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Chapter 31
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2024-10-29 19:42:56That morning, I spent a few minutes contemplating what to do with the picture. It was clearly a clue of sorts, though I had no idea if it would help me recover Grandpa Kent’s box. I was beginning to see that there was no rhyme or reason to Iridian. The Game Master threw whatever he wanted at us, and sat back laughing as we all struggled to figure it out. My second conversation with the Game Master gave me a newfound sense of motivation. He had manipulated me from the very beginning. The drifter that came into Stella’s diner, stealing my Grandpa’s box and the crystal necklace that sat at the hollow of my throat, and even when he placed the invitation on my bed. It was all a large-scale manipulation, quiet little nudges in the right direction. I wouldn’t be another chess piece he could move. I’d win his game and have the pleasure of finally seeing the face behind that illusion, if there even was a face to be seen.
What seemed to vex me most was tha
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Iridian Chapter 32
I met up with Camille and Helena after what proved to be a stressful breakfast. Many of the other contestants had already gone off to the Carnival Cerulean, but the three of us remained behind.Camille had been fidgeting nervously ever since hearing of Abel’s encounter with the seemingly invisible creature. Her lips were pressed together so tightly they had turned white, and her eyebrows were knitted together.“If Abel was attacked that easily, what does that say for the rest of us?” Camille sighed.“Abel wasn’t killed, that’s always a plus.” I countered, “Your clue could mean anything. One thing I’ve learned so far, is that nothing is what it seems. It could be pointing at a glass of water for all we know.”“Well, I think we should head over to the Carnival and enjoy ourselves.” Helena chimed in, giving us both a beaming smile. “Our clues can wait a couple hours. Besides, who k
Iridian Chapter 33
“Hello Gerald, if that’s even your real name.” I scoffed, unable to keep some of the contempt from my voice.I was stunned, shocked into absolute stillness that radiated to the two women beside me. Gerald, from Gerald’s Antiques was here. He was part of this. I had worked for him for an entire summer and never once suspected anything. He was just an old man, one who told wild tales and sold aged antiques.This Gerald looked entirely different. He still had the same salt and pepper hair, but it was now cropped short. The wrinkles that lined his eyes and cheeks remained the same, and were one of the tell-tale signs that this was the Gerald I knew. Tattoos spanned the length of his toned arms, and I found myself gaping at him.The Gerald I knew was old and feeble, nothing like this man who stood before me. While he looked his age, he was anything but feeble. Muscles spanned his arms alongside the colorful tattoo’s. His moth-eaten flann
Iridian Chapter 34
We met at the stone bridge leading to what was called Castle Mist. The stone of the bridge was similar to that of the castle and the rest of the town, iridescent yet full of intricate carvings. All twenty contestants were here, crowded around the base of the bridge. A crystal-clear stream ran beneath the bridge. Inside the stream was a multitude of colorful stones, all seemed to catch the sun and scatter a rainbow of light across the surface of the water.A large garden sat out front of the castle, but no tents ventured past the stone bridge. Standing on the arch of the bridge were Apollo and the four other strange men. While I’m sure they had names of their own, I wasn’t willing to pay the price to find out. Apollo, Day, Night, and Sunset, all looked as they had the previous times we spoke with them. Their suits were crisp and tailored, mixed with that special blend of magic that made the colors shift and move like the brilliant phases of the earth and sky.
Iridian Chapter 35
The inside of the castle wasn’t what I had expected. Then again, nothing in the Iridescence Pack had mirrored my expectations. Multi-colored beams of sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling. The ceiling above the foyer was made of different colored glass, creating an incredibly realistic mural. Two bulls, one white and the other black, were locked at the horns. They stood in a beautiful garden, lush with flowers I had never seen before.Off to the left and right were long corridors, wide enough to fit hundreds of people. Tall arched windows let in plenty of sunlight, but also blocked us off from the outside world. The left corridor was blocked off by a thick golden rope. That was the Western wing we had been prohibited from exploring, the rest of the castle was free game. Directly ahead was a large doorway, and through that doorway I could make out two mirrored sets of winding staircases.“Where
Iridian Chapter 36
I took one look at the near-deserted road of my hometown and turned on my heel. I had emerged from what looked to be my house, but I knew better. I had come from Castle Mist. I opened the front door to my house and stepped inside, hoping it would take me back to where I had once stood in the castle.Instead of ending up back at Castle Mist, I was standing in the middle of my living room. Nothing had changed from my short time gone. The little sofa in the living room was still faded and coated in an array of stains. The coffee table had seen better days, and was wrought with little carvings from Zack, Aidan and I. On the leg of the table, I could still make out the little ‘A + R’ Aidan and I had carved when we were ten. The television was on, playing some cartoon in the midst of the crackling and snapping of the static.As I stood in the living room, the scent of fruit and cinnamon wafted through my nose. My legs carried me into the small kitchen where my Mo
Iridian Chapter 37
“Aidan got an invitation?” I scoffed, murmuring quietly to myself.Judging from the look on Mom’s face, she was fully convinced I was losing my mind. Quickly, the anger in her eyes softened to what looked like pity.“I know it’s hard, Rachel. I can’t imagine being away from my mate, knowing he’s in danger, but you know how badly Aidan wanted this.” Mom’s voice was soft, but her tone did nothing to lessen the blow.‘Mate? She said mate. Why did she say mate?’ Rayna demanded, both of our panicked thoughts mixing into one big mess.‘He’s not our mate. At least, not that we know of.’ I replied, shaking my head. ‘We never got the chance to touch him after my birthday. The Rachel in this reality, that’s his mate.’‘This proves nothing.’ Rayna insisted, her voice full of conviction. ‘Just because he’s our mate in this reality, that
Iridian Chapter 38
Trigger Warning - This Chapter Contains Dark Content.The air inside was cold, reeking with the scent of dust and mold. It seemed this house had long ago lost whatever life resided within it. White sheets were draped over the furniture, reminding me of one of the many horror movies Aidan and I had watched over the years. I tried and failed to suppress my shiver at the dimly lit house.‘This is going to take forever.’ Rayna groaned, ‘Do you see how big this place is?’‘Not if we look in the right spots.’ I tried to remain optimistic, ‘Now, where would you put a crystal necklace that also serves as a weird clock key?’‘Not under any of these sheets.’ Rayna shuddered, ‘Probably a jewelry box, desk, or dresser of some kind.’‘Alright, then let’s start over here.’ I suggested, my eyes attracted to an old antique side table.There was no foyer in this estate,
Iridian Chapter 39
“Everyone has secrets, Rachel; and no one, not even your friends, are what they seem.”Camille’s voice sounded from behind me, and I whipped around with a look of absolute guilt on my face. That guilt was squashed the moment I took in her expression. That gentle face that once held a delicate innocence had been wiped away. Her once soft eyes were now hard, and…empty. I had never noticed it before, the lack of light within her gaze; like she was a shell, nothing more.“Are—are you real?” I found myself asking, wondering if she were just a figment of Castle Mist.Her slim lips turned up in a cat-like grin, one that set my teeth on edge and made my blood run cold. I had once thought Liliana was cold and unfeeling, but I had been so very wrong. Liliana was a wealthy, stuck-up woman; but she was not unfeeling. She had compassion, no matter how she chose to express it. This…this was the truth of Camille. There was a bi
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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
