Rescue mission
Tolu's phone buzzed in Sunmi's pocket. She had left it there earlier while they were out, and now the screen flashed with Tolu's name. Sunmi quickly answered.
"Come with Moses," Tolu's voice was urgent. "And bring a restriction collar for shapeshifters."
Sunmi's stomach twisted. "Tolu, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Tolu said, though her voice was tense. "Just hurry."
Sunmi wasted no time. She quickly explained what Tolu had said. Moses' expression darkened at the mention of a restriction collar.
"You know what that means, right?" he asked.
Sunmi nodded. "A shapeshifter."
Moses exhaled sharply before teleporting them to his father's archives—a secured vault filled with magical artifacts. The air inside was thick with ancient energy, and shelves lined with relics stretched far into the distance. Moses navigated the space quickly, his fingers brushing over enchanted chains, cursed objects, and powerful relics before finally grabbing a sleek black collar inscribed with glowing runes.
"This will keep her from shifting," he muttered before teleporting them back.
When they arrived, they found Tolu standing over a tied-up Gift. The shapeshifter glared at them, her eyes flickering between defiance and exhaustion. Without hesitation, Moses snapped the restriction collar around her neck. A shudder ran through Gift's body, and she groaned as the magic settled in, locking her in human form.
"Talk," Tolu demanded.
Gift clenched her jaw. "I don't owe you anything."
Sunmi stepped forward, her silver eyes flashing with psychic energy. "You kidnapped Tolu. You wanted ransom money. Why?"
Gift hesitated, then sighed. "Because I need money to save my brother, Matthew."
The room fell silent.
"Makinde has him," Gift admitted. "If I don't get him 15 million naira soon, he's dead."
Moses stiffened. Tolu swore under her breath.
Makinde.
Sunmi looked between them. "Who's Makinde?"
"The last person you want to cross," Moses muttered.
Tolu folded her arms. "He's dangerous, Sunmi. We can't get involved."
"But we have to help her!" Sunmi pleaded. "Matthew doesn't deserve to die."
Moses and Tolu exchanged a glance. They knew what it meant to go against Makinde. He was brutal, powerful, and untouchable. But Sunmi's expression was determined, her psychic energy pulsing with emotion.
After a long silence, Moses exhaled. "Fine. We'll help."
Tolu frowned but nodded. "We'll need a plan."
Sunmi grinned, hope lighting up her face. "Then let's make one."
---
"Fifteen million naira," Gift muttered, running a hand through her hair. "That's what they want for Matthew's life. If I don't pay, they'll kill him."
Silence filled the abandoned building. Sunmi looked between Moses and Tolu, noticing their unease.
"Makinde's men have him," Tolu finally said. "They don't make empty threats."
Moses crossed his arms. "If we do this, we have to be smart. There's no walking into Makinde's compound and walking back out like nothing happened."
Gift swallowed. "I already told them I was bringing money. But I don't have that kind of cash. I was thinking…" She hesitated before looking at Sunmi.
Sunmi frowned. "What?"
"You. You're the daughter of billionaires. If I bring you in as ransom, they'll believe I have something valuable. It'll buy us time to get inside and find Matthew."
Moses instantly shook his head. "No. That's too risky."
Sunmi, however, had already made up her mind. "I'll do it."
Moses groaned. "Sunmi—"
"We don't have a choice," she interrupted. "This is the best way to get inside without raising suspicion."
Tolu sighed. "Fine. But while you two are inside, Moses and I will find a way to break the barrier covering the compound."
"And how do we do that?" Sunmi asked.
Moses smirked. "I have someone in mind."
_______
Gift tightened the ropes around Sunmi's wrists—not enough to hurt, but enough to make it look convincing. "I'll try to keep you out of their hands as long as I can," she whispered.
Sunmi nodded. "Just don't take too long."
With that, Gift led her into Makinde's compound.
Two guards stepped forward, eyes cold. "You don get the money?"
"Not yet," Gift said, shoving Sunmi forward. "But I brought a billionaire's daughter instead. Her parents will pay anything to get her back."
The guards exchanged glances before smirking. "Fine. Take her inside."
As the barrier flickered open to let them through, Gift and Sunmi disappeared behind the compound's gates.
---
Moses and Tolu crouched behind a stack of shipping containers a few blocks away. The barrier shimmered around the compound, pulsating with power.
Moses took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders. "Oyin," he called softly. "Let's play"
For a second, nothing happened.
Then, the wind shifted.
A soft giggle echoed around them. Leaves rustled despite the still night air.
And then—she appeared.
Oyin materialized as a swirl of air, her body flickering between visibility and nothingness. Her form settled into a floating woman with silver-white hair, mischievous eyes, and an impish smile. She hovered just above the ground, toes barely grazing the dirt.
"You called me for a game, Moses?" she teased. "I hope it's fun."
Moses smirked. "It is. Wreak havoc on that compound. Let's make this a storm they'll never forget."
Oyin's grin widened. "Oh, I like this game!"
She clapped her hands—and chaos erupted.
---
Sunmi sat stiffly as a man inspected her. "Rich girl, huh?" He laughed. "She doesn't look like much."
Gift forced a grin. "Her parents will pay. Just don't damage her too much before the money comes in."
Suddenly—the wind screamed.
Guards stumbled as Oyin's storm descended upon the compound. Tents and crates flew into the air. Sand blasted against their faces, forcing them to shield their eyes.
---
Sunmi moved quickly through the dimly lit corridor, her heart pounding as she dodged fallen debris from the ongoing storm. Gift and Moses had split off to deal with the guards, leaving her alone to find Matthew.
She slipped into what looked like a holding area—dark, damp, and reeking of iron and old blood. Chains rattled as prisoners groaned in their sleep. Her eyes scanned the room until she spotted him.
Matthew was slumped against the wall, his skin pale, his breathing shallow. He looked half-dead.
Sunmi rushed forward, kneeling beside him. "Matthew," she whispered, shaking his shoulder.
His eyelids fluttered open, revealing eerie golden eyes. His lips were cracked, his fangs barely visible.
"You're… not Gift," he rasped.
"She sent me," Sunmi said quickly, untying his restraints. "We have to go."
His fingers barely twitched. "I'm too weak."
Sunmi frowned. "What do you need?"
Matthew's gaze flicked up to hers, hesitation in his eyes. Then, she understood.
Her stomach twisted. "No way."
"Just a little," he whispered, his voice dry. "I won't kill you, I swear. But if I don't drink, I won't make it out."
Sunmi had never met a vampire before—well, not up close like this. The thought of him drinking her blood made her stomach churn.
"Sunmi." His voice was soft but urgent. "Please."
She exhaled sharply. This is insane. But she didn't have a choice.
Slowly, hesitantly, she raised her wrist to his lips.
His breath trembled as he whispered, "Thank you."
Then, she felt it—a sharp sting, then warmth.
Her breath hitched as he drank, only for a second. The pain melted into something strange—almost dizzying. But before she could fully process it, he pulled away.
"That's enough," he murmured. His eyes were brighter now. He could move.
Sunmi quickly wiped her wrist, feeling her heart pound. "Let's go before I regret this"
They slipped out of the holding area, moving fast. But as soon as they reached the exit, a wall of armed guards blocked their way.
Sunmi cursed under her breath. They were surrounded.
Matthew gritted his teeth. "They were waiting for us."
Then—BOOM!
The door burst open, and Gift and Moses came crashing in, fighting off guards. Wind howled as Oyin's laughter echoed through the compound, sending bodies flying.
"Sunmi!" Moses shouted. "Move!"
They ran, fighting their way through—until suddenly—everything stopped.
A man stepped forward. Tall. Commanding. His presence alone was suffocating.
Makinde.
The moment Sunmi saw him, something inside her screamed danger.
She barely had time to react before Makinde lifted a hand—and flung them all back with a blast of energy.
Darkness swallowed her as she hit the ground.
Sunmi awakened
Her head throbbed. Everything was blurry.
She opened her eyes to find herself back in a cage, hands bound behind her back. The others were trapped too.
Makinde stood over them, expression cold. "Fools."
Sunmi struggled against her restraints, anger boiling in her veins.
Then—a guard grabbed her arm.
She flinched instinctively, and something exploded from within her.
The guard flew across the room, crashing into the wall.
Everyone froze.
Matthew's eyes flickered with realization. "You're psychic."
Sunmi swallowed hard. "I… I don't know how—"
"No time to hesitate," Matthew interrupted, his golden eyes sharp. "Use it."
"I don't know how!"
"Then let me show you." His voice turned smooth, persuasive—a vampire's hypnotic gift. "Sunmi. Feel it. Let it out."
Something in his voice unlocked something deep inside her.
The room shifted. The air changed.
Sunmi felt a wave of power surge through her. Her pulse roared in her ears. Her eyes blurred—then turned white.
Her hair, once black, now streaked with pure white strands, floated as if weightless.
Then—the killing began.
Guards clutched their heads, screaming as their own hands turned against them. Knives were driven into throats guns turned on their wielders.
One by one, they fell.
Matthew and the others watched, stunned.
"Sunmi, that's enough!" Moses called out.
But she didn't stop.
More men screamed. Blood splattered the walls.
Then—she saw him.
Omoba.
Her breath caught.
A strange familiarity gripped her.
He stood amidst the chaos, staring at her with an unreadable expression.
For some reason—she couldn't kill him.
Instead, she lifted a hand—and threw him back with telekinesis, knocking him unconscious.
Then—the power faded.
Sunmi collapsed, gasping. Her hair flickered back to black.
The room was silent.
Matthew stared at her. "What the hell was that?"
No one had an answer.
But one thing was clear.
Sunmi was dangerous.
And now—Makinde would be coming for her.