Ariana’s POV“Damon, what is wrong with you? Why does it seem like I’m speaking to a clone of yourself?”If I wasn’t mistaken there’d been the evident surprise in his eyes. But as soon as it came it was gone.“Am I not the one you want?”“Don’t be mistaken, you’re the one I want but I wouldn’t live under an illusion to satisfy myself. I crave the man you are at heart.”“You can be quite selfish, princess. What more of myself do you want to have all to yourself?”I pulled him down using his collar, ensuring that our eyes met, “I’ll take everything you are if you let me. So be warned, merchant.”He seemed a little shell shocked and remained vulnerable in our proximity, his ears red. I knew he was hiding things from me and I selfishly wanted to know everything, it didn’t matter.Then, softly, he smiled, his finger grazing my cheek.“I’ll take heed to your warning.” Now, he had taken advantage of our proximity, skillfully shifting the vulnerability to me, “Join me tomorrow.”My brow raise
Ariana’s POVI thought we had already been disqualified from the competition only to find out surprisingly that we could still participate.I thought it was weird, since there was supposed to be elimination but nothing happened.We were a total of ten couples and twenty contestants. When the game ended, he announced it was time for the next challenge and said that each contestant should move to a separate space prepared just for us.Other contestants did as followed while I stood until Damon held my hand, pulling us forward. I was hesitant and slightly tense but did nothing, surprised when we were allowed to pass.“Attention all contestants! I now welcome you all to the next game, which will be combative. It will test your coherence and your true understanding of your partner. The men will be the one who will be engaging in combat (blindfolded) while the women will be giving the directions. The last couple standing is the winner of this round. Now, everyone, get into position.”As I a
Ariana’s POV“Alright, contestants! We’re now at the final challenge. The winner of this game will be the winner of the entire challenge so make sure to do your best!”We were led to the lake side, where a ladder, made of emerald stood on a small hill.The announcer spoke again. “The male participants will carry their female partners in a bridal hold, standing on a soft ladder made of emerald. The couple who lasts the longest without falling into the water will be awarded the grand prize and winner of this tournament!”To be honest, I was wowed by how simple it looked. Even the academy students surrounding had a face filled with pleasant surprise. This was actually going to be easy.Pumped, I turned to Damon, “This is so easy. Come on,” I extended my hands out, “I’ll carry you.”He stared at me, with an amused expression before sweeping me off my feet, stepping on the ladder.“The knight is meant to carry the princess, not the other way around.”I smiled, “When did you become my knigh
Ariana’s POVAfter the first scream, more screaming followed quickly and soon students, horrified, began panicking, running about, causing dysfunction.They pushed against each other, struggling to make sense of what they’d just witnessed, their adrenaline kicking in, initiating a flight response.I stood, watching, my brain instantly thinking of how to solve this mess when my eyes caught the host, hand on his microphone, struggling to get people to listen to him. He stood at the edge of a cliff when a student accidentally pushed against his shoulder, causing him to lose his balance.Instantly, I rushed to him, grabbing his hands just in time and pulling him forward, ensuring that he was farther away from the edge.He stared at me, dumbstruck and I thought it was odd until I realized my wig had fallen off and my disguise had been revealed. But that wasn’t the important thing. I had to stop this from turning into a frightening stampede.Seeing as he was still in possession of his micro
(Leo/Damon)’s POVAs long as I managed to ensure that Ariana wasn’t the one captured I had no other concern. Still—this was nonsense.I knew Klaus liked to feed on reckless abandon but I never expected him to behave this… foolish and it enraged me but I decided not to act because I’d realized just through the air how much power he’d managed to accumulate.I realized we were still in the water but he had used his real form as a shield, hiding our presence from plain view.“Leo.” I ticked.He was behind me, lips barely away from my ears.“I see your trip to the Northern Lands was successful.”“Very.” He appeared in front of me. “While I consumed I couldn’t help but think of you and even in my narcissist, greedy, state I believed if you saw me you’d writhe in envy. And I enjoyed that thought.”“Of course you would.” I placed my hands in my pockets, “Why did you then kidnap me?”He shrugged, “I… missed you?”I couldn’t help it, I laughed, shaking my head, “Your first joke that’s actually
Ariana’s POVImmediately I left Emerald Lake, I found myself in front of Bach’s dorm. I knocked, waiting impatiently.The door opened, revealing his roommate who stared at me, forehead wrinkled with worry.“Is Bach home?”“Uh, yeah, I’ll call him. Is everything okay? You look… tired.”I managed to give a small smile, “Yeah, I am. Today’s just been a… busy day.”“Ah, alright. Do try to get some rest.”I gave a grateful smile, “I will, thank you.”He closed the door gently, a moment passing before the door opened again, revealing Bach.“Hey,” Bach studied me carefully and I could tell he was trying to read my mind, which didn’t bother me, “Oh God.”Tears suddenly filled my eyes, “Hey.”***“How did it happen?” Now we are at the local bar we usually frequented together with Sigil.“It just… did.” I replied Bach.I didn’t have an answer as to how it happen because from my lens, it just did. It was as though someone had woken me up violently from a dream.“Even I can’t understand how it ha
Ariana’s POV“Before I make my decision on anything regarding the thing you’re trying to rope me into, I’d like to know exactly what happened here while I was gone.”“I thought you already made your calculated guess.” I spoke, watching him take a big chug of his beer.We were at the local bar, together with Bach who with everyone around us kept staring at Fenrir with fan-like admiration.I figured they were surprised with his sudden presence especially since much to my annoyance he was an important figure in this school.Did I find Fenrir to be worth it? I didn’t but I believed it was for a reason even though I just could not see it and I didn’t want to either.He was as I mentioned earlier: annoying. Also, a greedy brute who used his skills for capitalist greed and power mongering. But I didn’t hate him. He gave me a chance to survive the fate I was thrown into, hate would be too cruel of a judgement.“I have, but I need expert clarification.”I rolled my eyes, “If you didn’t say thi
Ariana’s POVI couldn’t quite describe what I felt at the moment.Relief? Joy? Happiness? Guilt? I didn’t quite know.Maybe I felt all, maybe none.But whatever these emotions were caused me to be ridiculous volatile. Seeing his face in front of me, present in my reality after moments of unspeakable despair overwhelmed me.Everything in my body pushed for me to run to him but I remained in place, probably because I was filled with an influx of emotions that caused my nervous system to freeze. But I knew I wanted to be with him.As though he could read my mind, his feet moved, headed for my direction. The anticipation of his presence jolted me, prompting me to try to take a step forward. That was when a hand stopped me, grabbing my arm.“It would be stupid of you to move.” Fenrir spoke behind me.Damon, however, still continued towards me.I tried to pry my arm away, “I… know him.” My voice slightly trembled.However, that caused his grip on my arm to tighten, “Stay here, he’s not safe