ADDISONAddison froze.The soldier screamed as he stumbled closer, pointing a trembling finger at the rabbit’s corpse on the ground.“It’s definitely the same rabbit,” he cried, his voice cracking. “The mountain must be cursed! Haunted!”His jaw clenched, and a whisper escaped from his lips.“We’re going to die here…”Addison’s lips pressed into a thin line, the grimness in her gray eyes sharper than ever. This strange, creepy mountain was eating away at their nerves, it unsettling mysterious pushing the group to the edge.Several soldiers whispered anxiously, their panic growing contagious as the distressed soldier continued to unravel.Addison knew she had to squash this before it spiraled out of control. Fear and panic would only make things worse.“That’s enough,” she barked, her voice firm and demanding. “Ghosts don’t exist. The rabbit is just a coincidence – nothing more.”“It couldn’t be a coincidence!” the soldier shouted back, shaking his head vehemently. “There’s no way this
ADDISONHours passed by, and the sky grew dimer, but Addison Madden, Albert Hart, and the soldiers were still stuck in the same clearing.No matter how many times they tried, how many routes they attempted or turns they avoided… they always returned to the same place. They had walked exceptionally slowly, making symbols on the stones to track their passage. They had moved as quickly as possible, trying to break through whatever force was misleading them.But everything they tried was futile… and they were growing increasinly restless and exhausted with each passing effort.The mist surrounding them was suffocating, too thick and too heavy. Addison stumbled toward a trunk and leaned against it, trying to catch her breath. A dull ache began to bloom in her head.She began to wonder if this was the end.What a hilarious thing to think about, she thought bitterly, a trace of laughter in her internal tone.Such an unforeseen twist.She imagined the shame she’d bring upon her family if she
ADDISONAs Addison removed the scarf she’d tied around her eyes, she realized that they had reached a large clearing.They were above the mist now, and from their vantage, they could see the entire mountain summit, unobstructed by thick fog.Around her, the soldiers began removing their own blinders, their voices filling the air with relief as they realized Albert Hart’s plan had worked. Cheers for survival and perseverance echoed in the clearing, a testament to their determination in the face of near certain death.But Addison didn’t allow herself to smile just yet. She scanned the group, her sharp eyes counting their numbers, and her expression darkened. A few soldiers hadn’t made it up.Maybe the mist’s effects made them give up, Addison thought grimly. It had nearly happened to her as well. Had it not been for years of grueling training and an unyielding desire to survive, she might have succumbed too.“I believe that’s our destination.” Albert said, appearing beside her. His deep
ADDISONThe air was taut with tension, the charged atmosphere almost as palpable as when they had ascended the mountain.“That’s impossible!” Frank snarled at Albert, his eyes blazing with anguish and anger. “You’re twisting the facts.”Lord Hart opened his mouth to speak, but Frank cut him off sharply, rage flashing in his cold eyes.“I gave you a way of living, but now you’re seeking your death.” He snarled, his voice low and venomous. “You seemed to forget – you were just as responsible for my sister’s death as the rest of them. You, Madden, and the scum. All of you should pay.” “I’ve never forgotten my sins for even a second,” Albert said solemnly, his tone calm as he met the accusation without flinching. “But if you want to lay ultimate blame, it’s not on me, Frank Crawford. It’s on you. It was you who condemned your sister to death.”“That’s bullshit,” Frank growled. “How could I have done that? It was that scum of a King who killed her.”.“Tell me this,” Albert pressed, his dar
EVELYNTwo days passed in the blink of an eye, the second slipping by faster than the first, as the engagement party of Cole Elrod and Skyla Fox drew ever closer.Over those two days, my dreams began to change. For so long, they had been haunted by the image of young – his painful childhood, the way he’d been treated as less than nothing by those who should have loved him, nurtured him.But ever since the news of his engagement had reached my ears, my dreams had taken on a new form. No longer was I haunted by images of the broken boy he had once been, but by the man he had become – the man who stood beside Skyla Fox.In every dream, Cole stood with her, his obsidian eyes gleaming as they stared a moment of undeniable beauty. Their arms were entwined, and they looked so perfect together, as though they had been forged for one another. They stood at the top of a grand staircase, smiling out at the crowd with warmth and grace. The celebration around them was filled with laughter, but it
EVELYNAfter what felt like an eternity, Marcel Fox stepped to the front and cleared his throat. The hall fell silent as he began to speak.“Well, Lords and Ladies, noble guests from far and wide, it’s with boundless pride and joy that I welcome you all to this most momentous occasion – a celebration that destined to echo through the halls of Hescor’s history. Tonight, we gather to honor the betrothal of His Majesty, our most revered King, and my beloved daughter, Skyla Fox – ”Marcel’s happiness was plain as he spoke, his voice buoyant with pride. A part of me considered paying attention, but the rest of me couldn’t stomach a single word uttered by the vile man. There was no point in listening. His speech was nothing more than gloating and grandstanding for this gathering.Unlike me, the crowd devoured every word. They appeared eager, thrilled even, at the prospect of the King’s engagement to the beautiful young daughter of House Fox.Jack’s hand found mine again, his finger curling
EVELYNAs I stared at my pained reflection in the mirror, two women entered the washroom.“Lady Skyla looks so beautiful, doesn’t she?” one sighed, shaking her head in admiration. “That dress is absolutely gorgeous. Of course, that girl could wear a sack and still be the loveliest thing in the room.”“And the King…” the other woman murmured in awe, mirroring the first woman’s gesture. “My goodness, he’s even more handsome than I imagined.”“He’s breathtaking,” the first woman agreed.I quickly tidied myself up and left the washroom, unable to endure another second of their gushing adoration, whether for Skyla or Cole. It was too much, a fresh sting to an already aching heart.I headed back toward the hall, knowing Jack would return soon. If I wasn’t there when he came back, I didn’t want to imagine what might happen.As I walked, I caught sight of a woman. It took a moment, but I recognized her – the same golden-haired woman I’d seen in the market earlier. There was something about he
EVELYNHad it been anyone else, the gesture might have seemed gentlemanly -but Jack Elrod was no gentleman.I gazed up at him, my voice trembling with barely restrained anger. “Are you satisfied now? Why did you do all of this? Does it make you happy to see me so desperate and miserable?”Jack watched me, his expression unreadable. “I never wanted to see you unhappy,” he said softly. “I regret that you had to witness how weak-minded and disloyal my brother is.”I stared at him coldly, sarcasm etched into every feature of my face. His word felt hollow, like a carefully crafted excuse meant absolve himself of blame. I didn’t believe a single word.He reached down, his thumb brushing against my cheek to wipe away a tear. “Why do you always think so badly of me?” he asked quietly, his tone almost wistful.I shrank away from his touch and pushed his hand aside abruptly. “Because you’re a manipulator!” I stood, glaring at him as my voice rose with anger. “You use people. You hurt them to get
EVELYNI love him too, I thought. I had loved him since our first kiss, since the first flutter of my heart, from the first delicate stir of butterflies in my stomach. I loved him even in the moments I hated it—when I cursed him, when I cursed myself for falling into him, for letting the intoxicating euphoria consume me.I wanted to tell him this, but my teeth clenched too tightly around my lip to speak, and the lump in my throat choked my words.“I’m a jerk, Evelyn,” Cole muttered, rubbing his face with a heavy sigh. His back remained to me, still honoring his promise. “I didn’t understand what love was. I spent my life denying I even needed it. There was a hole inside me, and I tried to fill it with anger, with hatred, with indifference. But you… you were the one who showed me what I was really craving. Even when I was terrified of being controlled by Augus, I found some twisted happiness in knowing how hard you tried to save me.”“And how do you know I wasn’t doing it for some othe
EVELYNWe spent the rest of the morning discussing potential resolutions for Augus’s future attack. Mrs. Lance kindly brought us breakfast: scrambled eggs, slices of ham, and nettle tea for Emma, who had woken briefly but fell back asleep after a few sips.Sylvia joined us shortly after checking on Lord Albert and Elsa. She said that while Lord Albert's condition was stable and he was expected to wake soon, Elsa’s state was far more complicated – and less hopeful. Her nervous system had been severely damaged by long-term manipulation of magic, and her desire to recover was minimal.“The effectiveness of healing magic depends on one’s will to live,” Sylvia had said.I found Oakley sitting beside Elsa’s bed when I went to check on her. She lay motionless, pale and unconscious, visibly more emaciated than I’d seen her last. Bruises marred her face and neck like dark, painful flowers.When Oakley heard me approach, he looked up, his face etched with a rare grave expression. I wondered if
EVELYNWhile Cole and I proceeded toward my family's room, Oakley and Sylvia turned right at the staircase, separating from us to check on Lord Albert and Elsa, who had been placed on the other side of the corridor. Sylvia offered to assist them with her healing abilities, and Oakley expressed a reluctance to get involved in any private conversations.I had expected Aiden to follow us, as he seemed as deeply concerned about my family as I was. But instead, he trailed behind Oakley. When our eyes met for a brief moment, he quickly looked away, lowering his head to avoid my silent question.It was clear he was trying to avoid me, even though I hadn’t directly asked anything. His behavior had been distant ever since he awoke from the enchantment. Silent for most of the time, and when he did speak, it was never to me. I had no idea what was going through his mind, but I didn’t have the strength to press him for answers—not when I was so consumed with the anxiety of seeing my family, and w
EVELYNThe air grew chilly as we ran through the forest in our wolf forms. It might have been the morning dew dampening my fur, or perhaps the panic surging through my veins. I forced myself to focus on the solid earth beneath my paws, trying to push away the creeping dread gnawing at the edges of my mind. If I didn’t, the fear that my little sister might already be in the wizard’s grasp would overwhelm me.We slowed as Aiden sniffed the path, tracking the path to the safehouse where my family was being sheltered. Oakley dipped his wolf head low, allowing Sylvia, who had been riding on his back, to dismount. She clutched her chest and leaned against a nearby trunk, taking a deep breath. Her face was pale from the speed of the ride. I wondered if she had ever ridden a werewolf before, even though she had lived in Hescor for so long. But judging by her retching and the greenish tint to her face, it was clear she wasn’t fond of the experience.Oakley joined Aiden, studying the trail as h
EVELYN“But if you’re wondering why Augus…” Sylvia spoke up again, but she quickly paused, frowning as if considering the words she was about to say. Then, with a deep sigh, she added, “I have no idea why you werewolves seem to carry magical blood or what Augus has discovered about it.”I looked at her, pursing my lips. The unease I felt when Augus called werewolves magical weapons lingered in my chest. I didn’t think he had just meant to sneer and degrade us as mere objects.“He found it behind the Chamber of Secrets,” I said.Sylvia’s frown deepened. “How do you know…”I turned my gaze toward the flickering firelight and explained what had happened earlier—how Augus had disguised himself as Seb and tricked us all, how Leila had brought a book with a ruse that only the King of Tiryn could read. My heart ached dully as I recounted the memory. “I think the ruse confirmed Augus’s theory, and that’s probably why he acted so boldly afterward, to prove his suspicions.”I fell silent for a
EVELYNI gazed beyond the campfire. The sky was still dark, as if every single star in the heavens had been wiped from existence, never to return. As if dawn would never come.“Apparently, not everyone in Tiryn supports their King’s ambitions,” Flynn said, tossing more dry twigs into the flames.After we’d escaped the alleyway, we had reunited with Flynn, who’d discovered the trick Augus had played to distract him. Now, hidden behind the thickets in the forest near the House of Fox—guarded by his troop and without any blue-eyed soldiers lurking to catch us off guard—we could finally rest and contemplate our situation. We perched on a pair of logs in a circle, the campfire lighting our faces.The flickering flames illuminated our eyes as we listened to Flynn’s revelation about what he’d learned. In the firelight, everyone’s faces seemed ghostly.I shifted on my perch, stretching my stiff legs when Cole spoke up.“Where’s the informer?” His hand tightened around mine, and a crease forme
EVELYNPerhaps we should keep an eye on Augus, wait for the right moment to strike—surprise him when he’s unprepared. But we were too stunned to act. Jack’s death seemed to stir something in the air around us. The draft that had once been light in the alleyway grew stronger, though, in that moment, I wondered if it was still just a draft.The sky suddenly shrouded in thick clouds, obscuring the moon entirely. A storm seemed imminent—a storm that could hardly be a natural occurrence. I wasn’t sure if it was relevant, but I recalled the time when King Theodore died, and a tempest raged for days, as if the world itself mourned the loss of a monarch.The stomping of footsteps broke the tension. I turned my gaze toward the soldiers. The puppets began marching toward us, their blank faces and eyes gleaming with a sinister flash.“He’s running,” Oakley shouted, pointing at a flicker of blue light moving swiftly in the opposite direction, away from the approaching swarm of soldiers. “Should w
EVELYN“I’m no gambler,” Cole said sharply.Augus snorted. “I’m afraid that’s a gamble you can never refuse, young King.” He stepped back a few paces, muttering a spell under his breath, and the sapphire dagger rose into the air.My body tensed as I grabbed Stephanie’s arm, bracing for the attack. My nerves were on high alert.But instead of the mindless onslaught I expected, the uncontrolled soldiers closed in around Augus, encircling him like a protective wall.Confusion twisted in my gut, but before I could make sense of it, I felt Stephanie’s body stiffen beside me. She pulled away, shrugging off my hand with startling coldness, and rose to her feet.“Stephanie—” I called out, but my words died in my throat when I saw her eyes. There was nothing left in them. Just emptiness. Just like the soldiers.I remembered Augus’s words.What makes you think I didn’t control one of you to lead you here?The realization hit me like a physical blow. Stephanie... she was under his control. A rus
EVELYNThe clouds shielding the moon finally drifted past, and as the silvery light bathed the alley, the blue crystal dagger lodged in Leila’s chest gleamed with a piercing brilliance. Leila’s eyes widened, shock and confusion flooding her features. She looked down at the dagger, watching it being pulling from her chest with an invisible force. Blood seeped through her dress, spreading out in a crimson circle.“Lei!!” Jasmine’s scream tore through the air as she rushed to Leila’s side, pulling her into her arms. Stephanie followed, her movements urgent.At the same time, Cole charged at Augus. Augus, however, was already retreating, vanishing swiftly among the soldiers. He mumbled an incantation, and with a flick of his wrist, more soldiers fell under his control, becoming mindless puppets. Cole struggled to get close, forced to fight his way through the soulless figures that filled the space between them.I gripped Sylvia’s arm, my breath shallow, my chest aching with every inhale.