OpheliaThe morning after the dinner from hell I showered, dressed, and ran from the villa to make it to the Moonlight Lounge on time.I’d wasted precious minutes puffing on the last shred of Dark Matter I had, hiding behind the detached garage in a corner where the cameras couldn’t reach. Now, with my head swimming blissfully, I waltzed down the sidewalk pointedly ignoring the baby pink Corvette that trailed after me, driving at a whopping three miles per hour.“You’re being ridiculous!” Nova shouted, her voice carrying through the passenger window.I lifted my chin even higher. Goddess, she was a stubborn one.She let out a loud, overly dramatic sigh. “Fine! I’ll just keep following you. Our overlord has commanded me to train you today, so I have nowhere else to be.”I rolled my eyes, which was a bad idea because the entire world shifted, nearly causing me to stumble.“Well, our overlord needs to remember that unlike his royal self, some people have to work. And by some people, I me
OpheliaWe drove in silence to Nova’s house, which turned out to be a cream-colored villa just a few neighborhoods over.A sand-stone driveway, lined with neatly trimmed shrubs, circled the place. Pillars that gleamed beneath the setting sun stood in clusters around the patio, and within the villa itself. Gaping windows trimmed with gold showed a perfect view inside.Where Lucille’s place was cold and sterile, this one was brimming with warmth.Nova led me into her bedroom, which was easily the size of a modest apartment, and to a closet large enough to fit a pack of wolves.From the canopied bed that sat against the far wall to the throw pillows on top, each one shaped like a little candy heart, everything in Nova’s room was pink.“I know my style isn’t for everyone.” She said, her voice muffled since she’d vanished into her closet.Slowly spinning in a circle to drink it all in, I shook my head.“No, it’s nice.”I’d never been one of those girls who hated all thinks pink or girly. I
Ophelia“Well, this party went from fun to lame. Who let you in?”“It’s a beach.” I said flatly.The bartender slid a drink Kimberly’s way. It was a bright shade of violet, shimmering with flecks of swirling silver. As I looked closer, I noticed streaks of lightning within the liquid. They crackled against the rim of the glass, lighting up her drink from within.She smiled coyly at the guy. The snake tattoo slithering up his cheek rippled as he smiled back.I was too busy glaring at Kimberly to pay attention to the bottle of water he slid my way. Sneering, Kimberly plucked it up and shoved it at me. She stepped close, her scent—which consisted of expensive perfume and sunblock—invading my nostrils.“Listen good and well you attention seeking bitch. There isn’t a single person on this island who wants you here. Yes, our darling little coven needs you, but that’s it.” She snarled, “That is the full extent of your usefulness.”Her words were shards of glass digging into my flesh, but I w
OpheliaI blinked the tears from my eyes to find Ryker standing a few feet away. His eyes were molten silver, latched on my heaving chest and the sweat that speckled my breasts.He stormed up to me, his hair blown back from the wind.We were concealed by the darkness, far enough away from the torches for this moment to feel private.“What do you think you’re doing?” Slowly, his eyes trailed down my body, sliding over my flesh like cold water. If his stare felt this good—this euphoric—I couldn’t imagine how his touch would feel.I hadn’t realized my hand had been slowly climbing up my dress, veering towards the source of that painful heat. I forced my lips to move, forced the words to tumble free regardless of how embarrassing they were because I needed—Oh Goddess, I needed it.“Please, Ryker—” I gasped as my fingers brushed against the hem of my underwear. “I’m burning up. I’m burning up! It’s—It’s too much.”I could think of nothing else. Nothing but his hands on my body and his fing
JudeI walked away from Ophelia and my brother without so much as a glance back.The urge to murder had crawled beneath my skin and was now worming it’s way through my veins like a hoard of maggots. I pulled out my hunter’s knife and ran my thumb along the blade until it drew blood.So, Ophelia had seen Ryker. What did that matter to me?It didn’t.What caused the sudden onslaught of murderous inclinations must’ve been her treatment of poor Jameson. Watching his bones snap and twist had been the best fucking foreplay I’d ever experienced.A thing like that would get any guy worked up.That still didn’t explain why I felt so—so—annoyed? Aggravated? Irritable? I wasn’t sure what this particular emotion was called, but I didn’t like it.Too bad I couldn’t go back and finish the job. Believe me, I was severely fucking tempted, but Ryker would never (and I mean never) let me hear the end of it. With Jameson a member of his own coven, doing such a thing would start an all-out war.The only
OpheliaI stared out the window of Nova’s car, firmly trapped within my own mind.She was talking to me. I could feel her words ripple across my sensitive skin, but they faded long before they could reach my ears.Was this shock?I could feel every inch of my body, and yet I was neither hot nor cold. My mind floated in and out of oblivion, forcing me to relive the conversation I’d had with Ryker back on the beach.Jameson’s other coven members, which included Diana, Gemma, and Chloe, came to drag his writhing body away. I was horrified at the disappointment that surged through me as Ryker told me he would live.One of the males in Jameson’s coven was the bartender that had given me the bottle of water. I noticed the snake tattoo crawling up his throat, it’s beady eyes focused on my face.“They’ll retaliate for what you’ve done.” Ryker had said, his expression grim. “Joining our coven is now the only protection you’ll have. They won’t be able to hurt you once you join us. Now tell me e
OpheliaThe first thing Nova did as we entered the restaurant was plop a gargantuan binder in my hands.“This,” She tapped the cover, “has all the herbs and spell ingredients in a witches arsenal, along with their properties. Study it because I’ll be testing you on Friday.”I set the binder on one of the tables and quickly put the two of them to work.The food truck was coming today to drop off meat and fresh produce, which meant I had a long day ahead. Everything needed to be measured out, labeled, and dated for opening day. Come tomorrow the chefs would arrive expecting a fully stocked, functional kitchen to begin their prep.While we worked, Nova and Sterling plied me with lecture after lecture on magic.“Spells are a specific application of magic. They usually require some form of incantation and ingredients. The outcome can also depend on the time of day it’s performed. I’ll get you some more worksheets on the lunar cycles and how they affect magic.” Nova explained as she carted
OpheliaNot that it mattered, but I half expected Ryker to tell me to turn my ass around and get back to my lessons. The last thing I anticipated was hearing his smoky, accented voice roll through my mind.“The door is unlocked.”So lost in my anger, I hadn’t bothered to check my phone to see how long of a walk it was to his place. Half an hour later I was dripping in sweat.I had just reached the end of the gated neighborhood where his villa sat, looming over the town like a palace comprised of pale stone, sharp balconies, and reflective windows. A gentle breeze kicked up, and as I basked in it a trickle of tart cherries hit my nose, faint yet noticeable.I froze, cursing myself because I hadn’t thought to bring the scent blocker with me when I left the restaurant.Setting my jaw, I decided I had no choice but to go inside and hope my scent was too weak for the bond to solidify. If I turned back now, I’d lose hold of the anger that drove me here in the first place.The inside of Ryke
OpheliaThe fear that had been churning in my stomach, souring the fruit I’d been insane enough to eat from Ryker’s hand, simmered the entire drive—only to fizzle into bewilderment as we pulled into the driveway of a massive house. I could make out its red-tiled roof beyond a courtyard shaded by swaying palms.The sound of music, bold and joyous, trickled to us past rows of fountains and hedges of exotic flowers. There were so many of them that I was momentarily lost in all the color.Ryker held out his arm and my treacherous heart skipped a beat. “Do you really think I’m going to take that after you forced me here?”He could tell I wasn’t angry, and I hated him for it.Taking his arm, I followed him through the courtyard, our feet falling quietly on the stone pathway. A breeze whispered by, but instead of smelling the sea, I was met with the rich scent of herbs and roasted tomatoes, and— Was that bacon?Laughter sounded from somewhere inside the house, past the windows and wrought-ir
RykerThe purr of the Impala’s engine dampened to a quiet rumble as I pulled up to Edward’s place.His scent was everywhere. Salty like the ocean, but with a bitterness that made me feel like I needed to drink a gallon of water to wash it all down. Ophelia’s scent added a touch of sweetness, a burst of ripe cherries that settled across my tongue like a layer of sugar.Scanning the house, I immediately noticed Edward watching from the front window. His eyes held a claim in them that made me long to tear out his throat.Only a fool couldn’t see what the boy was planning. He wanted our mate, and not for the things he’d claim to want her for. Everything out of his mouth was sure to be a lie.Disposing of him would be smartest. Kill him before he kills us. Kills her. He’ll finish the job, and then who will you have? Jude won’t say in this world long—not without her. Edward needs to die. Tonight. Right now. A snarl ripped out of me. “Stai zitto, cazzo! Voci di merda!” [Shut the fuck up! Fu
OpheliaThe back of the house was much like all the others in Lunar Isle. Neat, paved paths led to a swimming pool that glittered like a shined jewel.Sterling sat on a metal chair; his feet crossed at the ankles. I almost laughed at the sight of him sipping lemonade out of a glass, a small stem of mint teetering off the side.“This was not what I was expecting,” I confessed, pulling out the chair beside him. “No Victorian mansion, no imposing statues, no walls of dead ivy. You do live next to a graveyard though, so there’s that,” I added dryly.I had been coming around the house when I spotted a path that led to a set of wrought iron gates. Inside there were countless tombstones, some big and others small. I even spotted a few mausoleums.Sterling smiled but shrugged. “My affinity is death, and I don’t mind it. Apart from a few great Aunt’s who have boundary issues, they mostly leave me be.”“You said I have a magical trace on my phone.” I didn’t apologize for the abrupt change of su
OpheliaThe door swung open and slammed against the wall with a crash. The flames licking at my hands fizzled out, their life sucked away by the thing that stood at the foot of Nova’s bed.It was a shadow in the shape of a man, but the darkness it was made up of was unlike anything I’d ever seen. One glimpse at how it devoured all light, even that from Nova’s bedside lamp, and I could tell it wasn’t the kind of darkness one found in this world.The shadow had no lips, but somehow it stretched them back to flash its sharp teeth.“Nova!” I shouted, but I couldn’t see past the demon. Goddess, let her be alive. She had to be alive. I turned my sights on the demon and tucked away every ounce of fear I felt. This demon wasn’t like the mindless runts my father had summoned. It was capable of thinking—of understanding. Hopefully, it understood this. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you. I don’t care if I have to rip a portal into your fucking realm to do it.”Its grin began to widen, stretching un
Ophelia“Hopefully this won’t be necessary, but I’m going to leave this paste here with you.” I told Nova, referring to the foul-smelling gunk bubbling away in a mason jar beside her window. It was my first ever spell made using dark magic, and even now I could feel the oily substance clinging to my insides. Nova kept a healthy distance away. “Only use it to draw the entrapment sigil. There’s no dark magic being used in drawing it, so you’ll be fine.” Another bubble popped, and a small cloud of noxious yellow fumes came out. We both cringed. “Just to be safe, wear gloves.”Heavily armed with all manner of potions, I flicked Nova’s lights off and headed downstairs to wait until her demon appeared.I drifted between rooms for a while, lingering in both the kitchen and the lounge for the longest. I opened the pantry, but Nova’s house was very much an ‘ingredient household’. I opted for a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, which I left on the counter, and moved on. Grabbing the mug of tea
Ophelia“We’re insane. This is insane.” Nova fisted her hands in her hair and groaned something unintelligible about dark magic, demons, and her soul withering away. I recognized the pure hysteria in the sound. “But I need to sleep before I dismantle this house board by board and rip the slimy fucker out of the walls—”“Inhale,” I cut her off and she sucked in a ragged gasp. “Now hold it and exhale.”She remained silent.“Exhale, Nova.”Her face began to turn red.I rolled my eyes and made sure she saw it, but had to turn away as the urge to smile made my lips start twitching. Nova had always been dramatic, but Nova without her beauty sleep … whew. I could relate, and that’s the only reason why I was being nice to her about it. We were both being haunted by demons, mine were just of my own making.“Holding your breath won’t kill you, it’ll just make you pass out, which will likely bring the demon out sooner than we want.” I flicked her nose. “So, exhale.”Nova let out a long, shudderi
OpheliaI forced open an eye and grumbled, “Nova’s here? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”Edwards snarky reply came a moment later. He was still annoyed from earlier. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s not as if you look like the physical manifestation of death or anything. You’ve also been incapacitated for eight hours. Besides, she’s not going anywhere. She’s been sitting on the front porch pouting since four.”Slapping my hand around until I found my cellphone, I tapped at the screen until the display popped up. The time read 6:58pm.She’s been out there for three hours?I dragged myself out of bed, my joints creaking in protest. The mirror confirmed Edwards’ assessment - my hair was a tangled mess, dark circles ringed my eyes, and my clothes were wrinkled. Still, the pain had all but faded since I’d vomited up the potion.Cautiously, I drew on my magic. Other than a bit of lingering nausea, I was able to conjure a change of clothes in minutes.Edward watched me skeptically as I stumbled out o
NovaSunlight crept through my curtains, assaulting my eyes until I had no choice but to peel myself off the floor. My body ached horribly from the uncomfortable position. The metallic eyeliner sigil had smudged, leaving glittery streaks across my cheek and arms. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and couldn’t help but gape at the disheveled witch staring back at me.Milkshake meowed again, likely for her breakfast, reminding me that it was well past morning. Not caring what I looked like, I trudged downstairs. Dad was in the kitchen making coffee, as he did most mornings. Most people ceased to function after losing their mate. Dad didn’t, he just stopped doing everything else.Upon entering I tripped over my own two feet and caught myself on the counter. Sitting there was the plate of cookies I’d hastily made last night. White chocolate macadamia. Frustrated with the spirit’s lack of response, I had shoved one into my mouth and stormed upstairs.Two sat on the plate currently
NovaEarlier that night…After seeing the shadow more frequently over the last two weeks, I should have never let my guard down. I had just been so tired. It had been three, going on four, nights where I’d got little to no sleep. The shadow man wasn’t just a blip in my peripheral now. He was a fixture in the corner of the room, a feeling that swept over me like a wave of vertigo. The worst part was, I couldn’t tell if what I was seeing were real or if it were due to lack of sleep.The guilt intensified until I could no longer think straight.I picked a spot the size of a quarter along my temple. The platinum strands, so similar to my mother’s, littered the carpet around my vanity. Using a comb, I swept my part to the side an inch. It would cover the damage until I made another hair replenishment potion.Dad suggested I call the therapist, which is about the full extent of his advice these days. When he leaves his office, which isn’t often, I catch glimpses of him in the hallway. Sile