All Chapters of MAD END'S DECEPTION: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

ARAHShe barely had time to breathe. Gildeon caught her off guard in the most titillating way. His lips were fierce, his fingers tangled in her hair. Her heart thumped loudly as she melted under him. His tongue demanded entry, and her lips parted instinctively, their mouths melding. The taste of the Indian mango they’d eaten lingered, sweet and tangy, contrasting with the raw, assertive way he kissed her.Her mind swirled with faint memories and sensations. She'd been kissed before, but it had never felt like this. At least, that was how it seemed. This was unrestrained, wild, making her pulse do somersaults. The thought of how intensely Gildeon must've missed her all this time made her belly flutter. Their breaths mingled, hot and rapid, their heartbeats a frenzied duet in her ears. Even the air itself seemed to hum with a gentle, electric charge.Arah mimicked the movement of his tongue, savoring every bit. Her skin tingled with the thrill of not knowing what to expect. Her trembling

GILDEONThis was too much of a coincidence—if it even was one. Did this guy know Arah worked here?Durante cracked open his cooler, grabbed another beer, and strolled over. Gildeon caught a glimpse of a gun in the agent’s waist holster, partially hidden by his jacket.“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Gildeon said, keeping his tone casual.Durante waved his arm vaguely. “This is a public beach, isn’t it? I’m having some downtime.” His movements were looser, probably from the alcohol, less controlled than when they first met. His face gave no indication though. No red cheeks, no glassy eyes. He didn’t even stagger one bit.“Alone,” he implied, adjusting his glasses. “You're too far from where most people hang out.”“Too loud over there,” Durante said, nodding his head toward the distance. “I prefer the quiet.” His friendly smile looked unsettling in the dim light. “How about you, Mr. Ayadi? What brings you here this late?”He handed him a beer, but Gildeon quickly put up a hand to decli

Many Years Ago (Part 2)GILDEONHe averted his gaze, feeling the weight of the crew's laughter and jeering like a rock on his shoulders. Crude remarks flew through the air, and even Ghulik sputtered obscene taunts beside him.Gildeon scratched his head, trying to find a way out of the mess he'd walked into. But unless he jumped off the boat right this moment, he had no choice but to face their trailhound’s wrath.Before he knew it, the crew was restraining Aktaeon. His loud curses could probably break the silence spell cloaking their boat. The vessel rocked slightly, and Gildeon had to maintain a steady maneuver on the helm—otherwise, they would hit one of these rocks.“I’m going to kill you, Gildeon!” Aktaeon snarled through clenched teeth. The muscles in his face looked like coiled springs ready to snap.“Hey, your sister wanted it too,” he replied, but his attempt to pacify the situation seemed to be failing. “She said she wanted to feel the world, so I let her ride me.” He meant i

Many Years Ago (Part 4)GILDEONThe room loomed dark and vast, with crates piled high against the walls. In the shadows, a tuft of blue curls glinted, belonging to a sylph warrior slumped against a silverwood container, sword in hand. Fresh blood seeped through the bandage around his chest, staining his ribs. He tried to stand straight, assuming a defensive stance, but his other hand instinctively clutched his wound.Gildeon suspected they had come from battle. But where? The Blinking Island? What had they fought over there? That would explain the small crew. They’d probably lost people.Gildeon reverted to his mortal form. No need for dragon strength here. He could probably take the sylph blindfolded. “What happened to all of you?” he asked, scratching his head with the tip of his shortsword.The warrior’s face remained impassive, but his blue eyes betrayed him. Pain, fear, confusion, and desperation flickered there.“What are you?” the sylph demanded in a cold, hissing voice. Gildeo

Many Years Ago (Part 6)GILDEONThe outpost harbor came alive as soon as they anchored. The crunch of boots on thick snow echoed through the crisp air, mingling with the crackling flames from the fire pits scattered around the camp.Gildeon sat on the gunwale, one leg propped up on the rail, waiting for the right chance. He’d left Ghulik in the hold to stand guard, making sure no salamander would discover the sylph girl. Sneaking her out wouldn’t be easy, especially when every man on land was eyeing this ship like a fucking naked lady.The captive sylphs had their blindfolds removed, but they remained bound and gagged. One by one, they were dragged out of the ship. There was no fear on their faces, just grim resignation.A bleak smile curled his lips. Wasn't it the same for everyone? Getting caught by the enemy was a death sentence. Survival was impossible. But for one of them, maybe he might be able to help.The girl’s brother had regained consciousness not long ago. As he walked by,