DAMIEN The wind roared in my ears as I tore through the air, my vampiric speed carrying me like a blur over the landscape. Shadows slanted and stretched as I neared the dark tower, the thought hammering in my mind: Had I left the portal open? Was that how Ralph’s wolf had crossed over? But the closer I drew to the ancient stone archway, the more obvious it became—the portal was sealed. Intact, untouched. How had Ralph’s wolf made it through? I pushed a hand against the stone, but its chill seeped into my skin, indifferent to my questions. My thoughts shifted, mind racing through the possibilities. There was another portal...one the outcasts used to slip between worlds. Could it be possible that Ralph’s wolf had somehow breached it without triggering any alarms? There was no logic to it, yet the appearance of a wolf—Ralph’s wolf—near the castle - meant that some magic was at work beyond what the outcasts could see, or even sense. But then, how did Seth see it? I clenched my teet
DAMIEN The weight of her words hit me like a blow, sinking into my chest, freezing my breath in my throat. A part of me had suspected something terrible, some hidden pain she'd kept buried for so long, but never… never this. The pieces began to click into place—the agony that seemed to cling to her like a shadow, the haunted look in her eyes every time I looked into her eyes.“My poor baby…” Her voice cracked, and I saw her fingers tremble as she pinched them together, as if trying to hold on to something long lost. Her jaw tightened, the strain of anger and grief pulling at her expression until it almost looked like a mask, one forged in anguish. “He was just a child…” she said, her voice trembling, her gaze unfocused as if she were staring into the past.A tremor overtook her, and suddenly, her hands flew to her hair, gripping it with a desperation that shook her whole body. She pulled, her fingers curling tightly in her hair as if she could somehow punish herself for her helplessn
KEILAH I slowly opened my eyes, only to find myself tucked under the covers, and for a moment, I couldn't quite place how I ended up there. My last memory was sitting in the kitchen, eating with Barbra, and then... waking up here. How had I gotten to the bed?A voice startled me from my thoughts. "Are you okay?"I turned to the side and saw Garbie sitting there, her concern evident. "Jesus, Garbie, you startled me," I muttered, my hand over my chest as I tried to steady my breath."Sorry," she said quickly, her tone apologetic. "I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright?"I sat upright, facing her. "I'm good. Energetic and all, but... what happened? How did I end up in the bed when I was in the kitchen eating?"Garbie went silent for a moment, her lips pressing together as if deciding how to answer. Then she spoke, her voice a little unsure. "I don’t know about human food, but it must’ve gotten you drunk after you
KEILAH I watched as the fight in the ring reached a fever pitch. One vampire—lean, with scars tracing his face—moved with an intensity that even my eyes could barely follow. His opponent, a stockier man, was fierce, but it was clear he was no match for the first vampire's speed and precision. With a swift motion, the scarred one pinned him down, pressing his arm firmly to the ground as the crowd cheered.The victor rose, the surrounding vampires chanting his name as someone handed him a massive wooden bowl filled with dark, thick blood. A proud grin spread across his face as he raised it to his lips, drinking deeply. My stomach churned at the sight, but I clenched my fists, determined to keep my reaction hidden. This was their way, and I couldn’t afford to look squeamish here. But, of course, Maureen noticed. Her sharp eyes caught my expression, and she leaned over, her tone soft with understanding. "If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to watch."I managed a small smile, s
KEILAH I pulled the covers tightly around me, curling up as if I could hide from the weight of the feeling that had been clinging to me since we left the vampire town. It was as if the night had left a trace of its energy on me, sinking deep into my skin, tightening around my chest, pressing in on me with a force I couldn’t shake. I tried to push the sensation away, burying myself in the blankets, but it didn’t help.Even during dinner, as I sat with Barbra and Garbie, I couldn’t escape it. They didn’t feel it. They couldn’t. How could they? It wasn’t something you could explain, and I didn’t want to make them worry. So, I forced myself to smile, to laugh, and pretend I wasn’t suffocating under this invisible pressure that was slowly wearing me down. But it was getting harder to ignore. It was like some dark cloud hanging over me, and I had no way of pushing it away.Maybe it was the energy of the vampire town. Maybe the overwhelming presence of so many creatures, their powers swirli
KEILAH I pulled away from Damien, gagging as an unfamiliar, metallic taste flooded my mouth. The kiss had been impulsive, desperate, and now I was paying for it. My stomach churned, and I stumbled back, spitting on the floor to rid myself of the sharp tang lingering on my tongue. “Ugh!” I coughed, dragging the back of my hand across my lips. The taste was so overwhelming it made my throat tighten, and I could feel bile rising. I rushed toward the kitchen, my bare feet skidding on the cold floor. I fumbled for the tap, twisting it on, and let the water pour into my mouth. I gargled and spit, repeating the process until the sharp taste dulled, replaced by the cold purity of water. My hands shook as I gripped the sink, leaning over it as I took deep breaths, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. When I finally straightened up and wiped my mouth, I glanced over my shoulder, expecting Damien to be there. But the space where he’d been standing was empty. I frowned, turning towar
DAMIEN “Do it already—I can’t stand the coldness radiating from you anymore,” she said, pulling me out of my thoughts. My mind had drifted, stuck on the one word that lingered after everything she said: *trust.* What the hell made her say that? Trust? From her? I let out a low chuckle, more to myself, at the absurdity of it. Trust was a concept I couldn’t even entertain, yet hearing it from her did something strange to me. It left a faint buzz in my chest—a feeling I couldn’t name. My attention shifted to her mate’s wolf, who had risen and now stood protectively at her side, its piercing gaze fixed on me. “Do I need to grab a knife from the kitchen and cut myself to get you started?” Her sharp words pulled me back again. I looked down at her, taking in the determination etched across her face. She wasn’t going to back down. With a quiet sigh, I reached for her and pulled her closer, my grip firm but careful. “It’s going to sting,” I warned, my voice low.“I know,” she repli
DAMIEN The scream sent ice down my spine. Before I knew it, I was dashing up the stairs, each step heavier with dread. Seth and the others followed close behind, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the house. When I reached my room and shoved the door open, my senses went into overdrive.I scanned the room for any sign of danger. The windows were intact, no strange scents lingered in the air, and everything appeared undisturbed. It didn’t make sense. Nothing about this place screamed threat.My eyes darted to Keilah. She was leaned against the headboard, clutching the blanket tightly around her body, her eyes wide and darting between all of us. “What happened? Are you hurt?” Garbie asked, his voice steady but concerned. It was a question I should’ve asked, but deep down, I already knew the answer. Keilah’s fingers twisted into the blanket, and she let out a shaky breath before forcing an awkward smile. “Not really,” she said awkwardly, her voice shaky. “I’m good. I mean
DAMIEN The crowd held its collective breath, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Every eye in the field turned toward me, a weight pressing on my chest as I felt their gazes like flames on my skin. The woman beside me muttered under her breath, her voice trembling slightly as she whispered, "Holy God, I can't believe this."But I didn’t even hear her. My eyes were locked onto Keilah, every inch of me drawn to her, my breath shallow. She was there, real, in front of me. I could see her trembling slightly, the magic around her still buzzing with energy. Her eyes were wide, searching mine, and for the briefest moment, it felt like everything else in the world faded away.The Queen's voice broke the heavy silence. "Young man, step forward," she commanded, her voice soft but filled with authority.Without hesitation, I moved, the pull to her undeniable. The woman beside me—who had bound herself to me—took a step back, following behind as the others in her group murmured, but the
RALPH The moment I hit the ground—or whatever the hell this was—I knew something was wrong."Son of a—!" I barely got the words out before I was yanked down again, thick vines wrapping around my arms and legs like living chains. No, not vines. Roses.Giant, deep red, glowing roses.I thrashed, trying to pull myself up, but the damn things had a grip like iron. Every time I moved an inch, they sprawled higher, coiling tighter, dragging me deeper into their grasp. Their petals looked soft, almost beautiful—until I saw the teeth hidden beneath them, snapping dangerously close to my skin."That woman said the fae world isn't a joke!" I growled, struggling harder. "But she failed to mention the motherfucking sea of carnivorous roses!"A thorn sliced into my arm, and I hissed. Great. These things weren’t just strong; they were sharp as hell too.I twisted my body, trying to reach for the knife I stole from that fae’s house in Uganda strapped behind my back. My fingers barely brushed the ha
DAMIEN I blinked, my head spinning as the world around me came into focus. A crowd surged forward, their excitement pressing in from all sides. The golden gates ahead towered impossibly high, stretching so far up they seemed to dissolve into the silversheen skyline. Laughter and murmurs swelled like a tide, the energy crackling in the air. I turned sharply to the woman clutching my arm like an iron shackle. Her grip was too firm, too sure, like she was bound to me by something more than just flesh and bone. It was unnatural. My patience snapped. “What the hell did you do to me?” I hissed, keeping my voice low. “Dragging me here without me even realizing?” She barely reacted—just smirked, her amusement infuriatingly effortless. “No questions,” she said smoothly. “We’re heading inside. After watching the queen’s granddaughter, we can talk about you.” I ran a hand through my hair, frustration prickling at the edges of my mind. I should’ve been furious. I wanted to be. But somethi
DAMIEN A soft breeze rustled through the glowing leaves, carrying a scent both floral and unfamiliar. The air was thick with magic, an energy that pulsed like a heartbeat around me. Every breath I took felt charged, as though I had stepped into a world that was alive in ways I couldn’t comprehend.I straightened, brushing off the damp moss clinging to my clothes. Ralph was nowhere in sight, and I had no idea how far we had been separated.I turned slowly, taking in my surroundings. The trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their bark a deep shade of violet, their leaves shifting colours with each passing second. Strange, bioluminescent flowers bloomed at their bases, casting a faint glow onto the forest floor. The ground beneath me felt oddly soft as if the earth itself breathed beneath my feet.I needed to move. Standing still wouldn’t get me any closer to Keilah.A distant chime-like sound echoed through the trees, almost like laughter, but distorted. I tensed, scanning the shado
KEILAH Before I could even begin to think about what this meant, the door opened again. Two beautiful women entered, their dark hair flowing smoothly behind their backs. They wore elegant gowns, their movements graceful as they stepped forward and bowed lightly. One of them lifted her head and spoke softly. “Please follow us.” I hesitated. “Where?” “It’s the queen’s orders,” the other woman said gently. “We are to get you both ready.” I glanced at Garbie, still feeling the weight of the queen’s words pressing down on me. But I had no choice. With a deep breath, I stood and followed them.One of the women gently took Garbie’s arm, leading her in a different direction, while the other woman motioned for me to follow her. My heart pounded as I was guided down a long corridor until she stopped before a door and pushed it open. I gasped. The room before me was like nothing I had ever seen. The ceiling was a massive glass dome, revealing an endless, mesmerizing underwater world
KEILAH The queen reached for my hand again, but I quickly pulled back, pressing it tightly against my chest. "I’ll walk myself," I said firmly. The queen only smiled. "Alright, follow me." She turned to Aaron, who was still bowing. "You too, young man. Follow me." I reached for Garbie’s hand, gripping it tightly as we followed the queen. Aaron walked behind us, leading Varion. As we stepped forward, my jaw dropped. A long, gleaming walkway stretched before us, leading straight to the most breathtaking castle I had ever seen. The path was made of smooth, silver-white stone, polished so perfectly that it reflected the sky above like glass. It felt unreal, like stepping into a dream. On either side of the walkway, lush gardens bloomed with flowers I had never seen before—petals shimmering in iridescent colours, shifting as if they were alive. Glowing blue vines twisted up golden trellises, their faint light casting soft patterns onto the ground. A crystal-clear stream ran al
DAHLIA The air in the living room felt heavy as the door closed behind them. I sat down on one of the dark brown leather couches, crossing my legs, my mind racing.Jay sat next to me, his presence calming. He smiled at me, then gently kissed my cheek. It made me feel warm inside, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax.“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft.I nodded and smiled faintly. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... thinking about everything.”He studied me for a moment, then asked, “Do you think she’s Keilah’s mom?”I thought about it. The woman looked a lot like Keilah, but something about her didn’t seem to add up. She was too young to be Keilah’s mother, but... anything was possible.“I’m not so sure,” I said, shaking my head. “She looks young, but... it could still be possible. We can’t rule it out yet.”Jay leaned back on the couch, resting his arm behind me, his eyes drifting toward the hallway where Damien and Ralph had gone. “Do you think she’ll be able to help Alpha and Damie
DAMIEN Knowing exactly who Dahlia was talking about, I didn’t hesitate. I moved swiftly, making my way to the reception area. The atmosphere in the lobby was quiet, the hum of conversation low as I approached the desk. The receptionist gestured toward the guest area, and I followed the path, my mind racing with questions. When I reached the designated space, I saw her. The woman stood up as soon as she spotted me, her eyes sharp, assessing. Before I could say a word, she spoke. “We need to talk, but not here. If it’s possible, let’s go to my house.”I nodded, not wasting time. “Alright, but I’m not alone in this. As you saw yesterday, there are four of us.”She went quiet for a moment. After a long pause, she said, “Fine. If they’re trustworthy, you can all come.”I motioned toward the reception. “Give me a few minutes to clean up.”She shook her head. “I can’t wait here. Whenever you’re ready, find me at my house.”With that, she turned and walked past me. I watched her leave, eye
DAMIEN The moment I turned, my breath caught in my chest.The woman standing beside Isaac had long, dark braided hair and a slender frame. Even in the dark, I could see her features clearly. My heart pounded hard as I took in her face—she looked exactly like Keilah.My mind raced with the possibility—could she be Keilah’s mother? That thought sent a jolt through me. But I had heard that Keilah’s mother was dead.I glanced at Ralph, and when our eyes met, I knew he was thinking the same thing.The woman spoke in the local language, her voice sharp and questioning as she looked at Isaac. Her tone carried suspicion like she was demanding an explanation.Isaac responded calmly, gesturing toward us as he spoke. But whatever he said didn’t ease her anger. She replied in a harsher tone, shaking her head firmly, her expression set like stone.Isaac turned back to us with a sigh. “She’s not happy about us showing up at her house in the middle of the night,” he explained. “I told her what you