Chapter: CHAPTER NINETY FIVE: PARISYears ago, I stood at this window, staring down at the world below me. I had chosen a career path, and planned to follow it through until the very end. That path has not changed, but how I get there will. Quality Advertising and Mr. Davis gave me my start, but they were just a step. They were not my end. Looking down at the world now, I take a deep breath and feel an excitement that I haven’t felt in a long time. I hear a knock on the office door. I turn to see Jose standing there with Jordan as his side. “Well, this isn’t a duo I’ve seen before,” I said with a smile. Jose approaches me first. “I wanted to get in my goodbye and tell you the good news before you left,” he said, eyes going around, taking notice in the emptiness. “Good news?” The young man nods. “Well, with you resigning and Jordan moving up, there are some supervisor spots needing to be filled. I am being given one of of those spots.” I grinned. Jose’s work experience wasn’t much, but he was a quick learner.
Last Updated: 2023-08-28
Chapter: CHAPTER NINETY FOUR: CHECKMATETonight. Tonight everything changes. Red is the color I choose to wear to embrace everything that will be coming my way. Something simple, yet classy. Long, and elegant. My beauty will never be hindered. “You look like someone who's getting ready to set a whole building on fire,” Alisha grins, refusing to miss my looks to kill. “And leave no casualties,” I said with a grin. The plan has been drawn up, it has been executed, and we were ready to witness the fallout. I would be arriving at the event solo, but I wouldn’t be leaving alone. Here we go Raine, time to give them all hell.The work week was slow and boring. It was the most interesting thing to talk about besides the ending of upcoming projects and the dinner in which a winner would officially be announced. Saturday night has arrived. I walk through the doubled doors of an upscale restaurant downtown. The dinner experience here was said to be spectacular. Not just when it came to the food or the service, but the fact th
Last Updated: 2023-08-28
Chapter: CHAPTER NINETY THREE: A DISH BEST SERVED COLDI am sore. Sore all over. But it was worth it. I wake up, my body entangled with theirs in Kale’s bed big enough to house all three of us comfortably. They sleep heavily, allowing me to take in their fresh morning looks. I definitely had a type. The pink lips, the olive skin, the curly and waving dark hair. Both of them are sculpted differently but attractive all the same. I sigh in content. Lately, they had been taking care of me, now it was my turn to do so for them. I am not the type to cook breakfast. It’s not that I can’t, it was just something I didn’t even need to do to myself. I always kept to this fast routine, but today nothing was claiming attention. I would make something as great as Shane’s omelets, but I could handle bacon and eggs. I searched through Kale’s fridge, seeing nothing but leftover take out and frozen dinners. I could just order food from the kitchen, as he does. That was the plus of having a large condo in a shared space. The way the extremely rich live
Last Updated: 2023-08-27
Chapter: CHAPTER NINETY TWO: ADDICTED“Whoa,” Shane reveals a snickering laughter, catching me by the arm just as I tripped in my heels. One hand clings to his arm to help keep my balance, while the other holds onto the loose fabric that also played a part in my almost accident. “I think you had a good time tonight,” he says, readjusting himself against me. I lean my body up against him, ear finding his chest and heart beat. We stood at the doorway of the building, waiting for the Limo to pull up, so we could make our way home.“It wasn’t the worst,” I said softly. I could hear the slurring in my words, and I knew I had passed the line of tipsy. “Where is Kale?” Shane looks back over his shoulder. “He’s making sure everyone is getting home safely.” Of course he is. He’s such a good guy. “I hit the jackpot with that one, didn’t I?” “Don’t go playing favorites Raine,” Shane stares into my eyes. I smile. “You’re not so bad either,” I joke. “I don’t know why either of you want to put up with my shit.” He grins. “Yeah, y
Last Updated: 2023-08-27
Chapter: CHAPTER NINETY ONE: PREMIERE“I would have gone crazy on that snake bitch,” Alisha growled, holding her wine glass up to Shane, allowing him to refill her glass. It’s not like me to have wine this early in the day, but after catching Andre and Alisha up on the drama that had unfolded in the last few weeks, it was needed. I sighed, my legs up to my chest. I rest my arms on top of my knees, staring off into space. “Trust me, I really wanted to,” I murmured. “I’m all for a little thrill in my sex life, but in the printing room, where there were cameras… Scandalous!” She continues. “I know that,” I said back. “And I was under the impression that it would be taken care of,” My eyes went to Kale, who was sitting beside me. “Otherwise it probably wouldn’t have happened.” “Hey, I bought the tape off the guards the next morning, and even had them delete the copies!” He tried to defend himself. “Well, regardless, the act in itself was still careless,” Andre says.“Again, we already know that.” I grind my teeth togethe
Last Updated: 2023-08-26
Chapter: CHAPTER NINETY: BOYFRIENDSRAINE’S POVI’m not sure if Kale’s openness with Karen was a good idea. He may have just added a lot more fuel to the fire, however, I couldn’t hide the fact that I wish I would have seen the look on her face. Kale says she looked stunned. She thought she was going to hurt me by telling of the apparent rumors circulating the office floors.What she didn’t understand was how she now revealed that there was another person helping her in her quest to destroy me. Jordan Cummings. Of course I already had my suspicions, but unless Karen had eyes to see through walls, or binoculars to spy from another balcony, she was not able to see the kiss I shared with Shane. If there truly was a rumor, Jordan was the one to tell what he had seen. And as Karen would put it, it was her duty to pass along the information to Kale.Two against one, this wasn’t a fair fight, but if she was expecting to see me shaking in my heels, she had another thing coming. I already had my moment of weakness.I heard
Last Updated: 2023-08-26
SHE•SHIFTER
SHIFT! I hear Will's voice clear as day in my head.
SHIFT! SHIFT! SHIFT!
It develops its own rhythm, playing in a loop, like a chant giving me incentive.
I get lost in the feeling of disarray, I endure the splitting of cells, the realigning of bones, the discarding of the outer layers of my frame.
In the blink of an eye, it's over.
I've transformed.
Three years ago, on her 18th birthday, Sincere Rose discovered she is not an ordinary girl. She has an ability, a very special ability, that is worth killing her for.
Being on the run from people who plan to murder her, and authorities who want to imprison her, she is forced to do the unimaginable to live.
Amid these struggles she meets Will, who tells her she is a being that hasn't existed in hundreds of years.
She is thrown into a world of war and magic, where she is known not by her birth name, but her ability
THE SHIFTER
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Chapter: SHE SHIFTERThe bullets fly through me. So many at once. At first, they weren’t noticeable. I feel myself falling backwards, arms flailing helplessly. I had planned to catch myself, but the blasts of their weapons were unexpected, and hit me harder than anticipated. Lying on my back, I watch as Athena stays law, trying to crawl her way over to Elias. I feel the warming of my skin and I know immediately the bullets are laced with Inferno. Don’t think about the pain. Get up! I grunt and moan as I find my way back on to my feet. The Zyte soldiers have made their way out onto the lawn, picking and choosing their targets. I keep my eyes on Athena, trying not to lose her and dodge the flying lead as well. Just as I am about to reach down and grab her, I’m thrusted backwards. I land on my feet, catching myself. My eyes lock with Elias. He breathes, heavy, his shoulders and chest rising and falling together. The glowering in his eyes tells me I may be in for trouble. “I got a bone to pick with you,” h
Last Updated: 2023-04-06
Chapter: OPPOSITE SIDESI ran up the stairs, heart thumping out of control and my mind flooded with negative thoughts and what ifs. Will and Teyana are behind me, and I can make out their panicked breaths as well. The commotion we heard before had quieted down. I pushed myself out of the secret door, into the kitchen. I see people still in their pajamas crowded in the foyer, worried expressions showing on all of their faces. I find the guard in charge of this particular side of the house. Sam. He stands at the door of the main entrance, eyes fixated on movement happening at the gate. I push my way through the crowd, wanting to get a good look myself.“What’s going on?” I asked, at the same time seeing a row of armed men, standing tall and waiting for a command. “The Ma’zhee?” Sam nods their head. I assess the situation. “They blew the gates, there is nothing stopping them from entering.” I can see small grass fires and the iron gate broken over. “What are they doing?” “If I had to guess,” Sam’s voice is lo
Last Updated: 2023-04-06
Chapter: THE FINAL PIECEI stand directly beneath the shower head, the pitter patter of the water silencing the world. The colder temperature cools me down quickly. My eyes are closed, my head filled with images of Will and I being lost in our kiss, in our feelings. I part my lips to catch my breath, knowing I could live off this memory for a while.Was our relationship always leading up to this? My memories took me for a spin. I remembered when I couldn't trust him, and when he turned into my only friend. I remember when I thought I could hate him, but realized I could love him. I wondered if my feelings were being driven by this supposed heat that Teyana mentioned. Should I bring that up to him, or would that hurt his feelings? "I like to look at you too. You're beautiful." His compliment is searing itself into my brain. Wait, does this mean he likes me? Are we together now? I bring a finger to my lips, touching them as softly as he kissed them. It was such a rush.The memory suddenly begins to alter. A
Last Updated: 2023-04-06
Chapter: DESTRESSSo, this is where the cafeteria is. I stood outside its doors, staring in through the glass trying to get a sense of the people. Everyone seemed very comfortable with each other; talking, laughing and having a good time. The large room was full of the young and old, everyone so lively. This seemed to be more my speed. In our dining room it was always just me, Lana and Will. Most of the time we didn’t engage in conversation; just eating quietly, sitting properly. I have been here for more than two months, and this is the only time I’ve come to the common area. With all the commotion last night, I thought it would be a good time to show my face. Will explained that this part of the compound was for the people. It was like segregating the rich from the poor. I've never been considered a rich person, so this whole thing was odd to me. Here, everyone ate together, lived together… did everything together. It was its own community. When I walked in, everyone went quiet, staring me dow
Last Updated: 2023-04-06
Chapter: A DEAL WITH THE DEADSIR HENRYS POV My father found her, floating in the creek where our favorite spot used to be. I wondered how long she’d been there. I wondered if she was waiting for me. I tried to romanticize it in my head, as if that would make it better. I had to come to terms that my precious Clara was gone. Maybe that was why my health took a turn. I felt her leave me in the world alone, and my soul wanted to follow her. Without her, what was my reason for existence? Athena and I are already married. A child, my child, will be born into this world. Would it be enough? ATHENA’S POV He barely said anything these days. Ever since they confirmed the death of Clara it was like he had given up. He wanted to succumb to his mysterious illness. Well, I wouldn’t have it. Clara had him in life, she would not have him in death. I must call upon the dead. I must call upon the Gods. "Invoco eos, qui ante me vixerunt, obscuri vigore pleni! Coniuro missas et misters ter ter. Da mihi
Last Updated: 2023-04-06
Chapter: LOST BLOODLINESINCERES POV I felt a sharp pain penetrating the skin of my chest, digging in between the bones of my ribcage. It slides through to my heart, and my eyes open in fury and torment.How do I go from sleeping so soundly, to experiencing a pain like death. A deep throated growl is emitted from my voice box, coming out loud enough to wake the house. I swing my arm against the traitor who snuck into my room in the middle of the night. They fly in the air, through the paper like wall, landing in the hard tub.Light spills into the room, just as I reach out and grab the handle of the sword used against me. “Oh my god!” Teyana yells, ready to fall apart. “That does not look good.” My mind goes blank, and I can feel me slipping away. That dark side of me is coming, and it is enraged. WILLS POVA roar seemingly coming from a beast wakes me from a deep sleep. I heard the panic sounds of the others in the main hall, just as concerned and confused as was. “WILL!” I recognize Teyana’s voice in a
Last Updated: 2023-04-06
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN~ELLA~ Ella rushed up to one of the cops on the scene. The waiting around was killing her. The cops had begun to clear out one part of the building. There was an automotive class-taking place, and their escape was out the garages of the North side of the building. Officers were planning on storming through there. That was the last that she had heard of their plans. There were two students hurt, but at least ten evacuated. That gave some hope. There were no fatalities. Ella wanted to help."I'm an off duty nurse," she stated, "I'm here to offer any assistance." The cop looked at her."Do you have your badge?" She pulled out her nursing badge and let the cop examine it. At least he was being thorough."Go on over to the par
Last Updated: 2023-06-24
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN~JUSTIN, EMETT AND MYA~ Mya snuck the guys into one of the pool exits. It threw them off course just a bit to get the front office, but as long as they got inside, Justin didn’t care. He would find a way to Kahlan."How did you know this would be open?" Justin asked quietly. He wasn’t comfortable with Mya leading them. As men, they should be protecting her. She should be behind them."They cut the electricity off," she whispered back, "That means that the doors that were usually on manual locks, would open." Justin never paid attention to things like that, so he was glad that Mya did, otherwise, they may have still been outside, trying to find a way in, or they would have given up."How did you know there were
Last Updated: 2023-06-23
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN~KAHLAN AND BROOKE~ "It’s been five minutes!" Brooke shouted at me as quiet as she could when I returned to her side. She had gotten loud as if she was angry, but she was scared. She was sweating bullets, her face looking as if she had gotten caught in the rain."I know, I'm sorry," I said, "Did anyone text back?" She shook her head. "Damn it." Brooke looked at me. She wanted so badly for me to have good news for her, but I didn’t."What are we going to do?" she asked as she placed a hand over her belly. I stared down at her stomach. It was more than out lives at stake, it was the life of this unborn child. I couldn't give her an answer; so instead, I looked around, trying to come up with our next move.
Last Updated: 2023-06-22
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN~AMY, CHAD AND JASON~Jason looked, asking himself the same question. What was his problem? The fact that his friend and girlfriend lied to him… yep, that was it."I don't have a problem," Jason answered softly."Well you sure do stomp around like you do," Chad said."I'm upset," Jason replied. "I don't know how I should feel, but I know I don't hate you. Most of me misses you guys, but there is still a part of me that can't get over the fact that you two lied. And when I think about it, I can see you guys in my head, and it just makes me sick to my stomach.""Let us help you get over it," Amy said getting to her feet, "trying to avoid us and staying mad at us obviously isn't helping." Jason looke
Last Updated: 2023-06-21
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN~JUSTIN~ Everyone got to their knees outside, at the sound of another gunshot. The group was pushed back further from the school as more people escaped. Now officers had arrived on the scene. They had begun pushing everyone back across the parking lot, closer to the street and the surrounding homes. Justin couldn’t just stand around and do nothing. He was not the type to feel powerless."I have to get in there," he demanded, pushing past Carly. He didn’t even get a few feet, before he was thrown to the ground. He landed on his left knee pretty hard, feeling the pain of the pavement. He looked up and saw Coach Myers on top of him."Where do you think your going boy?" the coach growled."I ha
Last Updated: 2023-06-20
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWELVE~KAHLAN AND CARLY~“So you have a date tonight?” Carly asked as we made our way to the front of the school. I glanced over at her as we walked down the hall. I had to stop by my locker to drop off my textbooks. We agreed that to car pool for a while. It saved time and gas money.“Its not a date.” “Yeah, but you want it to be.” She grinned. I looked over at her. It seemed that Carly might have knew more than I did. Justin and I had discussed going out together. As far as I was concerned it was just as friends. Though I wasn’t sure exactly what we were doing. Justin just said it was a birthday surprise.“Its two friends hanging out.” I responded. She looked at me. &l
Last Updated: 2023-06-19