29. The little cub
The three of them were just about to leave campus when Amara's phone started ringing.
She glanced at the screen and instantly melted.
Amara: "Ohhh my little cub is calling."
She picked up the call, and immediately the speaker blasted with the dramatic wail of a tiny, offended princess.
Mia (3 years old, VERY dramatic):
"AUNTY MARCEEEEELLIIIINE!! Where are you?! When are you coming home?! I MISSED YOU! I am dying without you! DYYYING!"
Marcelline froze.
Her tough, devilish, unshakeable aura cracked instantly.
Marcelline (soft gasp): "M-Mia… sweetheart…"
Amara smirked.
"That's your 'I don't care about anyone' face melting, miss devil."
Marcelline elbowed her lightly, cheeks pink.
Marcelline: "Mia, baby, aunty will come home soon, okay?"
Mia: "Not soon. NOW. I miss your hugs. And your wings. And your shiny hair. And your cute face."
Marcelline's heart absolutely died.
Victor blinked, stunned.
Victor: "…She called Marcelline cute? Is that allowed?"
Amara snorted.
"Mia is the only being alive allowed to bully Marcelline with cuteness."
Mia: "Mommy! Is aunty with you right now? Hug her for me! RIGHT NOW!"
Marcelline actually blushed as Amara grabbed her and squished her into a dramatic side-hug for the camera.
Amara: "There. Hug complete."
Mia: "Good. Now tell aunty to hurry up. I am bored here with granny . He snores."
Marcelline laughed softly—a rare, honest laugh.
Her cruel, devilish core always softened for this one tiny cub.
---
Then Mia's ears picked up something else.
A very smooth, very smug, very dangerous voice in the background.
Victor had said something like:
"Let's get going, it's getting late."
Mia gasped. Loudly.
Mia: "WAAAAAIT. Is that—IS THAT THE SYRUP-FEARING UNCLE?!"
Victor froze.
Amara burst into tears laughing.
Marcelline covered her mouth.
Victor: "Excuse me?! I do NOT fear syrup—"
Mia: "YES YOU DO. Last time I threw syrup at you, you RAN LIKE A CAT ON FIRE."
Victor's soul left his body.
Victor: "That was ONE TIME—"
Mia: "And the ketchup!! You remember the ketchup?! I was two ! YOU SCREAMED!"
Marcelline leaned on the wall, dying with laughter.
Victor tried to regain dignity.
Victor: "I am the high table vampire lord—"
Mia: "And I am Mia the Mighty. Fear me."
Amara wheezed.
Marcelline had to hold her stomach from laughing too hard.
Victor rubbed his temple.
Victor: "Your child is defective."
Mia: "I heard that. Next time I make special combo syrup-ketchup-icing attack!"
Victor actually stepped back like she was physically present.
Victor: "Tell her to stay in her realm. I am armed."
Mia: "I have more arms!"
Marcelline wiped tears of laughter.
Marcelline: "My darling Mia… aunty is coming home soon, okay?"
Mia (suddenly sweet again):
"Okay… but you better come. I miss you so much. You're my favorite."
Marcelline's heart melted completely.
Even Victor softened a fraction.
Amara smiled proudly.
Mia: "BYE! LOVE YOU AUNTYYYY!"
Click.
---
When the call ended, all three stood in silence for a second.
Then—
Victor: "That tiny beast is going to end me one day."
Amara: "Yes. Proud of her."
Marcelline: "Let's go home before she actually storms the campus looking for me."
All three began walking together toward the exit.
The mood grew lighter… but Victor's expression shifted slightly.
He walked beside them, voice softer, deeper.
Victor: "While we are on our way… there's something else you both need to hear."
Marcelline turned to him.
Marcelline: "About the shadow? Or the strange surge of power today?"
Victor nodded.
Victor: "Both. I've… been researching. And I found old records. Very old."
Amara's smile faded.
Victor continued:
Victor:
"Two thousand years ago… in the Great War… there was a prophecy.
A sleeping power… not angelic, not demonic, not beastly… something beyond classification."
Marcelline's steps slowed.
Victor: "And from what I felt today… I think that power just woke up."
Amara's face drained of color.
Victor looked at Marcelline, voice almost fearful.
Victor: "And I think it's connected… to you."
Marcelline's composure cracked for a heartbeat—
but she forced it back, lifting her chin with cold determination.
Amara clenched her jaw.
Victor exhaled slowly.
The three continued walking home…
but the air between them felt heavier now.
War was whispering again.
And this time—
Marcelline was at the center of it. Once again...
---