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
NoahIn the quiet realm of Noah's heart, a tempest of emotions brewed since the day of the exhibition. The vivid hues of art seemed to pale in comparison to the colors that Almara brought into his world. Her presence, once a fleeting glance, now filled every corner of his thoughts.It was a force he could neither ignore nor deny - an inexorable pull drawing him closer to her with each passing moment. As their paths intertwined, Noah grappled with a torrent of emotions, yearning to bridge the chasm between friendship and something more profound.Almara's visits to Noah's house became more than casual encounters; they were threads binding their souls together. In her laughter, he found solace, and in her gaze, he glimpsed a world of unspoken understanding.Their conversations wove tales of shared dreams and aspirations, painting a future that seemed incomplete without the other. Noah's heart quickened at the sound of her footsteps approaching, and time seemed to stretch, willing them to
AlmaraThe rising sun painted the sky in fiery hues as I made my way down the familiar path towards Noah's house. The large house on the hill exuded an air of tranquility that always put me at ease. Their daily meetings were a cherished routine, a sanctuary from the whirlwind of everyday life.As I entered Noah's home, a warm embrace of cinnamon and wood greeted my senses. As always, there was also the underlying scent of paint. The cozy living room, with its plush armchairs and shelves lined with well-loved books, felt like a haven from the outside world.Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enjoy it as much as I usually would. My headaches were becoming more frequent, an unwelcome symptom of being pregnant. Today was no exception; the familiar throb started to pulsate behind my eyes.Noah, sensing my discomfort before I could even say anything as he so often did, moved with a graceful urgency. With a gentle smile, he offered to brew a medicinal tea, an elixir he'd perfected over the year
Almara’s Pov5 Years Later“Cheers,” Arthur sys clinking his mixed drink of vodka and lemonade with my non-alcoholic lemonade. I’m pregnant, again. This pregnancy is completely different than my first two, I actually get to relax. Which is exactly what we’re doing in the manicured garden of our backyard.We sit stretched out on zero-gravity pool chairs, sweat
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&