Chapter 9: Moonlit Confrontation

Lena stood frozen, her eyes locked on Kaelin as a creature burst into the classroom. The air was electric with tension.

Valentin's gaze locked onto Kaelin. "You're a hard man to find, Kaelin."

Kaelin's expression turned cold. "Valentin. What do you want?"

Valentin sneered. "You think you can escape your fate by hiding with this girl? Your daddy is looking for you, Kaelin. He wants you back in the cellar, where you belong."

As Valentin attacked Kaelin, Lena stumbled backward, tripping over a chair. She fell hard, her head hitting the edge of a desk. Blood trickled down her face.

Kaelin's eyes flicked to Lena, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

Valentin's laughter echoed through the room. "I know you sense it, Kaelin. You feel in control around her, but it's just an illusion. You'll never be free from your father's plans."

Kaelin's face twisted in agony, his teeth elongating into fangs. He stumbled backward, his eyes fixed on Lena's blood.

Valentin sneered. "Look at him! He's a monster! He can't control himself!"

As Kaelin struggled to resist the temptation of Lena's blood, Valentin grabbed Lena, pulling her toward Kaelin.

Aria's whisper echoed through the room, "Silence."

Valentin's eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground, motionless.

Kaelin's gaze locked onto Lena, his eyes pleading. "Take your friend and leave... please."

Lena's heart racing, she stared at Kaelin, unsure of what to do.

Kaelin's eyes locked onto hers, and he whispered, "Now you see why you should be scared of me."

Lena's eyes widened, and Kaelin's gaze dropped, his voice barely above a whisper. "How do you do it, Lena? How do you keep me calm?"

As Kaelin's eyes locked onto Lena's, he tried to compel her, his voice low and hypnotic. "Forget what just happened. Forget you ever saw me."

But Lena's eyes didn't glaze over. Instead, she looked at Kaelin with a mixture of fear and confusion.

Aria watched, her eyes narrowed. Kaelin's compulsion hadn't worked.