Stephan stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise. My vision blurred, and the world seemed to sway around me. But amidst the chaos, a new strength surged through my veins, ignited by the burning pain in my neck. [AURORA VOICE; FOCUS, MAX.] [REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING.] The mirror's voice was firm, grounding me. I had trained myself for moments like this, and I couldn't let fear paralyse me. I let the power coursing through me take control, allowing it to guide my movements. Zack and Jonas tightened their grip on my arms, but their hold felt weaker. I broke free with a sudden burst of energy, sending them stumbling backward. "You won't win," I spat, my voice resonating with an unfamiliar echo, a mix of my own and something more ancient. Stephan's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward. "You're stronger than I thought, but it won't be enough." He launched himself at me, his speed blinding. I barely had time to react, raising my arm just in time to block his attack. The impact sent a

We all decided to have Stephan trapped to know the limit of his power. My phone rang, and I looked at who the caller was. "Are you alright?" Evelyn's voice told me she had been worried about me. "I am fine, Eve." You don't need to worry. I will be back at home shortly." I assured her and looked at Derek. "What do you suggest we do?" I asked "For now, don't engage him in combat. He is more powerful now, and he is no longer a fire demon. We need to find Reynold and make sure he is not creating any other hellhounds. Are we clear on that?" Derek looked at me, and I nodded. " Good. How is the wound? Is it getting any better?" He asked, looking over my shoulder. I felt a little relieved since Zeoy had tried healing me. "I should be fine before tomorrow." I replied, taking my bag from the table. "Do you need me to walk you back home?" Gilbert asked "No, I will find my way back home. Goodnight." I said it with a smile. They all stared at me as I lifted myself into the sky and flew back h

The smell of my burnt skin was the only thing I smelled as I fainted into Evelyn's hand. I woke up the next day on the bed beside Evelyn, staring at my face. "You did well, Max." She said that and smiled. "We need to get to the campus in time." She said she was getting up from beside me. "Why the rush? Is there something going on at the university today?" I looked at her face. "We need to find out more about this mysterious hellhound, and we also need to focus on our studies. We are teenagers, remember?" Evelyn said, smiling. I looked at my phone and saw Derek's missed calls. "Did you hear my phone ring?" I looked at Evelyn as she took off her clothes. "Yes, you were sleeping, Luke, a baby, and I thought waking you was a bad idea." Evelyn looked at me. "I have to call him back." I said, grabbing my phone and walking to the balcony. The phone rang several times before Derek picked it up. "Hey, you do know your phone is meant to be kept beside you to answer emergency calls." I heard

Derek managed to capture some of the fire demons and send them to the abyss while the rest of them escaped. "I think we are done here," she said, looking at Zeoy and Gilbert, who looked tired. "What about the kid?" Zeoy looked back to meet the gaze of the timid kid standing in front of them. "We can't just leave her alone." Derek scratched his head and looked at her face. "Do you think we should take her along?" Gilbert asked " What? I can't, baby, sit. I don't even know what she likes eating or who her parents are. I think we should take her to the authorities." Derek suggested "And tell them what? That we find her on the street?" Zeoy asked "Oh god! What do you expect me to say? That we take her home, and what happens after that?" Derek asked, looking at the kid, and then back at the kid, who was standing there looking at the adults argue. Derek stared at the kid and then back at Zoey. "Okay, fine, we take her, but you are responsible for her." Zeoy rushed towards her and grab

"Are you alright?" The girl looked at Stephan, who looked like he was going to pass out. Stephan looked at his phone, which was lying on the table before him, and tried to reach it. "The phone." Stephan said, gently struggling to breathe. Maya looked at the table and quickly reached for Stephan's phone, but he had passed out before she turned back. Maya looked at the blood on the white tiles before her, and she felt drawn to it. She dipped her hand inside it and licked. Her eyes glowed with the fire demon inside her. A part of Maya wanted to drain Stephan's blood, but seeing what he went through, she wasn't sure if it was a good idea. She took his thumb and ducked his phone, trying to figure out who she was going to call. Maya saw Grace's number and knew she must have been his girlfriend, but what can she do in a situation like this? Maya scrolled several times before seeing a strange name. She looked at Stephan unconscious on the floor and decided to dial the number. "Hello, I tho