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Chapter 14 - Hollyn
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Circle of the Stars Chapter 15 - Tagan
I looked over the woman's shoulder. Raised one eyebrow. "Come again?" He couldn't have said what I thought he just said.He repeated it. Word for fucking word. Damn it. I shook my head. "No. No. There's no such thing as magic. Not like that anyways." I looked at my brothers. They shook their heads slightly. Well, shit biscuits. Why the hell didn't you tell me you hadn't told either of them that we're magical? I snarled mentally.And when would this auspicious conversation have taken place exactly? Thane raised a single eyebrow. Hollyn was staring at me as if she could see into my head. Read my thoughts. Scan my memories. Hear my waking nightmares. I dropped her hand and stepped back. "You won't get me to believe in anything like that."Hollyn's mouth twitched up at the corner. "Would you like to make a bet on that?" She lifted her hand out to me again. I scowled at her. Snagged her smaller hand in mine. "Hit me with your best shot." My grin was a little savage.
Circle of the Stars Chapter 16 - Hollyn
"By the stars, please let this work," I muttered as I fell to the ground next to Tagan. Guilt wracked my body. I knew I shouldn't have let him pull on my magic. Magic does nothing but cause pain and sorrow. "Stella vulnere remedium," I chanted over and over as I tried to pull even more magic from my body. Barely a trickle of magic crossed between us. I shook my hands out, prayed to the gods I hated, and laid my palms back on Tagan's raw and bloody back. "Stella vulnere remedium." This time I shouted it. Brilliant light shot from my hands into his body as his ribcage shuddered under my fingers. "Come on. Come on.""You have no right sharing your magic with him. With any of these men," Matt said as he grabbed a fistful of my hair. He wrenched my head back, a knife in his hand. "Your magic belongs to us. The Faithful. We have served and served, all to no avail. The gods have deserted us. And now, you-the Deserter-are wasting your powers on these bastards? No. Not while I'm here
Circle of the Stars Chapter 17 - Thane
"What the fuck is happening, Hollyn?" I shouted at her as her body swayed. Tagan's body was a bloody broken mess on our living room floor. The woman who'd crashed into my life had her hands lit up like spotlights against his wound. And neither of them fucking said an eternal damned word. I was about to go insane. The heat and rage of seeing one of my brothers wounded right in front of my eyes was scorching through my body, consuming everything in its path. Belly-weakening fear rolled over my mind. I couldn't lose him. Not either of them. I'd already lost too much. We all had. I reached out, touched Hollyn's shoulder. Her eyes were closed, her lips were moving, but I couldn't make out anything that sounded close to English. As soon as I touched her, she toppled over to the side. "Fuck, Thane," Tove said as he pulled her head into his lap. He wiped at the cut over her right eyebrow. Smeared his fingers under her nose where more blood was slowly oozing down to her mouth. "What th
Circle of the Stars Chapter 18 - Hollyn
The taste of Thane's flavor exploded in my mouth as he forced his way past my lips with the sexy slide of his tongue. I moaned into his mouth and pressed my body against his. Angry about the clothes that kept our skin from meeting. That forced distance between us. His mouth ripped away from mine, leaving me gasping for air and struggling to pull my emotions back. I braced for the blow I'd been taught to expect. The pain of fists and feet impacting my body. I opened my eyes, my heart in my throat. My eyelids fluttering like a hummingbird's wings, I looked up at Thane. He was towered above me, his chest billowing under his heaving breaths. I lowered my head. I'd seen the harsh look of disgust on his face. My belly dropped to my toes. Unwanted. Even here where they didn't know me. Not really. I closed my eyes against the burn of tears.Stupid idiot. I almost got his brother killed and now I think he wants to kiss me? Make love to me? I don't deserve such benevolent treatment
Circle of the Stars Chapter 19 - Thane
I watched her face. The shuttering of her soul masqueraded as rapid blinking. The withdrawal of the heat in her face. The moment had passed. Stuffing my disappointment, I reached down a hand. She jerked back as if I'd offered to punch her in the face. This strong, slightly crazy, woman had pulled back into my brother as if she needed protection. I clenched my teeth at the instinctual action. She wasn't impugning my honor. She was reacting without thought. If I ever met the person who taught her how to cower, I was going to rip him, or her, into fucking shreds. "I just wanted to help you to your feet, Stretch," I said. Still leaning back into Tove's arms, she looked up at me from under her deep purple bangs. "I knew that." She put her hand in mine and allowed me to haul her to her feet. I bit back my smile. "Sure, you did."She wrinkled her nose at me before looking away. Her gaze stuck on something to her right, her eyes widened. "Matty."I growled. "I suppose we
Circle of the Stars Chapter 20 - Hollyn
I wanted to sew my lips shut as soon as the words left my lips. And I was awful at sewing. Not bothering to wait for them to withdraw their help or friendship, I pushed the book back to Tove and pushed to my feet. "I'll go. You guys shouldn't be put in this position." I moved towards the door, that big panel of wood that stood between me and their safety. I needed to leave. Now. "Thank you for your kindnesses. They will be forever treasured." I reached out a hand for the lever that would permit my escape. Tag's arms came around me from behind. His energy felt like the waves washing against the shoreline. Warm, steady, full of potential. "You're not going anywhere. That statement didn't change a thing." He laid his warm lips to the back of my neck. "You're stuck with us, sweetcheeks."I laid my head against the door, called myself every name in the book. I was weak. But I'd found more acceptance from these three strangers than I ever had in thirty years in the Oaks. I was going
Circle of the Stars Chapter 21 - Toven
I wasn't sure what I expected when I suggested a movie night. Having Hollyn sit on the floor barely two feet away from the TV wasn't how I'd envisioned the night progressing, that was for damn sure. But her astonishment when I'd turned the movie on had curbed any desire I had to quash the joy lighting up her face. What the fuck are we going to do? I asked my brothers as Harry visited Diagon Alley for the first time on the screen. We need some straight fucking answers, Thane said. His mental voice was tight and hard. We can't keep her locked up in here, no matter how much each of us seems to want that. Tag snorted mentally. We need to have a conversation about sex. Fuck, she didn't even know what movies were. Glad to see you've come around, Grumpy, I said. Tag elbowed me in the ribs. I stifled my groan before it could slide out of my mouth. Asshole. I don't know what it is either, but we can't lose her. She opened something up inside me and damned if I don't feel li
Circle of the Stars Chapter 22 - Thane
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "What do you want, Ainsley? I told you, we're done."She stared at me as if I were speaking a different language. Her wide mouth firmed into a thin line. One dark red eyebrow raised as she tapped her fingers on her crossed arms. "Why now? What's happened that you need to do this now, Thane? We've come so far. We're almost there."I gritted my teeth. Not that I hadn't been aware of the fact that she was with me because we were the supposed it' couple of the rich and sexy set,'-her words, not mine-but having it shoved in my face wasn't really going to help her case at all. "Why do I need a reason? You know I've never cared about any of that. Look, we had some good times. Hell, we even had some great times. But I'm done. And please don't pretend like you're hurt. I know we don't have that kind of relationship." I crossed my arms, pinned her with a hard stare. Heat rose to her cheeks. "Can you hold off at least until the Autumn Gala is over?"
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Circle of the Stars Chapter 138 - Epilogue II
Eleven Months Later"Give me my babies, Grumpy. I carried them. I get to hold them." I held out my arms. My tired and noodley arms. I didn't care if I could barely hold them up. I was going to snuggle with my three girls until we all fell asleep anyways. He slid the one wrapped in purple into my arms. "So bossy, cheeks." He kissed my sweaty brow. "I love it. But I'm still the boss." My daughter's blonde hair and dark purple eyes were a startling combination. Her dusky skin made her even more exotic looking. I blew a raspberry at him. "That's what you think. We've got you outnumbered now."Tove carried over the little girl snuggled in pink. "Yes, you do. We're all going to be wrapped around your fingers. Hell, I already am and I have no problem admitting it." With her citrine eyes and black hair, she was just as pretty as her sister. Thane smiled. He laid the little bundle of yellow on my chest. "I'm right there with you. They're perfect, Stretch. Just like you." Little Miss Sun
Circle of the Stars Chapter 137 - Epilogue
One month laterI looked at the little computer screen. Squinted. When that didn't help, I rubbed my eyes. Blinked. Looked at the screen again. "Are you sure?" I asked. The nice dragon smiled at me. "Very sure, my lady."I grimaced at the name. But no matter how many times I told people not to call me that, they continued to do so anyways. I shook my head. "I still don't believe you.""Cheeks, you're pregnant. You can't tell me all the crazy mood swings and eating us out of house and home has been lost on you," Grumpy snapped at me. His face was basically plastered to the little screen. I glared at the back of his head. "If that's so, maybe I should go live with Drace and Finn. They won't bitch at me."He turned with a snarl. "Try it and see what happens."The dragon healer chuckled, the sound a little uncomfortable. "Perhaps we could all calm down. New mothers, especially dragon carriers, need to be calm and happy." I raised my eyebrows in victory at Grumpy. "Yeah. No m
Circle of the Stars Chapter 136 - Hollyn
"Where is she? Where's my granddaughter? Hollyn, he was lying. He was lying, baby!" Ari raced up. Tears and fear soaked her voice. "I would never do that. Not ever. You're mine. Just as your mother was mine. I don't trade one for the other. I'd never do that." I looked up at Tove, his blue green eyes smiling down at me. "Think I should talk to her?"He nodded. "You know you want to. I can tell." He gave me a cheeky wink. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Watch it, mister."He smacked his lips to mine. "You just smashed Merlin into light particles. I'm pretty sure you can handle a discussion with your Grams."I smiled hugely. I had smashed Merlin into light particles. His bitchass was no more. My eyes widened. "Shit!" I pushed Tove off me. "We've got to get out of here. Merlin's gone. The Valley could collapse at any second."Ari crushed me into her body. "He was lying. He was lying. I swear to you he was lying." She kept saying the same thing over and over again, her eyes wi
Circle of the Stars Chapter 135 - Toven
I still rushed forward. I would do whatever was necessary to help her win this. To get her back. To bring her home. Literally blind, I plowed into someone. She gave a hoarse oomph as we smashed to the ground and rolled. "Batman," she whispered. Then she settled her lips on mine. Two more heavy bodies crushed down on us. She inhaled sharply. "Can't...breathe."With a grunt, I forced myself to my hands and knees. Made a cage of protection over her. My brothers rolled off to the sides. "Sorry!" Tag said as he popped back up."Damnit, Tag," Thane snarled. "You good, sweet girl?" I whispered. She nodded. "As long as you're all here, I'm better than good."Soon, she was in our arms in another Hollyn burrito.
Circle of the Stars Chapter 134 - Hollyn
I saw his smug stupid face as he smiled up at me.He raised a hand. The energy crackled like pale pink lightning in his palm. His lips moved. The stores of my magic that had been topped off with Chaos' boost bubbled and writhed as I filled them with starshine. There were no longer any stars in my bright Autumn sky. None. Save for one. The sun. Using a thread of Chaos' magic, I linked up to the shining orb that rested high above our globe's heavens. The power shivered and danced through me. An unbreakable link that let me see far beyond what my eyes were capable of. The hint of pink shot from Merlin's hand, straight at me. I steadied myself. Prayed that my magic would hold me true. That I wasn't going to be the reason everyone in my life, in this fucking Valley, died. Just as the spinning, crackling sphere of pure energy neared me, it burst into a rainbow of motes. I hurtled towards the earth and an idea began to form. I had no idea if it would work, but I was out
Circle of the Stars Chapter 133 - Toven
He dies. Right now. I was torn between screaming in victory and yelling at my girl until I ruined my voice forever. Either way, I was out of time. As we raced up the final small hill, I saw her dart down from her spot in the sky. We thrust through the line of Wardens as she angled herself like an arrow at the man who had caused all of this. "You shouldn't have told me my men were dead." Her voice was in my head, but I could also hear it as if she'd whispered it to me. Shit. I poured on the speed.
Circle of the Stars Chapter 132 - Hollyn
I gritted my teeth. Tried to convince myself it was a lie. He wrapped a hand in my hair, yanked my head back. With his free hand, he displayed another screen of some kind. "Watch, pet. Watch with me as you realize your doom." A picture wobbled and then steadied in front of me."My daughter, Hollyn's mother, crying out for me," Ari said as she turned to look at someone.Grumpy. She was with Grumpy. They were both wearing the clothes we'd arrived in. The backdrop of the picture showed the hollowed out remains of the Village. Body and pieces of creatures dotted the ground."She's gone. You said yourself that she was gone. Cheeks told us." Grumpy squeezed her arm. Ari's gaze darted over his shoulder, back to his face. Her blue eyes were wide, scared. She shook her head. "You don't understand.""NO!" I screamed and thrashed against his hold. My heart stuttered in my chest. "No!" She was just like everyone else. Only using me for my power. For what I could give her. She wanted
Circle of the Stars Chapter 131 - Tagan
I sliced through the last zombie that stood in front of me. Wiped a hand over my brow. I hadn't thought there were that many people in here the last time. But I guess if Merlin could raise one, he could raise all the dead people here. Time wouldn't really be a factor. Ari yanked her sword back, spit on the corpse that still twitched at her feet. "And stop touching my shoes!" She hacked off the creature's hand. I snorted, causing her to look up at me. A blush rose over her cheeks. "Sorry. That wasn't very goddess-like."I shrugged it away. "Honestly, I liked it better than the goddessy parts you usually show. A bit more real."She smiled as she looked around the Village. Dead bodies littered the ground like trash in an abandoned alley. "Where is everyone else?" She looked at me. I pointed to the right. "Apparently there were a lot coming in from the standing stones. I'm guessing these were the old Villagers?" I shrugged. Oh well. They'd deserved to die for treating my Sweet
Circle of the Stars Chapter 130 - Hollyn
I bent my knees to keep my balance as I soared on Drace's back. I hadn't really been thinking about anything but destroying Merlin when I launched myself towards the sky. Luckily, my bestie had my back. Although...I think I might have been able to fly for a little bit there. I focused as huge, gleaming balls of pure energy were launched into the sky. He's throwing magical grenades, I announced to the dragons. Hold on, Mistress, Drace said. She started dipping and dodging, weaving and winding in the sky as she tried to miss being hit with the missiles of unadulterated power. I lost my balance and landed on my ass between her spikes. Luckily, they felt like feathers instead of the sharp knives of Thane's scales the first time I'd hit those. I clenched my hand around the one directly in front of me as I held on for dear life. I'm going to swoop down and let you off. You're nothing up here but an easy target, corcra. Just make sure you stay alive down there until I can come and
