The sun filtered through the large windows of the high school, illuminating the corridors bustling with students in a hurry.
Miria walked alongside Asher, her books clutched to her.
"In six days…" Asher whispered with a smile. Your birthday.
"And I can already sense your catastrophic ideas coming," she replied, rolling her eyes, amused.
— Catastrophic? Me ? Never. I'm hesitating between a surprise party, a romantic dinner... or an impromptu outing that will probably end in disaster.
"Very reassuring," Miria said ironically.
— More seriously… What would you prefer?
Miria thought.
— Something simple... With those I love. No need for luxury.
Asher smiled tenderly.
— Perfect... So I'll try not to ruin everything.
She gave him a light push on the shoulder.
— Just try.
They arrived near another corridor of the school.
Asher stopped.
"By the way... I have something to take care of this afternoon. See you at home later?
"No problem," Miria replied. Don't be too long.
— Promise.
She walked away down the hall, unaware of what was coming next.
Asher stood still for a few seconds... then felt a presence.
"What else do you want, Ray?"
Ray appeared around the corner, hands in his pockets, smiling deceptively calm.
— Always so warm... I just wanted to chat.
— You're wasting your time.
— Oh… on the contrary.
Ray approached slowly.
Asher frowned.
- What are you talking about ?
Ray then took out of his pocket a small black glass vial, sealed with a silver runic seal.
— Do you know the Tear of Nyx?
Asher's gaze changed immediately.
- …Impossible. This essence is prohibited.
— Not when you know who to buy it from.
Ray discreetly broke the seal.
An almost invisible steam escaped.
— This mist is composed of black verbena, moon bat blood... and a trace of alchemical silver.
— You… you dare…
Asher stepped back.
—In humans, it wouldn't do anything.
In a vampire... it disrupts the magical circulation of blood.
He put a hand to his temple.
—And in a witch vampire... murmured Ray... it temporarily blocks the link between the soul and the body.
Asher's pupils dilated.
He tried to cast a spell... but its symbols dissipated before forming.
His legs weakened.
— You see... it's not a simple sleeping pill.
Ray approached calmly.
—It's a forced hibernation ritual. Used in the past to neutralize the ancients.
Asher fell to his knees.
—Miria...
His eyes slowly glazed over.
— Sleep well.
He collapsed, unconscious.
At this precise moment, a silhouette emerges from the shadows.
— Take him. No one should notice his absence until tonight.
- And you ?
Ray smiled.
— Me... I'm going to build myself an alibi.
The figure nodded and disappeared with the body.
Ray, once again perfectly calm, zipped up his jacket.
— The game really begins now.
Later, in the school courtyard, Miria was closing her bag when a familiar voice called out to her.
—Miria...
She turned around, suspicious.
— Ray… What do you still want?
—Just... talk. I promise you, this is the last time.
—You already said it.
— I know... but at least give me a chance to explain.
She hesitated, sighed.
- Speak. But quickly.
"I never stopped loving you," he whispered. Even when you were with him...
— Stop. It's over.
—Miria...
She looked away for a second.
It was then that Ray suddenly approached... and placed his lips on hers.
Miria's eyes widened. Before pushing him away violently.
- What are you doing ?!
And without hesitation…
SLAM.
The slap echoed in the courtyard.
— Have you gone crazy?!
"Don't ever touch me again!" You no longer have any rights over me!
She stared at him, furious, with tears in her eyes.
— You disgust me.
Then she left without looking back.
Ray was left alone.
A slow, satisfied smile stretched his lips.
— Everything is going... perfectly.