My heart flutters at his words just like I’m a teenager all over again. But he says it so quietly that I’m not sure that he wanted me to hear it. I don’t know how to respond to it anyway, so I don’t respond. I hope he’ll leave it at that.It’s difficult though because the more we talk, the more impressed I am by him. He tells me how he moves about the world while blind and I become more attracted to him because of his strength, his courage, and his determination to never give up, even though being blind of course is something difficult to live with. “I don’t think I could do it, honestly,” I say, after we’ve talked about it longer. “I don’t know how you do.”“That’s nothing compared to what you’re going through,” he says. “You’re so strong to have made it this far. I’m in awe of you.”I can’t fully argue with that because I would rather be blind than lose my whole pack. I’d rather be blind than lose James. Which makes this all so much more difficult.I just lost James. He died in
“I can’t,” I finally decide. “I can’t wait. I wish I could, but I can’t.“Tonight, will be a full moon. It’s when I’ll have the most strength. If I don’t go now, I’ll have to wait too long for another full moon because I need that in order to be strong enough to kill them.“Besides, they shouldn’t be allowed to live any longer than they already have. Not after what they did to my pack. They should be slaughtered right away.“Each day that they remain on this earth is another day that my loved ones didn’t get to see. That’s not fair. I won’t stand for it. They need to be caught and held accountable.”“You won’t be helping anyone by doing this though, Isabel,” he reminds me. “Your pack is dead. You can’t save them now. I wish we could, but we can’t. “Doing this might only make it so they kill off the final people left in your pack; you and your daughter. You’ll be doing their dirty work for them. That’s just what they want.“You need to try to let this go and live your life. You n
I race through the night in wolf form, my anger and need for revenge driving me. Even though I know this is dangerous, it feels like fate. It feels like I need to be back home.Time slows in the most agonizing way possible. My thoughts shift between fear for my daughter and horror over what's happened to my pack. I can't get their deaths out of my mind. The only thing that helps is knowing that I will avenge their deaths soon.The closer I get to my home, the more intense my thoughts become. What was once a place of peace for me has become a place that haunts my nightmares.I’ll make it a place that haunts them.As I near my home, an awful scent clouds all the familiar, far more pleasant scents. It has warped this space into a place I don’t recognize.It’s the smell of dust, blood, tears, open intestines, and unimaginable pain. It’s the smell of corpses who have already begun decaying.I want to turn back. I know I can’t do this. It’s too awful to even fathom. This is too much fo
Grief is not something that can be overcome in a matter of months, but it grows softer over time.However, two months is just not enough time.The loss of my brother, who raised me, my mate, who had been my heart, and then the death of my unborn daughter that I had been the cause for, is enough to break a person.Not a day goes by when I don’t regret my actions and wish I had listened to Caleb.My hands settle on my flat stomach as I sit on the rock outside the home that had belonged to me and James. I have been living here for a month now. I’ve not yet summoned the strength to go looking for Caleb.A part of me feels guilty now that I remember my strong attraction to the man when I had just lost the love of my wife. That guilt has transformed into waves of self-hatred.What kind of woman looks at another man when the body of her mate has not even turned cold?I look around, feeling my stomach rumble.I had considered going back into town but there are still rogues there. Clyde
For a moment, I’m frozen in fear and the creature moves closer to me, it’s face inches from mine. That’s the moment I choose to let out a blood curdling screen.My right hand transforms, and I slash at the creature’s face.It howls in agony, and I scramble off the bed onto the floor and rush past it, shifting in midair. The creature is on my heels and when I look over my shoulder, I can see that it’s chasing me, it’s left eye injured and bleeding. The size of it strikes terror in my heart.It’s huge! It’s functioning eye is a terrifying red and it has black fur and it’s double my size in my shifted form. I push myself to move faster but it’s gaining on me. I don’t stop moving, ignoring my pulsing heart as it starves for oxygen. My legs are burning with the sudden exercise, and I know I won’t be able to keep up this pace for much longer.I cross the river, splashing through it, knowing I will never be able to outrun it. And then just as I think this situation cannot get any wor
“Hellhounds?” I ask, slowly, not sure if my hearing is working correctly. “What exactly are – I thought they were stories. I mean, aren’t they just myths?”I can hear the sounds of ripping flesh behind me and despite my identity as a wolf shifter along with the darker impulses it brings, the vicious tearing sounds from behind me make my blood curl.“Myths?” Their leader studies me. “Hellhounds are not myths. They are dangerous beasts. Intelligent and blood thirsty. They are also the best demonic trackers.”“Demonic?” I stare at him, uncomprehending. “They are not from this world.”“I don’t understand,” I feel tense. “Why were they after me? Why did they try to kill me?”“They weren’t here to kill you,” The figure corrects me. “They were her to capture you.”“Balin, we need to move,” One of the men says, his voice grim.“Wait!” I cry out in panic. “Let me take some things from my home. My mate’s – At least let me take a picture.”There is brief hesitation before Balin, their l
“Elves?” I feel stunned. “I thought –”“You thought we didn’t exist?” Balin asks, quietly.I feel uneasy, “I don’t – To be honest, I don’t know much about other species. I was far too young when I was kicked out of my pack with my family. As a result, I never learnt the history of the Others.”“Your parents never educated you?”I open my mouth and then snap it shut, before finally, “My parents were killed. I only had Ben, my brother.”The wave of grief is fresh when I mention him.“Is he–”“He was killed along with my mate.”“I see.”There is no sympathy or pity in Balin’s voice just a calm acceptance.He then looks at his two companions, “Idril, is it done?”Idril nods and both he and Aldon step back. I turn to face the fire and can feel my heart being torn into shreds. “It’s gone,” I mumble to myself.“And so should we be,” Balin says, sharply. “Come.”I flinch, “What?”“You have to come with us.”“Why?”Balin looks at me, his gaze sharp, “Because the hellhounds wer
My voice gets stuck in my throat as I see the large serpent raise its head prepared to strike. Its fangs are the size of my arm, and a choked scream leaves my mouth as I stand there, frozen in fear. And then it strikes.I jump out of the water, my body moving on instinct, my wolf at the forefront of my mind. However, moving in water is different than moving on land. And I’m also extremely malnourished. Thus, my movements are slow, and I feel part of the fang graze my arm. I cry out in pain as the poison enters my blood scream.It’s like my insides are burning and twisting and I fall onto the ground.The serpent rears back, its body moving and twisting on the ground as it readies itself again. Terror at its massive size has me sick to the stomach. But a part of my brain size that its large size might slow down its movements.I might get a chance to escape.But first, I have to get out of the water. Despite the burning pain I am in, I manage to avoid a second strike, runni
DAMIENYears pass slowly when eternity is no longer in sight.Standing on the edge of the balcony of the bedroom I’ve shared with Isabel for five hundred years, I watch the lush lands in the distance. The demon realm has never prospered like this before. I’ve never been this content before.In the distance, I hear laughter and I look over to see two of my older sons carrying their sisters in their arms while my other daughter run after them, Cerebus trailing after them.I’ve had children before. I’ve watched them pass on. I still watch over their families. But this is different. This is more precious. Isabel has given me so many children and for once, I will not have to watch them die before me. Twenty strong children, half of whom are now leading their own lives, coming back to visit us. I have never once regretted sharing my life span. Now I get to enjoy my beautiful mate for centuries to come before we move on from this world. Speaking of my mate, I hear her voice.“Junip
I clutch on to Damien’s still body as I see Balin’s body dissolve into nothing within seconds. There is hush across the battlefield as everyone stares in shock at what has just taken place.‘Justice.’The words echoes in everyone’s ears and then I see the realization hit the elves about what is coming to them. The begin to flee.But only if it was that easy.One by one, they fall, their deaths painful and horrific sights.The battle which had come to a halt because of Damien’s sacrifice has now been ended by the interference of the Gods. There is no guilt within me.There is just dark and vicious satisfaction.Let them burn. Let them feel what it is like.The whole thing is over within a couple of minutes and the silence stretches across the field.Finally, the Gods face me, ‘What do you wish from us?’My eyes flicker towards Damien and when I look up, the field is gone. Both me and Damien are in this white space that has no end.“The elves are gone,” I say with great di
My heart is filled with a broken pain that I can’t breathe past.They showed up. But they showed up too late.I’ve lost everything.Damien isn’t breathing. I pull out the spears one by one, ignoring the presence of the beings, tears falling down my face, my chest so tight with pain that I think it will burst. I can’t feel our mating bond!Oh, God! I can’t feel him anymore!The wail that rips from my throat at the realization that he’s left me all alone is a terrifying sound. The earth begins to shake as my grief grows out of control. These powers, these abilities, they’re useless to me!My heart is tearing out of my chest in my madness, the ground shaking.Let it all burn!Let them all die!‘Child.’The voice echoes in my head again and this time I look at those beings, my face ravaged with the tears of a broken woman.‘You cannot destroy these realms.’“I cannot?” I snarl, “Just who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?!”The more upset I am, th
Mara’s anticlimactic death has me reeling. But now is not the time to worry about that. I shift into my wolf form, attacking the enemy with a ruthlessness. It’s true what the witch said. My mating bond has increased my strength. I feel lighter on my feet as I wade through the elves like they’re ants. My speed is faster, although not to the level of that of Damien’s.I can feel some of my abilities leaking through but I’ve still not been able to access my abilities. I’m a little disappointed. I thought weakening the seal would have more of an impact but aside from this soft leakage of warm sensation, there is nothing else.I feel frustrated but I can’t do anything.Damien, though.Damien is stronger than I have ever seen. He’s cutting down the elves with speed, his focus sharp. His laughter is vicious and despite that, my heart flutters in my chest at how glorious he looks. I look at him and that is my mistake.You never allow yourself to get distracted on the battlefield.A
The troops are already waiting in their battle positions when we arrive.Damien brings me with him to the battlefield. He’s wearing a suit of dark armor and I feel tense, “The Rubab Stone-”“I’ll have to be more careful,” his voice is calm. “Last time I wasn’t as aware. This time I know I am not invincible.”“Damien,” my heart is twisting in my chest. “I-”He cups my cheek, his voice gentle, “I’ll be fine, little wolf. Just don’t leave your guards.”I know he would have preferred to stash me somewhere but it’s clear that he wants me close by. After so many traitors popping up after the first battle, it only makes sense.“Don’t let anybody catch you off guard,” he thrusts a sword into my hand. “Trust your instinct when you fight. They’re going to try and separate us. Let’s make sure that, that doesn’t happen.”I give him a small smile, feeling a sliver of hope on seeing his confidence.“Okay.”I get on my toes and press a sweet kiss to his mouth.We don’t get more time togethe
“What is it?” “Something has happened in the demon realm,” he says, grimly, before looking down at my hand.I shake my head, “The pain is gone.”“Good, let’s go.”“Thank you,” I give the witch a weak smile, not knowing whether to actually be grateful or blame her for the wrong that has happened in my life. But it’s always a good idea to be graceful.She waves us off and I’m in Damien’s arms as he runs out of the cave, past the trees, towards the temple.“The portal-”“Caleb will open it when I give the signal,” he’s not even out of breath as he rushes down the temple where the shrine gates are.As we move towards the town, I grab his shoulder, “Wait! What is that?!”The sky is orange.“How long were we inside?” I mutter. “Is the sun rising?”“No,” Damien says after a long moment. “It’s fire. The town has been set on fire.”“We have to help-”But Damien holds me back, “Look.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he is saying. And then I see the arrows shooting within the
“There has to be something someone can do,” I ask, forcing my voice to stay calm, despite the roiling fear inside of me.The witch’s voice is kind now, “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first who has tried to seek a way to undo the curse.”It’s hard to keep my tears at bay. The tears are not of sadness but rather of the crippling fear of the unknown future that awaits me. At this point, I am already aware of the nature of the painful deaths a majority of the Righs faced. It was just physical pain they had to go through, that would have been fine. Horrifying as it may be, one can tolerate that to an extent. But seeing your loved ones be tortured? The mental anguish is not something I will be able to take any longer. My suffering may be different from that of the previous Righs. It may not even compare. But for me, it is enough. I am reaching my breaking point. There are so many people in my life that I now care about, so many people who can be used against me. It frightens me to th
The witch studies me, “There have been numerous prophecies recorded about the Righs over time but there was one that was recorded by a Righ who was born to a Seer and a witch. You can call it a curse or a prophecy.”I instantly remember what I saw. The memory of the battlefield. The woman who was held down, screaming.My blood turns to ice as I recall that memory. It still gives me nightmares. “The downfall of the elves. From the hands of the weakest of the Righs. And right now,” the witch looks at me, “no offence, but you are the weakest Righ there is.”I’m being hit by so many curveballs that getting my feelings hurt is at the bottom of the list right now.“It’s funny that you think I’m going to bring about the downfall of the elves when I can’t even protect myself or use my abilities.”My voice is tight with barely restrained anger.“The stars have aligned and the stars have never lied before,” the witch says, easily. “The time is drawing nearer for the final battle.”I don
I feel my knees turn weak, “What?”“But you created the seal!” Damien snaps. “You should be able to break it!”“Logically, yes,” the witch says, calmly. “But this seal is special. It draws its power through sacrifice of fate. Those spells are impossible to break.”A shutter falls over Damien’s face, “What have you done?”I look between the two feeling like I’m in the dark, “What does she mean? What do you mean by a sacrifice of fate?”The witch studies me and for the first time, I see a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes for me, “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”I push past Damien, “I do. What do you mean a sacrifice of fate?! Whose fate?!”She looks at Damien before meeting my gaze, “The Righ is a powerful entity. You think it was easy for even somebody like me to be able to contain your powers? No. If I had used a normal spell, as strong as I might have tried to make it, it would have broken against your powers. I needed something stronger. Something that woul