Fiona’s POVRowan, Lyn and I set out of Lyn’s car almost at the same time, slamming the doors closed in rapid successions. I heard Rowan release a low appreciative whistle as she stared at the massive mansion that was Jin’s home, The estate was sprawling, surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns that stretched out like a velvet green carpet. Tall wrought-iron gates, adorned with intricate gold filigree, stood as the entrance to the property, guarded by two stone lions that seemed to watch her every move. Beyond the gates, a circular driveway paved with polished cobblestones led to the mansion, where a sparkling fountain with cascading water stood at its center, its marble figures so intricately carved they seemed almost alive.Rowan let out a low appreciative whistle as she stared at the massive mansion that Jin called home. The mansion itself was a masterpiece of modern opulence, a blend of glass, steel, and white marble that gleamed even in the darkness of the evening. Floor-to-cei
Fiona’s POVThe incessant beating of the alarm woke me up and I groggily patted around the soft cozy comfort of the bed until found my phone then turned it off before sitting up, yawning so wide my jaw threatened to snap. I took a look at my surroundings with a sleepy frown, waiting for the gears in my brain to get information before it dawned on me.I’m staying at Rowan’s house. Well, in the spare room to be precise which was a hundred times better than staying at Jin’s. Out of sheer exhaustion I had fallen asleep before my head touched the bed. Taking a look at the room I occupied, I noticed that Rowan’s parents were eccentric in nature.The entire room was an entanglement of mix-matched pieces of furniture and décor yet it brought this ambience of a cozy little haven that just made my heart flutter by mere looking at it.Rowan’s parents were incredibly cool and kind and didn’t make me feel unwelcome or left out. Their genuine kindness seemed almost ironical, but it wasn’t. It’s no
Fiona’s POVI felt rooted on the spot. Like thick green weeds had manifested from the floor and slowly yet persistently wrapped and tangled it’s thick roots around my legs, holding me in place and seeping poison into my body through my skin. Why did they have to be here? Why now? What do I do? I couldn’t beg someone to take my shift when it’s just my first day and I had just clocked in. It would be weird, not to mention unprofessional. Jin was the first to notice me. Genuine surprise and shock filtered his face as his eyes locked with mine silently before averting his eyes like I was invisible. Short of the surprise and shock which had vanished from his face, nothing else was there. It was just blank like a marble. Somehow Helena noticed something was off with her lover because she glanced at his blank face then turned to scour the restaurant with a possessive vicious gleam in her eyes which turned into a saccharine smile that was utterly vile on her lips.She whispered something
Fiona’s POV“Here’s the order for table 22.” A pasty faced, aggressive staff said sharply, sliding tray of food steaming hot.I automatically took the tray without thinking, marching out front when a thought flashed my mind. I turned to the aggressive older lady with an apologetic smile. “Could you please point at the table? I’m yet to—” but the rude cow had already walked off before I could finish.I stood the dazed by the lady’s blatant rudeness and disregard and was about loosing my temper when a younger male colleague replied, “It’s middle table by the left. You can’t miss it. You chatted with the customers briefly like you knew each other.”I blushed bashfully, “Ah, yes. Thank you… and no, I don’t know them that well.”He waved cheerily at me with friendly smile then vanished back to the kitchen.I turned away still smiling. The smile died a miserable death when I looked to see Jin watching me intently before tracking his eyes to the friendly waiter from earlier and a shot of fea
Fiona’s POV“Have you eaten yet?” Lyn asked. I started at his question then stared the brown packaged meal. I had forgotten about the food for a brief moment, too happy from seeing them. “Uh, no. Not yet. It’s not time for my lunch break yet. But thank you for this. It was very thoughtful of you, Lyn. I appreciate it.”Lyn smiled. “No worries. Happy to help.”Rowan gave another eye roll then slapped a palm over Lyn’s smiley face in a nasty face palm that made me grimace from the sickening sound. “Anyways, we’re are ready to order. I don’t know about him, but I’m starving my brains out!”Lyn successfully peeled Rowan’s fingers one after the other off his face then shot her a filthy look. “Must you always be rude and uncouth every single time?”Rowan blew him an air kiss and flashed him a bright smile. “You know you love me.”Lyn snorted in disgust then turned to me with an exasperated smile. He turned to me, “What do you recommend?” “For you I’ll recommend either the Rack of lamb wit
Fiona’s POVIf there was one thing I had wished upon to every divine deity possible, it was for them to take my flimsy, pathetic life right there and then. But no matter how much I screamed mentally in my head, and no matter how much I pleaded for this small, tiny act of mercy, none were forthcoming. An overwhelming sense of déjà vu washed over me and suddenly I was back there on my bed, with tattered clothes, wet from sweat and tears with the many gnarly black long hands clawing and pawing at my skin with this sickening revulsion that flooded bile and disgusting nausea into my body, threatening to claw up my throat until I vomit. But instead of the four monsters leering at me behind ancient demonic masks, these monsters were new and their drunken lust was feral and bloodthirsty. I felt caged, and not just because I was stuck in a dead end, but a special kind of cage made from heavy impenetrable steel bags, running to avoid their greed lust. Why this? Why now? Why must I be caught
Fiona’s POVI couldn’t describe it completely—the emotions coursing through every cell that made up my body feel numb. It felt like I had disassociated from my body and my soul was left floating away into blissful oblivion. “Fiona? Fiona. Sweetheart, can you hear me?” a voice called from a great distance, sounding muddled and slurred. The violent shaking eased but persisted, rattling my soul back into my body, forcefully fusing my soul back into my battered body.Slowly, I got sense and feeling back into my body, beginning from my fingertips where warmth seemed to seep from, before spreading to other parts of my body, kindling life back into my body. I gingerly turned my head to stare into my rescuer’s face and frowned dazedly, still reeling from shock, “Kai?”“Oh, thank God!” he breathed, pausing his relentless shaking to gently cradle me into his arms. “Are you alright? What am I saying, of course you’re not. Are you hurt anywhere?”I frantically shook my head in response. Some of
Fiona’s POVRowan looked visibly shaken as she cleaned the cuts on my face and my hands. Her breath shook as she gently bandaged my bruised wrists. “Flex your wrists a bit. I want to see if it’s too tight.”I flexed my wrists to test the bandages then shook my head. “It’s okay. The bandage is snug enough to move so it’s perfect. Thank you, Rowan.”She nodded, placing back the roll of bandage and bottle of peroxide and tweezers back into the first aid box before discarding the used balls of cotton wool before propping the pillows behind my head, easing me backwards gently until I reclined comfortably on my bed. “Rest up, luv while I warm dinner. You must be starving.”I wanted to protest but she shushed me gently, tucking the soft cozy duvet around me until I was all but purring in the cozy heaven. Now this is the life. Fuck, I can’t believe this was what I was missing. Human empathy and warmth. Someone who wanted me for me without wanting anything in return. I didn’t care for riches.
Fiona’s POVThe moment Lyn arrived, the air seemed to shift, turning sharp and heavy with his presence. His footsteps echoed against the tiled floor, each step firm and deliberate. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked up at him. His usually charming,, playful face was now a mask of cold fury. His pale complexion had drained further, but his eyes—those dark, piercing eyes—burned with something terrifying.He took in the mess around us—the broken chair, the scattered books, my tearful, broken expression and his face darkened further. His lips curled downward, and his voice, low and sharp like a blade slicing through ice, sent a shiver down my spine.“Who,” he bit out, his words slow and deliberate, “gave you the courage to cause trouble right under my nose?”The room fell into a suffocating silence. The group of girls, who just moments ago had been so full of confidence, now shrank back. Even their ringleader, the one who had mouthed off tome first, looked pale. But she still stra
Fiona’s POVThe news about the four Alphas fierce competition for me intensified, spreading like wild fire around the entire school. And with the popularity and rumors came new enemies I knew nothing about. I haven’t seen Helena much ever since I resumed school, and rumors of she and Jin’s untimely break up was gossiped about until went stale. I heard she transferred departments so that was why I rarely saw her. Unfortunately, her suddenly transferring majors left her old clique without a leader. Which was a relief considering the fact that I didn’t have to any other encounters with her. That didn’t mean the trouble stopped. I've been feeling uneasy all morning and had somehow gotten used to stares and whispers. But the moment I stepped into the corridor leading to the library, I felt it—the shift in the air, the weight of unwelcome stares pressing down on me. I wasn’t alone.I barely had time to register the approaching footsteps before a group of girls blocked my path. At the cen
Fiona’s POVJin’s confession filled my brain all day, distracting me through lectures, while having lunch with Rowan. I still hadn’t given him an answer. And then there was, Kai. His persistence was something to be admired, if not entirely irritating. I can’t mention how many instances I have gone out of my comfort zone to avoid him. “Fiona, he’s here again,” Rowan teased spearing a forkful of salad onto her mouth, wagging her brows impishly.“Don’t even start,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.“I’m being serious.” she said, watching something behind me with keen, perpetually mischievous eyes. “And he’s heading this way.”“Oh my fucking goodness.” I sighed, the throbbing in my eyes intensified. “I’m going to the bathroom.”Rowan looked thoughtful. “You could. Or you could sit there and listen to what he wants to say.” “I already what he wants to say.” I muttered. “He’s like a fucking bulldozer at this point.” Rowan chuckled. “I think you’re the only thing on his wants to bulldoze.”
Fiona’s POVI could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me as my words hung in the air. The once lively crowd had gone eerily silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.My gaze swept across everyone present, taking in the reactions of the Kai family elders. They exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of surprise and confusion, as if they couldn’t quite believe what they had just heard.And then, there was Kai. The disappointment in his eyes deepened with every passing second, the flicker of hope he had clung to now dimming into something heavier—something dangerously close to resentment. I felt him grow cold beside me. His jaw tightened, his lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing. He didn’t have to. The disappointment radiated off him like a slow-burning fire, scorching in its quiet intensity.Eugene cleared his throat quietly, searching for what words to use. “A-are you certain we can’t change your mind?” he asked weakly. Jin nearly snappe
Fiona’s POV“Hey, Rowan.”“Fiona? Where are you? I’ve been trying to contact you for three days now! How are you? Are you okay? Please tell me you are?” Rowan’s panicking voice blasted the confines of the car.I grinned at her terrified voice then affected a sober voice, “What if I tell you I’m not okay, and that I’m on my way to the ER to treat my broken bones.”“What!?” Rowan screeched. “Fuck, what hospital is it? Fiona speak the fuck up—” I cackled at her fear. “I’m fine, Rowan. Honest.”“I’m glad my concern is amusing to you.” Rowan hissed. I immediately sobered up. “You know I didn’t mean that. I was joking, darling. I promise I’ll tell you everything when I get back, okay?”“Fine. God knows you owe me one.” Rowan said smartly. “Are you on your way home?”.I glanced at the familiar surroundings zooming past mea before replying, “Uh, no. I’ve got drop by Jin’s house first but I’ll see you later.”“Okay. Are you sure you’re alright?” Rowan probed once more.“Yes, Rowan. I am.” I
Fiona’s POVPanic clawed at me. This was all too much pressure. I watched as Jin rose slowly to his feet, eyeing the writhing shadow monsters skeptically."Okay. Think. There must be something you've missed, Fiona. Think!" I muttered to myself, pressing my eyes closed in concentration. The ancient texts in that old grimoire, the whispered instructions and chants were failing us. My mind raced, a whirlwind of fragmented knowledge, desperate for a solution. Kai was down, Soren and Jin was hurt, and the shadow beasts were relentless. We were running out of time."Think, Fiona, think!" I screamed internally. I scanned my memory, flipping through the pages of countless arcane tomes. Then, a flicker. A forgotten passage. A detail I’d dismissed as insignificant. It was a footnote, almost an afterthought, about alternative activation methods. It was vague, cryptic, but… it resonated. A spark of hope ignited in the darkness of my despair.Immediately, I snapped urgent eyes to the central
Fiona’s POVMy heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the encroaching darkness. No sooner had we begun unloading than I felt them – the pursuers. Their presence was a tangible thing, a cold dread that prickled my skin."The crystals go there," I pointed to a patch of worn earth, where the markings I had made were still visible under my flashlight. "Soren, connect that line to the north node.""Got it, Fiona," growled Soren, his massive form already hefting a heavy stone."Every one get into the circle and do not leave no matter what until I say so." I announced. I focused, pushing aside the fear that threatened to overwhelm me. The magic circle was intricate, a delicate web of power that needed precise placement and intention. My fingers flew across the surfaces of the stones, tracing the ancient symbols and items we had gathered then began chanting the forgotten words. The air shimmered, a faint blue glow beginning to emanate from the circle’s center."They're a
Fiona’s POVThe cavern shimmered with an eerie blue light, the jagged ice crystals reflecting a cold glow that pulsed like a living thing. But we weren’t alone.A sharp gust of wind howled through the chamber, carrying with it a flurry of frost. Then I saw them—ice elemental elves, their lithe bodies shimmering like frost-covered glass. Their piercing, glowing eyes locked onto us, and in an instant, they attacked.“Move!” I shouted, diving behind a frozen stalagmite as razor-sharp ice thorns shot toward us in a deadly barrage.The Alphas scattered, their movements swift and precise. Jin, ever the protector, positioned himself in front of me, sword raised. A shard of ice whizzed past my ear, slicing a few strands of my hair before embedding itself into the ground. I clenched my fists, summoning my energy, but the elves weren’t giving us a moment to breathe.“Go for the leader!” Lyn growled, rolling under a streak of frost magic that turned the stone floor to ice.The elves moved in un
Fiona’s POVThe first clue had led us to the deep swamp behind the old site. It was said that a rare plant, Dark Light Algae, grew here—an essential material for activating the magic array. But as I stood at the swamp’s edge, inhaling the thick, musty air, I couldn’t help but wonder if the legends had conveniently left out the part where we’d have to risk our lives to retrieve it.A dense, eerie fog coiled around twisted trees, their gnarled roots jutting out of the soggy ground like skeletal fingers grasping at the air. Every few steps, the murky water gurgled as if something unseen was shifting beneath the surface. The air was thick, humid, and heavy with the scent of rot and stagnant water.“Ugh, this place reeks,” I muttered, wrinkling my nose as my boots sank into the soft, treacherous earth. Each step was a gamble—too much pressure, and the ground threatened to swallow me whole.“Watch your footing,” Kai warned, his voice strained with concentration as he tested the ground ahe