Mare Thought Of Alaric
Lilith POV
I trailed behind Alaric back to my room and closed the door behind us. We dove into the equation without exchanging a word, but when I glanced over at him, our eyes locked for a brief moment. I quickly shifted my gaze back to my notes, feeling a bit flustered, until he finally broke the quiet atmosphere.
"So, are you still planning to go out with me tomorrow?" he inquired, a hint of hope in his voice.
I looked up and couldn't help but grin. "I had a feeling you didn't come here just for the homework."
He chuckled, admitting, "You caught me."
I hesitated for a moment, then confessed, "I've never actually been on a date before."
He encouraged me, "Then just say yes. I promise we'll have a blast."
I bit my lip, feeling uncertain. "I'm not sure. My parents would never allow it, and honestly, I'm just not like you."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Not like me? In what way?"
I hesitated, then replied, "I don't really do parties or anything fun. My life is pretty dull, and I don't even have social media."
"It's just a movie we're planning to catch," he said, his voice was one of sincerity. "But I really like you, Lilith. I know it might sound silly, especially since we've only known each other not up to a week, but I felt something the moment I saw you standing there in the hallway, surrounded by everyone else. I could tell you felt it too." His words hung in the air, filled with a kind of hope that made my heart race, even as I struggled to keep my emotions in check.
He was right about one thing; there was a connection between us, but I couldn't let it go any further. The urge to reach out and reveal my true self was overwhelming, yet I knew the risks involved. He was human, and humans had a tendency to panic when faced with the unknown. If he discovered my secret, it wouldn't just be me at risk; my entire family would be in jeopardy. I took a deep breath, shaking my head as I fought against the pull of my feelings.
"I can't go. I'm really sorry," I replied, knowing that stepping back was the only way to keep us both safe.
He nodded slightly and got up, making his way over to the window. "It's all good; I just hope you're content with your dull existence," he remarked before slipping out through the window. I watched him disappear into the trees, his figure gradually fading until he was no longer visible. I kept telling myself that saying no to him was the right choice. A part of me wished he could stay with me, but there was also a nagging doubt in my mind. Regardless, he was gone now, and that meant everyone was safe.
Third Person's POV
"We caught the news, Mrs. Throne. Lillith will be okay," the council leader reassured her.
"But what kind of creature was that? No supernatural entity should be able to breach the barrier," Lilly questioned, her voice laced with concern.
"Only witches have that capability, and I suspect someone is casting spells to weaken the barrier. Honestly, I doubt the barrier will hold for much longer," the council leader responded, flipping through a hefty tome and pointing to a particular illustration. "What Lillith encountered was likely the wendigo."
"The wendigo is often depicted as a terrifying creature that blends human traits with monstrous features, or as a spirit that takes over a person, transforming them into something horrific. This entity is notorious for inciting horrific actions like murder, unquenchable greed, and cannibalism, which are deeply frowned upon in many cultures." Lilly's voice echoed the chilling words from the book, painting a vivid picture of the wendigo's dark influence.
"So, the wendigo is still lurking around, and there's a witch trying to breach the barrier to the human realm, aiming to capture the chosen one for her own sinister plans," Ray Throne said, his voice trembling with fear.
The head nodded in agreement, confirming the presence of witches. "But don't worry, Lilith is safe here with us. Our mission is to protect her," he reassured.
Ray, however, was concerned about Lilith's fangs that seemed to emerge whenever she caught a whiff of blood. "What if we keep her away from it? Feeding her blood." he questioned.
The response was grave. "If Lilith got used to a constant blood diet, she might be tempted to prey on a bloodsucker, gaining immense power and becoming uncontrollable. But if she doesn't feed at all, the implications will be even more unsettling."
"Then what happens?" Ray pressed, eager for answers.
"Lillith is in a tough spot; if she doesn't manage to feed in the next month, she's looking at a grim fate. Her fangs are going to push through, and that could be the end for her unless she can somehow steer clear of blood, which is a nearly impossible task. So, she's caught in this tricky situation where she needs to feed to stay alive, but at the same time, she has to resist the urge to get too attached to blood and instead focus on regular food. It's a delicate balance, and the stakes couldn't be higher for her survival."
Lilly couldn't help but voice her frustration, asking why they hadn't been informed sooner. The head of the group explained that while sixteen is typically the age for a first feeding, they knew Lillith wasn't ready back then. Now, though, she's grown stronger, and he believes she has the potential to save lives. He reassured them not to worry, emphasizing that Lillith is capable and destined to protect the world from impending doom. With that, he settled back into his chair, promising to gather more intel on the wendigo, and gave them the green light to head home. "Lillith's fate is to save us all."
Lilith POV
My parents arrived home just before the clock struck midnight, and I immediately informed them about the police visit that had been searching for them. They chose not to disclose what the council had communicated to them and headed straight to their room after absorbing my news. I turned to Arden, sharing a brief smile that conveyed curiosity.
"I recognize that expression," he remarked, perched on a kitchen stool.
"What expression?" I replied, busy pouring cereal into a bowl.
"The one that says you want me to spill the beans."
"So, what happened?" I inquired, settling down beside him.
"They instructed me not to share much with you, but you need to consume blood within the next month, or your life is at risk," Arden disclosed.
"Is that what the council told you? I thought your visit was about the animal," I said, puzzled.
"It was, and the creature you encountered is known as a wendigo. I suspect someone is manipulating it. The council also mentioned that witches are attempting to breach the barrier, which is weakening. You're the only one capable of saving us, so you must stay alive."
"I'm not dying," I asserted, meeting his gaze.
He then revealed a bag filled with blood, leaving me momentarily speechless as I processed the sight before me.
"Are they aware that you possess that?" I inquired, watching him take a sip.
"They have no idea, but it's essential for my survival. Human food just won't cut it for me, and you'll need to partake in this as well," he replied, tossing a bag of blood in my direction.
"I can't bring myself to do this, Arden. It's just too much for me."
"Yes, Lillith, you can... your life depends on it. And I can tell you have feelings for that boy; I sensed his presence here."
I chose to disregard his words. As my fangs began to protrude, the mere thought of Alaric sent me into a panic. In a fit of frustration, I hurled the blood bag to the ground and dashed to my room, desperate to escape the overwhelming situation.