Novels by Esther Gana

LUTHER I clutch the heavy equipment bag tighter, my palms slick with sweat as I follow Larissa through the bustling arena corridor. The fans are mostly wearing blue and they are beating against the glass and cheering loudly. I don't know if they are cursing at us, or trying to get Densberry High into the spirit. I wish I could vanish right now. The roar of the crowd already seep through the walls, a constant reminder that tonight is no ordinary game. Look at the Bisons in their gears and might. They look like ancient warriors, and all I can do is feel for Marlon and the rest of the team. The anxiety is clearly written on their faces. How can seventeen year olds beat these professionals? What was the coach and everyone else involved in this mess, thinking? "Easy there, Luther," Larissa chuckles, her voice warm as she adjusts a tripod near the boards.She picks out two cameras from the bag, and hands one to me. I already know how to fix the lenses now. "Don't be so scared tha

MARLON I ask myself if I am crazy to go out there and look for Oskar Wallin, but as soon as Alf texts his current location to me, I throw a hoodie over my jeans pants and step out. It's the perfect disguise, and the coach warned everyone to stay clear of me, so even if they see me weaving through the crowds of people, no one would suspect it's really me. It seems like Oskar Wallin likes to swim, because from the address, he is in the swimming pool that is located right in the stadium. A part connected to the building, not really the same place. As soon as I approach the wall between me and the swimming pool, I can hear the laughter and splashing of water. Nothing like what I used to experience in Densberry. I'm not timid, I've never been in my entire life, so seeing grown men in their underwear, displaying jacked physiques, does nothing to me. I notice Oskar, his shirt hair glued to his face by the water. He laughs once our eyes connect, and he pulls himself to the surface.

LUTHER I feel a tightening in the back of my throat, as I blink at Alf in utmost shock. "Did I get the English word right?" Alf squints. "A predator, he likes fucking chil–" "You got the word right, Alf. What I don't understand is how a big ice hockey star gets to be one and also a predator!" Alf lets out a sad laugh and gets into the storage room. He drops the bags, and then he stands with his hands akimbo. "Is he gay?" I ask Alf. "Who knows?" Alf shrugs. "He doesn't discriminate, he goes for everyone male and female.""What the fuck," I murmur. "He is even married, you know. He even has a kid," Alf hands run over the back of his neck. "That doesn't stop him from doing what he does." "But why have we never heard of this before?!" I wonder with concern. "If he is a dangerous person, why is he being celebrated so much? He is practically the country's sweetheart." Alf smiles and snaps his fingers, "Exactly. He is the country's sweetheart, that's why none of his victims would d

LUTHER My eyes stings with tears as I walk away from Marlon, but I pretend that it's just something that has gotten into my eyes. I walk back to Larissa's side and exhale so deeply that I grab her attention. "Are you alright, Luther?" He glances at me. "Yeah, I'm fine." I lie. "What's up between you and Marlon? It sounded like you were arguing." "Um, no, my mum called him because I haven't been answering her calls," I say, running my hand over my forehead, until it starts to sting with chaffness. I'm so bad at hiding my emotions that Larissa notices immediately. She lowers the camera and turns fully to give me her attention. "I don't get it. Yesterday he was calling me to confront me for locking you out of our room and today you are getting all red in the face because you two argued for a while?" Her eyebrows buckle as I see the thought sweeps over her face. "Except..." Her eyes widens. "No." It comes out as a beg, but at least it's in a stern tone. This is not the time

MARLON The blades on our shoes scratch against the ice as we practice. We have been at it for hours now, and even though it's so cold, I'm sweaty and my hands tingling because of how hard I have been grabbing my hockey stick. The coach is speaking to the rest of the teammates, trying to gas them up to have a game to remember, while I face the goal post with unbearable eyes unbating. My gloved hands adjust its grip as I guide one puck into the net, then another and another. I've been doing this for over two hours now, and not once has my concentration been broken. William looks at me for the umpteenth time, and then he comes towards me with ease. "What's up, Gustave?" He stops in front of me. "What's up with you?" "Huh, I don't really know," my eyebrows folds. "Maybe it's because we should quit talking, and practice more because the game is literally in a few days." "I still don't understand why you are so serious about winning. You refuse to listen to whatever coach has to sa

LUTHER I wake up to a soft hand pulling on my cheek. "Wake up, Luth baby," It's Larissa's voice. I kick up the blanket as I assume a sitting position with my fists raised up.Why did I think this's a fight? She chuckles as she falls into her bed. The bed that is still made up because she didn't sleep in it last night. "Did you report me to Marlon yesterday?" "Wh– what?" "I saw you, you know. I just didn't want to ruin the moment with her," she tucks her hair behind her ear. " And for the record, I wasn't going to like commandeer the entire room or something. Hers was just right down the hall," "Oh," I look down. I feel like a big dullard for blowing this out of proportion. I owe her a heartfelt apology, but she doesn't look mad at all. In fact, she looks happy. A kind of heartiness that someone gets after having the best sex of their life last night...."You know what? It's a bright and beautiful morning, why don't I treat you to breakfast?" She heavily stands to her feet.

Naya's POV Erus walks into the building with Brandon right behind him. They have smirks on their face, this makes Gwen look like she would drop dead. She turns to me and grabs me aggressively by my forearm. “What the hell is going on, Naya?! Why is Erus walking in here when he is supposed to be dead?! Where is everyone? What sort of stupid game is this?!” I shrug her off just as aggressively as she grabbed me, and give her a nasty glare. “Play stupid games and win stupid prices, huh? You think you are the only ones with tricks under your sleeves?” Yes, I played the prankster right back. ***** Flashback**** As soon as Gwen leaves the room, I crawl back to Erus' body and continue to rock back and forth. Brandon bursts out of the bathroom, and he turns white as soon as he sees Erus' body. “Naya, we need to take him to the hospital now.” “It's of no use, Brandon! He is dead!” “Fuck, Naya, you said that you weren't going to actually kill him!” Brandon bemoans. “I know what I

Naya's POV I killed my husband. His still-warm body is in my hands, and I watch my tears drip down to his face. No amount of crying will bring back my Erus. I killed a mother and son, I am the worst person to have existed in this world. I hope he forgives me one day, because I didn't have a choice. I had to do what's best for Jordan and the young boy in my womb. I hope that they understand one day. I reach into Erus' pocket and grab his phone. Gwen's number is not hard to find. I dial it and hold my breath, waiting for her to pick up. “Hello, Erus? I am in the outskirts of the city, I can't be of any help to you right now–” “It's me, Naya.” I correct her. “It's done, the hex is broken.” She stops for a second. “You killed Erus? Am I supposed to believe that you had the balls to do that?” “I'm calling you with his phone, what more proof do you need?” I bark at her. She is quiet at the other end. “Send me the address, I'm on my way. Don't do anything else!” I squat by the d

Erus' POV There has not been one healer that would be willing to even attempt to break the hex without causing any problem for themselves. “Black magic.” The old man mutters with disgust. “I don't want any part of this. I'm an old man, but I don't want the kind of death that would befall anyone who attempts to undo this hex.” For the first time in my life, my money and power cannot save me. Now, we are heading to the last person that can help us. I don't know how Devon got to know about this person, but he was able to arrange a meeting between us and a highly spiritual healer in the mountains of inuit. Traveling through the snows and cold tests me beyond my knowledge, but I am grateful for Devon, the steadfast friend that I never knew I had all along. We can see the fire before we get into the cave, and Devon pulls the collar of his thick cardigan over his chin. “Let's hope all of this is finally worth it.” He murmurs. “It will be.” I answer. Mamala is the name of the healer,

Naya's POV I hold my hand over my tummy, trying my hardest not to move too much, because I want to feel the kick of my baby boy. He is so young, the size of a strawberry, but I feel so attached to him already. In all the chaos of my life, this is my peace. I am pregnant, I cannot believe this! I feel excited like the young girl I was when I was pregnant with Jordan, but this time around, I have so much experience and maturity. This will be different for me. I am willing to live this time around, and I have to live for my baby. The first person I need to protect my baby from is Gwen, the witch. She could order me to hurt my baby, there is no limit to her wickedness…A small knock interrupts me. It's Brandon, and he has flowers. How do I know they are from Erus, they look like they have been brought here by a truck. “I heard the news, Miss Woods. Congratulations.” Brandon smiles. I hug him briefly. It's good to see that he has forgiven me. “Thank you, Brandon.” “You're fr

Erus' POV I am tempted to ask her to raise her shirt in to see if her stomach is growing, but I touched it a few days ago when we were fucking, and it was as flat as a board. She looks as shocked as I am, but I wouldn't really trust Naya right now. “What are you talking about, Erus? You won't acknowledge me at the mortuary, and now you are here because I wouldn't eat eggs and meat?” I stand up and slip my hands into the pockets of my pants. “Get a jacket, Naya.” She does, and we walk out of the room. This is the first time that she is stepping out of her ‘prison’ in ten days. She looks at the sky, squinting, when we go out. I ignore her and just get into the car. She gets in the front with me, and I drive away. She stares down at her fingers, as if the patterns on them have just become very intriguing. “I'm not pregnant.” “Yeah, we have been having it like that a lot lately and without protection.” I mutter. “Is that why you are still keeping me in the hotel instead of a

Naya's POV Hearing that sends an excruciating pain through my body. “He couldn't come to do it himself? Or at least send the police?” “I wouldn't blame him, Naya, you did kill his mother.” Brandon says. I give him my hands. He should have put the cuffs on already. I hope he takes me straight to the guillotine. There is not a single servant to witness my walk of shame, and not one police to escort us. We both get into the car, and he drives away. I don't look at the house for the last time, I don't want to remember this house….He keeps driving and not once does he say a word to me. I know he hates me too. I just hope my death is fast, to give everyone relief. There is only one prison in the city of Moonclaw, and it's one of the strictest that I have ever seen in the world. I am wondering what kind of treatment I will get, and I better have an explanation for my cellmates on why the Alpha's wife is being thrown in with them. But, Brandon misses the turn….Is he lost in his tho

EpilogueMalik is tired, he has hardly slept for more than two hours in the past three days. The reason is that he is putting together the last of his affairs. After all, he is moving to Italy. He has done a lot in the past days which includes making peace with his father's enemies, Tide and Devan gold. It wasn't easy making peace with them, but he did. He paid for their damages and informed them that Jacksons' company is now under new management. He also proposed business deals to them and from what he saw, he will run the company more successfully. He is also discussing a change of name for the company, he wants it to bear his mother's name because she deserves it. He can't forget his brother too. Even though his brother has been the biggest asshole, he was still his brother and for that, he has made a huge donation to a rehabilitation program, Edna did the same. As for his father, he is still mourning the "loss" of his business, but he is not going to suffer. He still has a

Malik has never felt more nervous in his life. He was bold when he told Edna that he wanted to talk with her parents. He was bold when she told him that they are ready to meet with him. He was bold when he drove to the restaurant one fine evening from his hotel room, but the moment he saw her intimidating father, he lost all his courage and his heart fell to the pit of his stomach like a deflated balloon. Her mother didn't see him, she is reading through the menu and talks to her husband, who has locked eyes with Malik. He still feels the impact of the man's punch from the night before. He smooths his hair back, adjusts his jacket, and walks into the restaurant. It's not full, that's because this isn't New York. "Hello. " He says to both of them but he doesn't take his seat. Edna's mother frowns and drops the menu back on the table. Her father only nods at him, that's it. He feels pain so heavy in the back of his throat, but he composes himself. He can't believe that they hav

Both Edna and Malik knew that this was coming after all Malik was just spitting all the unknown facts at him. Edna feels a rumbling in her stomach and she feels like it's just her baby getting scared too. Malik drops the papers in his hand and for the first time, he smiles. He smiles at his father's misery and he even laughs at it. "Well, Dad, you have always thought we were fucking, turns out we were. " He grins like he is fucking proud of himself. "What?!" "I'm responsible, Dad. " Malik breaks it down. " At least it's still your grandchild. "Mister Jackson jumps up to his feet as if his chair just caught flames and he points a finger at Edna. The flames in his eyes are so hot that she is scared she is going to get scaled. "You!!" He screams. " I have always known that you are a good-for-nothing piece of shit, I should have killed you when I had the chance. "Even with all his angry bursts, he doesn't go close to Edna and Malik just leaves him alone to go rant. " I took you

Edna feels like she has just melted into her chair, all numb from her head to the heels of her toes. "What?!" Her voice is so small that it doesn't sound like hers at all. Malik doesn't give her any answer, he is having a staring contest with his father. The tension is tight in the air, they won't say a word to each other. Malik looks calmer but his father looks like he is a bomb that is going to go off any time soon. Edna swallows down an imaginary lump in her throat but she still doesn't feel better, it's suffocating. " Malik. " She turns to him. " I don't understand what you are saying. "He turns to her and gives her hand a little squeeze. " Don't worry, it's all going to be cleared in a few minutes. "She nods and keeps calm, she believes him. He turns to his father and that glare returns back to its place. He leans back against his chair, but not his father. " We are listening, Dad. " He shrugs. " Why did you do it? Why did you kill your favorite son?"" Malik, boy. " Hi

True to Malik's word, a call comes in from the front desk that someone is waiting for her at the reception. It's a good thing that she has put on her clothes and gotten prepared for the person who would be picking her up. She locks up her room and walks to the elevator. As the elevator lowers to the ground, she wonders what Malik is up to. She gets out of the elevator and walks into the reception. There are a lot of people there, but when she sees Rollins, she knows that it's him. Maybe because he is putting on such a fine suit or because she has seen him a few times with Malik, he is one of the few people that work directly for Malik and not his father. He smiles and walks up to her and bows to her respectfully. " Good morning. " He greets. " Good morning." She answers with a very bright smile. " This way, ma'am. " He leads her out of the hotel and towards the parking lot. She sights the white SUV even before they get close to it. He walks ahead of her and opens the door for

Edna's face turns white as Anna's confession is not something that she saw coming. Anna too never wanted the marriage? She didn't want to get married to Malik? That's wild. Anna laughs when she sees how surprised Edna is and she walks to the edge of the bed and sits on it. She crosses her legs over each other and pulls a pillow close to her. She glances at Edna and she understands that she wants to sit beside her. She does too and now they are so close that they can feel each other's body heat. " But did you really believe that those tears were real?" Anna laughs. "Yeah, I have been so worried about you. " Edna says. " I have always wanted to call you but if I left you would still be mad at all of us. ""Nah. " She waves off. " It's kind of a huge relief for me too, so it's all good. "Edna is so confused right now. "But you were so excited about getting married. " Edna can't let this go so easily. "No, I pretended to be so happy because I wanted to make my parents happy. " S