Nueva crawled towards the damp and cold cave wall and hid behind some fallen rocks. Her chest tightened, making every breath wheeze through her swollen throat like a sudden panic attack. Sweat pearls erupted on her forehead, and Nueva could feel the drops build until they flowed down her face stinging her eyes with their saltiness.
How would she save Alula if she couldn't get close enough even to attempt to grab her and run?She could see the shadows crawl over Alula's pale frame under the cave's strange Bioluminescence light source. Above her, thousands of blue lights made from tiny droplets dangled from the ceiling, twinkling like stars in a night sky.Nueva's body was drowning in despair, watching these parasite beings feeding greedily at the expense of their helpless host. Nueva knew that the little girl's life was hanging on by a thread, and if she didn't do something soon, it would be too late to save Alula's life.
Then Nueva saw them sliding down from
Nueva hung crippled over Alula's body on the altar, and everything felt lost; the shadows had almost fully engulfed her, and she was slipping away. That was the moment when the magic finally answered her call.It started in her core, crystalizing through her body, deep into her soul. Her ancestors were giving her fragments of themselves passed down over endless generations. She could feel their presence in the form of proudness and encouragement.The forces of this primordial magic lifted her limp body until it dangled with her back arched mid-air. Around her, the temperature dropped, and ice began to dress the black walls in a shiny glaze. Eventually, Nueva was lowered to the ground, her head tilted forward in silence with a flurry of snowflakes falling out of nowhere.Her warrior braids fell over her rapid-rising chest, and misty tufts floated from every ragged breath in the cold air. Nueva was finally one of them, an Ice sorceress.She was ready to fig
The land seemed quieter with the wind and the thunder gone. It was like Nueva had erased them with the effect created by her light pillar. The reflection from the tiny ice crystal's powerful energy radiating from her magic source had burnt the horrid Badlands until everything was charred black as long as their eyes could see. Finally, the putrid smell of decay had been replaced with the cleansing smell of ashes."Nueva, where are you from?" Alula had wondered curiously, swinging their joined hands back and forth as they walked through the blackened dirt."I am from the human realm," Nueva answered mellowly."Oh, I have never been there. Maybe I can come and visit you one day?" Alula's green skin looked like a beautiful rich summer tan under the reddish sky, making her almost look human for a moment."I would love that." Nueva squeezed her tiny hand, Alula glanced up at her, and her smile was irresistible.Then in the distance, the portal emerged li
Nueva was surprised to find out she had been away for almost a week. Perla explained that Fay's time sometimes worked differently than human time. What had felt like no more than a day and a half had been nearly five days—making tomorrow Saturday and Marigold's birthday party. At least she only had to wait one day to see her best friend's Nueva had chuckled to herself."You look like you need some food. Come inside, dear, and I'll make you something to eat." Perla suggested after taking a closer look at Nueva.In her ear, Alpha Grey whispered, "I will take you home soon, I promise. "As they walked into Perla's cottage.The deep blue rings under Nueva's eyes clearly showed how utterly exhausted she was from the recent day's events. As soon as she returned to the human realm, her body immediately felt the lack of sleep and nutrition sevenfold. Everything that she had endured in the parasite realm hit her like a ton of bricks.Within minutes her cheekb
Nueva opened her eyes to the robust scent of freshly ground coffee beans. Alpha Gray stood in front of her with a breakfast tray. A lonely late-season flower from the garden rested against the mouth of a small decorative vase next to two cups containing the dark velvety brew.The coffee's delightful, original compounds mixed with fluffy buttermilk pancakes gave the room a heavenly aroma. Nueva eagerly sat up with her back against the bedrest as Alpha Gray put the tray over her lap and sat down at the end of the bed opposite her.He looked extra handsome with messy bed hair and dark stubble, and the fact that he was wearing only loose jeans leaving his muscular chest and arms bare added to his picture-perfect look."Oh, you didn't have to make me breakfast," Nueva mumbled with her mouth already full of butter-soaked pancakes."I know, but I wanted to." Alpha Gray said with a soft smile.He reached for his cup and sipped on the hot liquid. "How do yo
A few hours later, the usually empty farmhouse was busting with life. Flames danced in the open fireplace, and the smell of wood and the crackling sound as it burned gave the living room a warm and cosy ambience.Nueva was sitting in the middle of the tanned leather couch with Evie and Mira on each side. They were all talking in each other's mouths, trying to catch up on everything they missed during the last weeks.Miranda was in the kitchen making lunch, and the aromas from her motherly cooking skills filled the house.Grim and Asher were glued to the large smart TV, watching an action movie."I can't get over how stunning you look." Mira sighed and eyed Nueva's snow-white hair and glistening skin."I guess it's OK while I am here with other supernatural beings, but what will people say when I return home?" Nueva said apprehensively."Um, maybe if you use a lot of powder and foundation?" Evie said seriously but in a way that made them all laugh.
After much thought and careful consideration, Nueva had settled on a romantic blushing pink dress that brightened her skin tone and brought out the natural glow of her face. However, it hadn't been easy matching anything with her pale complexion.Next, Evie and Mira kindly helped her apply a soft glam makeup look, and they styled her light platinum hair in loose curls. Nueva studied the finished result in the mirror; she hadn't gotten used to her new otherwordly look.Her previous teenage face had become longer and more angular and refined like a young woman's. She couldn't help it, but Nueva thought she resembled the Fay species but without the pointy ears.Alpha Gray was waiting patiently at the bottom of the stairs, looking fetching in a handsomely tailored grey suit. His crooked smile could win over hearts in the blink of an eye, even hers.Evie and Mira came down after her and chatted excitedly to the Pickup truck.It was a brilliant late autu
They stayed in the garden, embracing each other in silence. It was something so peaceful standing under the dark canopies of the many fruit trees with the radiating orbs peeking through the thinning foliage. The yawning wind made Nueva shiver slightly, and Alpha Gray pulled her closer to his warm chest.She felt so deeply connected to him, and she knew that a genuine relationship should challenge you to move from selfishness to giving and grow beyond your source of solace.And regardless of her and Alpha Gray's relationship being only a ships-in-the-night experience, Nueva would embrace it as a treasured "soul crossing."Even if brief, this chance meeting of their path crossing would have a lasting impact on her life. Nueva knew she would love him unconditionally with all of her heart, either as his mate or not.And almost like he could read her thoughts, Alpha Gray whispered in the crook of her neck, "I don't know how the universe gave me the chance to be
Nueva leaned back onto the countertop and exhaled a shaky breath."What the hell was that?" she mumbled, confused in utter disbelief."He won't be putting his hands on you again if I have something to do with it," Eira's growl rumbled inside Nueva's head. She was still upset that someone dared to touch her human inappropriately."I am glad to have you back." Nueva sighed warmly. "I felt a bit lost without you.""I am sorry I wasn't there for you. I tried, but something was blocking my presence?" Nueva could sense the sorrow in her voice."I think it might have happened so that I was forced to take ownership and connect with my other powers and not depend on yours?" Nueva's tone told of acceptance.She left the kitchen and walked back into the living room. Evie was slow dancing with Flynn, and Nueva was genuinely happy for her friend. Mira was in a deep drunken conversation with Marigold, who had a peculiar look etched on he