Romans de Esther Okanlawon

Selene followed the young huntress down a narrow dirt path, her bare feet pressing into the cool earth finally leaving the darkness of Silverwood Forest behind.The wind rustled, the leaves overhead like whispering voices as it moved through the tall trees. As they walked, a thin layer of mist wound around their legs and hugged the ground. Their path was guided by the moon which was still high in the sky and softly lit everything in their immediate vicinity. Appreciative of the warmth the coarse brown cloak provided, Selene pulled it tighter around herself. Although the Moonfire mark that had previously appeared on her wrist had vanished, her skin was no longer cold.In the hopes of catching a glimpse of it, she glanced down at her wrist once more, but nothing was there. Did she dream of it? No. She saw it, felt the burn, and was marked by it.She had sensed its odd energy. It seemed as though it had never been there. Her mind was racing as she swallowed hard. She caught the att

The trees whispered secrets by the night Selene wandered alone in the forest under the moon's silvery light.She was naked and the cold was making her body tremble.She moved slowly while attempting to stay warm by putting one arm across her waist and the other around her chest. She continued despite her numb feet stepping on jagged rocks and twisted roots.Around her,, the trees towered like silent giants, their branches extending like claws. Occasionally, the wind would howl and touch her skin like cold fingers. Her long hair was led by the wind and leaves stuck to her back and wet shoulders.Hours had passed while she was walking. The path was nonexistent. Not a trace of life. Just trees, darkness,, and the moon's dim light. Her arm was scraped by a sharp branch. “Ouch!” she gasped, reflexively stepping back. Blood briefly surfaced before disappearing. Her eyes became wide. In front of her eyes,, the wound healed and disappeared. “What?” she muttered, her heart racing. Gazing a

Like a shattered drum, the sky split open.The night was split in two by lightning which left veins of burning white in the dark heavens.Following that, thunder rolled loudly, wildly, and furiously as though the heavens were in mourning or rage. The ground was still wet from the storm and grief even though the rain had stopped. A big black wolf lay still in the center of Silverwood Forest where nobody ventured after dark. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes were closed and she was barely breathing. Cursed and abandoned, Ravena laid on the wet wildflowers.At one time she had been ferocious and fiery. She was merely a shadow of her former self now.Like lost spirits, the wind grew stronger once more. Trees bowed out of reverence rather than the wind. Something old awoke. The forest had not experienced this in centuries. The moon shone abnormally bright above. Silver not white. It was a deep luminous silver that seemed to see and know everything. Its light initially touched

Fea let out a gasp and jerked as though she had been struck by lightning. Her eyes popped open, crazed and bewildered. In an attempt to control her breathing, she gripped her chest.Daemon held her closely.“Can you hear me, Fea. Fea?” he said, his voice shaking. “Are you doing okay?”She was shivering. “I…. I believe so,” she muttered in a tremulous voice. “That thing you said,” Ashton inquired in a cautious low voice. “She’s alive. What was the meaning?”Fea blinked once more, seemingly reliving the scene in her brain. At her sides, her fingers were shaking. Slowly she answered. “ I wish I knew. However, something odd is happening.” Her eyes were filled with unanswered questions as she turned to Daemon. “Is it possible that Ravena is still alive? The wolf I saw in my vision appeared to be hers. I was unwilling to say it. I figured you all would think I was going crazy.” Unable to conceal the disbelief on his face Ashton scoffed. “That is not possible.”Frank whispered, “ Is Rav

Like tears of silver, the moonlight poured into the tiny cottage. As Fea lay sprawled on the floor, her body trembled, and her eyes glowed an unnatural, dangerous white. As if her soul had fallen out of her body, she breathed shallowly, almost nonexistent. Far from the cottage, her spirit drifted through a moonlit forest, weightless and silent.The leaves had a crystal-like sheen, and the air had a faint, almost forgotten flavor. She was standing on a small dirt path with tall trees that were whispering all around. With a puzzled expression on her face, she whirled in slow circles and muttered. “Where… where am I?”She could hear the deafening silence. Her bare feet crunched softly against fallen leaves and twigs as she approached cautiously then took another step. “Ashton? Daemon?” she yelled her voice resonating feebly. Nothing. Just the hum of the night and the distant rustle of branches. Then she saw something flash by, a haze of wind and shadow. Fea's heart thumped as sh

Like an unwanted ghost, the smell of blood clung to the walls.Each second seemed to drag on forever and every breath in the room was labored. Ethan's skin was as pale as ashes from a fire as he lay sprawled on the narrow wooden bed. His chest heaved violently, and more blood, thick, red, and terrifying, spilled from his mouth with each cough. Under the blankets, his limbs shook, and his lips trembled with cold. With her hands pressed together in a prayer, she was no longer able to whisper. Fea sat next to him. Tears that would not stop swelled her silver eyes. Her voice cracked like dry leaves beneath her feet as she choked out. “Ethan. Please don't leave us. Fight back!”Ashton yelled. “Where is that damn healer? We don't have time so why is she taking so long?”Leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Daemon's eyes were fixed on Ethan whose tense shoulders held his attention. Frank appeared to be holding himself together as he stood close to the door with his arms cross