The red moon has reached its peak. Nia lay unconscious from the wolfbane I'd injected myself with, and yet my skin prickled with unease. I wandered the corridors of this massive castle, running my fingers along the gold stitching embedded into the wall.
I listened to the harmony of the wolves, their feet pounding into the dirt as they ran through the forest. It felt like an earthquake. An unfamiliar yearning embraced my soul, knowing we could never be one of them. We could never run with them for we will always be outsiders.
Contrary to the forest, this castle fell strangely silent. I expected to run into Sophia, maybe even Dylan, but in my current state, I wouldn't be able to protect myself, given the poison has mentally weakened me. I'm surprised I have the strength to walk, but it's only on nights of the full moon that my body is more potent than average, and it can fight off the wolfsbane to not leave any long-term effects on Nia or myself.
Floating down the stairs, I'm quick to leave the silence this castle protruded. Cold, thick mud engulfed my naked feet. Rain softly poured onto my hot body and slowly cooled down the heat which pricked my skin. Not even wolfsbane is strong enough to completely devour a wolf's burning urge to turn on this joyous occasion we call a full moon.
We creatures on Eldora are an abomination of nature. We live to destroy. We seek blood, fear, and pain; it's what we are. We are the darkness; we are chaos. But on nights like these, when Eldora's crimson moon shines down on us all, declaring its power, we are all under its control. We are one.
My body floated through the darkness of the forest, the cool night air brushed softly past my body, and the rain patted against my naked arms and drenched my clothes. My hands brushed through the long, knee-length grass as I grew closer and closer to my destination.
I always find myself here, beside this lake, watching the spirit fish dance circles around the reflection of the red moon. They seem so free, so inexplicably calm on a night that only breeds destruction and chaos.
I wonder- do they hear it? Do they hear the howls? The screams? The sounds of limbs being ripped to shreds? Or does the water drown it all out?
Do they smell it? The air that's so thick with blood, of rotten corpses, or do they dance around that too?
Can they feel it? In the magic that weaves the thread of our universe, the magic they dance to. Is it crying? Are they weeping as they watch all this cruelty, this pain, this suffering?
Are you, mother?
I watch my reflection in the clear, translucent depths as the spirit fish dance. My image grows more and more distorted. "You aren't planning to jump in again, right?"
I allow my eyes to drift at the sound of his voice. I can hear sarcasm woven into his words as he speaks slowly. I wonder if he feels sarcastic or if he wants to feel it. "No. Just watching." I smile softly, keeping my eyes trained on the fish. The sounds of his footsteps grow closer. His warmth slowly creeps around me before he takes a seat beside me, and I couldn't help but give in to the urge of meeting his eyes.
So, so pale.
One leg bent, his knee pointing directly to the sky as the other lay on Eldora in a half cross. My eyes traced his naked upper half slowly. His leather pants were hung so low on his hips that I could see a little pubic hair peeking out. His well-defined muscles that carved a perfect 'V' suddenly grew a dangerous urge to feel every curve and dip of his pecs under my fingers.
"Nieve…" when he speaks that name, knowing it's only for me, awakened desires I didn't think I had. "How perfect we are for the other." he growls, bearing his weight on one, large, muscle defined arm and using the other to brush my long, naturally silver hair behind my ear. Pale eyes boring into purple ones.
"What are you talking about?" my voice left my lips a whisper, the smooth, hard textures of his fingertips leaves a tingling warmth to trail after them.
"Where one is burdened without emotions, the other is consumed." he analyzed, observing my reaction thoughtfully. "What are you afraid of?" A simple question holding a simple answer. Still, there isn't anything simple about it. I felt hesitant to share my darkness with him- to share what lurks behind the wall because it brings him a step closer, closer to what I hide from this beautiful tragedy we call Eldora.
"Why don't you tell me?" I retort. A soft smirk tugs at the contours of his lips but otherwise stays silent. I expected my questions to hang in the air, left alone to our thoughts and the destruction around us. But no, he answered without a drop of hesitation and took me by surprise.
"You. I'm afraid of you." A simple answer I didn't know the meaning of—a response I had to scoff at because it didn't make any sense.
"You can rip my heart out in mere seconds, and I'd be powerless to stop you." I couldn't help but argue, his eyes don't waver when he speaks his next words.
"And you can eradicate me, with a few words." I had to stop the gasp from leaving my lips. I knew what he meant- it's what I've been avoiding this whole time. That power, that strange, yet beautiful power I wanted no part off.
"Then let me go. Save yourself from that pain. Nothing is worth your damn soul." I hiss to him. Was I trying to protect me with those words, or him? I don't know. His answer is immediate, no hesitation in his words as his eyes bore right through my own.
"No…" he allows the word to hang in the air, my heart picks up its rhythm. "My soul be damned, I'll never fucking leave you. Not for myself, and definitely not to the darkness." I allow my hand to sit atop his wrist that still cups my face, waiting for regret to take him, waiting for a lie, hesitation… anything.
Nothing.
"Thunder." the word slipped from my grasp, falling in his lap for him to do with as he pleases. "I don't blame Eldora for being angry. Blood paints his blue word red. Chaos disturbs its rest. Sin distorts its beauty." I tell him, the words slip so quickly as I pull away and watch the spirit fish dance. "But when the sky splits open and unleashes its outrage, I-I…" I couldn't explain it. I couldn't find the words, even conjuring such an image spikes my heart with unease. I can almost hear its distant roar, my hands shakingly sitting atop my ear as if to block it out. "Torture. Pure, endless torture," my voice quivers. I honestly forget I'm speaking to him, that he's here with me at this moment.
"Do you know the origin of the spirit fish?" His words snatch me to reality, asking a question completely unrelated to my fear. I stay silent because, fear aside, I was curious. "There are 8 in total. Paired in twos in the North, West, South and East. They were the beginning of this world and will, no doubt, be the end." One spirit fish glowed a bright lilac-e purple and the other a jet black.
"Only 8, huh? Was it always just 8?" I ask, watching the two swim and twirl, jump and fall, and always in sync like they've been doing it for eons.
"Yes. They are each other's counterpart, and left to my brother and sister to watch over. These are mine to take care of." he reveals, watching me watch them. "The breath of our deity's brought them to life. Amu, the purple one, represents her compassion, her kindness. She holds knowledge and calms the mind when it's uneasy. She brings life to the creatures living without."
"It sounds… wistful." I tell him, he nods completely agreeing with me before my attention shifts to the other.
"Tron. He's the reflection of darkness. He reminds the world we aren't immortal; death will find us all no matter where we run. He's an endless mystery, an unknown entity; a being cloaked in sin, powerful and intimidating." I stare at Tron as Jax continues. "I'm impressed- not many people can handle staring at him for so long and remain sane. But then, you've been on the tipping point most of your life. A peek over the edge is nothing to you."
"No, unfortunately, it isn't." I murmur softly, closing my eyes briefly. "How do you know so much?"
"It wasn't much later when my family and I were created." he announces, only now occurring to me he's a gazillion-year-old but something else weighed on my mind, snatching my curiosity.
"Created?" I met his pale eyes having not realised how close I was to him until I felt his hot breath fan across my face, my hand unconsciously falling onto his steel physique that it looked as though I was laying on him. We watch each other, analysing every detail and committing it to memory.
I bet we painted a lovely picture right now.
Howls echoed in the darkness, paws trampling into Eldora growing louder as the seconds tick by. "Go inside, Nieve. Don't come out until sunrise. The wolves have sensed an intruder and won't rest until your heart stops completely." he tells me. Still, I don't move away so quickly. He doesn't mind.
He's so beautiful.
"And you won't allow that to happen?" I murmur, his eyes narrow, darkening slightly should any harm befall me.
"I'll murder them all." he growls softly, I think it may be the first time I'd seen a flicker of emotion awaken in those pale orbs. "Now go."
"Valerie lets go," Sophia barges into the art room, she seemed uneasy. I raise my brows, a clear indication she needs to explain why, but she doesn't and leaves, expecting for me to follow. I wanted to finish my painting; it was almost complete as my thoughts ran to last night once again as it has done the entire night.'… I'll kill them all…'Would I be a fool to believe that? Maybe it was the look in his eyes, the promise in his words that hadn't made me doubt his words but still. An entire pack? No one has that kind of power. No one would do something so reckless for a mere nobody.Setting my brush down, I follow the youngest Storm through the mansion. Wolves ran in all directions, from the kitchens to the dining hall, to the living space. I didn't see any kids around, nor any humans.I did feel a strange presence, though. It wasn't like that which the Storms carried. This felt… warmer. Something I haven't felt since my mother.
To say I'm surprised is an understatement. I cast an uncertain look in Sophia's direction, but her jaw collides with the floor. I felt awkward and squeamish, this isn't a position I thought I would ever be in, but here I am.An Oracle on his knees, lowering his head to me in both submission and respect. One of which I've never experienced before. "Why are you doing that?" It's a mission to stop my words from quivering before these tensely powerful beings in the room, but I manage, "stand up."He's on his feet in the next instant, amusement flashes in his golden eyes a sure sign he is no doubt an Oracle, "I have waited a long time to meet you, Valerie Ca…" my eyes narrow dangerously at the words he was about to speak, but doesn't.It doesn't surprise me he has the dream-like, gentle tone too. Oracles are delicate by nature; they are the only ones to live on Eldora without being entirely consumed by chaos."Apologies, I forget you no longer stand by
"It feels like four weeks to me," she grumbles.So, the stranger behind me is their brother? That's right; there are three of them. I faintly recall my mother speaking of them. How'd I forget there's a third.
I notice this morning as the silence felt deafening. Nia is perfectly okay when the wolfsbane takes effect the next morning, but I couldn't feel her today. I couldn't sense her. The very essence of my core feels deserted."Sleeping probably," I shrug, she's fine.She may need another day- I continu
We stand beside the lake of Amu and Troy. Jaxson bought me here, and for some reason, Grayson decided to tag along. Why? I have no fucking clue. "Why are you here again?"A crafty smirk smears his handsome features, dark intent glinting his charcoal orbs. "I'm merely curious. I'm almost as old as these fish, little wolf and I havenever
I remember that night. We stood beneath a bleeding sky, droplets of rain gently, streaming down our heated bodies. That night, chaos rang so loudly, my ears suffered. As vapours of black clouds floated over us, my world crumbled to ashes and slipped through my fingers.It was when
"Hey," I call. I'm standing in a tree, staring at the frightened woman in the next tree ahead of mine. She turns so quickly, baring her teeth at me in a fierce position.Maybe I shouldn't have snuck up on her as I did.
They're fast, like seriously fucking fast. I've never encountered such speed, not even when I was escaping a fucking Vampire. Why the hell did I feel the need to help Oliva? I should have left her to the wolves and continue with my day.Now I sound like my father.
Well shit, its the end!Damn, I really enjoyed writing this novel. I loved the lessons its taught me and I love the person I've become through writing this book. Especially Valerie. I love who she's become. I love she's finally able to trust those around her, I love that she continues to fight no matter how much times life interferes, intent and making her stay down!I wanted a character who doesn't hide their emotions, a character who embraces them but is also burdened by them. I wanted a character who wore her heart on her sleeve no matter how dangerous it was especially in a cruel world.I think thats what was so special about her, she wore her feeling like armour and it was beatiful and dark. And it was weak, and it was strong. And it was dangerous, and it was safe.Damn, what the fuck am I doing in my feeling?! I'm getting tiery eyed over here.Comment what you loved most about the novel in general and tell me who your favourite characte
A soft chuckle escapes my lips as a warm hand sits on my shoulder. I don't know why I'm laughing. But I can't help myself, and I can't stop. "Nieve..." "I-I'm s-sorry..." I try to stifle my laughter, holding my stomach as tears threaten to fall. Happy or sad - I have no fucking idea. Either way, I can't stop. She's gone. Theia's gone - as fate so cruelly ordained. I laugh - because once again, they won. Those three spinsters were playing with Theia's life like it was a game to them. They played with mine, and they played with Freya's. Theia, as the oldest sister - cursed, to only feel loneliness and death.
I blink, laying in a meadow that seems to reach for miles. My head on my arms, finding shapes in the clouds to occupy my thoughts. It feels nice here. It feels peaceful. I tilt my head to the side and reach out towards a Daisy when a familiar voice reaches my ears. "So, you're finally awake," I jump slightly, shocked by the intrusion into my thoughts. My mind and body relax instantly, recognising the voice. "Oh, it's just you. You scared me!" I accuse, a smile splitting across my face. She tilts her head, her arms wrapped behind her back, holding her smile. "Really? I'm sorry," she giggles, not at all sorry. Standing up, I brush the dirt off my dress only to tilt my head staring at myself for what feels like the first time. My hands, legs and feet - they're small? I realise I'm a kid again. Wait-... again? "I think I've been dreaming," I speak my thoughts without fear, holding her soft hazel orbs with my amethyst ones.
Nia withdraws back into the safety of my mind, so now I sit on the cave grounds watching in absolute shock the power extruding from Freya.It momentarily occurs to me I'm naked, but the current circumstances prevent me from caring.Freya tilts her head and stares at the roof, blinks, and it all shatters. Jaxson is already over me, holding me bridal style and disappearing into the blackness.But as soon as we all attempt to disappear, we're forced out. "Don't leave yet, little sister. You and I - we have a prophecy to fulfil," Freya chuckles, causing me to freeze."I won't let it come to pass," I snap. Even Freya's voice feels wrong to hear. As I look into her eyes, there is no light - only
There she is, sitting in a monk position, her eyes closed - waiting. A large blue and green bonfire burns behind her, its heat crawling across my skin but, it doesn't burn.Her long icy white hair cascades down her back and sits behind her on cave grounds, relaxed. I know she knows we're here. The cocky curve of her lips proves it.Sophia makes the first move, "Alikurda verous," her voice sounds deeper as her eyes turn blue. Her heels stomp into the ground, and the roof of the cave falls on to Freya.Freya stays in her position, her eyes remaining shut. The stones hover just inches above her head, and her eyes finally flutter open. She sneers, "do not mock me, Witch."She lifts
"Um... who the fuck are you?" A gorgeous woman sits on a chair. Her one leg crossed over the other appearing stoic. Damn, she looks like a warrior goddess - but who the fuck is she, and why is she sitting in my hideout like she owns the damn place?"I am Aurora, Nymph of wind," it suddenly clicks who she is - she's the one Kyro mentioned. In less than a second, her nose is just inches from mine."So... your Brother Kyro's Kefta?" She murmurs, assessing me carefully."Um, yeah - I guess. As nice as this meeting is, shouldn't you be fighting a war about 30 miles west from here?" I drawl. Aroura blinks and pulls away."Ahh, yes. Though Kyro didn't need to blackmail me into it, I w
"You shouldn't be able to do that! Voce de Oracle should only be used once, for a certain time-..." Freya laughs as if realisation dawns on her, "you think, once you're finished with me-... the Gods will let you live with such abilities at your disposal?! Now I understand why you must die, no matter how you planned this battle, the Carson Sisters must not exist - if Fate wills it so!""Say what you will, Freya - I won't fight with you," I spit. Maybe she's right. But I've already made my peace with death - haven't I?No! I'm supposed to return to Theia. I'm supposed to confess to Jaxson. I want to live, but not if it means joining forces with Freya.Before I can say a word, Kyro's hand sits on my shoulder, "Kyro, what are you...?" Freya begins, but we disap
Nia's eyes bleed through mine as power sizzles and cackles around me, "Charge!" Freya seethes.I take a couple of steps forward and make a foreign symbol with my hands that I somehow knew. As I continue to walk, clouds of purple mist float out of me. My body becomes transparent - like a ghost. And Nia's spirit stands tall beside me as we continue to walk.Charming suddenly appears beside me, words of compulsion breezing past his lips that make the mud creatures go crazy. Jaxson and Grayson are next as Sophia floats above us, and with us - our army follows.Slow at first, only to start running. Faster and faster. With every step closer, our purpose only grows fiercer.We clash!&
"Emree! Take Theia to Bloodhound. She'll be safe in my father's office, far enough from here," I order, pushing Theia towards Emree, but Theia resists holding onto my arm."No! I'm staying with you!" She yells. Her gaze burns into mine with determination. I can hear shouts and scream coming from the distance, and I resist the urge to run towards it, falling on to my knees beside Theia to cup her small face."Listen to me, do you trust me?" I ask. She blinks, taken by surprise."Of course I do, but I want to protect you. What if something happens...!" Theia falls into a rant. I can clearly see worry reflect in her eyes."Look, whatever happens, happens. I can't predict the end o