Athènia's POV
We arrive at the building, and I park my car outside since I'll head to the park later. We gather in my apartment to talk. I close the door as the others settle onto the chairs.
"So, Lis, you said there was something, but I don't sense anything unusual about you—other than your different personalities. And why can't we talk about it at the university?" asked Garth.
"Well, there are a lot of people there—humans and other supernaturals. You also know the laws forbid relationships between different races. And as for our university, it's run by a supernatural. Everyone in this room is a hybrid. Mara is half werewolf and half elf. Ash is half vampire and half siren. And me, I'm half sorcerer and half werewolf. You, Garth, are half sorcerer and half demon." I answered
"And how do you know that?" asked Garth
"Because aside from being a werewolf, I'm also a witch if I can call me one . I don't know the full extent of my abilities yet, but I do know this—I have visions, of the past or the future, and they always come true." I answered
"But I don't get it. Werewolves and sorcerers are enemies, aren't they?" asked Garth
I begin explaining the story that caused the war between the three races.
"So you're telling me this Jinking was the first hybrid to ever walk the earth, centuries ago?" said Garth
I shake my head.
"No, not the first hybrid. He was the first royal hybrid. The blood in his veins is what brought war. Hybrids have existed for a long time, but Jinking was the first royal one." I explained
"So… you're saying you're a royal hybrid." said Garth
"Exactly. Just like my twin brother." I said
"You have a twin brother?!" asked Asher, surprised.
Mara and Asher stare at me in shock.
"Oops… did I forget to mention that?" I said
They both nod their heads. I shrug and sigh.
"And there's something else you need to know, Garth." I said
He raises a questioning eyebrow.
"We're blood relatives." I said
They all look at me in shock.
"That's impossible. My father never had contact with your family." said Garth
"That's what your father tells himself, but the truth is different. Your father is my father's older brother—my uncle. Our grandfather was with your grandmother, Léa. A month before his marriage to my grandmother, Léa found out she was pregnant with your father. She wanted to tell him, but our grandfather was too hungry for power. He cast her aside without regret." I explained
"That's… too much." said Garth
I see his fists clench, and I place my hand over his.
"I know. It's hard to accept being abandoned without ever knowing why." I said
"But you… you had your whole family." said Garth
"No. That family was an illusion. My father despises us because of the enemy's blood in our veins. He left me and my brother in the hands of my stepmother. I never knew my real mother, never even knew why she wasn't there. I'm not saying what I went through is worse, but we each have scars that shape us." I said
Garth's eyes glisten, but he quickly wipes away the tears.
"So, little cousin… what's the plan?" said Garth
I raise a brow.
"What plan?" I asked
"Come on. You must have had a reason for coming here." said Garth
"I want to learn more about werewolves, wait for my powers to awaken… and make sure the future Alpha of Silver Moon and the Lord of Vampires agree to an alliance." I answered
"Okay, but… does that mean we're still having our movie night on Saturday?" asked Asher
"We can, as long as nothing comes up." said Mara
"Fine by me." said Garth
We keep talking until it's time to head to the park. As soon as we step out of the apartment, we run straight into my dear mate and his little tramp. She gives me a hateful glare.
"You again. You're really playing with fire." said Evera.
She shoots a look at Garth and Asher. Oh, what a bitch.
"What do you want? I've got good taste and I'm strong. Even a bitch like you is no match for me."
I toss the words at her while brushing past. Mara walks beside me, snickering, while Garth and Ash follow behind.
"What a bitch." said Mara
"Exactly." I said
Garth chuckles.
"You really put her in her place." said Garth
We step into the elevator, ride down, and exit toward the building's main doors. Soon I'm driving again, all of us singing like maniacs. When we reach the park, we pile out.
"Lis, go ahead and do your routine. We'll come in once you're done." said Mara
I give her a smile and head toward the lake. There, I start singing the awakening song, just as Kora advised. My powers will awaken faster, even before my eighteenth birthday.
" Careful. I hear footsteps." said Kora
"Thanks, Kora." I said
Suddenly, a branch snaps. I whirl around just in time to see a woman with a sword. Before I can dodge, she drives it straight into my heart.
A scream tears from me, loud enough for the whole street to hear. She rips the blade out, and my vision blurs. Then she stabs me again, this time in the stomach.
Why is she doing this?
I recognize those eyes—they belong to the Alpha. Then more footsteps approach.
"LISSSSSS!!" shouted Mara
The woman shoves me into the lake and runs. Ash takes off after her, while Garth dives in after me. My body sinks, but he drags me back up.
I hear Mara's sobs as Garth hauls me out of the water.
"Damn, the water's all red!" said Asher
"Lis…" muttered Mara
That's the last thing I hear before darkness swallows me whole.
When I open my eyes again, I'm back in the garden.
"Am I really dead this time?" I said
"No, my child." said the Goddess
I turn to her—she looks the same as always.
"The one who stabbed me… she's the Alpha, isn't she?" I said
"You are right." said Goddess
"Then how am I supposed to ally with them if they want me dead? I already died." I said
"The alliance must continue. You hold the power within you. You are not dead—only healing. Kora will restore you completely. But remember this: neither human nor supernatural can kill a hybrid. Only another hybrid can. One hybrid against another—one is destined to die. A hybrid can only be killed by their own kind." said Goddess
Darkness envelops me again. Then Kora appears in her silver-and-white fur, smiling reassuringly. My eyes slowly open. The light is blinding, and I blink until it clears. Mara's trembling voice reaches me.
"Lis…" said Mara
"Ahhh… damn it." I said trying to sit up. MJ helps me, and I press my hand against my chest.
"She didn't hold back, that girl." I said
"It was a girl?" said Garth
Asher lowers his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't catch her." said Asher.
"Don't worry. I already know who she is—but I won't tell you yet. I need to keep this secret until I confirm it." I said
I notice my clothes are still soaked, stained with blood.
"How long was I unconscious?" I asked
"Thirty minutes." replied Mara
Her voice trembles.
"We thought we lost you, Lis. You were cold as a corpse." said Mara
"Oh, come on. It'll take more than that to kill me. I'm death itself. That was just a failed attempt." I tried to calm her
"So, what's the revenge plan?" asked Garth
"I'll disappear for a month, then give her a shocking surprise when I come back. I just don't know which day yet." I said
"What about the school party?" asked Asher
"You could make your entrance then." continued Garth
"And teach her a lesson." finished Mara
"Then I'll need you to grade my performance." I said
I flash them a smile.
"Of course." said Asher
After a while, Asher and Garth leave. Mara yawns.
"I'm tired. I'm going to rest. Good night, Lis." said Mara
"Good night, Mara." I said
She leaves me alone. Whatever happens, I'll have to play dead for a month before returning. The Alpha will pay—even if she's supposed to be my ally.
As the Goddess said: a hybrid can only be killed by another hybrid. Which means the real enemy fueling the hatred between our three races… is one of us.
In the end, I'll have to put aside my vengeance. For now, I'll forget this failed attempt.