An abrupt exclamation slipped from my lips when I spotted the wolves. However, these were not any ordinary wolves with soft white, grey, or black fur like snow."They're made out of smoke?" I shivered.Their eyes were yellow, filled with rage and menace.The paws that should have been digging into the dirt were invisible as they seemed to hover in the air, carried by the dark smoke of the malevolent Zeth."The bringer of fear," Serena murmured, her hand beginning to form a defense against the gloom these wolves, summoned by their master, brought with them."Indeed, they really do instill fear in me." I swallowed the rising tide of negative emotions within me, but the scent of fear still escaped as I heard their growl crawling on my skin."No weapon can harm it while it feeds on you," Serena warned. "You must be strong.""But I'm not," I protested, shaking my head in denial as my worries started to overwhelm me. "I don't know how to fight them.""It's simple," Serena reassured me, look
The night was pitch black, and the morning hadn't brought any light. The wind bit into my skin, causing my teeth to chatter in the frigid air.The fire must have died out.With each shivering breath, I forced my eyes open, only to be greeted by an unwelcoming environment. I was still here.It felt like waking up inside a nightmare, trapped within its confines."Serena?" My voice, hoarse and shaky, called out for the only ally I knew. But she was nowhere to be found. "Serena?"I found myself lying on the cold, hard ground. The remnants of the fire stained the stones around me, and the log where Serena had been sitting remained undisturbed.I was alone.This was not promising.Wrapping my cloak around myself for warmth, I clutched the sword at my waist."Serena?" My voice echoed through the trees, the birds mimicking it and sending ripples through the forest.A deafening silence filled the air, so quiet that it was almost painful.Suddenly, the ground beneath me started to shake.The st
The creature guided me to a place much farther than the spot Serena had instructed me to wait. The more distance I covered, the eerier the surroundings became.Though still within the barony's boundaries, it felt as though I had stumbled upon a forgotten area.The walls were ensnared by the roots of an ancient, lifeless tree. Fallen leaves crunched under my boots and dust had claimed the once pristine bricks."Hey, slow down!" I called out, trying to catch up, my fingertips tracing the rough texture of the walls.I jogged carefully, doing my best to avoid stumbling.As we ventured further, we entered a cave. The roots now sported thorns, resembling rose stems. However, there was nothing beautiful about this place. It was filled with darkness, an unsettling view, and a palpable sense of danger."Where have you gone?" I lost sight of the creature and peered deeper into the gloom.The darkness enveloped me with an intensity that seemed to devour any trace of light, leaving me utterly bli
The thunder cracked, yet there was no lightning. The thick, dark clouds were menacing, but the rain seemed to be postponing.The winter cold breeze was chilling. It brushed my skin, making me shudder.But nothing mattered to me more than Serena. Aside from her suffering, she was my only hope for setting those creatures free and for Eric, my Eric."Who the heck is that?" I asked myself, peeping through the edge of the wall and sneaking a look."Your stinking possession has poisoned you, you've turned your back on your people! Take your soul back and save what's left of your barony," Serena grunted.She was shackled and helpless, it seemed like those chains were capable of stifling her magic.What should I do?"The baron is now under my control, and you, you brought me the gift I needed. Where is the human?" The baron grumbled his voice as he questioned her."Away from you," Serena fought the urge to moan in pain when the shackles were pulled. "You will not lay a hand on her, Zeth, ever
THE FLOWER"'Late! Late! Late!' says the white rabbit."My supervisor Maddie has always been on my case since the day I entered this building."Makes me wonder, what's your excuse this time?" She and her endless tattle.If ever I got the chance to roast her, I'd aim for her fat feet that struggle to fit inside her small stilettos."I'm sorry, Maddie," I winced. "I got stuck in traffic, and this heavy storm rained a bucket above me--""I'm not asking you to explain." Raising her palm, she closed her eyes and wore false eyelashes. "Get your things on your desk and make sure to immediately march to the boss' office.""T-- to the boss?" Oh, no."The fourth time this week, Allen." Giving me her tight smile, she reminded my flaws flawlessly."You're lucky that you haven't lost your seat." rossing her arms that wrinkled her perfectly pressed suit, she frowned. "Five years of working here, a headache to me," she added.Talk about being the worst employee of every year, that award belongs to me
THE KISSAs soon as the sunlight hit my face, I gasped."Oh, shoot!" I'm late again.Doesn't have enough time to take a shower, put makeup on, or change my underwear. I slipped through a pair of loose pants and a flowery blouse, I rushed through the door, carrying the empty canvas in my hand."You're certainly getting fired, Nicole," I told myself.Fishing for my phone, I saw his secretary's message. He wants to see my face, the very moment I get to the building."Be ready to be skinned alive."My palms are sweaty, and I bet that nervousness is shown on my face.At least I'm still pretty. That's all that matters.I knocked on his door. If ever the floor is hungry, I'd volunteer myself to let it eat me now."In.""Sir Eric?" Peeping my head inside his office, I saw him sitting on his chair, eyes staring at his laptop. His sharp jawline tells me that I'm a dead meat."Midnight, I'm certain of the deadline I gave you. Midnight.""Uh-- sir Eric, I was -""Take a chair." He cuts me off, jus
THE SMILEStanding right in front of the mirror, I'm staring at a woman I never thought I was.I took a shower, frankly, almost three hours. God knows what kind of business I did inside the bathroom.Eric hired people to help me get ready. They did my hair, my makeup, and none of it answering skeptic mind. What's with the makeover for?"You look so gorgeous, my dear."A gay man hairdresser have been pouring me praises even before they started to fix my whole existence. Now, my confidence has been multiplied by five."No wonder why the well-known Eric Marsh would want to date you, sis." The designer I met at her boutique shop, Tonya, smiled while also looking at me through my reflection."We're not dating," correcting them, but Soda, the hairdresser, just laughed at me."Oh, dear. They are in their hush-hush stage of the relationship."Tonya pointed her forefinger at him as she nodded her head. "It's the business we shouldn't put our asses in, or we won't get paid.""Though, that sweet
THE CURSEI thought my eyes had been blinded from the flashing cameras outside the venue. Heaving the sigh of relief when I realized that I can still see."Mom, happy birthday." Eric kissed a woman in her late 50s, yet she doesn't seem to age.From her aura and her gracefulness, anyone could tell that she's living in the world where money rains from above."My dearest son, oh, how great it is to see you again," she greeted back with a tight hug.I feel like an exotic food sitting in the middle of high-class plates of specialties."Might I ask who this beautiful gal is with you?" A man who's a perfect copy of Eric's face, only a bit older and definitely knows how to show a smile.Pushed myself to stand like a ballerina that almost broke my back, Eric snaked a hand around my waist and tied me next to him. Closing the gaps in between us."Nicole, these are my parents. Amanda and Bruce. Mom, dad, this is Nicole."Introducing me to them, I had these endless thoughts of how rich people react