Ariana woke up energetic and happy. “Good morning” She drawled and Lucile stared at her. He nodded and went out then came back a few minutes later holding two fishes in his hands.
She wondered how he was killing animals so easily. “Have your meal and let’s head to the field, we are running out of time” Lucile instructed impatiently and she looked at him with confusion.
“You know something and you’re not telling me. What’s that?” Ariana accused and he smiled.
“I know lots of things that I’m not telling you. I know other good demons are out there. I know what’s happening to humans right now” He confessed.
“Where? Is the demon also fighting?” She inquired, coming to his side.
“It isn’t as easy as you make it seem. Before you meet that demon, some events would take place and those events would determine whether you’ll continue living on earth or the underground world” He predicted.
“Events like what? Why are you talking in parables, you’re making me confused” She whined.
” I don’t know about the events but you’re destined to have a bumpy life, make those fishes. If you impress me today, I might take you to town” He retorted with a sigh and her face brighten up.
She ran to the cliff, throwing up. She felt dizzy and her surrounding swayed. She felt weak, tired and sleepy and couldn’t understand the new waves of different moods, just a few minutes ago she was happy but now she’s the complete opposite.
Lucile brought a flask of water which she collected, looking at him with gratitude. “Thanks, could we go to the hospital or a pharmacist? Or is there anyone who can tell me what’s wrong?” She requested.
“Every store is closed except for a few stores. A lot of people have migrated, demons have caused so much havoc. Damiel also has to be blamed, he keeps banishing demons” Lucile explained and she stared at him with confusion.
“How is am I supposed to understand a world I know nothing about?” She thought to herself.
“I’ll go take my bath, can I get new clothes?” She requested, pleading silently rat he doesn’t order her to keep wearing the same clothes.
“I have a few dresses, you’re lucky I still have these” He responded bringing out a blue corset, black cloak and yellow pants. She found the clothes funny.
“Does this look like the 80s where people are dressed for war or long journies?” She wondered as she stared at the clothes with a funny face.
“It’s either these or none, you have 7 seconds to decide” He retorts and with a smile she collected the clothes.
“Let’s get to work. After breakfast we start training and no guests please I’m a very strict master and I don’t take any form of laziness” He said with a serious face and she burst into laughter.
Sluggishly, she washed the fish, sliced them and began to set up the fire. She found it strenuous and wondered if he would just watch her struggle or neo her.
She wondered why he was living his life like a primitive man. Frustrated, she dropped the stones on the floor.
“Why can’t you live on land or get a gas cooker? Just to make things a little easy huh?” She demanded feeling frustrated.
“Do you wish to go to the underground world?” Lucile questioned.
“Huh… Maybe, if I get him chance I might but I’m not too sure” She trod cautiously.
“If you ever go there, you would know the real definition of ancient” He remarked and she gawked.
“Tell me more about this ancient world of yours. How did you guys survive with all the ancient stuffs?” She demanded but he shook his head.
“There’s time for everything and now we’re running law for training” He reminded and she pouted.
He lighted the fire and happily, she put the pot on the fire. she took the clothes down and had her bath, staring at herself with a funny look as she looked at the clothes.
She returned and found him studying a book. “Why would a demon study?” She inquired absentmindedly.
“Demons do lots of things which you do not know, like being mated to someone that’s more than 100 years their age, fighting a witch. Getting a natural death at any time, studying spells just to be better than witches and also to defeat them” He expatiated and she stared at him with rapid attention.
“How do you know a lot after being exiled?” Ariana demanded.
“You’re so naive, I spent 680 years in the underground world before being exiled and also I change my identity and location after every 50 years” He elaborated and she looked at him with admiration.
“I’m surprised, so you’re this old and yet look too young” She confessed as she dished out the fish into two plates. Lucile smiled as he collected his and within a few minutes, he devoured his food.
“You’re being excessively slow” He hinted and she stared at him with disbelief.
“But this is the fastest way I can hear” She retorted and he shrugged.
She finished her food and kept the plates at a side. They went to the field and he ordered her to stand at a spot.
“Search for your powers inside you. Make it last through your whole body. The slightest feeling you get, don’t ignore it, nurture it and get your full power” He instructed.
“I’m trying but I feel empty” She replied with a frown. Suddenly, snow started falling on her. She shivered as she tried to focus. Her teeth rattled as a little light appeared on her fingers and vanished immediately, she frowned and continued.
The weather changed and the temperature increased, she began sweating too much as she tried to float. “If only my legs could leave the ground” She wished and her legs left the ground but she fell back within a few seconds.
“Why isn’t something huge happening? I mean I floated but not for long why?” She demanded with anger.
“That’s because you’re too weak. Do you think a weak person can control powers? You need to be bold. Boldly take control of your power. Command it to do what you want. Courageously, you float on air, forgetting your depths away from the ground” Lucile urged.
“But it isn’t easy” She whined.
“Being a hero isn’t a day job. It requires lots of time, practice and energy”
“What does my training have to do with being a hero?” She requested and suddenly, a cyclone came from nowhere. Lucile held her hand as the air almost swept her off her feet, it died down and she heard a cackle.
“Did you miss me?” She heard and looked closely, discovering it was Ella.
“How did she discover this place?” Ariana wondered.
“What do you want?!” Ariana inquired, tightening her hands.
“I like you, you’re not the type to waste time on pleasantries. I’m here to turn your life into a nightmare” Ella answered, sitting on the ground.
“You’re insane!” Ariana retorted and she smiled crazily.
“Yeah I’m insane and it’s because of you. I had the perfect plan at school to date Brooklyn, through Brooklyn I’ll get close to Austin, then fuck him and become his mate but you ruined it all and now he’s miserable because of you” Ella blasted.
“If you were in my shoes, would you let them kill you after discovering that they killed your mom and made your life a living hell?” Ariana questioned with sadness.
“First, never think I’ll ever be in your shoes. You’re an outcast. Your mother isn’t a full demon and you’re part human. I can’t categorise you in any class. Secondly, if I were to be his mate, he wouldn’t try to because I would be of great help but since you’re useless, that’s why he decided to use you” Ella mocked.
“Who’s this?” Lucile requested.
“She’s a lonely bitch who has no mate and shes so desperate to get one, do you know any demon who’s in need of one?” Ariana replied with sarcasm.
“Call Me that again and I soon the court members right now and watch your blood fill the altar” Ella threatened and Ariana stepped back.
“I’m not here to scare you slut, I’m here to give you a piece of my mind. Don’t ever come back and don’t ever try to see my Austin. I’m still planning on the type of punishment you deserve for making my alpha weak, don’t think I’ll go easy on you”
“Leave now” Lucile instructed, stepping forward and she grabbed his neck.
“Listen, underground creature, this is earth and it doesn’t need vile things like you polluting it. Go back to your world if you don’t wanna end up dead” She gritted and a fireball flew past her.
She dripped Lucile and turned to see Brooklyn staring at her with anger. Her eyes were bloodshot and claws grew out. She started at him with much hate.
“And here’s the loser, Austin’s inferior, Dracula’s puppet” She mocked, retreating and Brooklyn growled at her.
“Leave Ariana alone now!” He commanded.
“Oh blind ass, I was with the ugly demon, not the weak coward, I never knew you to be blind” She fired.
“Don’t test my patience, you mean nothing to me and hurting you isn’t a problem” He retorted.
“You’ve never meant anything to anyone other than being a coward. You couldn’t fight Austin so you ran to Dracula whom Austin would defeat very soon. I’d like to see Austin kick your ass and lock you up with Dracula in a dungeon” Ella jested and he held her neck.
“You bitch, I’ll feed your bones to Dracula the same way Austin’s own would be fed to Dracula” He gritted, eyes popping out as he tightened his grip.
Ella laughed wildly while Ariana stared at them. “You are a very big coward. You can fight ladies but can’t fight Austin on the battleground. All you do is boast and show your power to ladies” She spat out.
“Shut the fuck up!” He yelled as he pushed her to a rock roughly. She raised her head, smiling as blood oozed out of her nose.
“This doesn’t make you any better, no girl would ever love a betrayal. You’re still losing on both ends, you lost her, your mom and the right to become alpha” Ella coughed.
“I said shut the fuck up!” He retorted as he took a knife and began stabbing her hand which she used to protect her body parts.
Ariana stood frozen as she watched them, she hated the scene and when she wanted to hold Brooklyn, Lucile held her back.
“You’re still and would forever remain a coward” Ella let out with blood, her cloth and face are stained. She created cycling and left while Brooklyn slumped to the ground, holding in his head.
Ariana felt frightened and still pitied him, he stood up and tried to come close but she moved back immediately.
“A.. are… Ariana?”
“I can’t get close to you. I feel disgusted look g at your face” She spat out.
“I… I’ll.. one.. never hurt or harm you” He assured.
“If you can betray your brother, mother and pack then I’m not an exception” She replied, staring at his bloodstained hand with horror. The blood was dark and she wondered why.
“I think it’s best if you leave and never return” Lucile added.
“Ariana, I’m doing this for you. I want you to have the best life”
“The only best life I can have is being with Austin! If you want me to have the best life then stop all these!” She retorted sharply.
“Why is it always Austin? Is he better than I am? Why am I always ignored and he gets all the attention?” Brooklyn demanded with rage
“That’s because you’ll forever be blinded by your hate and jealousy, you’re too carried away to see the great attention being given to you” Ariana responded and Brooklyn took retreating steps.
“I’ll come back” He muttered and left.
Ariana slumped to the ground tiredly and Lucile held her shoulder. “Why? Why couldn’t my life be like that of a normal teenager? Why couldn’t my story end like that of romantic novels? Why couldn’t I get married to my boss and live happily ever after?” She asked, tears flowing freely as she stared at the sky.
“I didn’t get to have his child, I didn’t have a honeymoon with him and all chances of having one have been dashed” She wept and he consoled her.
“Shush, you would still do a lot more than that with Austin. Just get a grip of yourself”
“When? When I sacrifice myself or when he does while fighting? Would everything be normal after Dracula takes over California? Would there be school, beaches and hotels? Wouldn’t he turn everyone into his slave?” She wailed.
“You see, I was devastated when your mother let me for a mere human. For months, I wanted to kill your father, for years I resented your mother but I forgave her when she died. She pleaded with me to take you away from Earth but I couldn’t bring myself to do that when I saw your father’s condition. The option you have is either letting Austin die while fighting or learning your powers so you guys would fight together and defeat Dracula” Lucile pointed out and left Ariana alone to her thoughts.