Astra crouched on the rooftop of a nearby building, the dim light of dawn casting long shadows across her lithe frame. The city below her was quiet, but her mind was racing with the thrill of discovery. After weeks of tracking, she had finally picked up on the signals—faint but unmistakable. Alex, Lila, and Samira were back. She had been patient, moving silently in the background while the others—Raven and Malachai—fumbled with their attempts to hunt them down. But Astra was different. She was methodical, calculating, and lethal. Her earpiece crackled to life, and Silas’s voice cut through the static like a blade. “What is it, Astra? Have you found them?” A smirk curled on her lips as she spoke. “They’re back. Alex, Lila Kim, and the girl. I’ve confirmed their location.” There was a pause on the other end of the line, the tension between them palpable even through the distance. Silas was furious—his other assassins had failed him, and now Astra was his last card to play. She cou
Lila stepped forward, her expression cold and unwavering. “Let him come. We’ll be ready.”Astra staggered back, her body trembling with pain and exhaustion. She knew she had no choice but to retreat. Fighting both Alex and Lila simultaneously had been a mistake. She was overconfident, and now she was paying the price. Silas would not be pleased, but she had to survive to fight another day.She clenched her jaw, fury boiling beneath the surface, but she could barely stand. Glaring at Alex and Lila, she turned on her heel, using the last of her strength to disappear into the shadows. The wind carried her away, leaving only the tension of her words hanging in the air. Alex watched Astra vanish, his chest still heaving from the exertion of the battle. He felt a strange mixture of relief and frustration. He had come close to defeating her, but without Lila’s intervention, he wasn’t sure how the fight would have ended. The power of the amulet surged within him, but something inside him sti
As the school year resumed in full swing and the pressure of dealing with Silas and his assassins seemed to fade temporarily into the background, life at school became somewhat normal again for Alex and Samira. Although their return had been marked with whispers and rumors after the mysterious absence, they were slowly settling back into a routine. For Samira, however, something unexpected was about to turn her world upside down—something that had nothing to do with amulets, powers, or deadly enemies. It was about someone new.It all started one afternoon in the school library. Samira had volunteered to help with organizing books as part of the school’s community service program. Alex was out training with Lila, and for once, she had a chance to focus on herself. As she scanned the spines of dusty novels, pulling down a few to shelve, she caught sight of a figure a few rows down, absorbed in a thick book. At first glance, she didn’t pay much attention to the person. But when she lean
The next day at school, Alex found Ryan by the lockers. He had been thinking about Ryan and Samira’s growing closeness for a while now, and though Alex trusted Samira completely, he couldn’t help feeling protective. Samira had been through so much, and the last thing Alex wanted was for anyone to hurt her, especially after everything they had faced together.Ryan was pulling a textbook out of his locker when Alex approached. He noticed Alex coming and gave a friendly smile, but Alex's expression was serious, and it stopped Ryan in his tracks."Hey, Alex," Ryan said, his voice casual but with a hint of uncertainty. "What’s up?"Alex crossed his arms, standing a little taller as he looked at Ryan directly. "We need to talk."Ryan blinked, confused by the tone. "Okay, sure. What about?""About Samira," Alex said, his voice calm but firm.Ryan’s brows furrowed. "Is something wrong? Did I—""No," Alex cut in. "Not yet. But let me make this clear, Ryan." He stepped a little closer, lowering
As Alex and Samira walked through the school courtyard, a thick cloud of smoke caught their attention. They exchanged a glance before rushing toward the source of the commotion. It didn’t take long to realize that a building across from the school—a local community center—was engulfed in flames.Panic spread among the students who had gathered to watch, some filming with their phones while others shouted for help. Fire trucks had yet to arrive, and the flames were growing by the second."We have to do something," Samira said, her voice tense with urgency.Alex looked around, making sure no one was paying too much attention to him. He felt the familiar hum of energy from the amulet against his chest, his connection to its power stronger than ever. He knew what he had to do."Stay back," Alex told Samira quietly. "I’ll handle this."Without waiting for a response, Alex ran toward the fire. His heart raced, but his mind was clear. He could feel the power inside him, ready to be unleashed
It had been brewing for days. The tension between Alex and Victor was palpable, and everyone at school knew it. Ever since Alex had returned, Victor had been simmering with jealousy and frustration. No one could rival his strength while Alex was away, but now that Alex had returned, things were different. Victor’s reign as the most feared and powerful student was being challenged, and it didn’t sit well with him.The final confrontation happened on a Friday afternoon, just as the school was about to let out for the weekend. The cafeteria was packed, students milling about in groups, some eating, others chatting. Samira and Alex had just found a table near the back when Victor stormed in, flanked by Jake and Emily, his loyal followers. His eyes zeroed in on Alex like a predator spotting its prey."You’ve got a lot of nerve coming back here like you own the place," Victor spat, loud enough for the entire room to hear. The murmurs of conversation died down as heads turned to watch the un
Over the next two weeks, Ryan and Samira grew closer, their bond forming naturally as they spent more time together. Ryan, with his easygoing personality, had a way of making Samira laugh even during difficult times. They’d often hang out after school, walking through the park or grabbing coffee at a small café near campus. Samira appreciated the simplicity of it—the way Ryan didn’t ask too many questions, but was always there to listen.One afternoon, while they were sitting on the swings at the park, Ryan turned to her, his expression serious for once. "You know, you’ve been through a lot with Alex. It’s pretty impressive how you’ve stood by him through everything."Samira shrugged, looking out at the empty playground. "He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t abandon him, no matter what."Ryan smiled at that, a soft admiration in his eyes. "It’s rare to find someone so loyal. Most people would have run by now, considering all the crazy stuff happening around him."Samira glanced at him, rai
The day Alex returned to school, there was a shift in the air. It wasn’t just because of his presence, but the anticipation that rippled through the students bodies. Word had spread quickly about his suspension, and there were whispers about what might happen next—especially between him and Victor.As Alex walked through the front gates, his sharp eyes scanned the familiar surroundings. Samira was waiting for him by the entrance, her smile a mix of relief and excitement. Ryan stood next to her, trying his best to look nonchalant but clearly aware of the tension surrounding Alex’s return."Welcome back," Samira said, stepping forward and giving Alex a quick hug. She had missed him, and though she didn’t want to admit it, she was relieved that he was back. Things had been getting more complicated in his absence."Thanks," Alex replied, his tone softer than expected. He glanced over at Ryan and gave him a nod, acknowledging his presence but saying nothing more.Ryan shifted uncomfortably