𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺.

Twenty.

The girls had tried to stop Akira from leaving, urging her not to trust Nara and Amara, especially since they suspected something was off. But the spell had already taken hold of Akira, and she left, unaware of the true danger.

As they stood there, helpless, a sudden thought struck Renetta.

"I think I know what's happening..." Renetta's voice was filled with realization. "Akira's showing signs of being under a spell. Amara is a witch, right? What if she cursed Akira, using some kind of magic to make her obey them? To get whatever they want from her. I'm not sure what spell it is, but if we can find a spellbook, we might be able to figure it out and break it."

Rowan ran a hand through her hair, his expression hardening. "If it's a spell, breaking it won't be simple. Akira's human right now because her vampire abilities are sealed by her grandfather. But if we can trigger her vampire side, she'll break free from the spell. She'll be just as powerful as before. But to do that..."

Renetta already knew where this was heading, her gut tightening. "You're talking about Marcella, aren't you? She's the only one with the power to unlock Akira's vampire side. But that's insane. Marcella is dangerous—she's ruthless, and she doesn't care about anyone except herself. How do you think we can trust her?"

Rowan's jaw clenched. "I know Marcella's dangerous. She's a vampire, and vampires hate wolves, I get it. But if there's anyone who can help us, it's her. We don't have another choice."

Renetta's eyes widened. "So, you're really suggesting we go to Marcella for help? You know she'll rip our heads off just for looking at her wrong. And me? I'm just a mermaid—she'll have no problem with killing me. Why would she even consider helping us?"

Rowan gave her a solemn look. "Because Akira's life is at stake, Renetta. And if this is the only way to save her, we'll take the risk. We have to try. We can't just sit here while Amara has control over her."

There was a tense silence as Renetta processed his words. Deep down, she knew he was right. The risk was too high, but if they didn't act, Akira could be lost forever.

"We go to Marcella then," Renetta said, her voice steady despite her fear. "But we better be ready for whatever comes next."

The next step was clear: they had to find Marcella. But it wasn't going to be easy. Marcella lived on the far side of the vampire town, in a place known as the Bloodstone Villa. It was a notorious area, filled with dangerous vampires from all walks of life. The villa itself was a sprawling mansion surrounded by dark forests and jagged cliffs, a place where few dared to tread.

The journey from the academy to Bloodstone Villa was long and treacherous, and they would need to be prepared for anything. Renetta and Rowan packed their things, knowing that this was their only shot at saving Akira. If they could somehow unlock her vampire side, she might break free from the spell that had her under Amara's control.

As they gathered their supplies and set off toward the villa, the weight of their mission pressed heavily on them. The road ahead would be dangerous, but there was no turning back now. Marcella was their only hope, and they would do whatever it took to reach her.

The journey to Bloodstone Villa was treacherous, and every step they took felt heavier than the last. They walked for hours, their feet aching and their stomachs growling with hunger. Despite the exhaustion, they knew they had to press on.

As they neared the outskirts of the vampire town, a sense of unease crept over them. The protection necklaces they wore would shield them from being detected by the vampires living there, making it seem as though they were part of the town's dark inhabitants. To anyone who looked, they would appear as just another vampire in the crowd, but the truth was hidden beneath the necklaces they wore—only they knew their true identities.

Finally, they reached the town, and it was as ominous as they had imagined. The streets were shrouded in shadow, the air thick with an eerie stillness. Every house was draped in layers of cobwebs, giving the entire place an abandoned, haunted look. The gothic architecture, once beautiful, now seemed twisted and cold under the heavy gloom that hung over the town. There was an unsettling beauty to it, but it was a beauty that felt wrong, as if the town itself was alive with dark secrets.

The distant sound of whispers seemed to echo through the streets, and the presence of vampires in every corner made the air thick with tension. It was a place where danger lurked at every turn, but they had no choice but to continue on. Even if the town reeked of blood.

They pulled out their map, scanning it carefully as they searched for the location of Marcella's manor. As one of the most powerful and wealthy vampires in Bloodstone Villa, Marcella's residence stood out from the rest. Her manor was enormous, its architecture grand and imposing, a reflection of her high status within the vampire community. There was no mistaking it—her estate was a landmark in itself. The dark, opulent structure loomed in the distance, unmistakable for anyone who knew of Marcella's reputation. It would be impossible to miss, even in the midst of the eerie, shadow-filled town.

Marcella looked outside the window of her manor noticing the two girls. "You have visitors." Her butler said smirking "bring them in then."