At Isabella's, the atmosphere was tense. Axel had just arrived, his face drawn with worry. He walked over to the door and knocked a few times. It opened to reveal Gale, whose face betrayed his fatigue.
"Hey, buddy," Axel said, greeting him warmly. "How are you?"
Gale shrugged with a grimace.
"I'm fine... but Isabella's something else entirely."
"What do you mean?" Axel asked worriedly, frowning.
"I'm afraid Klaus has managed to traumatize her. When she first woke up, she seemed shaken but lucid. But since then, every time she sleeps, she relives the atrocities of that night. It's become a recurring nightmare. She's afraid to sleep."
Axel inhaled slowly, shaken by the news.
"I can't imagine how upset she's going through... poor thing. But you know, there's someone else who doesn't seem well either."
"Who?"
"Diana."
"Did something happen to her?"
"I don't know exactly, but apparently she... exploded Isolde."
Gale blinked.
"Wait, what? Like... "BOOM"?"
"No, not literally. She violently slammed her against a locker."
"Violent and Diana in the same sentence? You know how she's normally sweeter than chamomile on a rainy day?"
Axel nodded seriously.
"That's precisely why it worries me."
Gale thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Good." So we'll do it like this: I'll see what's going on with Diana. You take over from Isabella. I'll keep you informed.
"Sounds good."
Gale walked away, leaving Isabella in Axel's care.
Across town, Miria had just returned. She sighed deeply, trying to process the shocking news she'd just learned. She slumped on the couch, lost in thought, when Asher walked in.
"You look pensive. What's wrong?"
Miria looked up at him, her expression uncertain.
"Asher... how would you react if you found out someone you thought you knew... wasn't who you thought they were at all?"
Asher, surprised, sat down next to her.
"Well... that depends. But I think everyone deserves a chance to explain themselves, to prove they're still worthy of our trust. Why the question?"
Miria took a breath.
"Marlie... is a werewolf."
Asher's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
"Excuse me? Are you sure?"
"I read her mind."
"Wait... her mind?" he repeated, confused.
"Why the shocked look?"
Asher raised an eyebrow.
"You think it's as simple as flipping a channel? Reading the thoughts of a supernatural being is a whole different ball game."
Miria looked confused.
"I thought having that ability was enough…"
Asher shook his head.
—No, it depends on a lot of things: the other person's power, whether they've blocked their mind... even bloodline can have an impact. I, for example, am a sorcerer, but also a vampire. I have both powers, and if I block my thoughts, no one can access them... except someone more powerful.
Miria raised a finger triumphantly.
—So, if I was able to read your thoughts, I'm more powerful than you!
Asher smirked.
—Incorrect answer. I let you do it. Otherwise, you never would have made it.
Miria stared at him defiantly.
—You're bluffing.
—Want to check? Try it now.
Miria closed her eyes and concentrated... but after a few seconds, she let out a groan of pain, staggering. Asher caught her just in time.
"I told you," he murmured, smiling. "Not as easy as you thought."
Panting, Miria whispered, "So... how did I manage to read Marlie's mind?"
Asher shrugged.
"No idea. But we'll talk about it later. For now... let's go eat. You obviously could swallow an elephant."
"Or two!" she said with a weak smile.
They left the room, leaving the revelations hanging.