1. Few months left to live

In a world where witches and Veylra secretly live among humans, sharing the earth with other powerful beings, danger and mystery are everywhere.

There lives a young man who stands out from the rest. He is dangerously charming, just one look into his light blue eyes, as deep and calm as the ocean, and you could feel your heart melting. His smile is enough to send chills running down your skin, both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

People whisper his name with fear. Some say he is the devil himself… others claim he is far worse. No one dares to cross his path, because those who do rarely live to tell the tale.

*

ALINA POV

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I don’t know how long I had been there, but I was completely lost in my own thoughts. A sad, broken smile tugged at my lips as I tried to fight back the tears threatening to fall. But no matter how hard I tried, they slipped down my cheeks, warm and silent.

Today is my birthday. I’m turning 20 years old. I should be happy… I should be smiling, celebrating, laughing as everyone else does on their special day. But I’m not. Because deep down, I know the truth… I only have a few months left to live.

Yes, you heard me right. My life is counting down.

This cruel disease has been eating me alive since I was eight. I remember that day so clearly, it’s burned into my memory forever. I was playing in the backyard with my friends, laughing freely like a normal child… until I collapsed. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines, my parents sitting beside me with the saddest expressions I’d ever seen.

Weeks passed before I went home, but nothing was ever the same again. My parents never let me go outside, never let me play with my friends, never let me return to school. Dad started teaching me at home, and life became a cage of four walls and endless lessons. I forgot what the outside world even looked like.

Then, when I turned sixteen, I overheard a conversation that shattered what little hope I had left. My father’s voice was heavy, broken, as he said the words that felt like a death sentence: “She only has four years and seven months left to live.”

That day, my world crumbled.

They had taken me to countless hospitals, prayed, begged, cried for a miracle… but none ever came. Eventually, even they stopped hoping. And now, all that’s left for me is to wait for the day I take my last breath.

I only have one true friend, Helen. She’s been my childhood friend for as long as I can remember. Since I was never allowed to visit anyone, she would come to me. Every time she visited, she’d tell me stories about what was happening in the city, the fun, the festivals, the life outside my small world. And sometimes, I felt this strange feeling deep in my chest. Should I call it jealousy? Maybe. Because I wished, more than anything, that I could be just a normal kid like her.

But my grandma always told me something I could never forget: “Death is something no one can escape. Everyone will die one day, it’s just a matter of time.” Her words hurt… but they were true. After hearing them over and over, I stopped being afraid. Maybe this was just my destiny.

Helen doesn’t know about my sickness. It’s a secret my family has kept from everyone outside these walls. And I’m glad they did… because the last thing I want is for Helen to look at me with pity. I just want to feel normal, at least in her eyes.

"Alina! What the hell is taking you so long to come out?" a voice yelled as the door to my room swung open.

I quickly wiped my tears and looked up to see Helen standing in the doorway.

"I thought you were dead or something, you’re taking forever to get your ass out," she said, rolling her eyes playfully.

I forced a small smile and moved away from the mirror to grab my handbag. I was already feeling sad earlier, but hearing that word dead made my heart sink even deeper. I hate that word. It feels too close… like death is already standing right beside me, waiting. I know it’s near, but I just don’t like being reminded of it.

Still, I can’t be angry at Helen. She doesn’t know about my sickness. If she did, she’d probably cry herself to death. Sometimes I wonder why she’s still my friend. Please don’t get me wrong.... I mean, shouldn’t she have made new friends by now, hung out with people who aren’t locked away like me? But no, she chose to stay, to stick by my side all these years… and I’ll forever be grateful. Even if I die, I’ll never forget her.

"Sorry," I said softly, walking toward her. "I was just checking to see if I’m beautiful enough to go outside."

"Aww, my poor little thing," Helen said with a teasing grin. "You are beautiful. If this was a werewolf story, I’d say you’re the Moon Goddess herself."

Her words made me blush a little.

"You didn’t even put on any makeup," she continued, pretending to frown. "And yet you still look stunning. Unlike me, hiding behind layers of makeup."

"You’re not bad either," I said with a small laugh. "You’re beautiful even without makeup."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Helen said, waving me off. "Now hurry up, girl! I can’t wait to show you around the city. I’m so happy you finally get to come out!" She grabbed my hand, already pulling me out of the room.

Oh, I forgot to say… My dad told me to ask for anything I wanted for my birthday, and I asked for just one thing, to go outside. Just once, to see the world, to breathe fresh air and look at the beauty I’ve been missing before I take my last breath. I was shocked when he agreed. Maybe… maybe he’s thinking the same thing as me. Maybe he wants me to have one last taste of freedom before my time runs out.

Either way, I’m happy.

And when I told Helen, she was so overjoyed, you’d think she was the one being let out of a cage.

We reached the living room, and my whole family was sitting on the couch, chatting and laughing softly. The moment Mom’s eyes landed on me, she stood up quickly, her smile warm full of love. She wrapped her arms around me tightly and whispered, “Happy birthday, my baby.” Even though she tried to hide the sadness in her eyes, I could feel it… like a heavy weight pressing on my heart.

Grandma suddenly leaned forward, squinting at me playfully. “Well, well, look at the beautiful birthday girl !” she said, grinning. “Alina… you’re shining so bright today, I almost need sunglasses just to look at you!”

Everyone burst into laughter at her words, the sound filling the room. Grandma always had a way of making us laugh, even in the saddest times.

Dad stayed quiet, his gaze fixed on his hands. He rarely looked me in the eyes anymore. I remember asking him once why he avoided my gaze, and his answer broke me: “Because every time I look at you, I feel like a failure… like I couldn’t protect my little girl.” I had held his hand and told him gently, “It’s not your fault, Dad. This isn’t something you could save me from… It’s destiny.”

Before I left with Helen, Dad finally stood, walked over to me, and kissed my cheek softly. “Enjoy your day, my princess,” he whispered. Grandma followed, pulling me into a big, warm hug and pressing a kiss on my forehead.

With a last glance at my family, I stepped outside with Helen.