#writeblr cafe

[gray-r-regan]

I don't know who needs to hear this (besides me) but you're not wasting your time even if no one knows or cares what you're writing.

It's really hard to keep going today, and there are more than a dozen chores screaming at me that they're more important than what I want to do with the limited time in my life, and the usual neurodivergent urge to be a ghost is at odds with the usual neurodivergent feeling that I'm the only person on earth and it is Not Actually That Appealing, but uh... yeah.

The words are getting written again today.

Eventually.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Introductions (2.1.1)

About me:

↪ Leah, she/her/any pronouns

↪ In my early 20s

↪ Reader, writer, sometime animator and artist

↪ Big cannibalism fan. Huge, really ;)

↪ Been doing martial arts for over a decade

↪Fan of CJ Cherryh

↪I reblog stuff from @leahpardo-pa-potato

My writing:

↪ Generally horror, with sides of fantasy

↪Posted in regular chunks of 500-1k words

↪I love tag games, esp OC ones :)

↪I do mini-series, one-shots, and novels

↪I will love you forever if you send me an ask

↪See my full list of one-shots here and my longer pieces below

My art and animation:

↪Masterpost here

↪Mostly blender 3d animations, though I do a bit of drawing too

↪ Don't expect it quite as often as my writing ;)

↪Just interact here to join the taglist!

WIPs / Longer stories

The Unwanted Visitor: (Completed)

Aida's house has been haunted by a spirit for as long as she can remember. Thing is, she's grown used to her Unwanted Visitor (or Vis, as she likes to call him). So when exorcists come after him, she does what any sane person would: protect her brother friend.

↪ Urban fantasy-comedy, very light-hearted

↪A lot of found family and sibling squabbling

↪If you like teens causing chaos, this is for you!

↪Final bit here

A Perfectly Normal Schoolgirl: (Completed)

All Katherine wants is to eat mortal food, bask in the warmth, and be a normal schoolgirl. But when a boy begs her to help him save her parents, she finds herself fighting for her (and his) life once more.

↪Urban fantasy with a side of horror

↪ Basically an inversion of a bunch of tropes

↪My attempt at writing fantasy without mentioning magic by name

↪Full thing here

Convenience Store Vampire: (Completed)

You'd expect vampires to be imposing and terrifying, masters of the night and princes of darkness. But that's not Davie, no siree. He's stuck down by Sunny Mart, working all day to scrape by. The last thing he wants is any trouble. Unfortunately for him, that's exactly what he's getting.

↪Silly urban fantasy shenanigans

↪ What it says on the tin + slice of life

↪Full thing here

A Tale for A Mouse: (Completed)

Who doesn't like to listen to evil old dark lords monologue about their childhood? Take a seat and come hear the story of the Spirit Emperor, as told by the man himself!

↪Cannibalism. Lots of it. World building too :D

↪High fantasy told via monologue

↪I cannot stress how proud I am of this.

↪Full thing here

Fast Food:

An embarrassment to his entire tribe, Hash is lazy and uninterested in anything. So, when he reaches majority, he gets unceremoniously booted out of home. Follow his adventures through Triworld, as he somehow ends up in every single single conflict across the continent.

↪High fantasy with a side of humour

↪Very heavy Lore™ and Worldbuilding™

↪ My excuse to ramble about fictional history

↪Latest bit here :) Also have @/illarian-rambling's rendition of Hash and her OC Elsind!

A Tale of Love, Death, and Maggots (Completed):

Doc's been wandering through hell for a good twenty years, now. He thought he'd seen it all. He thought he'd felt it all. He thought he'd lost it all. But it turns out love just has a way of crawling back into his chest and breaking his heart again.

↪ Tragedy?, fantasy?, horror?, Idk it's a weird little thing

↪I hope you like death because this sure has a lot of it

↪Full thing here, here's a moodboard of it and here is some fanart @/illarian-rambling made!

Lich-Queen (Completed):

Iraela has all but won: the King of Ceredell and his bride are gone, the cities fallen to her army of undead, and the way to the throne cleared for her. But her coronation, and her sanity threaten to fall apart under the weight of duty. Can she hold it together until she truly becomes Lich-Queen?

↪High, dark fantasy with some horror and gore

↪Watch Ira slowly lose her mind in real-time

↪If you like cannibalism, you'll love this

↪Full thing here, and here is fanart the lovely @/vampirelover890 drew?

The Novel™ (Mind of a Mercenary):

Luna, Terror of Garvenoi, mind-mage extraordinaire, has been caught at last. Whilst everyone celebrates, she is given an ultimatum: Be an indentured hunter for the government, or die. But when she signs on with them, she finds that perhaps death might have been a better choice...

↪ Urban Fantasy set in a Non-Earth world

↪Starring a sassy, mean-girl villain protagonist

↪Enjoy several hundred pages of Luna trying and failing to run from her duties

↪Find snippets here (find the others on my masterlist of writing)

Finally, my taglist! If you interacted with this post/already asked me to add you, and you don't see yourself here, please remind me! I may have accidentally missed you :')

Oh pls kill me I felt so silly doing this- Anyways bye guys hope to see y'all around don't judge me for this

[cljordan-imperium]

@flashfictionfridayofficial

They stood, overlooking the funeral pyres that were ready to be lit. Each one a grim reminder of the lives lost in the battle. See, peace doesn't come through talking, it doesn't come through accords, it comes through strength and battle and action.

Oh, men can talk about how they sat down at the table and worked out a contract for peace, but it never works that way. What always came first? Death. Death always came first. Loss.

So, there they were upon those pyres - the warriors who had died to achieve peace. That was the cost. The cost that had to be paid for peace, for security. Blood spilled upon the ground so that others could sleep safe at night. They had known not all would return when they had walked into the battle, yet they had walked in anyway.

What kind of man or woman did that? Brave ones. Those who knew that there was a price for peace and were willing to pay it. That was the kind of man or woman who looked death dead in the eyes and gave it the middle finger.

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@saltysupercomputer @toribookworm22 @mama-ivy @jadeglas

@abalonetea @ashirisu @crowandmoonwriting @dreaming-goblin

@watermeezer @pheita @writingmaidenwarrior @whatwedointhecraft

@peakyswritings @jconstantines

Simply comment if you would like added to my tag list.

[magical-mistakes-vm]

22

CHAPTER 21

While Mahala and Bala are at the Cadona Mansion, Vollrath, Baldur, and Elmar have a meeting...

Vollrath’s phone chimed, the insistent ping cutting through the relative quiet of the room. He reluctantly pulled the device from his pocket, his thumb swiping across the screen to reveal the message. A weary sigh escaped his lips, a prelude to the eye-roll that inevitably followed. Typical Balor. At least the infuriating mage was in good spirits, if the breezy tone of the text was anything to go by.

Elmar, ever observant, noticed Vollrath's reaction. His dark eyebrow arched in silent inquiry, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. He’d learned over time to gauge Vollrath’s moods based on the smallest of cues, and the combination of the sigh and the upward gaze spoke volumes. “Dare I ask?” Elmar ventured, his voice carefully neutral, unsure of what fresh absurdity Balor had managed to conjure.

Vollrath’s expression was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief. He shook his head slowly as he recounted the contents of the message. “My brother,” he began, his voice laced with a dry sarcasm, “has inquired if we can… keep,” he paused for emphasis, his fingers making air quotes, “the cute, inquisitive, little imp.” He snorted softly. “Apparently, he ‘likes her’ and finds her ‘fun.’” Vollrath’s head gave another, more vigorous shake as his thumbs flew across the screen, composing a reply. “He further elaborated that he doesn’t think that she will ‘eat much’ or ‘take up much room’ in my mansion.” Despite his internal turmoil, he was treading carefully in his response to Balor. Pragmatism dictated politeness for the time being. They needed Balor’s particular brand of chaotic magic, and more importantly, Balor was the one currently ensuring Mahala’s safety, a fact that Vollrath couldn't afford to jeopardize.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Baldur inquired, his gaze shifting between Elmar and Vollrath, a furrow in his brow suggesting a genuine attempt to grasp the underlying tension. Was he failing to perceive a crucial nuance in their exchange? Or was Vollrath merely succumbing to his often-present irritability?

"Of course, in principle, it is a positive development. I just…" Vollrath paused, his eyelids fluttering shut as he drew a deliberate breath through his nostrils, seeking a moment of composure. "It's Balor, you see. He, too, is a Nachtnebel. Which unfortunately means the ancient prophecy we’ve been dissecting could just as readily apply to him." His jaw tightened, a visible manifestation of the internal struggle he endured to voice this unwelcome possibility. It was a thought he had been actively suppressing ever since Balor's unexpected appearance in the conference room – an arrival made all the more unsettling by Balor's apparent prior knowledge of a highly confidential Council meeting for which he held a seat yet had not been formally informed. The manner in which Balor had simply walked in, exuding an air of effortless belonging, had planted a seed of unease that Vollrath had been desperately trying to ignore.

"For fuck's sake, Vol," Elmar interjected, his tone a low growl laced with exasperation. "Balor is undeniably an ass, a monumental one at that, but even he wouldn't stoop to overtly trying to usurp your position in such a blatant manner. He would have made his move long before now if that were his intention, especially during the numerous instances when you were absent from these chambers, wouldn't he?"

"That's not what he's saying," Baldur stated, his voice calm yet carrying a note of intrigue that immediately snagged Elmar's attention. Elmar’s thick brows furrowed, crinkling the skin above his intense gaze as he turned fully to face Baldur. The air in the room, thick with unspoken tensions from the day's earlier events, seemed to crackle with this new line of thought. "It's always been assumed, hasn't it? Ever since Vollrath took control of the Coven, everyone just automatically accepted that he was the Lion, the prophesied protector." Baldur paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes flicking between Elmar and the silent, brooding figure of Vollrath. "But what if we’ve all been wrong? What if it was Balor all along? He is the elder brother, after all. Doesn’t that carry some weight?"

Vollrath, who had been staring intently at the intricate patterns in the ancient wooden table, finally lifted his gaze as Baldur finished speaking. A slow nod, almost imperceptible at first, confirmed he had been listening. Inside, however, a knot of unease was tightening in his stomach. The implications of their speculation were unsettling, stirring emotions he preferred to keep buried.

Elmar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "If that were the case," he began, his voice laced with a confident skepticism, "I think we would have seen things go very differently today. Certain… reactions would have been absent." He paused for emphasis, his gaze locking onto Vollrath. "Icebergs don't simply melt without significant heat, Vol. If she truly meant nothing to you, then do you honestly believe that your perpetually frosty exterior would have thawed even a fraction? When have you ever felt a flicker of jealousy over a woman? Just name one single instance. And yet… today… well, today was certainly… interesting." A bit of a cocky smirk played on Elmar's lips as he continued, his confidence growing. He’d known both of the formidable warlock brothers since they were unruly children, witnessing firsthand Vollrath's characteristic indifference towards romantic entanglements. "Now, after all that transpired, you’re trying to tell us she's destined for Balor again? It doesn't quite add up, does it?"

Baldur chuckled softly, adding his own observation to the unfolding theory. "He has a point, big guy," he agreed, nodding towards Elmar. "And not to mention the rather significant fact that if your charming big brother was indeed supposed to be her destined partner, I think Elmar and I, your ever-present shadows, would have noticed at least a spark of something when he met her for the very first time. Instead, his reaction was… well, Balor being Balor. Polite, detached, almost clinical."

Vollrath finally broke his silence, a low, guttural grumble escaping his lips. "This is precisely why I don't do relationships," he stated flatly, the words laced with a deep-seated annoyance. He hated the uncomfortable, introspective nature of this conversation, the way it forced him to acknowledge feelings he’d spent decades suppressing. The entire situation was infuriating.

"I mean, if you genuinely hate it so bad…" Baldur began again, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. Whatever teasing remark he had been about to utter died abruptly on his lips. The look Vollrath was now directing his way was not merely annoyed; it was downright murderous. Baldur swallowed hard. As the Master Warlock of their Coven, Vollrath possessed the terrifying ability to kill with a mere thought, without so much as a touch. Some lines, Baldur wisely concluded, were definitely better left uncrossed. The heavy silence that descended upon the room was more telling than any words could have been.

“I would strongly advise against completing that particular sentence,” Elmar interjected, a suppressed chuckle bubbling beneath his earnest tone. He cast a pointed glance at the other man. “And Vol,” he continued, his voice firm yet laced with concern, “reign it in. He was merely teasing you, a bit roughly perhaps, but ultimately in jest. You absolutely MUST develop a thicker skin if you intend to prevent your… shall we say, volatile emotions from turning her delicate mind into an unsavory pudding at some unforeseen moment.” His dark eyebrows arched dramatically as he inclined his head towards Vollrath, a silent plea in his expressive eyes. “I am acutely aware that there is likely some form of utterly bizarre and potentially sanity-shattering chaos currently unfolding within the labyrinth of your brain,” Elmar elaborated, his gaze unwavering, “but you must, for your own sake and hers, gain some semblance of control over this internal maelstrom. She has made her affections abundantly clear, displaying a singular focus of attention solely upon you. Balor is not going to interfere; you can be certain of that. Even if, hypothetically speaking, he were to somehow embody the legendary Lion itself, he would not dare to act against you in secret or otherwise. You possess a deep understanding of his character and his respect for protocol, a knowledge that runs as deep as our shared history.” Elmar’s attention shifted between his two companions, his lips pressing into a thin line of growing frustration at the palpable tension that hung heavy in the air.

“I know, I know,” Vollrath conceded, expelling a long, ragged breath that seemed to carry a sliver of his inner turmoil with it. He consciously reined in the tempest of his emotions, his gaze fixed on the worn surface of the table before him. An overwhelming confluence of pressing concerns was swirling around him, each demanding immediate attention and making it an agonizing struggle to focus on any single issue for more than a fleeting moment. The woman who had, much to his chagrin, burrowed her way into the deepest recesses of his heart, now found herself under the care – or perhaps, control – of his own brother, a man with whom his relationship was, to put it mildly, strained even on the most auspicious of days. Furthermore, a subtle but persistent unease had taken root within the Coven, a creeping suspicion that someone within their ranks was actively working against them, sowing discord and undermining their efforts. A nagging intuition whispered that the true scope of their predicament was far greater and more complex than any of them currently comprehended. The weight of these uncertainties pressed down on him, leaving him with a profound sense of disquiet and a gnawing lack of security.

Baldur, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat, drawing the attention back to the matter at hand. “Then let us endeavor to refocus our collective energies on the critical matters that require our immediate consideration,” he stated, his voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to the underlying tension in the room. “This will allow us to conclude our discussion at a reasonably decent hour, affording us the opportunity to obtain some much-needed rest before the inevitable demands of the tomorrow. We must not forget that we have a uniquely powerful novice witch under our charge, for whose magical development and well-being we will all bear a shared responsibility. Additionally, there is the potential task of thoroughly investigating the aforementioned mansion, the necessity of which hinges upon the discoveries made tonight by her and Balor.” Baldur’s keen gaze moved steadily between his two friends, carefully weighing their limited options and considering the most logical starting point for their deliberations. “We have a finite amount of time and a considerable amount of ground to cover. It is imperative that we proceed efficiently and decisively, addressing each issue methodically so that we are adequately prepared to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.”

“Let’s start with who we think the weak link is besides Jonathan,” Elmar began, his gaze sweeping between Vollrath and Baldur. “Obviously, it’s ballsy enough to go into Vollrath’s office and think he can go through his desk, but he had to figure he had some kind of backup to do that. I wouldn’t even do that, and I consider myself his friend. What would possess a lesser warlock to attempt such a brazen act? If it hadn’t been Mahala that interrupted him, but one of us, he had to have formulated some kind of plan on what he’d say or do. I seriously doubt attacking us was his intended course of action. That seems too…unintelligent, even for Jonathan in a panicked state.”

“Agreed,” Vollrath affirmed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Attacking me directly would have been disastrous for him, potentially fatal. So, the question remains: who would he have ready to vouch for him and provide cover? It would have to be someone higher up in the Coven, someone in good standing, capable of concocting a convincing story that would withstand scrutiny. The risk of exposure for both of them would be immense otherwise.” Vollrath paused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to mentally sift through the ranks of the Coven.

“Do you have him assigned to any other projects currently, or perhaps collaborating with anyone on other tasks?” Baldur interjected, his voice laced with the same frustration that was evident on the other two men’s faces. “Maybe that was the excuse he intended to use as a cover – claiming he was looking for something related to that collaborative effort.” Baldur shrugged, the gesture conveying his own lack of certainty regarding Jonathan’s motivations. The sheer audacity of rifling through Vollrath’s personal belongings was still difficult for him to fully comprehend.

“He’s been lending a hand to a couple of individuals with smaller, relatively insignificant projects, nothing that would warrant such behavior,” Vollrath replied, his tone reflecting his own bewilderment. “However, I’m not going to entirely dismiss the possibility that he intended to use that as a flimsy excuse if confronted. The individuals he’s assisting might be completely unaware of his true intentions, which means we’re going to have to be exceedingly careful in how we proceed with our investigation. The last thing we want to do is inadvertently spook anyone who might be actively working to undermine the three of us. We need to gather information discreetly and ascertain the extent of this potential treachery without alerting the conspirators.” Vollrath sighed heavily, the weight of the situation visibly pressing down on him, his shoulders beginning to slump. “And now Balor as well. Someone deliberately tipped him off about Jonathan’s actions. Did they do it naively, perhaps thinking that Balor’s loyalty to Jonathan would somehow shield him from the consequences? I was genuinely shocked at Balor’s response, his unexpected… resignation.”

“I probably was the only one who wasn’t entirely surprised by Balor’s reaction,” Elmar confessed, his statement earning him inquisitive looks from the other two. “I don’t share the same history and inherent distrust that you two have with Balor. Furthermore, I observed his genuine concern and profound unhappiness with Mahala’s recent… instability. Regardless of your past interactions, he was clearly looking out for her well-being, and looking out for those weaker or more vulnerable has always been a defining characteristic of your brother, Vollrath.” Elmar was relieved when Vollrath offered a slow nod of agreement, choosing not to challenge his assessment. They already had a potentially significant internal crisis brewing; the last thing they needed was to exacerbate the situation with unnecessary internal conflict.

“El’s right,” Baldur conceded, his gaze softening slightly as he considered Elmar’s point, “he does have a tendency to shield those he perceives as weaker, and that often includes women. It's a frustratingly chivalrous streak, but it’s undeniably there.” He tapped a finger against his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe someone on the Council, perhaps someone who was uncertain about which way the disciplinary vote was leaning, discreetly informed Balor of Jonathan’s duplicity. Balor’s unusual appearance might not have been an attempt to undermine your authority, Vol, but rather a strategic move orchestrated by someone who actually supported your proposed punishment.”

Baldur paused, pacing slowly as he voiced his evolving theory. “Think about it. He didn’t even directly challenge your pronouncements, Vol, his only real demand was to meet Mahala, a request that, according to established Council protocol, you were obligated to grant. It wasn't until after everyone else had departed the chamber that he raised any substantive objections, and even then, his immediate target wasn’t you, but rather Elmar and myself, because of our deliberate omission of information.” He offered a small, almost apologetic shrug, a slight upward curve touching one corner of his mouth.

“So,” Vol began, a thoughtful expression replacing his earlier frustration, “whoever tipped him off might have inadvertently done us a favor. While Jonathan might not have a high-ranking conspirator actively working to destabilize the coven, I think we can all agree that his behavior was undeniably suspicious. He outright lied to the three of us, and it defies logic to think he believed that one, if not all, of us wouldn’t eventually uncover his fabrications. Even if Mahala wasn't…”

Vol’s words trailed off abruptly as the distinct, synchronized chime of their phones sliced through the air. A collective groan seemed to ripple through the room as all three warlocks instinctively reached for their phones. Vol’s eyes scanned the brief message displayed on his screen, his breath hitching in his throat. “Fuck!” The expletive escaped as a low, guttural sigh, his eyelids squeezing shut as his head gave a slow, disbelieving shake. There was simply no scenario in which a summons from his brother, urging him to immediately scry the notoriously private Codona mansion, could be interpreted as anything remotely positive.

“I’m going to venture a guess that we all received the same cryptic missive?” Baldur inquired, his gaze sweeping between Vol and Elmar, his usual sardonic amusement noticeably absent. “How often does anyone request a scrying of a specific location, especially the Codona estate, rather than simply traveling there directly? The very nature of this request sends a shiver of unease down my spine. My instinct screams that we should proceed with extreme caution. I propose we go in armed, and I’m not just talking about our inherent magical abilities. If this turns out to be nothing more than a trivial discovery, then no harm done, but if there’s something more sinister at play, then we’ll be prepared to face it.”

“Agreed,” Elmar affirmed with a decisive nod, his usual calm demeanor edged with a palpable tension. Judging by the grim reactions and worried expressions etched onto the faces of the other two powerful warlocks, none of them harbored even a sliver of optimism regarding the cryptic message. While Elmar possessed a considerable degree of faith in Balor’s capabilities to protect Mahala under normal circumstances, the events of the day had already veered drastically off course, leaving him with a gnawing premonition about just how much further into chaos their carefully ordered world might descend.

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[tapperhet-em]

14

Chapter 13

Meeri may have run off from the men at the cabin, but NO ONE escapes Melba...

Lorcan was walking back up the trail to the cabin with Melba when she took off and strained hard against the end of her lead.  Since it was pitch black, with the moon behind clouds, he had her on a lead so they didn't get separated.  Whatever had her upset, she was damn near yanking him off his feet but wasn't barking.  What the fuck was up with his dog?

Then he heard it, light footsteps coming towards him fast.  Meeri!?  That explained Melba not barking, but what the fuck had Meeri running in the dark, alone, and with no light?  More importantly, where the fuck were the other three to let her out there alone?  He couldn’t hear any heavy boots behind her, so she was most definitely ALONE.  It wasn't just the King's soldiers that were a danger, there were wild animals in the woods.  Someone was going to hurt later, severely. 

Listening closely to the sound of her approaching, and using Melba's reactions as a guide, Lorcan zeroed in on how far Meeri was from him, and where in the road she was.  Standing still, he whispered to Melba to be silent and hold position, she sat at his side in obedience.  The wait seemed to stretch on forever but he could hear Meeri getting closer.  Was she barefoot?  Why did it sound like bare feet on the dirt and not the shoes she’d had on earlier?  No!  She certainly wouldn't have left the cabin without shoes.  It still sounded as if she was as she drew closer. What in all the hells had gone on at the cabin?! If the others were still alive, they might wish they weren't when he was done with them.

Finally, she literally ran right into him like he'd planned, so hard in fact that it knocked Lorcan back three steps to get her to a complete stop.  His arms banded around her to keep her from fleeing again, and his head dropped so he was talking right next to her ear.  She hadn't just been running, she'd been at a full sprint.  Not only that but she immediately went to struggling with him for freedom.  What the fuck?

“I don't know who you are running from, or why.  I don't fucking care either, right now.  What I DO care about is your understanding that you are not taking one more goddamn step, in any fucking direction, without me. It is NOT fucking happening, Meeri.  I will put you up over my goddamn shoulder and carry you if I have to.” He didn't yell.  He wasn't harsh.   He was firm.  It was all he could do not to shake her with the adrenaline running through his system.

“Lo!”  Meeri’s arms instantly went around him, and she clung to him like a child to a parent as she sobbed into his chest.  When she had first run into him, he'd felt like a damn tree.  But when his arms had gone around her, she'd been more afraid she'd found one of her uncle's soldiers. Of anyone to find her, at the moment, he was the only one she wouldn't argue with.  Even if she'd caused problems for the others, Lorcan wouldn't hate her.  Would he?

reblog banner - @cafekitsune

[behindthesemasks]

20

Chapter 19

Gabe is on a mission...and he has one destination...

It seemed to take Gabe an hour to drive from the original hotel to the one that Mel and the others had now holed up in. After circling a few different blocks, he found a parking garage without surveillance to leave the SUV in and texted Mel that he was on the way up. That was when he turned his phone off and headed down to the street below, to walk the remaining way to the hotel. No doubt Ambrose would be making sure that the GPS trackers on the SUVs were being watched and trying to triangulate their locations by their phones.  While he would be able to find the SUV Gabe had driven, where he’d gone when he’d left the garage would be something that would take him longer to figure out.  The fact that all the others with Melania had also turned off their phones indicated that they too had thought of this.  

It was after 2 AM and there were no other people or vehicles in the area.  The area appeared deserted, although he could see lights behind curtains on the floors above street level.  Even if there were surveillance cameras in some of the shops and buildings he was passing, Gabe had turned up his collar to make it hard to see his face. One more step in making it harder for Ambrose to track them down.  There were only four blocks he had to navigate, but he was hoping to keep to the shadows and make the trek as quickly as possible.  He had been trusted not to give away their location.

Fifteen minutes after he’d stepped onto the street, he walked into the hotel lobby. It was bright and filled with old-world elegance. Marble floors, ornate furniture, and live flowers on every table; this was not your budget hotel. Bypassing the front desk, much to the interest of the desk clerk, Gabe headed straight for the elevators. He knew the room number and wanted to waste no time hanging out in areas where he could attract attention. Now he knew he had been on camera, but there was no way that the others could have made it up to the room without being recorded as well. Hopefully, there wasn’t a way to back door into the hotel’s security system.  He knew the type of men Ambrose hired, and if there was, they’d do it.

When he’d finally made it up to the room, he could hear laughing inside. Obviously, even if Mel had been tired, she hadn’t fallen asleep just yet. He knocked on the door and found himself yanked inside when the door cracked open. Facing him were Mel, Alexander, and Cade all sitting on the couch with bottles of wine, gin, whiskey, and scotch on the table in front of them. Judging from their demeanor, they had all enjoyed some while waiting for him.

“Feeling more relaxed?” Gabe asked with a bemused smirk as Dez headed back over to the chair he’d been sitting in.

Mel was on her feet and on the way over to him before he could finish asking the question. “I am now, you finally made it!” Her arms wrapped around him and her face was buried in his chest.

Instinctively his arms went around her and he held her in close. Only now did he notice the slight tremor in her body. His eyes looked questioningly at Alexander and Cade. What the hell was going on?

“She tried to sleep; needless to say some things cause horrible nightmares,” Alexander answered the silent question that hung in the air. “So, we decided to drown her in booze.” His hand gestured to all of the bottles on the table.

“Did you know she has five fake identities in her purse? They’re complete with driver’s licenses, passports, and credit cards. FIVE. Do you think the boss will let us keep her?” Dez had obviously had too much whiskey, but he did get a half-chuckle out of Gabe.

“She’s not a fucking pet asshole. And no, I doubt Ambrose would allow us to take her on missions. Although you would have been proud Gabe, the girl intimidated the ever-loving hell outta the front desk clerk that was here when we got in. I think he may have wet himself.” Alexander chuckled as he poured himself some more scotch. 

Cade moved over to one of the chairs, stretching his long legs out to rest atop the coffee table, as Mel and Gabe moved to sit on the couch. Mel was still all but trembling and Alexander put his arm around her shoulders when she sat down. He looked over at Gabe with an expression that said he was worried about her, but that it wasn’t the time or place to say anything. Gabe nodded, this wasn’t a great situation.

“If you guys want to go back to the other hotel, I’ll understand.” Mel’s voice was soft and quiet, hardly the woman any of them had seen earlier in the day at the hotel. 

“I don’t know about the other boys, but I was hired to keep your ass safe while you were here. I don’t see how I’d be doing that if I left you here. If Ambrose decides to take the money back…I’m not worried.” Cade was the first to answer. There was no hesitation or doubt in his voice as he looked over at her with a slight cocky smirk on his face, and then gave her a wink.

“I think my boy said it well enough. If I was doubting, I wouldn’t have shown up beautiful.” Gabe used two fingers under her chin to turn her face towards him, then kissed her forehead.

“I was never here just because of a job from Ambrose,” Alexander added, causing Mel to look over at him with affection. He really was like a big brother, and just as protective. 

“Fuck, if I wanted to go back, I wouldn’t have driven that damned SUV all the way out to the airport and had to take a cab back.” Dez laughed, winking over at her. 

“If your money is taken back, I’ll still pay you,” Mel said softly, even as she knew that didn’t seem to be a concern for any of them. When Cade started to object, since he was the one who had mentioned money, she added, “I’m worth more than Nic now that my parents are dead. And it means nothing to me.” Cade reached over and squeezed her fingers. Damn, the girl was stronger than she looked, both inside and outside.

“That reminds me, how the hell did you guys get here from the coffee shop? It’s quite a hike.” Gabe asked as his hand took Mel’s to keep hers from shaking. “And did you leave all the weapons out at the airport? Really?” He looked over at Dez.

“She has a Porsche SUV bro. A FUCKING PORSCHE.” Cade laughed. “And all the weapons are in the back safely in their cases. Well, except for the two cases that have the tracking devices in them. They’re at the airport along with the SUV, just no weapons in them.” He laughed. They had swept everything that they transferred between vehicles. There had been no tracing devices in any of it. All of them, knowing Nic and Ambrose, didn’t want to take any chances. 

Gabe nodded as he saw Mel’s head starting to nod. “I think it’s bedtime for you before you fall asleep on Alexander and me, then we’re pinned to the couch all night.” She laughed as he helped her up and to the bedroom on the right side of the small living room that had two beds in it. There was a bedroom on the other side that had two beds in it as well. He helped Mel off with her hiking boots and up onto the bed. Exhaustion, emotions, and the liquor were starting to have a strong effect on her. 

Alexander came in behind them, kicking off his shoes and flopping on the other bed in the room. “I’m taking this one, Dez snores when he’s drunk. You can have one of the beds in the room across the living room. Cade is going to take the first watch for the next few hours.” His words were slightly slurred as he was obviously drifting off to sleep.

Gabe looked down at Mel who was starting to drift off. He leaned over to place a kiss on her forehead. How could Klaus have been such an idiot as to not listen and just hang up on her? Furthermore, how was Erik an even bigger idiot for what he’d done? She was a woman who proved she wasn’t afraid and could be just as fierce as they could. Shaking his head, he began to back up.

Gorgeous blue eyes cracked open and looked up at him. “Don’t go yet, just sit here till I fall asleep? Please?” The look in her tired eyes tore at him. Damn it if he wasn’t a sucker for a damsel in distress. He saw Alexander chuckle as he rolled over, giving him a thumbs up as he did. Sitting down on the bed next to where she was lying, he took her hand in his and leaned back against the headboard. He prayed the next day wouldn’t be nearly as long or as sideways as the previous 24 hours had been. 

Soon Gabe felt his head starting to drop. He started to move off of the bed but looked down at his fingers intertwined with hers and changed his mind. Instead, he slipped down to lay flat on his back next to her. A soft smile formed on his lips as he felt her move closer to him and he drifted off to sleep. Fuck what any of the rest of them thought, Klaus may have promised to keep her safe but he was actually going to do it.

Just over three hours later, the soft click of the lock on the door to the suite signaled that someone was coming in. A lone figure slipped through the barely cracked door, carefully closing it behind him. The feel of a gun barrel at his temple told him instantly that his entry had not gone undetected. As he waited to find out who it was that had gotten guard duty, a slow smirk crossed his lips.

“You’d better have one damn good excuse for being in here asshole, because if you don’t you’re going to wish you had never opened that door.” The end of the barrel pressed more firmly into his skull as he heard Cade’s voice low and growling.

“Seeing as my grandfather is paying your fucking ass, I think I have a good enough excuse to come in if I want. Although how the fuck you all got here is something I’ve got to hear.” Nic’s quiet voice held amusement. It had taken him what seemed like forever to even find a clue where any of them had gone.

“Shit bro, you’re lucky I asked questions first. How the fuck did you find us?” Cade holstered his weapon and moved closer to Nic so that they’re voices wouldn’t wake the other four up.

“Gabe parked his SUV four blocks away. When he stopped answering his phone, I went hunting.” Nic shook his head. “Y’all were fucking hard as hell to find. One female with three bodyguards does make an impression on a desk clerk though.” He chuckled. “Two rooms? Who’s where?”

“Dez is over there. The door is closed because his snoring was about to drive me insane. Alexander, Mel, and Gabe are all over there.” Cade gestured as he talked. He had sobered up an hour or so before and was now annoyingly clear-headed and awake, albeit with a massive headache.

“You know how she got out? And how did you end up here with your SUV at the airport?” Nic looked over at Cade as he leaned his back against the wall.

“Window in your grandfather’s office in the suite, along the ledge to the fire escape that was one room over, then down to the alleyway. Then she just walked until she got to a coffee shop. From there she rented the car and got ahold of Gabe. Gabe texted us. We met up with her at the coffee shop. When she got tired, Dez took the SUV to the airport and got a cab back here with the cash she gave him. We had already transferred all the weapons into the back of her SUV, so it was safe for him to leave it. Then she drove us here. She was the lead the whole time bro, organized the whole damn thing. Did you know she has five false identities?” Cade almost laughed as he talked.

“More than five, and yes I did. Although apparently, grandfather’s men have made some new ones because I couldn’t find a trace of the old ones. I only got the key up here because I scared the desk clerk more than the rest of you did.” Nic answered, pausing for a moment. “I wasn’t here. Understand? Tell none of them. She’s safe, you’re all alive. That’s all I cared about. I’ll keep grandfather off your asses, but you’re going to have to show up eventually. Let me know when you are and I’ll buffer the reception.”

Cade looked over at Nic with a newfound respect. He had expected to get dressed down for going off grid and helping Mel, not that he cared, but he hadn’t expected Nic to cover for their asses. Not that he was going to turn it down. “Never saw ya bro. I gotta ask though….how insane have Ambrose and Klaus gone?” 

“Grandfather is convinced one or more of you are with Mel. This Oglesby though, he’s a major player and violent and vicious. He’d kill Mel if it gave him a tactical advantage with grandfather and Alexander, so I wouldn’t say he’s exactly calm.” Nic looked over in the dim light of the room, the expression on his face clear to Cade. Nic was worried. Ambrose was worried. The main thing was not to let this asshole know that Alexander and Mel were in the same place.

“Klaus is a mess. I don’t know if Gabe told you but he damn near shattered Erik’s jaw. Grandfather had to fly in a medic to at least set it enough for the moment so that he wasn’t in so much pain he couldn’t think. He also broke his cheekbone and gave him a concussion. The doc thinks Erik may have a couple of broken ribs too. That was from less than a half-dozen punches. I think that Erik’s lucky that the blow to the throat didn’t crush his windpipe. Erik is having to use the laptop to type out his answers to questions at the moment. Although threats of letting Klaus back in the room are more effective than anything in getting his cooperation.” He saw Cade’s eyes go wide in the gloom and nodded. “So I think that tells you how he’s doing. He’s no less upset now than he was when he about knocked me and grandfather over to get to Erik. We’ve had to keep Klaus separated from grandfather, they do nothing but butt heads because Klaus is being kept in the hotel and not out looking for Mel. They’re going to end up shooting one another if they’re left alone too long.” Nic sighed. “ That she hasn’t called or contacted him is driving him out of his mind. He’s like a caged lion. So yeah.” Nic shook his head lightly. He felt for the other man, truly he did. There was just nothing that could be done at the moment to make the situation better without pissing off his cousin. Klaus had made his own bed when he hung up on her, he’d just have to lie in it a bit longer.

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full bro. But hey, you think in the future we could get the short chick to come with us on missions?” Cade tried to lighten the mood. “She’s good; I mean she’s damn good. She put the fear of God in Andreas, she slipped out of a locked room and had you chasing your tail, and she can pull off a cover identity as well as any of us. We could use her.” 

“I take it you want to have Ambrose committed to the lunatic asylum. He would go all kinds of batshit crazy.” Nic laughed. He had to admit, she might have picked up too much over the years from being around him and their grandfather. “Now, before any of them wake up, or I’m out of contact for too long and they start checking up on me…I’m getting my ass out of here. You need anything…ANYTHING…you call ME, no one else.”

“Got it, bro. Be careful, if there could be a target on Mel’s back from this Oglesby, there could be one on yours too. We’ll keep her safe, don’t worry.” Cade nodded once toward Nic. They were friends, more like brothers, and as much as he would guard Mel’s ass, he’d guard Nic’s back as well.

With that Nic slipped out of the room as almost silently as he slipped in. Now he knew that his cousin was safe, it was time to hunt Oglesby.

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[inopinatus-ea]

4

Chapter 3

Branoc's evil is not even kept away from his sons...

Each lash of the whip made Emery grunt, but he was not going to give his father’s soldiers the satisfaction of hearing him cry out. He knew that inside his brother would be charming the innocent Princess. That Raiden knew the pain he would be enduring, all the while no doubt seducing Adelia started a fire in his breast. If there was anyone that could have seduced Siara and impregnated her, his bets would be firmly on his own brother, if not their father. It wasn’t like either of them had any moral compass that guided them. While he and Raiden did not fight outright, he knew that both his father and brother wished Raiden were the one next in line to the throne.

The crack of the whip breaking the silence of the horse barn seemed like it would never end. Each one another weight upon his resolve to not crumble. This wasn’t the first time that he’d been chained in the open doorway of the back doors of the barn, it would most likely not be the last, if his father had his way. Each time he lasted a little longer, the whippings a little brutal, the hatred in his heart for his father and brother a little stronger, and the determination to rise above and destroy his family a lot firmer. If his father did not cancel the engagement to Adelia, the rose amongst the weeds of the royalty inside might just be the key he needed to destroy all around him.

No matter how much he tried, Emery wasn’t able to hold out forever, though. He was able to keep from begging or crying out. Grunts were all the soldiers got before he passed out, his body limply hanging from the chains that led to the manacles encircling his wrists. For that, the soldiers continued to rain down blows on him even after he had fallen into unconsciousness. It was not as if he could tell the King about it. They often took out their hatred for Branoc on his sons, most people did.

[amayadartan]

15

Chapter 14

Amaya learns more..

Once more Amaya found herself awakening in the room in the infirmary. Once more her head hurt. Once more her stomach rolled with nausea, and she wanted to go back to sleep. Once more there were two little furry beings staring at her and chirping now that she was awake. The difference this time was that instead of it being the bright light of morning, the room was illuminated with longer shadows of afternoon. She had obviously been unconscious for quite a long time.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she tried to remember what happened. A headache started to form right behind her eyes that made it hard to think, and she decided that it was not very important. Whatever had happened, it was most likely unpleasant. Could she just go back to the Himalaya’s now? She could pretend that she’d never been in Imperium, didn’t know that any of the beings she’d learned about were real, and try to have some kind of normal life. Please, please let this be some kind of dream due to a head wound!

“Sleeping beauty awakens.” Olly’s deep voice from a chair in the shadows told Amaya that she was not dreaming. Slowly her head turned to look at him, her eyes slitted open to look at him. “We’re going to try to keep you from having any more bad experiences here in Imperium. It is really reflecting badly on our hospitality towards guests.” As he stood, he chuckled, then crossed the room towards her. She noticed he’d changed clothing, now he was in a dark grey hoodie and jeans. There was something about the relaxed nature of his clothes that made him even more sexy than he had been. Was that the right thing to think about some immortal being in literal Hell? “I have some news for you, but first you need some food. Do you feel up to eating?”

As Olly came into the light, Amaya could see Olly’s chiseled features clearer, and she had to keep herself from staring at him like some fangirl. The light bluish-grey of his eyes seemed to glow, and she once more found them captivating, and intense. He really did look and sound like real life prince charming.

“Yes, I don’t even remember when the last time I ate was.” She blew a breath out between pursed lips as she propped herself up in the bed to look up at him, still trying not to ogle. Normally men who looked like Olly didn’t pay attention to women like her, so she was both flustered and flattered that he currently was.

“I’m not even sure what day it is? Everything seems kind of fuzzy lately.” A half laugh came from her as she shrugged, then tried to give him a smile. It wasn’t that she was amused, more she was trying to keep herself from focusing on it too much, to keep herself from crying.

“I don’t know if it will help, but it’s Thursday.” Her eyes went wide, which almost made him chuckle. “Dartan said it’s been two days since you got here. You’ve only been HERE about 18 hours.” He gave her a soft and caring smile, trying to reassure her. The poor female had been through so much; and nothing in her life would ever be the same again. There was no clue how she would react when he informed her that she was now immortal. He hoped that she wouldn’t have a problem with both he and Arch helping her to acclimate to life in Imperium.

“I’m sure he’d know.” There was an edge to her voice and her lips thinned, eyes dropping to the blanket as she picked at a piece of fuzz. Of course he would; and if he was here, he’d be reminding her of it every couple of minutes. Her eyes once again rose to the much friendlier face of Olly, “sorry, I must be getting grumpy from lack of food.” As her cheeks pinked, she could feel the heat rising to them.

Olly had to fight to keep from chuckling. She was certainly snarky, but it was not as if she did not have good reason to. By all accounts, in less than 24 hours, Dartan had lost her, almost gotten her killed and eaten, and then provoked a demon that ended up causing her more pain than him. If she had any idea how to use any of the powers that Abriella had bestowed upon her, the spectre would be even more unhappy than he current was.

“You have every reason to be upset. Just know that he is strangely concerned for you in his own way.” Once more Olly had to control a chuckle when she rolled her eyes until almost all he could see was the whites of her eyes. While he had never had any experience with Dartan, he was beginning to wonder if there was ANYONE that could stand him. He would have to talk to Mithos and Arioch, neither of them were known for putting things delicately or holding back their opinions.

“Yes, well his way of things so far seems to be rather painful.” Amaya picked at the blanket again; not wanting to look up at Olly, and let him know how much everything that Dartan had said and done had really hurt her feelings. “And now I can’t even go home.” She sighed and wanted to cry, but clenched her jaw to try and control herself. No one was going to feel sorry for her, least of all herself.

Olly perched himself on the side of the bed, reaching over and taking her hand that was pulling the fuzz off the blanket. Her hand was small and delicate, totally dwarfed by his much larger and more powerful one. Slowly she looked up at him and he gave her a soft smile when once more their eyes met. She was truly beautiful.

“Food, and then I will share what I know with you, and we can start making some plans. OK?” She nodded and he tightened his hand around hers slightly, wanting to comfort her. Already he was feeling protective over her, something that came natural as a Horseman, but there was also something more.

“Our kitchens can make anything you desire, so what would Sleeping Beauty like to eat?” He winked at her and that at least earned him a smile and the pinkening of her cheeks. Her eyes dropping briefly to his hand holding hers then back to his eyes. How had Dartan found this beauty annoying and aggravating? Olly, for all his years, found himself quite bewitched.

There was a little bit of a discussion on what to eat, then Olly left her alone so she could take a bath in private. Now that they knew that any harm to Dartan would cause harm to her, he’d been warned that if he acted up, Abriella would make life for him torture for the rest of eternity once they broke the spell. Because of that, Olly didn’t fear going back to the kitchen again to get her the mac and cheese she wanted, along with some hot tea and a soda.

[princess-of-thieves-id]

14

Chapter 13

Arik is done talking to Diyan, now it's Inara's turn...

The room was dark as Inara lay on the bed in the room she was sharing with Arik, all the lights were off save for a small lamp in the corner that barely gave any light. Her head was aching, but not as much as her heart. She feared that her explosion of emotion at Noar would cause all kinds of problems between her and Arik. They were friends, it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out whose side he would take if forced. Arik would hate her for it if they got kicked off of the vessel at the next port. Noar probably was enraged she slapped and embarrassed him, thankfully at least it was not in front of anyone else. At the next port maybe she could get off and figure something else out to hide from her family and the soldiers that were no doubt hunting them. She would let Arik know he did not have to go with her if she left. He’d done enough for her, and she was sure that her words to his best friend would test his loyalties. It hurt to think of being rejected, but she had to be prepared for it. How could she compete with his best friend? She wasn’t even going to try to do that.

As she awaited Arik’s returns, her tears were making slow rivulets down her cheeks. Small damp spots were forming on the pillow under her head. When she had returned to the cabin, her clothing from dinner had been discarded and still lay in a heap on the shirt. Now she had clothed herself in one of Arik’s shirts. At least it smelled like him, even if it might be the last time she got to experience that. The longer that passed, the more certain she was that he would not return to the cabin that evening, or if he did, that it would not be a friendly encounter. The longer she lay alone in the room, the more her tears flowed and her heart ached. The only comfort she had was curling up into a ball, hugging herself.

With how quiet the room was, she could not miss the soft click of the door unlocking. It caused Inara to freeze, almost afraid to breathe. The desire to roll over and see the look on his face was great, but she also feared what it was that she would see.

When she had left Noar’s cabin, she knew that he had been enraged. Her mind had gone over what Noar’s conversation with Arik would have been like, how he would have phrased everything that had transpired and was said. The sound of the door closing once more cause her to pull her knees up tighter to her chest.

Had Noar twisted her words to mean things other than what she had said? Was it possible that he had told the truth? Was there much of a difference between the two as afar as how Arik would react? Her mind once more tumbled all the questions around as the silence stretched in the room. It was all she could do not to say something. Her jaw tensed, steeling herself against the harsh reaction she was sure to get.

The sight of Inara on the bed, the way she was laying, and her obvious upset sent a lightning bolt of rage through Arik. He had warned Diyan about upsetting her, and here she was beyond upset. The whole situation had his hands slowly balling to fists at his sides, maybe it was not too late for that promised broken jaw after all.

After careful consideration, however, he decided that Inara was the greater and more urgent need. Delaying further words with Diyan would change nothing; but leaving Inara alone in the room would causer her more upset. That was the last thing he wanted to do, quite the opposite.

It was with that in mind that he stripped off his boots and clothes, before climbing onto the bed. Her need for his comfort and reassurance was almost palpable in the air of the room, hanging like a fog in the silence that was still unbroken.

“Inara, my Princess, it’s okay. I’m back now. Shhh…” Arik kept his voice soft and low as he spoke to Inara. He was torn between curling up behind her and giving her physical space, trying to decide which she would prefer. In the end, he leaned up against the headboard, his fingers dancing lightly across her upper arm.

What exactly had transpired in Diyan’s room, he was not sure, but he was not going to press for more than she wanted to tell him. Arik felt out of his depth trying to understand how not to upset her more. Diyan had experienced more relationships, even if the majority of them were short lived. His motivation at the moment was only to reassure and comfort the woman who had his heart.

“I don’t know all that happened or was said. You’re not alone, I’m here and I will do anything you need.” Arik felt like he couldn’t breathe waiting for some form response from Inara. She had his heart, he’d realized it up on the bridge while waiting for that infernal date to be over. During the weeks of watching her from the shadows, he’d slowly fallen in love with her. She had professed that she was falling in love with him, but he had realized he had already fallen for her before they had even step foot outside of the castle. His only hope at the time was that Diyan had not done or said anything to cause her mind and heart to change, Arik was not sure what his actions would be.

“Arik?” Just his name felt like such an effort to say, her lungs feeling like they could not get enough air. It came out not as a question, but was more of a plea for him to understand what she was not saying. Tears once more threatened to fall, sobs feeling like they were waiting for one wrong move to begin again. Even if his words had been gentle and reassuring, his touch light and soft, Inara could not get the fear out of her brain that it was deception. She had seen the manipulation one human could do to another when wanting to cut someone deeper than a blade ever could.

There was something unspoken that the tone of her voice screamed at him. She needed his deeper reassurances and physical presence to assuage whatever fears that Diyan had caused to take hold in her mind. If that was what she needed, that was indeed what he would do for her.

Laying down behind her, his arms banded around her to pull her back against his chest. “I’m not going anywhere Inara. Your knight will always be here for you, my princess. Whatever is troubling you, you have nothing to fear when it comes to me.” A soft and loving kiss was planted on the top of her head.

[gray-r-regan]

Despite IDing as nonbinary, I've been using he/him pronouns everywhere for nine years (and, in my head, my entire life, without quiiiiiite knowing why until so very late in the game), but I've never written at any length about a nonbinary character (I plan to create more of them, eventually).

In my recent re-read of On Writing, King said pronouns are slippery and require a lot of attention in revision, and I was like but how, but I'm getting it now. I keep catching myself using 'he' 'him' and 'his' in passages about this pirate character.

I love them so much I want to give them their own book, and I keep feeling like my little typing slips are a slap to their face despite that

They don't actually exist

It's a muscle memory problem

When talking to or about other nonbinary and trans people who actually live and breathe, I am exceptionally careful about pronoun usage.

Frankly it's annoying the hell out of me, almost like not being able to consistently gender myself properly.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Kinda hoping to get more writeblr friends cos I wanna see everyone's writing, soooo

Reblog this with a link to your best written excerpt/short story and I'll go check you out??

This is totally not a way to procrastinate writing my own stuff 🥺

(Also here's a shameless plug to one of my stories :))

[jaspermeredith]

3

Chapter 2

Jasper has an idea...everyone should be scared...

Jasper didn’t trust Meredith, and Meredith did not trust Jasper, but they had agreed to work with one another.  The time spent the rest of the afternoon after this agreement was used to pull all of the different volumes off of the shelves that they would need to do a thorough investigation.  Jasper also was trying to determine how to keep Annabella and Adriel from discovering the mission that Meredith had been given. 

She was now sitting cross-legged in one of the large, plush, leather chairs in his library, looking over an old tome that he believed had the history of Jean Pierre before in it somewhere.  Even he wasn’t quite sure where the Grigori came from before he had turned up in New Orleans.  He’d never really dug into it either, not really caring.  Watching her, Jasper was vexed on how to keep his friends from all killing her, whilst simultaneously proving two of their innocence.  Answering to the Phanuel was not on the top of his “to-do list” anytime between the current day and the end of time.

“Finding what you are looking for, Princess?” Jasper leaned back in his chair, crossing his long legs at the ankle atop the leather ottoman before him.  He was currently leaving the research up to her, since she was the one who had all of the details.

Meredith’s eyes rose from the typed text before her, but her head stayed bowed over the book.  The look she pinned him with just made him smirk, which made her eyes narrow.  “I’m not a princess, we covered this.” Her eyes rolled, and she looked down at the book again before she blew a puff of air to try to get an errant lock of hair out of her face.

“Touchy, touchy there, are we, sweetling?” Jasper leaned over from the other side of the table, reaching forward to let his fingers skim her forehead to remove the lock for her.  He swore that he saw her jaw clench and he loved it.  Getting under her skin was a favorite pastime of his.

There was a heavy sigh.  “Must you?  Really?”  She tried to ignore him. She failed.

“Oh, why yes, darling, I very much must.”  He grinned and put his hand on the top of the book to flatten it down on the table they were both leaning over.  This earned him a glare, which made him smirk all the more.  He loved getting under her perfect exterior, he couldn’t even say why.  “If you aren’t learning what you want to know from that, I do have another idea how we can find out the information.” His head tipped, waiting for her to ask.

For a full minute, silence filled the air of the library.  It was probably the first actual silence there had been since Jasper had caught her in there. Meredith, however, was trying to figure out what his angle was, because she couldn’t believe he actually wanted to help her.  “Well…carry on…what is this idea you have, Jasper?”  She finally gave in and asked when it was clear he was not going to volunteer the information.

With a smirk that he saw caused her to have to purse her lips to keep from another snarky response, he replied: “we’re going to live together in my mansion in the Garden District of New Orleans.  Blend into society as a couple.” His smirk grew as he watched her eyes grow wider and her jaw go slack.  

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[devil-in-the-details-ay]

20

Chapter 19

The search for Yara's mother begins....

Smoke swirled along the gold inlaid floor, climbing curling and climbing the marbled walls, and seeming to creep ever closer to the couple at the center of the room.  Lighting flashed through massive windows across a deep indigo sky, lighting everything up before plunging it into an almost inky blackness.  There was a thrum that could be felt, making the room feel alive around them as they waited to be greeted.

“Who has entered Vahala, the realm of Odin, the Almighty Allfather?  State your name and reason for your visit, or you shall meet your DOOM!!!”  A loud voice demanded. It was deep and echoed off of all the walls around them making Yara’s ears ring, and she could feel the vibration of it within all of her being.  Her hand entwined with Astaroth’s tightened and her other one gripped his elbow as she pressed against him.  Whoever it was sounded angry, and she was not prepared, nor dressed, for a fight.  Astaroth seemed relaxed, and she hoped that meant that whoever it was could still die by his powers. “Oh for fuck’s sake Mordgud, Odin’s expecting us. You know damn well who it is, too. I swear if you loose Garm, and he ruins another pair of my shoes, I'm going to be seriously pissed.”  Astaroth rolled his eyes and the sarcasm was thick in his voice, before he looked over at Yara with an annoyed but apologetic look.  The look of confusion and fear on her face just made him sigh.  Leave it to Mordgud to start things off on the wrong foot.  “I’ll explain later,” he mouthed over to her.

“You know, Astaroth, you take all the fun out of things.  Do you know how long it is between visitors up here?”  The goddess stepped into view, the smoke that had filled the marble and gold room dissipating as she did.  “Don’t worry, after Odin’s response last time Garm greeted you, I wasn’t about to let him loose this time.”  The beautiful goddess, with her inky black curls that seemed to reflect a deep blue in the light, tipped her head and  grinned.  “And who do we have here?” Mordgud leaned closer as she regarded Yara, her eyes studying the beauty next to Astaroth.  From the way the female was clinging to Death, she had to be someone special.  Normally Astaroth was reticent to let anyone touch him, let alone almost climb upon him. That she hadn’t dropped dead yet meant Astaroth liked it, interesting indeed.

“This, Mordgud, is my wife, Yara.  Yara, the goddess Mordgud, guardian of the bridge to Hel and Valhalla.”  Astaroth made the introductions.  Seeing the surprised look on Mordgud’s face, he grinned more. “I take it the news of the wedding hasn’t made it up here yet?” There was a bit of a smug smirk as he asked the question.  This meant that when they showed up in other places, the surprise would also be the same.  Perfect.

“Not at all!  I will have to speak to father about this.  Welcome to Valhalla, Yara.  I apologize for scaring you, I did not realize that Astaroth would not have warned his guest that he is well known here.” Mordgud bowed to the couple.  “Now, please, follow me, I’ll guide you to mother and father.”  The goddess smiled brightly before turning to lead them from the room and down a bright hallway.  Oh there were going to be some broken hearts in the whole of the underworld when this news got out, and she couldn’t wait to be the one who spread it.  Such news was hard to come by anymore.  She couldn’t wait to tell Hel! 

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[adrielandanna]

3

Chapter 2

“Mate?” Her voice barely more than a whisper, Anna had to ask. She had to make sure she was not misunderstanding.

Adriel gently nodded, not dropping his eyes from hers. Annabella felt her heart speed and her lungs seemed suddenly unable to draw air. She felt her head spin a bit, the reality of the situation setting in hard and fast. For a second her eyes dropped to the center of his chest, where her hands were now splayed. At the moment, everything about him was affecting her more than she had anticipated him doing so in the beginning, let alone than she wished it did. Setting aside the fact he was Abriella’s father, he was gorgeous and she was finding him far more muscled than she had anticipated judging based solely on his profile in his suit.

When their eyes once again met, her breath and voice stuttered as she tried to put her thoughts into words. “So, I’ll be your first…” Each word was enunciated and came out slowly as she still tried to make sure she expressed herself clearly. Every implication from what she had learned of anglic relationships over the centuries tumbled through her mind and she was failing to grasp them soundly.

Was that really what she was worried about? Adriel’s jaw clenched hearing the words come out and the seeming hesitancy of them. His pride and, if he was honest, heart were more than a little bit wounded that her mind first went to sex and his inexperience. His voice held an edge, no matter how hard he tried to keep it out, “worried that you will not be satisfied due to my lack of experience, Bella?”

The sexual attraction and magnetism between them was strong, and it was all he could do not to ravish her on the table upon which she was sitting, yet that she was concerned about his experience struck at something within him that hurt in a way he could not express. Rarely did he feel vulnerable in any way, but at the moment he felt completely defenseless before her. His jaw tensed more, and he fought snapping. He had wanted to claim her there and then, but she worried that he would leave her wanting greater pleasure then he could provide? Angels did not copulate before they found their mate; but that did not mean he had not provided pleasure in other ways, and would not ensure that she was completely sated when he was through with her. That she would doubt him, and it would be her primary concern; that bothered him. He wanted a mate focused on more than the physical, but it seemed he had been granted otherwise by his father.

“First relationship.” Anna clarified, a bit taken aback and unsure of what else to say, after feeling like she had just been slapped by his reaction. Although she supposed the other was true as well, she was not about to state that from the way he had just spoken to her. She had seen the hurt on his face, and heard it in his voice. She was actually hurt herself now that he had thought she was referring to sex. It had been the last thing on her mind. How could he think she meant that? Relationships were complicated and sometimes messy; it seemed that communication was starting off that way for them in this one.

As soon as Anna spoke, and Adriel realized his mistake, his eyes closed and his head fell forward a bit. Obviously he was trying to process things as she was, and the heightened sexual tension between them, that had been building since their first meeting, was not helping. “I am sorry, my Bella.” He swallowed, unsure what else to say. Curse Div, curse Stennis, curse…fuck…he didn’t know. Maybe he should curse himself for jumping to conclusions after seeing how well that had worked out over the years for Cruz and Abriella. His mind, his body, and his heart seemed to be warring with one another on how to handle everything. This had to be one of the most unique situations when it came to angelic matehood, and nothing had prepared him for it.

Anna brought one of her hands to his cheek to gently caress it, the soft stubble tickling against her soft palm. “Adriel, I’m more worried about disappointing you.” She sighed heavily, now trying to be more careful with her wording and her nerves rising ever higher. “Being your first at everything…it’s a bit overwhelming. I did not mean to hurt you. I’m sorry if my hesitation in being able to put my thoughts together gave you the wrong impression. I’m just overwhelmed with everything, but that’s not a bad thing.” Now it was her thumb that swept slow and soft over his cheekbone as her voice mirrored that softness. She had been in his place more than once; she knew the blow to the ego and the heart. Worse, she had been in the place he thought he’d been in, where she had been a disappointment to someone else, someone who didn’t necessarily care that it caused her an ache.

Her touch almost caused a greater ache in his chest than his realization that he had been an ass to assume and not let her finish her sentence. If Annabella had reacted with anger or hurt, he would have understood and he deserved her reproach; instead she had been understanding and was worried herself. Adriel felt that it was he who did not deserve this female as his mate. His anger, which was indeed legendary amongst the Heavens and Hells, was something he now feared would hurt her and potentially drive her away. If he lost her…the ache in his chest caused him to breathe in sharply. He and Div would talk later.

“I am sorry, Bella. I have a temper, one which I have never had reason to contain nor restrict. I did not mean to offend or hurt you. I promise to do better in the future.” Slowly Adriel’s eyes opened and his head rose to look at her face. “You could not disappoint me.” Softly he kissed her, keeping his eyes on hers, feeling drawn into their cerulean depths and drowning within.

Gently he lowered his hands to her ass and lifted her off of the table. He had an idea, and it required getting in a totally different position than the one they currently were in. Her legs had still been wrapped around him, which helped as he carried her over to a large couch that was a short distance away. “I think we both got wrapped up in the feelings, emotions, and desires, mia bella. How disappointed would you be if we spent the rest of the afternoon,” one hand left her ass and slowly made its way up to the middle of her back, “just talking and becoming more comfortable with one another? Maybe avoiding more miscommunications?” He held her to him, trying to convey he didn’t want to let her go yet, but they obviously were both trying to grapple with this sudden shift in all they knew.

Anna’s hand was still on the side of Adriel’s face and again her thumb caressed his cheekbone, her head tipping to the side as she did. “Horribly…that is if there aren’t snacks and wine included in this snuggling on the couch.” Her lips curved up in a smile as she leaned into him. The passion that had overtaken them previously was waning, and that while the attraction had not lessened, now she wanted to know the man in a way that was far more deep and intimate than carnally. “A girl must have sustenance if she is to bare her soul to her mate, you know.” She was trying to lighten the mood a little. Truly, she wanted the wine more than anything.

When Adriel reached the couch, Annabella finally released her legs from around his waist. Her feet were only on the floor for a brief moment, however. As Adriel sat, he pulled her down with him so that she sat across his lap. Her ass on one thigh, her thighs were perpendicular across the other, with her shoulder tucked under one of his, and her head resting atop his shoulder. By the time they were settled, she was securely wrapped in his arms once more, and it was a toss up which was more pleased at the current situation.

One arm wrapped around her back with his hand on her hip, the other cradling her with his hand buried deep in her golden, silken hair, Adriel’s hold was gentle, yet possessive. How his daughter had found his mate and then matched them up without realizing it confused him, till he realized that Div had assisted her in pairing everyone up. It was true that his father worked in mysterious ways, but sometimes it would be nice if the being gave a heads up when he was about to upend your life. A soft kiss was placed on Anna’s forehead. She was his treasure and for her, he would learn not to explode as much as he had for the entirety of his existence. At least he would learn to temper his anger towards and at her, if not towards others entirely.

“I cannot promise to be a perfect mate. I shall try. There will be failures, but know that you are treasured regardless.” His hold tightened momentarily. “Tomorrow should be more relaxed. What do you think of spending the day together? We can go anywhere you want, or just stay here in Imperium and I can show you around. There are many nice places here on the Palace grounds.” A slow and soft kiss was placed on her forehead, and he inhaled the scent of her perfume as it mixed with her innate scent.

“I tend to snap to judgements and say things without thinking, so we both have things to work on, Addy.” Anna gave him a sheepish smile. Judging from everyone’s reaction at breakfast, she had a feeling that they’d all had run-ins with Adriel’s temper. She hoped not to, at least nothing worse than what had happened today.

Another kiss was placed on her forehead, then Adriel brought his forehead to hers. There was something in his eyes that made her feel that no matter what fights or disagreements that they had, it would end up okay. “Spending the day together sounds great, but how about we stay down here for a while? At least till we figure each other out a little more?” Annabella gave him a small smile, which was rewarded with one of his own and a very soft kiss. She was coming to like both from him exceptionally.

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[inopinatus-ea]

3

Chapter 2

The storm after the calm...

After his mother and Adelia’s parents had passed him, Raiden took the opportunity to rescue the obviously stunned and horrified Princess and her escort from the courtyard before his father exploded all over Emery again. Branoc’s rages were legendary, and if there was truly to be a wedding, it was best that Adelia not learn of them until later. Even if his elder brother were telling the truth, what was coming was going to be ugly and brutal. He wondered if Emery would even be able to join the banquet once their father finished with him. This was quite a fine mess they were in, and that didn’t help their father’s disposition any. There was no need for the Princess to witness whatever was coming, it would only add to the disaster that was transpiring. If she did, there was no doubt in his mind that whatever agreement that had been reached between the Kings would be immediately nullified, and she would flee in well deserved fear.

“Princess Adelia, my most humble apology for this upset.” Raiden slightly bowed towards her, a lock of his dark blond hair falling slightly over his forward. It gave him almost a boyish charming look. “I assure you none of us were aware of this disgrace to our family, and I do apologize for all of the upset. I am Prince Raiden,” his head inclined slightly towards her, “please let me escort you inside. Much refreshment has been provided for the evening that will allow you to have a moment to alleviate some of the shock of the moment.” His eyes flicked over to Drach’s. When they met, there seemed to be some understanding between the two men that Raiden meant her no harm, and was just trying to help in the moment when it was clear that things had not gone as anyone in his family had planned. Drach inclined his head towards the Prince in approval, at least for the moment.

Glancing warily towards Drach, Adelia too saw the exchange of looks between the men and nodded slightly to Raiden. “Oh..okay. I apologize, Prince Raiden,” she curtseyed only slightly, still in shock that she was marrying a man who had not only impregnated his former lover, but sent her away in her shame it seemed, “please forgive my rudeness.” What exactly what was the protocol for such a situation? Was there one? She certainly didn’t remember one from her many years of training to be a Queen one day.

Releasing Drach’s arm, her delicate hand slid onto Raiden’s proffered arm. She had acknowledged he was more muscled than she would have anticipated upon appraising him clothed. Hopefully, that would be the first of many pleasant surprises, given how the day had started. Adelia wasn’t sure that she could take many more surprises like the one that her mother had dropped upon all of them, although she wasn’t sure any of them could

Raiden bowed his head slightly to his father, as Adelia curtseyed, when they passed. To Emery, though, he only met his gaze and slightly shook his head with a look of supreme disdain. How could he do this to their family and to the Princess. He understood that his brother didn’t want to be forced to marry, but the dishonor to all of them was inexcusable, and the poor woman was so shaken by it all. Raiden could see Emery’s jaw was locked, his eyes boring holes in him. Let Emery be mad. It was his own fault this was happening.

Adelia noticed the exchange between brothers and the look or rage upon the King. It only served to cause her nerves to grow even more bubbling up from within her depths. Only knowing that Drach was with her and would give his life for her kept her from running through the door and back to the waiting car. She was not happy about being there, and the current state of affairs was not helping.

Once Drach had closed the doors behind them, Emery barely had time to consider what his father’s actions would be before Branoc’s fist slammed into the side of his son’s head. “How dare you humiliate us in front of the Uchelgais Royal Family like that. You fucked that harlot, got her pregnant, and didn’t think to tell us? Do you really think that King Mavroa is going to let his virginal daughter marry you now? Now that you’re a disgrace to the throne and kingdom? Do you think she can even look at you without feeling a great amount of disgust?” Once more the King’s fist impacted Emery’s face, drawing blood and imparting a great amount of pain.

Dust puffed up around him as Emery hit his knees, blood dripping from his cut lip. When he spit, it was bright red. His head only hung briefly before his chin lifted, and his eyes met his father’s defiantly. He knew better than to say a word, though. Long ago, he had learned that trying to answer Branoc would only bring about more pain. There was no defending himsel, all he could do now was to accept the pain that was coming.

There would be no words that would convince his father that he had not taken Siara to his bed. While he had done nothing to earn the scorn, Branoc had always loathed his eldest. Emery was a reminder of a daliance that had gotten out of hand and became public in the worst way, one that haunted him still. The Queen wanted Raiden as the heir, but as long as Emery breathed, that was impossible.

“Well, what do you have to say for yourself, you little bastard?” His father’s enraged voice rang in Emery’s ears. It was the King’s favorite insult to Emery, because it was the one he could use that he made it through the facade of indifference that Emery had long ago built against the barbs and arrows slung by the King. Branoc ruled through fear and pain; and while he no longer intimidated Emery, he could still cause him pain.

“It is not mine. I didn’t fuck her.” Emery ground out against the pain and a clenched jaw. He was fighting against arguing more, telling his father what he really felt about him, King Mavros, his perfect daughter, and this whole situation that Branoc had contrived. For all he knew, his father or Raiden was the father of Siara’s child. It had come as a complete shock to find out that she had been with someone else, now he had to consider everything.

Emery was not known for being a submissive man, nor for tempering his tongue. He knew that it would do no good to express any opinions to his father. All it would do is bring about more pain and prolong his suffering. Ranting against Princess Adelia, who he did not truly know, could also bring about danger to her as well. Giving his father any idea that she was as not as presented would place her in danger from the violent King. While he didn’t know her personally, he had met enough high born Princesses to have his opinions and ideas, but he’d be quiet for now.

“LIAR!!” Branoc raged again as his foot impacted his son’s head, then his abdomen, once…twice…three times. Emery was curled up in a ball, coughing up more blood at the end. Surely, there was some kind of internal damage from the amount of pain he was feeling. Would this be the time his father finally killed him and his brother got his place in line for the crown?

Branoc was neither a small nor a frail man, so there was little doubt that he was doing damage, and he relished that fact. If he would not have had further revolt from his people, he would have eliminated Emery long ago. “GUARD!”

As they waited, the King glowered down at his eldest son, who lay trembling on cold and gery stones of the drive. Pain wracked his body from the blows he’d sustained, his breathing was labored, and darkness clouded the edges of his vision. This wasn’t the end, though. This was just intermission in the administering of pain for the evening. The guards would finish it, and as always, he wished they would also finish his life. He was sure that they would not. They never did. They weren’t that merciful. Instead, they enjoyed the administration of pain and seeing how loud they could make him scream and cry out. Emery thought that is why Branoc let them.

Two guards came, smirks on their faces when they saw the state of the Prince. They knew the task that they were about to be handed and were looking forward to it. “Take him out to the horse barn. Whip him until he passes out. Afterwards he’ll need to be cleaned up and given fairy blood. Make him presentable for the banquet, and do not disappoint me. He has a duty tonight.” One more good kick to the stomach, and Branoc turned to head inside to his son that wasn’t a degenerate, and the Princess that he might let Raiden have instead of Emery.

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[battlegroundofdreams]

7

Chapter 6

Morpheus goes to find out what is going on in the Dream Ward...

The ride back down to the Dream Ward solidified Morpheus’ plan of action in his head.  He had to get into the Ward, no matter what it took.  So, when he exited the elevator back on the Dream Ward floor, he didn’t even slow as he approached the guard that was between him and the actual ward where agents went into the semi-sleep that allowed them to enter the dreams of mortals.   The male stepped in front of him, telling him once more to stop and the instructions that no one was to enter the Ward were repeated; they were ignored as was the declaration that he was not authorized to be on the floor or the Ward.  

He knew what he was about to do was most likely going to end his career.  However, from what he’d just heard from Agent Rua, he wasn’t sure that Melinoe was going to be able to handle things alone, and get Agent Lorien out of whatever dream he’d been stuck in.  It had been his wounded pride and ego earlier in the day that got her into this mess, now he would do whatever was required to get her out of it.  Then he’d take the time to apologize properly and hope that she’d still agree to team up with him.  What happened with Krios and Andromeda, well that would be left to be seen and handled at some other time.  As far as he was concerned, they were bothbureaucrats that could fuck off and stay out of the way of the agents who did the real work of the bureau. 

When Morpheus reached a few feet from the automatic door into the Ward, the guard fully blocked his path.  One hand came up into the middle of Morpheus’ chest to stop his forward movement, and the other to his weapon; it was clear that he had been warned that Morpheus did not accept “no” as an answer often. This was one of those times, and the guard should have drawn his weapon if he really wanted to stop Morpheus.  The agent had three inches on the guard, and was far more trained heavily in hand-to-hand combat.  Morpheus hardly even paused his stride before slamming his fist into the side of the guard’s head so hard there was an audible crunch as something broke.  The first impact sent the guard stumbling sideways, but it was the second one that had him completely unconscious and crumpling to the ground with a definitive thud. Morpheus did naught but give him a firm kick ot make sure that he wasn’t going to have to deal with him again before he ascertained what the fuck was going on inside those doors.. 

When the doors before him opened, Morpheus strode through with a determined look firmly in place on his face and his hand shaking to try to get the sting out of his knuckles.  The guard might not have been the smartest, but his head was still hard. Upon taking in all that was before him, Morpheus came to a complete stop.  What he saw was unlike anything he’d seen on the Ward before.   The only active agents in the room were Melinoe and Lorien.  The dream monitoring beds they lay on were shoved right next to each other, their hands joined with fingers intertwined.  Around them were more than normal medical staff, additional security staff, Krios, Andromeda, and far too many of the dream walking staff he knew were trained to pull agents out of dreams when things went ass over tits and they couldn’t get themselves out.  Other than the quiet beeping and whirring of the monitors for Melinoe and Lorien, the Ward was completely silent.  Too silent.  It was never this silent.

The sound of the doors sliding open had caught Krios’ attention.  At first he assumed it was a changing of guard, but when no one approached him or Andromeda, he started to suspect there was another reason for the sound that had breached the mandated quiet of the room. Barely making a move to turn his head, his eyes slid to the side, and there he spied Morpheus in a state that he had never seen the other male in before: stunned into silence.  There was a mild amusement at that, and a slight worry for the state the guard outside the Ward had been left in.  No doubt the guard was not conscious out in the hallway, hopefully he was still breathing.  Covering up a death in addition to whatever was going to happen to Melinoe and Lorien might be more than the agency was prepared to handle at the current.  

As he contemplated the current situation that they all found themselves in, Krios was actually surprised it had taken Morpheus so long to get onto the Ward.  He had to wonder what else the agent had been up to and where else he had been.  That was something that would have to be looked into, who else needing medical aid, other than the guard?

Lightly nudging Andromeda, Krios barely tipped his head to clue her in that Morpheus had finally arrived. They had known he would, but neither had been sure what he would do when he found out that they had two agents that the could not pull out of a dream.  It had not happened before, and after the way that things had gone earlier in the day, neither of them felt that was going to be something he accepted lightly.

Krios decided that there was no reason to delay the inevitable. Time to go and try not to provoke an outburst from Morpheus.  Judging from the expression on the agent’s face, he already felt some guilt, but there was anger too.  Explaining all that was transpiring without causing Morpheus to lash out in either of those two emotions was going to be a delicate balancing act, and one that Krios was not sure he was up to with the woman that he loved currently stuck in what sounded to be the most extremely violent dreamscape that anyone had encountered.

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