OpheliaFifteen minutes later Coop and I sat out back, our asses on the bottom step of the porch and our feet in the sand. He said nothing as he flicked his fingers and lit a joint with his fire magic, passing it to me with an understanding smile.As we smoked, basking in the summer heat and the salty breeze, I thought about what I had learned.I was confident it was my mother in the journal. I knew Morningstar could manipulate minds and such, but the demon Jude had interrogated claimed he was actively searching for me. How could he manage that trapped within the pages of a journal? It simply wasn’t possible.Besides, if Nova’s Nana had been telling the truth about my mother’s penchant for tricks, then there was a chance the journal wasn’t a prison, rather a hiding place. Maybe it was like a room with a door, and that door had locked itself behind her.It was insanity, but I had encountered so many strange things here on Lunar Isle that I couldn’t bring myself to dismiss the idea quit
Ophelia I found Ryker in his office, seated behind his flashy executive desk. The sun was beginning to set, casting the room in a dim light that made this meet up feel a bit lucrative. It didn’t help that he looked utterly gorgeous sitting there with his dress shirt partially unbuttoned and his hair askew. He’d just finished running a hand down his chiseled jaw when I entered. “You probably shouldn’t leave your front door unlocked. Anyone could just walk in and…” His eyes twinkled in the low light, “And what, tesoro [sweetheart], attack me? Is that what you’re here for?” Butterflies waged war in my stomach, but the bond in my chest made me feel bold. It knew that Ryker wanted us, that even though fate was so cruel as to keep my mates from claiming me, he fought wtih the temptation just as much as I did. “Maybe I am,” I said softly, approaching his desk. He watched, his eyes still sparkling, and those lips—lips I thought about more than I should—twitching at the corners. “I’ll l
Ryker Once Ophelia left and the painful erection I was sporting went down, I snatched my cellphone up from where I’d slammed it on the desk. One glance at the screen had me sighing heavily. I hit the call button and waited for the chaos to ensue. “Che tipo di nipote sei, ignorando una chiamata della tua anziana nonna? Avrei potuto morire! [What kind of grandson are you, ignoring a call from your aging grandmother? I could have been dying!] ” Nonna’s voice flew from the speaker so loudly that I had to yank the phone away from my ear. I let her get it all out, knowing I’d have hell to pay should I dare interrupt her. Formidable, ruthless Alpha I might be, but no one fucked with Nonna without getting an earful. “Nonna, you know I am a busy man.” I sighed. “Mi scuso per non aver risposto alla tua chiamata. [I apologize for not answering your call.]” “Uomo occupato, bah! Vedi, questo è ciò che accade quando ti allontani dalla tua famiglia e ti rifiuti di farle visita. [Busy man, bah! Y
OpheliaThe next two days were nothing short of weird.I worked my shifts at the Moonlight Lounge, attended training sessions with Nova and Sterling, and headed to classes as usual.The strange part came when Diana of all people approached me in the hall and gave me a coffee as a “peace offering”. Of course, I pretended to take a sip whilst remaining wary of her actions.A girl could only pretend so much, y’know.I was in the University’s library brushing up on all the various types of spells when Chloe approached. She’d stopped for dinner at a small café and naturally had thought of me while browsing their pastry selection. Apparently, she thought I needed to gain some weight.I couldn’t deny that fact. I had been eating less. As much as I hated to admit it, I didn’t have an appetite after smoking. The Dark Matter calmed the hunger pains in my stomach until eating was a mere afterthought.As for the moments where I wasn’t smoking, all I had to do was think about Alpha Hunter and the
OpheliaNova’s class had been late letting out, leaving me wandering the halls by myself. I could’ve started walking home, but I’d forgotten to bring my extra bottle of scent-blocker and couldn’t risk sweating what I had on off.As the other classes let out, I began to make my way to Nova’s to continue waiting. That was, until someone barreled into me. A set of arms grabbed me from around the shoulders, yanking me backwards into a dark supply closet.I knew instantly from the myriad of sweet, floral, and musky perfumes that it was Diana, Chloe, and Gemma. Their scents reminded me of a field of flowers left out under the blistering sun, slowly rotting away as they shriveled and wilted.The light snapped on with a resounding crack, illuminating the dusty closet we stood in.I gaped at the three of them, “What the—”Diana grabbed the neckline of my t-shirt and yanked it halfway down my chest. Heat raced to my cheeks as the three caught a glimpse at my ratty, second-hand bra, but that’s n
OpheliaThe drive home with Ryker was filled with tense silence.Something had changed during the walk to his car. It had been wrong of me to call Nova a coward given I couldn’t even bring myself to ask what had happened.Instead, I slipped from the car as he parked in Lucille’s driveway, and scurried into the house, my sore bottom a reminder of what we’d done…and what could never happen again.I thought about it all night, tossing and turning in bed when I should have been sleeping in preparation for my exam tomorrow.Pain was something I was familiar with given I’d been experiencing it at Lucille and Kimberly’s hand for years now. It had been wholly different with Ryker, though. With him and Jude, pain and pleasure were two beasts forever entangled.With them I felt safe.Night turned to day, and I went to my classes as normal. It was easier to swallow Diana’s repeated displays of kindness now that I knew the reasoning behind them. I could at least enjoy the free coffee and pastries
OpheliaIn the end, I swallowed my pride and put on the obscenely gorgeous dress Nova had purchased for me.Ugh, I hated the sound of those words.I’d have to find some way to repay her, my stubborn pride all but demanded it.I slipped into the dress easily enough, marveling at the long lace sleeves that covered my dark bond mark from sight. Returning to my bedroom, I had Nova secure the corset at my back. After slipping on a matching pair of heels, I stopped to marvel at my best friends gown.It was a pretty, pale shade of blue that brought out the pink apples of her cheeks. Similar to my own, it was cut in a typical ballgown style, only instead of lace and chains, Nova’s gown was covered in delicate pink wildflowers.She looked like a spring princess.Before we left, I grabbed a bottle of scent blocker and spritzed myself from head to toe. Nova watched; her lips twisted into a deep frown.“You know, I didn’t get why you used that stuff until the night we scried for answers about our
OpheliaA cold chill slithered down my spine as Sterling twirled me beneath his arm.“Does this mean you’re finally going to tell me what ghost you saw that supposedly knows me?”Sterling’s eyes settled on something just beyond my shoulder, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the dead were watching us dance, whispering to him even from afar.“Spirits are complicated things,” His voice dropped in volume as we glided past another couple, “They’re often confused after their deaths, reliving it again and again. Sometimes it takes a push for them to remember who they once were. You arriving to the island, discovering your magic, joining our coven, it was all one big push.” He grabbed me by my waist and lifted me, spinning us both in tune with the song, “Your grandparents say hello, by the way.”His words caught me so off guard that I stumbled, tripping over my own two feet. Only his steadying hands kept me upright. Without flinching, he continued to steer me through the movements.“I should
OpheliaWe left the manor exactly as it had been, shifting into our wolf forms to travel to the nearest town. The run helped dull the sharp edges of my thoughts, but the moment we arrived, reality came crashing back down.The town was small and worn. The kind of place where the streetlights flickered, and the air smelled of cheap gasoline.The motel wasn’t much better with its peeling paint, flickering sign, and lobby that reeked of mildew, but it had a bed and hot water. That was plenty enough for me.Inside the cramped room, I told the others, “When I was traveling with my father, I met a demon. One of Hell’s princes.” At this Nova paled. I knew she was thinking of the demon currently trapped in her bedroom—the incubus. “It showed me a vision where my mother was alive and well. She wasn’t twisted by dark magic, or corrupted, or anything like that. She was just herself.”I left out the other parts. The ones I couldn’t say without severing ties from my father entirely, and that would
OpheliaThe front porch creaked beneath our weight, the sound deafening in the silence. Every whisper felt like an accusation, every breeze a paranoid thought that chilled me to my core. I was sure my father would step out from behind a pillar, or a hedge.I inhaled deeply, reaching out with my magic. “There aren’t any wards on the house.”Nova made a face. “That’s surprising. We had a hell of a time making it through the forest, but this place has nothing?”“Morningstar likely assumed no one would get this far.” Sterling crossed his arms. “Or, depending on which point we entered, the wards we encountered could have varied entirely.”“It did feel like they intersected in some areas,” I pondered aloud.“That is elaborate. Like a moving puzzle.” Ryker huffed. “I’d expect nothing less.”I reached for the door handle, my fingers grazing the cold, swirling metal. A sharp sting shot through my finger, and I jerked back with a wince. A drop of blood welled on my fingertip.“Damn it,” I grunt
OpheliaHe balled his hand into a fist and the earth trembled before splitting open. Vines with wickedly sharp thorns, curved like the blade of a scythe, lunged from the ground like vicious snakes. There was a yelp, followed by a wail of pain as Jude’s vines struck the wolf closest to us.Nova fell to the ground, her mouth open in a soundless scream. Blood spilled from a deep gash across her chest, one right below her collarbones. Jude turned, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Well, fuck, that’s not good.” “Grab below her arms!” Ryker bellowed at Sterling, who jumped into action to haul Nova up. She let out a pained groan that twisted my stomach into knots. There was so much blood. So much crimson. “Focus, tesoro. We need you to keep up the protection shield as long as you can. Sterling has herbs on him that will heal her, but we need space to use them.”His voice snapped me out of my panic, and I nodded. Drawing magic from the earth was slower with all the wards in place. I was confide
OpheliaFor the next hour we trudged through the uneven terrain, navigating over thick roots and jagged rocks, the towering trees pressing in from all sides.I continued to rely on a mix of my magic and the blood racing through my veins to lead the way. My fathers house was still mine to some degree—still mine by blood. I was beginning to realize that in the magic world, blood held power.The further we delved, the harder it became to see ahead—especially with the fading light. Branches hung low like skeletal fingers, clawing at our clothes.Eventually the air thickened with humidity, and soon, fog curled along the ground, rising in creeping tendrils. It clung to our skin, damp and warm, carrying the scent of earth—rich, almost sweet.“Watch your step,” Ryker said a moment too late.Nova’s mouth flew open as her foot caught on something unseen, her balance pitching dangerously forward—straight toward a steep drop-off we hadn’t even noticed. Jude reacted first, clamping his hand over h
OpheliaRyker found me alone the following morning putting some final touches on a few potions. They were a bit hasty—especially the fire repellant potion—but they would do the job should my father’s protection methods turn … violent.I felt him approach as I always did, his soul brushing up against my own.“I shouldn’t have said it,” he admitted to my back, his voice quieter than usual. “Threatening to dark bond you wasn’t just wrong, it was abhorrent. Unforgiveable. I knew what it would do—”Exhaling sharply, I spun around, the bubbling cauldron now at my back. If this acid potion singed my hair off I’d be pissed.“It was smart. You were thinking like an Alpha.” He blinked at me, shock morphing the handsome contours of his face. “Seriously, it drove the nail home. It was my reaction that convinced him. I know that’s why you didn’t tell me beforehand. My father firmly believes we hate one another now. He’ll never suspect what we’re doing tonight. So, I don’t need an apology.”Whateve
OpheliaI used to be the kind of girl who wore every emotion for the world to see. Blame it on the choices I’ve made, or the things I’ve done, but I now had this box deep inside of myself where I stuffed the emotions deep.They bled out. They always did. It wasn’t an impenetrable box by any means, but the world no longer had to witness my emotions devouring me one bite at a time.It was in this box that I stuffed the pure terror of seeing my father standing in Edwards’ living room.My father stood beneath the light fixture; his hands clasped in front of him. His suit was the color of ash and neatly tailored to fit his body. I let my eyes linger on the harsh set of his jaw—on the sharp line his facial hair made as it carved its way up his cheek.Stuffing the last finger-trembling crumbs of fear into that box, I met his cold gaze.He was furious.I could feel his magic here even though he wasn’t casting. His shadow stretched along the back wall; this distorted thing.My stomach dropped
OpheliaThe scent of salt clung to the air in Shreveport, carried in by the crashing waves at our backs.Aisha stood at my side; her braid twisted into a tight knot at the back of her head. Her face was expressionless, eyes trained on the street ahead.Lamps on either side flickered in the humid light, casting golden pools onto the pavement. Music trickled from the open doors of nearby bars, blending with the chatter of people. Shops were still open this Friday evening, their signs buzzing softly, drawing in customers.Kids ran around with bags stuffed full of candy from the shop at the corner. Several times since moving here I had passed that very store, my mouth watering for something Lucille would’ve never let me have. Tourists snapped pictures beneath hanging lanterns, oblivious to the danger breathing down their very necks.I hid in the shadows between two shops, four warriors at my back flanking me on either side. They remained in their wolf forms, their heavy breathing a reassu
OpheliaThe night air drifted in through the open window, warm and slightly humid. Crickets chirped in the distance; their song broken by the occasional cry of some animal deep within the trees. The ocean was too far away for me to hear the waves, but I could still taste the sea on my tongue.Ryker sat across from me, his silver eyes unreadable. His fingers were threaded as he processed what I had just told them. The soft light from the chandelier, and the protection charm I cast over the room, caught the sharp angles of his face, casting shadows along his jawline where his black curls brushed against his skin.Jude, on the other hand, didn’t have the patience for silence. He kicked his combat boots onto the coffee table and flashed me that familiar, razor-sharp grin. “So let me get this straight. You want us to help you break into your father’s manor, which is most definitely crawling with enough magical wards to fry our brains, to search for proof that he stole your mother’s soul?”
NovaI slammed my binder shut, startling several people at nearby tables. Running my fingers through my hair, I felt the tension ease from my scalp as I pulled my ponytail free. The notes I had spent months taking were all blurring together, the dark ink forming thick lines—lines like the ones that ran across the demons body.Everything about him was so terrifying and peculiar. The stark black hair with the white stripe. The crimson eyes. The bands tattooed around his arms and throat. And don’t even get me started on his tongue.Shaken from my thoughts, I realized I’d been sitting there with my fingers pressed against my lips, my entire body trembling.“Sterling,” I called out over the mind-link, the one thing I had that the demon couldn’t track. “You available?”“What’s going on, beautiful?”“Need you to pick something up for me, but it might be hard to find.”“How long do I have?”“Um, a few hours.”“You are very lucky I love you.”My attention drifted back to my hair. Just a few st