Embark on a thrilling journey with Dria as she grapples with newfound magical abilities, family secrets, and a destiny she never asked for. In "Her Kind," the line between myth and reality blurs as Dria navigates a world filled with danger, teenage...
The room fell into a hush as the final bites of dinner were consumed. Plates were nudged aside, and the group settled onto the worn-out couches in the living room. The twins snuggled in on either side of Dria, and they observed as Edrik tended to the fire. A weighty silence hung in the air, a palpable tension crackling like electricity, unspoken but deeply felt.
Edrik broke the silence with a sigh, "Is the plan to stay here indefinitely? Safety is crucial, but I can't fathom endless days of hiding. Surely, my father doesn't consider this a long-term solution."
Jared sunk deeper into the couch across the room, "Knowing Jeremiah, he probably has our next move planned. We wait until he signals it's time to leave."
"But how long are we supposed to wait?" Katrina voiced the question on everyone's minds.
Jared responded with silence.
The fire crackled, its sound echoing in the room. Marcelo looked up at Dria, concern etched on his face, "Dria, I'm feeling really hot."
Kane stood up from his spot on the floor, "Come on, the cool night air might help."
"Take Elliam with you," Dria instructed, nudging the other twin toward him.
The trio exited the room, leaving Dria facing Jared. "Do you have a plan to train Marcelo?" she asked, her eyes searching his for reassurance.
"I won't sugarcoat it, I've only trained with your father, who wielded the fire element, and Jeremiah is the family's ice shifter. Now Marcelo's here, but I believe he's the right person to teach," Jared admitted, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.
"Yes, I understand that, Jared, but you're the one here now," Dria mused.
"I think sticking to the exercises Jeremiah did with him is the best course. Plus, Edrik and Kane have their powers, so they can assist him," Jared suggested, trying to sound confident.
Alucard chimed in, his gaze shifting between Dria and Jared, "What about Elliam, though? Marcelo's shift was triggered by Kane, as her father told her. Now that we have, what, three shifters in the house, would that increase the likelihood of Elliam triggering his shift?"
Alucard's question hung in the air like a storm cloud, casting a heavy shadow over the room. Dria's gaze flitted from Alucard to Jared, searching for answers that seemed elusive in this uncertain moment. Katrina and Edrik exchanged a quick glance, their expressions mirroring the collective unease that had settled among them.
Jared's sigh broke the tension, and he rose from the couch with a heavy heart. "One problem at a time, Alucard," he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation. He turned to face the group, exhaustion etched across his features. "One problem at a time. Goodnight, everyone."
With that, he ascended the stairs, leaving the room to simmer in silence. The weight of unanswered questions and the uncertainty of their situation lingered, casting a long shadow over the night.
"I'm going to put the boys to bed," Dria sighed, her gaze fixed on the flames flickering in the fireplace. After a moment's hesitation, she rose from the couch and made her way through the dimly lit kitchen, where the distant laughter of the twins drifted in from outside.
As she stepped onto the porch, she witnessed a scene that caught her by surprise. Kane was playfully throwing what appeared to be fireballs into the sky, each one erupting into a shower of sparkling embers. Marcelo and Elliam darted around, attempting to catch the falling sparks with glee.
Kane's laughter filled the air, but his mirth turned to wide-eyed astonishment when he noticed Dria's disapproving stare. He chuckled nervously, attempting to explain himself. "It's not what it looks like," he stammered.
Dria descended the stairs with a skeptical expression, her arms crossed. "Try again, Kane."
Kane sighed, realizing he couldn't easily evade her scrutiny. "I can explain," he mumbled.
With an eye roll, Dria herded the boys inside, casting them all a stern look before closing the door behind them.
With Dria's gentle guidance, the twins reluctantly left the gathering and headed upstairs to their shared room. Marcelo yawned, his eyes drooping with fatigue, while Elliam rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"Goodnight, everyone," Marcelo mumbled as he stifled another yawn, his voice a mere whisper.
Elliam, slightly more awake, waved sleepily to the group, his small hand rising and falling slowly. Dria led them down the dimly lit hallway, and as they disappeared into their room, the soft sound of their door closing echoed through the house. The night had settled in around them, cocooning the rest of the group in a contemplative silence.
She was changed and snuggled into the sheets when she heard the scrapping on the wooden floor, followed by the soft patter of footprints entering the room. Wrex got onto the mattress before snuggling into her.
Dria sighed, her fingers absently running through Wrex's fur as her mind buzzed with thoughts of Elliam. Alucard's words had unsettled her deeply, his mention of Marcelo's shift being triggered by Kane sparking an alarming realization. If the presence of multiple shifters in the house indeed increased the chances of Elliam discovering his own abilities, then the boy was at greater risk than she had initially comprehended.
Wrex pressed his snout against her hand, offering silent comfort. In the quiet of the night, Dria found solace in the presence of the loyal dog, yet the weight of her apprehension lingered, casting a shadow over her thoughts.
