Alixia entered the house with light, almost hopping steps.
A small, carefully wrapped bag hung from her wrist. She was smiling, her cheeks still pink from the fresh air, visibly proud of her purchase.
— So you're really letting your boyfriend cheat on you?
The voice emerges from the shadows.
Alixia jumped and turned around abruptly.
Ikan was there, leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed, his gaze dark but calm.
"You should get on with your life, kid," she said sulkily.
"I'm going to act as if I hadn't heard anything," he replied without flinching.
Then he tilted his head slightly towards the bag.
— Tell me… are you buying a gift to give to your rival?
— You are really surprising.
Alixia frowned.
- Pardon ???
Ikan gave an ironic smile.
— The gift you bought... who was it for again?
He pretended to think.
— Oh yes… Naëlle.
The world seemed to stop.
Alixia remained frozen.
—Where… where do you know that name from?
"From Lior," he replied simply.
— Just after you left.
Alixia's face suddenly hardened.
— So you were spying on me?!
She approached him, furious.
— It's not okay, right?!
"No," Ikan protested immediately.
—I didn't follow you on purpose.
"All I wanted was to help you.
—Help me?!
She burst into nervous laughter.
— By meddling in my life?
— By judging me?
— By deciding for me what is good for me?
"This guy is using you, Alixia," he said more sharply.
— He makes you buy gifts for another girl with lame excuses.
—You really don't see anything?
—And who do you think you are, huh?
She pointed an accusing finger at him.
— My big brother?
— My father?
—Or just a kid who thinks he knows everything?
He gritted his teeth.
—Be careful what you say.
- For what ?
She shrugged her shoulders.
— Does the truth bother you?
"You're not even my age.
The silence fell, brutal.
Alixia immediately felt that she had gone too far.
— Ikan... I... I didn't want...
But it was too late.
His gaze was veiled.
"You're right," he said calmly, too calmly.
"I'm sorry for interfering in your life.
"I promise it won't happen again.
He turned on his heel.
—Ikan, wait—
He entered his room and slammed the door so violently that the noise echoed throughout the house.
Alixia jumped.
A moment later the door flew open again.
—And for your information! Ikan shouted, his eyes burning.
—I'm not a kid!
—And what's more, among vampires, we don't look at age!
He closed the door even more violently.
The house literally shook.
Alixia remained motionless, shocked… her heart ached.
"…Okay," she muttered to herself.
At that moment, Miria appeared in the hallway, her hair disheveled.
— Uh…
She looked at the door, then at Alixia.
—Am I missing something or are you officially at war?
Alixia slowly rolled her eyes.
— …No comment.