The afternoon air is crisp and cold, dancing along a little girl's bare shoulders as she rolls down the windows. She shivers slightly as the air turns into a rushing wind, slapping her cheeks. Irritated by its sudden force, she quickly rolls down the window, rushing to her beautiful mother for comfort.
"Now, now, sweet child, calm yourself," the goddess said, the words melting like butter between her lips. Her hair was a deep ruby red, her eyes as green as a meadow on a beautiful summer day. Her daughter had the same features, sharing almost no resemblance to her father. However, the daughter is blessed with her father's warm, enchanting laugh and quiet personality.
The daughter sniffs in the woman's embrace, relishing the warmth the lady gives. Now she cries not because of the fierce wind, but because of the foreboding laced in the air, the foreboding only she can feel. It brings with it a great chill, its deadly claws digging into the girl
After waiting for a few seconds that dwindle, I laugh. This is the first time in almost three days that I've been totally alone. And the fact is, a day ago I begged and pleaded for a moment like this.But now, true loneliness is entering my chest. I guess I've gotten used to his stalker attitude, his quirky laugh, his extremely attractive appearance. As much as I hate to say it, Xavier has grown on me.Looking around, I smile as I spot a stream a few feet away. The water almost clear and not surrounded by sharp rocks, this will suit my purposes well. With a determined look, I grab a long, thick stick and use it as a walking stick. The beautiful oasis of slightly heated miracle water winks at me as I reach it, stumbling with my stick. Scanning the area once more, I become convinced that no one is watching. Not that anyone wants to look anyway.I take off my sturdy jeans that are too big for me, pulling my shirt over my he
Heading to my locker, I turn the knob to retrieve my stuff, and after a bit of thought, I open Xavier's as well so his fans don't block my locker by trying to flirt with him. I look for him, this blue haired guy with perfectly tamed hair that I would recognize anywhere...There he is!I join his group, trying to make my way through the planets in order to reach the blinding sun. Xavier spots me, and smiles. "Move over," he asks and the girls part like the Red Sea, leaving a royal path for the man himself. "You liked it better when I didn't go to your school, didn't you?" he questions knowingly. I laugh, as if it were the dumbest question I've ever heard, smiling at him. I admit... Maybe I did it to annoy the girls."I didn't really know you until you decided to come to my school," I whisper, leaning in close to her ear so they couldn't hear the snap of my remark. All they probably notice, though, is how close I am to him
"This is your room," Xavier leads me to a narrow door and opens it for me. I stare in wonder at the curved ceilings, the magnificent bed that is three times as big as me...I squint at him, wary. "You don't sleep in this room too, do you?"Yi happens to hear my statement in passing and smiles. "No," he answers for the blushing blue-haired idiot next to me, "but it's right next door." I turn to him, smiling at the blush now spreading across his features."There's another room available," Xavier explains simply, "but it's connected to Wes' room.""It might not be the best idea to take that other room," Yi laughs, "you might wake up to find your innocence stolen.""Yi!" Xavier elbows him and Yi starts to laugh even harder. Once I looked at him, I realized that he really did look the youngest of all. I wonder if it has something to do with his underdeveloped talent.
My eyes widen as shouts and screams erupt elsewhere. Slipping to my feet, I walk to the door, trying to find the source of all this noise. However, another thought comes to my attention before I leave my new room.The floor scratches my toes as I retreat in search of clothes not wrinkled by sleep. I have no suitcase, my old clothes too pitiful for the guys to kidnap with me. Rummaging through the drawers, I find nothing but dust and old screws. "Where are they?" I mutter after opening the last drawer, "those omniscient werewolves must have put shirts somewhere."A horrific gust of wind blasts the window, the glass banging against the stone walls. Gale-swept leaves soon follow, flying into my room by the dozens. Running to the problem, I close it, the sound echoing through the mansion.I stare at the horizon through the transparent surface, amazed at the commotion before my eyes. The wind swirls, framed by a barrage of da
"Legend?" I question."It's more like a prophecy," he quickly corrects."What does it say?""Well," Jake cuts in, his voice like a knife, "it talks about a pack, led by a Spier who has the abilities of both a werewolf and a Spier. With these supernatural powers combined, the Spier has a super talent that will allow his pack to defeat the red-eyed wolf and destroy the red rock. After that, the Shifters will cease, as will the werewolves. Basically, werewolves exist to fight the Shifters.""We have a copy in the library. I recommend you read it for a better understanding than what Jake just gave you," Ray says coldly, then turns away and walks down the hall."Wow," jokes Yi, "sounds like someone is cranky.""Well, my explanation was pretty awful," Jake says."Don't worry, I'll read it," I quickly reassure him. What Jake said makes almost no
"Get up!" I throw my pillow over the ever-irritating mop of blue hair. If I could, I'd punch his face, but he has that and the rest of his body buried under a mountain of blankets.A groan emerges from the lifeless bundle, then silence."Don't make me say it twice," I squint, crossing myself to his side. I stare at the shimmering blue that always manages to distract me, blinking annoyingly as it nearly blinds me with its light.He turns slightly, and I can now see his forehead and unnaturally long eyelashes. Jealousy burns through me as I look at the revealed part of his face. Isn't the girl supposed to be the pretty one?On a whim, I reach out to him and slap the package as hard as I can. There are miserable moans as the man emerges like a butterfly from a cocoon, holding his arm in indignation."You could have just used a pillow," he scoffs, though still under the spell of slee
"Oh, you're back," I smile as Wes leads the way to the kitchen, followed by a pack of werewolves. Yi is bed-headed, his disheveled black hair standing straight up. His eyes are bloodshot, as if he just had a bad night's sleep."Are you better now?" asks Wes with concern."Yes." I gesture toward the dining room just off the kitchen. "Just go sit in there and I'll bring the food in soon.""You're amazing, Mona," Wes laughs, walking over and wrapping an arm around my waist. I stiffen a little, amazed at how completely different it feels when Xavier touches me. Xavier tends to send sparks of flame through my body, while Wes freezes me like an ice cube. With another carefree smile, he sneaks up and kisses me on the cheek.I pat him on the arm, slightly angry but still playful. "What are you thinking, trying to steal a kiss from me?" I ask in a teasing tone. But inwardly, I wonder why, exactly, I don't fee
"You don't understand," Wes begins, "having us for a week is the ultimate trophy. Our wives get to brag the whole time they have us. Our appearance is above the ordinary, especially Xavier's crazy hair, and we are famous among Moonlight viewers. We are like what you would call "trophy wives," but we are temporary and also men, of course. ""Trophy men..." I chuckle softly."I don't know what we're going to do without Xavier... it'll be a scandal among the women," Jake shakes his head ruefully, "let's hope none of us mate too."I scan the area for any hint of Ray, then slowly lean in. "Why do women even bid on Ray? He's practically a monster, and so rude to boot!" I whisper, my voice lingering on the wind before it reaches their ears. Wes bursts out laughing, Xavier soon joining in. Jake is the only one who manages to stay calm, answering my question softly."You haven't seen him among the ladies...and he's practically a mirror image of Xavier, minus the hair and a few other details. A
I don't even know when I woke up, but it feels like someone just flipped the switch and freed me from the state I was in. Because the last thing I remember is falling into the pit of death and now I'm sitting in a patch of grass, staring up at the terribly blue sky.Blue sky. It's bright today. Almost too bright for the...Wait. Is it?I feel the grass on my fingertips, the soft rustling breeze tickling my nose. Am I really back in the real world?I jump to my feet, looking around in the forest, hoping to spot another human being. Anyone who can confirm that this is my new reality. I hope... the one I want to see the most.Yes, this is the real world.I shudder, looking both ways in a frantic attempt to find the source of the whisper. It is the same voice that has followed me in my dreams and throughout my quest. "Who are you?" I called. "Show yourself!"Nothing happens at first, then something around me changes in a flash. The air be
"He's still Ray. Trust me. He's just...slightly different. And a lot older than you think. But I have to destroy this jewel and crown to fulfill the prophecy, and Ray said he had to be cast into the chasm of eternal darkness that surrounds us. The Shifters aren't all bad either. You've seen the ones hidden in the forest.Xavier surveys his surroundings, his gaze cold and calculating. "So, what happens to us? You throw it away, the red stone is destroyed...""Well, the Shifters will be able to pass judgment. Werewolves will cease to exist as we know them. I still don't know what that means. Xavier's face crinkles as I speak the words of fate, and his hands leave the crown to wrap around my body."Are you saying that you were essentially going to leave me forever without giving me a chance to say goodbye? After everything I said to you last night? He asks fervently, his breath incredibly close to my ear. I find myself trembling under the threat of indecision.
Murmurs of judgment.The winds howl in the night, but I am not afraid. I am stronger than anything this world has to offer. She gives me strength... and hope.I lean against a tree, bereft of all my energy. Breaths are a commonplace for my species, but I need them... to keep my identity. To exist rather than fade away into the endless haze.There is no blood here. There are no tears or anger, no happiness or laughter. We are only shells, but we still have hope to live. She must come soon, or I will collapse into the emptiness of this world.I know she will send me on my way to deliverance.My eyes flutter and I wake up to the roar of the wind. I wonder why I'm not shaking, then I quickly recognize the warmth of the man right next to me. It's so nice here. I could stay here... forever...I want to say I'm sorry, but I can't form the words.I mean you don't have to do it, but I can't form the words.Be
Ray begins to speak, weaving a story about how the Shifters dragged him into a dungeon and kept him there, feeding him sparingly. I turn away from his story, paying attention only to the werewolves. They look so strong and determined, but beaten and bruised as this world takes its toll. Not a smile is to be found as the pack listens to Ray, and I realize that true joy is long gone. There is relief - that Ray is okay and back in the pack - but also distrust and suspicion. When did we fall apart at the seams, collapsing into the darkness of our fate?Frightened by my own thoughts, my hand unconsciously wraps around Xavier's arm in an attempt to forget. Having the bandage wrapped around our problems and the singularity of predestined purpose so that I don't have to look at it anymore.Probably puzzled by my movement, Xavier gives me a quick glance. His hair grows longer, cascading over his eyes and down his neck. I feel the urge to push it aside, but I hold back as he tur
I stare at the man before me, my fingers tightening on the crown until my fingertips turn white. My knees buckle as a weight as strong as an avalanche hits my shoulders. I can't tell the reality of it, but right now it doesn't seem to matter. In my delirium, I try to form his name with my lips.The man yells something and starts to run towards me. I feel my body slip as the rocky bottom turns into an eternal void. The weight drags me into the abyss, burying my vision in the darkness. I don't have time to think or even breathe, but my descent seems to happen in slow motion, my arms flailing without command or control. And all the while I'm looking through a camera lens, helpless as a glass wall separates me from my body and reality.Until arms encircle my shoulders, taking me up into an unfathomable heat. The familiar smell disarms me and my eyes blink as I begin to realize what's happening. He has returned. He has found me.I had almost forgotten his face and to
"And now fate says I have to try to kill you... and I can't!" He whispers desperately, slowly tilting his head forward and resting in my lap. "Because you deserve to live, just like the Shifters deserve to be sent back until the day of reckoning. They have waited too long."He looks up at me and his eyes flicker between green and red, involuntarily reflecting his will. "Ray...please tell me what will happen if I fulfill the prophecy."There is silence for a minute as he collects himself. Looking at me, he stands up firmly from his position. "The werewolves, the Shifters, and this world will cease to exist as you know it. The Shifters will be able to move on to judgment and will no longer wreak havoc on the outside world. The werewolves... will be without purpose. You will live. I'm sure you will... because you are tangible, unlike the rest of this world."What are you saying?!" I cry, standing up too. I walk over to him and grab his arms. "You're tangible too. Y
It was hard to go back to my realm. When I did, I went straight to my huge crystal ball to see the Earth and learn more about it. I became obsessed, and for hours I scoured the ends of the Earth for any kind of new curiosity that might strike. But at the same time, I did it with a lot of guilt. Because I knew the prophecy. I knew the wishes of fate. And when the framework is laid out, all you can do is build on it and look down, wishing and hoping for the impossible."I knew, but I was watching, watching the world, watching the Shifters swell with sadness, love, pain and fear. Many more went to join the others, drawn by the sweet promises offered by the Earth. As this progressed, I noticed that the Shifters on Earth had changed. They were becoming wild, dissatisfied with the taste of a certain feeling but wanted it all. Those who stayed in our realm began to be more satisfied with their portions than those who left, staying full for longer periods of time. The Shifters on Ear
"This castle is ancient anyway," Ray says, completely ignoring my question. Looking straight ahead, he walks toward a pair of doors and then stops.I almost ask him why he's being so evasive, but the sight before my eyes prevents me from doing so. Speechless, I examine the narrow hallway, with gold-encrusted stone walls and floors covered with a luxurious blood-red carpet. At the end of the hallway is a magnificent set of doors, engraved with many strange designs."What is this..." I murmur in wonder, staring at the carpet and shaking my foot in it. My feet seem to sink into its luxurious depths as I imagine myself falling on it and flying off."This is the most sacred area of the castle. Everything in this world comes from this room." He grabs the handles but keeps them closed, turning to me."How could this-""You'll see. Just take a look. Ray smiles, his eyes softening as we look at each other. He continues to stare at me for a moment, I almost
The crackling of a fire is the first thing I notice when my eyes open. The faint aroma of cinnamon wafts through the room, though tainted by a heavy premonition that I can't quite shake, though I can't quite remember why this mysterious feeling exists.I blink once, twice, trying to consolidate the swirl of colors into something more closely resembling solid objects. Just to convince myself that I'm not crazy, I bang my head against the floor, then roll awkwardly onto my back."Ouch, that must have hurt," a small, muffled laugh erupts as my vision fixes on long strands of brown hair hanging around my face. Still a little dazed, I let my hand brush the hair, then finally a firm chin, tracing her jaw and neck. As if just realizing my actions, I dropped my arm and my mouth opened as I finally registered who the person was that was leaning precariously over me."Ray?" I asked, my hand reflexively moving up to touch his cheek."After passing out when I saw mys