Kodessa Keneallyś long tanned legs entwined around the old Beech tree; she reached out towards the rosette of leaves with her basket in one hand. She bit her bottom lip and extended her arm, the leaves dancing with her fingertips.“Stop being a baby and get them”, I muttered to myself. Then, with a final push, I lunged forward and snatched the glossy dark leaves.Suddenly my legs let go of the grasp they had on the trunk, and I propelled forward. “No”, I shrieked. As I hurtled towards the damp forest floor below.Fenris and Fleki Grey were skylarking through the Beechwood Forest, laughing and teasing, the brothers, without realising, had veered over the boundary lines.
I watched the brothers run away and pondered over what they meant by “My Kind”. I had seen the fear in their eyes when I told them my name. We had never been told what lies on the other side of the River Lethe. We only knew that under absolutely no circumstances were we to cross it. My father’s voice reverberated through the trees as he made his approach “Kodessa '', he bellowed. “I am over here, Father, “I have hurt my ankle “, “But not as much as I have hurt my pride,” I said under my breath. My father was an intimidating man, to say the least, Shoulder length auburn hair, blue eyes and a weathered, handsome face, tall and robust, with a thick dark sca
My legs tired as I raced to catch up to Fleki. The howls faded as we ran through the undergrowth back to our side of the boundary line. I could not believe we had been so careless. The banks of the River Lethe were just in front of us. As I crossed the icy cold waters, a wave of relief crossed over me. We had made it back safely and, more importantly, undiscovered.Fleki stood nervously waiting for his brother, terrified that he would not make it back to Ironside.Dreading how he would have to explain the day’s events to his father.He heard a splash in the river below, as he turned around, and saw Fenis sprinting into Greysteel territory.I collapsed, ex
I knew this time would come, the boys of age. Finally, the pact is broken —time to sell a story that paints me as a hero. And finish off the Crimson Shadowś for good. Fenis and Fleki can never learn the truth about the extent of my betrayal and the despicable acts I performed to get us here."Twenty years ago, there was no Greysteel Pack. We all belonged to the Crimson Shadow pack".I could see the blood run out of the twin's faces at this revelation. The room was dead silent, awaiting the story to unfold. Others were intrigued by what spin Darius would put on the truth to appeased his boys.There were two types of people in the room, those as evil as Darius Grey and others blackmailed pawns in his vicious game."I wa
I yawned and rubbed my tired eyes as the sunlight beamed through the gaps in the curtains.Sleep did not come easily as Fenis Grey crept into my dreams. I could not get the image of him out of my head.Stretching, the dull ache from my ankle starting radiating up into my calf.“Good morning Miss Kodessa” Elsie, our maid, exclaimed as she entered the room, promptly throwing open the curtains. Daylight flooded the room.“Morning, Elsie”, I replied, smiling at the woman that had nurtured me for the last sixteen years.Elsie was the only mother Gwen, and I have known, well, her and Grandma Ulfred.Ever since
We finished our breakfast in relative silence after Gwen’s outburst and subsequent departure.I could see the hurt and confusion on my fatherś face, doubt and guilt creeping in.“Itś not you, father “. I placed my hand on his trying my best to reassure him.“You have been an amazing father to Gwen and me, and there is something else going on”.“Thank you, Dessa” he gave me a half-smile, and he slowly stood up, looking tired and defeated.“You try and rest that ankle for the dance tonight”. “I know how much you have been looking forward to it”.&nb
As we opened the doors, the cool night air hit me in the face, and my stomach rumbled.“I’m starving. Let’s go home, Leki.”“What did you think of Father’s story, Fenis?” Fleki asked, looking at his brother. The whole thing did not any sense at all. Perhaps when his father finished, the pieces would fit together.“I don’t know what to think, but we all know father. He will not tell us the whole story”.“Especially anything that paints him in a bad light”.“Uncle Jackson looked defeated. There is more to that part of it”.
Morning came quickly, and I felt like my head only just hit the pillow as my eyes opened to the morning light. My head was still spinning after yesterdays events. Between meeting Kodessa and then the revelations, I didn't know what to think. My gut instinct was telling me that there was more to the story. Questioning my father was not an option. Instead, I must visit my Uncle. Maybe he could help unravel the pieces.I quickly dressed and headed down the stairs bumping into Fleki on the way down."Move out of the way, Brother."He gave me a hard shove in the ribs as he bustled past, laughing."OUCH"A sharp pain shot up my ribcage from where Lekiś elbow had connected. He is becoming quite the pain, I thought to myself. Luckily for him, he is at the bottom of my list with everything else I have going on.The kitchen was bustling as everyone sat down for the morning meal. I was shocked
Pain radiated throughout my body as I slowly sat up, keeping my eyes firmly on Kodessa until she disappeared. Johnra groaned as he tried to sit up, his shirt soaked as blood seeped from his wounds. His face went white as the blood left his body."Don't move, Johnra. ", I crawled over to him, and my left leg hung limply. Using my forearms, I inched forward. Sticks and rocks dug into my arms, tearing the skin as I kept moving. Time was of the essence, and I needed to help Johnra and return to Briarwood to alert the pack of Kodessa's kidnapping.The image of Fleki's eyes kept flashing in my mind. They were eyes I was very familiar with, our father's evil, vicious eyes. But, deep down, I knew Fleki was way worse than our father, and if we did not stop him, he would destroy anyone in his path.Johnra stirred as I reached out my hand to touch his shoulder, "Hang in there, Johnra", I whispered into his ear. Then, lifting the tattered remains of his shirt, I gasped as I saw the deep gashes
“I am coming with you, Fenis. I just need to get my boots”. I ran down the hallway and pushed open the door, grabbing my boots off the floor. Johnra and Fenis were waiting for me in the front garden.“Us poor men Fenis, always waiting for a woman”, Johnra teased with a grin. Then, slapping him on the arm, he laughed as we headed through the town until we reached the edge of the river.“And what would you know about women Johnra Thompson”? Rolling my eyes, I flicked him behind his ears.“Ouch,” he cried, clutching his ear with his large hand.“Men”, I giggled “, nothing but babies”.
My days were full of caring for Lucian, who didn’t remember who I was and helping Ada with her Carmentis duties. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a purpose.Stepping out the front door, I shielded my eyes from the glare of the midday sun. Lucian was working in the garden. His brown skin glistened with sweat as he swung the hoe into the earth. Jagged raised scabs covered his back, deep red ridges where the wounds had started to heal. If only the wounds we could not see were healing as quickly. He was happiest doing simple tasks, most comfortable when he was alone. We spent very little time together, and I feared that our love would always be lost.“Good Morning Lucian” smiling through the pain. “It’s a beautiful day. Would you like to go for a stroll”?
“Should you go after him, Fenis?” Kodessa touched my arm, and her eyes were wide with concern. “Not this time”, I smiled gently “we have way too much going on here for me to go and chase Fleki after another one of his tantrums”. “I don’t know, I think you should,” she pleaded.” Please, Fenis, he is hurting”. Taking her in my arms, I held on tightly, my face nestled into her soft hair “stop worrying, Des”. “I cannot help it. I have a bad feeling about it” Kodessa’s pretty face wrinkled as she was deep in thought. “If it eases your worries, I will head out tomorrow and drag him back.”
The hunger, curling up on the bed, I clutched my sides as pain racked my body. A burning primal hunger that needed to be quenched. Sweat coated my body, as it spasmed uncontrollably.“Are you ready to drink yet, Fleki”?Lenore entered the room, dragging a petite blonde girl by her hair, her tanned legs flying around in sheer terror. Blood trickled down her slender neck before I could draw a breath, her lifeless body lay in my arms, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand I let out an ear-piercing howl. Tears rolled down my face as I looked at the damage I had inflicted, her head hanging on by a thread, a chunk of skin and muscle missing, Dark red blood covered the tops of her shoulders, her long blonde hair tinged pink. A strange feeling came over me as I felt her blood coursing through me.&nbs
Atticus screams echoed through my head as I slammed the door and left the house, I don’t belong here I thought to myself as I headed towards the forest, picking up my pace as the rage inside me started to boil over. Whilst I had been locked away in Ada’s basement, Fenis had been having the time of his life with Kodessa Keneally. He had found his home, easily and looked as if he didn’t have a care in the world, which was typical. How easy it was for Fenis to forget me, to move on. Well now it’s my time to move on, the question is where do I move on to? Kicking a clump of grass, the constant battle raging inside me was becoming exhausting. And then with a moment of clarity, I knew exactly where I belonged. It was time to go home and take my place at my father’s side. It was time to stop fighting and embrace the evil that lurked inside me. The blood pumped through my legs as I quickened my pac
Rubbing my eyes, I was woken up by loud noises and crying coming from the kitchen. Voices that I had not heard before, nervously I picked my robe up off the floor, the silk glided over my naked skin, the cool material leaving goosebumps. Quickly checking my appearance in the mirror, I tucked my hair behind my ears and headed to the kitchen. Opening the door I was shocked by what I saw, the room was full of people, A young child cried in the corner in a beautiful woman’s arms, Grandma Winifred was running around handing out blankets. The kettle on the stove began to whistle as steam poured out of the spout. Mugs lined the bench with various teas in them, waiting for the water to help release their aromas. Looking at the sea of faces, I spotted one that was familiar to me, Fleki. What was Fenis’s brother doing here? And where was Gwen?. “Kodessa, come and help me with the tea please”? Grandma
“Kodessa, wake up” I traced around her face with my fingertips, carefully moving a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek. Sound asleep her eyes remained firmly shut. Gently shaking her arm, “Kodessa, wake up”. Her chest moved up and down steadily as she remained sound asleep, kissing her tenderly on the cheek and lifting the covers I slid out of the bed and quickly retrieved my clothes off the floor.Hastily getting dressed, I turn for one last look and close the door behind me. The house is quiet as I made my way down the hall and into the kitchen, muffled voices can be heard in the kitchen, pushing open the door, Uncle Jackson and Alpha Tobias are sitting at the table with a map of Ironside spread out in front of them. They both quickly look up as I enter the room. “What’s going on”, I asked as Uncle Jackson folded the map in h
The street was deserted as we made our way through the town, keeping our heads down and our backs to the wall trying to blend into the darkness. Aunt Bonnie led the way, followed by my mother and Johnra who had Atticus perched on his shoulders thoroughly enjoying the ride. I was at the rear constant looking behind me and making sure we were hitting a steady pace. There was a coldness in the air and a slight breeze which would make our scent so much easier to track. The ritual would be over soon, we did not have much time. Atticus bobbed up and down on Johnraś broad shoulders, giggling in delight oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Excited to be outside for the first time in a while, he grinned and waved as we rushed down the road. “Shh Addy” Johnra hushed,” Remember we must be really quiet to win the game”