OpheliaFlexing my fingers, I let the ropes tighten until the tendons in his throat appeared.“Sit. Stay.” He stopped thrashing. “Good boy.”I watched him struggle, feeling out his own clumsy attempts at using his magic. It reminded me of a toddler in the middle of a tantrum. Punches and kicks were thrown but they were uncoordinated blows, too weak to do anything substantial.“You have magic, but you’re not very good at using it.”My father swept into the room. His presence silenced the retort Ren had been about to unleash.“That’s his father’s doing, I’m afraid. He taught Ren what he knew, of course, but learning how to master your magic without ever tapping into it is a hard feat.”He circled around the back of the chair, causing Ren to stiffen. I rested my chin in the palm of my hand, watching him squirm. My father stopped directly behind him. A strangled sort of sound left Ren’s lips as my father’s hands fell on his shoulders.“If it’s money you want—”“Ren’s lack of magic hasn’t s
Ophelia Two Weeks Later… I looked into the gilded mirror that adorned the faded, peeling wall of our latest hide out and realized I hardly recognized myself. The green of my eyes was bright just like my fathers, while my strawberry-blonde hair, the same as my mothers, hung down my back in loose waves. I was bits and pieces of their hopes, dreams, and regrets meshed into a single form. The clothes I wore, the way that I spoke, the emptiness I now clutched against my heart like a shield, it was all necessary. I knew that doing this would change me, I just had no idea how much. Rubbing my sternum, I closed my eyes and felt around the frayed edges of the bond. It missed Jude and Ryker. It missed the other pieces of my soul unlike anything else. It yearned for them despite the hurt and the pain and the betrayal. It raged at me for the way I had treated them in return. But I couldn’t give in. They were my mates. They were supposed to notice. They were supposed to save me from Alp
OpheliaWe emerged from the forest, then crossed a large dirt parking lot littered with people. Mothers and fathers hauled their young children out of their minivans, urging them forward with the prospect of funnel cake, rides, and arcade games. The sweetness of powdered sugar tinged the air as we approached the carnival's gates. The lights on the sign flashed in bursts of red and white, illuminating the sea of people passing through below. Further up ahead parents nudged their children forward with tickets clutched in hand. “Some illusion magic should do the trick, don’t you think?” My father murmured, looking my way. I lifted a hand and wriggled my fingers. Holding my intention in my mind I let my magic fill the air. Like thin swatches of silk it wrapped around us, shielding us from view. I could have easily made us a few fake tickets, but where was the fun in that?We slipped past the line of families waiting to purchase their way in, and waltzed right inside.“Show off,” he win
Ophelia The male’s smile was sharp. As sharp as the cunning in his milky eyes. “And we have a winner. I’d offer you one of those stuffed animals as a prize, but you don’t seem the type. Maybe once,” he mused. “But not anymore. Funny how quickly a person can change. Though I wouldn’t use a word as mundane as ‘person’ to describe you, Atticus Morningstar’s pride and joy.” It didn’t matter that my father claimed our family line could control demons. The fear had been so ingrained into my being that I could taste it burning on my lips. One blink and I was back in that house, watching as my friends were slaughtered. Watching as a demon tore it’s way into Coop’s body. No, absolutely not. I refused to sit here and cower. The Ophelia that participated in that ritual was a foolish little girl. She and I were not the same person, nor would we ever be again. The male—demon—cocked it’s head. “You’ve met Abaddon.” Abaddon, the demon that possessed Coop. Even now I could hear it’s voice sl
OpheliaDon’t run, he said.We’ll catch you, he also said.My chest heaved as I ran for the House of Mirrors. The last I’d seen of Jude and Ryker they were being pelted in the face by a slew of stuffed animals. I would’ve laughed had the potion not been suppressing my emotions.It was a worthwhile trade. Better to sleep soundly without horrific night terrors. Giving up the ability to feel was nothing in comparison.I looked up at the night sky as I ran.I’d have to take another dosage soon before this one wore off. The bond was silent in my chest, but it wouldn’t be forever. A sign flapped on the curtains blocking off the entrance to the House of Mirrors. I released a sigh as I read the word closed in jagged hand writing. At least I could use my magic freely. I was getting tired of wiping human’s memories when they saw or heard too much. Despite how often I trained with my father, I didn’t enjoy entering people’s minds.That was his thing. Skidding to a stop, the curtains of the Ho
OpheliaThat one word, it was a warning. A warning wrapped in a neat, pretty bow. One meant to keep me safe. One meant to wrap me in wool because I was their precious mate. It was in Jude’s nature to harm, just as it was in Ryker’s to protect.Fuck his protection.The girl I was now…she no longer needed it.“That’s it, Jude,” I laughed. “Heel, Jude. Down, Jude. Obey, Jude.”Ryker’s eyes flashed with murder. I couldn’t see the expression on Jude’s face, but from the way his chest heaved against my back, I knew my words hit home. Jude’s teeth scraped along my ear, nipping so hard I yelped. A surge of—of emotion swelled in my chest, causing the bond to hum softly. I began to panic. “I’m going to enjoy tearing you apart, little dove. My perfect mate,” he whispered, “So pretty. So breakable.”As he lapped up my blood, his fingers flexing on my bare stomach, that panic began to grow.“Goddess,” my laughter was breathless. “You say you’re not his enforcer anymore, but you’re still his trai
Ophelia“You’re crazy.” I shook my head back and forth until the world blurred.There was no way, no way, he’d go through with this. This little game we played was one thing, but fucking me with the hilt of a knife? No, it was pure insanity.Jude’s smile was sardonic, “I prefer the term mentally unhinged.”The hilt of the blade grazed my inner thigh, causing me to tense. There was no barrier keeping it from entering me. Even trying to close my legs was futile as Jude’s large frame blocked me from doing so.His eyes never left my face.“Hold her hands behind her back,” he barked at Ryker, lips curling even higher. “You know what you have to do to stop this, little dove. Words won’t work,” A knuckle skated down my cheek. “You’ll have to fight, but we both know you won’t.”The hell I wouldn’t. I lunged forward and snapped my teeth, nearly catching Jude’s lip in the process. He leaned back, only marginally, to avoid getting bit. Ryker’s magic danced through the air, snaring my wrists an
Ophelia “Shit.” I cursed and spun on my heel, eying the walls of the tent we stood within. Ryker and Jude mirrored my movements, both more on edge than ever. I’d have to find some way to slip past them. Fighting them would be hard, both magically and emotionally, but I couldn’t let them steal me away. This was for Coop, I reminded myself. To find a way to get the demon out of him. It was also about learning my father’s plans. As much as I wished I could say that were it, that wasn’t the truth anymore. Asmodeus’s vision changed everything. I could bring my mother back. I could have her and my father by my side. I could have a family. A family that loved me. A family that wanted me. I’d do anything to make that vision come true. “What is it?” Ryker pinned me with a single dissecting look. “Something’s happened. Is it Morningstar? Has he done something to you?” “What? No!” I scoffed, “We came here for a reason. I have a job to do, and standing here with you two is wasting precio
OpheliaI waited until I heard his bedroom door close before letting out a slow breath. Turning back to the scrying bowl, I placed a quick silencing charm over the room to ensure the conversation would be private. I wouldn’t put it past Edward to eavesdrop.Magic spilled out of me in a steady stream. I let it seep into the herbs as I hastily poured them into the water. It was my sloppiest work, but I couldn’t focus more than a few seconds at a time. My mind would drift to those birds, and to the feelings stirring in my chest, and my hands would begin to shake.Scrying was an imperfect art. Much like a vast city with a network of alleyways, there were many ways to get to one place. I merely chose the straightest, fastest one.“Dad!” I shouted and my own voice echoed back at me. The water rippled, like rain disturbing the surface of a puddle, when my father’s face appeared. He stood over me as if I were lying on the ground. It made the angle of the image seem off. As the water was distu
OpheliaMy eyes fluttered open as a set of harsh whispers pierced through my consciousness. It was impossible to keep still when my soul recognized the voices.“We know exactly how they got on the island. What I want to know is why that pezzo di merda sent a flock of demons …” His words were laced with venom, ending on a growl that left the rest unintelligible.Jude’s reply was softer, but no less intense. “And we will find out.”My heart began to race. They had to be talking about my father. Again. I took a steadying breath and pushed myself up. There was a dull throb in the places where I’d been wounded by the demon birds. I glanced down and saw white bandages covering parts of my body.“Bird wounds weren’t healing right.” At the sound of Jude’s voice I looked up. My mouth went dry. He was leaning against the wall of my bedroom, his fists jammed in his pockets. An indolent smile unfurled across his face as he caught me staring. Thankfully, he didn’t comment. “There was some kind of
OpheliaAnother one of their strange cries split the air, followed by another, and another, until they melded into a chorus of screams. I closed my eyes, but it only made it worse. They sounded just like wailing infants, their voices far higher and shriller than they had any right to be. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted.“Ryker,” I breathed, my voice trembling. “What the hell are those things?”There was a strange rumble as the red eyes began to rise in height and grow brighter, burning like hot coals. Their cries continued to build, grinding against my skull like a hacksaw. I fought the urge to clamp my hands over my ears.“No clue, but I don’t think we should stick around to find out.”“Well, we can’t just move. They’re clearly watching us.” I hissed back.Flicking my eyes upwards, an idea popped into my head as I looked at the streetlamp. It was one of those that hung from an arch, making it possible to bend. Ryker followed my line of sight and made a small sound under his b
OpheliaRyker blinked once, then threw his head back and roared with such veracious laughter that the entire pizza shop went silent. He cleared his throat, his eyes darting around. I watched in awe as the Alpha of the island blushed.I pointed at him, the smile on my face for once genuine. “That’s exactly what you get for laughing at me.”“Tell me what happened next,” He said, his eyes sparkling. “What did your teachers do? What about the other students?”“They were all horrified, obviously! It was dead silent too, and when I made it to the door I tried to pull myself up, but my damn foot was still asleep.” Laughter was bubbling out of me now too, trickling like a leaky faucet. “I had to nudge the door open and crawl out into the hallway. Goddess, it was mortifying.”“That is pretty bad, but it’s got nothing on my story.” Ryker said with such assurance that my laughter faded, and I instead raised my brows at him.“Really? Pray tell, Alpha. You don’t seem like the type to embarrass.”H
Ophelia“You’ve been suspiciously absent from our family dinners,” I pointed out, chomping into a bite of pizza for emphasis. My eyes rolled back, and I practically moaned. Pizza should not be that good.A smug smile flashed across his face, and I decided it looked absurdly good on him.“I’ve been busy.”Busy was an understatement. He missed the last four, which was unusual. I had only started attending them to keep Jude from playing his twisted pranks. He thought it was hilarious when he moved every single piece of furniture from the dining room to my bedroom.Truthfully, I wasn’t all that angry about it anymore.Eating dinner with Jude wasn’t the worst thing in the world. We talked about everything but the glaring issues between us, which is exactly how I wanted it. I never would have thought, but Jude enjoyed all things art. We spent one evening going over every book we’d ever read. My list was limited since I hadn’t read for enjoyment since we moved from Alpha Hunter’s pack, but J
OpheliaMy head throbbed and my mouth tasted faintly of alcohol as I stumbled out of bed that morning. The room spun slightly as I made my way to the bathroom, my bladder screaming with each wobbly step. I gripped the doorframe for support and physically recoiled when I flicked on the lights.Magic surged out of me like a whip and the bulbs lining the mirror exploded, sending sparks raining down. I let out an inhuman groan and flicked my hand at the mess, sending the glass skittering into a neat pile. My head throbbed again.Cold water trickled down my face as I hunched over the sink. Little pinpricks of cold radiated across the apples of my cheeks. They were almost as red as my blood-shot eyes. Staring at my reflection, a sudden clarity pierced through the fog of my killer hangover.I couldn’t keep going on like this, relying on alcohol to chase the nightmares away. Quite frankly, I hated the stuff. Why did it have to taste so awful? No, I couldn’t do this anymore. I needed that poti
NovaAfter using the bathroom, I made my way to the kitchen, catching myself on the walls as the house tilted left and right. Smacking my dry lips, I winced. I needed something to drink that wasn’t straight liquor.So, I made myself a martini, extra dirty.I was putting the vodka and vermouth back when the temperature in the room began to rise. Warmth like molten honey began to drip down my spine in a rhythm my body had memorized. Panic seized me and my throat closed, causing me to choke. As I coughed into my fist, my eyes watering, I could feel that warmth grow and spread.That was how the ghost—or whatever the fuck it was—made itself known. I didn’t know how long it had been here. It only started acting up recently. I immediately went to Sterling since he was practically an expert on the dead, but even he couldn’t help.“I can’t get a read on it. Whatever kind of spirit it is, it’s hiding from me. Are you sure you tried all of the banishments in the spellbook? And none of them worke
NovaI was no stranger to guilt.I had seen it appear like a shadow on the wall the day we found out our mother died. Since then I could feel it looming over my shoulder those moments where I failed to protect Coop—failed to help guide and raise him the way I promised her.There were bad moments, like seeing my brother strapped to a bed at the same asylum Alpha Ryker’s father stayed at, where it felt like the shadow wasn’t just leaning over my shoulder, but whispering in my ear.Five more hairs, only five. I reached up and tugged them at the root, chewing on my lower lip as I felt each one pop free. They lay in my hand like strands of pale ribbon.Mom always loved my hair.Things hadn’t always been this way, but I no longer could remember a time where the guilt didn’t gnaw at me. Over the years it had grown into a bigger beast than even my wolf could tame.“You do know that we’ll have to find some way to disguise me, right?” Ophelia said as I walked back into the room. Another wave of
OpheliaAfter that night at Edwards I realized that alcohol helped chase the nightmares away. It wasn’t sustainable, and I knew that, but it at least bought me a few nights’ sleep while I tried to figure something else out.Sneaking out to the library again was becoming an impossibility, so I had no way to look for my own alternative. I had no clue how Ryker managed to run an entire island, when I could barely manage a hundred. There was always someone who needed something from me, and even with Aisha’s help I felt like a child playing at being an adult.I quickly became tempted to accept the potion Jude offered instead, which he left outside of my door every single night, but why should I?He agreed to give me that potion, not some replacement. He could deny it and twist my words however he wanted, but I wasn’t going to give in. He couldn’t walk all over me just because we shared some bond.When Nova’s ‘friend date’ rolled around later that week I was almost relieved. That was until