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Chapter 13
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
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Iridian Chapter 14
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
Iridian Chapter 15
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
Iridian Chapter 16
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
Iridian Chapter 17
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
Iridian Chapter 18
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
Iridian Chapter 19
Apollo led the five of us out of the train station. The parking lot was nearly empty, only a handful of cars were scattered about. Four bulky looking black vehicles were parked against the curb, right outside the entrance. They were large enough to fit the five of us, plus a driver and passenger.A cold breeze brushed against my skin, coaxing a shiver from me. The thin material of the outfit they provided did little to protect us against the afternoon wind. The sky had turned a deep shade of indigo as the sun hid behind the treetops.I had to catch my breath as I looked at the world around us. It was clear we were in a rather small town; the buildings were faded and the signs cracked. It wasn't the buildings or town that had my mouth dropping, but the view around us. As far as I could see, a dense forest surrounded us. The trees were thicker than I had ever seen, the leaves bright and healthy. Off in the distance I caught sight of a cluster of mountains, ja
Iridian Chapter 20
A million questions ran through my mind, all regarding my Grandpa's old photograph. He would have told me if he'd been to Iridian before, I was sure of that much. Mom had warned me about Iridian as if she had first-hand knowledge, but I couldn't imagine my Mom going to Iridian and taking that picture. Cameras weren't even allowed during Iridian, which only made me more frustrated and curious. There was no way my Grandpa or Mom had come from the Iridescence Pack. The thought made my stomach roll with unease. They couldn't have lied to me, they wouldn't have. Yet, somehow that photograph made its way into my Grandpa's box.I followed Camille and Helena up the stairs and through the large front doors, gaping at the room around us. The foyer, as most wealthy people called it, was basically a large empty room. Crystal chandeliers etched in gold hung from the arched ceiling, thick Persian rugs covered the floor like a long red carpet. Thick maroon curtains were draped o
Iridian Chapter 21
I shifted into my human form, vastly aware that I stood bare in front of the old woman. I began to come forward, to help the woman to her feet, but she elevated a hand and halted me. My underdressed state was the least of my worries as I faced the woman who had somehow survived against the bobcat's attack. My heart hammered roughly, fear still singing in my veins. The animal could have easily killed me as well, and I had acted without any caution. While I had always been a risk taker, this was entirely new. I wondered what Aidan would say, and knew he would wring me dry for blindly putting myself in danger. Regardless, I couldn't bring myself to regret my hasty, thoughtless action. "Its bite was poisonous?" I frowned, a sickening feeling swirling in my gut
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