Lena LaShae the Vampire

You're Still You, Right?

As Lena stepped out of the dark, decrepit cathedral, the night's air hit her like a refreshing gust of power. Cassie was leaning against her motorcycle outside, arms crossed, her dark brown eyes narrowing slightly as Lena emerged. She had been waiting for hours, anxious and pacing, knowing that whatever Lena was doing inside that cathedral involved dark, unpredictable magic.
Cassie's brow furrowed as she took in Lena's appearance. There was something different about her-a new intensity, an aura of danger that hadn't been there before. She pushed off the bike and approached Lena slowly, her usual bravado tempered by cautious curiosity.
"Well," Cassie began, trying to mask her concern with a teasing tone, "you look like you've been through hell and back."
Lena's light blue eyes, now glowing faintly, locked onto Cassie's. Her lips curled into a small, almost predatory smile. "Hell wouldn't have me," she responded darkly, her voice carrying a slight echo of the power that now coursed through her veins.
Cassie stopped in her tracks, her instincts flaring up. She had always been attracted to Lena's dark, mysterious nature, but now, there was something undeniably overwhelming about her presence. She wasn't sure if it scared her or thrilled her.
"So... it worked?" Cassie asked, her voice softer now, more serious.
Lena simply nodded, the smile fading into something more neutral. "The spell is broken," she said, "and my true power is mine again."
Cassie exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing through her own hair. She tried to hide the worry bubbling inside her, but she knew Lena could sense it.

"Good," Cassie said with a nod, but her tone betrayed the mixture of admiration and trepidation she felt. "Just... don't go losing yourself in that power, okay? I like you the way you are."
Lena's smile returned, softer this time. "Don't worry, Cassie," she said, brushing past her, "I'm still me-just... more of me."
As Lena walked towards the waiting motorcycle, Cassie stood there for a moment, watching her with a mix of awe and uncertainty. She had always known Lena was powerful, but this-this was something else. She could only hope that Lena would still be the woman she had come to care for, even with the immense power now coursing through her veins.