Sunlight welcomes me, streaming in from the panoramic and skylight windows, bringing brightness to a very large and open room. The ceiling is high, and tall book shelves are placed on any available wall space, every spot filled with books, small and large, looking a combination of new and old. There are gold trimmings around the windows and large dark wooden doors just opposite of the long corridor across from us. Tables with tan colored lamps made of glass are set up throughout. The tile beneath my feet matches in cream color, and seems to shine as the light reflects off of it. It was gorgeous. I was afraid to speak, just knowing my voice would carry in such an empty yet beautiful room. This was definitely different from the rooms below us. I never would have thought a room like this would be the next thing I’d be shown, or even existed. In the world I came from, this is something I’d only see on TV. “What is this….?” “What?” Will asked, flashing a smile, still holding the door o
I said the room was bright before, hell, this person was bright. Her eyes were big and brown and full of happiness, Her nose was small and pointed perfectly, her lips formed a triangle, and showed white straight teeth. She grinned, her smile seeming to take up more than half her face. She was thin in all the right places, had long thick light brown hair that she had pinned over her shoulder. She wore a black frilly dress and pearls.Ugh, I was disgusted.This was the person in charge?“I can’t believe it. It’s really you.” She speaks softly, but her voice has a screech that seemed to be louder than the ugly black pointed heels she wore.I blinked slowly.This is the person
Was it really a question? We were going to go no matter what my response would be. Lana latched on to Will’s arm, as we walked through the double doors she had come through. I stayed a few feet behind them, looking at their interaction.I rolled my eyes. I thought she was a germaphobe.I could tell that they were sharing whispered words. Lana even looked back over her shoulder at me, making sure I was still there I assume, or maybe making sure I didn’t hear.“Keep up,” she said.The tiled floor turned into a deep red carpet, a long hallway made of wood in front of me. There were plenty of doors off to my left and my right, all of them closed and they didn’t bother to stop and show them to me.
Well, isn’t this room cozy I thought, finding a spot on a very white loveseat, patterned with little blue roses. This room was outside of the sitting room, and opened up to a screen room overlooking a courtyard. Outside was nothing but dark green grass, tall trees, and a calm blue sky, not to mention a black metal gate that seemed to surround the entire property. I can’t lie and say that I didn’t wonder how long it would take me to run across. How high would I have to jump, since it didn’t look like that fence was something that I could easily climb. Beyond the gate, there seemed to be nothing. I could try to disappear in the trees, but I was in their backyard now. Odds were I’d be lost in minutes, and they’d find me soon after. I was better off staying where I was, listening to this story and seeing where it leads. In front of me sits a low dark blue table, to match the flowers. There is a piano in the corner of the room. Light brings the room alive, pouring in from the screens tha
Marriage. That was not the word I was expecting to come from Will’s pink lips. Will goes and stands at the screens, looking out at the same scenery that I was, but thinking something completely different. “So, did he get to marry the woman he loved?” I asked. “The Seldom look on your face says no.” When Will looks back at me, his ivory colored skin seems to glow. “The Grove is made up of Twelve Covens; Fire, RavenTree, Trinity, NightDreamer, Wormsloe, Darseo, StarMoon, RoseWood, Silver, Mystique, Oasis and Windsor. Now Windsor is home to some of the most powerful Witches and Warlocks, all having dark magic run through their veins. They can be dangerous and unpredictable, but because they are so powerful, they are considered Royal. When Father Zyte made that first deal with a warlock, Mr. Grove, he didn’t know Mr. Grove was the leader of the Windsor Coven. Back then, they were called High Priests.” “So, what, was it like making a deal with the Devil?” “I guess it depends on who yo
Okay, I’ll admit, I was hooked. Will spoke without ever skipping a beat. He knew the perfect times to leave me in suspense. The first shifter was created, oooh. Then a pause.Now here we are, walking outside.It’s a warm day, and for the first time in a long time, I’m not hiding my face, I’m not wearing skin that wasn’t originally mine. I am me.I stood in a random patch of glass. My eyes were closed and I listened to my surroundings. First there was nothing but the sound of a soft breeze in my ears. Then, I could hear laughter. Muffled conversations. Even… cars. My eyes opened. There was a highway somewhere around here.“What are you doing?” Will asked, as if he knew I noticed something. “Do you he
“As you can imagine, the Covens were in disbelief. When they released the prisoners ahead of The Reaping they expected there to be trouble, but nothing like mass murder.” Will and I now sat side by side on the futon. I could tell he was coming towards the end, and that this wouldn’t be a happy ending. “I don’t understand them,” I mumbled underneath my breath. Will’s hazel eyes stare at my lips, as he waits for me to finish my thought out loud. “The Zyte family had been doing this for years, and they chose then to intervene? What about the other lives lost? And not just that, but how can they act surprised that something they describe as a beast would react in such a bad way when you take away their food supply.” “Food supply?” I blinked, noticing what I had said. “Yes. I mean, they are drinking the blood of their kills. They are feeding. It’s not just for pleasure…” I trailed off realizing that this was a conversation that we had yet to have. I was just like the Zyte’s in this ma
I know what I am now. I have a name.I am a Shifter.I lay on my back, eyes closed as I waited for rest to find me. After I broke down into a million pieces in front of Will he suggested that a nap would do me good. I agreed, but apparently my body was against it.My mind was too busy racing, replaying every word that Will had spoken, every terrible moment that I had faced since my 18th birthday. Back then, I thought all my problems were going to end the day I was considered a woman. I saved up, hoping for a better ending, only to discover that my life was meant to be hell. There was no better for me.I rolled over onto my side, my eyes flinging open, upset with the fact that my mind was on fire with so many thoughts. The room is dark now. As I st
The bullets fly through me. So many at once. At first, they weren’t noticeable. I feel myself falling backwards, arms flailing helplessly. I had planned to catch myself, but the blasts of their weapons were unexpected, and hit me harder than anticipated. Lying on my back, I watch as Athena stays law, trying to crawl her way over to Elias. I feel the warming of my skin and I know immediately the bullets are laced with Inferno. Don’t think about the pain. Get up! I grunt and moan as I find my way back on to my feet. The Zyte soldiers have made their way out onto the lawn, picking and choosing their targets. I keep my eyes on Athena, trying not to lose her and dodge the flying lead as well. Just as I am about to reach down and grab her, I’m thrusted backwards. I land on my feet, catching myself. My eyes lock with Elias. He breathes, heavy, his shoulders and chest rising and falling together. The glowering in his eyes tells me I may be in for trouble. “I got a bone to pick with you,” h
I ran up the stairs, heart thumping out of control and my mind flooded with negative thoughts and what ifs. Will and Teyana are behind me, and I can make out their panicked breaths as well. The commotion we heard before had quieted down. I pushed myself out of the secret door, into the kitchen. I see people still in their pajamas crowded in the foyer, worried expressions showing on all of their faces. I find the guard in charge of this particular side of the house. Sam. He stands at the door of the main entrance, eyes fixated on movement happening at the gate. I push my way through the crowd, wanting to get a good look myself.“What’s going on?” I asked, at the same time seeing a row of armed men, standing tall and waiting for a command. “The Ma’zhee?” Sam nods their head. I assess the situation. “They blew the gates, there is nothing stopping them from entering.” I can see small grass fires and the iron gate broken over. “What are they doing?” “If I had to guess,” Sam’s voice is lo
I stand directly beneath the shower head, the pitter patter of the water silencing the world. The colder temperature cools me down quickly. My eyes are closed, my head filled with images of Will and I being lost in our kiss, in our feelings. I part my lips to catch my breath, knowing I could live off this memory for a while.Was our relationship always leading up to this? My memories took me for a spin. I remembered when I couldn't trust him, and when he turned into my only friend. I remember when I thought I could hate him, but realized I could love him. I wondered if my feelings were being driven by this supposed heat that Teyana mentioned. Should I bring that up to him, or would that hurt his feelings? "I like to look at you too. You're beautiful." His compliment is searing itself into my brain. Wait, does this mean he likes me? Are we together now? I bring a finger to my lips, touching them as softly as he kissed them. It was such a rush.The memory suddenly begins to alter. A
So, this is where the cafeteria is. I stood outside its doors, staring in through the glass trying to get a sense of the people. Everyone seemed very comfortable with each other; talking, laughing and having a good time. The large room was full of the young and old, everyone so lively. This seemed to be more my speed. In our dining room it was always just me, Lana and Will. Most of the time we didn’t engage in conversation; just eating quietly, sitting properly. I have been here for more than two months, and this is the only time I’ve come to the common area. With all the commotion last night, I thought it would be a good time to show my face. Will explained that this part of the compound was for the people. It was like segregating the rich from the poor. I've never been considered a rich person, so this whole thing was odd to me. Here, everyone ate together, lived together… did everything together. It was its own community. When I walked in, everyone went quiet, staring me dow
SIR HENRYS POV My father found her, floating in the creek where our favorite spot used to be. I wondered how long she’d been there. I wondered if she was waiting for me. I tried to romanticize it in my head, as if that would make it better. I had to come to terms that my precious Clara was gone. Maybe that was why my health took a turn. I felt her leave me in the world alone, and my soul wanted to follow her. Without her, what was my reason for existence? Athena and I are already married. A child, my child, will be born into this world. Would it be enough? ATHENA’S POV He barely said anything these days. Ever since they confirmed the death of Clara it was like he had given up. He wanted to succumb to his mysterious illness. Well, I wouldn’t have it. Clara had him in life, she would not have him in death. I must call upon the dead. I must call upon the Gods. "Invoco eos, qui ante me vixerunt, obscuri vigore pleni! Coniuro missas et misters ter ter. Da mihi
SINCERES POV I felt a sharp pain penetrating the skin of my chest, digging in between the bones of my ribcage. It slides through to my heart, and my eyes open in fury and torment.How do I go from sleeping so soundly, to experiencing a pain like death. A deep throated growl is emitted from my voice box, coming out loud enough to wake the house. I swing my arm against the traitor who snuck into my room in the middle of the night. They fly in the air, through the paper like wall, landing in the hard tub.Light spills into the room, just as I reach out and grab the handle of the sword used against me. “Oh my god!” Teyana yells, ready to fall apart. “That does not look good.” My mind goes blank, and I can feel me slipping away. That dark side of me is coming, and it is enraged. WILLS POVA roar seemingly coming from a beast wakes me from a deep sleep. I heard the panic sounds of the others in the main hall, just as concerned and confused as was. “WILL!” I recognize Teyana’s voice in a
ATHENA’S POV I shared a peck of a kiss with Sir Henry at his bedside. Our fathers clap and our mothers are in awe as we are officially man and wife. Henry’s body appears to be giving up on him yet again, and our fathers refused to call off the wedding. It didn’t matter to me where or how we got married, just as long as we did. At the beginning I was against this, but somehow in the mess of things, I fell for Henry. The child also helped push things in my favor. I looked down at my husband, feeling my cheeks blush. He stares back up at me, and though weak, I can tell he wants to speak. I lean in to him, letting him have my ear. “I love you Clara,” he whispers. My smile is gone. I keep my anger hidden. I step away from him, looking over at our parents. “He asks for his rest,” I lie. They nodded in agreement. “It has been a pretty big day,” his father is overly cheerful for someone who has a dying son. I follow them out of Henry’s chamber, requesting to speak alone with my f
I was too late. That was a hard thing to acknowledge. Though I came back as soon as I could, ready to fight everyone for Elias, he was not there. I left the others in Teyana’s hands, wanting her to provide them with showers, clothes, and food. I had plenty of questions for them, but they would have to be asked in the morning. Tonight, I was done.I wanted to be alone and work out the emotions I have. From anger, to sadness, to guilt. I held up in the boxing room, but instead of hitting a punching bag like a normal person would, I released everything into the walls. It did hurt, but I think that was exactly what I wanted to feel. My knuckles cracked, my fingers popped, and I yelled out my pain. “AAAAAAAHHHHH!” I roared. I continued until my hands were bloody, and then I fell down to my knees, letting my tears stream down my face. I feel arms wrap around my upper body, squeezing me. I recognized the scent immediately. I feel his lips at the nape of neck, and he whispers my name. “S
I stormed the house. Walking as fast as I could to find Will. Teyana was right behind me. She was not on a warpath like I was, but I felt she was more concerned for Will’s safety. The guard outside the compound said that Will was having tea in his favorite room. Sure enough, there he was, sipping from his mug without a care in the world. He looked up at me when he heard the doors open.“Where have you been?” he asked. Oh no, he was not going to question me. I smacked the ceramic glass out of his hand, letting the hot liquid drop over him. “What the hell?”“Did you know that The Grove had Elias?” His face drains of any color he has and I can see his panic. “God damn it Will!” I want to strangle his neck. I want to physically hurt him! I want to cry. “I didn’t know how to tell you,” he stood up quickly, ready to beg for my forgiveness and explain his decision to keep me in the dark. “I know you’d want to rush in and save him, but we couldn’t do all of that. He’s one person!” “He i