Manifestation

Melina stood in the center of the hidden room, a chalk drawing of a circle and five-pointed star with weird symbols under her feet. The table had been moved to the side and her father was standing outside the circle in his demon form.

James held a small, purple bottle in his right hand, his glowing purple like before. He whispered a few words in a language Melina couldn't understand. After a few minutes of chanting words, he stepped into the circle and handed the bottle to Melina.

"The bottle contains the power of Satan. It's a concentrated version of your power so when you drink it you may feel some pain. However, you must remember to not step out of the circle. The circle will protect you from being devoured by the power."

Melina gulped, taking the bottle. "Is it really that dangerous?"

"Yes. Demonic power this strong is something you must never play with. I've seen what happens when things go wrong." James smiled a little before adding, "But don't worry, I'll be here to make sure everything goes well."

James placed his hand onto Melina's cheek, his hand pale against her darker skin. His smile became soft. "I'll never let anything bad happen."

Melina nodded her head and James patted her head before walking out the circle. He stared at Melina for a moment, a purple glow beginning to twirl around his iris.

"When you're ready, drink the liquid as quickly as possible."

"Okay." Melina replied, removing the cork from the bottle.

Melina lifted the bottle to her lips, taking a small sniff. It smelled like chocolate cake and roses. Melina took in the scent for a second before she brought the bottle to her lips and drank it in one gulp.

The liquid felt like honey down her throat, but it moved like water, disappearing quickly down her throat. There was no taste, which made Melina feel disappointed for a moment.

Pang!

Melina dropped the bottle and her mind suddenly went blank as things around her got blurry. Melina wanted to fall and drown into the darkening abyss growing around her but some purple glow told her not to. She stared at the glow, it hovering where her father had been standing just moments ago.

And then she felt the pain. First, on her head. It felt as if something was trying to claw its way out of her head but it quickly moved to her back. The pain forced Melina to drop to her knees, it draining the energy from her as the liquid flowed through her veins. She closed her tearing eyes and let the pain take over.

The pain lasted for what seemed an eternity but when Melina opened her eyes again, she found herself staring at the ceiling. She felt an aching pain, like she had overworked her muscles exercising yesterday.

"Melina, are you okay?"

Melina turned her head to the direction of the voice and stared at her father who was kneeling before her. She got up slowly and nodded her head in response, too exhausted to say anything. She felt a little heavy too, like something was weighing down on her back.

Her father held another bottle up to her. "Drink."

Melina put her lips on the bottle and downed the liquid. It tasted sweet and energized her quickly. The exhaustion and lingering pain soon disappeared. However the heaviness was still there.

Melina handed the bottle back and said, "Is the manifestation complete now?"

"Yes. Would you like to see your demon form?"

Melina felt a little nervous about looking at her demon form, but nodded her head. It was better for her to get over her nervousness, especially as this was going to be a new part of her life.

James got up and held out a hand. Melina took it and was glad she did as she stood up. Her legs were still a little weak and a wave of dizziness washed over her for a second. She held onto her father for a second before she took a step away, feeling a little awkward.

"Sorry…" Melina murmured.

"Don't be. You just manifested and it has taken a great deal of energy from you. It's fine that you feel a little dizzy and tired." James replied, looking down at his daughter.

Melina saw love in his face and felt weird. Getting used to the fact that this man, who two days ago had been a complete stranger, loved her as any father would, was hard for her. Even calling him father had taken a little getting used to for her.

A knock on the door stopped Melina's thoughts and she turned her head to see Kai walking in with a long mirror under his arm. He carried it like it was nothing but Melina knew that the mirror had to be heavy. The gold carvings around it alone looked like it was over twenty kilos.

"Where should I put the mirror?" Kai asked as he entered the room.

"Put it in that corner there." James pointed.

He then helped Melina slowly walk over to the mirror Kai was holding. Kai held the mirror downward so Melina could only see her feet.

"You ready Lina."

"Yeah but isn't holding the mirror tiring? Seems a little unnecessary to hold it."

"Nah, your older bro is ripped and this makes for a great workout." Kai held the mirror with one hand and used his right hand to lift the corner of his blue shirt. "See."

As Kai lifted his shirt, Melina saw bronze skin like hers and muscles were hiding under the shirt. Her brother was really ripped, having a six pack. She hadn't realized it before but her brother was quite muscular. She wondered if James was the same.

She was probably going to have to make sure they both stayed far away from her when she went to school. Teenage girls and hot guys…

"Ahem." James coughed, interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh right, sorry." Kai dropped his shirt and pulled the mirror up before Melina.

Melina looked down at her feet for a second before slowly looking back up. Her demon form made her look like a fallen angel. Large, black feathered wings, two small black horns in the middle of her head and a purple glow around her eyes.

While she knew her demon form wouldn't be hideous like what the media sometimes made demons out to look like, it was still a little shocking to see nothing much had changed. She was actually starting to like her demon form.

She was also surprised to see that her clothes hadn't been damaged. She could feel the wings on her back, it was like having a limb, if she thought about it. She moved her shoulders a little and her wings opened widely, nearly hitting her father.

Kai laughed as James straightened up next to him. "Best that you don't do that. Your wings in a small room like this is not the best idea."

Melina felt her face heat up. "Sorry. I didn't realize they were so big."

"It's fine. You just manifested and didn't know." James replied. "Normally our wings can spread up to two meters in width."

"I see." Melina said. "Oh, right. Why aren't my clothes damaged when my wings manifested?"

"All our clothes have holes in the back that allow for our wings to fit through when they manifest. Of course illusion magic hides the holes. But now that you've manifested, you'll be able to see most illusions unless someone is more powerful than you and is purposely trying to trick you. But we can go over this all later. Right now, we should get to the training room so you can properly learn how to use your powers."

"Alright. I'll keep my questions to myself for now." Melina said, finally figuring out how to tuck her wings in.

James nodded his head and gestured for Melina to follow him out the room. Kai smirked as he picked up the mirror. They all left the room and Kai turned to head in the opposite direction of Melina and James.

"You're in for some hell now sis. Good luck because Jason is an assh*le when it comes to training." Kai said before quickly disappearing.

James sighed, before muttering, "That boy is going to get into big trouble one day because of his mouth."

Melina wanted to laugh but held it in, following James to the training room, a few meters away from the hidden room. Walking through the tunnels made Melina realize that the hidden space was bigger than she first thought.

From what she had seen already, she suspected that the whole hidden part of the house lay under the mansion. It would explain the chill, although she didn't feel as cold now. Remembering what Jason had said about their blood keeping them warm, made her a little happy. She normally hated the cold so having this power made her happy.

After walking for a few moments, James opened a gray, metal door and Melina stepped inside, finding herself in a training room worthy of being in an expensive gym.