Flight or fight

Meldiriel awoke several hours later feeling like her blood was boiling. Looking around, she realized that the vampire and the demon were still asleep and that the latter's skin was glowing softly, as was hers. Wishing to appease this sensation, she went to take a cold shower and went out onto the terrace to work on her fire control. Taking a deep breath, she began slowly, forming blades of shimmering colors. Alternating between blue and iridescent flames, she let them rise up her arms, giving them various shapes. Gradually releasing more power, she let them cover her entirely, gradually reducing the distance between the fire and her skin until she obtained a full armor which she could change shape to suit her needs. The exercise allowed her to realize that the mutation was closer than she thought and would be one of the most serious she had ever had. She could feel the influence of the demon blood and wondered how much this addition would alter the abilities she possessed.

Concentrating on her exercises, she didn't realize that her guardians had also woken up and they were watching her from the kitchen. Her outfit showed that all her wounds were nothing more than scars. The young girl's long muscles rolled under her skin, leaving little doubt about her habits. Decreasing the intensity of the flames, Meldiriel drew the daggers from her belt and began a series of attacks and parries where the fire extended the blades. Estheniel smiled and pulled out his, going to join her. He hoped she would let him join her training and was greeted by a flame that licked his chest. Quickly stepping back to protect himself, he kept an eye on the young girl who didn't seem to be aware of his presence. She seemed totally locked in her world and he made the painful decision to wake her up by shocking her aura with his. The young woman's reaction was brutal and explosive: opening her eyes, she imprisoned him in a demonic circle that she reinforced with flames.

"Never do that again, Estheniel! Not if you care about life. For once I tried to forget my situation, you had to wake me once again from a dream where I was free. Now, if from your blades you are finally determined to grant me peace and rest, I'll set you free. Otherwise, you'll stay locked up until the power consumes me. I have nothing to lose in this world of nightmares. As for you, vampire, move and I will burn you like dry wood. I will not let myself be enslaved once more by your brood!"

"My Queen, Meldiriel, Blue... he is not Nemhain. Don't let this power blind you, I beg you. Let me help you control it before it hurts you. Leifr is your friend! He took care of and picked you up several weeks ago. Remember! My blood has poisoned you and the power you use comes from there. Look beyond power and magic, use your other senses to see the truth. Open your eyes, damn it, and set me free!"

The young woman let out an icy laugh before bringing up a globe of energy between her fingers. Reaching out a hand to Leifr, she visualized the bond between them and targeted him. The vampire screamed in pain before collapsing under the discharge: she had pulverized what she saw as a chain brutally and definitively. Shrugging, she waved her hand in the direction of the demon, freeing him before sliding into the between-world. He leaped up to the vampire and dragged him into the kitchen before grabbing his mug from the counter and giving him a drink. Still in shock, he dealt with the vampire while trying to figure out what had just happened. Footsteps made him look up to find Lilith leaning against the kitchen door.

"From what I can see, our little protege has decided to do it big. I didn't think she was so upset against you, let alone capable of being so... hot."

"Let's just say she's not herself right now. The power that straddles her is demonic in origin and accentuates her negative feelings. As soon as your liege regains consciousness, I will go looking for her. I suspect something else has come up at the same time and she must not understand what is happening to her."

"Estheniel... she broke the link. And it's not easy or safe. Your hypothesis turns out to be correct, any contamination gives it new powers. Your blood has brought her a whole new set of weapons, powers, and abilities that she does not yet control. I'm not sure it's wise to hunt her down immediately. In my humble opinion, it would be better to wait a few days, give her some time to adjust to whatever has just happened to her, and have any deaths that could be blamed on her check. Our Mother, if you could ask the Astyrs to keep an eye on her discreetly so that nothing happens to her, the Fae can use this opportunity..."

Estheniel's phone rang on the counter, interrupting the vampire. Straightening up, he grabbed it and picked it up. A short conversation ensued in a guttural language neither of the two vampires understood. After hanging up, he turned to them looking shocked.

"No need to look for her: she returned where she and Nemhain lived. It appears that the basement of the house is intact and that she has moved into it. A contact of mine has just informed me of the sudden appearance of a child covered in flames in the middle of a ruined house. This house had belonged to a vampire and burned down a few weeks ago. What's more, in addition to the between-world she also uses demonic plans for her movements. It will become extremely difficult to track her and keep her new abilities a secret."

"Estheniel, Leifr, you stay here and wait to hear from me. Lucifer and I are going to meet the Little Wonder. It's time she got to know another Prime and, who knows, maybe it will be possible to make her listen to reason. The old man owes me a favor, and both of them meeting could be the start of a good story."

"Is it really a good idea to ask him to intervene? He hasn't put his nose out of the Underworld since the dawn of time, or almost. For a first meeting..."

"I misspoke: the meeting will take place at Lucifer's place. He will summon her and we will discuss it there. A power clash between them would be far too visible on the outside and if I believe your earlier discussion, Meldiriel needs the help of a demon. I'll bring her back once she's calmer. This is the last place the Fae will look for her and it gives you time, especially you Leifr, to recover from this morning."

"Lilith, Our Mother, for her all vampires are selfish manipulators capable of the worst to achieve their ends. She is unable to believe and trust and will attack if she feels threatened."

Lilith waved her hand before heading to the garage. Bringing in Lucifer wasn't going to be easy, but if he could soothe the kid, it would be worth the effort. When they last met at the summit, he had been intrigued by Meldiriel's abilities and would certainly be tempted to test her. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her portal to the demon's lair and braced herself for the confrontation. For her part, the young girl was trying to channel the influx of demonic power that fueled her anger and hatred of vampires. She knew that Leifr had helped her, that he was no enemy, but she couldn't help but make him pay for the blood tie. She couldn't stay in his presence until she gained some control or risk attacking him.

The ground slid out from under her feet and Meldiriel landed in a huge circular room whose center seemed empty. Instinctively putting herself into a defensive position, she looked around to find Lilith and a huge demon leaning against one of the walls.

"So she is the prey of the Fae. I didn't expect to see so many powers unleashed... are you sure of her lineage? As it is, what I feel is the emergence of demon half-blood power. Do you have an explanation, Lilith?"

"By birth, she is fae, necromancer, lycan, and witch. If I later understood correctly, seven years of fighting against Estheniel is responsible: she survived his poisons and her blood."

"Indeed Estheniel's blood is flowing through my veins now, as is the blood of your creation, First of the Children of the Night. Two new palettes of weapons, powers, abilities, and feats over which I have no control. I would ask you to stay clear: I do not want to attack you by accident. Despite my respect for you, my anger, rage, and hatred against your race could come out against my will and lead to an incident identical to Leifr's."

"Princess Meldiriel Lune de Lys, I would like to introduce you to another Premier. Lucifer, First demon and now your godfather, just as I am your godmother. I allowed myself to transform your surname into a contraction between Cendrelune and Lys de Thyr in honor of the two families from which you come. I hope you are okay with this and you don't hold it against me. Besides, I have no intention of approaching, I witnessed the incident and your departure. I can reassure you on one point, Leifr is fine. He's shaken up but he's fine and doesn't blame you. If you wish, you can return to his place in a few days when you have a little more control over yourself, hence the reason for your presence here at Lucifer's place. He and I will help you channel those two extra palettes."