𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺.

Twenty five.

Akira blinked, trying to process the strange sensations overwhelming her. Every sound, from the faint creak of the floor to the distant hum of voices, reached her with startling clarity. Her vision was sharper, colors and shadows blending with an intensity she'd never experienced before. She ran her tongue along her teeth and felt the unmistakable points of fangs—a sensation both thrilling and terrifying.

As she tried to make sense of it, an image of Rowan and Renetta flashed through her mind. It was as if something instinctual within her was drawing her to them, a pull she couldn't resist. Before she knew it, she had moved across the academy in a blur, arriving in an instant outside the dorm where Rowan, Renetta, and the guys were gathered. She barely had time to take a breath as she stepped inside, the air thick with tension as her friends turned to stare at her.

Rowan's eyes widened slightly, and Renetta took a small step back. The guys exchanged a look, surprise flickering across their faces.

"Akira..." Rowan said cautiously. "You...you're awake."

"What happened to me?" Akira asked, her voice low but laced with urgency. "I feel... different. Stronger. My senses... everything is sharper."

Renetta stepped forward, hesitating before placing a hand on Akira's shoulder. "You've been... awakened. Your vampire side has been unlocked."

Akira's brows furrowed, processing the revelation. "But why? Who did this?"

Rowan exchanged a glance with Renetta, then cleared her throat. "We did it to protect you. The spell you were under—it was controlling you, binding you. We needed to break it before it got too powerful."

Akira looked at each of them in turn, trying to reconcile her confusion with a sense of gratitude she hadn't expected. "So... this was all to save me?"

Renetta nodded, her expression serious. "Yes. It was for your own good. You were brainwashed by Amara and Nara."

"They wouldn't do that to me.." Akira looked hurt. You could tell by the saddened expression on her face.

"Well I told you to be careful of who you trust! No one's ever as they seem around here." Lucian told her.

"Lucian's right. You can only trust us." Kael told her. After she unlocked her vampire side, there was this glow to her. He noticed it right away. "You look really pretty by the way."

Akira smiled. "Thanks!"

"Alright enough of this..look just stick with us and you'll be fine. I'm assuming you're already getting used to your vampire powers..you used your vampire speed to find us. " Rowan said looking at Akira.

"Oh so that's what that was!"

"She's getting the hang of it." Renetta cheered.

"Don't get too excited..look who's walking over to us right now."

Amara and Nara had been coming towards them.

Akira's smile faded as she saw Amara and Nara approaching, their expressions unreadable but intense. She could feel the conflicting emotions stirring inside her—the hurt from their betrayal, yet the undeniable connection she still felt. Rowan, Renetta, Lucian, and Kael subtly stepped closer to her, forming a protective circle.

Amara's eyes locked onto Akira, her expression softening, as if she could sense the change in her. "Akira... I was worried," she said quietly, her voice a mix of sincerity and something harder to define.

Rowan crossed her arms, glaring at Amara. "Worried? Funny, considering you're the reason she needed to be 'saved' in the first place."

Nara stepped forward, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Oh please. We were only looking out for her. Akira needed guidance—a purpose. We gave her that."

"Guidance?" Akira's voice shook, the newfound strength within her simmering beneath the surface. "You manipulated me. Used me. And for what? So I'd be a pawn in your games?"

Amara's face twisted in a mix of regret and frustration. "Akira, it's not that simple. You have a power that's unlike any other. We were helping you reach your full potential."

Renetta scoffed, stepping closer to Akira's side. "Funny, we didn't need any spells or manipulation to help her do that."

Amara's gaze shifted to Renetta, her voice colder now. "You think you're helping her? You don't know what she's capable of—or what she could be."

Kael spoke up, his voice steady. "Maybe not, but we're giving her a choice. Something you two never did."

Nara rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "You really think you can protect her from what's coming? From what she is?"

Akira took a deep breath, straightening her posture, feeling the weight of her powers settling within her. "I don't need protecting. Not from my own strength and definitely not from the people who actually care about me."

Amara's face softened, a flicker of emotion flashing in her eyes. "Akira, please. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Rowan stepped forward, cutting in. "She's made her choice. You two should leave, before we make you."

Amara and Nara shared a look, a silent exchange of defiance and reluctant acceptance. Nara smirked. "Fine. But don't think this is over. We'll see each other again, Akira."

With that, Amara and Nara turned, walking away, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.

As they disappeared, Akira let out a shaky breath, feeling both relieved and heartbroken. Rowan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You made the right choice. We're here for you."

Akira looked around at her friends, a small smile breaking through her sadness. "Thank you... all of you."

Lucian had been glad she chose to stick with them. "We're glad to have you back."

Akira felt safe with the group. It was like none other. For the first time she felt like she had a family she could rely on. After losing her Mother and her Grandfather she didn't really have a place to call home. Now that was finally happening for her.