KAI-VII The episode at the club the other night had surprised me a lot. From what I learned about Winter, she was a calm and sweet young woman. I didn't recognize her at first because she looked very different from all the pictures I had seen of her. And when she looked at me, she was fierce. At first, I was worried that she would notice I wasn't Seven. But seeing how she got mad that I was partying with girls and how she called me Seven, she didn't suspect a thing. I gave myself a pat on the back for doing such a good job. If I could fool Winter perfectly, I could fool anyone else. It was daybreak already. There were two important things I had to do today. First, I needed to dispose off Seven's body. Second, I had to get this ring to Ratio. I got out of bed and went into Seven's walk-in closet. "Whoa! Dude has got good taste!" I exclaimed, seeing all the luxury pieces of designers. In the first drawer I pulled out, there were a series of wristwatches. Ratio told me Seven wa
KAI-VIIThis couldn't be. My eyes were deceiving me, weren't they? Where was Seven's body? I clearly saw it get hooked by a rock yesterday.I rubbed my eyes and looked again. There was still nothing on the rock. Nothing as I even looked around one more time. I tripped, and my right foot got caught between two stones. Without caring, I pulled the foot up and staggered towards the waterfall.The image of Seven plunging downwards and getting stuck on this huge rock flashed in my head. I had seen it with my own two eyes.What in the world happened to Seven's body? On the rock, there wasn't even a trace of blood. Why is that?Water splashed on me, wetting my clothes. But I stood still and sniffed the air. I smelled a metallic scent. And that was it.The scent must be from Seven's blood. I killed him last night. Yes, I did. It was impossible for me to wrap my head around why his body wasn't here, but the smell of blood proved that I hadn't been imagining things yesterday.In a fit of pani
WINTER"New York City, please be nice!" I said to myself as I loaded my last suitcase into the trunk of my new car.The girls walked out of the building with gloomy expressions on their faces. In fact, Melanie was crying. She wiped her tears before walking up to me, but her eyelashes were still wet."Oh, Mel," I whispered, pulling her into a hug. For the umpteenth time since I decided to accept admission to NYU, I got cold feet. I expelled a heavy breath. "Maybe I should just stay back and take a gap year.""No, you would do no such thing," Nico disagreed with a tsk. "We don't want to part from you. But going to New York would give you a much-needed break from that dickhead.Nico sighed deeply. She joined in and kissed me on the cheek. "Besides, we could always hang out during the holidays. We will get through this, Win.""You sure?""A hundred percent!" Nico nodded hard. "We are the three musketeers, remember? Best friends for life!"I winced a little as she squished me and Melanie.
WINTERIt happened so fast that there was no way I could have stopped it. Even if I tried, keeping it in my mouth would have made me sicker.The people around gasped as soon as the vomit hit the ground. Some of them retreated while looking at me in disgust.As I wiped my lips with the back of my hand, Eric came to my side and held my shoulders. "Are you okay?"I nodded even though I knew that I was far from being okay. My belly was still aching and my throat was irritable.He peered into my face and shook his head. "No, you are not. Let's get you to the clinic.""No!" I insisted. "It's just a stomach bug. I'll be fine once I take some water and rest."Eric's eyebrows drew together with skepticism. "A stomach bug? That's strange. Have you eaten anything weird lately?"I shook my head again.Although I had been having a hard time because I was regularly on junk food and no longer got any home-cooked meals, it wasn't that bad.Eric held his forehead, looking at me as if he was having an
KAI-VIIThe clock was ticking. Fast. I had to find the orb or whatever was removed from that gemstone before Ratio lost his patience with me.If I didn't find it soon, I am a goner.I didn't want to die. Not when I was just recently given another shot at life. I depended on Ratio for survival. My life wasn't mine. It was Ratio's.Seven must have transferred the energy into something similar to a ring. Maybe it was a necklace or even another ring.Fuck! I should have questioned him before killing him. I should have been more careful! I mean, why did it never occur to me that I wouldn't have been able to hurt a single hair on Seven's head if he had the real gemstone on him?I was stupid to have thought that Seven would carry something so important on him 24/7. If I had something so strong in my possession, I would have kept it safe.Something told me he had hidden it somewhere in this huge house. The strange feeling I got whenever I was in this mansion was unmatched. At first, I dismis
KAI-VIIThe boom reverberated throughout the room all so soon. Sparks flew from the spot. The sound of screeching metal pierced the air almost as a large cloud of smoke went off. Coughing, I waved off smoke from my face.The smoke made my eyes sting, but I fought back the tears as I walked through it. A section of my throat itched while I coughed hard. Covering my nose, I held my breath all in a bid to brave the polluted air.I looked down at the hole. The flooring that surrounded the hole was shattered. However, the steel box still looked as good as new. The only difference now was that there was a huge hole where the rotating lock used to be.My lips instantly curved up in a smile."Yes!" I punched the air in jubilation.I went on my knees, slipped two fingers through the hole, and pulled. The heavy metal cover gave way from the safe. Anticipation made my heart pound. I trashed the piece by the side and picked a flashlight to look into the dark safe.As soon as I turned on the flas
SEVEN"Dad! Dad! Where are you?"Debris of concrete and glass fell on my body as I was on all fours. There was a sharp sound in my ears. So loud that I could barely hear the words that were coming out of my mouth.There was smoke and dust everywhere. I couldn't see anything. My eyes were on fire. My body was on fire. Everything was on fire.It was as if my skin was peeling off my bones. The pain was like nothing I had ever felt. Even when I shifted for the first time, I was able to handle the excruciating pain.This particular one was hellish. I was in hell. The deepest parts of hell!"Aargh!" My roar echoed in my ears. It set off something I couldn't place my finger on. My fingernails sank into the dirt on the floor. I slowly came to my feet and looked around."No, this can't be!" I shook my head in denial. A party had been ongoing a few moments ago. What happened? What was that book I heard? How did my birthday party resort to this?"Dad!" I called out again, waving my hands in t
WINTERIt had been a couple of days since I fainted in the bathroom. Although I woke up hours later in the same spot, it got me another good rest.A hundred and sixty-two missed calls. That is how much I woke up to on my phone the next morning. I had left Melanie hanging on the phone, so she was dead worried. She was already making plans to catch the first flight to New York when I finally answered her calls.Of course, it took me a lot of effort to convince Melanie and Nico that I was good.The only explanation for my fainting was a stomach bug. It was strange, but after changing my diet, I hadn't felt this good in a long time."That would be all, class," said the professor who had been babbling about the print media in the 18th century.Most of the students in the class stood to their feet and rushed out through the door. Again, I didn't know why they were always in a hurry to leave. I never sprinted even when I had other classes to attend.This was my last class for today. I inten
WINTER Seven allowed me to hold a small wake for Eric after his body was sent over to his father. I also intended to visit his grave with flowers once I got news about his funeral. As much as a part of me wanted to hate Eric for all the mental strain he put me through, I just couldn't. Despite being infatuated and impulsive, he was still a good friend of mine. His assurance to rescue me was one of the things that made me persevere during those six torturous years. More so, he had protected me from his sister. I wasn't sure I would have survived getting stabbed after barely surviving a gunshot wound with the aid of the Phoenix Orb. As for Becky, she was whisked away while shouting, "Seven, if I can't have you, no one else can!" Last I heard, she was going to be tried for two counts of attempted murder and murder. It turned out that after investigation, the bomb blast that almost took me and my baby's life was her doing. I had lost count of how many times Seven apologized. For some
WINTERI really died. I died with Seven's voice replaying in my head. Then his voice was replaced with a couple of others. I drifted in and out of consciousness as a bright light shone above me.When I finally woke up, Seven's face was the first thing I saw. He grabbed my hand with both of his and smiled brightly. "You're back!"My throat felt dry as I said, "What happened?""You were in a coma. The doctor took out the bullet and..."He picked up a ziplock bag from the table and held it up to me. I saw a bullet inside it. There was something else."Is that...is that what I think it is?" I muttered, staring at the strange-looking shiny ball.Seven nodded. "Yes, this is the Phoenix Orb.""How did it even get inside me?"He sighed. "On the night we had sex for the first time while we kissed, I put it inside of you. I did it to protect you, but I am sorry for not asking for your consent."I went silent for a while, replaying that night. "So, this thing has been inside my chest for six yea
SEVENEverything froze over as soon as Winter's body fell into my arms. I stared for a long time before my brain processed what just happened. "Aargh!" I roared as soon as I saw the blood on Winter's chest.Clutching her shoulders, I looked at her face which was fast becoming pale. "Winter! Why did you? Why!"She smiled at me. "Because I love you and you would have done the same?"I buried my face in her neck. "You shouldn't have. You shouldn't--""Good riddance!" A snarl interrupted my words all of a sudden.I raised my head only to find Nora still aiming the gun at me. With the swiftness of a thousand wolves, I let go of Winter and lunged at Nora. My claws pierced into her chest. And when I pulled back, her heart came with it.Her eyes bulged from the sockets as she fell to the floor with a thud. Ratio, whose head was still on her lap, growled at this moment.Blinded by immeasurable rage, I squeezed the bloodied heart in my hand. Then dropped it to the floor."You!" Ratio shouted a
SEVENEveryone froze on the spot. I looked upstairs just in time for a pair of heels to appear out of nowhere. Tracing the plump legs up, I was shocked to find the face staring down at me."Mother?"My stepmother, Nora, eyed me as she descended the stairs. The gun in her hand scrapped the banister in the process. Once she got to the end of the stairs, she barred her teeth. "I am not your mother! Don't ever call me that!"Another jolt of shock coursed through my body. I stammered, "What...what's happening? What...what are you doing here?""What does it look like I am doing here!" she barked.At this moment, Ratio growled. I saw him reach out his hand to Nora. "Come, my love."What the...My jaw dropped to the floor as I watched Nora walk over to where Ratio was lying. She placed his head on her lap and touched his face. She cried, "What have they done to you, darling? Oh, my God!""Nora!" I shouted. "What do you think you are doing? You know this guy?"At my question, Ratio flashed his
SEVENIt wasn't just any white wolf. It was a she-wolf. She landed on her thin long legs with stealth and barred her equally white teeth at Ratio who was down on his knees.Suddenly, the wolf’s head turned in my direction. My heart had just taken a great leap when I locked eyes with the she-wolf. I instantly felt a sense of connection and smelled that familiar scent.“Winter?” I called out, still skeptical.The she-wolf glanced beside me. She ran behind the coffin-like box. Seconds passed before she showed up again. This time, in her human form and fully dressed in a flannel dress.“Why did you come here? It's too dangerous. Go!” I shouted worriedly.Winter shook her head hard. “I am not leaving you. I only just got you back.”“He’s going to kill you,” I said, glancing at Ratio who was still down and groaning. “Listen to me, please! Leave!”Winter walked over to the cage. She reached out her index finger and touched it slightly. Her skin instantly sizzled. Seeing this, I got even more
SEVEN I stood still, trying to figure out where exactly the voice was coming from. "It's you. Ratio?""Yes, that's me," Came the proud voice. "But you don't get to call me that, Seven. It's Uncle Darren to you."I couldn't help chuckling. "Uncle, my foot! Considering all the atrocities you have committed, you don't even deserve a name, let alone to be called uncle by me.""Ha-ha-ha!" The laugh reverberated on the walls again. "I must say I am quite surprised, nephew. You are not like your father. Unlike him, you have got a very big mouth! Luka must be turning in his grave.""Keep my father's name out of your fucking mouth!" I roared.Ratio chuckled. "And if I don't?"My breathing was getting heavier at this time. I clenched my fists despite the burns on my palms.That voice came again. "It's not like you can do anything to me. You fell right into my trap, so I can say whatever name I like. Luka...Luka! Luka! Luka, that stupid cousin of mine.""Shut the fuck up!"Ratio didn't listen.
SEVENNo one could tell me nothing. The sex Winter and I just had blew my mind. I had gone over this moment several times, but it never occurred to me that it would be this good. I couldn't have enough of her body. Fortunately, she felt the same way.When I finally came, we were both breathing heavily. I collapsed beside her and pulled her into my arms. It didn't take long before we both dozed off. It was already dark outside when I was awoken by the ringing of my phone. I looked at the pile of my clothes that lay on the floor and saw a light coming from the pocket of my pants."Shit! Who could that be?" I cursed as quietly as possible.Winter stirred in my arms. She turned away, her bare butt rubbing against my groin. I held my breath and groaned. I knew it was only a matter of seconds before my little man began to think for me.Quickly and gently, I pulled my arm from underneath Winter's head. I got out of bed and took out my phone. I pressed the volume button before even looking a
WINTERThe moistness of Seven's lips threw me off guard. I wanted to pull away, but I found myself frozen. When he bit my lower lip hard, my whole world tilted.Sparks erupted in my closed eyes. Reels upon reels of pictures filled my head. There were images of Dawn in a princess gown. Then, there was an eruption. After that came the Seven's face. He was roaring at me. No, that's not him. That's...that's...I know him. But that's not Seven. That's... Oh, God! Why can't I reach that name?I was still struggling to remember that name when Seven parted my lips with his tongue and it found its way into my mouth. It sent a shiver through my gooey body. Images continued to pour into my head. No, they were more like motion pictures...videos. Seven's face appeared again. This time, he was smiling at me. He said something. When I read his lips, he seemed to say those magic three words. "I love you!"His voice sounded in my head at this time. "I love you, Winter, and I want you to be my Luna.""
SEVENWinter let go of her head. When she looked up at me, I realized that she had lost so much weight. She wasn't this thin when I saw her at Dawn's birthday party. More so, it seemed she had been crying a lot.What happened to her?I was just about to say something when Winter pulled away from me and ran over to Alaric. She squatted beside him as the soldiers pressed him to the floor. "Honey, please tell me that guy is saying nonsense?""He is!" Alaric declared without skipping a beat. "He's a bad man. In fact, he was the one who caused your car crash.""What!" Winter and I exclaimed at the same time.I saw her look at me. Rage sparked in her eyes. I sensed her blood boiling at the same time. Suddenly, she pointed at me and cried, "So, it was you! You almost killed me. You caused the accident that took my precious daughter away from me!"For a second, I was speechless. What crash were they talking about? Winter's only bad encounter with a car recently was from the abduction which ha