Sitting in the corner of the room on the pile of filthy blankets, I rubbed my eyes with my dirty hands. My hands and fingernails were caked with dirt. Sleep did not come as I lay in fear of Darius or James Coopers return. Deathly afraid of what was to become of Lucian, I had called out to him all night but to no avail. The silence was soul-destroying. The cell was freezing as the nighttime temperature plummeted—water running down the walls causing moss to grow in patches.
The door handle turned. Cowering in the corner, I closed my eyes tightly, not game enough to look.
“Good Morning Gwendolyn, How did you sleep?” Darius’s word sent chills down my spine. Mustering all the courage I could, I responded sweetly.
“I slept like a bab
The cool night air hit my face as I followed Alpha Tobias into the forest. Twigs scraped my coat as I weaved through the trees. Howls echoed through the darkness as the wolves branched off to hunt. Sniffing the air, a familiar scent drifted through the air, stopping me dead in my tracks. “Darius”, I said to myself as the smell became stronger. We are well inside Crimson Shadow territory. What is Darius up to? Did he follow Fenis and my scent?Alpha Tobiasś nose was high in the air, “Darius”, he growled immediately recognising the scent of his old friend. The heckles on the back of his neck bristled up as he followed the scent. Trailing behind Alpha Tobias, I noticed a second scent, “James,” I snarled, exposing my teeth.“We need to bring the plan forward, Jackson” Tobias shook his head.
I was slowly going insane, trapped in Adaś secret underground room, it was ample space, but with Aunt Bonnie, Johnra, my mother and Atticus, the walls felt like they were closing in around me. “Leki come play “ Atticus held out his chubby hand. Rolling his yellow ball across the floor until it stopped suddenly as it hit my feet. Gently rolling it back and forth, Atticus squealed with delight every time the ball was sent back to him. My mum and Aunt Bonnie spent their time whispering and trying to hide their concern. As hard as they tried, there was no way to hide from the torment of not knowing if Fenis and Uncle Jackson were safe or the constant fear of my father discovering our whereabouts. Beckoning Johnra over with my finger, we needed to make a plan. J
I collapsed on the ground exhausted, sweat beaded on my forehead and my face was bright red.“Get up Kodessa, you have gotten soft” Christopher Ramsey barked, Victoria stood over me grinning.“Stop gloating and give me a hand up” shaking my head in frustration, grabbed hold of Victoria’s hand and pulled me to my feet. It was the second time in a matter of minutes she had bested me and I had ended up on the ground. Usually, we were more evenly matched, today though I could not focus on training. Gwen and Lucian dominated my thoughts.“What is going on with you today, Dessa?”Gwen probed, as she stepped back and raised her fists ready to attack again. “You know we are about to go to war, we need to be ready Des”.
Pressing my ear against the dirty vent I listened intently, I could have sworn I had heard a voice. “Oh great,” I said out loud, frustrated, to add to everything that was going on I am now hearing things. “Hello”, a female voice faintly whispered through the vent. “Thank goodness, I thought I was going crazy” I called back.”What is your name?” Minutes went by and nothing, silence. “Please …Please talk to me “ I begged, desperate to hear something. Rage filled my body with every passing second, standing up I kicked the pail of water as hard as I could sending it flying across the room. My foot throbbed from the impact. “PLEASE TALK TO ME” I yelled as loud as I could, my voice hoarse. My stomach gr
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”
“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
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
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
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”