Luxiana Sommeris“Hey, Xiana! Are you okay? You almost fell!” Anton’s voice sliced through the lingering echoes of the vision that still held me captive, dragging me back to the present moment. The warmth of his hand, firm and steady against my waist, anchored me as if tethering me to reality itself.His eyes searched mine, worry etched into the subtle lines of his face. “Can you still walk properly?!” he asked, his voice rising in panic.I didn’t answer right away. My lips parted as if to speak, but the words felt heavy like they would betray me the moment they were spoken aloud. Instead, I let the pause stretch between us, long enough to watch his concern morph into confusion.“You miss her a lot,” I said finally, my voice barely more than a whisper, “But you can’t change or do anything anymore.”Anton froze, his brows drawing together in a knot of bewilderment and unease. “What are you talking about?” he asked.For a moment, I hesitated, still reeling from what I had seen in that
Luxiana SommerisDamien’s laugh pulled me out of my swirling thoughts, “Two glasses? Really? I can’t imagine. That must have been so embarrassing for you.”“Not really,” I replied, brushing off the comment with a small shrug. “But I did decline when Anton offered to take me home.” My words lingered for a moment before I sighed, a deep breath escaping as though it might lighten the weight on my chest. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t shake Anton from my mind. Something about the way he reacted earlier about what I said kept replaying in my head, like an itch I couldn’t quite reach.“Anton, huh?” Damien’s voice broke through again, his tone light but layered with something I couldn’t quite place. Was it amusement? Curiosity? Perhaps even mockery. “You two seem to be getting pretty close.”I shot him a look, mildly defensive, though I tried to keep my tone even. “Is there a problem with that? We’re working together on the upcoming library event, so we’ve been spending time toget
Luxiana SommerisThe next day, I couldn’t bring myself out of bed. It felt like a boulder pressing down on my head, trapping me beneath the warmth of my blankets. I didn’t know this is how bad this hangover was. Still, behind this pain, the memories of what Damien had shared lingered in my mind like a shadow, clinging to me with a persistence I couldn’t escape. It was as if his actions and warmth had etched onto my soul, refusing to be forgotten. We stopped touching each other when I woke up, but the question haunted me: If I hadn’t woken up, would we have crossed the boundary I asked him not to step on?These thoughts gnawed at the edges of my sanity, relentless and unyielding. Even now, I couldn’t fully grasp what we had done the night before.It replayed in my mind like a forbidden melody, and my stomach twisted with equal parts of curiosity, desire, and fear.Hours slipped by as I lay there, unable to summon the energy to move. Eventually, I realized the day was moving quickly.
Luxiana Sommeris“Crap, crap,” I muttered under my breath, wiping sweat from my forehead as I pushed myself to keep going. My lungs burned, each breath ragged, but I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. The shadows were still behind me, stretching closer with every second.If I stopped now, they would catch me. I didn’t even know how long I’d been running. Minutes? Hours? Time blurred when fear had its claws in you. My legs were screaming in protest, threatening to buckle beneath me, but I kept forcing them forward. The thought of what they might do to me was enough to drown out the pain.A shiver ran down my spine as fear coiled around my chest like a snake. My mind whispered one unsettling truth: They won’t stop until they have you.Then it happened. My foot caught on something, and I tumbled forward with a startled cry. “Ah!” My body crashed hard against the ground, a sharp jolt of pain racing through me as I landed on my back. For a moment, I just lay there, dazed, my eyes staring
Luxiana SommerisDamien stared at me for a long moment, his piercing eyes unreadable, before finally moving closer. He approached quietly, draping a soft robe over my shoulders. The warmth of his hands brushed against my waist, steady and reassuring, as he gently guided me toward the bathroom.The room was dimly lit, the shadows stretching like silent witnesses to our unspoken thoughts. Once inside, he reached for the bathtub, turning the knobs until water began to flow steadily. The sound of running water filled the silence, creating a small cocoon of calm between us. Without a word, Damien summoned a flickering flame in his hand, its golden glow casting an ethereal light across his sharp features. He directed the flame toward the water, warming it with effortless precision. “Get in,” he said softly, his voice low but commanding. “I’ve heated it for you.”He paused, his gaze fixed on the rippling water. “You need to wash the dirt, scrapes, and bruises on your body,” he continued,
Lilith“Fire? Most of my incubi and succubi can’t conjure fire anymore. Are you seriously trying to turn me against my people?” My voice was cold, but my teeth clenched tightly, betraying the tension boiling beneath my composed facade. “It’s best that you leave now.”I stepped forward, the sharp sound of my heels echoing against the stone floor. “Who knows? Maybe your victim’s light was powerful enough to defeat your walkers,” I added, my fists curling so tightly that my nails bit into my palms.Morpheus didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he hovered in place, silent and unnervingly still. For the first time in ages, I allowed myself to look at him truly. His form now carried the weight of time and wear. His face was pale and sunken, and terrifying.Yet, he still clung to that tattered, threadbare cloak, its frayed edges fluttering gently as he floated mid-air.“If this is the case,” he finally said, his voice low and sharp like a dagger unsheathing, “my people will continue investi
Luxiana SommerisHis confession hit me like a tidal wave, surging through my chest and leaving me breathless. For a moment, the room seemed to blur around us.I stared, trying to process the weight of his words, the depth of his vulnerability. As his friend—or perhaps, only his co-worker—I had never imagined my presence, let alone my…abilities, could provoke something so raw within him.I glanced down at my hands, tracing the faint lines of my palm before my eyes landed on the small necklace resting against my collarbone. My fingers curled around it instinctively, seeking an anchor, a moment of clarity before I lifted my gaze to meet his again.Anton ran a hand through his disheveled hair, the movement almost desperate, a dry laugh escaping his lips. It was a hollow sound, devoid of the lightness I was so used to hearing. “I know what I’ve been doing is foolish,” he admitted, his voice laced with a bitter edge. “Honestly, I’m not even sure why I thought it would help me forget her.”
Luxiana Sommeris“She wanted to see you happy,” Margaret continued, her voice softer now, almost wistful. “She kept telling me how she dreamed of you having your own family. But she was always… worried about something. I didn’t understand it then, but now…”Margaret trailed off, her expression clouded. When she finally spoke again, her words sent a shiver down my spine. “Before she passed, she asked me to watch over you. She told me to look after you, especially if—if you ever started acting suspiciously,” she added.“Suspiciously?” I repeated, my brow furrowing. “What’s that supposed to mean?”Her gaze met mine, and in her eyes, I saw a mix of apprehension and something deeper—something she wasn’t ready to say out loud. “I don’t know,” she admitted softly. “But she made me promise, and your grandmother never asked for anything without a reason.”A chill crept over me, and I clutched the necklace around my neck, its weight suddenly heavier than ever. “Have you been well, Xiana? All
Luxiana SommerisSurprisingly, Anton hadn’t bothered me, even when our paths crossed throughout the day. It was unusual, given his persistent nature, but I welcomed the quiet. Margaret, however, noticed my silence and bombarded me with questions. She asked repeatedly why I seemed so withdrawn, but I brushed her off with a shake of my head and refused to engage.By the time the clock struck the end of our shift, I was eager to escape the day’s tension. I left the office first, hoping to avoid any further interactions. Anton caught up to me just when I thought I was in the clear.“Xiana, can we go have that coffee now?” His voice was soft yet insistent, and he gently caught my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.I sighed deeply, turning to face him. “Anton, I’m not sure this is the best time,” I said, biting my lower lip. “I have some research to finish.”“But… could we, just this once, make time for it today?” he asked, his voice almost pleading. “I promise I won’t bother you after this.
Luxiana SommerisDamien stepped back into my room, filling the quiet space as the door closed behind him. I was already lying in bed, my body draped beneath the soft blanket, though my mind was far from restful. My gaze followed his every move, a blend of anticipation and unease tightening my chest. He didn’t speak immediately, and I waited, holding onto the silence like a thread that might snap.“So, who was it?” I finally asked, my voice trembling just enough to betray my nerves. A part of me dreaded his answer—dreaded the possibility of half-truths or secrets he might choose to keep.“It was Lilith,” he murmured, his tone steady but low as if her name alone might summon her presence. He moved toward the edge of the bed and sat down, his weight dipping the mattress slightly. “She wanted to know how we were doing. Probably hoping to catch us... doing something she could twist into her narrative.”His words settled in the air like a thick mist, and I nodded slowly, chewing on my lip
Luxiana Sommeris“You’re here early and what’s with that long face?” Damien’s smooth, velvety voice startled me as he appeared beside me. I hadn’t even heard him enter the room, and his sudden presence in the quiet dream realm made me flinch.Well, I got here first because I left the waking world early tonight. Staying late at the café with the others had been unbearable—they wouldn’t stop teasing me about Anton.Margaret had been the worst instigator, her grin far too knowing as she threw out little jabs. What made it even more mortifying was that Anton blushed the whole time!Now, I couldn’t stop overthinking it, playing his reaction on an endless loop in my head. Was he embarrassed? Flattered? Annoyed? I had no idea how to read him.“Just tired, I guess,” I muttered, sinking further into the plush, dreamlike bed conjured by my imagination. “The quiz bee is finally over, and now the holiday season is coming—the one where I’ll be spending it alone again.” I let out a deep sigh.Dam
Luxiana Sommeris“No, Xiana, you shouldn’t be like that.” Anton’s voice was heavy with worry as he approached me, his brows furrowed in concern. His hands gently cupped my cheeks, his touch hesitant but firm enough to hold my attention. “You’ll be devastated when he’s gone,” he added softly, his voice almost breaking.I let out a quiet sigh and shook my head, brushing his hands off me as gently as possible without losing my resolve. “Anton,” I began, my tone steady but laced with frustration, “I’m an adult. I’m fully capable of taking responsibility for my actions.”I straightened my posture, trying to maintain a calm composure even as I felt a flicker of anger at his persistence. “It’s none of your concern,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze without flinching. “I hope you understand that. I know what I’m doing.”But Anton refused to back down. He shook his head, his eyes darkening with frustration. “You’re getting attached to him,” he shot back, his voice rising just enough to draw
Luxiana Sommeris“Okay, so we’re done with this, right?” Anton asked, his fingers scrolling through Canva as his brows furrowed in concentration. His question made me nod instinctively.“Yes, finally,” I replied with a small sigh of relief, leaning back in my chair. The last of the social media posts had been scheduled, the tarpaulin banner outside was already up, and registrations were pouring in steadily.“We’ve finished everything,” I added, scratching the back of my head as the weight of the workload began to lift. “I’m so glad we got this done. We almost forgot about it entirely.”Anton chuckled softly, swiveling his chair to face me. “We didn’t forget. We just had too much on our plates, as usual,” he said with a playful shrug.He tilted his head, giving me a thoughtful look. “Do you want to grab some coffee after we hand this to Margaret?”I considered his offer for a moment, then nodded. “Sure. I’ll let Margaret review everything, and then we can focus on the quiz bee preparat
Luxiana SommerisWe stayed in that position, both our bodies burning with desire, igniting something deep inside me that I couldn’t control.Damien’s movements became more deliberate, faster as if he was on the edge of losing control. It felt like he was trying to push me to the brink.“I’m going to release it in your mouth,” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. Just as he said, he stopped for a moment, and I felt the warmth of his release filling my mouth.He wasn’t done yet, but he seemed eager to see me swallow, the excess liquid dripping from my mouth.“You look so damn hot,” Damien murmured, dark desire lacing his words. “Come here, I’m going to please you.”I should have felt scared by his intensity, but all I could feel was the raw need pulsing through me. I wanted to feel that release too, and I knew he could help me.I glanced at him, his thing still hard, still ready. How was that possible after everything? A shiver ran through me when he chuckled softly.“I can alm
Luxiana SommerisAn Oneiromancer. The word echoed in my mind like a bell tolling in an empty cathedral, filling the void left by unanswered questions. My great-grandmother had wielded this power—a responsibility as much as a gift—and now it was passed to me.Despite finding so many answered questions, new questions arose: Why was it so crucial that Morpheus never find out?With a sigh, I closed the journal, the leather cover cool against my palms, and rubbed my temples to soothe the growing ache in my head. The revelations were overwhelming, piling up like a storm cloud over my thoughts. All I knew for certain was this: my grandmother had not been a wielder. Her mother was the last. Did that mean my parents weren’t either? Could it be that she’d kept this from me because she thought it would never resurface? That the gift—or curse—would skip me altogether? What had happened to her mother? And wasn’t aging supposed to halt once someone became an Oneiromancer? I read that in a book
Luxiana SommerisWhen I arrived at work, the atmosphere buzzed with concern as my colleagues approached me individually, asking how I was doing. Their genuine worry was almost overwhelming but, oddly enough, refreshing. I didn’t often feel so seen and cared for, even if it stemmed from their curiosity about what had happened to me.Despite their attentiveness, my thoughts circled back to Damien's warning about my powers awakening. He had been right. Every time someone so much as brushed against me—whether it was an accidental nudge or a fleeting touch—I glimpsed pieces of their inner turmoil. It was like watching fragments of storms swirling within them, each person carrying a burden I hadn’t been prepared to witness.Everyone had their struggles, their unseen battles. But the question gnawed at me: was it my responsibility to intervene? Could I really carry the weight of everyone’s pain, or was I doomed to simply observe it without a clue of what to do?I sighed, pushing the thou
Luxiana SommerisHonestly, I felt nervous at my boldness, but it didn’t spiral into panic. After all, I was still wearing my underwear, a flimsy barrier that somehow reassured me.I couldn’t help but wonder what he planned to do to make me feel him even more deeply, beyond the gentle touch of my hands against his skin. My curiosity burned brighter than my nervousness, and I found myself wanting—no, craving—more.Was I too aroused to think rationally? Perhaps. My thoughts were clouded, my body begging for something my body was craving.I closed my eyes, surrendering to the moment as I felt him undress completely, leaving no barriers between us save for the thin fabric of my underwear. Slowly, deliberately, he pressed his hardness against me, the sensation unmistakable. A soft moan escaped my lips as his tip brushed against my hidden core, and my entire body reacted. The feeling was electric, unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. Butterflies erupted wildly in my stomach, and t