OLAMIDE
The robe did eventually come. I felt conscious having to stand up to step into the robe. I saw the look on Jonas' face and it made me intently nervous. I wasn't sure what would happen next but the pissed off look the fiery girl from before had on suggested I would live. I had taken everything Jonas had said with a grain of salt. How was a girl even to believe that? My gamble for the time was to play along waiting for the perfect opportunity to flee. My hair was still damp and the air seeping into the bathroom suggested we were in a cold area.
With nothing else to do than stand awkwardly while the brother's chatted discreetly, I decided to make the best out of my situation and observe the distinct features of my captors. The one who brought me here, clad in an Armani and possibly the most dangerous of the trio had a ring on his thumb with the insignia of a crow. Jonas, the second one wore a jacket, faded old jeans, and boots. His most distinct feature was the jarring scar spread across his cheek to his neck. The third was the girl that would not stop sulking. She looked like a fighter. Her clothing complimented it. She was in a grey camisole and black leggings. She did however have a tattoo of the crow imprinted on the ring.
"I hope you aren't thinking of running?"
I jerked and my attention went in the direction of the voice. This witch would not even give me breathing space.
"Of course not." I stammered, throwing my attention back at the two men to avoid eye contact with hellfire.
"Kerri, Quit giving her a hard time." Jason sighed, giving me a nervous smile. It wasn't one I appreciated but I took it.
"But..." Kerri tried to say right before 'underworld gentleman' interrupted her.
"No buts." He practically growled."And try to put your jealousy in wraps. You are a goddamn Sentinel for fuck's sake."
So that was it, I thought. Honestly, I wasn't sure what fucked up shit was taking place but if she wanted Jonas so bad. I would give him to her in a heartbeat.
"I apologize Alpha Devin." Kerri apologized.
"Whatever."
My jaw dropped looking at Devin speak. How could I not see it before? The well-kept beard must have set me off. That had to be why I did not notice they were twins. Devin and Jason were identical twins. While I reeled from the shock of my discovery, The men concluded their talk and Jason led me outside. God knows breathing eluded me for a while as I took in the jarring sight in front of me. All the while I was in the bathroom, I thought I was in some house but the bathroom was only a shed. I was in the middle of nowhere and all that surrounded me was giant trees. The pines and giant trees seemed to stretch for acres but there was a clearing right in front of us where a black Mercedes was parked. I couldn't escape. Not that my original plan was to. Not to mention that my line of sight was still fuzzy from the karate chop and I knew next to nothing about my location.
Jonas turned to his brother and girlfriend wannabe, bidding them farewell before gripping me by the hand like I was some kind of bought slave and shoving me into his car. I was glad to escape Devin, but now there was another man to fear and it creeped me out knowing he looked exactly like the monster that pulled me out of my life but that did not stop me from going for his neck once the vehicle was out of sight. I visualized my karate chip and fired. Without looking backward, he caught my hand and twisted it. Then he hit the brakes and sent me falling toward and hitting my head point against his chair. The cushions were not soft. The world spun wildly when I regained my strength. Pain surged upwards my wrist, chastising me for my futile escape attempt.
My breathing intensified looking at his gaze through the driver's mirror. He was pissed and my failure scared me.
"I saved your life, and you try to attack me as soon as I start the car?"
"What the hell did you expect?" I lurched at him. "It is pretty normal to try to save yourself from captivity."
Minutes ticked by in uncomfortable silence before he finally spoke.
"I can understand your reaction, but you should not have done that. My plan is to protect you, Not hurt you. You forced my hand."
I tried not to think about how gently he had spoken to be back at the shed. I knew it was an act but it did not hurt any less. The only thing I had been able to think about was how I couldn't surrender. I had to keep on fighting. Sitting quietly was the worst thing I could do. It would only allow me too much time inside my head to imagine what might lay ahead and later to regret not taking any opportunity to save myself or die trying.
While I had noticed-in no sick fantasy of mine-the attractiveness of the brother, Jason's small acts of kindness and his tenderness had created an unexpected, visceral reaction that made his matching physical beauty come into sharper focus. It was an enchantment that even his scar couldn't Mar. In fact, the imperfection brought the rest of his perfection into a clear contrast. I refused to admit that I could see myself doing anything this man wanted. My main fears were that he would hurt me, and not in any sexual way. The realization made me feel sick inside.
"Just let me go," I tried that awful line yet again. "I told your brother I don't care what or who you are or whatever you people seem to be doing. I have no interest in being a hero. I just want to go back to my life. Please. I swear I won't say anything to anyone."
I had seen enough movies about shapeshifters and aliens to know talking got you killed, that these people were omnipresent. It hadn't escaped my notice that perhaps the man in front of me was my only safety, the one person who could keep me from having to spend the rest of my life running or worse, dead.
"I cannot take that risk. For your sake and mine. What is your name by the way?"
"None of your business." I retorted. If he could read minds then he was free to probe my mind for information but he was not getting a reply from my lips. This was not some polite conversation. I had been abducted and fed bullshit so I could live. No way in hell was...
Jason stepped on the brakes of the car for the second time then he turned the engine off. The interior lights came on, casting his face in shadows and light. His eyes were glaring red and it made him look demonic. Anger twisted his features in a gruesome tableau of barely contained violence. It was like a feral animal was trying to force its way out of its cages. Before I could react, his impossibly large hand clasped around my throat, and he slammed me against the chair. I scratched on his arm, kicked, and punched as I struggled to free myself but he would not let go.
"This. Will not work, "He growled. "I saved your life. You belong to me now. You keep showing me attitude and see where it leads you. I can make your life the darkest hell imaginable. Or I can show you kindness. Your choice."
I continued to claw at him as his hand tightened even more on my neck like he expected some sort of reaction different from the one I was putting up. I wanted to beg for my life but I couldn't squeeze words out of a throat already being squeezed. Jason was no less lethal than his brother.
"Are we clear!"
I nodded frantically. Only then did he release me. released her and as if nothing had transpired, he started the car. I coughed violently as I struggled to get air back into my lungs. Jason appeared unconcerned with my struggle as he pulled back onto the road, quickly accelerating to the full legal speed.
"Let's try again." He said."What is your name?"
"O-Olamide." I managed.
"Now was that so hard?"
My head screamed yes while imaginary fingernails ripped at his skin, but the reality was more muted. I looked down at my hands and quietly whispered, "No."
"No, Alpha." He corrected.
OLAMIDEMy eyes widened and my lips shivered. I couldn't be his slave. I was nobody's property. Thinking of myself as a prisoner was bad enough but I was a human being. The fact that he could demand such a demeaning title from me meant everything I suspected he'd take from me would happen, and if he didn't hurt me, I wasn't sure how hard I could fight someone so overwhelming and seductive and experienced. He was quite a bit older than me, a grown, mature man, whereas the guys I had been involved with were silly boys by comparison. Boys who could take no for an answer."Heavens," He sighed, finally meeting my eyes, and upon seeing my frightened expression, his eyes brightened in what had to be deemed as a sick satisfaction. "Are we going to have to pull the car over again?"The threat had it's intended effect. The lesson was too fresh in my mind. I felt a numbing sensation wash over me as my mouth slowly opened to say, "N-no, Alpha."The car suddenly slowe
OLAMIDE He finally let me out of the car. When he did, I took a moment to observe him. He did not hold me, neither did I see guards parading the property. It was almost like he knew I would not run. I tried my best not to look suspicious as I surveyed for cameras and blindspots that could be of help to me in the near future. When we finally made our way inside, I tried my best not to be a star struck tourist sightseeing a celebrity home because that was not what was happening. I saw Jason exchange hushed words with a broad chested man that looked like head of security while I continued to mentally take notes of everything I could lay my eyes on around the entryway. The place had strange cobalt flowers put in every nook and cranny adorned by a giant insignia of a crow. There was a high-quality sound system playing beautiful blues just loud enough to notice if one paid attention, but still unobtrusi
JASON I stepped out of the room to think. God was I stupid to think it would be this easy. Sure I had found my mate but she would never be enough. She was a vanilla and I was a depraved monster who got high from causing others pain. Of course, It had to be the will of the moon goddess, Giving me imperfection. This was her way of getting revenge for that son of a bitch, Sofiane. I kind of wondered what game she wanted me to play. My first instinct was to kill her and get on with waiting for a second mate. But the girl wanted me and my equally depraved wolf wanted to see how this play of power would work out. The way I saw it, I could introduce her to my world, introduce her to my cravings and wait for Sofiane to strike a dastardly hit to my side. However, there was a chance the girl could mean something to me as time flew by, I could not risk that happening. Not when I was this close to the convergence. I couldn't kill her though. I
OLAMIDEHow could that get out of my dumb mouth? I wanted to live, didn't I? Why then was I throwing everything down the drain? I chanced a look in his eyes to weigh his reaction. My words probably hit his ego hard. My mind played a million ways this scenario would play out but the dominant outcome was I either ended up dead or fucked. When you put those awful odds together, it did not seem that difficult to confess that some part of your fucked up brain wanted to see your captor naked. He looked awfully calm but beneath that facade, I could feel a rabid beast fighting its way through chains to make me take back those words. It was clear he did not believe me but he wanted me to admit it with my own lips and for my lies, he wanted to punish me. His thoughts revealed that much."Fascinating," He drawled, inching forward to wipe some sauce off my lips. "I have to say, that is a first." He continued, putting the sauce to his
OLAMIDE "Jason, please..." His eyes glinted dangerously as he grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me closer, causing his erect penis to brush against my thigh. "Watch your tongue kitten," He warned, effortlessly keeping his face bland."Now address me properly." "Alpha," I choked out. " I-I meant to say Alpha, please..." I would have said and done anything to agony his punishment. The things that flashed in his mind were horrible and degrading. Acts that could destroy one emotionally and mentally. He wanted to take me mind, body, and soul. A total submission but how could I give him all that. My identity was everything I was. I could not let that be stripped away from me. He was a more frightening version of my foster father. Then I had college to run to for shelter but here, there was no path to follow. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. Give in to him, a voi
OLAMIDE When I opened my eyes to a new morning, I found Jason watching me. "Morning," He murmured, looking like I had done something to irritate him even if his face was just inches away and the fact that we were both very naked. It felt unbearably intimate. "Sleep well?" Why do you care? A careless thought ran through my head, long gone before I remembered this man had told me he could read my thoughts and of all the predictions he made, not one of them had been wrong. "Don't worry," He said, pulling me closer. He smelled like spices. Old spices. "Considering you don't have the guts to say it, I take no offense." It was time to chip in something that would make him happy. Words that made my stomach churn. "Thank you, Alpha." Jason smiled lazily. Like he had reached inside my head again. "That's the one thing I have to admi
JASON "It is quite the pleasure that you would invite me personally to Monarch." I teased Luna Valentine and she was not pleased. It was clear as day in her face as she approached me in a spectacular yellow gown that gave insight into her personality. Fragile. "Thank you for honoring our invitation Alpha Jason." She said with a false smile planted on. I had to admit she was trying her best to keep on with the charade but it was a vain attempt. She was not pleased with this arrangement. My Intel had gotten me information about what the arrangement was about. Valentine was only doing this for her people. With the false pleasantries passed across, I was led into a ballroom of marble polished for the very occasion. I briefly examined the duo of betas that accompanied me and Luna Valentine. They befitted the alliance I would be coercing the pack of monarch into. A separate door inside the ballroom was opened
JASON I slammed the car's door open and pulled Devin out of it. He was calm and collected. It was the only way he had been able to keep his secret a secret for so long. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Devin demanded, shoving my hands off. His perfectly starched shirt was wrinkled and that seemed to piss him off more than the thought of me discovering his well-kept secret. Had he even realized that I had figured it out? Of course, he had. Devin wasn't stupid. He was trying to play me off and I refused to be put off so easily. "Valentine!" I rattled into his ear. "You did not seem it fit to inform me that she was your mate?" The mere mention of Valentine made Devin's eyes dart in my direction. It almost made me rethink my brother's intellect. Contrary to what I had believed, Devin had truly not realized that he had exposed himself. "Fuck." That phrase had ba
Olamide walked out of the Crimson lane house unscathed. Witches and warlocks from the Primrose coven gathered around the house with the sole aim of retrieving Yasmin Maplewood. Olamide locked her arms with her brother as the Primrose coven witches surrounded them. Yasmin didn't resist arrest. Jason handed her over to the eldest member and watched as the aged warlock slapped handcuffs engraved with various sigils to Yasmin's open hands. The sigils glowed brilliant green as they clasped shut. "What happens to her?" Jason demanded."She will be tried by the high courts. Her powers will be stripped and she will be jailed for a very long time. I can however assure you that Ginger Maplewood will not know the pain of losing her mother. The Primrose coven will do its best to protect her." Olamide's eyes drifted from the conversing supernaturals. Far from where she stood, She noticed Sofiane walking towards an almost totaled car. In his hands was the limp body of David
Only you have the power to save them... a sweet voice reminded me...Save them allThe memory of my mother reared up before me, so intense that for a minute the greens of the forest plundered in my vision, the image of it transposed over the frozen horror to come. I smelled the rain, felt the coolness of fresh air running through my face and hair. I remembered the feats my mother has performed with her gifts, the stance she took when she chose to heal ravaged the recesses of my mind. The bearing of her breath in the cold night when she helped dying animals and plants, the isolated moment I saw her drain ichor from a coyote that stole her goats. The sigil atop my palm glowed hot and sang to every memory. And finally, I understood what the power my mother had left in my protection did. What it meant and why it was converted by many. All that power resided in me to create balance and the frozen picture before was not harmony. Single stran
"Don't do this..." Lilith pleaded. "I love you Mamu."Deji pulled his sister close as Lilith spewed that blasphemy. His brows jerked high as he silently implored how the vampire countess could tell herself such a lie. "And you love me too." Lilith insisted. “I know you do. Just hand over the girl. Give her to me Mamu. I will forgive you.”“Shut it!” Deji slammed, pulling his sister even closer. "You do not get to tell me what to do anymore."“When...” Lilith for the first time faltered. Her attention left Deji and lingered on Jason. She remembered those black smokes that shot out of his hands. It took that little for her to come to a conclusion. With a splay of hands, she picked the Alpha from the floor causing Yasmin to retrace her steps from the Relic–Alpha duo. "This all started when your so-called gifts hit him. What the fuck did you do?" The look in her eyes was clearly maniacal. Her irises were crimson red and the white parts were oily orange. Veins of
JASON There was something truly horrific about watching your allies die. Even the volatile ones. As David dropped to the floor with petrified eyes, my heart skipped a beat because his death was more than losing an ally. Our lives were on the line. Seconds trickled by. It turned to minutes but the worst had yet to happen. I took one good look at myself then at Sofiane. We were still very much alive. I wasn't even sure what to believe anymore but one thing was painfully clear, I was terrified. I hated to admit it but for the first time in a long time, dying scared me. Lilith licked her bloody fingers and let out a maniacal laugh. "How unfortunate," She said, her eyes sewn onto the body on the floor. "He broke the spell before he died. How noble." Did that make things better or worse, I pondered. I reckoned with the latter because, in all honesty, I expected nothing but the worst from the now late surviving Bloss
Yasmin continued to slice onto Satake Crow's skin, ignoring his screams for help and the obvious opposition that has managed to sneak past a coven of vampires and her maze of chaos. Crimson blanketed over her hands reminding her she was executing a sin. A moment of relapse causes her to look back into the eyes of the dying relic. She could tell he was begging for mercy even when his mouth couldn't move. "You have come too far," Yasmin told herself. "You can't back out now." The witch reminded herself that Lilith would have the intruders cornered in no time. The scythe sliced through Satake's flesh and bones like it were butter and soon, Yasmin noticed his beating heart. She spared Lilith a look for security. The countess of death had her hands on the now unconscious attribute's throat. Her eyes however were not on the Aloha werewolves who had broken in. Her gaze lingered on the vampire she had sired as he too was unconscious. The bright side to things though was that Lil
Two wisps of smoke shot in Lilith's direction. One burst into Olamide's chest rendering her unconscious. The second flew in Lilith's direction, aiming for her cold heart but before the disintegrating ball of darkness could hit Lilith, Deji jumped in front of her causing the darkness to hit him instead. Like Olamide, Deji collapsed to the floor, both living their worst nightmares.IntermissionThe room was dark but below a flickering lightbulb was a woman dressed in a satin black nightdress that accentuated her features and complimented her dark skin. She looked familiar to Deji. As he strained his eyes through the window of the girl's apartment, a spark burned bright in his mind. This was the human girl bound to the chair. Why, he wondered. Why was he here? He barely knew the woman. Deji pondered if he was in her head. He tried to move to make sense of the situation on groun
Two wisps of smoke shot in Lilith's direction. One burst into Olamide's chest rendering her unconscious. The second flew in Lilith's direction, aiming for her cold heart but before the disintegrating ball of darkness could hit Lilith, Deji jumped in front of her causing the darkness to hit him instead. Like Olamide, Deji collapsed to the floor, both living their worst nightmares. ***Intermission Candice Blossom's world grew darker as she threaded a familiar forest. This was a memory. One she remembered like yesterday. The night it all went to hell. "Why am I here?" Candice asked herself. Her lips weren't moving. Neither did she have control over her legs. In fact, the only thing she had power over was her sight and all she could do was continue to watch as her legs jogged into a clearing. There was a man slumped to the floor. A woman was above him.
JASONSofiane pulled open the gates and we slipped in, breaking off leaves and stumbling over a low ground shrub but managing to step high and land on a cobblestone pathway that we followed toward the side of the property. The night was opaque and sheltered amid the vines and overgrowth, but the moon was still very bright and that gave us werewolves an advantage. If we stepped out into the open, we would be noticed. The expanse was crammed with long teeth. With a stake in one hand, I darted aside a long, hanging vine heavy with flowers and crept close to the finewood-sided house. I signaled to Sofiane and he nodded in understanding before disappearing to the back. If he entered through the rear, we would find each other inside. So that left me with David. Tilting my head into one of the walls, I listened, honing my senses toward the house and beyond the walls.A scream alerted me. It sounded like Satake and I fucking lost it! I was about to burst through a dust
Satake woke in a standing position. Except his feet were barely touching the floor. Head bowed forward, the muscles in his body twanged. Something was banded across his chest. A crest of some sort and it stung. His body felt numb. Especially his back region. He tried to move only to realize that his arms were wrenched above him, his wrists hemmed together. He wriggled but couldn’t move much. The air around him was musty with a lingering scent of blood.Flickering his eyes a hundred times to adjust to the darkness, Satake came to be fully awake. He tried to talk but he could only wince as a sharp pain shot up his body. His jaw was messed up. His foggy memories were beginning to prop up. He had remembered resisting after that damn witch had attacked him with a cursed weapon. He also vividly remembered being driven to unconsciousness by one of her vampire pals. His sight cleared slowly and in time Satake came to realize he was in someone's living room. There were rugs rolled up to a