Today at Noah’s house had been quite the challenge. He had taught me a very intricate brushstroke and I did not have it perfected by the time I left. He said not to worry about it. That it had taken him years to finally get it right.It hadn’t really made me feel better. I wanted to be an expert in my craft. And Noah had started at a much earlier age. I would be lucky if I mastered it before I died. I said as much and he just laughed.Then he cryptically mentioned that we would be seeing each other a lot more often without any further explanation. I didn’t see how. Arthur had been pretty strict about my working schedule. And now that Noah’s
ArthurArthur's patience was wearing thin. It seemed like every time he turned around, Noah was there, occupying Almara's attention. They had always been close, ever since they had met, but he was tired of him always encroaching on his territory.When they had made the marks permanent, when they had consummated the mate bond, Arthur had foolishly thought that Noah would give up his endless pursuit of Almara, but apparently it had just been wishful thinking.What killed him even more was that Almara couldn’t see through the utter bullshit. She couldn’t see how Noah was ma
NoahThe moon hung low in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the ancient council chamber. Tall, ornate pillars stood sentinel, their marble surfaces bearing the weight of centuries-old decisions.Noah thought it was a bit tacky. Just because they were vampires didn’t mean that they had to decorate in the stereotypical vampire way. Less gothic art pieces would be just as good as the ones that they had hung up.He didn’t say any of that though. The critique would not be welcomed. Instead, he focused on what was in front of him.
AlmaraChapter Seven: Balancing ActsThe scent of fresh paint mingled with the subtle aroma of aging wood as I stepped into the gallery. I hadn’t been expecting that. No one was working on new pieces. Not when the exhibit was only days away. We were all solely focused on preparing for that.So imagine my surprise when I entered the workshop to find Noah sitting behind a canvas. He hadn’t mentioned any new pieces, but apparently he had decided something was missing from the exhibit.I watch
DanaAfter weeks of tireless investigation, Dana stood at the precipice of the truth, her heart pounding in her chest. The dimly lit room seemed to close in on her as she stared at the evidence laid out before her. It was a revelation that would change everything.Roman, the man who she had once served and respected, was not who he seemed. He had royally fucked up and Dana was here for it. Her hands trembled as she held the damning evidence in her grasp.She traced the lines of the incriminating documents, each letter a damning sentence, each signature a betrayal. It was a child, a
AlmaraI couldn’t believe that it was finally time for the exhibition. It had been one of the hardest things I had ever done and now it was here. Butterflies erupted in my stomach as we got ready to open the doors.Noah was a steady presence on one side and Arthur was my rock on the other. For once, the two of them were getting along. Maybe Arthur had finally seen that Noah was nothing more than a friend, no matter what happened in the past.Either way, I was happy that they weren’t adding onto my stress. Molly gave the go ahead and the doors opened. Guests flooded in an
Arthur Arthur couldn't say that he was entirely surprised to learn he had a brother. After all, his father was a man of unpredictable loyalties, often putting his own interests above all else. It was an unsettling truth that Arthur had come to accept over the years.However, what did shock him was the revelation that his newfound brother was none other than Almara's sleazy ex-boyfriend.As the weight of this revelation settled on his shoulders, Arthur retreated to his office, seeking a moment of solitude amidst the chaos in his mind. He needed to process this information, to let it sink in before confronting the realities it presented.Seated behind his desk, Arthur found himself gazing blankly at the assortment of papers scattered across its surface. His thoughts raced, a whirlwind of questions and emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He knew he needed answers, clarity, and most importantly, a plan of action.Questions that he couldn’t even fathom were true raced through his he
AlmaraIn the midst of life's storm, there comes a moment of calm. For me, that moment arrived when Dana was finally out of the picture. The last two months of my pregnancy unfolded in blissful serenity.Gone were the harrowing days of assassination plots, challenges, and unwelcome surprises. It seemed that, at last, I could embrace the prospect of genuine happiness. I could finally have all my dreams come true.The weight lifted from my shoulders was palpable. I had weathered a tempestuous journey, fraught with danger and uncertainty. Dana, a relentless force of opposition, had cast a long shadow over my life.The constant threat of danger had left me perpetually on edge, a sentinel guarding not only her own life, but also the life growing within her. I hadn’t even realized it. Not until Dana was gone for good.I hated that I was the reason that someone was dead, but Dana’s persistence had made me realize that she was never going to stop. She was too blinded by her ambition and obses