BLAIR
I woke to a soft, melodic chime echoing inside my mind. The chime was unusual. Was that my alarm clock? Or my little sister? The voice was light, teasing, almost playful.
"Rise and shine, Blair. Time to greet the day. You have school in an hour."
I groaned, blinking against the soft morning light. Ugh!! School!! I wanted to stay at home today.
The voice was familiar. It was Sia, my Siren system. I rolled over, reaching blindly for my phone on the bedside table. My fingers brushed the cold glass, and I flipped it open.
Ten missed calls.
All from Blake.
My chest tightened. A knot of old pain and confusion twisted inside me. If I could reach through the screen and punch Blake, I would.
I wrote my to-do-list and angrily glanced through Blake's missed again. I simply didn't care. Not today.
If it were before, I'd prepare to write an epistle, apologizing for why I could not reply to his text messages.
Sia appeared in the form of a holographic screen.
She read my analytics.
"Analytics report for you," she wrote with a smiley emoji.
Name: Blair Nicole Williams
Race: Human Hybrid
Age : Eighteen.
Level : zero.
Energy :100.
Mana: zero.
Health points: 100.
Stamina: 95.
Agility: 80.
Beauty index: immeasurable.
Confidence: rising.
Emotional state: cautious but determined."
Werewolf Veto power : Zero
I smirked, a little amused. "Thanks for the update, Sia."
"You're welcome," she replied, pride threading her tone.
I looked at the screen again. "Wait…what's a werewolf Veto power?"
Sia typed on the holographic screen. "It is simply the performance of your werewolf self in the story book you're locked in. The higher it is, the greater your chances of reuniting with your wolf and being the most powerful person on the planet."
"Also, your senses have been enhanced. Vision radius extended to 500 meters. Hearing sensitivity increased by 60 percent. Reflexes upgraded. You're ready."
I sat up slowly, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
The room felt different-sharper, clearer. It was as if I was seeing the world through advanced camera lenses.
I stood and walked to the window, pulling back the curtain. The early morning sun painted the courtyard in soft golds and pinks.
I blinked, surprised by how vividly I could see every leaf on the trees, every ripple in the fountain's water.
Then, faintly, voices floated from the living room downstairs. I froze, my enhanced hearing picking up every word.
"She's still hesitant," my mother whispered, her voice laced with worry. "But the marriage to Blake is set for the next ten moons."
My father's voice was gruff, firm. "Blake's father is stalling. We need to be patient."
My heart clenched painfully. They were still planning, still insisting. Little did they know that I had moved on. I was no longer the scared girl who'd let their expectations chain me.
I moved silently to the bathroom, flicking on the light. My reflection caught me off guard.
My hair was longer, richer, cascading in waves I'd never had before. My eyes sparkled with a new depth-brighter, sharper.
I was not surprised. Sirens were naturally beautiful so I had to look the part.
When I smiled, I caught sight of something unexpected-fangs? Sharp, white, perfectly formed.
I squealed, touching my mouth in disbelief. "Fangs? Seriously?"
Sia chuckled softly inside my head. "Part of your Syren-Werewolf heritage. You're evolving."
I laughed, a light, genuine sound that felt like a balm to my soul. I stepped into the shower, letting the warm water drench me.
When I was done, I dressed quickly, choosing a pair of well washed and ironed school uniform.
I kissed my parents on the cheek as I passed by, their faces we're soft with morning calm.
The halls of Exotikkal Academy buzzed with the usual energy. Students from every corner of the world, each with powers that would make most people's jaws drop, filled the corridors.
Normally, I would feel inferior to them but today I felt different. I was different. There was a fire inside me-a spark of something new, something powerful.
I caught sight of Blake almost immediately. His eyes widened when he saw me, and he took a step forward, like he wanted to say something.
"Blair, why have you not returned my calls? Are you okay?" He asked and his audacity was seething.
I kept walking, quietly ignoring him.
He opened his mouth again to speak but I cut him off before he could.
"Don't," I said coldly, my voice sharp. "I was with my parents. There's no way I would have replied to your messages. Besides, I have a life to live. I can't tag along behind you all the time."
He opened his mouth, searching for words, but I turned on my heel and walked away. The old Blair would have stopped, begged, or at least listened. But this Blair? This Blair's shoulders were high.
Sia's voice was smug in my head. "Well done."
I made my way to the gym, where the cheerleading team was practicing. Today's lesson was dodging alien attacks through cheer routines. It sounded ridiculous, but I was game.
The gym was alive with energy-girls flipping, jumping, shouting cheers that echoed off the walls.
I dropped my bag on the floor, among other bags. Today's class was recorded. There was a mentor watching us from the cameras.
She would pick us based on our performance, group us and train us according to our groups.
Then, as if on cue, Sonya appeared.
Her presence sucked the air out of the room.
She was every bit as beautiful and intimidating as I remembered.
She did look shocked to see me. I did not know if the shock came from the fact that I mustered courage to join the cheerleading group or if she suspected that I had been reborn.
I had to be calm, make sure Sonya was not also reborn. If she was reborn too, my work was cut out for me.
Her eyes locked onto me, narrowing with disdain.
"You don't belong here," she sneered, her voice dripped with venom.
I met her gaze, unflinching. "I belong wherever I choose."
She scoffed, stepping closer, her aura radiating cold superiority. "You're a joke, Blair. Are you talking to me like that?"
"Girl, just shut the hell up! Who are you to tell me what to do?" I began to yell.
Sonya's eyes widened. " You're nothing but a lost little wolf playing dress-up."
I smiled, sharp and biting. I know I was annoying her. "And you're the punchline."
The room fell silent. Everyone stared, shocked by the fire in my words. No one had the guts to speak to Sonya boldly. Everyone feared her.
Sonya's face flushed with rage, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Sia whispered in my mind, "That was perfect."
I straightened, feeling the power coursing of the Siren system through me like electricity.
I heard Sonya walk up to the girl with the bright green eyes–the head of cheerleading practices and screech at her for letting me into the hall.
"Why would you let her in?" Sonya screamed.
"The academy says anyone can join. No one has the right to stop anyone from participating?" The girl replied. Although I could sense a bit of fear in her voice.
"The vetting process for all cheerleaders has to pass through me Abigail. I can see you want to be kicked out of your position as head cheerleader!!" Sonia continued to vent her anger at the girl.
"I'm sorry, Sonya. Can we speak about this after practice?" Abigail begged.
Sonya snubbed her and positioned herself behind where I was practicing. Sonya's glare burned into my back as I dove into practice, but I didn't care.
I was ready to fight-for myself, for my future.
Sonya was about to attack me with a punch when a teacher came into the room and separated us into two groups.
The teacher gave Sonya a strike and told her she could not attend cheerleading practice for over a month because she threatened another student's life.
Sonya's actions called for expulsion but because of her father…..they let everything slide.
The holographic screen appeared in front of me. "Congratulations!! You've just won yourself a Bud fixer that can instantly repair anything that has been spoiled! This is a gift from me to applaud your immense courage." Sia chimed.
I was excited.
Name: Blair Nicole Williams
Age: 18
Race: Human hybrid
Level: 0 (Siren System Activation)
Energy: 100/100
Mana: 0/100 (Locked)
Health Points: 100/100
Stamina: 95/100
Agility: 80/100
Vision Radius: 500 meters.
Hearing Sensitivity: +60%
Reflexes: Enhanced .
Store: Bud fixer.
Beauty Index: Immeasurable (System Boost Active) .
Emotional State: Cautious, Determined.
Powers Locked: Werewolf abilities sealed in storybook by Sonya.
Mission: Reach Level 200, Retrieve Werewolf Book, Unlock Full Power.
Status: Syren-Werewolf Hybrid, Activated.
"Quest one: Repair something that will put Sonya to shame, help someone in dying need and gain the support and admiration of others."