Through the darkness she fell, and fell, and fell. She could feel him nearby but saw nothing beyond the spinning shadows and stars as they enveloped her. Amerie squeezed her eyes shut, her stomach churning from the endless tumbling. She wanted to cry out for him, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. Just when she was sure she was moments from breaking into pieces against the ground, two strong but delicate hands caressed her face, a hand on each cheek. The nausea subsided, replaced by a sense of unease and alertness. Muffled whispers echoed around her. She opened her eyes and bit back a scream. It was not Asmodeus’s face she saw, but a faceless queen with a crown that looked as if it had been plucked from the night sky. Golden brown waves framed the Queen’s pale, blank face. Orange and gold light danced along the waves of the Queen’s hair making her glow. Heatless flames encircled them, blocking out the swirling darkness. The flames whispered to Amerie, called to her. “P
She knew those eyes. Had gazed into them for months, wondering why she did not want for more with their owner. Had watched the light leave them as his blood soaked her hands. A sob escaped her as her gaze fell on the bright white scar sliced across the beast’s dark abdomen. The dragon rumbled and dipped its enormous head to her in greeting. Dark wings scraped the ceiling of the cave sending small pebbles tumbling down and splashing in the shallow water. The beast was nearly too large for the outcropping it had tucked itself into, but it made no effort to move despite being free of chains. A spiked tail flicked in anticipation. “This is Vinterion. He was meant to be Everett’s dragon.” The gentle sympathy on Asmodeus’s voice did nothing to dull the pain of the loss. “The scar?” she whispered, her eyes tracing the thin line that perfectly mirrored the killing blow. “As rider and dragon, they were connected. The only thing that saved Vinterion’s life was that they had not yet met, so
Amerie sighed as she set the box she was holding on her old wooden kitchen table. Her heart felt heavy, yet free. She’d made it.She couldn’t help but smile to herself as she looked around at the partially unpacked boxes scattered throughout her new home. It had been a real effort to scrape together the money to buy this cozy house near the lake. The house was rather small, only two bedrooms and one bathroom. Behind her, dark cabinets and a gray slate counter accompanied a small sink, electric stove, and old fridge. To her right, a narrow hallway led to one of the bedrooms, the bathroom under the stairs, and a small office space near the front of the house. To her left, large black paned windows allowed her a view of the glacier blue mountain lake past her wrap around deck. Her living room contained a tan leather couch under a set of bay windows which was currently covered in a plethora of pillows and half folded blankets. A small coffee table and broken entertainment stand were the on
The next day, Amerie drove the twenty minutes into town to pick up some groceries and explore the shops in the town square. The small town of Luna Park was even more magical in person than it had seemed in the pictures online. It looked like a post card with its white and brick buildings with dark brown roofs against the tall mountains and blue sky. Yellow flower bushes were scattered on street corners and the yellow and orange fall leaves of the Aspen trees lined the roads. The Main Street had lights strung overhead along with a pumpkin themed banner proclaiming the approaching Fall Fest in three weeks. The smell of fresh bread and pastries wafted in through Amerie’s half down windows. The town looked alive with people milling from store to store. Children flocked to the farmer’s stand with pumpkins to taste the kettle corn and caramel apples. People noticed the unfamiliar car and looked at her curiously, but they all smiled and waved a welcome. She smiled back and flipped her long
On Saturday morning, Amerie sat out on her deck, coffee in hand, watching Milo play in the yard. Amerie had gone back into town to explore the other shops a couple times. She’d even bought herself a new entertainment stand and taken the broken one to the dump. She had met a few more people, and everyone had been kind and welcoming. It was starting to feel like home. Tonight, she was meeting Blaze and her sister at the bar, and she was somewhat surprised to find that she was excited. She smiled and sipped her coffee.Milo ran up and dropped his ball at her feet. She proceeded to play a few rounds of fetch with him, until Milo halted halfway back to the deck. He whipped his head towards the woods and dropped the ball. His tail was straight and high. Amerie’s heart skipped a beat as she followed his gaze towards the line of trees closest to them. She saw something move and squinted. Milo whined and dipped his head just as the head of a white wolf became visible. Amerie froze. She calle
Amerie parked just down the street from the bar and climbed out of her car. It was a couple minutes before seven and the sun had just set, painting the sky in deep purple and orange hues with strokes a pink highlighting the few clouds that hung in the sky above the mountains. A navy midnight crept in from the east, pulling the blanket of shimmering stars and glowing crescent moon with it. Amerie walked to the bar, the heels of her boots clicking on the cobblestone sidewalk. She was surprised to see that the town was just as alive as it had been during the days. There were families leaving restaurants, kids running around and tossing coins in the fountains, and couples walking hand in hand under the glow of the buzzing street lamps. A small line had already began to form at the bar. Amerie craned her neck to look for Blaze and spotted her short black hair just as Blaze turned around. “Tennessee! You made it!” Blaze clasped her hands together. She had foregone the round glasses and cu
Amerie dreamt of a snarling white wolf covered in blood and something black. Red dropped from the trunks of the trees. It looked like the trees themselves were bleeding. The hawk that Amerie had seen earlier was strewn out on the forest floor, its wings bent at unnatural angles. Lightning illuminated the sky, but no rain fell and no thunder sounded. A sinister laugh echoed. A man’s voice screamed her name-Amerie awoke with a start. She was breathing heavily and covered in beads of sweat. Her hands were tightly clutching the sheets. Milo sat up and looked at her, whining. Amerie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then patted Milo on the head. “I’m okay, boy. It’s okay.” He whined and licked her face, then laid his head on her stomach. Amerie ran a hand down her face and grabbed her phone to check the time. It was just a few minutes before seven. She groaned and rolled over. It had been after 2:30 when she got home this morning, but she already knew she wasn’t going to be able to
There was so much blood. It was on Matt’s truck door. A large puddle was on the floor by his front wheel. The mess by the door to the building looked as if Matt had tried to fight back. Claw marks littered the outside of the door. What the hell had happened?Some rangers jumped into their vehicles to scour the forest and check nearby roads. Allen had three remain at the office to man the phones and radios. A request for assistance was sent to the police station. Others, Amerie included, followed Allen into the forest armed with guns and gear, tracking the paw prints.“Keep your eyes peeled,” Allen commanded. Tyler’s eyes were wide beside Amerie. “Anyone else notice there aren’t any drag marks?”“Or footprints,” Maya added quietly.The team continued pushing into the forest. A black eagle landed on a pine branch just ahead of them. It turned its golden eyes toward the group and screeched. A freezing wind smacked into the group, sending three of their hats tumbling into the underbrush
She knew those eyes. Had gazed into them for months, wondering why she did not want for more with their owner. Had watched the light leave them as his blood soaked her hands. A sob escaped her as her gaze fell on the bright white scar sliced across the beast’s dark abdomen. The dragon rumbled and dipped its enormous head to her in greeting. Dark wings scraped the ceiling of the cave sending small pebbles tumbling down and splashing in the shallow water. The beast was nearly too large for the outcropping it had tucked itself into, but it made no effort to move despite being free of chains. A spiked tail flicked in anticipation. “This is Vinterion. He was meant to be Everett’s dragon.” The gentle sympathy on Asmodeus’s voice did nothing to dull the pain of the loss. “The scar?” she whispered, her eyes tracing the thin line that perfectly mirrored the killing blow. “As rider and dragon, they were connected. The only thing that saved Vinterion’s life was that they had not yet met, so
Through the darkness she fell, and fell, and fell. She could feel him nearby but saw nothing beyond the spinning shadows and stars as they enveloped her. Amerie squeezed her eyes shut, her stomach churning from the endless tumbling. She wanted to cry out for him, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. Just when she was sure she was moments from breaking into pieces against the ground, two strong but delicate hands caressed her face, a hand on each cheek. The nausea subsided, replaced by a sense of unease and alertness. Muffled whispers echoed around her. She opened her eyes and bit back a scream. It was not Asmodeus’s face she saw, but a faceless queen with a crown that looked as if it had been plucked from the night sky. Golden brown waves framed the Queen’s pale, blank face. Orange and gold light danced along the waves of the Queen’s hair making her glow. Heatless flames encircled them, blocking out the swirling darkness. The flames whispered to Amerie, called to her. “P
She didn’t want to be at the pack house. She didn’t want to listen to Mae screaming at Charlotte to get over her obsession with Apollo. She didn’t want to listen to Theo begging Laney not to fight again. She didn’t want to see Kierian’s eyes boring holes in Apollo’s head for not letting him go after Blaze. She didn’t want to see Brynn pacing, scheming for a way to sneak over to the camp.But most of all, Amerie didn’t want to hear the cries of those who had lost a friend or family member on that battlefield. No. She wanted to tear through the camp, burning every horrible creature alive. She wanted to pluck the captives from the grip of death and terror and lead them unharmed from the ashes and smoke and deliver them back to their homes. She wanted to see the flames dance in the depths of Asmodeus’s eyes. Apollo spoke to those gathered, ensuring them that their loved ones had not died in vain. His voice was soothing and confident as he told them more about the Ancients and the truth
Asmodeus had been there. He’d said it had all been for her. Then Everett died. Blaze disappeared. Pack members were killed.How could this be for her? Anger filled her entire being. She watched the blurred trees as Asteri sprinted through the forest, a white wolf matching pace with her. Apollo.Had the Ancients removed Everett as a way of forcing her closer to Apollo? They knew she would be stronger when she was with her counterpart. Did Everett really die as a part of their games?She didn’t want to sulk in the recesses of her mind anymore. She wanted to see them burn. Every last one of them. Asmodeus had been part of this latest scheme. He’d burn too, and his shadows would turn to ash in the wind. The new part of her was silent, observing and waiting. It felt like a lost piece of her true self, but a veil still separated her consciousness from it and shrouded it in mystery. She could feel the power and strength emanating from behind that veil. A voice older than the skies whispere
Someone was yelling, but they were far away and their voice was faint. Amerie ignored them. It didn’t matter. Everett was dead. Something fell in front of her, warm and wet. Everett was dead. Her body was hot. That same person yelled again. She couldn’t save him. “Amerie!” Whoever shouted for her was still so far away. She couldn’t open her mouth to call out to them. All she tasted was ash. Her throat was so dry and sore. A strange hiss sounded from nearby. It didn’t matter. She was the Great Other, but even that didn’t matter. Her powers didn’t matter. She couldn’t save him. Everett was dead. She could feel Asteri pushing her to move but her legs wouldn’t. Something soaked through the bottom half of her pant legs where she knelt on the ground. All she could see was Everett’s blank face, eyes unseeing. Asteri pushed again. Amerie didn’t fight. She fell deep into her mind, wanting to wake up from this strange nightmare. Four black, bloodied paws hit the mud just as a serpe
Amerie was covered in blood and she couldn’t tell how much of it was hers. Screams, yelps, hisses, clicks, snapping bones, and the tearing of flesh rang out across the clearing. It was a nightmare. She’d lost sight of her friends shortly after the start of the massacre but didn’t have the luxury of pausing to search for them. She sprinted for a gray wolf that was struggling against two winged beasts. One with a serpent’s head struck the wolf’s flank, eliciting a high pitched yelp from the canine. Amerie shot arrows of flame at the beast, nailing it in all four eyes and effectively blinding it. The other beast with a head similar to a frog growled at Amerie and turned toward her. The wolf took lunged for the beast’s neck but missed as the beast spun, knocking the wolf on its side. Amerie let a ball of flame fly, but she was a second too late. The beast splayed its paws to reveal razor like claws nearly four inches long, bringing them down on the wolf’s chest and splitting it open. Th
Asteri burst through the trees like a shadow of fur in the sun, panting hard as she threw herself at the pack house ahead. She shifted when she hit the front steps and gasped to catch her breath. Just as she reached for the door, it was thrown open and she met Apollo’s wide golden eyes. “Beasts,” she managed to say between gulps of air, “coming this way.” Another gasp. “Ambush.”Apollo pursed his lips and gently grabbed her elbow to pull her inside, wrapping her exposed body in a gray blanket.He guided her to a bench in the hall and motioned for her to wait. Amerie attempted to concentrate on slowing her breaths but she knew the beasts were approaching. There had to be nearly a hundred of them closing in. She finally calmed her breaths enough to focus on listening for who was in the house. Blaze and Kierian were giggling in a room up the stairs. Everett talked on the phone about the town riots, likely to his deputy that she’d met at the nature center. Knives thudded against a wooden
The sun rose on a sparkling lake, painting the sky in hues of lavender and pink. Amerie sat perched on a boulder along the shore, watching as the forest shifted from nocturnal creatures to those that sang with the sun. Though spring was around the corner, the bite of the winter air remained and ice and snow still clung to the landscape. Amerie sighed, her breath forming a small white cloud in front of her before vanishing. Today was the day she was meant to face Asmodeus in the clearing. Today was the day the Ancients planned on her eliminating what she’d been led to believe was the biggest threat. Asmodeus had stood at the edge of the forest before the sun fell the day before, likely awaiting her answer to his offer. She had met his gaze and held it, letting tension and unanswered challenge hang in the air between them for a moment before turning away without a word. She’d walked back inside without a second look, not even turning when he had called out her name. She couldn’t. If h
Amerie chewed on the inside of her cheek as she sat opposite of Apollo, his words sinking in to her and everyone else. Mae stood leaning against one of the bookshelves to the left. Kierian sat in a chair to the right, leaning forward with his thumbs under his chin and fingers pressed together in front of his mouth. His eyebrows were drawn together as he considered everything that had been said. Brynn shifted uncomfortably on her feet beside the door. Her sister had not showed up this morning— likely working the store. Everett sat leaned back in the chair to Amerie’s left, lightly scratching the stubble along his jawline. “Eight people,” Everett murmured. He shook his head, not bothering to lift his gaze from the floor as he added, “They’re calling for a hunt. They want to see the Wolf Man strung up in the town square.”Amerie’s eyes flitted to Apollo. His face was hard and his golden eyes looked ready to burn through armies of Embertaurs and beasts. He was not bothered by the fact th