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Chapter 156
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2022-03-22 11:26:16It hadn’t been long until I heard Nadia’s sultry voice emerging from all directions, carried on the same salt-water breeze that drifted by earlier.
For just a few short minutes I’d been wandering the densely packed clouds of darkness, searching for a man I couldn’t see nor hear, one I couldn’t call out to or mind-link. With my mind racing for a way to scatter the shadows that blanketed nearly everything, I trained my ears towards every passing sound.
There were still people running, their feet and gasps barely audible beneath the music until they nearly sent me sprawling. What was worse were the men and women with white paint splashed across their faces, using magic to kill anyone in sight. I had caught a glimpse of one just five feet away, carving into a man who had knocked into me just seconds ago.
Rayna couldn’t tell where they were coming from any better than I.
No longer could I hear the slash of
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Iridian Chapter 157
Nadia’s victorious smile was radiant, like heavy beams of sun ripe with life and warmth, peering through tepid waves of turquoise and cerulean waters.She didn’t look the least bit sorry as she inclined her head and said, “…being tossed to the side, chosen second…doesn’t feel very good, now does it?”Even though I could feel his eyes on my back and hear my choice echoing in the darkest pits of my hedonistic thoughts, I couldn’t yet turn around.Fear was the downpour that filled my ears when the magical ropes around Aidan’s neck tightened, and the last wheeze of breath escaped his purple lips.Men and women glowing with magic dotted the room, standing still while the surviving partyers cowered behind sofas and broken tables. The splash of white across their eyes wasn’t nearly as threatening as the number of them. Even with Apollo’s help, they could easily overwhelm us if Nadia gav
Last Updated : 2022-03-31Iridian Chapter 158
Neither Helios nor Cain waited for command before they started slaughtering all with that tell-tale splash of white across their face. Just one look at Dain, who was still knelt in front of his psychopathic brother and staring at me like I was the only person in the room, was all it took for the warriors of Day and Night to trade their magic-laced suits for gem encrusted armor.The long strands of Helios’s golden hair were pulled into a knot at the back of his head and shimmered in tune with his tanned skin and eyes of a clear summer sky.He pulled a whip of pure sunlight from thin air and wielded it alongside a double-edged sword, blinding any who thought they could hide within the darkness. The warrior whose magic was fire within his veins and sunlight beneath his skin, orbited around me and snuffed out any who came too close.Cain’s mere presence seemed to amplify the shadows returning to the room, and instead of slowing the unraveling of Callum&r
Last Updated : 2022-04-05Iridian Chapter 159
A rebuttal singed the tip of my tongue when the pressure around us plummeted, making my ears pop and eyes bulge before the heady darkness that once surrounded us raced to the stone walls and began to encompass the circular ballroom.I barely had time to witness his magic climbing the walls, clinging to the mildew within the cracks of stone, inching higher like gnarled vines. A burst of magic left me, crackling like a wildfire doused in my gasoline-laced emotions. Every bit of jagged anticipation I felt from Dain’s words was force fed into the flames, making me bloat with magic that roared as it found release.Half a dozen blasts of a fiery crimson magic exploded in the direction Dain had turned me in, and quickly I realized they responded to my guidance. Callum shimmered into existence when all six hit him in the chest and sent him flying backwards over ten feet.The crack his head made against the stone wall echoed in my ears. It wasn’t the platter
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As she continued without waiting for my reply, I looked further ahead. In Helios’s arms was Aidan. The tanned warrior carried my best-friend in his arms like he was a child, and with each lumbering step he took Aidan’s shaggy hair would bounce.After treading down the world’s largest staircase in a dress soaked through with blood and alcohol, I was ready to fall flat on my face. My legs wobbled and burned but we were far from through.According to all three warriors and Dain there was a fishing town nearby. What I found a bit exhausting was that none of them knew how far this place was—or what awaited us as we neared closer.Nestled on the banks of what Dain called the Nelia Sea was a village constructed of pristine sidewalks and neatly clipped hedges dotted with budding flowers that matched the pale greens and blues of the surrounding houses. Each one was modern in its appearance, mixing textures both smooth and coarse to create
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“Mom?”She whirled in my direction like a puppet whose strings were pulled. Her fiery hair was wild, standing in knotted curls on her head. It wasn’t her eyes, fractured with desperation and longing that kept me rooted in place, deaf to my own voice as I whispered, “…days ago?”Just like that, the presence of my parents ceased to matter.A jolt of something achingly hot spilled beneath my skin, followed by the crackling of open flame and burning flesh, a sound that only I could hear.With my spine stiff, I pivoted to face Dain.Countless times I traced the mask he placed over his face, so skillful at hiding his emotions that I sometimes wondered if he had any.This time was different.It wasn’t regret that painted his face in wilting shades of black and blue, but an apology. Sincerity coated his eyes in a glossy sheen, but the realization of what he’d done—of what he’d kept
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“How long?” I snarled, whirling around the second we slipped into the hall. It wasn’t anger beating in my chest, pumping heat and magic through my veins, but betrayal—so much betrayal. When Dain didn’t answer, I repeated myself. “How long have they been here, Dain?”The air around me began to thicken, turning warm with humidity that made my skin shine with perspiration. Dain’s face remained stoic, free of emotion and that fact only upset me more.He could handle my anger, but what of my grief?It wasn’t the crackling of flame that burned away his mask, or the fact that his clothes and hair were currently smoldering, sending thick smoke spewing into the corridor we occupied.What destroyed the persona he often used to hide his emotions were the tears that pooled in my eyes and ran down my cheeks.His lips curved downwards in a severe frown and sorrow so potent filled his eyes that I couldn’
Last Updated : 2022-04-14Iridian Chapter 163
I knew my mom would discover the truth on her own, I just hadn’t anticipated it would be so soon.There was an abundance of anger in her eyes, enough to last a lifetime but none of it mattered. They’d been safe within the walls of the castle for the past week. Even Zack, who slept soundly in one of the hundreds of rooms, was alive and well.It had been a test of my strength to watch Dain wave his hand and cause a ripple of magic to spread along the castle walls, revealing a hidden corridor I’d never seen before.That was where he’d been keeping them, I realized.I swallowed back the anger that rose in my throat like acid and promised the two of them that I’d see them tomorrow. Both were reluctant to turn away, casting glance after glance behind their shoulders to make sure the corridor was still there.Just when I thought I had Dain figured out, he’d do something that threw me off balance. My jaw threatened to go slack when he left my side and approached my parents.Dad kept a hand on
Last Updated : 2022-05-03Iridian Chapter 164
I’ve always heard about the excitement or dread one feels the night before an event. Whether it be a wedding, or the birth of a child, adrenaline and restlessness would swirl beneath the skin for hours on end, stirring all sorts of thoughts until sleep became an impossibility. No one talked about afterwards, when every ounce of that pent up exhaustion hit you like a freight train, sending you veering off course and headfirst into a coma-like sleep. I’d barely managed to wash myself free of the blood and grime, scanning my pale torso from head to toe for any wounds. The small cuts and scrapes I’d sustained were already healing, though the bruises would take a bit longer to switch between their myriad of colors before fading entirely. Lying in bed, surrounded by the plushness of silken blankets and lacey pillows left me feeling inadequate. We hadn’t been gone from the castle for long, at most a good four hours, yet I couldn’t help but feel as though everything had changed. The girl w
Last Updated : 2022-05-03
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Iridian Epilogue Pt. 3
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
Iridian Epilogue Pt.1
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
