The night was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made every breath feel heavy. Isabella’s hands trembled as she knelt beside Lucian. His body was pale, and blood seeped slowly from the punctures on his neck. The coffin behind him was open, its dark interior empty. She stared at it for a moment, her heart pounding, before turning back to Lucian.

“Lucian…” she whispered, shaking his shoulders lightly. But he didn’t stir. His breathing was faint, and she knew there wasn’t much time.

Tears blurred her vision as she stumbled to her feet. She looked around the empty tomb, her breath visible in the cold night air. With one last glance at Lucian, she turned and started running.

The road stretched endlessly before her, illuminated only by the pale moonlight. The sound of her boots echoed on the empty street as she ran, her chest tightening with every step.

“Isabella!”

The familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned to see Phillip standing a few feet away, concern etched across his face. His dark eyes searched hers as he walked closer.

“Where have you been?” he asked, his voice low but firm. “You disappeared from the party, and everyone’s been worried.”

Isabella couldn’t speak. Her throat felt tight, and the weight of what she had done pressed down on her like a crushing wave. Without a word, she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his shoulder, the tears she had been holding back spilling freely now.

Phillip froze for a moment, startled by her sudden embrace. Then he wrapped his arms around her, his voice softening. “Isabella, what Lucian did to you? I'll killed him?”

She pulled back slightly, her eyes red and swollen. “Call everyone,” she said, her voice shaky. “Right now. Tell them to meet me at home.”

Phillip nodded without hesitation, pulling out his phone as they hurried down the street together.

The house was quiet when they arrived, but it wasn’t long before their friends began to trickle in. Lysandra was the first, her expression worried as she stepped inside. “Isabella, are you okay?”

Felix and Sirela followed close behind, their faces grim. The group now complete. They gathered in the living room, the air thick with tension.

Isabella stood in the center, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her silver hair caught the faint light of the lamps, but her usual confidence was gone.

“I need to tell you all something,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. She avoided their gazes, staring at the floor instead. “I... I did something tonight. Something I shouldn’t have.”

Lysandra stepped closer, her voice gentle. “Isabella, whatever it is, we’re here for you. Just tell us.”

Isabella took a shaky breath. “I performed a ritual. I thought I could control it, but… I was wrong.” She hesitated, her hands trembling. “Salena Varro has been released.”

The room fell silent.

“What?” Phillip’s voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing. “Salena Varro? The most dangerous creature I've ever see of? You—”

“I didn’t mean for this to happen!” Isabella interrupted, her voice breaking.“Lucian force me and I didn't released her, he will killed you all. I don’t know where she is.”

Sirela exchanged a glance with Felix. “Lucian?” she asked. “Where he is?”

“She bits him, perhaps. But fact is a vampire can feed on vampire,” Isabella said shockley.

"She isnt any vampire, guys." Phillip added.

She looked at them then, her eyes filled with tears. “There’s one more thing. And I don’t know how to say it.”

Lysandra stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Just say it, Isabella. We’ll get through it together.”

Isabella closed her eyes, the words catching in her throat. “I’m no longer a witch,” she said finally. “The magic… it’s gone. Nature punished me for what I did. It took my magic away.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

“No,” Lysandra whispered, shaking her head. “No, that’s not possible.”

“It’s true,” Isabella said, her voice trembling. “I can feel it. The connection is gone. I’m nothing now.”

Lysandra didn’t hesitate. She pulled Isabella into a tight hug, her own tears spilling over. “You are not nothing,” she said firmly. “You’re Isabella. With or without magic, you’re still one of us.”

One by one, the others joined them, wrapping Isabella in a circle of comfort and support. For the first time that night, she let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to fix this.

The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden table where Isabella, Jenna, and Aurora sat for breakfast. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh bread and spiced tea. Jenna was pouring herself another cup, while Aurora picked at her plate, lost in thought.

Isabella pushed her half-empty plate aside, her gaze distant. "I need to tell you something," she began, her voice quiet but firm.

Jenna glanced up, her brow furrowing. "What is it, Isa?"

Isabella hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I’m not a witch anymore."

Aurora froze mid-bite, while Jenna’s cup clattered against her saucer.

“What are you talking about?” Jenna asked, her voice sharp with disbelief.

"I thought I had dragon magic," Isabella continued, her tone steady despite the weight of her words. "It protected me from fire, and I thought it was always there. But I was wrong."

Aurora leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean you’re not a witch? That doesn’t just happen."

Isabella avoided their eyes. "I did a ritual… to open a coffin that’s been sealed for centuries."

Jenna’s face paled, but she forced herself to stay calm. "What coffin?" she asked carefully.

"Salena Varro’s," Isabella admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jenna’s heart felt like it had stopped, but she quickly masked her fear with a steady expression. "That’s… impossible," she said, though her voice shook slightly. "A witch can lose their magic. There has to be a way to fix this."

Aurora wasn’t as composed. She slammed her fork onto the table, her voice rising. "You released Helena, didn’t you? Don’t lie to us, Isabella. Admit it!"

"I didn’t!" Isabella snapped, her eyes flashing with anger.

"You did something reckless, as always! And now you’ve doomed us all!" Aurora accused, her words cutting deep.

Isabella stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "I’ve told you a thousand times, Aurora. You’re wrong. But believe what you want, that's the problem I didn't shared my any secret with you" she said, her voice trembling with fury.

With that, Isabella stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Jenna let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she reached for her cup.

Aurora crossed her arms, staring at the door. "She’s lying. She had to have done something."

Jenna didn’t respond. She stared into her tea, her mind racing. Deep down, she knew the truth. Isabella is a dragon witch they can't lose magic.

"We’ll find a way," Jenna murmured, more to herself than to Aurora. "We have to."

The sun shone brightly over the Mecatopia Academy, casting a warm glow over the castle grounds. Students bustled about, whispering with excitement about the upcoming Arcane Ascendancy event. Isabella, Lysandra, and Sirela strolled through the main hall, handing out flyers.

“Don’t forget to write your names and submit them to Professor Adam's office!” Lysandra called out cheerfully, her golden brown hair bouncing as she walked.
“This is going to be amazing,” Sirela added, her emerald eyes glinting.

Isabella smiled, her silver-platinum hair catching the light. “Aurora is my sister but never believes on me." She said to Lysandra.

"You know she is always like that." Lysandra added and "dont think too much. We will find a way to get your magic back."

They left for joining the classes and for submitting the names. The academy hall buzzed with the usual chatter. Isabella and her friends stood near the locker area, exchanging jokes and gossip. It was an ordinary day, or so they thought.

Suddenly, the heavy oak door creaked open. A hush fell over the crowd as the sound of sharp heels echoed through the corridor. Heads turned.

She entered.

A girl with dark, flowing hair that shimmered with the faintest hint of midnight blue, wearing a sleek black dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her heels clicked against the tiled floor, commanding attention with every step. Her movements were deliberate, confident. A faint smirk danced on her lips as if she already knew the effect she was having.

“Who...is that?” Felix muttered, his voice barely audible.

Sirela, standing beside him, rolled her eyes. “Close your mouth before you start drooling, Felix.”

But Felix didn’t hear her. His gaze followed the mysterious girl as she glided past. “She’s...gorgeous.”

Isabella snorted, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Well, Lysandra, it seems someone might actually rival you in the beauty department.”

Lysandra, leaning casually against her locker, narrowed her eyes. “Please. She’s nothing but an entrance. Let’s see what substance she has before crowning her queen.” Yet, there was a slight flicker of jealousy in her tone as she smoothed her dress.

The girl didn’t even glance at the gawking students. She didn’t need to. The silence, the stares, the collective gasps—all of it told her she was the center of attention. Her smirk deepened as a boy tripped over his own feet, too mesmerized to watch where he was going.

“She knows what she’s doing,” Isabella murmured, a mix of curiosity and annoyance in her tone.

“Understatement of the century,” Sirela replied, folding her arms.

The girl’s steps led her straight to the professor’s office. She opened the door with a graceful flick of her wrist, stepping inside without hesitation.

“Who is she?” Lysandra finally asked.

“No idea,” Isabella replied. “But I’m going to find out.”

Inside the office, Professor Adams looked up from his papers, startled by the sudden intrusion.

“You must be lost,” he said curtly. “This is the staff office.”

The girl placed a file on his desk, tilting her head ever so slightly. “I believe this should clear up any confusion.”

Adams opened the file, his brows furrowing. “This is wrong, there isnt any transfer student coming here. You’re not...Salena Varro. This isn’t your file.”

The girl’s eyes gleamed, and for a moment, they seemed to darken. She leaned forward, her voice dripping with charm. “Oh, but I am, Professor. I’m Salena Varro. You know this.”

Adams blinked, his expression dazed. “You...are Salena Varro.”

She straightened, her smirk returning. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

With that, she turned and walked out, her heels echoing once again. She didn’t spare a glance at the students who watched her every move, some whispering, others too awestruck to speak.

As she passed the group near the lockers, a boy couldn’t help himself. “Who are you?”

For the first time, she stopped. Her eyes locked onto his, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

And with that, she disappeared down the hall, leaving an air of mystery and a trail of stunned silence in her wake.

Isabella crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “She’s trouble.”

Lysandra scoffed. “She’s nothing.”

But deep down, everyone felt it that Salena Varro was going to change everything.