Ryan
There is no goddamn air-condition in this entire building. Electricity runs just fine in the village, but Charles doesn't want to waste it cooling down the rooms inside the hospital.
"As if we didn't have enough things on our plates already," I mutter to myself and hug the little hybrid, human, whatever closer to my chest. "Not only do we have to deal with matters of the heart, but now we have to survive in this extreme heat too."
I peer down at the silent baby as if I foresee him to answer me, and a smile thugs at the corner of my lips.
My heart has never been this unsettled, joyous, and broken at the same time. I'm holding little Wyatt in my arms, wondering if he will be content only having his father in the picture.
I should head to the library later, see if there are any books about fatherhood.
How do I raise a child on my own?
Tears are forming in my eyes, but I fight them and struggle to keep my lips under control. It's my
Sequel Maeve, 20 years old My best friend Wyatt is finally returning from his journey. He has been gone for four years, traveling together with his father Ryan and bodyguard Giovani to find laser surgery for his eyes. Wyatt had poor eyesight growing up. He was the bullied child, a skinny kid who followed me around like a lost puppy. Few words came out of his lips, and so I stepped in to defend him every time the other guys our age would pick on him. They used to take his glasses and hold them out of reach from Wyatt, who wasn't exactly tall. Late puberty, I think Ryan described it as, and then he had winked and messed around his son's hair, saying he would catch up with the others in no time. I don't think he did. From the letters we have exchanged for the last couple of years, Wyatt is still a goofy guy who loves food and reading his father's old comic books underneath trees. He is a nerd. "Are you excited?" Zoya, my mother as
My footsteps are unwilling, heart refusing to step inside the building where Ryan, Giovani, and Wyatt live. When the three of them were traveling, my mother was the one dusting their shelves and taking care of their plants. She even filled the fridge with food yesterday. "Thank you so much for taking care of our house." Ryan smiles at my mother with a cup of coffee in his hand. He is leaning against the counter with his back. He looks over at me. "Why don't you join Wyatt and... Uh, your friend in the living room?" Because Angelica is hitting on your son, Ryan—that's why. I forcefully glue a smile to my lips. "Sure, why not?" Ryan looks amused, but I can't for the life of me figure out why. Perhaps he can feel the attraction I feel towards his son? It wouldn't surprise me—Ryan is a wise older man, and he is sharp. "Have fun," Ryan smirks. "Oh, and Maeve?" I spin around, catching his growing smirk. I can see where Wyatt gets his handsom
Dust circles around my nose, forcing me to hold back a sneeze. My boss and owner of the grocery store told me to clean above the shelves, and I agree with him—it's nasty up here. Grimacing, I dip my rag back into the water, then continue scrubbing like the dutiful worker I am. I need the money more than my pride. Therefore, I don't even look up when the popular girls in town walk past my aisle, whispering when they see me. "Why is she working here, of all places?" "Maybe she can't get a proper job, or maybe her parents are poor?" "Probably." I roll my eyes at the gossiping girls and keep on cleaning. It's hard finding work these days, so I'm just grateful not to have to step outside the wall. My mother has trained me in material arts, and I know how to use a crossbow, but the infected scares the crap out of me. So do the mutated animals living outside. Ryan has pet lizards, giant ones, and I'm terrified of them—I let my mother care for
Victor I'm down on my knees, breathing like a steady drum as my father is giving me instructions. My hands are kneading the red carpet beneath me; head slightly bent to show obedience. "I want you to kidnap the human girl." Marcus, my father, is breathing hard while pacing the room. "Maeve is the daughter of Zoya, one name on my death list. If we bring her here, then the rest will come out of their hiding place." I respectfully nod. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted my father's acceptance. He barely talks with me, but today, he has given me a mission—infiltrate the human fishing village, and kidnap this girl. It will be an effortless task. We have men inside already. "I will make you proud, father," I tell him without meeting his eyes. Looking at your elder without permission is disrespectful, and my father is the most outstanding leader I know. "Give me a week, and this girl will be locked up in your cellar as your prisoner." My fath
MaeveBitterness curls around my senses and makes me see red as I glare into the kitchen, not surprised at finding Wyatt together with three women who look ready to attack him."So, how old are you?" A woman asks, definitely above thirty."Eighteen," Wyatt replies."Oh-my-god!" She is using a piece of paper to fan herself. "You don't look your age at all." Her eyes are glued to Wyatt's brawny arms. "Tell me, do you date older women?"Of course, he does—Wyatt would date anyone to piss me off.I drink more alcohol, soothing my thoughts as I try to enjoy the blasting rap music. This party was Angelica's attempt at making Wyatt feel more welcome and make friends. I guess it's working. Women are swarming around him and offering to show him around town."Maeve!"My eyes roll before I turn around, spotting Henrik walking through a herd of people to get to me. He is holding a red plastic cup, and his eyes are puffy and red, proba
I'm sitting with Victor on the couch, smugly smiling, when I notice Wyatt glaring at Victor. His face is that of pure jealousy, and with the most giant, most satisfied smile, I turn to Victor. "So, Victor, do you know Angelica? Or did you come here without an invitation?" I ask the man, who won't stop looking around as if it's his first time being at a party. Victor meets my eyes, still wearing that blush from earlier. "I didn't receive an invitation," He admits. "But as soon as I walked past this house, some girl dragged me inside. She fell asleep in the hallway after talking for about an hour about her garden. I tried waking her, but she was dead to the world." "Oh," I laugh. "Brown long hair and big boobs? Glasses?" Victor nods. "That's Ashley," I tell him. "She started drinking ten hours ago, so it doesn't shock me that she passed out." His lips curl. "I've never had alcohol before." I stare at him. "You must be joking!"
I'm brushing my hair while looking at myself in the mirror. For the first time in my life, I'm wearing a dress. I even put mascara on! I'm not sure what Wyatt's taste in women is, but I'm trying hard to look presentable. Black suits me, and I love the way the dress hugs me."Maeve?" My mother walks into my room, gasping when she sees my reflection. A smile tugs on her lips. "You look beautiful!"I beam at her, happy at the compliment. "Thank you!""Let me fix your hair."I stand idle, letting my mother brush my long hair to the right side of my shoulder. She combs her fingers through my brown locks, reaching for my table to pick up a hair ornament and place it in my hair. It's a blue butterfly with glitter on it."There," My mother smiles. "Wyatt will drop his jaw to the ground seeing you tonight."I blush. "You think so?""He would have to be blind if that weren't the case," My mother leans in to kiss my forehead. "Good luck tonight.
Wyatt I grab a bottle and pour up some scotch, making my dad laugh from the table. He is cutting into his steak, shaking his head at me. As usual, he is reading my mother's diary on his Saturday night. She wrote three before she passed, and my dad loves reading them during the weekend. He can often be found smiling to himself because of her witty writing. "Where is Maeve?" He asks from the kitchen table, turning a page to smile in amusement. "Did she cancel on you, or is she late?" "She probably stood me up." I clench the glass in my hand, angry because my heart is breaking. Maeve is a drug. No matter how hard I fight, I can't get her smile out of my head! "Not surprising, considering how you have been behaving." My dad smirks at me from behind his reading glasses. "Bringing other women here when she is your mate was a real classy move." I turn around. "Maeve doesn't like me—okay? You don't have to tell me I'm an asshole. I'm aware! I shouldn'