I watch Blake fight with three of the werecats. He is throwing them off his back while snarling like a furious beast. Brown hair gets ripped away from his back, but the werewolf isn't close to giving up. Admirable. What I find fascinating about Blake is that even if we are outnumbered and in grave danger, he seems to live for the battle.
He inhales the air, probably to clear his head before digging his teeth into the next fool trying to attack him.
I wonder if it's easy fighting as a gigantic wolf?
Entranced, I watch the scene before remembering what I was doing—running for my dear life because flames won't burst to life no matter how loud I call for them.
I'm such a weakling.
Images of Jack licking his devious lips before trying to kiss my naked breast flood my mind every time I try to summon fire. It has made me realize that the memory is blocking me from using my powers.
"What do I do?" I ask myself as I climb up a mossy rock. My li
Opening my eyes is not pleasant. It feels like a steamroller has run over me—every limb is crying, begging me to jump off a bridge to end this suffering. I've had better days. Light trickle in through a half-open window, making me groan and turn over in the bed that smells like detergent. I'm drenched in a cold sweat, and my eyelids hurt, probably swollen from the beating I took. "Good, you're awake." Startled, I sit up and try to open my eyes, only to end up squinting like a mole at my grandmother. She is standing at the edge of my bed, wearing her emerald dress and a stern expression. We seem to be in a hospital room, and I remember the school was equipped with its hospital wing. "Morning," I say and lick my lips. My mouth is drier than sand. "Fancy seeing you here." My grandmother doesn't move a muscle. Instead, she glares down at my hands, and that's when I discover my new, unusual bracelets. They are embedded with green, glowing b
Samael cocks his head to one side, blinking at me, and I violently pull my blanket over my head when I spot a glimpse of his teeth. I'm so embarrassed! Why did I ask him to stay? "Oh, no!" Samael is feigning confusion. I can hear the smile in his voice, and it makes me stop breathing. I hope staying hidden will save me from this awkward situation. "Wherever did she go?" Suddenly, hands clamp down onto my shoulders, and I shriek, prompting laughter out of Samael. "You know..." He pulls the blanket over my head, smiling when he finds me with a mad blush. Every second that his gaze stays on me, I feel shivers starting from my toes. Damn teenage nerves. "Hanging out with me isn't a good idea." "Because you're my teacher?" I question. Samael bites his lower lip, looks at me, and then opens his mouth to let out some steam. I find him incredibly sexy. "No, it's because I'm not a good person, Raven." Hearing my name on his tongue feels so righ
It's been two days since Lucy left me. I'm currently staring down at the empty mirror while Hayley talks about her dress for the Christmas ball. I understand it's rude to pretend I'm listening, but I miss Lucy. Excitement is buzzing in the entire atmosphere. People are laughing in the cafeteria. Girls are discussing their dresses; meanwhile, the guys are winking at the girls. I should join them and be happy, but it feels like the last piece of my heart shattered into breadcrumbs when Lucy left. I recognize he is a demon, but I thought of him as my home in a twisted way. He was the family I had left and the last connection to my mother. Hayden takes a seat by our table, throwing a bag of cookies in front of my eyes. "Since you ate the last cookies I made you so quickly, I baked you new ones this morning." Shivers wrack my body, and I'm suddenly overwhelmed by the memories of Lucy eating those cookies. My heart squeezes inside my chest. Tears wo
After the rain has stopped pouring, I'm dragging my feet across the wet grass while keeping my gaze low. My jeans stick to my body like a second skin, and the leather jacket I'm wearing feels like a rag. I'm chilled to the bone but move a curl of black hair from my face and trek down a trail. The trees seem to dance with the silent wind, and then I hear voices—one belongs to my grandmother. Suspicions flash within me, and I scan my surroundings. My eyes settle for a thick oak tree, and I quickly hide behind it, pressing my back against the wet trunk. "Don't mention this to anyone!" My grandmother orders. "We don't want the students to be afraid when we have the Christmas ball coming up." I sneak a peek. My grandmother is walking in my direction, with two other teachers following her. They are transporting something on a stretcher—I suspect there is a dead body on it, but the black plastic draped over it prevents me from confirming this. One te
I'm furious. We are in town trying to find me something to wear for the Christmas ball. Hayley is picking out dresses for me and bringing them to my changing booth. Hayley wants me to express grace and beauty, but I don't care about elegance—I want something dramatic Lucy will remember me by after I've burnt him to a crisp. "This will compliment your appearance, Raven. The color suits your hair and brings out the blue in your eyes." Hayley hands over a sapphire dress and smiles while I glare down at the fabric in my arms. I haven't slept. My dreams replay the day Lucy abandoned me—I see his face so many times a night my heart needs a break. "I will try it on." There is no motivation in my voice. My soul has fled my body and left me an empty shell. Hayley beams at me. "I will wait outside." I close the curtains and stare at myself in the mirror. My eyelids are swollen, and I can imagine what Lucy would have said if he sat on top of my s
On the day of the Christmas ball, I wake up with an anxious pounding inside my chest. I sit up in my bed and hug my legs while glaring at the wall. It's my birthday—I should be excited, and instead, I'm terrified of the vision my grandmother had. I don't want to die. "But it's not like I can sit in my bed all day, either," I mumble to myself. I dress for breakfast. The mate-bond thing won't happen until later. I don't have to worry about looking into Blake or Hayden's eyes right now; the clock needs to hit eleven—the time I was born. Pouting, I pass the time by walking into the cafeteria. I pick out some sandwiches and eat them in silence. Hayley joins me, introduces me to her Fae friend Alina—it seems all Fae aren't bad. And then, we all eat together. Lucy is on my mind the entire day, along with thoughts and ideas on how life together with Hayden and Blake would be. Hayden would bake me cookies any time I asked for them. Meanwhile, sex with Blake wo
"Mate," I repeat that word, standing proud as I gape up into Lucy's unreadable expression. "You're my mate."His eyes seem to dilate. I'm afraid when he parts his lips, but I know fear isn't real. It is a product of thoughts and worries I'm creating inside my mind. It's a choice, and I'm trying to be brave and not let that devastating emotion impede the thing I want—him."How is this even possible?" He closes his eyes as if to concentrate and think about the situation. His fingers reach to rub at his eyelids. "Demons aren't supposed to have mates."I peer up at his face, and this giddy emotion floats over me. It's strange thinking of Lucy and Samael as the same person. Lucy looked like a child inside of his mirror, and now here he stands as a grown-ass man.Lucy squints at me as I snicker."What do you find so funny?" He asks coldly.I smile. "It's just awkward. When you were only Lucy, I didn't think your grown-up form would look like
Lucifer Raven rejected me, and now the room won't stop revolving. The presence of hostility in her eyes is unmistakable. Hayley, her friend, was murdered by my kind. But if I had let Raven stay inside the ballroom, then she would be the one lying on the floor. I understand her anger towards me. Raven believes we could have saved Hayley, but she doesn't realize that she can't defeat the demon who did this. Maybe I could, but I'm not a hero. I would choose to save Raven before anyone else inside this room. She is the only person who has ever been kind to me. I still remember when she called me her friend for the first time—I believe that was when she changed the future. It was when destiny tied our journeys together. I'm not a decent person. Demonic blood streaks in my veins, and I've done awful things, yet I don't want to reject her yet—I need to see if maybe there is a reason we are mates. "She is dead because of you!" Raven is holding
Finale Lucy The day Raven died, I lost a part of myself. My heart shattered to pieces seeing her turn into ashes, and when the wind took her away from me, I learned the true meaning of grief. There wasn't a piece left of Raven to bury, and neither was there a piece of her to save, no clothes or necklace. Raven's grandmother kept her things, which in my opinion, she didn't deserve, considering the way she treated her granddaughter at the end, but who listens to a demon? The school agreed her grandmother could take everything, while I was left with only the memory of my fantastic mate. Life is unfair. "Earth to Lucy—aren't you going to join us for a toast?" I turn around, smiling faintly at Blake. The guy is like a fine wine, only turning more handsome as he grows older. Eighteen years have passed since Raven sacrificed herself, but Blake doesn't look old. My lips form a pout. I wish I had gotten to see Raven grow older.
Raven Lilith is circling me like a vulture. "Do you consider yourself strong enough to take on a demon?" I narrow my eyes, focusing on her glowing hands. Her dark magic is oozing in the air and making my skin crawl. Lucy and I trained before we arrived, but I doubt I can defeat Lilith. Still, I got to try since there isn't a knight in shining armor to save me. I gather energy, making fire take over my hands as I follow the amused demon with wary eyes. "I've never tried fighting one before." "Well," Lilith smiles. "You better win this battle, Raven, or I will cast darkness upon this entire world. Demons will reign, and humans will be our slaves. But don't worry—I send you a postcard after I've killed you." I glare at the demon. "You talk too much." "Oh, excuse me—I didn't realize you were waiting for the fucking party to begin!" Lilith laughs and lunges at me. Her nails are long, and I try to step out of the way not to b
RavenLightning is crackling along my skin, zapping and engulfing my entire arm before I aim the gathered energy at the shadows approaching us. One of them looks like a giant fly—Beelzebub, and the other, animalistic one with three heads, must be Asmodeus.My eyes narrow. I've never seen Asmodeus in his proper form, but my bond with Lucy is so strong I somehow know it's him without even asking to confirm my suspicions.Asmodeus is horrendous, a creature with the middle face of an older man and a cow and sheep as the two others. His body is a lion, with multiple limbs of different creatures that don't seem to belong. I repress a shudder, disgusted by him.'It seems more people are coming over to play,' Lucy comments before his scales light up in red. 'Perhaps it's time to take my proper form for this fight. I need my A-game.'"You mean you're not at your strongest in the dragon one?" I ask, gasping in disbelief. "This is the battle of our life
Raven Lucy cries the moment the shark-like creature opens its jaw to dig its sharp teeth into his scales. Flying becomes challenging for the dragon, and we are all knocked off his back. "No-no-no!" I scream. "I don't know how to fly!" Hayden snorts a laugh. "Then you better learn!" "Stop joking and help me instead!" I yell at the smug bastard, who doesn't look bothered by the situation. His blonde hair is fanning around his head, and his expression is calm. "Well, if you insist." In the corner of my eye, I see Blake shape-shift into a wolf to land on his paws while Hayden grabs me. I'm pulled to his chest, but I'm done content yet. I glare at the vampire accusingly, causing Hayden to roll his eyes. "What a warm welcome..." Hayden mutters as we land on tall grass. I slip down his chest and turn around to witness Lucy screech at the monster whale. They are dwarfing the trees. "Where did that monster even come from?" I ask
Raven The clouds are grey and ominous underneath us. Lucy is in his dragon form, flying above them while our entire group is on his back, freezing in the harsh weather. Hayden is shuddering behind me, and I peek over my shoulder, smiling faintly at Blake's concerned expression. He is sitting behind the vampire, taller and broader, without a sign of suffering in the cold. I've heard werewolves are always warm, but it might be a rumor. Without meeting my eyes, Blake grumbles. "I didn't think vampires could freeze, and here you are, shivering like crazy." Blake glances down at Hayden, who pauses at his words. Hayden's arms are crossed over his chest, hands resting on his shoulders as he absorbs the other man. Shock is visible over his features like he never expected the grumpy werewolf to care about him. "I was born as a vampire, not one of those who turned—it is a tremendous difference. My heart is beating, there is blood pumping in my veins, an
RavenI've spent two days trying to conjure ice. Lucy is an outstanding teacher, but we are running out of time. Perhaps I was never destined to control the element of water? Whatever. The four of us are heading for the Fae castle, the place where Daisy lives with her dying human mother, and we plan to stop her from summoning Lilith while the war is waging."I'm so sore," Hayden complains, leaning his head against Blake's shoulder.I glance up at the two, expecting Blake to move his arm, but to my surprise, he stays in place. A smile tugs at my lips. Hayden might not be Blake's mate chosen by the moon goddess, yet the two of them have gotten rather cozy after their training sessions."I can't believe you're the one complaining after throwing me around like I'm a rag doll—vampires are crazy strong.""I'm not any vampire," Hayden peers up at Blake with a confident smile playing over his lips. "I happen to be their charming prince."My in
Lucy I'm calmly drinking my tea while sitting on a cliff outside the cave, listening to the kids plan our next move. Raven told the others about Daisy. I trust her friends to help her end the mad killing, but it worries me that the demons might side with the Fae. Beelzebub always had a thing for Lilith, and I'm one hundred percent sure the old, mischievous demon will join forces with her. Beelzebub has missed his crush since her disappearance. Lilith's soul has been floating aimlessly around in the underworld, not materializing since an angel exterminated her. Gabriel, my angel brother, was the one who punished and defeated Lilith after finding out she had escaped from hell. And while Gabriel would most definitely help us defeat the crazy demon again, I don't think he is around anymore. My eyes fall upon the green canopies, still wet from the rain, and then I glance to my right when Jenna takes a seat next to mine. Her mate is standing in the
RavenMy lips are quivering with words unsaid as memories of the past swarm through my brain. I see my mother making coffee, smiling before I pack my lunch for school. She always sat at our table, ready with breakfast, and now I understand why she was never in a hurry—all she needed was for me to leave so she could open up a portal.Julia, my mother, worked at the Magic Academy, and the vision clearly showed that Daisy is eviler than I initially thought. The girl is an evil mastermind, and I never knew!"I knew my mother was a teacher, but-..." Tears are gathering in my eyes at the same time that the anger curls its iron grip around me. "You mean to tell me Daisy is behind my mother's death?"Every fiber of my being wants to scream at Daisy, ask what the hell her problem is, but oddly enough, I don't wish to kill her. She needs to be locked up and stopped. The Fae woman is dangerous, yet I don't think death is the answer. I've learned that karma is
RavenThe cave is cold, and the wind travels through it, making me shudder as I follow Lucy deeper inside. A fire sitting in his palm casts our shadows on the wall, but I can only focus on Lucy. My eyes are glued to his broad back, and if my heart had a face, it would be smiling. I'm thrilled to be reunited and alone with my mate."You're not too cold, are you?" Lucy peers over his shoulder, offering me a kind smile that makes me feel special. I haven't seen him use it around anyone else."I'm fine." The universe must work against me because I sneeze right after my claim. Lucy's lips climb the left side of his face, forming an amused smirk."Come over here," He says, holding out his hands. "And take my hands."Confused, I place my palms over his larger ones. Electricity courses between us, and I lift my chin, ready to swoon over the affection radiant in his eyes. My heart is pounding so fast."Is there a reason behind this?" I ask, smiling a