spoke of my powers, my potential, and the abilities that could still lie dormant within me.

But one thing lingered in my mind the most.

“You’re not like others, Ariana. The abilities you possess are layered. Powerful. But without control, they’ll tear you apart.”

Multiple powers. It sounded impossible, but Harley spoke with such certainty. And if what she said was true… then I needed to know.

I gripped the small notebook I had been scribbling in all night, filled with every piece of advice Harley had given me. Notes on how to focus. On how to channel my emotions. And the most important one — how to unlock what was hidden inside me.

The sound of Elara’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Ariana.”

I stiffened, hastily shutting the notebook and tucking it behind me. Turning, I found her standing just a few feet away, her arms crossed, brows raised in curiosity. The breeze tugged gently at her dark hair, but her eyes remained firmly locked on me.

“You’ve been smiling a lot lately,” she remarked, a knowing gleam in her gaze.

“And then yesterday — sneaking off, switching places with me. You were meeting with him, weren’t you?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Lycus,” she said, as though it was obvious. “You’ve been acting… different. Happier.”

The mention of Lycus sent warmth flooding through me. Memories of his touch, his voice, the way he had whispered my name the night he came to my room — it all resurfaced in an instant. My cheeks betrayed me, heating up far too quickly.

“I wasn’t meeting with Lycus,” I insisted, though the blush deepening on my face said otherwise. “That’s not what happened.”

Elara’s grin widened. “You’re blushing.”

“I’m not!”

“You are.” She smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “What happened? Did he confess his undying love? Swear to fight Damien for you?”

“Stop it!” I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “You’re impossible.”

She laughed, but I could see the curiosity lingering beneath the amusement. “So if it wasn’t Lycus, then what were you doing?”

I drew in a steadying breath. “Her name is Harley. She’s someone that Lycus sent her to help me.”

Elara blinked, confusion flashing across her face. “Help you? With what?”

“With my powers,” I said softly, the words still feeling foreign as I spoke them aloud. “Elara… I have powers.”

She stared at me, her mouth slightly agape. “What?”

“I’ve been experiencing things,” I explained. “It started with small stuff. Objects moving without me touching them. Things breaking when I got upset. I didn’t understand what was happening, but then Lycus found out. He brought Harley here. She said she could help me unlock and control it.”

Elara’s brows furrowed, skepticism flickering in her eyes. “But how did Lycus find out? He doesn’t stay here, and Damien watches you like a hawk. How could he possibly know?”

Panic flickered in my chest. I couldn’t tell her the truth — that Lycus had snuck into my room, that we’d been… close. If she knew, she’d only worry even more.

“I sent him a message,” I said quickly, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I didn’t want Damien to know what was happening. And Lycus… he was the only one I thought could help.”

“But how? We’re sisters. If you have multiple powers, how come it doesn’t run in the family?”

“That’s something I am still going to find out.”

For a moment, she was silent, the weight of my words settling in. I could see the questions swirling in her mind — the disbelief, the concern.

“And you believe her?” she finally asked.

“I do,” I said firmly. “Do you want to watch me execute them?”

Of course.” She grinned, the tension in her shoulders easing. “This sounds so exciting.”

“Alright,” I said, stepping back and shaking out my hands, not before I handed her the notebook.

“So, what are you going to do first?” She said as she went through the note.

“Something simple.” I scanned the training grounds, my eyes landing on a medium-sized rock resting a few feet away. “Just watch.”

She nodded eagerly.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for that familiar warmth within me. It stirred almost instantly, like a current waiting to be set free. My fingers tingle, the air around me growing heavier. I locked my gaze on the rock..

The energy surged, and the rock trembled. Slowly, it began to rise. A gasp escaped Elara, her hands flying to her mouth.

“You’re doing it!” she shouted, her eyes wide with awe.

“Now for something harder.”

I lowered the rock carefully, letting it settle back to the ground. Elara's excitement was practically vibrating off her.

“What’s next?” she asked eagerly.

“Flight,” I answered, though the word still sounded impossible.

Elara’s smile faltered. “Wait — you’re going to fly? Are you sure about that?”

“Not really.” I gave a small laugh, though my nerves were building. “But Harley said I could. And if I can lift other things, then why not myself?”

“You’re insane,” Elara muttered, but she was smiling. “But I’m not going to miss this.”

“Good,” I said with a grin. “Because I might need you to catch me if this goes horribly wrong.”

She laughed, though the worry lingered in her eyes.

I stepped further into the clearing, feeling the sun’s warmth against my skin. The air was still, as though the world itself was holding its breath.

I closed my eyes, drawing in a slow, steady breath. The warmth inside me surged, stronger this time. It wrapped around me, pulsing beneath my skin. The wind brushed past me, as if responding to my call.

Then, I pushed.

The ground beneath my feet became weightless. I opened my eyes just in time to see the earth slip away. My heart pounded, but I didn’t fall. I was hovering — only a few feet from the ground, but I was floating. Then I started going higher.

“Oh my goddess,” Elara breathed, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Ariana, you’re actually flying!”

I barely had time to revel in the triumph before a voice far too familiar interrupted.

“Who’s flying?”