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Chapter 68
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2021-09-11 08:21:42I turned towards the Game Master, a question burning in my eyes, one that would have singlehandedly changed the way I felt about him...if I hadn't been carrying a secret of my own.
His eyes met mine, making my stomach both drop and flutter. They were unapologetic and strong, framed by dark lashes and arched eyebrows.
He didn't need to use words to confirm what Aidan was saying, not when his eyes held a whirlpool of stars in their depths that shifted and changed whenever he didn't bother concealing his emotions.
Embarrassment washed through me, searing hot to the touch as my face and neck flushed a crude shade of red. I clenched my fists at my side, hating the way he just stood there, all but agreeing to his motives from the start.
What I hated more was how I couldn't say the words. Even though pain rippled across my skin and embarrassment stung my insides, I couldn't make myself reject him.
"I can't stay here, Rachel. She can use me to hurt you." A
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Iridian Chapter 69
I scurried into the walk-in closet, feeling his eyes on my back. Opting for something that covered just a bit more skin, I found an emerald-colored blouse that wrapped around my waist and exposed an inch of midriff. The jeans I snatched carelessly, slid over my hips with ease and formed to my pert bottom and thick thighs. I tried not to glance in the mirror, smothering that piece of me that cared what the Game Master thought. Where I normally would have swept the frizzy curls from my face, I was able to let my hair fall freely down my back. When I emerged from the closet, I had the strong urge to avert my eyes. If there was a reaction within the depths of his eyes, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see it. Thankfully, when I looked up there was nothing to be found. The curtains were closed tightly, shielding any emotion from slipping through those bedroom eyes of his. As I strolled five feet behind the Game Master, I took the time to look freely. It was becoming a ha
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Marble pedestals sat clustered around the room, hidden in an alcove where only slim rays of sunlight reached. They hit the smooth wall, sending beams of shimmering colors reflecting onto the floor. The near-silent scuffle of my feet followed by the rustle of paper as a breeze drifted through, was all that could be heard. On top were an arrangement of objects, some mundane and others practically oozing what I assumed was magic. It made my hands tingle, spreading up my arms before fading. Some were vibrant and beautiful, and others seemed more cursed than magical. ‘We’re not here to touch anything, right?’ Rayna eyed some of the strange items warily. ‘Of course not.’ I scoffed, wounded she would suggest such a thing. ‘The magic in some of these feels so strong. I wonder what their purpose is.’ A rather plain looking ceramic bowl and spoon sat atop one of the pedestals, looking so out of place that I wanted to laugh. I would have, if it weren’t for the m
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“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I questioned, surprised to hear the words coming from my own mouth. “The only times I’ve been table to tap into my magic were in life-or-death situations.”It was strange calling it my magic, but that was where it had come from. The red-haired couple on the scroll flashed in my mind, along with the three others.Apollo answered with a reassuring grin, but the light that danced in his eyes reminded me of the Game Master’s madness. Like they thrived on the danger, letting it fuel the deepest and darkest parts of themselves.“Of course, Rachel. You’re perfectly safe here, I assure you.”We stood on the circular platform that overlooked the cliff and churning sea. We were far too high to feel the spray, but I could still smell the salt in the air. Etched deep into the stone were patterns, large circles that all surrounded the very center.Apollo stood with his bac
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As the week progressed, I became more excited about going out with Adley.The City of Iliria was nagging at the back of my mind, conjuring all sorts of magic-laden images. Winged beasts that Zack would never stop chattering about, withered crone’s selling old curses—the stories Adley told me were endless. Even Ally seemed excited to go to Obsidian, who rarely showed an emotion other than melancholy.An entire city where magic existed within the walls and streets, and even in the very people who lived there.I had visited Adley every day this week, venturing through my closet doors after training had left me weak and sporting a throbbing headache.The morning after my first day of training, I awoke to a crisp note placed on my pillow. I tried not to think too hard about how the Game Master had placed it here, as I read the steady script with foggy eyes.Darling, Rachel.I regret to inform you that I’ll be preoccupied this we
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Like the first time, Ally was propped on the chaise lounge. This time around, she wore tight dress the color of ripe cherries and fresh blood and held no open book in her hands. Her black hair was pulled into a high pony, and her cerulean eyes were piercing with the dark eye makeup.“Adley, your friend is here.” She shouted, all without breaking her stare from my face. There was something heavy about Ally’s gaze. Maybe it was because of all the horror she’s seen, but I had the insane urge to shy away as her eyes flitted down the dress I wore. I braced myself for what she had to say next, “You don’t look like a Queen. Not yet anyway.”“Oh good, you’re here!” Adley grinned, charging down the stairs with her dress unzipped and stilettos in her hand. Her golden hair was curled in large ringlets and looked bouncy and vibrant. She came to a halt in front of me, spinning around to reveal the open back of her blush-co
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“Well don’t go looking around for him!” Adley hissed, nudging me so that I returned my eyes to her face. “You won’t find him that way. He was born in the shadows, Rachel. If you want to find him, you’re going to have to lure him out.”It was hard to focus on her words when the pale eyeshadow she wore changed colors as the flashing lights hit the tops of her high cheekbones. It made the various blues in her eyes dance and churn like an actual ocean. The thought brought a lopsided grin to my face.Her eyes narrowed at the Citrine in my hands, which I gingerly lifted to my lips as though it contained all of life’s hidden mysteries.“Where did you get that? I didn’t order us thirds.” She frowned, swatting my hand away as I tried to smooth the scowl from her face.The muscular figure of one of the bartenders flashed in my peripherals, dark hair with a crimson streak. His boyish grin seemed white
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She spent the next few minutes going over everything, but I would have followed her plan regardless. As long as it got me away from the darkened eyes of Ash the bartender, who practically undressed me with his eyes from across the bar.I tried to think back to when the attention of other males became an undesirable experience. No matter how hard she tried to resist the bond, Rayna turned her nose up at every male in the bar.He was the one she wanted.“Are you ready?” Adley’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She pursed her lips together and gave me an indecipherable look, “Were you even listening to me?”“Of course, I was listening to you.”“You know what—the details don’t matter.” She snorted, placing the forgotten Garnet in my hands. “Let me help you get the upper hand. Take a sip and go dance. Believe me, he’ll come to you.”“Why do I have to
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My mouth was dry and my skin unbearably hot. I wasn’t sure if it were the erotic scene unfolding in front of me, or the Game Master’s raspy words, but I was surprisingly grateful that he restrained me. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to resist the pull…which made me wonder if he felt it as well.Instead of trying to pull away, I fell backwards, stumbling into the front of him.I could tell I had surprised him with the way his hand released my wrists, falling to my hips to steady me.I spun on my heel, the friction between my legs sending a jolt of pleasure up my spine. The unmistakable hardness I had felt against my backside, no matter how brief, was proof that he was affected too.I had turned the Game Master on.Now I understood the look in his eyes, the way his pupils grew, and the bold shade of navy darkened.“When I touch you, it’s going to be in my own body. I won’t allow another male’s
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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“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
