A blue and black tiger-like creature stepped out of the portal, taller than the bear, though the latter was standing on its hind legs, and let out a bone-chilling shriek.Drools dropped from its foaming mouth and trudged forward on its three pairs of legs. Its numerous spider-like eyes, covering half of its face locked on her, and it shrieked again, flexing its bony body.Layla didn’t shake, nor did she tremble. She stared at the creature with, tears brimming in her eyes.“Who did this to you? Who put you in so much pain?” She whispered, squeezing hard on her glaive.The amount of agony, fear, and sorrow radiating off it almost made her drop on her knees and curl into a ball. She could feel all that it felt. Its pain, fear, anger—all the emotions slammed into her.It wasn’t always how it was. It wasn’t supposed to look or act like that. It looked like a tiger because it was a tiger. What happened? How did it become something so unnatural? An abomination?The creature gave a low growl
‘How bad is what she wants to tell me that she has to force herself to smile that brightly at me? Or is she just genuinely overjoyed that I’m finally going to die that she can’t hide it?’ Layla stared at Demeter, standing stiff and straight as a pillar in fear that if she didn’t, she would tremble.“Sit, both of you.” Demeter nudged her head to the sofa Alaric was on. Zayne strode over, giving her a small bow, and sat. Layla’s feet remained glued to her spot.“Sit, Ms. Dele.” Demeter said again, her smile remaining unshakeable and bright.‘I better not test her patient.’ Layla held her breath, slowly walking to the couch, and sat between Alaric and Zayne. Her back was straight and her shoulders were tensed, like she was sitting on hot coals. Not even Zayne’s and Alaric’s presence could calm the tension in her bones.“Congratulations on your progress, Ms. Dele. You beat our expectations by far. No one has been able to exterminate those creatures as easily as you did.” Demeter beamed, c
Layla slowly nodded, wincing as her skin ached and tears poured down her eyes.‘I swear, Demeter, you’ll be the first of your buddies I’ll end.’ She swore then froze. End? Where did that come from? She didn’t want to end anybody. She wanted to prove she wasn’t a monster. Yet the hunger for revenge clawed at her gut, and she winced. What was wrong with her?“You’re fine now,” Zayne whispered, cradling her closer to himself. Cradling?!Her breath hitched as she became aware of how close they were. His arm was around her, holding her close to his chest like he was trying to protect her. She was almost sitting across his laps. Her face flushed. How had she not realised that he was holding her? Why was he holding her? In front of Demeter, no less. Wouldn’t the woman be pissed that he was holding her in an intimate kind of way?She placed her hand on his chest, ready to push him away, but her muscle refused to do so. No, she didn’t want to. He was just so warm; his chestnut scent was comfor
“Can you please let go of me?” Layla asked, trying to push Zayne away the moment he shut the door of Brenton’s office behind them.“Are you sure you’re alright? Can you walk on your own?” He asked, not bulging or freeing his hold on her.“Yes, I’m fine.” She nodded, pushing him harder.There was no need for him to act concerned about her anymore, whether the mate bond was involved or not. Though she was still quite tired from using her powers, she was fine. And it wasn’t like the few millilitres of blood taking out of her was going to weaken her in anyway.Zayne slowly drew himself away from her, watching her like he expected her to fall the next second, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes. She straightened herself and looked him straight in the eyes, showing him she wasn’t weak.“Can we please go to the library?” She asked as they walked.“I have classes, and aren’t you tired?” He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.“I promise I won’t take time—just ten minutes max. I wan
“You brought us lunch?!” Layla blanched, watching Zayne sit on her bed, and it creaked under his weight. ‘Please, don’t break.’ She flinched and sighed when it didn’t crumble. “Isn’t that what I said?” Zayne replied as he pulled out not just one but four different lunch boxes from the bag and laid them on the bed. ‘Lunch?! He brought us lunch?! Why would he do that?! Is this a prank or something? Where are the cameras? Are they poisoned?’ “Why?” She blurted out, shutting her door but refusing to move from that spot. “Because you need to eat.” He shrugged, opening a can of soda and taking a big gulp. “But I said I wasn’t hungry.” She furrowed her brows. What was he playing at? Why had he all of a sudden decided to bring food to her doorstep? “You said, but I didn’t listen. Besides, I can hear your stomach grumble from miles away.” He smirked, and her face flushed. “Come and choose the one you want. I’m starving.” Layla scrutinised the open lunch boxes as if snakes would
“Alaric?!” Layla gasped, rubbing her eyes to make sure that her sleepy brain wasn’t forming images. Nope, she wasn’t dreaming. Alaric was standing at her door.‘What is he doing here at this time?’ She thought, smoothing the creases that had formed on her top while she napped.“May I come in?” Alaric asked, wearing his usual smile.“Of course!” She stepped out of the way and allowed him to come in.“I see you cleaned and did a little renovation of the place. Good job.” He said, inspecting the place, and her cheeks flushed at his compliment as she shut the door.“Thank you, but I just cleaned. I didn’t do any renovations.” She replied, taking off her bonnet so she could look more presentable.He was flattering her. There was obviously still a lot of work to be done. A lot. The roof, the floor, the door, the bathroom… There was no part of the cabin that didn’t need to be worked on.“Whatever you did, you did it well. You managed to make a dead place homely.” Alaric nodded at her, and sh
“What!” Zayne roared, shaking the entire dorm from its foundation.‘Geez, so loud and dramatic.’ Layla cringed, pressing her hands to her ears.“Who decided that?! Why do you have to stay with him?!” He seethed.“Lady Demeter and him discussed, and they came to a decision.” She replied, hiding the fact that they had also discussed if she could stay with him. If they found out, he would lose his head from rage.“And you agreed?” He glowered at her, and she flinched.“Of course, I can’t say no to Lady Demeter.” She frowned. Did he expect her to actually say no? Didn’t he see what she had done to her when she questioned her about the Zenzens?“That damned vampire!” He sneered, balling his fist like he was imagining that he was squeezing Alaric’s neck. Layla was sure that wouldn’t have been an imagination if he was with them.“Let’s go,” Zayne snapped, stomping down the path that led to the main campus. Layla quickly locked her door and raced behind him.She stared at his back, twisting h
“I’m glad you came down on time. I was afraid the pancakes were going to go cold before you did.” Alaric said, not turning to her as he flipped the pancakes on the pan.‘Alaric was cooking?! Cooking?!’ Layla gawked at him. ‘How does a vampire know how to cook? Do they eat normal food like humans do? I thought they drank blood.’ “Why are you still standing at the door? Aren’t you hungry?” He asked and turned to her.“No— I mean, yes, I am.” She stuttered, rushing to one of the stools by the kitchen island and sat down.“Here. I hope you like hit chocolate.” He smiled and dropped a mug in front of her.“I do. Thank you. Do you need any help?” She asked, jumping down from the stool and walking to him.“No, I’m almost done. Just relax and enjoy.” He waved his finger in her face, placing his hand on her shoulders and leading her back to her seat.“But, I—”“You’re my guest, and I don’t let my guest work in my house.” He propped her on the stool and gave her shoulder a small squeeze.“Um…
“I never thought you were such a prankster.” Zayne chuckled after a few silent seconds and pinched her nose. “You’re not mad?” Layla asked, turning her eyes back to him. “Why would I be mad? As long as I know you aren’t going to that damn place, I’m fine. And that was a really good one. You really got me.” He grinned, poking her cheek. “Whatever you do, make sure you don’t teach my sisters how to play pranks, or else you five will kill me.” “Really? Then I’m a certified prankster.” She giggled, pressing her hand to her lips. “It’s good to be back. I’ve missed you.” “Of course you did. I’m fun to be around, and I’m a very great company.” He boasted, puffing his chest. “Proud as always.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes and eyeing him from top to bottom. “You look good. I never thought I would see the day you would dress formal.” He was clad in a custom-made black suit that fitted his figure perfectly, and his hair was slicked back. It was like he walked out of the cover of a to
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. What if someone recognises me?’ Layla worried as she walked into the beautiful ballroom, and her gaze flitted around, taking note of the guests. The place was littered with mostly werewolves and a good amount of phoenixes, vampires, and faes royals that had decided to grace the pre-coronation party. Some couples danced to the beautiful melodies of the instrumentals while others stood by the side, having light-hearted conversation. The air was light and merry, but it still couldn’t beat the uneasy wiggling in her stomach. ‘If someone recognises me, they would definitely make a scene. It’s not everyone that supports the overthrow of the former parliamentarians, and I’m sure some are here. Imagine the confusion it will cause if one of them decides to confront me. I want to see Zayne, but I don’t want to in that kind of dramatic way. It would be better if I just left now. I can see him—’ Two vampire gentlemen walked past her, and she stiffened. The
‘This is it. Alaric is right at the other side of that door.’ Layla thought, standing in front of the large door she had appeared before that led to Alaric’s officee. She reached out to the knob, but her hand trembled, refusing to touch it.‘Ugh, why am I so nervous? It’s Alaric I’m going to see, not a monster? How hard is it to tell him I love him?’ She bit her bottom lip, pushing the thin hand of her nightdress back on her shoulders. A picture of her confessing her love to Alaric flashed through her mind, sending blood to her cheeks. She pressed her hands to her face, squeezing her eyes shut.‘I can do this. I can do this. I love you is just three simple words. Three simple words that change everything,’ she prepped herself as she placed her hand on the knob and she opened the door. She poked her head into the room, and her lips curled into a soft smile as her gaze fell on the figure slouched in his chair.‘Aww, he’s sleeping. It seems like Pyro and Eleanor were just over worried,’
"Ahh, no wonder we went with the heater. I thought they underestimated how cold it was." Layla shivered, wrapping her arms around herself the moment she stepped out of the portal. The world was a barren iceland covered with thick layers of snow. Large mountains were scattered all over, so high that they seemed to reach the grey sky and trees that were covered in snow towered above her covered the entire landscape. Apart from those, there was nothing but eerie silence, shadows, and anguish. Anguish, fear, pain, and rage hung heavy in the air like mist, and her heart clenched. And it was cold. Very, very cold. When she had gone with the elite class, there was always a special heating device with them, stopping them from turning to popsicles. But she had no special device, and her bodysuit might have been good for battle, but it did nothing to warm her up. "Here," Selene pressed a finger against her forehead, and warmth flooded through her. "Thank you," she sighed, dropping her a
“What? You’re leaving?!” Zayne gasped, gaping at Layla like she was sprouting leaves on her head instead of hair. “Why are you leaving? Where are you going to? To the human world? You can’t be thinking of going there? What about the life you have here? Are you going to give up all that?” Alaric fired questions, furrowing his brows. “What?! No! Why will I go to the human world? I have nothing there,” Layla replied, crinkling her face. “Then where are you going? Like on a vacation on something?” Zayne asked. “Not that either. I… I need to finish my mission.” She turned around, nudging to Selene, and the goddess waved at them. “I need to go to Tophet. I need to save the creatures there.” “Are you crazy? You can’t go to Tophet alone! It’s too dangerous!” Zayne exclaimed, shaking his head. “It’s something I have to do. Those creatures have been in that state for too long. I can’t allow them to continue living in anguish when I can help them. And don’t worry about me. I can take
“Alaric! Zayne!” Layla yelled, running to them as they ran to her.She threw her arms across their shoulders and pulled them into a hug.“You’re alright! I’m glad you guys are alright. I was scared when Draven brought out the eye of chaos and everyone fainted. I was afraid you guys weren’t going to wake up. I could feel our bond, and it was so weak. I was terrified.” She sniffled, snuggling into them as they held her closer.“I don’t know about him, but something that weak isn’t enough to kill me.” Zayne grinned, patting her head as she let go of them.“Weren’t you the first one to hit the ground? You were out like a candle in the wind before the light actually hit your skin and you were the last to stand up when it was over.” Alaric scoffed and rolled his eyes.“W-what? That’s… that’s not completely true.” The werewolf stuttered, narrowing his eyes at him as his face turned pink. “I was the first and last between the two of us. Just the two of us. Everyone else is still unconscious o
“That doesn’t mean anything. Boris was always the weakest among us.” Blaze scoffed, and Demeter nodded her head more than she was supposed to.“Sure, whatever you say to keep your hope high.” Layla snorted, throwing the head over her shoulder. “Round two. Make sure you make it count. It will be a disgrace if you don’t land a single blow on me before you die.”Blaze fired multiple balls of fire at her while Demeter sent blades of sharp petals. Layla lifted her hand, creating a barrier, and all their attacks disappeared the moment they touched it.She lifted her hand, forging a large shard of ice and launching it at Blaze in the blink of an eye. He screamed as it pierced through his heart, coming out at the other side. She rushed at him before he could melt the ice, and she cut off his head.“Two down, one more to go. You’re the last man standing, Demeter.” Layla taunted as his body fell to the ground and turned to ashes.Demeter’s face was paler than snow as she gaped at Layla. Her ent
‘Did… did it work?’ Layla thought, wincing as she sat up. She opened her eyes, and her lips curled to a large smile.The red light was going dimmer and dimmer, and the red clouds began to dispense, making way for the evening sky. The dorm around the arena flickered off and on for a few seconds and faded away.“It worked! It actually worked!” She cheered as she stood up and Eleanor flew to her side. “Layla! Can you see that? We did it! We did it!” She squealed, throwing her arms around her and pulling her into a tight hug.“How is everyone? Are they— what’s that?” Layla scrunched her brows as small balls of white and yellow light flew from the sky to them.“What’s what?” Eleanor asked, letting go of her and turning around.The balls of light swirled and danced around, and Layla reached out her finger to touch one of them. A recognition burned in her soul, and she wore a gentle smile.“They’re our sisters. They’re finally free, and they’re thanking us,” she whispered.“You’re welcome.
“This isn’t the time for useless jokes or gatekeeping the ttruth, Demeter.” Layla scowled, narrowing her eyes at her as she tightened her grip on her shoulder. “If you don’t tell me how to stop it, everyone will die, including you, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want that.”“You can’t stop it. No matter what you do, you can’t stop it.” Demeter grinned, shaking her head. “The eye of chaos can only be deactivated by the one who activated it.”“What?!” Layla gasped as shivers ran through her spine. “No! It can’t be. You’re lying. There has to be another way.”‘She has to be lying. The eye of chaos has to have another way to be turned off without Draven.’“There’s no other way! Everyone here is going to die. Then it will keep spreading out, draining every supernatural in its way until it has taken every bit of power in the supernatural world. Everyone will die.” She cackled, throwing her head back, and her entire body shook. “Every single one of them will pay with their lives for turning the