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12 - Keep Her to Himself
Last Updated:
2024-06-16 12:06:18Related chapters
MAD END'S DECEPTION 13 - Don't Try to Stop Me
Six Months Ago (Part 3)GILDEONAraheen. That was her name. He couldn't grasp why her name stirred something deep within him—an inexplicable urge to possess her. From now on, she'd be his wife. At least until he'd taken what he needed from her.They found an abandoned sylph watchtower a few miles from the Mad End’s Wall. It was where he’d taken Araheen. They would be safe here. For now.Using the tip of his shortsword, he drew Kohina’s summon sigil on the rust-colored earth, muttering her name under his steam-charged breath. He needed her help to set his plans in motion, and Kohina was the only salamander he could trust with his secrets.Afterward, he settled onto the windowsill, one leg propped against the frame. While waiting for Kohina, he inspected the sigil needle he’d picked up earlier. Silver, with a finial patterned after an owl, its eyes set with sapphires. The tip was sharp enough to prick his fingertip. Other than that, it looked just like the hair sticks Kohina often used.
Last Updated : 2024-06-17MAD END'S DECEPTION 14 - Witch Lady
PresentGILDEONFor days, he'd been waiting for that powerful witch to make another move. So far, no danger had come Arah’s way, which meant one of two things: either they hadn’t traced the sylph magic back to her yet, or they were already aware and were just smart enough to bide their time.With no class today, it was perfect timing when he received news about another body turning up dead—someone who probably bore Arah’s Clover Wish too. He had to see it for himself. So, without wasting time, he drove straight to the fishing village and met up with the fisherman he had helped before.“You told me to call you if any strange jellyfish attacks came up around here,” Donny said, leading him to the far end of the shore. “Over there, Mr. Ayadi. I didn’t know what to do at first.”They trudged past boulders and fallen trees, remnants of last year’s typhoon. The low tide exposed algae-coated rocks, and even from this distance, Gildeon caught the stench of something rotten.“Master, Ghulik sme
Last Updated : 2024-06-17MAD END'S DECEPTION 15 - Only A Monster
ARAH“You haven’t broken the lock yet?” Tonio's curious eyes bore into her after she admitted she couldn't get into Gildeon’s study. Of course, she left out the steamy details that now distracted her, making her heart race. Her tattoo machine hung idle as she fought to drown out the memory of her husband's lustful gaze, the intense sounds he made, and how he came hard into her mouth...She was embarrassed to even be thinking about these things while working next to her friend.‘Get it together, Arah. Save those thoughts for later,' she scolded herself.“I thought you’d have managed to peek inside by now.” Tonio’s voice broke through her reverie.“I haven’t had a chance to try again,” she replied, steadying her voice and refocusing on the cursive name stenciled on Tonio’s forearm. The delicate lines of ‘Patricia’ were a welcome distraction. “He added a new lock. It’s tricky. He’d know if I touched it.”For all she knew, Gildeon could've also installed a spy camera somewhere in the hous
Last Updated : 2024-06-18MAD END'S DECEPTION 16 - His to Claim
GILDEONHe trudged up the narrow dirt trail, eyes locked on the abandoned farmhouse behind the broken wooden fence. It was laughable how people spun stories about this place, scaring the shit out of themselves. Haunted, they said. The rumor was that the old woman who died here had cursed the land—anyone who dared set foot inside would end up dead. That kept most folks away, speeding up as they passed the hill.To him, it sounded like the perfect hideout for someone on the run, like Roselia. Except now, she’d made him hike up the trail five times, never letting him reach the farmhouse gates.He halted, panting a little. He’d indulged her vindictive theatrics long enough. “You can stop this stunt now, Roselia!” he shouted, hands on his hips. “Let me in, or I’ll start burning this place down.”Right on cue, a middle-aged woman in a violet dress appeared at the top of the trail, her long copper hair swaying in the breeze. Her lips were pursed, hands clasped in front.“What do you need, My
Last Updated : 2024-06-19MAD END'S DECEPTION 17 - Bought Her Flowers
GILDEONHis eyes flicked to the chamber as Ghulik started retching. The goblin was on his knees, saliva dripping from his jagged teeth, hands bracing himself on the floor. Gildeon had expected the process to take longer, but here it was already.The sooner, the better anyway.He set the grimoire back on the table and stood to watch closely, hands in his pockets. Ghulik vomited up two black, slimy eggs, each the size of Gildeon's palm.“Just as I thought,” Roselia muttered, handing the eyeglasses back to him. He felt their renewed enchantment just before pocketing them. “Two eggs. Two witches, My Lord.”He crossed his arms, shaking his head. “It still baffles me that this is how you people get the witchtrace of each other.”“Well, back in the day, it was a lot... different,” Roselia said hesitantly as she approached the chamber. She carefully picked up one egg and set it down on the clear part of the table. “Witches used to slice open their stomachs, with nothing to numb the pain.” A g
Last Updated : 2024-06-20MAD END'S DECEPTION 18 - Her Husband's Secret
ARAHShe held her breath, eyes glued to the screen. The camera was angled low, showing only the bottom half of the coroner’s office door. Shadows moved across the grainy footage, but it was impossible to see a person.Then a hand appeared—not human. Something with scales and claws. Fire burst from it, and the hand touched the lock until the metal bubbled and deformed.The video cut out.Cora cursed, Mabel tried to keep the phone steady, and Tonio leaned in closer while Arah stood frozen. The hand in the video reminded her of the beastly hand Gildeon had in her dream before turning back into a human. Or maybe she was remembering it wrong. That was a dream, after all. But this one wasn’t. How was she supposed to make sense of this?“Can you play it again?” Arah asked urgently. Mabel replayed the clip. The video quality wasn’t the best, so it was hard for her to make out the details.“Is there another video?” she asked again, practically snatching the phone from Mabel this time and repla
Last Updated : 2024-06-21MAD END'S DECEPTION 19 - Touch Me, Gildeon
ARAHShe hadn't found a vase yet, so she just kept the flowers in her room. She ran her fingers over the soft violet petals so often that their sweet, exotic scent now clung to her hair and skin. These definitely weren't from a regular flower shop. Where did Gildeon find these?But it didn't really matter. If anything, not knowing made these flowers feel even more special. She carefully placed the bouquet on her bed and turned to get dressed, choosing the fanciest dress in her wardrobe. Slipping it on, she felt the soft fabric glide over her skin. She inspected her reflection in the mirror, flashing a satisfied smile. The soft pink on her lips matched the blush on her cheeks, enhancing the vibrant blue of her eyes and the curls she had pinned back.This would be their first real date night, not counting any they might’ve had before the accident. So tonight, she wanted to make an effort. She wanted to look good.The dress hugged her perfectly, revealing a bit of midriff and her owl-cou
Last Updated : 2024-06-22MAD END'S DECEPTION 20 - Rein It In
ARAHWhatever qualms she had about Gildeon were out the window for now.He slung his arm around her from behind, pulling her close. She gasped as his hardness pressed into her back. They shared a brief moment of silent understanding. Sex was too soon, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do other things to pleasure her. Just the thought sent a bubble of excitement through Arah, her heart pumping in anticipation.Her head rested against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, steady at first, then faster with each passing second. The power of it enveloped her body like a sweet embrace.Gildeon buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply, making her shiver. “You smell incredible,” he muttered. In the reflection, she saw his strong jaw working as if he were struggling to control his lust for her.His other hand squeezed her breast, kneading it firmly, eliciting a loud gasp from her.He paused. “Too hard?” His voice was husky, his head tilting as if to search her eyes for any sign of discomfo
Last Updated : 2024-06-23
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MAD END'S DECEPTION 162 - Third Entity
STRINGMASTERThe salamander’s arrival struck her like a thunderclap. She had hoped Vergilius would have done what needed to be done. Or, at the very least, that Drusden’s carefully laid trap would hold long enough for the harvest ritual to be completed. Yet, Gildeon had clearly managed to escape.Once again, they had underestimated him.Still, their coven had survived for centuries by anticipating every possible scenario. They were nothing if not prepared—though, as it seemed, even their contingencies had fallen short.The barriers they had set around the prison were supposed to hold. Even if breached, they were designed to sap the salamander’s strength. Yet there he stood, unscathed, where the prison yard met the road, his black and gold form silhouetted against the fog. Stringmaster was certain it was Roselia who had guided him to the weak points in their defenses.Roselia was supposed to have died back in
MAD END'S DECEPTION 161 - We'll Protect You
ARAHShe hurried outside and spotted the twins sprinting with their mother. One of the male hunters seemed to dissolve into the air, only to reappear in front of them, cutting off their escape. The girls froze, their gasps sharp and panicked as they stumbled back. The other hunter sauntered toward them. He was calm, as though he already knew they had nowhere left to run.The mother quickly shifted the girls behind her, edging them to the side. Fear and desperation carved deep lines into her face as her eyes flicked between the hunters. Arah couldn’t help but admire her bravery, but what could she actually do? Against these men, she was completely powerless.“Hand over the abominations, and you’ll be spared, madam,” said the long-haired hunter.“My daughters are not abominations!” the mother snapped. “I will never give them to you.”“The creation of a half-fae is forbidden,&rdquo
MAD END'S DECEPTION 160 - Own Free Will
ARAHAll she wanted was to escape to another memory. The thought of staying, of witnessing what she feared might happen, made her stomach churn. She wasn’t sure she had the strength to watch if her worst guess came true.“What are we going to do, Rose?” Lily whispered, her body trembling next to her sister.“We’ll run. Like Mama taught us,” Rose replied in a hushed tone.The girls turned and bolted, their breaths sharp and panicked. For a moment, Arah felt a flicker of relief, hopeful they had escaped, but it quickly vanished as the men closed the distance with alarming speed. One grabbed Rose by her hair, yanking her backward. She let out a choked scream, her hands clawing at his grip. Lily turned, only to meet the same fate, her shriek piercing the night as another man snagged her by her locks.“Let us go!” Lily shouted.“You devil children shouldn’t live,”
MAD END'S DECEPTION 159 - Taste of Freedom
ARAHShe was standing on a farm. The morning air was sharp and cool, carrying the smell of damp earth and manure. In the distance, a herd of cows grazed lazily, tearing into the grass, their low, rumbling moos punctuating the quiet.A man stood a few yards away, working with a pitchfork to gather loose hay into neat rows. His faded plaid shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, stretched across his broad back as he leaned into each motion. His hat—an old, fraying straw thing—was pulled low, concealing most of his face.From the modest farmhouse, a beautiful woman emerged. Her blonde hair was tucked under a scarf tied neatly at her chin. Her skirt was simple and practical, reminding Arah of the countryside outfits she’d seen in old movies. She cradled a woven basket in one arm.The man straightened, looking up from his work, and smiled. Arah could tell by the warmth in their gazes that they were a happily married couple.“I’ve already f
MAD END'S DECEPTION 158 - Another Memory
ARAHGildeon was finally here. Her heart thudded wildly in her chest—a chaotic mix of joy at his arrival and relief at escaping the harrowing void. She felt as though she’d been reborn—only for a wave of dread to crash over her at the thought of how close she had likely come to death mere seconds ago.“Lokius, come with me,” Drusden commanded, a crazed smile spreading across his lips. His lack of concern set Arah on edge. “We’ll handle the salamander. You two,” he said, gesturing to Vienna and Alaunus, “stay here. The gate has been opened. Continue the ritual.”Arah’s gaze flicked to the hovering fog spiral. Was that what he meant by the gate? It had tried to lure her in and shatter her sanity. Did this mean she was still compromised?Drusden brushed the back of his hand against the side of her face. She whimpered, shrinking away from his touch.Smirking, Drusden sai
MAD END'S DECEPTION 157 - Before This Night Ends
ARAHShe tried to resist stepping closer to the stone bed for as long as she could, but Vienna’s bangle held her in an iron grip. Her hands gripped the edge of the bed, knuckles turning white as she pushed back. But it was a damn struggle. It was as though an invisible wall pressed against her from behind, threatening to crush her if she didn’t give in.“You’ll only hurt yourself if you keep fighting it, Mrs. Ayadi,” Drusden’s voice rang out from behind her. She glanced back, her eyes sweeping over the red hooded robe he wore. Noticing her stare, he glanced down at himself and smoothed his hands over the fabric. “Ah, this is just a formality,” he said with a shrug. “Not my usual style, but necessary.”“I won’t give you people what you want!” she protested, clinging hard to her resolve. Every second she could buy felt vital. Gildeon had to get here in time.&ldqu
MAD END'S DECEPTION 156 - How We React
ARAHShe woke in Alaunus’s infirmary, feeling both weak and oddly rejuvenated. Had they brought her back? Her head throbbed, memories swirling but refusing to take shape. The last thing she could recall was a force—something overwhelming, wrapping around her senses. Then, nothing but darkness.Sitting up, she looked down at herself. She was dressed in fresh clothes—one of her own dresses. Her Gorgon amulet was gone. Blood and dirt had been scrubbed away, leaving no trace of the battle she’d fought earlier. She froze as the realization hit her.Drusden’s coven...They had captured her.Arah tried to scramble out of bed, but every time she reached for the edge, her hand recoiled as though she were plunging it into ice-cold water.“You’re awake, Lady Arah.”She flinched, her gaze snapping to the door as Vienna entered, carrying a tray of food and drinks. The witch was all c
MAD END'S DECEPTION 155 - Needed Me Alive
GILDEONAnger and disappointment burned in his chest. “We had a plan for this, Roselia,” he growled, his gaze hardening on the witch. “What the fuck happened?”“Drusden set a trap in the fog, My Lord.” Roselia stared down at her trembling hands, caked with dirt and blood. “An efficient one… to capture Miss Arah.”“You were supposed to use your fog.”Her head snapped up. “If I used it as a barrier for Miss Arah, those witches would’ve taken me down right then and there.” She pointed to her chest. “They had their orders—I saw it plain in their eyes.” She shook her head and sucked in a shaky breath. “I made a choice.”His jaw clenched. “To give up Arah instead?”“My Lord, that barrier was never going to hold for long,” she said firmly. There was a subtle hint of hurt in her eyes that made Gi
MAD END'S DECEPTION 154 - Marked Bride
GILDEONThree strikes.He had only three moves left before his body would give out. He needed to conserve his remaining energy—to fight the enchanted poison coursing through him while ensuring he would still be alive for the next few hours.Gildeon had to bet everything on these final attacks.“Overconfident, are we, salamander?” Vergilius said, a wry smile curling his lips.Gildeon shrugged. “I just like my odds.”Vergilius looked composed, but the way his fingers brushed the brim of his hat told Gildeon that the elder vampire’s fight was nearing its end. Even so, Vergilius would certainly want to drag Gildeon down with him.‘He can only try,’ Gildeon thought.His chest heaved, hot steam slipping through his gritted teeth in a hiss. The battle haze enveloped him. Fire surged in his arms, crackling as it burned from within. Swiftly, he unleashed a torrent of flame
