As a child, I remember the excitement each year as twenty people gathered for Iridian. Parades would be thrown, people dressed in costumes depicting magical creatures that had once roamed our earth. Countless celebrations would be held as families gathered together and hoped for an invitation of their own. I had loved watching the parades on our old television, had loved the glittering costumes of the dancers that pranced down the streets. The celebrations continued until a victor emerged, gloating of the adventure and wonder that is Iridian.
What the television didn’t talk about
A rough knock sounded on the front door, taking Mom’s attention off of me. She brushed past me with a disappointed sigh, walking from the kitchen into the living room. The floor creaked under her feet as she padded over to the front door.“You’ll thank us for this someday, Rachel.” Dad frowned, and though I could see the concern burning in his eyes, it did nothing to stifle the anger running through me.
My Mom's warning stuck with me as we drove down the road. I contemplated asking the man when the game actually begin, but I doubted he would give me a straight answer. Those who returned from Iridian were unable to speak about the details of the game, but I heard the rules and setting changed every year.'Must be a lot of work to change your entire pack every year.' Rayna mused, 'If they change the rules and setting, why are they so secretive about the game itself?''Maybe, they're trying to hide the fact that they don't have Magic. After all, Grandpa Kent said Magic left us a long time ago.' I shrugged.'Maintaining a healthy skepticism, I see.' Rayna chuckled, 'Grandpa Kent also said, the only place that still has Magic is the Iridescence Pack.''Maybe they don't want people finding out how some of the contestants vanish, or how some are driven mad.' I grimaced, feeling the food I had eaten at my birthday party swirl within
After Apollo's vanishing act, I wasted little time stepping onto the train. The sliding doors opened with a quiet hiss, revealing a guy just a few years older than myself. The guy was nothing like Apollo, with his flamboyant suit and shimmering hair. This boy looked quite normal, and was sporting what looked to be a waiter's uniform. His lips turned up with a polite smile, and I visibly jumped as the doors behind me closed. "Welcome, Rachel. I am sure you have questions, but unfortunately, I am not the one to ask. This entire compartment belongs to you and four other female contestants. Food and drink are provided, as are sleeping quarters for your time here. We will arrive at the Iridescent Pack in four days. This train also houses the other contestants, male's included, though you will not have access to them. Do enjoy your stay."Without another word, the guy gestured to his right. The scent of food wafted in the air, much different than wha
I had slept like the dead, only waking to the sound of two unfamiliar feminine voices. Sliding the door to my small sleeping quarters open, I peeked my head from the room. The woman with a permanent sneer on her face, Liliana, was chatting with another woman, one I hadn't seen before. I assumed she was the fifth contestant on our small portion of the train. Her hair was impossibly long and curly, her skin a shade of deep bronze. She looked as though she spent most of her days under the sun. I'd have assumed she worked outside if it weren't for the shimmering crystal necklace that wrapped around her throat. She held the same air of superiority Liliana sported. Whatever conversation they were having halted at my entrance. Two sneers turned on me, and I didn't bother resisting the urge to roll my eyes.'Already making enemies, I see.' Rayna yawned, shaking out her fur.'I didn't do anything.' I snorted, padding down the hallway to the small bathroo
That night we tried a decanter of scarlet liquid, thin in viscosity with little chunks of what looked like fruit inside. As I inhaled the scent pouring from the decanter, I noted strawberries, cherries, and other fruits I had no name for.I looked over the symbols carved onto the bottom of each decanter. Some were small stars with five points, the ones I was warned about, others had large eight-pointed stars, while one decanter in particular had a crescent moon. I couldn't help but wonder what effects the decanter with a crescent moon held. The liquid in was midnight black, but was ripe with hues of indigo and purple, with little silver flecks dancing around. The bottom of this particular decanter had an eight-pointed star.Helena had been true to her word, bringing the scarlet liquid to her lips, her eyes bright with anxiety and bravery. For a moment, Helena looked around confused, until her gaze landed on Camille and I. Her eyes widened; her l
Yesterday we had let Helena choose one of the decanters, and today Camille wanted a turn. I had warned them both about the decanters marked with a small star, and was pleased that they took my word seriously.I had scanned the bottom of each bottle, noting how they either had a small star, or a large eight-pointed star carved onto the bottom. Only one bottle had the carving of a crescent moon, and I was growing more and more curious of its effects. The nameless waiter hadn't said anything about the bottle with the crescent moon, and I could no longer stifle my curiosity. Once we arrived at the Iridescence Pack, I would no longer have the opportunity to try it. The decanter with the crescent moon held a liquid the shade of night, though the color was anything but flat. Inky black mixed with deep shades of indigo, plum, and silver. Tomorrow would be my turn to choose, and I wanted to try the decanter with the crescent moon.Camille chose a pleasant beig
Gentle wind whipped around me in waves, lashing against my bare skin with its cool caress. Where the wind chilled me, the sun provided warmth. Plump clouds hung in the sky, round like cotton though none dared to drift in front of the sun.I looked down at the outfit I wore, running my fingers over the thin yet sinfully soft material. A white shirt, and lavender pants. The events of the last few days rushed over me, the wind growing colder against my skin as I realized this was all a dream, a production of the magic infused liquid I had drank.I had gotten my invitation to Iridian, and was on my way to the Iridescence Pack. Helena and Camille flitted through my mind like a distant memory, though I know I had seen them merely hours ago. I remembered the midnight liquid in the decanter, the crescent moon etched onto the bottom. I remembered the explosion of flavor, both foreign and familiar, as the liquid touched my lips. I remembered falling into bed, m
I wish I could've said I woke up before I plummeted to my death, but I didn't. I remained awake--if you could call it that, the entire horrific free fall.I fell through the air, gravity pulling me down without mercy. Stars danced around my eyes as I flipped, my eyes widening as I watched the vast ocean grow closer and closer. Fear and nausea swirled in my gut, my entire body tingling with that 'free-fall' feeling, the one where your stomach jumps and lodges itself somewhere it shouldn't be. The feeling you get on a roller coaster when you're speeding down a steep slope, the point where everyone puts their hands in the air and screams.I've always hated roller coasters, couldn't stand the way they twisted your stomach into knots, or the way the wind battered you senseless. I would have traded this for a million roller coaster rides.I wanted to scream, but the wind ripped the sound from my lungs. My mouth hung open; my eyes wide as
I stumbled over my words, forcing them into the space between us where they hovered like a noxious gas. âWhatâwhat do you mean? I killed NadiaâŚI donâtââ The Moon Goddess cut my rambling short by placing the palm of her hand against my cheek. It was something my mom had done whenever I was upset as a child, and somehow the Moon Goddessâs touch held that same level of comfort. She smiled sadly, but it was an expression of pure love and understanding. âDo not punish yourself, daughter. What was left of Nadiaâs essence has returned home and rejoined that of her wolf, but her death does not mean Evil is gone from the world. Us celestial beings arenât allowed to meet our creations, but this situationâŚit is unique. Iâm afraid I cannot tell you much, but there is one who can.â Jumping at the chance to get some answers, to preserve the peace Dain and the warriors fought so hard for, I asked, âWho? Who can?â âIt is time to awaken, daughter. Itâs in the world of the living where youâll find
All I could do was stand there and gape at him. Honesty shone in his eyes like newborn stars, but all it did was leave me confused. I replayed the last twenty-four hours in my head, searching for the moment where Iâd won the game between us.When I came up empty handed, I stammered, âI did?âDain nodded, staring down at me with hooded eyes. âYou did.ââHow? When?ââAs for how, thatâs the part where I cheated, Iâm afraid. I didnât admit out loud what I felt for you, but I felt it nonetheless.â He admitted, a sheepish tilt to his lips. âI realized I loved you the moment those doors opened, and you appeared at the top of the steps. Iâm not sure Iâll ever forget the way you looked in that gown, which Iâll have to thank Adley for when she returns. You couldâve been an assassin here to put a dagger in my heart and I wouldâve gladly let you.âThere was an explosion of butterflies in my chest, their wings beating so frantically that the sound of my heartbeat was drowned out.Leaning into Dain
Epilogue â Part OneIn every book, in every movie where a great battle is fought and won, they never show what happens after.Iâm not talking about the following weeks or months, but hours and days. Iâm talking about when the dust has yet to settle and the ghosts of the dead still linger in the walls, when every gust of wind or insignificant sound sends you freefalling through time. When every shadow bares the face of someone you knowâor worse, someone you killed. When all thatâs left is this numbing sense of disbelief that tries to trick you into thinking this new reality isnât realâthat itâs all some pitiful hope conjured up by a dying, fear-riddled mind.According to Dain, itâs a time to mourn what was lost while holding those we love near, a chance to silence the ghosts that haunt us by thinking of the future weâd create. When I asked this question, my mate wasnât the only one with an opinion. In Apolloâs not so humble words, itâs a time to get absolutely plastered and to celebrat
The elongated claws tipped with old blood were hers. I couldnât forget the sight of her gnarled fingers, which had once been slender and elegant, even if I tried.With a loud smack, she flattened her palm against the stone floor. A second arm shot out of the water, followed by another wet smack.âThat puddleâs not nearly big enough for what sheâs trying to doâŚâ Rayna pointed out, her voice just as sickly as I knew my own would be.Both of Nadiaâs arms were bent at odd angles as they rose from the water, but that was the least disturbing thing I witnessed as this day began to quickly unfold. Next to appear were her eyes, the whites much too large to be considered normal, followed by the jagged slash that was her smile. In the memories Iâd seen, her smile had been coy and playful, with the same softness as a flowerâs petals. This one was of malice and envy, both deeply disturbing and in dire need of some chapstick.Her shoulders rose from the water at the same time but were bent awkward
It took everything within me not to flinch at the sound of her voice and how close it truly was to my ear. Only when I felt her icy talons meet my skin did I act.âItâs showtime.â Rayna murmured, lending me all of her strength as I willed the floor to crumble beneath my feet.Together, my wolf and I fell.Since I was prepared for the impact, it was easy to call on my magic to lessen the blow. Warm air rushed beneath my gown and outstretched arms, acting as a safety net that slowed my fall and kept me from toppling over. It wasnât the graceful landing Iâd been trying for since Nadia was doing something to block our magic, but it kept me from breaking both my ankles on the way down.I didnât wait for the dust to settle. The moment I felt solid stone beneath my feet, I took off running.Nadiaâs snarl was one of surprise and outrage, strong enough that it made the castle tremble. I didnât repress my grin or the laughter I spewed into the air, knowing both would entice her to followâto con
Nadia launched herself at me, and as she did so, her hair and dress billowed out at her sides. The movement was slow and lazy, almost like she was submerged in water and not hovering a solid three feet in the air. Even though her form was translucent, and she seemed to be neither here nor there, I had a sickening feeling she could still do significant damage if I let her reach me.Instinct took over, and for once in my life, it wasnât telling me to run.I launched the orb in my hand like it were a baseball, and watched as it spiraled through the air, a small halo of light surrounding it. When it hit its mark, square in the center of Nadiaâs face, I silently thanked Aidan for teaching me all those years ago. I had hated every second of his baseball phase, but heâd been so passionate about becoming a professional athlete and whisking us away that I couldnât resist helping him practice. After a dozen scraped knees, a handful of bruises, and one broken arm, we both called it quits.The in
For the longest time all I could hear was the sound of stone grinding against stone.There was a painful burn in my lungs, but I didnât dare exhale. Instead, I held my breath and watched as the corridors around me shifted. Walls slid left and right, forming new pathways that hadnât existed before. Many changed angles, creating sharp turns that you couldnât see coming until it was too late.Some of the windows began to close, melting away as though theyâd never been there, while others grew larger. The ones that grew in size turned into arched doorways narrow enough for but one person to slip through.While the castle itself wasnât a sentient being, every brick and inch of tiled floor was alive with Dainâs magic. I could feel itâs alluring touch within everything I altered and couldnât help but smile at how eager it was to please me. Even the paintings responded to my call, changing forms until each one was exactly the same.The brash strokes of oil paint shimmered as they changed colo
âMy sisters, are they safe?â Aidan asked, his voice low.Even with a side view of his face, I could see the way it twisted into a concerned grimace. With eyebrows knitted tightly together and jaw clenched, he pivoted his head from left to right, peering down each corridor as we crept through another intersection. The sword he clutched in his hand, itâs metal an impenetrable black that shimmered with blood, was raised and ready for use.âIs anyone truly safe?â I asked, eyeing one of the windows warily. It would be all too easy for Nadia or one of her monsters to slip through now that the hallways were conjoined. âTheyâre hidden away. The fight wonât reach them.âHis shoulders slumped as much as they could with the defensive stance he held, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips.âThank the Goddess. Even though Iâd see them when I got back, Iâm not sure Iâd be able to handle it if they were dead.âHe didnât have to explain why, not when the answer hovered in the space between us.There w
Selfishly, I tried to call on Helios, to summon him to my side like Iâd been told I could. It was what he wouldâve wanted, it was why we completed the bond in the first place. The issue was that no one told me how to do it.There was a sense of awareness that settled over me, followed by a wave of understanding that told me Helios was very much alive. He was feeling it too, a subtle tug that let him know I was still here. I concentrated on my golden-haired warrior harder, imagining him as a sword sheathed at my side, ready to be used at momentâs notice.I felt that tug turn into a harsh pull, but there was no smile of victory on my face, because the milky-eyed creature at the end of the hall let out a blood-curdling wail and charged.Iâd never been afraid of horror movies, not with their make-shift gore and fake blood. The knowledge that the creepy monster on the television screen wasnât actually real was enough to smother any fear I mightâve felt. As I scrambled to get away from the