Share
109 - Original Battlefield
Related chapters
MAD END'S DECEPTION 110 - Bleeding Brides
GILDEONHe’d been awake since the dark chains had suddenly unlatched from his wrists and ankles. They had disappeared into thin air without a trace of magic left behind. He had a good idea of what had gone down, but right now, all that mattered was the relief of those damned shackles being gone.Looking back, he doubted he’d gotten even a minute of sleep all night. Thoughts of Arah had pounded through his head, filling every corner of his mind. Was she safe?Drusden wouldn’t let anything happen to her—knowing full well Gildeon’s wrath would be waiting if he did. Still, his mind remained restless. The inaction burned him up inside. Not having control, not knowing every detail of the situation outside the station—it kept him on the fucking edge.Ghulik hadn’t returned yet, which meant he was still out there, trying to dig up intel on that long-haired witch.The door creaked, but he didn&rsquo
MAD END'S DECEPTION 111 - From the Beginning
GILDEONInstinct told him to shift his hand back to normal, but when Arah’s eyes flicked to it without a hint of reaction, he knew it didn’t matter. Everything was out in the open now. There was no point in trying to hide it anymore.He couldn’t tear his gaze away as she approached. She met his bewildered stare without blinking—no fear, no revulsion.She was calm. Too calm, and it bothered the fuck out of him.Her hand stroked the amulet, and he wondered if that kept her steady. Either that, or she was gauging if he was a threat. The thought that she might think he’d harm her ripped at him.“Let him go,” she said, softer this time, though her voice still had a guarded edge.Gildeon loosened his grip, claws retracting slowly from the Headwitch’s neck, the blood vanishing into the tips.As he let go, Drusden slumped forward, choking and gasping, his body folding at the waist.“Damn it, Mr. Ayadi,” Drusden rasped, followed by a broken chuckle. He staggered, clutching his bleeding neck, e
MAD END'S DECEPTION 112 - Coven War Code
ARAHShe stirred, her body feeling as if a boulder were pressing down on her. Her mind was hazy, her muscles sore, and her joints cracked with even the slightest movement. How long had she been asleep? Her mouth felt like sandpaper, and the bright light stung her eyes, tears pooling in the corners.A broken moan escaped her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a wisp of smoke. It smelled like burnt herbs—just like the ones from Alaunus’s infirmary.Was that where she was now?Turning her head slowly, she glimpsed two white pillows piled beside hers. Her hand brushed the soft bedding, and she breathed in a familiar scent that filled her senses in the sweetest way possible.Gildeon.When she finally regained control of her body, she pushed herself up slowly. Another moan escaped her as her stomach twisted painfully—a hollow ache from days without food—yet she wasn’t hungry. She felt clean from head to toe, dressed in fres
MAD END'S DECEPTION 113 - I'm Not Powerless
ARAHHer face felt numb under the weight of their attention. She hadn’t meant to make a scene, but the argument was about her, so it just made sense to get involved.“Sleeping Beauty finally speaks,” Zylas snarked, breaking the awkward silence.“How long have you been up, Arah darling?” Lokius asked, standing beside Vienna, one hand on his hip.“A little while.”“You alright?” Gildeon said, his tone more intimate, as if they were the only two people in the room. Tension knotted in her stomach as their gazes connected, reminding her that they still hadn’t gotten closure from their last conversation. She had likely blacked out halfway through Gildeon explaining how Roselia had helped them adjust to the human tongue. There were still questions and unspoken feelings between them, though it didn’t feel like this was the right time to address them.“I’m fine,” she replied, rubbing the side of her neck. “Just a little sore—” She frowned. “How long was I asleep?”“Two days, Lady Arah,” Vienna
MAD END'S DECEPTION 114 - War to Plan
GILDEONIf it were up to him, he wouldn’t bring her at all. It’d be hard to focus on the battle if he had to constantly look over his shoulder, making sure she was safe. But on the other hand, he’d rather keep her in sight. Drusden’s coven was strong, but Gildeon trusted no one more than himself to protect Arah.“Let’s head back,” she said. “The others are waiting.”He grabbed her arm before she could reach the door. “They can wait.”Arah stared at him with wide eyes, waiting for what he was about to say.“Why aren’t you mad?”Her lips parted for a second. “I was mad, Gildeon.”“No. Not about you staying here.” He pulled her close, his hand firm on her face. “What we talked about at the station.”She tilted her head slightly. “You mean the part where you kidnapped me, pretended to be my husband, and dragged me to Earthland without my consent?” Her words were sharp, but there was no trace of outright anger.Gildeon narrowed his eyes, studying her face. No resentment. No sign of pain fr
MAD END'S DECEPTION 115 - Fight Me
GILDEONBack downstairs, he stood by the wall, arms folded, listening as Drusden revised the battle plan now that Arah was joining them at the public funeral.“I want guards for my friends too,” Arah said, leaning forward in her seat.“Sure, Mrs. Ayadi. I’m sure Stringmaster can arrange that.”“Why would I need to protect random humans?” Stringmaster protested through their mouthpiece guard. “They are irrelevant. I would be wasting valuable combatants.”“Hey, don’t call them irrelevant!” Arah slammed a hand on the table. “They’re people, you heartless witch.”If Arah wanted, Gildeon would give her the chance to kill this cloaked witch herself.“I’m sure Stringmaster didn’t mean that, Arah darling,” the shapeshifter witch chimed in with a chuckle. “Right, Stringmaster?”The cloaked witch didn’t respond.“Back to the plan,” Drusden said, drawing everyone’s attention again as he circled a spot on the plaza
MAD END'S DECEPTION 116 - When the Truce Finally Broke
GILDEONThey found another abandoned block, perfect for a battlefield. Alaunus set up a grid to prevent any destruction if things got out of hand. Arah watched from the railing upstairs, standing between Vienna and Drusden, who was smoking what had to be his tenth cigarette of the day.Zylas had been asleep just minutes ago, but he’d managed to get up—probably smelling the fight about to happen. That worked for Gildeon. He wanted to see how these witches would react if he challenged their precious coven member to fight him.Ghulik had been circling and sniffing Zylas—trying to figure out how that man existed, especially on Earthland.“Who do you fancy fighting first?” Alaunus asked with a false air of friendliness, standing against the wall and massaging his hand.“Why, you joining in? Thought you were just a healer,” Gildeon said dryly. “Shouldn’t you be off burning herbs or polishing crystals?”Zylas howled with laughter by the stairs, a fresh beer in hand. “That was a solid burn, m
MAD END'S DECEPTION 117 - Just A Combat Test
ARAHStringmaster had sent the guards to clear away the mangled bodies before the next fight. She overheard something about the hooded witch stitching them back together as if they were really just dolls, never human to begin with. Her neck prickled at the image of those severed heads getting reattached… the inmates lurching around like zombies again.Her gaze flicked to Gildeon, seated in the corner by the bench, staring at his torn-out claw as it slowly grew back. She’d seen things like this happen with Aktaeon and Nalini, but witnessing it on Gildeon felt so unreal. Arah reached into her dress pocket and pulled out the handkerchief she’d grabbed before they left the base. Just as she was about to head downstairs, Drusden’s voice stopped her in her tracks.“I’m curious, Mrs. Ayadi,” he said, eyes on his cigarette. “Why didn’t you tell him you’ve already regained some of your memories?”Two days ago, when she’d confronted Gildeon about who they really were, she hadn’t felt ready to
Latest chapter
MAD END'S DECEPTION 119 - This Real You
MAD END'S DECEPTION 118 - Should Be For Real
MAD END'S DECEPTION 117 - Just A Combat Test
MAD END'S DECEPTION 116 - When the Truce Finally Broke
MAD END'S DECEPTION 115 - Fight Me
MAD END'S DECEPTION 114 - War to Plan
MAD END'S DECEPTION 113 - I'm Not Powerless
MAD END'S DECEPTION 112 - Coven War Code
MAD END'S DECEPTION 111 - From the Beginning
