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
I plan on updating Iridian again tomorrow! <3
“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
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
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
“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
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
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
"What are you doing in my bed?" I gasped but began giggling when I felt rough fingertips tickle my bare thigh before freezing in place.He opened his mouth, and I could hear the near-silent inhale he took. As much as I wanted to hear his husky sleep-ridden voice, I had changed my mind at the last moment.I didn't need him opening his mouth and ruining this dream---because that’s exactly what this was. There was no other alternative filling my euphoria clouded mind.He'd throw me some cocky, nonsensical taunt that would get my blood boiling, and would surely chase away this blissful drunkenness.I clasped my hands over his mouth before he could answer. The moonlight that trickled through the open windows illuminated my surroundings, but only in the slightest. I could make out a few messy strands of hair, an amused smirk...twinkling eyes that seemed to shine even brighter in the dark.My enhanced vision would have worked bet
A symphony of deafening drums pounded away in my head, accompanied by the occasional clash of cymbals and screech of an out of tune violin. My headache had taken on a life of its own, undoubtedly transformed by the magic I had gorged myself on last night.Only two times in my life have I ever had alcohol, and neither held the addicting rush of magic. Years ago, Aidan and I had ventured into his dad’s basement fridge, snagging a case of beer in the hopes of getting drunk. Neither of considered the fact that we had already shifted a year prior, and that a dozen foul tasting drinks weren’t going to affect us. I knew from television and books that hangovers were awful, but a magically induced hangover--it was even worse.The only consolation to the throbbing in my head and ears, was the delicious scent that surrounded me. It was embedded in the blankets and sheets that were wrapped around my torso, and even in my hair. It was dark and rich, but also carried hea