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59 - Hit So Close to Home
Last Updated:
2024-08-09 23:05:16Related chapters
MAD END'S DECEPTION 60 - Another Man
GILDEONThis conversation wasn’t supposed to affect him, but Nowak’s words tightened around his gut like a noose. Memories of Arah broke through his mental barriers: the resentment in her words, the hurt in her eyes every time she was desperate for clarity. She’d been patient with him for so long, and in that regard, he had to agree with Nowak.But their situation wasn’t as simple as most human marriages.The Arah he’d been living with was merely an echo of someone he knew nothing about. It was pointless to even think about who and what kind of person she was before her fall behind the Mad End’s Wall. All sylphs were the same—no sense of individuality, just soldiers loyal to their duties to a fault.What would happen when her memories returned? Would she still be the same woman he’d come to know, the one he’d spent time with?Doubtful. Arah would be a stranger then. She’d probably try to kill him on the spot.A loud noise from outside jolted him back to the present. They were passing
Last Updated : 2024-08-10MAD END'S DECEPTION 61 - A Puppet Wife
ARAHThe cabin was right where Mabel had said it would be—off the empty road, nestled beside the river. It was at least a mile from any other houses or establishments. Only the gentle sounds of water, chirping birds, and rustling leaves reached her ears. The heat had subsided, and the sun was about to set.Gildeon had come home late again last night and slipped out early this morning. He’d left a note, about dealing with threats and keeping them safe. She believed that. But the picture Mabel had shown her gnawed at her, every fiber telling her something else was going on. Each time she remembered that image of her husband standing so close to another woman, it felt like a needle was being dragged across her chest.Arah was getting tired of Gildeon always keeping her in the dark.Her eyes widened as she spotted his car parked under the shade of the trees.“He’s here?” she murmured, slowly pulling into the front yard and parking her scooter beside the car.Her pulse quickened, the grave
Last Updated : 2024-08-13MAD END'S DECEPTION 62 - He Had to Choose
GILDEONFrowning, he stared at the plain black home screen, his thumb restlessly tracing along the phone edge. It hadn’t been a minute since Arah hung up on him. It shouldn’t have bothered him.But it did.“You really need to wise up about women, My Lord,” Roselia’s voice cut through, sighing and shaking her head just within his line of sight.“If she gets upset again, I can bring her more flowers from your farm,” he muttered absently, half his mind still on the phone, the other half on Arah’s confounding words—“not coming home starting tonight”—as if she’d overheard his exact conversation with Roselia earlier.He shifted in his chair, pocketing the phone. His gaze lingered on the red vines coiled tightly around his dragon-shifted arm, leeching his energy and funneling it into Roselia. She sat on her heels on the cold stone floor, inside a ritualistic circle, her own arm bound by the same writhing vines. Tendrils snaked between them, pulsing with a faint black-and-gold glow as they fe
Last Updated : 2024-08-15MAD END'S DECEPTION 63 - Do You Love Him
ARAHTonight, she just wanted to drown her frustrations in something strong, to let the burn wash them away. But it had been almost an hour, and still, there was no sign of her friends. She grabbed her phone and called Cora first. Her shoulders slumped when she heard Cora had to bail—something about babysitting her niece.Next, she tried Mabel, who also apologized. Her fiancé had suddenly gotten sick, and she couldn’t leave him. Arah would have called Tonio, but he was off the island.Sighing, she bit her lip and stared at the walls adorned with artwork and photos of tattooed skin. For a moment, she weighed her options.Screw it. She shut down her studio and decided to get a drink alone. It was better than staying home, moping around like an idiot, waiting for a husband who obviously wasn’t coming back tonight. She seethed again, remembering how he hadn’t even bothered to chase after her earlier.“Roselia can keep him for all I care!” she muttered, jabbing a hair stick into her curly
Last Updated : 2024-08-16MAD END'S DECEPTION 64 - Never Let You Feel Sad
ARAHHer head felt foggy, but his words cut through the haze. ‘Do I love him?’ The question echoed in her mind.“I wouldn’t have married him if I didn’t, right?” she replied with a forced grin, reaching for the bottle and taking a quick, desperate gulp.“I’m asking about how you feel now,” Jeric said, his tone serious.Arah froze mid-sip, her eyes dropping to her wedding ring. She set the bottle down, her thumb brushing over the smooth gold band. It felt like both a lifeline and a shackle. She’d been so focused on making her marriage work that she hadn’t considered how she truly felt about Gildeon.Confusion washed over her like an icy wave. Without the memories of how they used to be, without knowing the real him, without that deep connection...How could she even know?She was deeply attracted to Gildeon, obsessed with the way he carried himself with quiet confidence. Being next to him made her feel like she could brag about him all day. His every touch made her feel alive and crave
Last Updated : 2024-08-19MAD END'S DECEPTION 65 - Husband And Wife
GILDEONHe wasn’t supposed to leave Roselia yet, but Arah had been battering at the edges of his mind all day. He needed to see her tonight, or he’d lose it. She wasn’t at home or in her studio, though her scooter was parked outside.Gildeon had Ghulik track her scent, which led them to a bar on the beach strip. The goblin then disappeared into the crowd—probably to gawk at women or hunt for couples making out in dark corners.Shaking his head, Gildeon scanned the area. He immediately spotted Arah’s blue curls, a bright splash amidst the sea of gyrating bodies. Colored lights bathed the scene, casting shadows on her slender arms raised overhead.Gildeon stood there, catching glimpses of Arah through the shifting crowd. Heat surged through him as he watched her—seductive, free, sweat glistening on her smooth skin. Her curves, tightly wrapped in maroon, swayed with each move. She danced as if lost in her own world, owning the space, oblivious to everything.A burning desire ignited with
Last Updated : 2024-08-20MAD END'S DECEPTION 66 - Too Much to Ask
GILDEONGhulik’s snores grated in his ear, loud and guttural. He had no idea how the goblin had managed to get himself drunk. Meanwhile, Arah sat in silence beside him, staring out the open window. Gildeon kept his mouth shut, giving her space—at least until she sobered up. She had never drunk this much before, and it was a miracle she hadn’t accidentally conjured a tornado right in the middle of the bar.The truth was, he didn’t really know what else she was capable of. Sigilmaker sylphs were a rare presence in Shamibar, and all he had were the assumptions he’d made from observing Arah so far.He stole glances at her now and then, the night breeze whipping at her flushed face and tangling her messy curls. Even in this state, she looked mesmerizing. The hem of her dress had hitched up her creamy thigh, and the thought of her riding him right there in the car filled his mind. It took all his willpower not to pull over and fuck her senseless.To tamp down the heat rising within him, he
Last Updated : 2024-08-22MAD END'S DECEPTION 67 - Give in, Arah
GILDEONHer words hit him square in the chest. Part of him wanted to tell her he had never meant to hurt her—that he still cared, even if he’d failed to show it.But the confession lodged in his throat, choked by all the things left unsaid.Another tear rolled down her cheek, and something inside him stirred. Without thinking, he bridged the gap between them, his hand reaching out to brush the tear away with his thumb. His gaze bore into her blue eyes, still simmering with resentment yet tinged with hope. They reminded him of that sylph girl from long ago, the same fire in their eyes.And he had made them both cry.Gildeon parted his lips, ready to let Arah in—not completely, but just enough to lift the weight pressing down on him.But then his rational side yanked him back hard. ‘Remember what's at stake,’ the voice in his head snapped. ‘You're not here to fucking play the role of a real husband.’“You’re tired. Get some sleep,” he said, his tone distant as his hand dropped from her
Last Updated : 2024-08-24
Latest chapter
MAD END'S DECEPTION 167 - Now That They're Gone
GILDEONHe could still feel Zylas’s dragon spirit, but Drusden had clearly disrupted his connection to the beast. The Headwitch had likely managed it while Gildeon focused on freeing himself and Roselia and keeping track of Arah.When Zylas had been about to attack Arah, Gildeon had been on the verge of shifting into his full beast form, consequences be damned. But Alaunus had beaten him to it. Unexpected, but favorable. Arah had been safe, and another of Drusden’s witches had fallen.Fortunately, Roselia had escaped the moment they broke free from the fog restraints. Gildeon was deeply worried about Arah, but he trusted Roselia to keep her safe.Gildeon glanced around the fog enclosure Drusden had trapped him in. He stood in the heart of it, a space eerily calm—like the eye of a storm. Dense mist coiled around him, lit by flashes of lightning cracking through the shrouded skies above. The air reeked of sulfur, every breath a sharp sting that burned his throat. Beneath his feet, the g
MAD END'S DECEPTION 168 - The Plan's Changed
ARAHShe rolled hard to the side, her movement barely outpacing Tiger Lokius’s crushing pounce. His claws swiped through empty air as she scrambled to her feet, snapping into a defensive stance. She put as much distance as she could between them, her breath tight in her chest.The striped beast skidded to a halt beside Vienna’s lifeless body. His growl vibrated through the air before he began to shift. In a blur, his massive form condensed, fur melting into skin, until Lokius stood in his human form—tall and lean.His green eyes softened as they fell on Vienna. He knelt beside her, his fingers brushing tenderly over her blood-soaked blonde hair. “You rest well now, my darling Vienna,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Then he lifted his gaze to Arah, one arm resting loosely across his bent knee. He appeared relaxed, but his eyes remained guarded.He didn’t look like he’d attack her outright—but his calm was unnerving. Her instincts screamed for her to stay ready.
MAD END'S DECEPTION 167 - Chaos and Pain
ARAHShe didn’t know how this was supposed to work. Obviously, there hadn’t been time for Alaunus to spell it out for her. But she trusted her instincts to kick in.At the end of the hallway, Vienna stood—a shadow of the person she used to be. Her eyes locked onto Arah’s, cold and final, like someone who had already lost everything worth fighting for.Arah’s pulse hammered in her ears. The sweet Vienna she used to know was gone—she had died with Alaunus. This version had let the darkness in.“Was it worth it…” Arah broke the silence, buying precious seconds as her thumb traced the jagged edge of the mirror shard hidden behind her back. Vienna didn’t seem lucid enough to notice. “Whatever you sacrificed to gain power... to join Drusden’s coven?”No response.Arah pressed, “You wanted to avenge your parents?”Vienna’s gaze flickered. “The hunters,” she finally muttered, bitterness dripping from every syllable. “They’re cruel. They think they’re saving the world, protecting mankind.” She
MAD END'S DECEPTION 166 - Kill Her Easy
ARAHShe couldn’t move—not just because Alaunus’s lifeless, still-warm body was resting heavily on top of her, but because of shock. It was one thing to imagine killing enemies, to picture the justice they deserved for the horrors they’d inflicted on innocent people. But to witness their deaths in such unexpected ways was something she wouldn’t forget anytime soon.She was a soldier. She had torn lives apart with her own hands more times than she could remember. Yet here she was, pinned under the weight of a moment she couldn’t comprehend, her chest tightening with questions she didn’t want to ask. How had her past self survived this much violence without crumbling? Was she really that unbreakable back then, or had her time away on Earthland softened her too much?A sharp sob snapped her out of her thoughts. She blinked, disoriented, only now noticing the weight on her chest was gone. Alaunus’s body had been moved. She saw Vienna cradling him from the corner of her eye, his head resti
MAD END'S DECEPTION 165 - Vienna's Weakness
ARAHShe was still reeling. The winged beast towering before her—the one Gildeon had called out to—was Zylas. Her mind flashed back to their conversation in the kitchen, his cryptic mention of flying. Now it made sense, and yet, it didn’t.This creature definitely didn’t belong to Earthland. What kind of shifter was he?Everything had moved too fast for her to process. One moment, she’d been sure the beast would crush her; the next, Vienna had dragged her along, the other collar now clasped tightly around the witch’s neck. Whatever spell Vienna had cast had left Arah paralyzed, her body refusing to obey even the simplest command. Her feet were frozen in place, and frustration clawed at her chest.Then came the sharp, insistent pain in her temple, like tiny bolts of electricity surging through her skull. It wasn’t just pain—there was something else. A flood of emotions and thoughts poured into her mind, and they weren’t hers. Panic rippled through her. Was she connected to Vienna’s min
MAD END'S DECEPTION 164 - It Wasn't Impossible
GILDEONHe stepped back. His claws dug into the ground, shattering the concrete beneath his feet to anchor himself, bracing against the impact. Where had Zylas come from? Even with the thick fog, Gildeon should have sensed the dragon’s approach—but his attention had been drawn to Arah.Nothing else mattered to him in that moment but her.His gaze darted back to her. She had been pushed back, slamming into a concrete wall. Arah regained her footing, but she was clearly in shock.Gildeon’s pulse raced as Dragon Zylas turned its head toward her. His body burned with readiness, poised to strike the beast at any moment. Then it hit him—this was the perfect chance to test his theory. If he was right—fuck, he had to be right—this might be their only way to win.Claws launched into the air.“Zylas!” Gildeon growled, the power of his voice rattling his bones. A bolt of lightning seared through his mind as he felt a connection to Zylas’s dragon, just like the first time he had commanded Raudr.
MAD END'S DECEPTION 163 - A Nightmare Brought to Life
ARAHShe could feel Vienna’s anger seeping into her skin. It was as if the witch were furious that Arah had dared to hijack her memory. It clearly had something to do with the swirling mass of fog above. Maybe its magic had triggered a connection with Vienna’s collar.Arah braced herself, thinking Vienna might lash out for peering into her past. But something told her it wasn’t the case.“What happened to your sister?” The question tumbled from her lips before she could stop it. In the memory, the twins had been inseparable. The sister’s absence could only mean something had happened to her. “Rose? Lily?”Vienna screamed. Her pain was so overwhelming that, for a fleeting moment, Arah wanted to comfort her. What the twins had endured was horrible. But Vienna was still an enemy. Arah couldn’t afford sympathy.Seizing the witch’s moment of distraction, she bolted. She sprinte
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
