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
SINCERE POV I tucked my hands underneath my armpits, my fingertips feeling cold. I was surrounded by nothing but tall trees and darkness. Beneath my feet are forgotten leaves and branches, every step making a crunch. The paved road I had decided to follow ended abruptly, and there were just these woods. It didn’t make any sense. I could hear the humming of engines and tires hitting the gravel, but it was like no matter what direction I took, the sound was getting farther away. I was lost. I could smell rain in the air and knew a storm was coming. My first thought about leaving the compound was right. I’d get turned around out here by myself. And Will was right. I really ha
I pull the thick pink blanket down from over my head, dreading the idea of a new day. I just wanted to stay in bed and hide away from whatever awaited me outside the door. I could hear the house buzzing, people talking amongst themselves. Everyone was awake, and it sounded as if they were waiting for me. As if she knew that I had opened my eyes, Lana came waltzing in the room, wearing yet another long frilly dress, this time a dark green.Her hair was flat and free, a change from the pinned side look she had yesterday. Her skin looks paler than before and I couldn’t help but think she needed to ease up on the makeup. What did she look like underneath all the foundation, concealer and whatever else she was wearing. I stretched, just before allowing her to grab me by my arms pulling me out of bed. I noticed the black gloves that protected her hands. She stood me up straight, showing her teeth once again. If she was upset with how I handled things y
The first woman shifter. Man wasn’t that something… The way Will’s eyes locked in on my face when he said those words… It made me want to shudder. I was learning so much about myself, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know anymore. We made our way back to the main wing where Lana awaited us. There were a few people roaming around, looking as if they had house chores. Some were watering the tall plants found in the corners of rooms. Others, looked to be passing by but walking so fast as if they were short on time. And though they had their own tasks, the moment we stepped in, they stopped everything to bow.Will pushed open this very large swinging door. I didn’t know it was going to come back at me, but I was quick to catch it, my palms hitting the surface. “Why do they keep doing that?” I asked, bothered by the attention I was receiving. “Doing what?” He asked me, as we made our way through a large kitchen. My eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in the rustic look, opened floor pl
I crossed my legs, one over the other, my upper body leaning forward as I stared at Will. The professionalism that I had seen him show seemed to be out the window now, as he propped his feet up on the futon, his head turned in my direction. His light colored lips parted, but no words came out. He took a deep breath, and I could tell he was nervous. I blinked at him, waiting for the silence to end. “Just ask,” I answered. There were plenty of questions floating around in the air for both of us, but so far, Will was the only one being upfront. “The men you killed,” he started. “I understood that you thought of them as a resource. I understand that you say that they’re bad men…” “We already went over this.” Just that quick I was irritated. Somehow, I even felt shame, though I knew what they were capable of. “Yes, however, there is something else that I never got a chance to ask.” Sincere, be patient. The uncertainty in his face shows that his question was a hard one. “The Blood… the
Take your place, and change it. I requested to be left alone. I had so many thoughts and feelings that needed to be sorted through before I could continue further with Will, before I could meet the people that Lana was so eager to show me off to. Will’s words continue to overshadow everything. Take your place, and change it. The sentence in itself seems so simple. It sounds as if it was something I could do over night, but behind those words I knew hard work awaited me. I felt the same when they said I was of royalty, or a leader. Simple words, but deeper meanings. Elias. That name was sticking in my head as well. The most important person that I’ve ever had in my life, was left behind. Back then, I thought I was doing the right thing. I was in danger and I could guess anyone around me would be caught in the crosshairs. I didn’t want that. That thought is wrong. At the time, I didn’t really understand anything. I waited a lousy twenty four hours before leaving that little town
“If you were a commoner, what are some things you would expect from your leader?” I stared sleepily at Will. My eyelids feel heavy, my shoulders are slumped over, my kinky hair was fighting its way out of the high bun I originally went to sleep in, and I was dressed in generic red and white striped pajamas.I looked like a fucking candy cane. A tired candy cane.When he burst through my bedroom door this morning, I was so out of it, I did whatever he asked of me and I did it half asleep. He said to meet him downstairs, and I did so without a second thought, though my feet did drag.We stood in the center of a perfectly squared room, that had a soft padding used for flooring, and poorly lit with candles somehow embedded into the surrounding walls. It was something straight out of a Harry
WILL’S POVI’ve never admitted to being a smart man.The moment Sincere’s hand gripped me, I questioned if I had gone about this the right way. She stares at me, her brows furrowed and her eyes deep in darkness. They weren’t all black like before, but there was a certain level of intimidation spewing from them.“You want a fight, you got one.” Her words are pushed up against gritted teeth. She sounded angry, angrier than I thought she would be. Before I could think of my next move, or something else to say, I felt a tug on my arm, followed by wind in my face, my stomach feeling like it would fall through the bottom half of my body, and then instant back pain.“
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