Novels by Jadeh Tolentino

Ciara took me to a shooting range. It is not far from the hotel and it seems very popular as a lot of people are inside despite being within office hours on a weekday.“The very first thing you need to know is how to handle a gun properly. Most of our transactions include head-on battles with city police and their main weapon is a gun.” Ciara explain.We settled in a private room. She set up my equipment, the glasses, ear covers, and a vest even though only the two of us is in the room.“Proper handling of a gun is essential, both for safety and effectiveness of using it. Always use your two hands when holding a weapon, unless you are in a situation where you are unable to do so.” She first let me hold the gun with both hands, positioning my finger on the body and noting to never put my finger on the trigger.“Lean forward so your body won’t receive too much recoil when firing. Keep your stance solid and steady.” She said while adjusting my posture and making sure that I maintain a so

My face could have a written question mark on it as Colby cleared his throat. Blake took back his hand and I can definitely see him smirk.“Yes. I mentioned the job that I lined you up for. Blake here just came back from abroad. He is looking for an executive assistant to manage some of his work.” Colby explained.“Oh.” That is all I can say at the moment.The man in front of me has a face that seemed sculpted by a greek artist. His face is a little long but his sharp jawline balances it out. He has gray-colored eyes that seemed to have a storm going on in there. His hair is an overgrown clean-cut, ruffled, and all over the place. His hoodie fits perfectly on him, shaping his shoulders and chest but loose on the lower side. And I’m gonna be his assistant. “Let’s talk about the details over dinner.” Blake suggested and raised his hand. A lady brought us the menu. She is glancing at Blake repeatedly as if she is scared and admiring him at the same. She flushed when he told her his ord

I roam my eyes around the beautiful room that is now under my care. It kind of bummed me that it is not connected to Mom’s room but she is just in front of me. I can burst in anytime. “What things would you need? Would you need to go back to your old house to get things?” Colby asked me. My face scrunched as I try to think if I have anything important in my old house. I am thinking of saying a proper goodbye to my work at least. But I still want to continue my studies. “I don’t think I need to get anything except maybe my clothes.” I hesitantly said. “Don’t mind the clothes, sis. You have a walk-in closet here, a jacuzzi, a fireplace, and a bar. Name it, I’ll get it.” he winked. “It’s starting to sound like you are bragging about your status, dear little brother.” I said as I raise my left eyebrow at him. He laughed and raised his hands in defeat. I laughed a little. “I would need to properly leave my work so they can find a replacement. And I would really like to continue my st

I tried to sit straight and readied myself for what is yet to come. For that ten years, all I could think about was Colby was taken because I was not there to protect him. But seeing him now, all grown up and in a better condition than I am? I’m feeling guilty to say that what happened was a good thing.“Alright. The man that bought me, sold me again.” He started. I froze.“There’s this family that’s hiring kids to train for their underground transactions.” He continued to eat like what we are talking about is no big deal.“Underground? Like D-R-U-G?” I spelled it in case someone hears us. He laughed at this.“No, not that. But in the same league. Black market, imported items that are banned in the country, firearms, collector items. Those kinds of things. So I was sent there. They took care of me actually. We slept in very nice bunk beds with the other kids. We have girls and boys, of all ages up to twelve. “ Colby stopped the story and ordered wine.“Red wine okay?” He asked me.“I

The thought of meeting my father after all these years sent shivers down my spine. It’s a mixture of anger and being terrified of what I can do when I see him; or what he can do when he sees me. The guy in the suite mentioned his head towards one of the red doors. I’m guessing this is where my bastard father is. I followed him reluctantly. Silently praying for my safety, and for my mother’s as well.The guy knocked three times. You can hear the laughter of girls inside that stopped at the sound of the knock. The door was opened by a woman, around five-six feet tall, wearing a very skimpy spaghetti dress that is untied on the back and on the verge of falling out. She smiled at the guy then her eyes moved to me. Her smile faded. I felt like I was being undressed at that very spot.In front, my father is sitting on a half-circle-long couch. His arms are spread on the backrest and his legs are wide open. He’s wearing a suit, but the blazer is resting on the table and his inner long sleeve

“Are you fucking serious?” I grabbed my apron off my body. I rushed to the kitchen, grabbed my bag, and bolted off. If they really mean what they said, Mom is in trouble. I still don’t get it but my gut is telling me to go to her.I remember her first nights when she would cry and struggle in her sleep. I thought maybe it was trauma because of what she had been through with my father’s beatings but it never occurred to me what it might be. Mom had been staring out of nowhere sometimes, mumbling to herself things like ‘I don’t want to go, ‘let me go, and such. My father had been so abusive, I really thought it was because of that. But now, I’m not sure.I reached my apartment after a fifteen-minute run. I was exhausted and out of breath. My knees felt like jelly and my lungs felt like they were being compressed. But nonetheless, I ran five flights of stairs until I reached my door.It was unlocked and unlatched. Shit.“Mom!” I rushed inside, opening the door wide. My house is dark and

It was a long evening. The sun is now peeking from the horizon and Sol is watching it slowly rise. It was the same moment that he was born, as the sisters in the orphanage told him. His mind traveled back to his younger days. The days of being bullied because he looks very different. Crying nights and eating alone, without friends and no one to talk to.“My son.” Sol heard a silent whisper. He looked around his room but he is certain he is the only one there.He settled down. Maybe it was just his imagination. He must have been exhausted from the night before that he s starting to hear things.“You are my son. The son of the Dawn.” He stood up because he heard the voice again. This time it is not a whisper anymore. It is a real voice. A bright light came from outside the window. Sol looked closer and saw a figure of a woman floating in the front of his window. Her flowy dress is all over the place and her yellow hair is floating away from her. She gave a glowing light coming from her

Everyone stood up and bowed. It is the first time since the beginning of the new world that the son of the Sun has appeared. Luna stood up and extended her hand toward Kira."My name is Luna Almazan. I have been blessed by the power of Mayari. I am named the daughter of the moon. It is indeed a pleasure to finally meet you." Luna smiled."I am Kira Brown. I have received your invitation. My mother had been a strong believer in the god and goddess. I am honored to be worthy of Apolaki's blessing." Kira smiled backIt was a better turn of events from the mishap of Vian's gender. Cora's tears flowed down her cheeks. Kira doesn't know if he should approach his Mom to take Luna's hand. But Cora grabbed both of his hands and placed them in Luna's."I am humbled to be blessed by a son like him. Please take good care of him for me, my princess." Cora said tearfully. Luna placed her other hand on top of theirs."I promise to fulfill the wishes of the gods." They all smiled.But just as the hap

The whole city of Bulan knows that the banquet that will be held tonight will be for the search for Luna's husband. Luna, on the other hand, is not really fond of the idea."Why do you have to publish it like that? Now all those boys that will come will think that I will be marrying them! We don't know that yet!" Luna is scolding his father."It's alright, dear. We didn't promise anything. I said, 'we hope' to find you a husband." his father explained."What if they asked me for marriage? What would their parents say if I didn't choose their son?" Luna can be seen fuming while watering the plants in their garden.Sol is drinking tea beside Serene, Luna's mother. He didn't know whether to console Luna or laugh at her father who is basically panicking with his daughter's rejection of the marriage plan. So he just stayed quiet.He doesn't like the idea, too. But he figured his opinion doesn't matter in this situation. Although he does wish Luna won't pick anyone. He silently wishes no on

“But why would they send us an invitation?” Vian asks her Father.“I don’t have any idea, dear.” Her sweet father is seated in a rocking chair on their front porch, watching birds eat the remaining feed from the chickens she fed earlier. “Did they think I’m a man?” Well, she gets that often. Her name is usually used as a boy’s name. He is supposed to be a boy.Vian Justine Galani. She’s a Diwata. A nymph, as their current country calls them. She has shoulder-length bob cut hair, a tall and lean figure, and a fair complexion. They traveled from the Philippines because of a call for help of one of their kind. They haven’t tried going back yet.Her father laughed heartily as her mother set the cup of tea on the table beside his chair. She just sighed as Vian was walking back and forth. It’s kinda embarrassing and annoying. They didn’t even check their information.“Well, I’m going there just to make fun of them.” she went inside.“Vian. You know that is not good practice.” her mother arg

Kira opened his eyes. It still hurts from the punch he received last night from his father. He caught him having a smoke in one of the empty lots near the school. He is seventeen and knows what he is doing. He knows it is bad. And he’s doing it because it's bad.It’s Sunday, and the whole family, Mom, Dad and two little twin sisters, are in the church. He stopped going when he was fifteen. Can’t see the point. He opened the fridge to get milk and grabbed the cereals from the cupboard. He wonders what he will be doing today. He got his phone and laptop confiscated. He thought of using his sisters’ ipad later after breakfast. His father is a retired general of the US Army. He got his father’s golden eyes and his mother’s tan complexion, as she was from Asia. He is well built, as his father is looking to enlist him in the army once he reaches eighteen. He never wanted to, not interested really. But he can’t oppose a retired general with the failure to understand that not everyone is und

“Who is he?” Luna’s father asked. They are currently sitting at a long table in the study room of her father with Luna’s parents, the head priest of the table, the city chief, Sonia, head of security, Luna and Sol. “He is Sol Asha. A friend.” Luna briefly explained. “Father dear, this is urgent.” But the urgency seems to go past Luna’s Father. Everyone, except Luna and Sonia, is looking at Sol. He’s used to the attention. He had eyes all over him the moment he was born. It is not easy having pale white skin in a tropical country, but having albinism is harder. “I have albinism. I don’t have pigment in my skin and hair. I’m fine.” Sol explained as well. He noticed that they are not paying attention. “Papa.” Luna called sternly. It seems that it had brought her father back to the discussion. He blinked thrice. Sol counted. “Ah, yes. Yes. We need to find the son that is blessed with Apolaki, the God of the Sun. How do we do that?” her Father asked the priest. “We have never encoun

Maybe I am naive to fully trust demons don’t have evil things up their sleeves. I told Pops straightforwardly that I am not interested n all these hell things. The kings can have anyone they want up on their throne for hell’s sake. But that doesn’t seem to be enough.Demons are greedy, prideful, and treacherous. “Are you okay, Zari?” Frey asked me as I slumped at my desk. “Oh, you look horrid, sis.” “I failed to sleep properly last night.” I said, without lifting my head.“Why? You just came back from,” she leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. “Down there, right?”I laughed and sat properly to look at her. She looked worried but I smiled at her. “I’m fine, Frey. It's just these kings want me to go on this weird journey to prove I’m worthy. I might be good as dead before I even prove anything.” I explained. She then took her seat beside mine.“Well, they can’t force you if you don’t want to.” She said to console me. “Well, those are not really nice kings and demon is an unders

“Wait what? Wait! Wait! What do you mean? Why are we meeting them? You can’t be serious! Pops!” I scramble my words in an attempt to pause what is happening.“They demanded to meet you in person. Don’t worry Zari. Lilith and I will be coming with you. We will just wait for her.” Pops settled on the couch, looking impatient as he waits for Gran. “Why do they want to meet me? What did you say?” I sat on the single couch in front of Pops and leaned toward him.“I said The Fates have given me the advice to make you my heir. I said I am thinking about it and that I would like to ask for their opinion. A heated discussion began. I tried to convince them as much as I can but they gave me the ultimatum that they need to meet you personally before they give a decision.” Pops sounds defeated. I slumped my back onto the couch too.Lucifer is The King of hell. There is no doubt there. But the kings of the circles play a great part in keeping everything in balance. Without them, Lucifer himself w

I am beyond shocked to hear that from Frey. Although I’m not really trying to hide it from her, I just don’t see the need to tell her when I am trying my best to live as a normal human being. But her reaction is a mix of excitement and betrayal. And I guess she’s also mad?“Where did you get that from?” I tried to play it cool. Maybe she’s just being hysterical about a dream or something.“I visited Lilibeth to ask how she’s doing and I heard her talking to Seth. And I. Heard. Everything.” she said, pausing on the last three words. Well, I guess she’s not being hysterical, after all?“I, uh, I don’t know what to say, Frey.” I staggered.“How about telling me the truth?” She placed her hands in her waisted and shifted her weight on the left side of her body as she raise her left eyebrow at me. When she does this thing, it means she will not back down and leave you alone until she gets what she wants.I raised her hands as a sign of defeat. I then moved a bit to give her space and patte

Frey went to school alone. My parents decided for me to skip school today as they said we have something important to discuss. Damn, it’s only the second day of class and I’m skipping it already. “Let’s wait for Lilith to arrive.” Pops said while reading the newspaper at the dining table. “I had a weird dream last night, Pops.” I joined him at the table while I get myself some cookies. “Really? What is it about?” he said without looking up from his newspaper. “I was with Charon on river Styx, and then when I got off his boat I was in the seventh circle. The one with the burning sand and raining fire. The sand turned into quicksand and it is swallowing me and I’m burning. There are demons around me and they are chanting that I should die.” I took a bite out of my cookie. Pops closed his newspaper and stood up. At the same time, Gran arrived. We settled in the living room, me, my parents, Lucifer and Lilith. “I’m so sorry for what happened last night, Zari baby.” Gran apologizes t

“Okay light the candles. We will start with the cards first.” Gran started to shuffle the cards. She will read Frey first, then mine. And if Seth would also like, Gran said she could read his cards as well. Gran took Frey’s hand palm up and placed the card on top of it. “Here is your card, Frey.” Gran placed two cards from the deck in Frey's hand on the table. She tilted her head and her forehead crinkled. “What is it?” Frey asked. Gran took another two. And another two. “What does it read, Gran?” I asked as I can see the tension on her face. “Frey. You will encounter some great hardship in the very near future. You would need to prepare yourself. A relationship made of lies and betrayal will be revealed. It will not only break your heart but also your body.” Gran said seriously. She took the deck from Frey. “Break my body? Would I get a broken ankle or something like that?” Frey asked, laughing a little to ease the tension. “Something very important will be lost in a place you

Seth Ravens took the seat beside me. I straighten myself and fixed my hair. He settled in and Mrs. Clementine continued with her discussion. “Hey.” He whispered. I’m not sure if he is talking to me so I didn’t look at him. I admit I am hoping he was talking to me. “I’m Seth. You’re Zaria Morningstar, right?” My head spun towards him. He is leaning on his side towards me with the cutest smile I had ever seen. “Would you like to tell us the story of your family, Zari?” Mrs. Clementine calls to me. Ugh, here we go again. I begrudgingly went in front of the class. Since my family is one of the originals, and most especially I am a Morningstar. I tell the rich history of Asterville. “Hi. I’m Zaria Morningstar. My family is one of the ‘Originals’, the founding families of our sweet town Asterville. My greatest grandfather, Luciano Morningstar called out to different types of families to settle down in this chosen land and make a community of their own. From there, we grew as big as we