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Book Two - Ch.# 1
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Dawn RosewoodThis is the first chapter of Book Two - 'Nevermore'. Part of the mystery with this plot is figuring out how the two books connect so it won't appear immediately obvious. It follows a new character in a new time period but the plot will eventually tie into Book 1. This is a story of Aria's legacy and what she left behind. Hope you enjoy!
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A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 2
“Pretty name,” Miles said, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Where to?”“My apartment isn’t far. If you could drop me off there, I would appreciate it.”Miles promptly started the ignition of the car and began driving per the instructions I gave him. It wouldn’t be a very long journey but I used every second to think over all the little details in my head. Making sure there was absolutely no room for error.Because errors could mean death.However, the entire time I could feel the gaze of some of the men in the back, making my skin crawl uncomfortably. I knew what they were thinking about me. I could tell without even looking. A pretty, vulnerable girl alone in their car? Yeah, it didn’t take a genius. But interactions like this were just a part of the job. I was used to it.We arrived at the location I requested before too long had passed and I turned to Miles with a now more timid smile.“My place is just around the corner…,” I started, brushing some of my long black hair behind my e
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 3
Darkness… Darkness, a damp surface and an overwhelming metallic taste greeted me.I knew what it was before I even opened my eyes, my last memories immediately reminding me to what had happened. Or, at least, what had happened before I’d lost consciousness.Shaking, I pulled my exhausted body upright to see the damage for myself.…To see the massacre.And it was a sight that made me want to throw up.Bodies laid everywhere around me. Throats torn, claw and bite marks riddling their skin.No one had survived.No one had survived *me*.I’d let it happen again, too weak to stop it. If I’d just regained control sooner, I could have gotten back up to my feet and finished them off, completing the mission per my instructions. But… no, I was a failure. A disappointment.A monster.The first time something like this had occurred was about four years ago, after my eighteenth birthday. I’d been in a training session with my former tutor, practising during an intense fighting session, when I sudd
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 4
“Come in,” said a deep voice on the other side of the door. I’d only had to wait a few seconds for his response after knocking, but I wished there hadn’t been a reply at all. More than anything else, I just wanted to walk away. I wanted him to not be there waiting for me in his office. But that wasn’t the case. After leaving the construction site, I’d done only the bare minimum in fixing my appearance before coming here. Showering within a few minutes and changing into some more appropriate clothing as quickly as possible. After all, I wouldn’t be able to show myself in the state I’d been in after the accident. There was no backing out now. With one final deep breath, I pushed open the door and faced the man I knew would be there. Even in the dim light of his office, I could still make him out clearly as he sat behind his desk. His clean-cut dark hair and expensive suit only adding to his imposing presentation, his blue eyes having a way that made you want to squirm away under the
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 5
“Raven, wake up. It’s midday already,” continued the voice I’d just heard. I pulled myself up and winced, touching my forehead gently. A loud thumping pulsed painfully inside as a headache immediately looked to greet me. It seemed this day was already off to a great start. “Raven!” the voice called again. “I’m awake!” I yelled back. Two minutes. That’s all I was asking for. Two minutes to wake up and process… whatever the hell *that* had been. I could still recall it vividly, witnessing what I could only assume was the form I took when I became the beast. Perhaps this was my consciousness manifesting it. Appearing inside my nightmare due to how prevalent it had been on my mind prior to sleeping. After all, they say that dreams hold significance to the things you are worried about when awake. Nonetheless, it was still surprising to see its appearance for the first time; if that depiction was even accurate at all. A coat of fur as dark as my hair with fearsome eyes. Was that truly
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 6
With a thud, the dagger hit its mark perfectly. Only… it wasn’t a threat like I was expecting. No lurking assailant. …No, it was a tree. Shit. Truthfully, as I went to retrieve my weapon, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat relieved. This wasn’t the streets, nor was this a mission requiring deadly force. I was at a goddamn party. What the hell had gotten into me tonight? It was if rational thoughts and behaviours were absent. What if the sound I’d heard was simply an animal who wandered in from the forest nearby? But… that feeling of something being wrong. It was rare for my gut to be incorrect. And right now, my instincts were still screaming at me that something was happening, that something was approaching… that someone was…. Here. Another sound of movement behind me instantly made me react, only now it was significantly closer. In fact, it was right behind me. I knew if it were only a patron from the event, they would have called out to me or made their presence known befor
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 7
Kieran Lycroft… Victor Lycroft, my target’s, very own son. How had I managed to screw things up this badly? Within twenty-four hours, it felt like my life had gone from being careful, structured… precise, into what I could only describe as complete erratic shambles. And worse still, it was as if I had no control. Control over my situation, over myself… and *especially* no control when it came to this man, Kieran. “Unfortunately, my father wasn’t able to make it tonight,” Kieran replied. “He had an important matter come up and sent me in his stead to extend our town’s support.” I could smell his scent so vividly, the wind now no longer masking it from me. So intoxicating yet inviting… I’d never come across anything like it before. “A shame. But nevertheless, I’m glad you could join us. I’ve heard that you’ll be taking his place upon his retirement. Is it common to elect representatives based on family in your town?” Kieran gave a half laugh and looked around for a second, almost
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 8
“Alright, a little game sounds fun,” I finally replied. “But you’ll be disappointed to learn there is no ulterior motive in talking to you. You’ve just piqued my curiosity, is all.” I tried to laugh it off but Kieran didn’t seem to notice as he immediately set his drink down, his expression turning serious as he looked me over. Almost as if I could feel him scrutinising every little detail about me. But that confident look of his… It took all I had to just calm my heart down, the nervous thumping inside becoming so loud that I was worried he’d hear it. For a man who could seemingly read me so well… could he really pull this off? “Your eyes give you away a lot,” he started, leaning forward enough that I could still hear him as he spoke in a low voice. “Don’t get me wrong, they’re very pretty, but they also betray you.” At this proximity, his scent was beginning to overwhelm me. His compliment wasn’t helping either. I’d never been affected by small things like that before, but with
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 9
“Are you ready to follow the rules now?” …Rule number one… obedience. Always follow the orders from the boss. No questions asked. I’d broken that rule. I knew I was breaking it the moment I’d chosen to run that night. I knew it would land me here. And yet I still did it. I pulled my body upright from the old bed, more sluggish than I would have liked, and hated how I still felt so sore from the injuries inflicted several days earlier. ‘Days’. That was the key word. That was how long I’d been trapped in here, alone with my thoughts as it forced me to reflect on every decision I’d made leading to this point. Because, at its core, that was the true punishment. It wasn’t the pain. No, that was always over quickly. Gavin did a great job of making sure the damage inflicted was swift yet efficient. Always enough to get the point across and never seeming to even flinch as he did what he did. But it was the psychological punishment that truly made it horrific. …‘Days’. I’d been in her
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A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 61
I held my breath the entire time the phone rang, hoping that the plan would work. Everything was hinging on the next few steps being successful and I knew just how slim my chances were at pulling this off. With every ring that sounded, my heart clenched a little bit more. I waited... and waited... and waited... …And, to my immense relief, I seemed to be in luck. For now, at least. Because it seemed there actually had been some benefit in my abrupt escape from Ashwood, all those weeks earlier. In my haste to run away, I’d left all of my belongings behind in a suitcase. A suitcase conveniently located inside Kieran’s room. So, with no other way to contact him, it sure did seem like good fortune that my old burner phone just so happened to be left in that very pile of belongings. I’d assumed Kieran had stashed it somewhere close yet safe after I’d left. My hope was that it was now in his room or a place he’d still be able to hear it vibrate. …And I’d been right. However, whether
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 60
“…Clarissa… can you wake up now?” I asked, several hours later.The sun had set and risen again, but I still remained at her bedside.My head was feeling woozy, having not slept at all, and I was beginning to think that maybe this was it.…Maybe she really wouldn’t wake up.But as I tried to fight off sleep, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was my fault. I shouldn’t have yelled and pushed her past her limit when I knew she was already unwell. My anger and frustration had gotten the better of me, and it seemed I was now seeing the price of that.…Even saying things that I hadn’t entirely meant. Things I wished I could take back.‘*“Have you seen flowers like this before, Rheyna?”*’ I swore I then heard Clarissa ask.But when I sharply raised my head up to look at her, hoping to see her awake, I found myself somewhere else.…I was in a field.An incredibly young and energetic-looking Clarissa was seated on the ground before me, amongst thousands of overgrown white flowers. There was pin
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 59
It was dark by the time we made it home, having spent the whole day with the Hidden Moon talking.After my conversation with Jax, the two of us had returned to the camp and the topic of war wasn’t broached again - much to my relief. I went through the motions and enjoyed my time meeting the Hidden Moon members, but all the while dreaded the conversation I would need to have once I returned home with Clarissa.She had been worn out to her limit, I could tell. Being out of the home and needing to be so alert for so long had taken its toll on her. Her face was paler than normal and her coughs were more frequent. But even though I was concerned for her, I couldn’t help but still feel salty over her behaviour. Especially at her attempts of overruling our initial agreements.“I’m going to bed…,” she mumbled, starting to shuffle her way there.We’d only just stepped through the door when she announced it, not even bothering to justify herself about today.“No,” I simply said, making her paus
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 58
“Why are you still being so moody?” she asked me, speaking as I carried her on my back.Between her behaviour towards Kieran and whatever plan of Clarissa’s this was now, I was certainly more quiet than usual.“I’m not,” I mumbled, continuing to walk.I’d agreed to go to the meeting, if only because I’d been the one to request that my cousin come here originally. As Clarissa had said, it would have been rude to make him come all this way only to then ignore him.“Are you being like this because of this morning?” she asked, sounding concerned. “Or did something happen last night?”However, after she’d gone and organised this without consulting me, and after she’d treated Kieran so terribly, I really wasn’t in the mood to put up with her questioning.“I thought you said you didn’t care what happened between us?” I snapped back, quoting what she’d told me in the kitchen. “So stay out of it.”And she was instantly quiet after that.I continued to walk into the nearby forest for some time,
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 57
“You made a promise!” Clarissa yelled. “The morning is here now, Kieran. Time for you to make good on your side of our agreement and leave.” “I’m not leaving until I know Rae is okay,” Kieran argued back. “You saw her yourself. She was passed out cold last night.” “And why would that be, huh? Care to share?” “As if I would know why, Clarissa. Stop thinking that I have some ulterior motive here to hurt her.” “Fine. Then if you won’t leave, consider our deal brok—.” “Woah!” I quickly yelled, rushing in to stop her. “That’s enough.” Their heads both swiftly turned to look over at me, relief evident in both of their faces to see me awake. “Rae!” Kieran greeted, moving towards me. He quickly touched my face, examining me as if I were a hospital patient. It warmed my heart to see that he was so worried... but the new sensations brought by his mark were making it hard for me to focus. It was as if everything I’d felt for him before had been heightened tenfold. ...This might take a l
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 56
“Aria…? The….?” my voice trailed off, almost as if I were in disbelief. She simply smiled at my reaction though and nodded her head. “I’ve been watching you for a while now,” she continued. “You’ve been through so much. I’m so sorry you’ve had to experience any of this. I know better than any how unpleasant it can be.” “You… how can you be here?” I asked, still confused. “Here? You mean in the Abyss? This has been my home for many years now. I learnt how to navigate its plane and break free of my memories back when I was alive. Not like Selene is around to keep tabs either. Finding you before Clarissa revives you was the difficult part though.” “…Then why are you here? Why did you try to find me?” And she then looked up at the stars above, a longing in her eyes. “…Because I felt it was time I intervene,” she said. “I swore to stay neutral but, with every death you endure, my heart breaks a little bit more to watch. How many times will this be now, Rheyna…?” Her eyes then met m
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 55
“Found you,” Kieran said a little while later. After talking to Zac, I’d climbed up onto the roof, hoping to think and reflect by myself for a while whilst Kieran had a shower. The storm was currently only in the distance, it hitting the hardest during the prior conversation. Now, all I could see was the brief flashes of lightning amongst the clouds. “Interesting spot,” he mused, looking around. “I usually sit here to keep an eye on things,” I replied back quietly. “I can see why. You’ve got a good view of the forest… with the added beauty of the sky.” He then looked over at me with something in his eyes that caused my cheeks to burn a little. Apparently, he didn’t even need to speak or touch me, simply his presence and gaze alone were enough to send shivers through me. I stared at him for a moment, a longing inside my chest, but still couldn’t quite work out why he’d stayed. After everything he’d learnt about me, after everything I’d done… somehow, he hadn’t given up on me. …H
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 54
“Allison…?” Kieran repeated, warily. “How could Allison have that sort of capability?” Clarissa had been explaining everything to Kieran for quite some time. Everything from her connection with Selene, to what triggers the end. …And also about me. He’d been quietly taking it all in so far but after Clarissa had finished talking, he finally spoke up, albeit he seemed to be slightly dazed. An understandable reaction. Clarissa shrugged. “She devoted her whole life to her faith. That sort of connection is incredibly difficult to sever. It just goes to show the potential that even those without our lineage abilities can possess.” “And… Rae…,” he said, slowly turning to me. “You’re… a Saintess now? How many times did you say…?” “This is the seventh timeline…,” I answered. “Though I don’t have any of my memories.” Or, rather… I had just one. Clarissa hadn’t gone into too much detail regarding my previous involvement with him, thankfully, but he still understood that it was mostly… u
A Gift from the Goddess Book Two - Ch.# 53
“I… Rheyna Knight… of the once lost Silver Mist Pack,” I started, my voice barely louder than a whisper. “Hereby reject y—.” …But I wasn’t able to finish the sentence. Because I’d been wrong… so wrong. I could see that now. I didn’t recall that prior timeline memory to prepare myself for the pain I’d feel upon completing the rejection. No… I’d seen it as a reminder. A reminder of why I shouldn’t go ahead with it. And as his lips came crashing down against mine, immediately cutting off my words, this newfound realisation seemed so obvious. Why hadn’t I seen it sooner? It was as if something inside completely broke down the second he reached for me. Now all that was left was this connection drawing me to him. It was so incredibly strong, almost impossibly so. Like this was something I was meant to be doing. I didn’t have the resolve to resist him, instantly kissing him back. There was an urgency in my response as if I’d been starving for this. To just feel the sparks and desir
