Beranda / Fantasy / Jade: The Hybrid Mage / Chapter 2: The Handsome Stranger

Share

Chapter 2: The Handsome Stranger

Penulis: Queen Jenna
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-21 22:51:10

The hand covering my mouth was impossibly strong. I kicked out wildly, my nails scraping against a muscular arm that held me firm. My heart thundered in my chest, panic rising like a hurricane.

Even with the beast's persistent energy coursing through me, I couldn't break free.

'I can't die like this,' I thought, fear tightening its grip on me. 'Not at the mercy of another predator?'

Before I could wrestle free, a calm, steady voice whispered against my ear.

"Relax, child," it said, smooth yet commanding. "The beast won't harm you now."

My entire body froze. The deep voice—it was familiar, but in a way that made chills run through me. My mind raced as I strained to see his face through the dim moonlight, but all I could make out was a shadowy figure. And then it hit me.

He was the one who had been giving orders earlier, leading the search party.

'Why is he helping me?' I wondered. 'Does he think I'm just another victim?'

When his hand finally released me, I stumbled back, gasping for air. My legs shook as I tried to process what had just happened, but before I could move, his hand caught my wrist.

"Don't run," he said firmly.

I froze again, this time not because of fear but because of him. The moonlight caught his face as he shifted slightly, and I forgot how to breathe.

He was . . . stunning.

High, sharp cheekbones framed a strong jawline, and his molten gold eyes seemed to glow faintly even in the dark. His dark, wavy hair fell just past his shoulders, framing his chiselled features. There was a magnetism to him that made my insides twist in ways I didn't understand.

Then, like a cruel joke, warmth pooled low in my core, sudden and entirely inappropriate. I squeezed my thighs together, horrified by my reaction.

'RIDE HIS SEXY ASS!'

The beast's voice growled in my mind, bold and shameless.

My eyes widened, and I slapped a hand over my mouth. "Shut up!" I hissed through gritted teeth, panic rushing through me.

The beast's laughter rolled in my head, deep and teasing. 'STRONG. BEAUTIFUL. HE IS A WORTHY MATE.'

'No!' I shouted internally. 'You take your urges and shove them somewhere silent!'

The man arched a brow, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing!" I squeaked, my voice embarrassingly high-pitched.

I clenched my fists, willing the heat in my body to fade.

'This is not the time, you damn beast! Get a grip!'

The beast only purred in amusement. 'PATHETIC.'

I wanted to scream, but instead, I cleared my throat and looked away, avoiding his gaze.

He watched me for a moment, as though he could see the chaos inside my head. Then he released my wrist. "Follow me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And don't speak when we reach the others. Just stay by my side."

As I followed him through the forest, I found my voice. "Who . . . who are you?" I whispered, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

He glanced at me, his glowing eyes catching the faint light of the moon. "My name is Kema," he said. His voice was steady, authoritative. "I'm a Watcher of the Sky Border."

I nearly stumbled. "A Watcher?"

He gave a quick nod, his focus already back on the path ahead. "Yes. Stay close, and remember—say nothing."

The Watchers of the Sky Border. The very name sent a chill down my spine. Stories of the Watchers had been used to frighten children into obedience for as long as I could remember. Ruthless enforcers of peace, they were said to hunt down monsters and criminals alike, leaving no room for mercy.

I stole a glance at his left cheek. There it was—the tattoo of an eagle's wing, just as the stories had described. The black combat attire, the imposing cape, the hood . . . it was all real.

'So the Watchers aren't just legends,' I thought. But then I realized something else. If he knew what I was—what I had done—would he be helping me now, or killing me?

We emerged from the woods into a clearing, and my stomach dropped. Kema's team was already there.

The scene was one of ruthless coordination. A female mage with a scar across her right eye stood at the forefront, her hands glowing green as thick vines snaked up from the earth to entangle a snarling werewolf—from its yellow eyes and bloodstained fur, it was likely the same werewolf that had fled at the sound of Kema's voice. The beast thrashed wildly, its claws swiping at the air, but the vines held firm. The mage's face was taut with concentration, sweat dripping from her brow as her glowing hands trembled.

Another mage moved swiftly, his fists encased in icy blades. With controlled movements, he struck at the rogue, forcing it to stagger back and weakening its resistance.

A third figure—a hulking werewolf—joined in. His limbs were partially transformed, his powerful claws striking with precision to bring the rogue down.

Beside me, Kema didn't move to join the fight. Instead, he stood perfectly still, his hand gripping mine tightly. I glanced up at him and noticed the faint glow of his now reddened eyes, the long claws extending from his free hand. He was ready, prepared for any surprise, but he didn't interfere.

I froze when the rogue collapsed, utterly defeated. The once-feral beast lay still, its snarls silenced, and in its place was a motionless human form.

The team didn't celebrate or pause. They regrouped quickly, murmuring to one another. The mage with the scar wiped her brow, exhaustion evident on her face. The ice mage inspected his marred blades with chilling indifference as the werewolf who partially transformed shifted back into his human form. I watched, stunned, as his combat attire seemed to shrink with him, leaving no sign of a tear or rip.

My mind raced as I stared at the lifeless form of the rogue. 'That could've been me,' I swallowed hard, my hands trembling at my sides.

Kema's voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. "Stay close," he said quietly.

I nodded, following him as he stepped forward.

"Found her being chased by that beast," Kema said to his team. His tone was clipped, his expression lacking emotions.

"She's a witness to the murder of the timber merchant's daughter."

I felt my stomach twist, but I forced myself to stay calm. His lie was the only thing keeping me alive.

"Witness?" the scarred mage asked, raising an eyebrow. "And she survived? Lucky girl."

Kema didn't respond. He turned to me, his golden eyes unreadable. "I'll take her back to the village," he said over his shoulder.

No one protested, but their sharp, assessing gazes stayed fixed on me as Kema led me away. My pulse raced with every step.

Once we were far enough from the group, Kema stopped abruptly. He turned to face me, his expression cold and sharp.

"You're not a damn child for heavens' sake," he said, his voice low but furious. "So why can't you control your bloodlust?"

My heart skipped a beat, a cold dread washing over me.

'He knows.'

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terkait

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 3: A Ring For My Troubles

    "You . . . you know?" My voice trembled, barely above a whisper.Kema’s golden eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and piercing. “Of course, I know,” he said bluntly, his tone calm yet sharp. “You think I wouldn’t recognize the signs?”My legs felt like they might give out as the weight of his words settled over me. 'He knew. Then . . .' I summoned the courage to look him directly in the eyes—but that didn't last, as I'd dropped my gaze just as fast to the ground, both frightened and red-faced. "Then why did you lie for me? I don't understand?" I cringed, and took some steps back. Still looking away from him, I asked, "What do you want?""If I wanted you dead . . ." he said, walking to me. For some reason, I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Even the stupid beast in me didn't help this time. "You'd be dead." He added when he got close enough to hold my arm. His grasp was firm—dominating.“You’re lucky I found you before they did,” he continued, his voice deep and resolute, like eve

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-21
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 4: The Witch Is My Stepmother

    As I walked back home, I forced myself to think back, trying to recall the evening. Celene, my stepmother, had sent me on one of her ridiculous errands. She’d insisted I pick up a hemmed cloak from the seamstress on the far side of the village, even though we both knew it wouldn’t be ready. I suspected she only wanted to keep me from surprising my father with dinner at his forge.She’d watched me spend the entire afternoon preparing his favorite meal, her lips curling into that familiar, spiteful smile.‘Of course, the witch couldn’t let me have a moment of peace,’ I thought bitterly.The memory was blurry after that. I’d left the seamstress’s shop and walked through the village. Then, as I approached the quiet stretch of road near the fields, I felt it—her presence.The beast’s dark, suffocating aura descended on me, digging into my senses. Her voice came next, low and demanding, resonating in my mind like a drumbeat.“I'M HUNGRY, JADE. I NEED MEAT."I shivered at the memory. She alw

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-21
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 5: A Dreadful Knock at the Door

    "Where's what, ma'am?""Is your head full of bricks?" Celene sneered. "Where's the thing I asked you to get for me? I don't see it on you." She eyed me from head to toe like I was dressed in shit."Can't this wait?" My father protested. He sat silently at the far end of the table, his face drawn, his shoulders heavy."Why wait, honey?" She smiled at him. "I'm only asking if she did the errand I'd asked her to do. Is that so bad?" She asked, eating her soup. "So?" She raised a brow at me."The cloak isn't ready yet, so I've returned empty-handed . . . ma'am.""Oh, I see," she twirled her spoon in the air. "How sad," she jested, letting out a small laugh.I glanced at my father, hoping for even the smallest sign of defense, but his gaze stayed fixed on his plate.I waited a bit, the clanking of utensils filling the air, and then finally said, "May I leave?"“Tomorrow, you’ll scrub the floors, polish the silver, and tend to the garden.” Celene leaned back, one perfectly manicured hand re

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-21
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 6: A Balm for My Aching Heart

    Marie’s room was quiet, her small figure settled on a stool as she waited for me to untangle her golden curls. Her innocent smile was a balm for my aching heart, and for a brief moment, the storm of emotions inside me calmed.I picked up the brush from her bedside table and ran it gently through her hair. The golden strands shimmered in the soft light of the candle on her nightstand.“You’re so nice, Jade,” Marie said softly, breaking the silence. “I wish everyone else was nice to you too.”Her words hit me harder than I expected. I paused mid-stroke, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. “That’s very sweet of you to say, Marie,” I said, my voice trembling just enough to betray the emotion behind my words. “But don’t worry about me, okay? You just focus on being the wonderful little girl you are.”“But I do worry,” she said, turning to face me, her blue eyes wide with concern. “I hear them talk about you, and it’s not fair. You’re not bad. You’re not a witch like they say.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-21
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 7: Naila

    The journey to the cathedral of Qell was long and somber. I left Nivel alongside other aspiring young humans, each of us seeking to awaken the magic that lay dormant within us. Families from neighboring villages gathered, their excitement a sharp contrast to the heavy dread settling in my chest.The grand cathedral loomed ahead, a towering testament to the power of the Eight Great Gods. Its walls were carved with intricate depictions of their divine feats, the towering spires reaching toward the heavens.As we entered, the air grew thick with reverence and anticipation.But beneath that reverent quiet, whispers floated like venom, coiling through the hallowed space. The awe-inspiring carvings of the Eight Great Gods seemed to watch me with disdain, their divine gaze almost joining the voices.I held tight to my father’s arm as we moved through the crowd. The grandeur around me—the towering spires, the intricate murals—felt more oppressive than holy. Each step I took seemed heavier tha

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-06
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 8: The Awakening

    The ceremony began with an air of grandeur that stole the breath from my lungs.We gathered in the cathedral’s vast main hall, its arched ceiling stretching endlessly above us. Vibrant colors streamed through the stained-glass windows, painting the crowd with hues of crimson, gold, and azure. The scenes depicted on the glass told stories of the Eight Great Gods—divine figures whose power we were meant to channel tonight.Chandeliers shaped like frozen droplets hung suspended midair, as if held by an unseen spell. The golden floor beneath us shimmered, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of countless lights adorning the hall’s walls.The air hummed with anticipation, the faint notes of a mass choir blending into a melody that seemed to echo within my chest. Their voices carried the weight of centuries, setting the stage for the ritual that was about to change our lives forever.I stood among the other aspirants, each of us clothed in simple white garments symbolizing purity a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-06
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 9: My Escape

    The air in the grand cathedral was thick with fear, anger, and accusations. Voices rose in a chaotic uproar, their words striking like arrows."Do you want to kill us all?" a frail old woman cried, her voice trembling as if the mere sight of me—no, the beast—was too much to bear."SHUT IT!" Naila's voice bellowed through my lips, low, hoarse, and filled with menace. The sound alone sent the crowd reeling back, their faces painted in terror."So, she's really a demon?" someone whispered, loud enough for the words to reach my ears."Could she have been the one who killed Elaine?" a man said from the back of the gathering.Naila twisted my mouth into a cruel grin. "Yes," she hissed, her tone dripping with mockery. "I killed her. And every moment of it was exquisite." She licked my lips slowly, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Such a shame you missed it."The crowd erupted in cries of horror."Kill her!" screamed a voice that cut through the chaos.Celene.There she stood, poised at the ce

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07
  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 10: The Mercenaries

    The High Priestess had done something to the ring. It didn’t just hold Naila back anymore. It was . . . different.Walking through the quiet village streets, I first noticed the change. My senses—heightened, sharp, alive—felt like mine, not hers. I could hear the faint crunch of a man’s boots on gravel from miles away. Smell the soap of a woman bathing behind a closed door. The hairs on my neck stood on edge, not from fear, but from awareness.Naila stirred faintly in the back of my mind. She wasn’t fighting to escape. She was . . . watching.:~*~:At dawn, the village gate came into view, bustling with life. Merchants loaded carts with sacks of grain and barrels of ale. Farmers herded reluctant goats and clucking chickens, their children trailing behind. The guards stood tall at their posts, inspecting incoming travelers more thoroughly than those leaving.Wooden beams stretched high above the gate, weathered but sturdy. Small carvings of protective runes adorned the arch, a feeble a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-08

Bab terbaru

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 45: Claws, Water, and Bruised Pride

    Four matches passed in a blur of footwork, sparks, and strained breaths. A few impressive. Most forgettable. The crowd, still buzzing from Nyomei’s performance, was hungry for the next highlight.They didn’t have to wait long.“Next match—Lotanni Ryel versus Bryon Aros.”A hush settled.The name Bryon alone drew tension. Petrusia’s second-in-command. Royal werewolf. Born with both privilege and power, and trained like a weapon since childhood.He stood and cracked his knuckles, shoulders flexing as he rolled them back. His golden-brown hair shimmered faintly in the sun, eyes narrowing with anticipation.Across the room, Lotanni exhaled slowly, rising to her feet. Her loose braids swayed slightly as she stood. On her shoulder, a small, liquid-like creature purred—a cat-shaped familiar, glimmering like sunlight on rippling water.“Be careful,” Bainer warned, gently brushing Lotanni’s shoulder. “Don’t try to match him in brute strength.”Lotanni smiled, a little too calmly. “I wasn’t pla

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 44: The Prodigy Behind the Shy Eyes

    A bell rang twice, silencing the chatter. The instructors had returned with a brass raffle box—one by one, names would be drawn to determine the match-ups. The tension thickened, each aspirant sitting stiffer than before, eyes trained on the box like it might bite.One instructor held up the first strip of parchment. “Nyomei Eral.”Lotanni and Bainer instantly turned to her.“You’ve got this,” Lotanni said, bumping her knee.Bainer nodded with an encouraging smile. “You’re stronger than you think.”Nyomei’s stomach twisted, but she rose anyway. “Thanks,” she said quietly, nerves prickling under her skin. She walked toward the gate that led out to the sparring ground, each step heavier than the last.Across the field, her opponent was already grinning as he warmed up. Wiry, confident, and brimming with kinetic energy. He bounced on the balls of his feet, fists flaring with dull-orange sparks.“Your opponent,” the announcer said, “is Orin Zarrin. Mage class. Energy Burst magic.”That dr

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 43: The Test of Strength

    “Why are you alarmed by the news? Or don’t you see the resemblance?” Kalu Drya asked, smiling a little deeper.“No, it’s just . . . I didn’t expect to meet the commander’s mother so soon. Least of all like this. It’s really an honor to meet you,” I said, sliding off the couch and dropping to one knee.'Naila would’ve been so thrilled if she wasn’t stuck in the void right now.'But then something clicked.My heart began to race. 'Wait . . . the head healer is a mage. Kema’s a werewolf. So—does that mean he’s a hybrid like me?'I looked up at her, eyes wide.“Get up, child,” she said gently. “It’s fine. And yes, I know what you’re thinking.”I stayed silent, but she didn’t wait for me to speak.“You’re wondering if Kema is a hybrid, aren’t you?”“Well,” I mumbled. “Yeah . . . is he?” The question left my mouth faster than I could stop it.Kalu Drya smiled, but this time there was a quiet sadness in her eyes. “He’s my adoptive son. No blood between us—just bond. I’ll say nothing more on

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 42: Cray Cray

    “So, the test of the Great Gods for you was Jodeicasca, the tailless snake of regret?” Kalu Drya, the Sky Border’s head healer, asked. She was an elderly woman with a smile as gentle as her voice, her presence oddly soothing despite the weight of her words.“For the last time . . . Yes!” I snapped, exasperation leaking into my tone.I lay on a long chair, staring at the ceiling, arms crossed in defiance—yet fear coiled around my heart, twisting inside me.Ten Hours EarlierI woke up gasping, as if I had been drowning and had just broken through the surface. My breaths came in frantic gulps, my chest rising and falling with violent urgency.I was in a large bed—soft, unfamiliar. Blinking through the haze of panic, I took in my surroundings. The room was spacious, pristine, and entirely white. The only piece of furniture was the bed I lay in. Even the loose garment draped over my body was a stark white, blending me into the room like a ghost.I didn’t understand what was happening, but

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 41: Light & Darkness

    There was no warmth left in Klaus's lifeless body to fight the cold, but I clung to him regardless, my tears soaking into his brittle skin. I wept until my sobs dwindled to whimpers, shaking not just from the icy darkness but from the fear creeping through every inch of me.Then, without warning, a violent force yanked his body from my arms. It happened so fast, so silent, that I couldn't tell where he had been taken or what had done it. The air seemed to hold its breath, leaving only an oppressive, heart-pounding silence in its wake. My chest thudded so hard it felt like my ribs would crack under the pressure.'What just happened?'"The smaller creatures are warm as a meal from an oven," Klaus had said. Could it be that the larger ones are the opposite? But there was no light, no glowing hint of whatever had taken him."Please . . . don't hurt me," I quavered, my teeth clattering as I wrapped my arms around myself. I looked to my left, then to my right, but the darkness was lung-crus

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 40: The Icy Mouth of Death

    “Find her head and crawl out of her mouth,” Klaus said, his voice weighed down by hopelessness. “Her tail is endless, leading straight to death and then hell. It’s a gamble to know which side leads to her head—right or left.” He let out a long, defeated sigh. “It’s up to the Great Gods to decide our fate. There’s no such thing as luck here.”‘Her mouth . . . Of course, that must be the way out!’ I thought, my pulse quickening. 'Oh Spirits, what direction should I take if I’m to start this fickle journey?'“I followed the worms,” Klaus continued. “I suppose you were doing the same?”His hand brushed my thigh, and I cleared my throat sharply. He withdrew it without a word.“I got caught in a slime,” I said. “It swallowed me, and I ended up down here. After that, I followed the sound of your humming. But now that I really look at the worms, they’re all moving in one direction.”I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to scratch at the wounds that pained me so. My lovely skin—although not

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 39: Prince or Predator

    Klaus withdrew his hand, and I told myself it had been a mistake. He couldn't see me in the darkness any more than I could see him. Maybe he hadn't realized where his hand had wandered.I wanted to believe that. I needed to believe it, for my own sanity.'I may be weak and wounded, but my dignity isn't damaged.'"If you ever escape Jodeicasca," Klaus said, his voice low and rough, "I doubt you'd ever find it in you to commit another sin you'd regret. But that's only if you get out."His hand came back, resting on my chest again, firmer this time. My breath hitched, and a slight sound escaped my lips. He paused, then slid his hand back to my shoulder, stroking it as though nothing had happened.Anger erupted in me like fire. I grabbed his wrist, squeezing his knuckles together until I heard a crack. Then I flung his hand away, my chest heaving.He didn't make a sound, not even a grunt of pain.For a moment, I considered punching him, maybe clawing his face if I could find it in the dar

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 38: Trial of Regret

    “Jodeicasca?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No . . . it’s a myth, isn’t it?”The words felt hollow even as I spoke them. Fear crept under my skin, roughening it with goosebumps.“You’re perishing in her belly, and you ask me such a foolish question,” Klaus replied, clicking his tongue in disapproval.“What foolish question?” I snapped, my chest tightening with panic. “I’m scared out of my mind, Klaus!”“It’s never okay to be foolish, Jade.” He sighed heavily, the sound rasping like sandpaper. “Fear makes fools of people. And fools make mistakes that lead to foolish deaths.”“Then why are we here?” I demanded, my voice shaking. “I can’t speak for you, but why me? Why not those who deserve it more?”Klaus chuckled darkly. “Deserve? Do you think this place cares about fairness?”I ignored him, my thoughts racing. “The myth says Jodeicasca is where the unforgiven suffer endless regret to earn mercy from the Great Gods. If they pass the test, they’re condemned to eternity in the third

  • Jade: The Hybrid Mage   Chapter 37: Jodeicasca

    “That explains the feeling perfectly,” I said, my voice trembling. “And knowing that doesn’t help. If anything, it makes it worse.”The darkness pressed against me like a living thing. The faint glow of worms scattered across the fleshy ground offered little solace. I could still feel it—the presence of unseen watchers, their oppressive gaze prickling my skin. Were they demons, or was my fear simply feeding my imagination?Klaus shifted beside me, his breaths shallow and strained. “Memories of my wife and daughter came to me not long ago,” he murmured. “Ever since then, the demons have used them to torment me. I can hardly think of my daughter’s innocent face without seeing a dark fog hanging over it. I hear her laugh, calling out to me . . . and then I hear her cry, asking why I abandoned her and her mother.”His voice cracked, and a shudder ran through his frail body. “Izogie, my darling wife. Does she still hope I’m alive? Or has she given up and found someone new? I can’t . . . I

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status