I returned to the motel in New Mexico, but something kept telling me to return to Louisiana. Lying in bed, I'm compelled to call Wilson. It's well past two in the morning, so I expect to get a voicemail if he still has this number.His phone barely rings before he answers, "Jude?""Yes, it's me.""Dude, I've been worried sick about you!"Hesitant, I sit contemplating why he's not angry or afraid. I ask, "Are you back home?""Which one?" He asks."What? Blue Luna.""Uh, no. I'm still in Louisiana."Stumped, I sit silent. Wilson says, "Hello? Are you still there?""Yes.""Where are you?""New Mexico.""What's up? You need me to pick you up from there?"Hesitating again, I answer, "No. I'm returning to Louisiana.""I found a house for us."Leery, I hang up in his face. The phone is still in my hand when Wilson calls back, stating, "The cell towers suck out here. Sorry, Jude, my call must've dropped. So when should I expect you? I'll grill us some steaks.""Within 48 hours. Send your locat
Glaring at Aunt Irene, I grit, "Don't disrespect my mom.""Your mom disrespected herself. Like you, she had every excuse in the world for needing money, as if she were the only woman going through something. Ted's a good man, so he loaned you money. Some men aren't so giving.When certain men weren't easily persuaded, Nika found the most compelling way to convince them. According to Drusilla, you would've given him whatever he needed if Ted required more."How dare you!""No! How dare you ask my husband for money behind my back!"Too ashamed to combat her words, I mumble, "It wasn't like that.""Well, what was it like? Yeah, you didn't expect him to tell me. Just know I want all my money back with interest. I took you in after your mother overdosed and when nobody wanted you. And this the thanks I get--""Auntie, you never help without degrading me! That's why I asked Ted. I was going to sell drugs before I asked you, but he offered, so I took it. But I'll pay you back with interest. N
"Yes, you're right. I'm saying he told me before he died!" I lie."Before he died? Aaron said Phyllis died after his funeral." Drusilla sneers."Yeah, I'm getting confused.""Lying tends to do that."Drusilla heads toward the door, but I rush out of bed and stop her. She gasps, "What's wrong with you?" As she removes her pepper spray from her purse, she gnashes, "You caught me off guard last time, but this time I will blind your crazy ass!"With my hands lifted, I yell, "Wait! Please, let's talk. I promise no more lies."Giving an ominous smirk, Drusilla stops by the door entrance. Slowly lowering my hands, I whisper, "Shut the door."The second the door closes, I use a coma spell on her. Drusilla drops to the floor, and I open the door, shouting, "My cousin fainted! She needs help!"Two days later, I'm released. Once discharged, I stopped to visit Aunt Irene. As soon as I entered her hospital room, she started ringing her nurse's bell and screaming, "Don't let her near me! She did th
Ellie works two weeks to earn more money, and then we head to the Bahamas. She's never been, so the island's beauty fascinates her. Leaning over the balcony, she shouts, "This is paradise!"As I unpack, I smile. Cocktail in hand, I join her, saying, "I wasn't always privileged. Aaron and then Jude introduced me to lavish things.""You were a badass before you were a badass," she teases."Why do you say that?""Only a fierce woman could capture Jude.""I haven't captured him, Ellie. I'm hoping like Deena. And if my powers fail me, I'll be dead like all the others.""No matter what you do, your devaluing of yourself will never cease, will it?" Lip pressed, I stare her way. Eyes rolled in her head, she lifted her drink and then sipped.The Bahamas is grand. We enjoyed our day, and now it's bedtime. Our suites are adjoined. Ellie goes to bed, and I sit on my balcony, listening to the waves. My head jerks from nodding off, and I stand and stretch.Now, facing inside my suite, I see a manl
Ellie and I dine at the same restaurant, hoping to find Bruce. While we sip coffee and watch the entrance, Emelia enters and leaves with a large takeout order. Discreetly, we exit and follow her.She enters the hotel across the way. We sit on a bench outside the lobby until they exit. They're huddled up, conversing when I interrupt, "Bruce, may we talk?""Of course, Ajay."Mitchell and Emelia follow, but I plead, "Just us, please."Lifting his hand, they stop while Bruce, Ellie, and I continue walking. With this smug smirk, he waits for me to speak. I start, "I apologize for being so ungrateful. Mitchell's words resonated. So, forgive me."Nonchant, he responds, "Forgiven.""Too, as you know, I love Jude. I'm not making him perfect, but I love him regardless. That being said, may we enter Knight Island with you?""Ajay, we're going there for a physical and spiritual war. Are you prepared for both?""More than you know."Brows lifted, he said, "Please share your strategy.""I'll be pray
Wilson, Andrew, and I dig all night to bury Marisol and Toro. Andrew put wooden crosses above their graves so we could mark them. Wilson fraudulently sold the property to a deceased Marisol, and then we left Louisiana.The stench of all those bodies consumed that area in no time. Wilson watched the news faithfully, awaiting a report. Within days, it was worldwide news. Wilson announced, "The police think it's a satanic cult gone wrong. Nice!"While he rejoices, Andrew watches for my reaction. Shrugging, I reply, "He's a kid."We agreed to hide in Utah during the full moon. Wilson's filled out super. All day, he admires himself in the mirror. Andrew's already an attractive guy, so he's not impressed with his looks, nor is he impressed, period. He is dreading the full moon.It's late afternoon, and Wilson is napping. Andrew and I make a fire in our firepit and watch the sky."Will it hurt?" Asks Andrew."Like hell. But you only feel the pain for a few minutes.""What if we kill?""You
With his hand clenched around my throat, Jude rams me into the back wall. Before he snapped my neck, I chanted, and his hand bent back, causing his fingers to almost touch his wrist.Jude briefly moans in pain. Now gritting his teeth, he uses his other hand to lift and toss me in the air. I cast a spell, and the floor turns bouncy before I touch it. The power in this throw causes me to bounce and hit the ceiling.Falling to the bed, I roll to the floor. Jude rushes toward me and slams into an invisible wall. His face hit it so hard his lip started bleeding. Hand over his mouth, he slowly removes it and then checks for loose teeth.Lying there watching, I catch my breath. Once he realizes his teeth are okay, he uses his shoulder against my barrier and starts forcefully pushing towards me. I planned to roll beneath the bed, but this hotel uses platform frames.Now panicking, I jump up and race for my suite's door, but Jude snatches me back by my sundress. He tosses me on the bed and tri
Taking a deep breath, I open the front door and ask, "What are you doing here, Chiara?""Hello, Jude. So nice to see you too." Clasping her hands, she cheers, "You're with Wilson."Wilson rushes over and lifts her, saying, "Hey, gorgeous." He places her back on her feet. Now seeing Andrew, she swoons, "Who is this? I'm Chiara, and you are?""Andrew.""Charmed," she says seductively, caressing Wilson's jaw but facing me. With a blank stare, I ask, "How'd you find us?"Eyeing Wilson, she answers, "I'm a witch, Jude. I looked into my crystal ball."Afterward, she winks toward Wilson. My face is all scowled up, watching their flirtatious interaction. Wilson's grin fades as he jokes, "She's so cute."I give him the stare of death until he's timid and fidgety. Then, cutting my eyes to Chiara, I say, "That's not too wise, wouldn't you say? Considering the state of your coven, it seems you'd get as far away from me as possible."Both hands gently gliding up my chest, she replies, "They weren
The same night I googled Dr. Houseman. He has a private practice across town. I schedule an appointment, but he's not available until next month. Uncomfortable going to anyone else, I keep the appointment and buy a home pregnancy test.My sweaty palms wet the box, while my trembling hand held the stick steady. I waited the instructed time, and it came back inconclusive. I run to the drugstore and purchase three more tests. They all yield the same result.Justine told me Delilah was discharged from the ICU and apologized to Zelma. Delilah told Zelma, "I've been consumed with Jude and finding his truth for so long that I haven't even lived. These days I grieve for Mama. She was so deep into this that there was no way she could walk away and live a normal life.I've had Eve only a few weeks, and I love her as my own. Mama loved Jude. She did what she thought was best. If Jude ever comes for Eve, she's his, so I'd have no choice but to return his daughter. But until then, I'll love and ra
I left Floyd perplexed. Soon, I heard Jude questioning me about the short story Eve wrote about Samuel and his brother. Plopping onto my couch, I close my eyes and concentrate, hoping to remember anything significant.Suddenly, I recall Mr. Knight saying, "I hear my mother's singing in my head and whisper, "Dreamers? No, filthy dreamers. My bloodied fingers thumb through my Bible. Weak and dying, I circle the chapter at the top of the page. My shaky hand draws an arrow, and I write, This is his name."Immediately, I rushed and opened the small suitcase I had taken from the island. It has Jude's Bible inside. I remove it, go to the table of contents, and find the Book of Jude. Jude had circled the title in blood.As I stare at the encircled name, I realize that Samuel VII and Mr. Knight are the same. Samuel is the baby's father. The story instructed the Knight's lineage to name his son and the next Alpha, Jude.Soon I'm wondering why Samuel slaughtered his students. Did he hope to be k
Paige offers to go with me to see Mrs. Freer. I decided it was best to go alone. Walking on campus was strange. It seems like eons ago this was where I spent most of my time. Upon entering the administration building, I see familiar faces. Some greet me while others walk by, oblivious to who I am. I exit the elevator on our floor and see Mrs. Freer talking with two coworkers.Seeing me, she does a double-take. Quickly, she ends her conversation and heads toward me. "Ms. Vernon. This is a bewildering surprise.""Hi, Mrs. Freer. My name's Mrs. Knight now, and yes, I'm sure seeing me is surprising.""Mrs. Knight, wow. Well, congratulations. Now, may I know why you're here?""I need to speak with a professor, preferably one knowledgeable in astronomy.""Professor Floyd was a friend of Phyllis's. She asked for the same help right before she passed.""Mrs. Freer, it's terrible what happened to Phyllis. I'll admit, I was pretty heartless in the past, but I'm a new person. If possible, I'd a
I decide to wait in the car and let Justine handle everything. Once Zelma opens the door, she sees me. Instantly, she gripes, "What is she doing here?"Justine says, "She needs our help, Zelma.""From the moment I first helped her, it's been nothing but tragedy for those I love. You promised me you wouldn't go to Knight Island.""If we hadn't gone, Ajay would've been stranded there.""I don't care!" Zelma shouts."We're not like that, Zelma." Justine sighs.As much as it hurts, Zelma is right. Since the moment I stepped on Knight Island, it's been nothing but devastation and death. Once we get to their home, I retrieve my suitcase and leave. I tell Justine, "I promise I'll be in touch."Before I exit, Zelma stops me, saying, "I don't hate you, Ajay. And I understand the hold Jude has on you. I know you're worried and want to find him, but have you ever considered maybe he wants to be lost?Delilah attacked me over some books with mathematical formulas that no human could possibly deci
I'm hiding in what's left of this burned cabin when I hear voices. Realizing they're women, I rush out into the open. I see a woman running, and two chasing her. Then I hear, "Shellie, stop running!"I see Justine and cry out, "Justine! Over here!""Ajay? Is that you?" Justine shouts.Immediately, Shellie stops and runs toward me. Dottie and Justine come to me as well. They all stood staring my way, speechless. Slowly, Justine reaches to touch me and asks, "Are you okay?"The only thing I could do was cry. All three of them huddle around me. These strange sounds in the distance make Dottie say, "I think we need to go.""Are you alone? Where's Jude?" Justine asks."I'm alone, and Dottie's right. We need to leave."They have food and liquor on their boat. All three care for me until I'm no longer trembling from fear. We're miles away from the island when Justine asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"How do I explain this? Honestly, I don't know what happened myself. Coughing to clear my
Zelma doesn't know. I've been looking for Ajay forever. After I learned she practiced witchcraft, I told Zelma. Zelma warned me, "Knight Island was demonic. We just didn't know it. Dad was privy to some information but tragically learned it wasn't just superstition and ghost stories."I'd called Ajay but she never called back. Then, I decided to wait for her in the library's occult section. Afraid other students would see me and think I was a witch, I started asking about her instead.The student aid at the desk knew who she was. He told me, "Ajay is great. I haven't seen her in a minute, but sometimes she'd go to the coffee shop down the street."Cafe Sheol made me look more sketchy than sitting in the library. Only the barista and I are present. I go to the counter, order a tall latte, and ask, "Hi Cecily, I'm Justine. Do you remember a girl named Ajay being a customer?"Before I can describe her, Cecily answers, "Of course. I love Ajay. Why do you ask?"I explained how we lost cont
My life flashes before me as we drop to the ground. I open my eyes and am in the top bunk bed at my foster home. It's a clear night. As I gaze out into the stars, I think, I wish someone loved me.The Michaels have four foster children. All four of us are girls. We're all around the same age. I climb out of bed to use the toilet and overhear my foster parents discussing how one of the girls has been adopted.I hurry back to my room, crying. Now, staring into the night sky again, I whisper, "Please let someone love me." The following morning, Aunt Irene adopted me.It's my senior year of high school. My boyfriend, Benjamin, and I ditch prom and drive to the marina. We sneak in and lie in someone's boat. Lying beside each other, we gaze up into the sky, and he asks, "Do you think anyone's truly out there?"I answer, "Look how beautiful and vast the sky is. How can it not be?"Nodding, Ben says, "I agree. So, is it God or aliens?""Definitely, God. Aliens are techies, according to what t
After weeks of sailing, we find nothing. We return to Brazil, and Jude says, "Let's just go home."The closer we get to Knight Island, the more uneasy I feel. Early morning, we leave Florida. Soon, the island appears, but it's no longer the paradise I knew. It's burning wasteland. Wide-eyed, I look at Jude, but he's expressionless. I stammer, "W-What happened?"Knight Island looks exactly like the island I spent a night alone on. Had I swam all the way here and then returned to another location near Columbia? Our boat hits a rock behind this burned-down villa. Jude anchors our boat and then stretches out his hand. Nervous, I lightly place my palm in his. He helps me to shore. Once he releases me, I stare into his eyes.Exhaling, he pans across the island, saying, "They would've told my secret. I start to panic, but a still voice calmly says, "Agree with him."Through a shaky voice, I say, "You're right, babe."Jude cuts his eyes at me and says, "Come here. I'll carry you."He lifts
Mrs. Dotson taps her ruler on her desk, saying, "Sit down, students. Class is in session. It's October 30. Today we will explore stories of myths and monsters."A crisp autumn breeze gusts through the room from the opened window. The ten children are prim and proper for school, in their uniforms. Each innocent face intently gazes at Mrs. Dotson, anticipating her reading.She looks up and sees me standing in her doorway. Her eyes light up, and she says, "Kind day to you, Mr. Knight. Is there something that you need?""I'm celebrating my birthday. I hoped to leave a tad earlier. Will you see to it that my class leaves on time?""Anything for you, Mr. Knight.""Thanks."I enter my mill and chain myself in the dungeon. Everyone I love dies. It's been 500 years, and I'm still here. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, I begin my change. Though I can control my inner beast, tonight I'm frustrated and want to kill. But killing will attract unwanted attention. Once I'm transformed, I let