LOGINShare
Forty Four
Last Updated:
2025-02-02 17:00:22“I’m not so sure about this…” Serenity’s arms itched in the linen gown she’d been dressed in. Thorne and Noah flanked her, still in their own clothing, looking comfortable, while she itched like crazy. “Why don’t you two have shitty gowns to wear?”
Neither of them spoke, and Serenity huffed.
“This is bullshit.”
The three of them followed Claudette and the guard which had guided them earlier, back up the steps of the catacombs, through the Ministry and to a large hall. Stepping inside, she felt the pair of demons bristle at the sheer number of people in the hall.
“Claudette…” Noah warned, and the woman smiled, showing brilliant white teeth.
“Come Noah, surely you would remember the need of witnesses? Six-hundred and sixty-six, if I’m not mistaken?”
Serenity looked around the hall.
Six-hundred and sixty-six hunters… “Noah
Related chapters
Claimed by the Horde One
Another free cup.Barely had the words been scratched into the soft flesh of her inner wrist, when a shadow fell over twenty-year-old, Serenity Monaghan.“Another cup? On the house.”Closing her fist around the toothpick, Serentiy turned her wrist to the table and lifted her head, smiling at the young waiter. “Thank you. That’s awfully nice of you.”“You’re a regular customer, it’s fine.” Ian, no older than her, smiled and leaned forward, filling her cup, the coffee’s steam rising in lazy circles. He poured in cream and smiled as he wandered off, tending to other patrons in the small café.Snapping the toothpick, she sighed, discarding it onto the saucer. Adding sugar from the little jar on the table, Serenity stirred it in and picked up the fresh coffee.She shouldn’t do it, shouldn’t use her gift as flippantly as she did, but when she could get through life so much easier with it, why not?Sipping at the hot beverage, Serenity’s gaze shifted to the world outside the small coffee sho
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Claimed by the Horde Two
Serenity moved through the beaded curtains, through the storeroom, past the chiller and to rickety the stairs at the back of the building.Joe had been letting her rent the small apartment upstairs for just over a month.Well… rent was a big word. More like she was borrowing it, and he couldn’t remember how she had come to be there, or when the rent was due. So far, he hadn’t been too particular, and she’d not reminded him either way. He seemed to be happy to have her there and when she could, she’d help around the store for some groceries.Climbing the stairs, Serenity moved along the small corridor, past Joe’s own apartment and up the next set to hers. Letting herself in, she closed the door and looked around.Nothing had been moved or touched.Taking the food to the kitchenette, she deposited it into the small refrigerator. Leaving out the milk, she opened the bottle and drank from it, while she moved through the small apartment, stripping off her wet clothes as she went.Hanging t
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Claimed by the Horde Three
Serenity gasped awake, her heart thudding wildly in her chest. The sheet stuck to her clammy skin as it prickled with gooseflesh, sweat quickly cooling. Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she scrambled to her feet and reached for the light switch.Click click click.“No, no, no…” Her stomach churned as icicles of fear stabbed into her. “Fuck!”It had never been so strong—the sense of danger.She’d always been able to pick it. Sometimes, it was a chill, or invisible eyes on her; but this was—violent. Invading every fiber of her being with dread.Serenity shook, as another wave of fear raced through her and she fell to her knees, vomiting. Her dinner splashed on the floor, the sour scent lifting to her nose, and she spat out the last of the foul liquid. Struggling to her feet, she staggered through the apartment and threw on whatever clothing she could find in the dark.An over-sized sweatshirt and ripped jeans. Forgoing her sneakers, she grabbed the bag near the front door, gr
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Claimed by the Horde Four
Speeding down the alley, she ran out onto the abandoned street and dashed across it, to the next alley. Her feet hurt, her legs ached with faticgue and her stomach churned with the idea of being caught. She'd heard of what they did to kids like her, of what they pulled, and broke and sliced and pricked. Serenity didn't want to become a science experiment.Hide.That’s all she needed to do. Find somewhere to lay low, until she could change her appearance. She’d cut and dye her blonde hair and take out her nose ring, hell, she’d even start wearing dresses and learn to do make-up… all to not look like Serenity Monaghan anymore.Through another alley and out onto another street, Serenity ducked to the left, racing past the darkened shops. They weren’t open yet, and by the light tinge to the sky, it was just going four am. This would be a whole lot easier if there were people around. She’d be able to call out for help, someone surely would be able to help…“Serenity…” The voice seethed fro
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Claimed by the Horde Five
Joe screamed.A high pitch squeal which bit into Serenity’s bones and made her ears ache. The chopstick dropped to the ground; the words still bright on her skin. She lifted her hands, shielding her face as Joe screamed again and threw himself at her.The inevitable impact of a larger body hitting hers didn’t materialize and Serenity lowered her arms to the scene in front of her.Bulk.The figure between her and Joe was huge. Broad shouldered, encased in tight denim jeans and leather jacket; a large hunting knife hung in their hand.“Iraziel. I thought, I sent your sorry ass back upstairs.”“Noah. So nice of you to crawl up from the basement.” Iraziel drawled, through Joe’s fat lips. “Step away from the Skin Writer.”The knife spun in Noah’s hand and his head shook, blond hair flashing in the dull lighting. “Not going to happen, featherbrain. We both know, Skin Writer’s, belong to the Horde.”Iraziel hissed, his stance lowering, and Serenity’s gaze snapped to Noah, as he mirrored it.
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Claimed by the Horde Six
“You’re young. For a Skin Writer.”Serenity didn’t lift her head. Kneeling on the floorboards, her wrists flexed in the cuffs Noah had placed on her. By the time they’d returned to his apartment, she’d overcome her influx of power and had practically fought him to put her down. He’d slapped the cuffs on her quickly, to stop her scratching out at him.She was sure, in the scuffle, she’d heard the words bitch and feral more than once.“Come on, Serenity. I’m not going to hurt you.”“Then why cuff me?” she asked, finally lifting her head. “Hmm?”Noah lifted himself from the chair and walked to the window. It was huge and the view of the city beyond; breathtaking. But it did nothing to calm her nerves. She’d just watched someone—she’d considered a friend—have his own neck broken. Then she’d been taken to a strange place and put in handcuffs.She wasn’t exactly confident in Noah’s words.“That’s for my own protection, because I know what you can do.”“Yeah? And what’s that?”He turned back
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Claimed by the Horde Seven
Noah was so nonchalant with the statement, as he lifted the water and sipped at it that all Serenity could do was stare. Noah rolled his eyes. “For fuck’s sake.”Lifting himself, he walked to the shelf at the side of the room and grabbed a huge book, bringing it back to her. Sitting on the chair, he flicked through the book and stopped at a page, turning it around to her.Serenity’s gaze moved from the man’s face to the book in his hand and looked at the picture. On the yellowed pages, was a woman. Her skin was covered in ancient writing, and behind her, was an army.Scales and horns and leathery wings.“A Skin Writer is a woman of old blood, who can command the Horde.” He flicked through to the next page. This image, the woman had a figure on each side of her. Both tall. One pale-haired, one dark. They both sported leathery wings and bulging muscles, but angelic faces. They stood one step behind her, swords drawn
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Claimed by the Horde Eight
Noah had taken the cuffs off her, placed her in a room, made sure there was nothing she could use to write on her skin, then he had left her alone in the dark.Sitting on the side of the bed, while Noah moved around freely in the room outside, Serenity stared at the floor and tried to comprehend what was happening to her.Demons. Angels. Armies of Heaven. Skin Writers.She’d been too shocked to see the huge bat-like wings which unfurled from Noah’s skin, to ask too many more questions. What would she ask anyway? If she was drugged? Noah had already been adamant, she wasn’t. There was nothing to do now, only unpack the information Noah had divulged and hope for more answers.Lifting her arm, she stared at the spot she’d written on her skin. The words had long since left her flesh and the fatigue had ebbed. Her fingers traced along her arm softly. She’d never thought much of her gift. It was just something she could do
Last Updated : 2024-12-26
Latest chapter
Claimed by the Horde Forty Four
“I’m not so sure about this…” Serenity’s arms itched in the linen gown she’d been dressed in. Thorne and Noah flanked her, still in their own clothing, looking comfortable, while she itched like crazy. “Why don’t you two have shitty gowns to wear?”Neither of them spoke, and Serenity huffed.“This is bullshit.”The three of them followed Claudette and the guard which had guided them earlier, back up the steps of the catacombs, through the Ministry and to a large hall. Stepping inside, she felt the pair of demons bristle at the sheer number of people in the hall.“Claudette…” Noah warned, and the woman smiled, showing brilliant white teeth.“Come Noah, surely you would remember the need of witnesses? Six-hundred and sixty-six, if I’m not mistaken?”Serenity looked around the hall.Six-hundred and sixty-six hunters… “Noah
Claimed by the Horde Forty Three
Claudette was a stunning, waif-like creature with pale skin and dark hair. Her eyes were moss, bordering on lime green and she dressed like Morticia Adams in a skin hugging black dress with long flowing sleeves.Her presence was undeniable. An impression of pure power, in a small vessel.Noah stopped just shy of the woman and her gaze slipped to him, mischief playing in her green orbs. “When I next saw you, I was hoping for something with a little less clothing, Noah.”Serenity’s face heated and she looked away as Noah replied, “You know that time has long gone, Claudette. It’s never going to happen.”Serenity looked back to the pair, as Noah stepped back from the with and turned his head, looking back to her. “This is Serenity.”Claudette’s now cold gaze shifted from Noah, to her and Serenity all but wilted under her gaze, wanting to hide under Thorne’s funnel coat. The woman loo
Claimed by the Horde Forty Two
The further into the Ministry they ventured, the sicker Serenity felt. The halls were lined with doors, leading to god-knew what and Serenity stopped thinking about the torture which may be happening behind the closed doors, after the tenth.Noah was by her side, still holding her hand, Thorne was behind them, a hulk of a guard who seemed to radiate a calm she did not feel. this place was disgustingly... fridgid. There was a air to it which had her skin prickling with fear.The guard which had seen to them at the door, led them through the Ministry’s main rooms and deeper down into the catacombs. The limestone walls were grey with slimy green mold growning on them. A scent of water hung in the air, wet and sour and the underlying scent of copper made Serenity's stomach churn.It was the scent of blood...“Charming place. Wonder where the skeletons are kept?”” She muttered under her breath, earning a chuckle from Noah. Serenity
Claimed by the Horde Forty One
The Ministry.The one place in the entire world, Serenity didn’t want to be.But there she was, squashed between two hulking demons, driving through the wrought iron gates to see a witch. At any other time, she might have laughed—right now, she was terrified.Noah put his hand out, taking hers and she looked up at the demon in surprise. “It’s going to be fine, Serenity. Claudette knows what she’s doing.”“It’s not her I’m worried about,” Serenity hissed. “It’s the fucking Hunters who work for her. You know, the ones who have been hunting me since I was a child?”Noah’s lips pursed and he turned his head, looking out the window at the grey and black stone cathedral which towered over the countryside.It looked out of place in the bright air of L.A and was closed to the public. Most people thought it was an eccentric billionaire’s mansion, some thought it
Claimed by the Horde Forty
Feeling a little better, even though her muscles ached, Serenity ventured out of her room and down to the kitchen.Thorne was standing next to the bench, his back to her, his coat hanging open. She didn’t say anything, just watched as he picked up a cup and moved it to the front of him. When it returned to the counter, it was empty.The coat buckled closed and Thorne turned, his gaze meeting hers.“Does it hurt?”“What?”“Eating and drinking the way you have to. When was the last time you tasted food?”Thorne shrugged. “I can’t remember.”Serenity bit her lip and Thorne’s gaze dropped to her mouth, before lifting back to her slowly. She tilted her head to the side. “I’m sorry, for earlier. For putting you to sleep.”“I’m glad you did. It was starting to hurt. It’s becoming harder and harder to replace the
Claimed by the Horde Thirty Nine
It had been well over six hours since Thorne had shown her why he wore the coat and Serenity was still having trouble comprehending it. Wandering through the apartment, she searched for her pair of demons, she still needed shit clarified. And she wasn’t going to let them fob her off this time.Climbing the steps, she stopped on the landing for the bedrooms and listened. Maybe they were asleep…“Hold still, jeez.”She headed toward Thorne’s room and strained her hearing.“I know it’s uncomfortable, and waving your fucking hands at me, isn’t going to change it.”Serenity blinked as she heard a grunt and stepped back.“For fuck sake, Thorne. I can’t get it in—”She pushed open the door and stopped at the scene in front of her. While she didn’t quite know exactly what she was expecting… seeing Thorne on his back on his bed, while the blonde held a
Claimed by the Horde Thirty Eight
Serenity couldn't keep quiet any longer. She had to ask Noah, the question which had been eating at her for the last few hours. Why Thorne was like he was and who was the man/creature who did it. “Who is Archon, and why did he sew Thorne’s mouth shut?”Noah froze, his eyes widenening as he stared down at the book in his hands. He finally lifted his gaze to her, eyes still wide and asked, “He told you?”Heat raced across Serenity's cheeks and she shook her head. “No… he showed me.” She said, moving across the room and threw herself down onto the sofa. Thorne had left the factory, telling her he was going on patrol. Honestly, she thought it was because he didn't want to be around her, anymore. “Why did Archon do it?”It was a few minutes before Noah replied. “Archon is blood-thirsty.”That wasn't the answer Serenity wanted and she peered at him. “All angels are blood
Claimed by the Horde Thirty Seven
“So, what are you?” Serenity leaned against the bench, coffee in hand and looked at Thorne. Noah had gone out for food again. She didn’t know why he couldn’t just get groceries. She knew how to cook.Thorne narrowed his gaze at her. “A demon.”She rolled her eyes. “I know that. But what kind of demon? Are you a regular demon, or a imp, or an incubus?”The last one was said a lot softer than she intended and Thorne rose and eyebrow. “We’re not incubus, if that’s what worries you.”Serenity frowned, trying to keep the disappointment from her face. She almost hoped he said they were. Not that she would willingly let them do… hell, yes. She would. And she hadn’t even seen Thorne’s face properly.Her gaze lifted to Thorne and she stood straighter, stepping closer to him.“Being one of my guardians…You have to do what I say?&rd
Claimed by the Horde Thirty Six
The following couple of hours after the training, had been fairly quiet. Serenity had been reading, Thorne had been sitting quietly, and Noah had gone out...Secret squirrel stuff he had put it.Thoren had clarified that Noah had gone to meet with some of the Gernerals of the Horde and not doubt would come back in a foul mood.He was right.“Well, Deri’amas isn’t impressed.” Noah sank into the sofa opposite her and Serenity looked up from the book. He was brooding.... again. It seemed to be a perpetual state Noah was in.“About?”“Owen.”She looked at Thorne. He hadn’t moved in hours. Just sat on the sofa opposite her and watched her read. While for the first little while, it’d been weird and annoying, she’d quickly gotten used to it. “Owen was my fault. I didn’t check him over properly.”“Yeah, he said that
