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Chapter 146
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2022-03-06 13:26:25Thirteen tunnels circled the room with flickering torches in between. Choosing from them was going to be a problem, but that wasn’t the only one we’d have to face before getting the hell out of here. Each tunnel was incredibly narrow and would only fit the three of us if we went in a single-file line. The thought of being trapped while Callum, Nadia, or any one of their creatures raced for us made me feel a bit light-headed.
What made matters worse was using any sort of fire power in such a confined space could hurt Adley or Apollo.
Apollo stood at the very center of the cavern, a hand on his chin as he stared down each dark tunnel. Adley on the other hand walked the circumference of the room. As I paid more attention to her I realized her eyes were going blank every so often. It happened right when she’d pass a tunnel, though for some they remained normal.
“This one.” Her voice bounced off the smooth walls, and she came to a stop i
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Iridian Chapter 147
“Now, now. We don’t want boy toy to get hurt, do we?” Alexandria cooed; her blood-red lips forming a perfect heart on her face.To prove a point she brought the blade up and nicked his cheek. A thin trail of blood ran down the side of his face, through the stubble that appeared to be freshly shaved. I hadn’t even realized I’d been snarling until she giggled and shook her head.Through it all, Aidan’s eyes remained blank.“What did you do to him?” I would’ve been surprised at how guttural my voice sounded if she hadn’t brought the blade back to his throat.She feigned confusion and used her free hand to tug his head back. “Oh, that. It’s just a little enchantment to keep him cool as a cucumber while we chat.”“After what you did to Ally, the only conversation we’re going to have is the one where you beg for your life.” I would’ve made an at
Last Updated : 2022-03-12Iridian Chapter 148
Alexandria had no qualms about releasing Aeacus, who seemed not to hear Adley’s ominous warning of his death and instead chose to lunge for her throat a second time.The glint of a bronze-colored blade flashed in my peripherals, and I stepped back in time to miss getting clipped by its massive hilt as Apollo intercepted his brother. I thought for sure Adley’s warning was going to come true when a loud clang filled the air.Apollo’s sword slammed into the spear that magically appeared in Aeacus’s hand. Sparks erupted where the two weapons met, but both men held their stances.Its body was crafted from the same bronzed metal as Apollo’s sword and was topped with a wavy-edged blade whose tip rested an inch from Adley’s throat.She didn’t move a muscle, nor did she take her eyes off Alexandria. I wondered if she had seen it coming, if that was why she hadn’t so much as flinched when Aeacus swung the blade at her
Last Updated : 2022-03-15Iridian Chapter 149
I wiped the vomit from my mouth but turned to heave again when Apollo lifted his brother’s severed head off the floor by his mane of bronze hair. There was a hideously disturbing splat, much too loud to be blood alone, as something wet hit the floor.“Do you really need to take his head with you, Apollo?” I asked after spitting and wiping my mouth for the second time.The question was supposed to be laced with venom, but instead I sounded almost afraid. His behavior was a bit odd, but it’s not like there were guidelines for keeping your shit together after beheading your own flesh and blood. Plus, he and Aeacus seemed to have some serious issues.Apollo cocked one of his sculpted eyebrows at me, like I was the one being difficult. There wasn’t a shred of regret or shame within his eyes, not that there should be, but I expected something substantial.This couldn’t possibly be it.‘
Last Updated : 2022-03-16Iridian Chapter 150
‘Rachel, can you hear me?’ Dain’s voice was the breath of fresh air I hadn’t realized I needed. Even though a whisper of guilt coiled around my head, I didn’t let go of Aidan’s hand. ‘…there’s something about Callum’s illusion magic that’s blocking the mind-link, I can’t seem to find a way through to you…damn it, tell me you can hear me!”Stone trickled from the ceiling in time with Dain’s powerful snarl and was what made the four of us rush towards the far end of the cavern, where Antonio’s wolf had vanished behind a wall of darkness.‘I can hear you, Dain.’ No matter how hard I tried, there was no hiding the tremble to my voice. ‘…tell me what to do—tell me how to get out of here.’Dain cursed, his voice fading in and out as the cavern walls began to shake.‘…can’t let him getaway. If he does, you&rsqu
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Countless guests who had eagerly torn open their invitations just hours ago, now found their lives cut short. I wondered how many of them spent twice the amount of time on their hair and clothes, only to end up a bloodless corpse on the floor.I was too lost in the sea of dead to notice the wall of darkness that consumed the other side of the room. It appeared impenetrable, and completely shielded the southern corridor, and half of the dance floor. Only when Aidan’s hand slipped through my own did I lift my head, but it wasn’t to gaze up at the forlorn expression on his face.A man emerged from the shadows, running full force as he dragged a sobbing woman behind him. Her intricate updo was lopsided, sticking to the blood that ran down the side of her slender face. Clutched in her hand like a weapon was a stiletto, one that didn’t match the shredded turquoise dress clinging to her trembling frame.It was then I heard the screaming coming from in
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This was the first time I’d seen him in action if that’s what you could call this. He played it tame back at the festival of night, but with Callum and Nadia somewhere in this mess, it was no holds barred.From deep within the pulsing cloud of night I heard a sharp crack, like the air itself had been cleaved in two.The same man Dain had pulled back in was now thrown into the air. He soared over broken tables and almost clipped one of the deserted bars before hitting the ground with a heavy thud.My stomach turned painfully, but bile refused to surface. It was adrenaline alone that kept me from hurling when his head tore open on impact and the marble flooring split from the force at which he’d been thrown. Even the sight of his mangled limbs, twisted at odd angles couldn’t reach me, not to say it wouldn’t once this was all over.“Oh, I’m sure of it.” Apollo nodded, his head tilting as he stared at the dead m
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“When I kill my brother and we get out of this shithole, you’ll be lucky if I let you leave my bed the rest of the week.” His lips brushed my ear, once and then twice before he pulled away. “Actually, I’m going to need the rest of the month to get the taste of your fear out of my head—luckily I know just what to replace it with. When I said I wanted to hear you scream, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”At the same time, his voice slid into my head.‘Nadia is close by, but she won’t reveal herself. There’s something about the four of us here together that has her afraid. She’s listening, but she can’t quite find us.’ The corner of his full lips lifted into a smirk. ‘Try not to sound too breathless when you respond, darling. Now tell me, where are the others?’“How can you joke at a time like this?” Even a whisper felt loud, and I wondered how close Nad
Last Updated : 2022-03-19Iridian Chapter 154
“Don’t listen to him, Rachel. He wants us fighting each other.” Dain warned, but I could barely hear him—barely feel him as he tensed behind me.A puff of hot breath fanned across my face, and I bit back a gag as the scent of dried blood and something old hit my senses.Too late I felt the darkness around me stir as Callum went in for the attack. A swift but dull pain blossomed across my stomach. It lost the chance to bloom into agony when Dain grabbed me by the arm and shoved me behind him.In one fluid motion he thrust his hand out at where Callum had been standing, and the shadows around us swarmed. Like the shrill scream of wind they howled as they passed, stabbing my ears until even Dain’s voice faded into the static.When Callum’s enraged snarl broke through the shrieking of the angry hive, Dain clenched his hand into a fist and shoved back the impenetrable clouds. The fiery curls of my hair whipped around my shou
Last Updated : 2022-03-21
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I stumbled over my words, forcing them into the space between us where they hovered like a noxious gas. “What—what do you mean? I killed Nadia…I don’t—” 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 Goddess’s touch held that same level of comfort. She smiled sadly, but it was an expression of pure love and understanding. “Do not punish yourself, daughter. What was left of Nadia’s 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 aren’t allowed to meet our creations, but this situation…it is unique. I’m afraid I cannot tell you much, but there is one who can.” Jumping at the chance to get some answers, to preserve the peace Dain and the warriors fought so hard for, I asked, “Who? Who can?” “It is time to awaken, daughter. It’s in the world of the living where you’ll find
Iridian Epilogue Pt. 2
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 I’d won the game between us.When I came up empty handed, I stammered, “I did?”Dain nodded, staring down at me with hooded eyes. “You did.”“How? When?”“As for how, that’s the part where I cheated, I’m afraid. I didn’t admit out loud what I felt for you, but I felt it nonetheless.” He admitted, a sheepish tilt to his lips. “I realized I loved you the moment those doors opened, and you appeared at the top of the steps. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the way you looked in that gown, which I’ll have to thank Adley for when she returns. You could’ve been an assassin here to put a dagger in my heart and I would’ve gladly let you.”There 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
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Epilogue – Part OneIn every book, in every movie where a great battle is fought and won, they never show what happens after.I’m not talking about the following weeks or months, but hours and days. I’m 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 know—or worse, someone you killed. When all that’s left is this numbing sense of disbelief that tries to trick you into thinking this new reality isn’t real—that it’s all some pitiful hope conjured up by a dying, fear-riddled mind.According to Dain, it’s 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 we’d create. When I asked this question, my mate wasn’t the only one with an opinion. In Apollo’s not so humble words, it’s a time to get absolutely plastered and to celebrat
Iridian Chapter 213
The elongated claws tipped with old blood were hers. I couldn’t 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.‘That puddle’s not nearly big enough for what she’s trying to do…’ Rayna pointed out, her voice just as sickly as I knew my own would be.Both of Nadia’s 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 I’d seen, her smile had been coy and playful, with the same softness as a flower’s 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
Iridian Chapter 212
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.‘It’s showtime.’ 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 wasn’t the graceful landing I’d 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 didn’t wait for the dust to settle. The moment I felt solid stone beneath my feet, I took off running.Nadia’s snarl was one of surprise and outrage, strong enough that it made the castle tremble. I didn’t repress my grin or the laughter I spewed into the air, knowing both would entice her to follow—to con
Iridian Chapter 211
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 wasn’t 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 Nadia’s face, I silently thanked Aidan for teaching me all those years ago. I had hated every second of his baseball phase, but he’d been so passionate about becoming a professional athlete and whisking us away that I couldn’t resist helping him practice. After a dozen scraped knees, a handful of bruises, and one broken arm, we both called it quits.The in
Iridian Chapter 210
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 didn’t dare exhale. Instead, I held my breath and watched as the corridors around me shifted. Walls slid left and right, forming new pathways that hadn’t existed before. Many changed angles, creating sharp turns that you couldn’t see coming until it was too late.Some of the windows began to close, melting away as though they’d 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 wasn’t a sentient being, every brick and inch of tiled floor was alive with Dain’s magic. I could feel it’s alluring touch within everything I altered and couldn’t 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
Iridian Chapter 209
“My sisters, are they safe?” 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, it’s metal an impenetrable black that shimmered with blood, was raised and ready for use.“Is anyone truly safe?” 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. “They’re hidden away. The fight won’t reach them.”His shoulders slumped as much as they could with the defensive stance he held, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips.“Thank the Goddess. Even though I’d see them when I got back, I’m not sure I’d be able to handle it if they were dead.”He didn’t have to explain why, not when the answer hovered in the space between us.There w
Iridian Chapter 208
Selfishly, I tried to call on Helios, to summon him to my side like I’d been told I could. It was what he would’ve 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 moment’s 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.I’d 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 wasn’t actually real was enough to smother any fear I might’ve felt. As I scrambled to get away from the
