“You told me to make myself useful and I am. When I asked him for help, he insulted me!”I tried to defend myself after he made me follow him into his office. But I don’t know which was scarier; the fact he is not yelling at me or the fact he might actually be listening to me. My heart thumped hard against my ribs as I struggled to explain. “Tell me, what was it you wanted to discuss with him?”I began to explain the Satyr Transport System and the unfair treatment of the satyrs. “They have passed forward their complaints through the ordered process and nothing is being done. No investigation took place regarding what or who is killing the satyrs. It doesn’t make any sense. Who would kill satyrs and for transporting Freeborns from Earth to Arth? Only a dozen satyrs are alive and still working the system. What’s not to say they won’t turn against the witches and side with the werewolves?”His eyes darkened at the last statement. He leaned forward in his seat, rubbing his chin. “Also,
“Water?” A smile teasing my lips, I turned my head and nodded at Commander Turner. Taking the bottle of water from his hand, I said, “Thanks.”Settling in the chair across from me, he commented, “I hear you've been causing trouble.”“As per usual.”He chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “Seriously though, you’ve made big enemies. Those who would gladly do away with you.”“I’d like to see them try. What’s up with you?”“The usual. Keeping the security tight can be a bit frustrating, especially when some witches are disbelieving the dangers we have warned about.”“It must be tiring. Why don’t you rest a while?”“I will be taking the weekend off. Speaking of which, are you free?”“This weekend? I believe so. Why?”“I got tickets to a basketball match.”Eyes wide, I gasped. “You’re joking!”Shaking his head, he revealed the pink tickets and waved it in my face. “I’m not.”Getting excited, the thought of my father’s firm disapproval slipped in my mind. “I don’t think I can go. My father b
Dragged out on the streets in handcuffs, I was convinced I was still asleep. Because why would I be arrested when I committed no crime? But with each heavy step, it felt more real than anything that happened in my life. I grew more disturbed by the fact that Alekos was in chains when I arrived the Tower. However, he was not unharmed like me. His face grew dark with bruises and bled. The same was for the rest of his body as he met my eyes with his teary ones. “What is this? What is the meaning of this?!” I demanded, trying to remove the handcuffs and check on the Satyr.“Remain still,” the officer ordered. “Uncuff me this instant!”A flurry of movement and the breath knocked out of my body. I doubled over, wide eyed and gasping at the recurring pain. I tried to breath but a wave of bile shot up to my throat. That motherfucker punched me!I whirled my head at the assailant with the intention of killing him on the spot but nothing happened, much to my frustration. This damned handcuf
The interrogation went on for hours with the officer accusing me of crimes I never committed. When I tried explaining myself, he cut me off and I was beginning to think I might have actually done it. “I did not do it,” I relented as furious tears welled in my eyes. Murder? Me? That does not sound right. Yes, there were many I could have done it but not to people I’ve never even met before. “I didn’t do it!” I repeated once more. “Go find the actual criminal and stop accusing me of doing something I never did. Yes, I was drunk! What is wrong with that? Can’t I unwind after a tiring day? Can’t I get some happiness after you all stole it from me?! Do you think I want to be here? I am forced to be here. All of Arth is my prison. And what? I killed people? How can I suddenly decide to kill people when I haven’t killed an animal? If I hear you accuse me one more time, I will give you a reason to regret using your mouth! If I hear you defame Alekos, I will make you feel pain beyond your
The council members were waiting when I stepped out. I hated it. I hated the sympathy in their eyes. Of course, they had heard. They heard the lash whip and my desperate cries but did nothing to help. Useless. “Phoebe,” Uncle Al stepped forward. My throat closed in grief, I could not breathe. I shook my head and took a step back. Even if he checked, they would be no scars because Father had healed them himself. Besides, it was not the first time he had done something like this. It was the first time any of them bear witness to it. When I turned to leave, I spotted Morgan and his sister, Ace watching me with horrified expression. I tucked my sorrow away and smiled. “Come on. You need to make me breakfast.” I grabbed on to Morgan’s arm and pulled him with me. Every step felt like a punch to my gut. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. The condensing stares of other witches did not help either. Every word was contempt and every look, hate. I was positive I was going to break down
I woke up suddenly, every thought in high definition. Though my eyes were open, I can’t think of why; my heart was pounding. It’s as if a hypodermic of adrenaline had been emptied into my carotid. I strained into the utter darkness, breathing rate beginning to steady. The noises outside are of terror and roars unlike how it should be on a night in Arth. A glance at the window showed flames licking up the air as if to catch something else on fire. “Phoebe.”My heart rate spiked again at the whisper. “Who is there?” I whispered back. “It’s me, Uncle Al.” I felt his strong, familiar arms engulf me in a tight hug. “Thank the gods. It worked. You’re awake.” “What is happening?”“There is not much time. Put on this cloak,” he raised a black cloak and pushed them into my hands. “Everything you would ever need are in the inside pockets. Hurry.”I climbed out of bed and slipped it on. Everything that happened in the past week slowly became clear. Grief and guilt became my companions once
“Who are you?” He asked as soon as we landed on Earth. We were in an empty stadium. The lights were still on and the only other sound aside from his voice was that engine of cars outside. “None of your business. This is where we go separate.” He waved his hand in the air to grab me. I smacked his head with a hand. “Be grateful I am not killing you.”I walked away, drawing my cloak closer to my body. Once I found the exit, I began to my trek down the busy street. But I could not help but wonder where I was. The answer presented itself with a billboard; Ikitelli district, Istanbul, Turkey. That’s pretty far from home. I sat on a public bench and dug into the pocket of the cloak for the things Uncle Al kept in. I brought out a smartphone, a visa, handful of cash and a MasterCard. First, I need change these dollars to the Turkey currency and then a place to sleep tonight. But the banks would be closed. An hotel perhaps?How can I use a hotel if I can’ttake off the cloak? This is h
I turned around to peek at him from my seat. He needed to fold like an accordion on the airplane seat. Much like his brother, he had grown the type of face that would you stop in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the sudden pause in the person’s neutral expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile then a blush. I continued to stare longer than I intended. Feeling self conscious that I had joined the group of men and women staring, I turned around and drew my cloak closer. Why was he on the plane to Finland though? Splaying my hand on my chest, I wondered if he could sense my presence. Of course not. How could he? The cloak is protecting me. But the reassuring words could not calm me down. I checked him out one last time and found him staring out the window by his side. I should not worry about it. Once the plane lands, I will dash out of here as soon as possible. I closed my eyes and hoped the flight would o
When Morgan left, it felt like life pushed me back into my reality. Wiccan terminologies and slangs I thought I had forgotten came out of me as Morgan and I chatted, and reminisced about the good old days and the things that happened in my absence. The house buzzed with everyone talking about their day, well except Claire. She stalked Morgan out of here. A mail arrived an hour later, requesting all Alphas to be present for a meeting that evening. The sudden call turned the atmosphere tense as everyone realized the cause and could only imagine the outcome. I catered to the potions and charms Morgan made, keeping them in a safe drawer in my room. The strong colors showed the potency and strength the potions held. It would be possible to protect the house and everyone in it with these alone. “Are you hiding in here to cry now that your friend is gone?” I laughed at Jess words as she walked in into the bedroom. “Reed and Connor said to check in on you. They would have done so themselves
I pulled Morgan into a hug once more. It felt as though he might disappear if I take my eyes off him or let him go. He laughed and held me steady, reassuring me. I drew back and took another look at him. He dressed in casual clothing and boots but his exhaustion was clear as day on his face. “If I knew I would be missed this much, I will stay away longer,” He joked, his gaze shifting to the giggling babies. “Aw, babies. Any of these happen to be yours by any chance?”“No.” I picked up Pete from the hastily made bed of soft towels and pillows. “This little guy is Pete and the other is Theo.”He shook his head and refrained from carrying the baby. “Babies are cute to look at but I don’t know how to care for them. That is Ace’s job.”“Try it! He’s soft and cuddly.” “And easy to drop.” He rejected the offer once more. “When will you start popping out yours?”Turning Pete to rest on my chest, I threw Morgan a scowl. “Why are you here anyway?” “Wiccan envoys from Arth decided to drop by
The construction of the safe house came along faster than we expected. Rhys and Liam worked as contract construction workers in a private company. Their knowledge was useful in gathering materials and putting in the work to build the shelter. I tried to help by lifting tools and joining materials together. When my usefulness was outdone by the werewolves’ strength and speed, I resigned to working with Orion to get more provisions. As we began to offload the groceries into the car, the shadows suddenly spread across the ground. The wind picked up, bringing with it a storm of dust. As I shielded my face, my clothes pulled against me. I helped Orion get into the backseats of the car to hide out. “I don’t believe this change in weather was included in the weather forecast this morning,” he said, coughing. My nose itched as I looked at the dark sky. The clouds covered the sun, blocking away rays that attempted to escape. The sand storm might have been overlooked by the forecast team,
“Where have you been?” I grabbed the demon by the collar of his shirt, demanding. “I asked you a question, you damn demon!”“Go easy on the shirt. It cost me a lot.” He grabbed my wrists, loosening my grip on him. “I ventured a little farther and got captured.”“What? Who did it?” I noticed the dark blood prints on his shoes and knees of his white trousers. “Why is there blood on you?”“Calm down, Princess. Some of it isn’t mine.” He sighed heavily, running his hands through his hair. “I took a small vacation back to hell to regain some of my awesomeness.”“Quit saying shit and tell me what happened.” I offered him a glass of water then wondered if demons needed to drink water at all. Lucas drank greedily, and wiped his mouth when he finished. “Some crazy witches caught me, the ones serving the ‘Lord’ and tried to use me to do their dirty work.”“Tried?”“They used me to do their dirty work, okay? Murder, extortion, anything you can think of. It was awful not having a free will.”
I felt awful. A person being happy about someone else’s misfortune has a price. Having a conscience does little good and gives little benefits but it pays. It pays to have people be indebted to you. Okay, that’s enough with this terrible monologue. But I was right. Those two blondes are twins. The cab stopped in my familiar, middle class town. I stepped into Jess’ clinic and found it empty. There was no sign of struggle or blood. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself into thinking she stepped for a moment. Making use of the private bathroom, I showered and changed into some dress I found in a lost and found box. The bell at the door jingled as the door creaked inwards. I stopped mid-twirl and stepped towards the entrance. “Doc is out at the moment,” I said, sweeping my hair into a messy ponytail. “Oh, it’s you guys.” “You sound disappointed to see us.” Connor carried in a gift basket while Jess held a bouquet of fresh flowers. “Where did you go earlier?” “Out and about.” I look
"Is that a limo?" The nail file fell to the clean tiled ground with a sharp clang. I gawked at the sleek black, long vehicle parked in front of the clinic. I scurried to the door, gawking at the extravagance. When Alpha Simon said he would send transport, I did not think he would send a flashy one. This was highly unnecessary. What if my mates were present? How did they even find me? “Jess? I’ll be back in a few.”“That,” she pointed at the limousine. “…is for you?”“Surprisingly so.” I turned to grab my purse. “Could you not tell Connor and Reed about this? Ill let them know myself when I get back.”“But what if they drop by?” she asked, darting another look at the vehicle outside. The suited driver stepped out of the car, and came around to wait at the passenger’s door. “Make up an excuse. I am sorry about this and thank you, Jess.”“But where are you going?” she yelled as I dashed out of the clinic. “Be careful.”Climbing into the vehicle, I waved her bye. Settling in, I came f
The day to intrude on Alpha Simon came sooner than expected. I took a cab, growing unsettled by the minute as the vehicle entered the next town. I had the cab pull up in front of the town's hall. When I got off, my plans suddenly seemed childish. What was I thinking? How am I supposed to find an Alpha in a town of many people? What was I going to do, walk in and ask for a Simon? There could be a thousand Simons in this town for all I knew.I watched people come and go, unable to tell the difference between them. They could all be normal people, wondering if I was the weird one. I brushed my hair out of my face, irritated by the afternoon breeze. I really should not be here. Pulling out my phone, I looked for a cab to get me back home. A shadow cast over my figure as someone fell in step beside me. "The Alpha bet you would be here but I did not believe him."Startled, I flinched at the low voice and looked at the bearer. It was the Mohawk dude from the other day. His piercing gaze sh
"Reed explained the situation to me. I do agree it's important to calm everyone down." She peered at me with a firm gaze. "I believe you have been explained to how the process goes." "Yes," I replied. "This might be a source of discomfort to you, baring yourself to wolves at a time like this. Don't worry though. The test will take place before the council and some by this time next week." I nodded in understanding. "I can't wait to get this over with." "If you don't mind me asking, have you come in contact with any witch since your banishment from Arth?" "No, none." "Strange," she mused. "Pardon me but when Arth is this quiet, its people are up to no good." "I like to think they are just healing from the mess. Besides, they have a serial killer bound. They are probably preoccupied with investigating than planning another attack." "Let's hope so." Her grave tone tugged at my nerves. Connor grabbed my hand and gently squeezed. I might have been banned from Arth but my friends h
In bed, I curled up in Reed's arms, browsing celebrity gossip on his phone. The evening found the Pack House quiet after the departure of Simon and his men. Connor, Jeremy and Rhys went to make sure they were truly good from our lands and scurried around for signs of another invader. Simon have no other information other than what he wanted from us: me. From his manner of speech, it seemed to be something of grand scale. If it was, Alpha Simon should know that I do not bear powers that made a witch a master of the elements. Before I retired, I sent Lucas on a spying mission. He had been keeping an eye on the imprisoned witches who continued to work in secret. I paused in my reading, feeling Reed's hands venture under my night gown and massage my breast. It reminded me of how long it has been since we last made love. With everything that has been going on, it seemed like the last thing on anyone's mind. Besides, the kids are right next door. I could hear them reading a book with Lia