Danger

Aida took one last look in the mirror. Her snowy-white hair which she had dyed jet black a few hours ago cascaded down around her shoulders. She was dressed in a black hoodie and black baggy jeans with a pair of white and black sneakers to match.

"Aida, hurry up, or we'll be late for class," Kehlani yelled from behind the door.

"I'm coming." Aida hurriedly placed her notebooks into her bag. She hung it on one shoulder and made her way out of the room. Kehlani stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for her.

"It's scorching hot outside and you are dressed like this?" Kehlani looked at her from head to toe in utter disbelief.

"Yes," Aida replied. "The news about what transpired in class must have spread like wildfire around the school and I don't want to be assassinated by the death stares of everyone on campus so I'm hiding my face." Aida pulled the cap of the hoodie on her head which managed to cover some parts of her face. "No face no case."

"I don't think any of these things will happen. Haven't you noticed that the campus news and the group chat haven't said anything about what happened that day? It's just like it never happened."

"I noticed it too. Perhaps they are waiting for me to show up before bombarding me with questions and calling me unprintable names." Aida remarked.

Their conversation was interrupted by a maid who had come to inform them that breakfast was ready. Aida and Kehlani went downstairs. They took a seat at the dining table to have their breakfast.

"I find it strange that my name isn't all over the campus news already. On a normal day, fliers would have been pasted on the notice board, and everyone's phone would have been buzzing with the latest gossip. 'Khai Aida, a year 3 student from the department of archaeology tried to murder 3 of her coursemates'." She chuckled.

"I wonder why everyone is so quiet about it." Kehlani took a sip of her tea. "It's unlike them."

The doorbell rang. The maid excused herself and went to open the door. Aida heard her mom's voice, so she got up and ran to give her a big hug. Lupita winced in pain as Aida embraced her.

Aida let go of her. "Mum, what happened to you?" Aida asked in a worrisome tone. Lupita had a bandage wrapped around her head. She had bruises all over her face and her arm was in a sling. Her foot was wrapped in a bandage. She was supported by a bodyguard who carried her crutches.

"My back is aching badly, I need to seat before I answer all your questions."

The bodyguard led her into the house. Lupita gently took a seat on the sofa, careful not to hit her hand or leg. Aida sat close to her.

"Mum, what happened to you? How did you get injured? When did this happen?" Aida bombarded her with questions.

"Calm down, one question at a time," Lupita remarked.

"Mum, how am I supposed to remain calm when you are in so much pain?" Aida sobbed. "Please tell me what happened."

"A former business partner of mine tried to assassinate me."

Aida and Kehlani gasped in horror when they heard what Lupita said.

"Why was he trying to kill you?"

"He had come to me with a business proposal last month. He wanted to partner with me to bring a new product to the market." Lupita explained. "I rejected his proposal cause the last time I worked with him, sales were very bad. Customers complained about the quality and kept asking for refunds. On my way to the airport, as I was headed to Vatyn, a trailer appeared from nowhere and crashed into my car. My car skidded off the road, it crashed into a huge tree. I managed to survive and I was rushed to the hospital." Lupita lied.

She couldn't tell Aida the real reason behind her injuries. Lupita had gone to the mountains where the other witches were hiding to tell the witches that Queen Natiya was alive.

The witches were happy. But they had bad news for Lupita. They told her that the vampires were aware of the fact that the chosen one was being hidden amongst humans but they didn't have any knowledge about her actual location. Lupita assured them she would protect Aida, even if it meant losing her life.

Unbeknownst to them, the vampires had found their hiding spot. They attacked the unsuspecting witches and warlocks. They managed to defend themselves against the vampires but they barely escaped. They had major injuries with some losing their lives.

"Thank God, you are alive," Kehlani spoke up. "That man needs to thrown behind bars for the rest of his life."

"I second that." Said, Aida. "If possible, he should be made to suffer the same fate."

"Don't you guys have classes to attend this morning? Lupita asked, changing the topic before they probed her further.

"We do but I'm not going to school. I have to stay to look after you." Aida responded.

"The maids will look after me, you should go to class."

"But mom, none of them can take care of you the way I do." She protested. "Don't forget I have magical healing fingers."

"I know but I want you to keep your perfect attendance, you should go now before you miss your classes."

"But—

"My decision is final, you won't stay at home. I can manage on my own and if I need anything the maids are at my beck and call."