TaraMy fingers twitch as the quill keeps inexorably scraping against parchment in slow, deliberate strokes. I’m not guiding it. Morgana is. The words spill from my hand in an ancient, curling script, their meaning veiled in shadow, but I know they’re not harmless. Nothing Morgana makes me do is ever harmless.Stop. Stop. Stop.I’m repeatedly screaming the word in my mind, but my body refuses to obey. My muscles burn from the effort of trying to resist, but it’s futile. Morgana has sunk her claws too deep, and I’m quickly losing myself in the darkness.“There we go,” Morgana croons, satisfaction dripping from every syllable. “Was that so hard, little puppet? It’s far less inconvenient when you don’t fight every step of the way, but it’s done now.”I gasp in shock as control returns in a rush, my trembling hand releasing the quill as if it was a live snake. The parchment in front of me bears a series of runes, intricate and foreboding, pulsing as if alive.“What did you make me write?
TaraI wake up in a body that isn’t mine. It should be mine, but I’m not the one moving it. My limbs stretch lazily, my fingers flex and curl, and I feel the ghost of a smirk pulling at my lips. But I’m not responsible for any of it.Panic surges through me as I try to sit up, only to realize I already have. The sensation is wrong. Like watching someone else in the mirror, only to realize they’re copying my every move a second before I make it.I try to scream, but nothing comes out. I’m locked inside myself, a prisoner behind my own eyes. Ah, a voice purrs in my head. You’re awake. The horror sinks in all at once. She’s in control. Completely.Morgana hums, testing out my voice like she’s trying on a new outfit. She tilts my head to the side, stretches my shoulders, then stands. I feel the shift of my weight, the way my muscles respond to her command, but I have no say in it.Let me out, I try to snarl, but the words don’t make it out of my head. I have no mouth to speak with, no voi
HildaThe war council is tense. I sit at the head of the long wooden table, beside Arlo, his broad shoulders stiff with contained frustration. Warriors and advisors flank us, their expressions grim as they take in the scattered parchment and aged maps before us.“Cerelia used her power to inspect the ruins and the seals are definitely weakening,” Soren states, his voice calm but edged with something wary. His sharp gaze flicks to me. “And it’s not natural decay. Someone is undoing them.”I exhale slowly, pressing my fingers against my temples. We already suspected as much, but hearing it aloud makes it real in a way I wish it wasn’t.The temple ruins have stood for centuries, forgotten, abandoned and dormant. Until now.Arlo folds his arms across his chest. “How certain are we that this isn’t just natural decay? And what exactly are the seals keeping in?”Cerelia looks up, shaking her head. “The magic woven into the seals isn’t something that time alone could unravel. The fact that th
PercyThe moon hangs low in the sky, casting silver light over the trees as I walk beside Nixie on patrol. The forest is still, save for the distant rustling of leaves in the breeze. It should be peaceful. It would be peaceful, if not for the way my body hums with awareness of the woman beside me.Nixie moves with quiet fluidity, her sharp gaze scanning the tree line, her red hair gleaming in the dim light.“You know,” I say casually, stretching my arms over my head, “For all the sparring we’ve done, we’ve never had a real, no-holds-barred fight. Are you scared of losing?”She stops walking, slowly turning to face me. “Excuse me?” I shrug, fighting back a grin. “I mean, you talk a big game, but I am the Beta. I could probably take you down in seconds.” Nixie narrows her eyes. “You’re joking.”“Am I?” The challenge is barely out of my mouth before she drops into a fighting stance. “You want a fight? Fine. But don’t cry when I embarrass you.”The heat in her gaze is enough to send a slo
HildaThe door swings open with a force that makes the hinges groan. Arlo steps inside, his presence filling the space like a storm rolling in, commanding and inescapable. His gaze pins me in place, burning with something dark and possessive, a promise of what’s to come. Before I can draw a breath, he’s in front of me, his fingers curling around my chin, tilting my head up so I have no choice but to meet his eyes.“Get on your knees,” he commands, his voice low, rough, absolute. Heat floods my body at the sheer authority in his tone. I obey without hesitation, sinking down before him, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The way he looks at me, hungry, worshipful, and yet so utterly in control, makes me tremble. He cups the back of my neck, his thumb grazing the sensitive skin behind my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.His touch is everywhere and nowhere at once, deliberate and devastating. He traces his fingers down my throat, his knuckles ghosting over my collarbone before hi
ArloShe’s trembling beneath me, her breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps, her body stretched out and vulnerable. Every inch of her belongs to me, yet she still fights it, fights me. Not tonight. We’re settling this here and now. “You’re mine and I have every right to do whatever is needed to keep you safe.” She hisses at me, but her eyes are molten with need.I drag my knuckles down her ribcage, teasing the swell of her breasts before cupping one possessively in my palm. They’re so full and lush in pregnancy, it makes my cock hard just looking at them.Her sharp intake of breath is a reward, but it’s not enough. I want more. I want everything. I squeeze, my thumb brushing over her taut peak, and she jerks, a strangled sound slipping past her lips.“You still think you can fight me?” My voice is low, dark, coaxing. Hilda glares up at me, but it’s unconvincing with the way her body shudders under my touch. “I’m not fighting,” she lies. My grip tightens just enough to make her whimper
TaraMorgana controls everything. My hands, my voice, my smile. And no one knows. They look at me and see Tara, the quiet, observant girl still adjusting to life in the pack. They don’t see the monster inside me, puppeteering my every move.She laughs inside my mind, her amusement like dark silk wrapping around me, suffocating and smooth. You struggle too much. Just accept that you’re the instrument with which I’ll regain my rightful life. Relax and enjoy the show.I want to claw at her, tear her away from me, but all I can do is watch as my body moves without my consent. I greet others, I nod when spoken to, I walk around the pack house. Even Arlo no longer seems to suspect anything is amiss. I hate how well she mimics me. How easily she wears me like a second skin. My only consolation is that I’m still here. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hang on, but for now, I’m still aware. I get my chance in the dead of night. Morgana is complacent, entertained by the thrill of playing
HildaArlo may have fucked me into submission last night, but he should know dirty tricks and blackmail don’t count. Even if thinking about it does still make my core contract and sends lightning whizzing through my body. I’ll do everything in my power to stay safe, but we don’t have time for me to stay out of the investigation. I know what my capabilities are and sitting quietly while our child could be in danger, does not fall into that category.I found mention of an elder during my hours of research in the library and that’s finally brought me here. To this dwelling that can barely be called a cottage. It’s tiny and blends in with its surroundings so well I walked past it four times before finally seeing it.The door opens when I knock and seated near the hearth is an old woman, her silvered hair draped in long, unbound waves over her frail shoulders. She looks up as I enter, and her pale, cloudy eyes seem to pierce straight through me.“I was wondering when you’d come,” she mu
HildaThe sun is warm against my skin, the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers thick in the air as we sit beneath the sprawling oak tree next to the creek. A checkered blanket is spread beneath us, weighed down with a picnic basket, filled with an assortment of sandwiches, and a sticky-fingered toddler who’s currently smearing honey across her chubby cheeks.Scarlett giggles as she waves her piece of bread in the air, utterly unconcerned with the mess she’s making. Of course, she’s not the one who’ll be cleaning it up, so why worry? “Mama, the bees are gonna love me,” she declares proudly, looking at her honey-covered hands.Arlo chuckles, reaching over to wipe her hands with a damp cloth before she can rub it all over her dress. “They already do my sweet princess, just like everybody else.” She beams up at him, “You too daddy?”Arlo picks her up and swings her in a wide circle, to her shrieking delight. “Especially me,” he assures her. The little minx already knows she has her daddy
AshThe morning light casts a warm golden glow over the tangle of limbs sprawled across my bed. The sheets are a mess, bodies lazily draped over each other, the scent of perfume and sex lingering in the air.The brunette to my right stirs, nuzzling into my shoulder with a satisfied sigh. The redhead to my left mutters something unintelligible in her sleep and shifts, her fingers skimming over my chest.Yes, life as a human has its compensations. It didn’t take me very long to find that out and indulge prodigiously in every single one of them.I eventually extract myself from the tangle, stepping over discarded clothing as I make my way to the bathroom. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, rubbing a hand over my jaw. Not a single flaw, I’m absolutely fucking gorgeous.I can’t detect any changes in my features. Still not aging it seems. Perhaps 2 years isn’t long enough to make such a determination, but I suspect I’m still immortal, even without my powers.I smirk, “Guess that makes
AshI tilt my head, inspecting my reflection in the mirror with a critical eye. Still devastatingly handsome. Still possessing a jawline sharp enough to cut glass. Still absolutely irresistible to anyone with functioning eyesight and a pulse.I smirk. Honestly, the world should thank its lucky stars it got me.I run a hand through my dark hair, the thick waves tousled just enough to look effortless but not unkempt.I may have lost my power, but the body I was blessed with nearly makes up for it. I occasionally miss others cowering in fear at my approach and my name being whispered in terror, but in truth, I far prefer being idolized and adored.Instead of making them shriek in fear, I have them screaming my name in passion. Instead of relying on demonic power to get what I want, I have to use charm. Fortunately, I have that in abundance.“Ash, you’re up in five.” I turn away from the mirror, flashing my most rakish grin at the harried stagehand peeking into my dressing room. “Darling,
HildaThe fire crackles low in the hearth, casting long shadows against the stone walls of our chamber. I press a hand to my belly. It’s still flat, but I know it will start rounding soon. I’m nearly at the 3 month mark. There’s life inside me again. Another piece of Arlo and me, growing.Scarlett sleeps soundly in the adjoining room, her soft breaths a gentle reassurance that all is well. She’s nearly 2 now and precocious beyond belief. She knows nothing about her bloodlines and being a nexus of power. For now her only job is to be a busy little girl, adored by everyone.Arlo watches me from where he stands near the fireplace, shirt unbuttoned, those deeply carved muscles making me long to touch him. His tawny eyes hold a hunger that hasn’t waned despite the years, despite the child we’ve made and the kingdom we rule. If anything, time has only made it more potent, more consuming.“I can hear your heart racing,” he murmurs, voice thick with that dark, commanding edge that unravels me
HildaI wake up feeling like a person again. A person who’s had sleep. A person who isn’t entirely on the verge of collapse. A person who now has to keep a promise to a demon.Dread coils in my stomach. The moment I remember what Astaroth said, it’s like I never rested at all. I glance at Arlo, who’s staring at the ceiling, jaw tight, eyes shadowed. He knows too. We have to go.Scarlett shifts in my arms, her tiny body warm against mine. I hold her closer, pressing my lips to the soft, dark curls on her head. She makes a small sound of contentment, utterly unaware of what we’re walking into.I murmur an apology to her as we walk. “I’m so sorry, my love.” She looks so content. So happy to be outside.My feet feel heavier with every step toward the temple ruins. Arlo’s hand rests protectively against my back. Whatever happens when the demon receives Scarlett’s blood, we’ll both fight to the death to protect her. Fear presses in on me, cold and suffocating, making it harder to breathe th
Hilda Two days. Two full days of no sleep, endless crying, and a tiny dictator ruling our lives with iron lungs and a complete disregard for reasonable sleep schedules.Scarlett wails again, a high-pitched, furious sound, and I groan into my pillow. “It’s your turn.” No response is forthcoming. Cracking open one eye, I glare at Arlo, who is pretending, astonishingly unconvincingly to be asleep.His chest rises and falls with exaggeratedly slow breaths, his face serene, but I know that trick. I’ve used that trick. I jab him in the ribs. “I said it’s your turn.” Arlo grunts, cracking his own bleary eyes open. “I just had her.”I prop myself up on one elbow, narrowing my eyes. “No, you handed her to me five minutes ago and said she was hungry.”He rubs his face, sighing heavily. “She probably still is.” He reaches for the bundle of fury in the bassinet and plops her into my arms before I can protest. “See? She’s making that face.” I scowl at him. “You think every face she makes means sh
ArloHilda’s screams could probably be heard in the next territory over. And if they can’t, she’s doing her best to make sure they will be soon. “Breathe, love,” I say, brushing her damp hair from her face.She turns the full force of her glare on me, “If you tell me to breathe one more time, I swear on the moon, I will rip your throat out.” Cerelia snorts softly but wisely keeps her attention on the business end of this operation.I swallow hard, nodding. “Right. No more breathing advice.”Hilda groans as another contraction seizes her, fingers digging into my forearm with strength that would make towering warriors cower.I would take every ounce of her pain if I could, bear it a thousand times over just to spare her this agony. But all I can do is kneel beside her, letting her crush my hand as she brings our daughter into the world.“You did this to me,” she growls, panting through the pain. “I know,” I say solemnly, as though she’s just sentenced me to exile. “I’m so sorry.” She na
CereliaSoren and I arrived late last night. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Hilda’s time was near and I insisted we come and wait. My best friend isn’t going through labor without me there to help.I step out onto the porch, stretching beneath the pale morning sun. Arlo’s pack has been nothing but welcoming since Soren and I arrived, but there’s an undercurrent of tension in the air. The anticipation of Hilda’s labor and a lingering fear of Tara’s prediction about their Luna is keeping everyone on edge.Hilda joins me, walking over from their cabin next door. She settles into one of the wooden chairs with great care. She looks exhausted, but there’s a glint of resolve in her gaze.“I never thought it would come to this,” Hilda murmurs, breaking the silence. I don’t need to ask what she means. The deal with Astaroth lingers like a ghost between us, its’ potential consequences a looming shadow.“You did what you had to,” I say, leaning against the railing. “The other option was a dea
Morgana The air in my chamber shifts, the temperature plummeting as the shadows deepen unnaturally. The scent of brimstone lingers on the edges of my senses before I hear the slow, deliberate click of boot heels on the wooden floor."Morgana, darling," Astaroth purrs, his voice as smooth and decadent as aged whiskey, laced with something far more potent and dangerous. "Did you miss me? You don’t visit, you don’t write, I’m feeling all blue at this terrible neglect."I don’t startle or betray the ripple of unease slithering down my spine. Instead, I turn in a leisurely fashion, an indulgent smirk curling my lips as I take him in.He lounges against the doorframe, every inch the devilish aristocrat he delights in portraying. More shadow than person but he manages to give the general idea. Sharp features are framed by a fall of obsidian hair, his midnight-black attire pristine save for the faint trace of blood at his cuff. Whose, I do not know. Nor do I care."Astaroth," I coo, lifting