Twenty-one

One month later,

The dodgeball game had been a turning point for me. After that humiliating defeat, Lydia didn't dare to bother Zara anymore, and that was the best she could have done for herself. Lydia seemed to dislike me even more than before, and stopped talking to me altogether, which was not ideal for our classes where we had to work together. But I didn't care much about her opinion; I had more important things to focus on.

During these past four weeks, I carried out the assassination missions given by Zara, and they were all against noble men who felt superior to everyone else. I didn't complain because I was able to progress and upgrade my fire magic to level 4, meaning it was now very powerful and had a red color. I felt a surge of pride every time I unleashed my flames on my targets, watching them burn and scream.

Tonight, I was on another mission that was too easy for me. After killing a noble, who seemed to be a politician who didn't want a woman to be on the throne, I felt a pang of disgust. He had been surrounded by women who were clearly his mistresses, and he had treated them like objects.

"A woman should not feel superior to a man," were his last words before my dagger pierced his heart.

I moved from roof to roof to head towards the castle, where I lived with Zara and her family. The night was rather cold, but it didn't bother me; it was one of the calms I preferred the most. The stars were shining brightly, and the wind was gentle on my face. I felt free and alive.

An holographic image appeared in front of me, startling me slightly. Now I was used to it, and in big letters, it said:

New skill unlocked: Bloodlust. (Penalty)

I frowned, wondering what that meant. Then the hologram disappeared, and I continued my way. I would check the details when I was in my room, but for now, it was almost dinner time.

Once at the back of the castle, I entered through the window of my room and quickly changed into simpler clothes. I didn't want to draw attention to myself, especially not from Zara's parents, who were still suspicious of me. Then, I opened the door of my room and startled to see someone waiting in front of my room.

"Zoe, is that you? You scared me," I said, catching my breath.

"Sorry, that wasn't my intention. I just came to tell you it's time to go for dinner," she said, smiling warmly.

"Thanks, Zoe. Let's go then," I said, and we headed towards the dining hall.

After a month, I was still surprised by this hall because it was immense; you could easily fit at least forty people, but it only served a maximum of ten. The table was gigantic, adorned with all sorts of well-decorated food—fruits, vegetables, and meat. The smell was mouthwatering, and I felt my stomach growl. I sat down next to Zoe, and tried to ignore the stares of Zara's parents and brother. Zara was not there yet, and I wondered what she was doing. 

Zara arrived a few minutes later with a satisfied smile on her face, she knew for sure that I had succeeded in my mission. She winked at me as she sat down next to me.

Once Zara was seated, everyone started to eat, but then someone came along and opened the door wide. Her voice rang out with great power, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Father, I want to live with you!" I immediately recognised Lydia's voice and turned towards her. She was wearing a fancy dress and a lot of jewelry, but her face was twisted with anger and resentment. She looked like a spoiled princess who had been denied a toy.

Lydia looked very angry, and then the king spoke. He had a stern and authoritative voice, and he looked like he was not in the mood for any drama.

"Everyone out," he said, and everyone complied. I got up a little disappointed not to have been able to eat more and headed for the exit. Lydia watched me for a moment, and I saw a flash of hatred in her eyes. I felt a surge of contempt for her, and I smirked at her. She looked away, and I followed Zoe out of the hall.

Once outside the dining room, the door closed noisily behind us, and Zara joined me. She looked calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.

"Your mission was a real success. For the rest of the week, there will be nothing. I will keep you informed," Zara whispered to me before going to her room. I nodded, and thanked her. Then I did the same, and headed to my room.

Once in my room, I closed the door and lay down on my bed. I felt tired and restless, and I wondered what Lydia wanted from the king. 

I shook my head, and tried to forget about her. She was not worth my attention, or my energy. I had more important things to worry about, like my new skill. I reopened the hologram, and observed the details.

Bloodlust: This skill is there as a malus, and of course, the more you use your magic and improve it, the more you will want to drink blood. And if you don't manage to drink blood during a certain time, this skill will make you lose control of your body and kill anyone who is close to you.

Sign of Bloodlust: Both of your eyes will turn red, and you will become very powerful for a short period of time. Once the bloodlust activates, you have two hours to drink blood and return to your normal state.

I felt a pang of fear and curiosity. This skill sounded dangerous and unpredictable, and I wondered how it would affect me. Would I be able to control it, or would it control me? Would I be able to resist the urge to kill, or would I become a monster? Would I be able to find a source of blood, or would I have to hunt for it?

I asked myself a lot of questions, pondering the potential consequences of the Bloodlust skill. And then, as if in answer, the hologram reappeared.

"Bloodlust activated: you now have two hours to drink blood."

As the notification flashed before my eyes, an ominous transformation took over me. The world around me seemed to warp as my eyes turned a deep, menacing red. My fangs extended, and a newfound strength surged through my veins, accompanied by an overwhelming desire for blood.

Fighting against the ominous pull, I quickly realized that the scent in the air had changed. A scent so rich, so enticing, that it pulled at the very core of my being. The aroma led me to the source, and as the door swung open, Lydia stood before me with confusion etched on her face.

In that moment, I struggled to resist the primal urge to bite her. Lydia's scent was intoxicating, a temptation that threatened to overpower my rational thoughts. However, I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes, determined to maintain control.

Lydia, unaware of the turmoil within me, spoke hesitantly, "Aaliyah, what are you doing in my room? Zara must have forgotten to tell you that this is my room, not yours. You're supposed to sleep in the guest room." she sound angry.

I took a deep breath, my eyes still shut, and replied with feigned drowsiness, "Oh, I didn't know. Sorry about that. I'll head to the guest room now."

With that, I turned away from Lydia, the struggle evident on my face. I couldn't risk engaging in a confrontation with her, especially now. The scent of her blood lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the challenge to control the newly activated Bloodlust.

Silently, I exited the room and made my way outside, seeking solace in the cool night air. The moonlit courtyard offered a momentary reprieve from the internal battle. I needed time to figure out how to navigate this dangerous skill without succumbing to its darker tendencies.