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Twenty
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-01-08 17:00:41“So, the angels are down one Manipulator.” Noah was shuffling through the papers in front of him, while Thorne stood near the window, forever looking out it to the city beyond.
While he watched the city, she watched him.
Brooding.
Serenity thought Noah had been bad. Thorne was worse. While he physically didn’t speak, even when he answered in sign language, something was dark about him.
“Are you listening to me?”
Serenity looked at Noah and nodded, before shaking her head. “Sort of.”
“For fuck’s sake.” Noah looked at Thorne. “Did you notice anything on your way back?”
Thorne turned and shrugged, his hands lifting. “It’s eerie out there. I haven’t seen an angel for over six hours. Before…” Thorne looked at Serenity. “Her… there were at least a dozen in the district.”
“Fuck. The
Bab terkait
Claimed by the Horde   Twenty One
Thorne spun on his heel in seconds, his eyes wide and Noah spat out a spray of his drink and stared at her. “What?”“I mean, it’s okay if you are. I don’t mind. In this day and age, two guys being together is nothing new and it’s kind of adorable to think two demons might be—”“Just stop.” Noah held up his hand and she looked at Thorne who was shaking his head and silently chuckling to himself. She looked at the blond again and Noah leaned forward. “Thorne and I are not together. We never have been and never will be. I happen to think all women are goddesses, should be treated as such and shown the wildest passion imaginable.”Serenity’s face heated and she lowered her gaze for a moment.“Thorne and I have known each other for over one and a half centuries. We are as close to being brothers as we can get and that is it. There is nothing romantic or sexual going on
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Two
“If it makes you feel any better, Thorne and I don’t have parents anymore either. No demons or angels do. We’re… possessed.”“Possessed?”“Yeah.” Noah put the cap on his water and dumped it beside him, before picking himself up and going to the bookshelf again. Pulling out a different tome, he came back and sat beside her. The heat from his thigh against hers had her stomach fluttering, but she shut it down and watched as he opened the book. “The soul… no, that’s not quite the right word… uh… the essence of a demon is housed in a crystal.”Noah flipped a couple pages and showed her a picture. There was a pile of crystals heaped on the floor of a room and a body strapped to a table in the middle. He flipped over another page and showed her the picture.“One of those shards, houses a demon’s essence. It is then surgically grafted onto the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-10Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Three
“So now what?”Noah grimaced and Serenity’s heart flipped as he looked back to her. there was something he wasn''t telling her. He and Thorne had been keeping her safe for so long, by not telling her anything, or showing her their world... now it seemed to not be sitting well with him, having to explain things and exposing things which might put her in danger.“We know the angels are not loathed to using dirty tactics and Manipulators. So, we just keep ahead of them. I’ll have to call in some contacts, and possible a few favors, just to keep you safe, until your birthday. Then… well then the real fun starts.”“What do you mean?”Noah leaned forward, his blond hair dropping over his eyes and he stared at his hands. “We have to get you to the leaders of the Horde.”There were leaders? Well, she guessed if there were higher ranking angels, there would be higher ranking demons too.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-11Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Four
“No.”“There’s no other way around it, Thorne.” Noah said, pacing in front of the sofa Serenity was sitting on. Thorne was standing in the corner of the room, his blue gaze watching the blond pace.“I said no.”Serenity rolled her eyes and lifted her legs, tucking them underneath her, while the pair in front of her argued.“You know Claudette doesn’t travel and she’s the closest one who knows the ritual to bind Serenity to the Horde.” Noah was becoming frustrated, she could see it in the way he moved, the way his gaze constantly flicked back to her, then to Thorne. “We have no other way.”Serenity’s gaze shifted to Thorne. His leather funnel-coat had a sheen of water to it, his hair slicked, and she glanced at the window, noticing the drizzle of rain. He had an air of tenseness to him, as if he’d pounce at any moment.“And yo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-12Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Five
“Thorne got us a meeting with a witch.”Serenity put the book to the side and looked at Noah. “Claudette?”The demon winced and shook his head. “Uh, no. Not that lucky. The one he’s found is a bit raw, but she’d be able to at least hide you from the Legion until we can get you to Claudette.”“So, I have to meet a rookie?”“Yeah. You guys will be able to trade stories.” Noah chuckled and Serenity flipped him off, earning another chuckle. “No, seriously, Thorne wouldn’t have suggested the witch, if he wasn’t confident in her abilities to hide you.”“As long as she doesn’t turn me into a frog.”“Might keep the coffee safe.”“Asshole.”“Yep, get used to it, princess.”The door of the apartment opened, and Thorne walked back in, carrying food and Noah all but rushed him, wrestli
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-13Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Six
A snorted giggle escaped her lips and Noah’s gaze snapped to hers. She licked her lips and lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry.”The silence in the room ratcheted up and Serenity lifted her gaze to the men in front of her.“So… since her?”Noah blinked. “Are you kidding? You’re seriously asking about my love life?”Heat raced across her cheeks, and she pursed her lips. “Well-I-I mean, you said you weren’t gay. But you haven’t had a girlfriend for what? Forty years? Come on, we’re going to be spending time together. I want to know a bit more about you. Sharing is caring.”There was silence again.“Well, miss nosey parker. If you really must know…” Noah sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “I’ve been with women since her.”Serenity’s face heated further, and she frowned at the intense gaze he was afford
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-14Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Seven
Sitting next to Noah in the taxi, Serenity’s skin prickled. The pair of demons had been quieter this morning at breakfast, but no less intense. She’d caught Noah watching her on more than one occasion and while she’d usually flipped him off; she suddenly liked the attention. Thorne had left before them, making sure the witch’s house was secure and had messaged when it was. The cab pulled up outside a small bungalow in a leafy suburb and Noah paid the driver. They climbed out and walked up the path, the door opening as they climbed the steps. Thorne stood in the doorway. “Took your time.”“Go fuck yourself.” Noah growled, pushing past him and the darker demon turned, watching him. Serenity stopped next to Thorne, and he looked down at her.“He okay?”“He hasn’t spoken since you left. The traffic was terrible, and he was silent the whole way.”&
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-15Claimed by the Horde   Twenty Eight
Owen scrambled to his feet, smoothing his hands over his shirt and pants, his hands diving into his pockets for only a second, before they came back out, devoid of rings. “There, see, I can’t hurt her again.”Noah watched closely, as Owen stepped closer to her and held out his hand.“I’m sorry, my dear, I need only a small drop of blood.”Serenity’s gaze shifted from Owen, to Noah, then to Thorne. The dark demon nodded, and she looked back at Owen. Sighing, she put out her hand and Owen smiled, guiding her toward the table.Noah was close behind her; an ever-present comfort and she looked back to him for a second. He was not happy. She could see it in his features. His gaze shifted to hers and he frowned. All he had to say, was he didn’t want her doing this, and she would scurry behind Thorne and they could leave.Serenity looked back to Owen as the witch pulled a hat pin out of a bowl on the table an
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
Bab terbaru
Claimed by the Horde   Sixty One
It would have been better if they were yelling at her.Serenity sat between Thorne and Noah as the darker-haired demon drove the car all the way back to their factory. She didn’t want to ask where they’d found the vehicle, or if it were stolen… she didn’t think it would be wise to antagonize them.After over an hour of driving, Serenity’s skin was starting to itch and she turned her head to Thorne, looking up at him. His brow was furrowed, his gaze on the road and she knew he was pissed. Gulping, she turned her head and looked at Noah.The blonde was looking out the windscreen, his jaw clenching and unclenching and the look on his face told her he was in just as good of a mood as Thorne.Licking her lips, she turned back to the windscreen and lowered her gaze to her lap.How could she have thought she would get away with this? Travelling to another city to talk to a Skin Writer and not have them find her?&ldqu
Claimed by the Horde   Sixty
“No… It’s not.” Serenity put the glass down and leaned forward, wringing her hands. “I have done as much research as I can. But I can’t find the answers I need.”“And what are they, pray tell.”Serenity licked her lips and glanced at the door, to the pair of demons and her brow furrowed. She didn’t like the whipped look they had to them.“One of the tomes talks about the ultimate sacrifice.”“Ah yes… What a load of bullshit that is. There is no ultimate sacrifice.” Daisy waved her hand and Serenity blinked. “Demons are loyal, yes but they are also cowards. They will always save their own skin, over that of someone else.”Serenity’s mind instantly went to what Noah had done.How he’d left Thorne to the angel’s wrath.“But if they are the guardian of a Skin Writer, then yes, they may save her… if they ch
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Nine
Having put Noah’s phone back exactly where she’d found it, it had been a waiting game with the pair of demons.They’d both come in to check on her. She’d pretended to be asleep. They’d fallen for it and had both finally gone to bed themselves. Waiting the hour, to make sure they were both asleep… that had been the longest hour of her life.Serenity didn’t want to be sneaking out, running off to another city without them, but she couldn’t go with them. Not when her questions involved them.She’d managed to slip out of the factory and ran down the alleys until she’d gotten to a road and flagged down a taxi. After a few questions from the driver, he’d been happy to take her to the bus stop and leave her there.Now, she sat in the back of the bus, on the way to another city and to answers which could only be given by another of her kind.The man who opened the door of the
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Eight
“We can’t keep going like this, Thorne.” Noah’s muffled voice floated to her, and Serenity’s eyes fluttered open. “I know. But come on, you’ve seen the way she looks at us. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”Serenity lifted herself and looked around. She was still on the sofa, but a bottle of water had been placed on the coffee table. The condensation making a large puddle under it, she picked it up and gulped down half the bottle, straining her hearing.“I don’t care. She’s not a child anymore. We’re bound to her, and she’s bound to us. What the Horde wants and what the Horde gets, is two different things.”She put the bottle back down on the table and stood, creeping closer to the railing, but not close enough for the pair of demons to see her. She stared down at them, as they seemed to argue, Thorne’s hands waving wildly as Noah paced back and forth in front of hi
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Seven
Serenity was curled up against Noah, almost asleep, when Thorne came back. His presence was a shift in the air, and she lifted her head, staring at him groggily. Thorne’s gaze shifted from Noah to her and back and it narrowed at the pair of them.She sat up, as Noah stood and walked over to him. “Well?”“Malveran will see us in three days. No sooner. He has to find a suitable location.”“That’s good.” Serenity said, stretching. She’d snuggled up to Noah, as he’d been scrolling through the webpage used by the Horde. He’d read some of the reports to her, but after a little while, she’d drifted off. Now, under the gaze of Thorne, she wished she’d just headed back to bed instead. “So, what do we do for three days?”“Train.” Noah said, turning back to her. “We can’t be caught out again.”“But I thought you said Malveran&
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Six
Noah growled and leaped over the coffee table, pouncing on her. His strength and momentum tipped back the sofa and she squealed as he landed on her, a blade coming to her throat. “I’d be careful, Serenity. I know of three other Skin Writers in the world. I could gut you right now and the world would keep ticking over.”She stared up at the flaming orbs of Noah before her gaze shifted to the side. Thorne was standing over them, an amused glint in his eyes. “You’ve pissed him off.”“I don’t care if I pissed him off, Thorne.” She snapped, turning her attention back to Noah. She planted her hands on his chest, ignoring the hard planes of flesh under his white shirt. He was just as good looking at the darker haired man who watched the exchange. She pushed against him, but Noah didn’t move. “You honestly think you’re going to find someone like me?”“There are plenty like you,
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Five
“That was foolish.”Serenity’s groggy gaze shifted to Thorne, leaning against the doorframe. She blinked; her mind still clouded with pain. Her whole body hurt, as if she’d gone ten rounds with a boxer… and lost. It even hurt to breathe.Noah’s figure came to the side of her bed, sitting on the small chair and he leaned forward. “Thorne’s right. You could have died.”She looked over to Noah, her head thudding in pain, and rolled her eyes as best she could. She looked back to Thorne and as she opened her mouth to speak, her lips sung with pain, “You’re welcome.”Thorne’s eyes rolled as his hands lifted again, moving fluidly. “Thank you.”She smiled in return, hissing in pain as her lips cracked again, sending blood flooding into her mouth. Noah leaned over, gently lifting her to a seated position and placed a cup of water in her hands. She si
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Four
There was no way they could outrun them. Serenity stared at the mass of angels which had appeared behind Archon and her heart sank to her feet.“Fucking hell…” Noah’s grip around her shoulders tightened and she blinked.“Come on now, I’d rather have her unhurt. But if we must kill her, then oh well.” Archon shrugged. “Collateral damage at its finest.”Serenity couldn’t believe the angel would kill her, before letting them walk away. But then again, it made perfect sense. They were just as blood thirsty as Noah had suggested and it made her sick to think she had their DNA in her veins.Her gaze lifted to Archon’s and she stared.The grin faded from the angel’s face, and he scowled at her.“Hmm… quick learner, aren’t we?” His hands clenched by his sides and a few angels came to his side. They seemed like run of the mill humans, but Serenity could
Claimed by the Horde   Fifty Three
“I don’t like this.” Serenity wrapped her hand around the hilt of the wand in her pocket and stepped closer to Noah. She could feel Thorne’s presence behind her, a mountain of muscle protecting her. So why did she feel like they were walking into a trap?“It’s not the ideal place,” Noah admitted, slowing his pace as they eyed off the building. “But Deri’amas isn’t exactly the kind of guy to fit in in a city.”“What do you m—” Serenity’s eyes widened as her gaze settled on the huge figure which stepped out from the side of the building. “Oh…”Covered from head to toe in leather and chains, the man who stepped into open was monstrous. His skin was a dark tan, covered in a shine she couldn’t quite pick. “Is that her?”His voice boomed across the open space, seething and off.Serenity stopped, and Thorne’s hand c
