Temptation

Nova looks ahead, her eyes focused on the long dark street of the city, which is illuminated by tall street lamps.

The cold air plays with her long ponytail and goosebumps appear on her arms. To her left are several cars parked in a row, reflecting off each other the soft light of the lamps, and Rosemary's house is already far behind them.

Nova is still holding Aiden's shoulder who has the same empty look in his eyes, which slowly fades away when everyone hears the unknown girl speak again.

Aiden focuses on her voice and frowns. His whole day was just a bunch of nonsense and lies and his patience was slowly running out.

He is the first to turn and notices how the girl confidently stands a few steps away from them. Kalen and Nova do the same and stare at the unknown girl standing in the middle of the lamplight, which spills out onto the sidewalk in front of them.

"I didn't expect to be back so soon honestly. I thought that my spell would last a bit longer but nothing lasts forever huh." the girl says a little disappointed.

"Another witch huh? Why not join the club 'cause we don't have enough witches in this town. Why not make it like the good old times huh?!" Aiden adds with an annoyed tone in his voice.

The girl tilts her head slightly to the left and smiles. "Unlike the witches that Rosemary manipulated, I would never do her dirty work. I know very well what's going through her mind and I know very well what she's trying to do."

"How can you know what Rosemary wants from us?" says Kalen and looks at the girl curiously.

"It's no secret. Everyone in Warborne knows what Rosemary is so desperately trying to get back. Her whole life revolves around just one person. Selene Gabrielle De la Pole, the youngest of the De la Pole house, a prestigious family from 1420."

Aiden and Kalen look at each other blankly and furrow their brows. Nova can tell from their expressions that neither of them has any idea what the girl is talking about, at least the Selene part.

"Why are you telling us this? You obviously know everything about Rosemary, why would you tell someone like us? Do you think we're that stupid?" laughs Aiden, who tried to cover the fact that he didn't understand what the girl told him.

"How are we supposed to trust you?" Kalen adds, folding his arms over his chest.

The girl just shakes her head. "I can tell you more if we can move to a safer place. I don't know about you three, but I plan on surviving, and talking about Selene in the open is the worst thing you can do."

Aiden just scoffs. "And you really think that this lame response will make me forget all the shit that the witches did and just follow one of them? Just so she can do what, lie in my face again? Keep on dreaming."

Aiden turns raises his left hand and gives her a quick wave.

He puts his hands in his pockets and takes quick steps away from Kalen and Nova, who stand still and just turn to him.

But after a short pause, the girl speaks again. This time a little more serious.

"I know a lot more than just her name. I know what Rosemary is looking for, I know where to find it, why this girl's blood is silver, and I also know why you kidnapped her and brought her to Rosemary."

Aiden stops, a chill running through his body. Was it anger? Maybe he wanted to understand what the girl was about, or he didn't want someone to meddle in his personal affairs or for someone to find out why he actually endangered the life of an innocent girl for his own good.

Cold sweat runs down his forehead and he grits his teeth.

Nova, unlike him, approaches the girl curiously. "You know what's going on with me?"

However, the girl ignores the question for now.

"If I wanted you dead, you'd be at my feet a long time ago. We're on the same side, I can assure you. Rosemary has destroyed everything around her, and that includes my family. I want her out of this world as much as you do."

Nobody liked the current situation. Nova had no idea if she could still trust the people around her and nothing seemed to make sense.

Kalen looked like a kind and understanding person, but she couldn't stop thinking about his sinister killer look every time she looks into his golden eyes, which bring her a sense of security and also doubt.

She saw through the fact that he was different from her and she had the same feeling when she focused on Aiden who was impulsive and acted without a single thought.

He only does what is good for him, which is how Faye thinks a vampire should behave. No commitments, no guilt, and just focus on yourself.

Yet when Nova is next to him, all she feels is a ton of unanswered questions and the guilt he carries. His whole personality comes to her as a mere mask that hides everything he doesn't want others to see.

She understands that she can't feel completely safe around someone who feeds on blood every day, but right now she has no choice.

When she thought about it, she couldn't feel safe even around her friends.

Rosalie, who hid her entire family and powers from her, and Kai, whom she had known all her life, only made her feel betrayed.

Neither of them had a choice. They had no idea what Rosemary wanted, and the only clue they have is right in front of them.

The mysterious girl turns around in satisfaction as she notices that the three of them decided that the best way to find out more was to follow her.

Their footsteps and the heels of a mysterious girl marching ahead of them echo through the dark street.

Aiden who had no choice but to follow them kept looking around, making sure no one is following.

It didn't take long and they all find themselves in front of a smaller house that is in pretty bad shape.

It has one story, the dirty white plaster is peeling from the walls, and the area around the house is overgrown with weeds and withered flowers that haven't seen water since the last rain.

The girl confidently heads for the decayed door and grabs the bronze handle. The door creaks open and a girl enters.

"She can't be for real, can she?" Aiden asks, looking at the dead flowers around him.

"This is the only lead we have. Stop being a baby let's just make it quick Aiden." Kalen says with an optimistic tone that even he didn't believe.

"What's your problem man?" snaps Aiden angrily.

Nova stands by the wooden stairs that lead inside the house and just watches as the girl turns the corner and disappears into one of the rooms.

With an exhausted look, she looks at the boys who are standing opposite each other and it was clear that they are not happy that they have to work together.

"You always need to have a problem with something." stars Kalen.

"Sorry that I don't believe some random witch who tells me what do to!"

"Uh-uh, but you had no problems with serving Rosemary as her little loyal dog."

Nova moves closer to them and puts one hand on both of their shoulders.

"It's been a long day and it's far from over. Please don't make it worse, I honestly don't care right now about any of this. We'll just go in, listen to what she has to say, and then we'll decide what to do."

Kalen stops looking at Aiden and Nova's words make him think.

Despite complaining about Faye or being rude to her and blaming her for her return, he couldn't help it. His vampiric side disappeared for a brief moment and he began to feel guilty. After all, he was the one who went down to the cells alone and left her and Rosalie unattended.

"Please?" Nova adds, noticing how Kalen is looking at the ground.

"One sign of this being a trap and we're gone, okay?" he says.

Nova nods and gives him a sympathetic smile.

Kalen walks past her and heads up the old stairs into the dark house. He notices a small light source coming from one room on the left.

However, Aiden stands still and refuses to move.

"I'm not going to fall into another witch's trap Nova. If you two are stupid enough to fall for that then you should just give up completely."

"Aiden..."

"Witches are all the same, they always just want more power and control over everything they can. How can no one see it but me? Kalen is a lost cause, I don't expect anything from him anymore, but you. You seemed different, maybe the kind of person who won't blindly follow someone who is clearly leading them into a trap, but I guess I was wrong. You're the same as the others."

Nova ignores everything he says and speaks up before he can.

"How can you be so arrogant and selfish?! It's not all about you. Not everyone will kiss your shoes and try to make you happy!"

Aiden lifts his head up and grits his teeth, unsure of what to say but his crimson eyes study her face.

Her green eyes pierce him and distrust and anger radiate from the girl in front of him. His whole body is tense and his breathing quickens.

"I would watch my tongue," he says quietly in a deep voice. "I have no problem repeating what we started with Rosemary, but this time I know what to watch out for. Do not tempt me, Nova."

She looks at him in disgust, just shakes her head, and scans him from head to toe in incomprehension.

She takes two steps back, spreading both arms apart and an angry smile appears on her face.

"So do yourself a favor Aiden, do it. You must have been waiting all day for this, go for it. Finish what you started. It's not like it matters huh!"