#Family Saga Fiction

[sylviahubbard]

#SampleWednesday with🔥 Wicked Chances. Re-Release 📚on eBook and newly release paperback NOW AVAILABLE🗓️ #syllit #intriguesuspense #blackmailmarriage #multicultural #realestateromance #heartofdetroit companion novel

book info | about author | more books by author | buy direct from author Themes and Tropes Blackmail Romance Suspenseful Thriller Forbidden Love Story Family Drama Fiction Survival Suspense Novel Multicultural /Interracial Strong Female Protagonist Emotional Romantic Suspense book info | about author | more books by author | buy direct from author About this story: A woman with her…

[andreafmn]

Collision | Chapter 27

Word Count: 3.2K

Story Description: (Y/N) Uley is back home after being away for four years. Her life is at its first standstill and she is taking this time to find out who she is without school. But she never thought that coming back to the reservation would turn her whole life around. In the midst of secrets and mystery, a man crashes into (Y/N)’s and her life will never be the same.

A/N: omg, this one is also coming to an end very soon 🫣🫣

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The longer (Y/N) remained in the Cullen house, the more she felt the walls closing in on her. For a moment, she couldn't distinguish the difference between dreams and reality. It all seemed like a horrible nightmare she couldn't shock herself awake from.

As soon as the tickets were bought and a plan was laid out, the girl ran outside. The smell of pine and wet dirt filled her nose, and for the first time in hours, she felt like she could breathe. The house taunted her as she leaned against her truck, trying to fill her lungs with air, tears burning the back of her eyes.

(Y/N) wanted to be strong. She wanted the vampires in the house to believe nothing they had done had affected her. Her heart had been shattered, but she had persevered. In fact, she had come out of the other end better than she had been left.

But she had been strong for long enough. She had swallowed her tears, and she had slipped on a mask. She had been pretending to be strong long before she knew that's what she was doing. Pretending to be okay had become her second nature.

Yet, everything breaks at some point. All the pressure—years and years of suppression—is bound to make even the strongest diamond break.

A tightness spread through (Y/N)'s chest, stopping her lungs from receiving oxygen. It had her gasping for air, taking as many breaths as her body allowed her. But it hazed her sight and numbed her limbs, pulling her to the ground as she tried to regain her composure. Still, try as she might, her body betrayed her. It raced her heart and forced tears to fall from her eyes, making her ache for air like a fish out of water.

"Hey, hey, (Y/N)," she heard distantly. "You need to focus on your breathing, okay?"

"I-I-I c-can't," the girl stammered.

"Yes, you can, (Y/N)," Theo said as she placed her cold hand on her cheeks, snapping her eyes to the vampire. "Focus on me. Copy what I'm doing."

Though she didn't need it, Theo took in deep breaths through her nose and exhaled through her mouth, keeping her gaze firmly on (Y/N). She took her friend's hands in hers and tried her best to keep her focus. She spoke slowly and calmly, instructing the girl's breaths and pulling her attention from the attack.

It was almost a play-by-play of the day the two had met.

(Y/N) hadn't realized just how scary it would be to find herself alone in a new school with faces she didn't recognize. The moment Sam and her mother moved her into her room, she found herself so alone. Her roommate had not shown up, and she'd been informed moments after that she had been unenrolled from the school. Without a roommate and without her family for the first time, the girl felt truly and completely alone.

She had been able to go on for almost a month. Classes kept her distracted enough during the day, and all students were forced to eat breakfast together, but at night, she still had to go back to an empty room, and she still sat by herself every lunchtime and dinnertime. The only thing that kept her sane was the picture of Sam and Allison on her last birthday by her bed. She didn't want to call and worry them. She'd already written to them every two weeks like she had promised, and even then, she felt she was bothering them too much.

The girl had just finished an English class when suddenly, her books flew everywhere, and her knees scraped against the hardwood floor. People around her laughed at their teenage insensitivity, but it was the words of one particular girl that struck her the hardest.

"I think it's better that you go back where you came from," she had spat. "Although I guess some scholarship girl should be used to being at our feet."

(Y/N) hadn't been able to look into the girl's eyes before she felt her chest wrenching from lack of air. Students lost interest in her seconds later, leaving her to scramble for her things as she fought against her own body. One more minute, and she was left alone in the seemingly never-ending hallway.

The lockers around inched closer to her as the seconds ticked by, taking over the little air that remained for her. Her eyes blurred, and her skin pebbled with sweat, all while her lungs screamed at her to breathe.

The tingling started at the tops of her fingers, like ants eating at her veins, and spread to her legs. She was numb and oversensitive all at once, yet she had no control over it. Her body was going crazy, and she had no control over it.

"Hey, hey," she heard a voice call out from a distance. "You need to focus on your breathing, okay? You're having a panic attack."

(Y/N) felt cold hands against her arms, and her eyes snapped back into focus. Before her stood a black-haired girl with striking blue eyes. She wore a burgundy polo, letting her know she was a junior.

"I-I-I c-can't b-breathe."

"I know, honey," the girl said. "Just do what I do, alright? Focus on me."

The older girl took deep breaths through her nose and exhaled through her mouth, telling (Y/N) to do the same. She didn't let go of her hands at any moment, instead keeping her centered with her touch and soft words. Her voice lulled her into a rare sense of calm she had not felt in a while and helped even out her racing heartbeat.

(Y/N) couldn't understand how this girl who knew nothing about her had stopped to help her, even after the tardy bell had rung. Unlike the peers she had shared for four weeks who had laughed at her and walked away without sparing her a second glance.

What she hadn't known was that those few minutes had been excruciating for the girl helping her. (Y/N)'s knees had been spilling small droplets of blood and had been testing the vampire's resolve. It had taken everything in her not to pounce on the girl's neck and expose her identity. But for some reason, she hadn't been able to just walk away.

"How're you feeling now?" the girl asked as (Y/N)'s breathing evened out. "Any better?"

"Y-yes," (Y/N) croaked. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Some kids here don't understand common decency," she chuckled. "I'm Theo, by the way. Well, Theodora, but my friends call me Theo."

"I'm (Y/N)," the young girl responded.

"Well, nice to meet you, (Y/N)," Theo smiled. "How are you finding Greenfield?"

"Lonelier than I was expecting," she admitted with a dry chuckle. "I don't even have a roommate, and clearly, I'm not doing good at making friends."

"Then consider me your first official friend."

"Don't take this in a bad way, but why?" (Y/N)questioned. "I mean, you're a junior. I'm just a freshman."

"Eh, I don't really care about those things," she shrugged. "We all need someone, (Y/N). I'm good with being someone for you."

Theo had become the someone (Y/N) had needed for the next two years. She'd encouraged her to meet new people, she guided her in the direction of a few internships. Theo had even been the one to guide her through a dual-enrollment and started her on her path to medicine. She had been everything she had ever wanted in a friend. Except honest.

As the girl calmed, that realization dawned upon her. The Theo she had met in Greenfield had only been the vampire's mask. The girl that was standing before her was the real one, all golden eyes and perfect skin. She had pretended to be her friend for years, but she had disappeared the moment she needed her the most.

Everyone needs someone. That much she knew was true. However, Theo clearly was not the right person for (Y/N).

"How are you feeling?" Theo asked. "Any better?"

"I'm fine," she croaked, pulling her hand from the girl's grasp. "I can handle things by myself."

"I don't doubt that, (Y/N)," the vampire said. "But we all need someone, (Y/N)."

"Why do you care?" she spat. "After all this time of silence and no contact, why do you care now?"

Theo's expression twisted in confusion, clearly unaware of what the Uley girl spoke of. "What do you mean, (Y/N)?" she questioned. "Did you not get my letters?"

"What letters?"

"I've been sending letters to your home since I left for New York, (Y/N). Since I never heard back, I assumed you just didn't want to talk to me anymore," Theo confessed. "I stopped for some time, trying to give you some space. But when I saw what you were going through after... well, you know, I couldn't help but reach out. And yet again, I never got a response."

"I... I've never gotten a letter from you, Theo," the girl muttered. "Are you sure you sent them to the correct address?"

"I didn't break into the school and look at your personal file to get things wrong," she chuckled. "I'm a hundred percent sure I sent them to your mom's house. And I never got a return to sender post, so I just assumed you threw them away."

Suddenly, a thought popped into (Y/N)'s head. "Sam always gets the mail for mom and I," she mumbled under her breath. "And when he didn't, Paul was the one that got it. But... no. They wouldn't..."

"I don't know what they would or wouldn't do, but I did send those letters," Theo said. "I wished there was more that I could have done for you, but I couldn't without revealing what I really am and crossing into enemy territory. I tried to reach out the only way I thought I could."

"I just thought you'd forgotten about me after you left for New York," she muttered. "I even tried to email you, but the school deactivated your school email after you graduated. I felt like an idiot for trying to contact you when I thought you didn't want anything to do with me. I mean, you were a college student, and I was just a junior in high school."

"Well, a junior in high school and college," Theo teased as she bumped her shoulder softly into (Y/N)'s. "I didn't want to lose contact with you, (Y/N). But I always knew it was something that had to happen at some point—back when you didn't know everything, of course. Humans and vampires, it's just something that isn't meant to last."

"Yeah," (Y/N) scoffed defeatedly. "That's something I learned the hard way."

Theo remained quiet for a second, pondering over her next words carefully. "Would you have allowed him to turn you, then?" she asked tentatively. "Would you really have become one of us?"

"If he had asked me, I think I would have," (Y/N) admitted. "Now, I'm not even sure I want to be in the same state as him."

"You still love him, don't you?"

"I don't want to."

"But you do," Theo stated. "Which is why you agreed to get him home. Which is why you're helping him and his family even after all they did. But you must know you don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"W-what?" (Y/N) questioned in disbelief. "After all that begging, you're telling me there's another way?"

"Not exactly another way, but Esme and I will find a way to get him back," she said. "I didn't want to mention anything in front of her because she's already so distraught from losing her best friend, but you have a choice here, (Y/N). You don't owe them anything, okay? Not even me."

(Y/N) took a moment to ruminate on Theo's words. She'd known deep inside that she could deny them help, but she hadn't felt like it was a real option. The guilt alone would have consumed her, taking her body hostage from the inside out. Even if Carlisle couldn't die, he was doing the closest thing to it. "No, I want to help," she replied. "Regardless of everything that has happened, I want to help."

"Only if you're sure, (Y/N)."

"I am," she smiled. "I'll see you tonight, Theo."

"(Y/N)..."

"I'm okay, Theo," she said. "I'll see you soon."

The ride back home filled (Y/N) with anger and uncertainty. She had carried some buried resentment toward Theo since the girl had left the boarding school. The one girl that had gone out of her way to build her up into who she was had disappeared as quickly as she had come to her life. And she never got a reason why.

She had spent years thinking she was disposable, that she had lost the only friend she had made at school to distance and disinterest. Instead, someone had decided to try their hand at playing god and had believed they knew more than the universe's will. The only culprits he could think that would do that were the very ones who had been tasked to keep others like Theo away from their land. But she couldn't believe they would do something like that for years. Not to her.

Still, she had no time to ponder over the betrayal as she searched her room for a duffel bag to fill with the first clothes she could find. The girl ran from corner to corner, packing essentials and some non-essentials as well. It was her first time flying across the country to save her vampire ex-boyfriend from eternal hunger and punishment after he had shattered her heart—she didn't know what to pack.

All she knew was that she had very little time before she had to drive all the way back to the Cullen's land.

"What are you doing?" Paul's voice suddenly filled her room. "You smell like them."

"I'm going to New York with Esme and a friend to save Carlisle," she responded without taking her gaze off the clothes she was folding. "We leave as soon as I'm done here."

"So you decided to help," Sam interjected. "I thought seeing the bloodsuckers again would make you hate them. Serves me right for believing their charms wouldn't work again on my sister."

The spite in her brother's voice pierced her heart with calculated precision. He had only spoken with kind and supportive words while the vampires were away, and there was no sign they would come back. He had stood by his sister's side and told her what she wanted to hear, except when she needed him the most—except when she had finally made a decision he did not like. "You always knew there was a possibility I would go," she said through gritted teeth. "And they didn't work any charms on me. My mind had been made up before I even got there."

"We have enough with the ones that came back," Sam said. "Why do you have to bring another one?"

"Because his family deserves to have him here. He's not just your enemy, Sam. He's also a father and a friend, and they miss him. It is not my place to keep him away."

"After all we did to keep them from you," Paul mumbled under his breath, thinking she couldn't hear him.

But she did. "Oh, I know all about what you've done," (Y/N) spat. "Like keeping letters from me sent by the only friend I had in school. Where are they, huh, Sam? Did you chase the mailman until you got them?"

"How did you...?"

"That friend I'm going to New York with? Turns out she's a vampire, and she's the one that had sent those letters," she said. "Letters I didn't even catch a glance of since you and Paul had always been so kind to bring our mail in."

"I was trying to protect you, (Y/N)," her brother argued. "Those things have no place here."

"They are your enemies, Sam! Not mine," she exclaimed. "I thought she hated me. I thought the one friend I had made outside of the reservation hated me because she hadn't reached out. Come to find out, it was you that had been keeping her away."

"Those letters reeked of leech," he scoffed. "I was doing you a favor. Those things are poison, (Y/N)."

"That should be my decision to make! You took that from me, Sam. Both of you," she fumed. "People have always looked down on me. Whether it be for where I was born, how much money I have, or who my father is. I can count on one hand the people who wanted to be my friends without you intervening. Theo was the only person in that school who saw me as a person. I wasn't Sam's little sister or the smartest person in class. I was simply a person. And you made me think all of that had been a lie. You made me feel unlovable, replaceable."

"She's a vampire."

"She's my friend!" (Y/N) yelled. "Look, I don't need to explain why or why those letters mattered to me. What I care about is that you took away my choice to decide on the matter. I'm not a child anymore, Sam. I do not need you to make decisions for me."

"Are you sure about that, (Y/N)?" Sam fumed. "You fall for one leech, he breaks your heart, and you turn into a depressed alcoholic. I missed one delivery from those bloodsuckers on your birthday, and it sent you down a spiral that had you in bed for days. From where I'm standing, I did you a favor by burning those letters."

Tears threatened to spill from the girl's eyes as anger bubbled inside her. She wanted to believe her brother's ire was misdirected, that his poignant words were jabbing at marble skin. But it was her he was speaking them to, and she wasn't made of impenetrable skin. "If that's what you believe," she said in a scary and calm tone. "But we'll need to table discussion for later. I can't be late."

(Y/N) walked past her brother and her friend, her bag in tow and her anger boiling in her veins. She knew the longer she stayed, the more likely she'd say something she regretted. Unlike the wolves, she couldn't let her ire consume her—there was no telling when she'd come out once she allowed the darkness to take over.

She was in her truck and ready to go when a knock at her side startled her. "What do you want, Paul?"

"Don't go, (Y/N)," he said. "He's not good for you."

"No one will ever be. Not to you. Not to Sam," she scoffed. "But it doesn't matter because I'm not getting back together with him. I'm only returning him where he belongs—to his family."

"We have enough leeches across the pond. We don't need one more."

"This is not about you or the wolves, Paul," she argued. "This is about a family that is shattered."

"They didn't care when you were the one that was broken."

"Lucky I'm not them," she said. "Now, go away unless you want me to run you over."

Next ->

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[jagodabluey]

you can’t do this to me and not expect me to fall to my knees and start casting spells that make it so i was of age in 2005 and then meet hayden and then fall in love and travel together and kiss 24 hours a day and then eventually have kids and grow old together.

[quotelr]

Simple survival is never as ordinary as it seems!

Jasmine Sparks, Dolly

[borom1r]

ugh I have the text game AND an unfinished Aragorn/Boromir fic sitting in my drafts but doing the costuming document and talking about Faramir and Éowyn’s wedding clothes + sitting there like “man I’m surprised Éowyn doesn’t have her own sword on, its a romanticized invention of the sagas but it would’ve been cool to have them do a sword exchange” has made me wanna write Another Faramir/Éomer fic. because I think they should get to do a sword exchange

[starstrider-productions]

EPISODE FIVE - LIFE ON MARS, PART 1: TERRAFORMERS

Out now wherever you get your podcasts.

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/turpentine-productions/episodes/3-5--Life-on-Mars--Part-1-Terraformers-e2holne

Starstrider out.

[my-jokes-are-my-armour]

I always believed I would spend the rest of my days with you all, or like we always did, crossing path, sharing adventures, or a meal somewhere, anywhere... We always had something to share.

I would have followed you as long as my legs would have carried me. I would have sung to you as long as my voice would have hold. And then I hoped you would have visited me when I would have been too old... Because you were eternal to mere mortals like me and this was the only good way to end this story. You alive. Me dead.

But today, I am lost. That future won't exist and I don't know what to do. You left me on that bank and disappeared into the mist, when all I wished was lying with them. I understand your feelings, princess, but, if they are not alive, I don't belong with the living either... You know it.

Now, my body seems too heavy to move even if I feel empty, and my heart is too broken to feel anything but pain. I don't know how to sing, because my voice is trapped somewhere.

There is nowhere I feel home anymore. I am just a lost soul on this sphere. So please, come back... or welcome me on the other side. Don't leave me here... alone. I beg of you. This is not fair I have to stay here, in a space full of your absence.

You denied me the right to have a more peaceful end and I saw in your eyes that you will never come back. Maybe we could have mourn together. We didn't have to be alone to face this ordeal, didn't we ?

But maybe you knew that my own pain would be too much to bear and you couldn't see me never heal. Maybe you were right. Maybe that's better that way. But maybe it means that everyone understood, and I was in denial all my life. Maybe my own kind knew from my first breath in this world how unworthy of love I was, and I should have bent before that heart would know the feeling. Maybe that's why in the end, I have to face this alone...

I am sorry, princess, for my bitter words but the wound is too fresh and the fall is hard, because I thought for a short time that I was enough and worth to be part of your family, when clearly it was just a construct of my mind. Also you knew what to say, but this is not fair you used that against me to keep me alive... on this side. Because I will give myself heart and soul to the task you gave me, knowing it will never bring me real peace.

But my letter isn't for that.

Yes, I am bitter that you did that to me, but deep inside I can't blame you and never will. You had too much to endure. This is only pain speaking and I am sorry. I have to find a way to accept things as they are. I need just time. Probably.

This letter is there to enlighten what I should have said before. What I should have say many times. I have to make things right before my own end.

The poet in me wants to believe that you knew how much I love you all. But for the first time in my life I regret I never said those three little words out loud. You are gone and it is too late now. There is no second chances with those kind of things.

I will continue to tell the story of my beloved family to the world as you asked me to, if I can find my voice back, but the world doesn't deserve the words I would say to you only. I will continue to hide them to their eyes and ears, like the most extraordinary things I keep inside.

But for you, I write these words, for the first and the last time. This is a beacon in the dark and the most important thing anyone has to know. And you have to know.

I LOVE YOU.

Your crazy uncle Jaskier.

(Letter found in a empty wine bottle in a lake in Rivia)

[nightfall-by-jacqui-natla]

20. SHADOW MAN

THE BEAR'S GROWLS ECHOED THROUGH the forest, its search for me relentless. Even though I was invisible, I could sense it tracking my scent. Thanks to Simon's warning about the Ursa Clan, I managed to keep my primal urges in check.

I knew that if I let my guard down, the bear would surely find me and unleash its fury. I had to stay focused and remember everything the Khotlers had taught me about survival in the wilderness. As I crept through the dense underbrush, I could hear the bear getting closer and closer. I knew I had to stay calm and trust in my abilities.

Suddenly, the bear burst through the trees, its massive form looming over me. I held my breath, waiting for the inevitable attack. But to my surprise, the bear stopped in its tracks and sniffed the air. It seemed confused, unable to locate me despite being so close.

I took advantage of this momentary confusion and slowly backed away, careful not to make any sudden movements that might alert the bear to my presence. As I retreated, I heard the sound of another set of footsteps approaching, growing louder with each passing second.

And then, emerging from the shadows, was another bear. But this one was different. Its fur was as dark as the night, blending seamlessly with the surrounding darkness. It was a formidable creature, and I could sense the power emanating from its very being.

The two bears stood face to face, a silent exchange of dominance between predators. It was as if they were communicating without words, a tense moment in the heart of the forest.

I watched in awe as the two bears circled each other, their growls echoing through the trees. It was a battle of wills, a primal dance of power and strength. I knew that I had to make my move before the situation escalated further.

I slowly began to back away, trying to make my escape without attracting the attention of either bear. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Just as I thought I had made it to safety, a twig snapped under my foot, alerting the bears to my presence. In an instant, they turned their attention towards where I stood, their eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity.

I knew that I was facing a life-or-death situation, and I had to act quickly.

Suddenly, the bears halted, their attention shifting to something behind me. The brown bear snorted while the black bear emitted a low growl. I turned my head to see what had captured their interest. To my astonishment, a tall figure emerged from the shadows. Clad in a black misty trench coat and a fedora hat, this man lacked a discernible face. He stood there, his presence commanding and enigmatic, as if he held some kind of power over the bears. The tension in the air seemed to shift like a new player had entered the game.

Sensing the shift in power, the bears slowly distanced themselves from each other, their growls fading away. It was almost as if they recognized this figure as a formidable force, not to be underestimated. As the figure drew closer, the bears began to retreat.

Then, a familiar caw sounded by my side. I glanced down to see the raven Lenore nuzzling against my leg.

It was unmistakably him.

As the bears fled from the towering shadowy figure, Ingram emerged from within him, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He seemed oblivious to my presence.

"Works like a charm," he chuckled. "They're terrified of it."

"Why is that?" I inquired, catching him off guard.

"Violet!" he exclaimed, turning to face me. "What are you doing here?"

I shrugged, trying to hide my surprise at seeing Ingram here, of all places. "I could ask you the same thing," I replied, crossing my arms. "What's with the whole act?"

Ingram chuckled, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Well, flower, sometimes a little mystery can be quite useful. Keeps people on their toes, you know?"

"Whoa, why did you call me flower?" I inquired, taken aback by the unexpected nickname.

"I thought it suited you," he replied, a sly smile gracing his face. "Violets are often associated with grief, mourning, death, and even darkness." He emphasized the last part with a playful wink.

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to interpret his words. "And what exactly are you implying with that?"

Ingram's grin widened, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, nothing too sinister. Just that you have a certain allure, a mysterious aura that draws people in. It's fascinating, really."

I rolled my eyes, not buying his explanation. "Cut the act, Ingram. What are you really up to?"

He sighed dramatically, feigning disappointment. "Always so suspicious, Violet. Can't a man have a little fun?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, not buying his innocent act for a second. "Fun? Terrifying bears and lurking in the shadows? That's your idea of fun?"

Ingram shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, it's not like I have many hobbies. Besides, it's all in the name of science."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Science? What kind of science involves scaring bears and dressing up like a character from a noir film?"

Ingram grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "Experimental psychology, flower. I've been studying animal behavior and the effects of fear on their responses. And let me tell you, it's been quite enlightening."

I couldn't help but be intrigued by his explanation. Despite his eccentricities, Ingram was undeniably intelligent and had a knack for uncovering the mysteries of the natural world. "So, what have you discovered?"

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Fear, flower, is a powerful motivator. It can override even the most basic instincts. These bears, for example, are typically fierce and territorial. But in the presence of something they perceive as a greater threat, they retreat."

I nodded, beginning to understand his fascination with fear. "So, you're saying that this figure you've created, this faceless man, is able to put fear in these bears?"

Ingram nodded, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "Exactly! It's all about perception. The bears see this figure as a dominant force, someone they can't possibly challenge. And so, they retreat."

With a flick of his wrist, the tall figure wearing a shadowy fedora vanished into thin air.

I couldn't help but be impressed by Ingram's ingenuity and dedication to his research. Despite his unorthodox methods, there was no denying the results he had achieved. I should probably tell him that there was a bear shifting warrior women clan roaming around the forest that my new family had a truce with but I had decided to keep it to myself for now.

Ingram's curiosity got the better of him as he pressed me for an answer. "What brings you to this secluded part of the forest?" he inquired, his voice filled with genuine interest.

I hesitated for a moment. How should I explain this? As I was trying to think of a response, Lenore flapped her wings and flew off the ground and landed on Ingram's shoulder. He gently stroked her feathers, a look of pure delight on his face.

"I... was just walking around," I began.

Ingram's red eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to hear more. "Just walking around?" he repeated, his voice tinged with curiosity. Lenore, perched on his shoulder, seemed to share his excitement, her wings fluttering softly. 

I paused, searching for the right words to convey the truth without revealing too much.

"Oh, you're missing me already, aren't you?" he teased.

"No!" I hastily retorted, my tone inadvertently betraying me.

"Yes, you are," he affirmed, a knowing smile gracing his lips.

"Whatever," I muttered under my breath.

"I must confess, I had secretly hoped to see you again. Although I never expected it to be so soon," Ingram admitted, a touch of vulnerability seeping into his words.

My curiosity only grew stronger, my genuine interest in his presence in this part of the forest compelling me to talk to him more. Lenore, sensing the connection between us, remained perched on his shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to open up to Ingram. "Joseph, your brother, shared with me about your childhood. How your mother passed away during childbirth and your father was absent for most of your lives."

For a moment, Ingram's gaze hardened but then softened as he looked down at Lenore, gently stroking her feathers. "Yeah, it's been a rough road," he admitted, his voice tinged with sadness.

I felt a pang of sympathy for Ingram, realizing that there was more to him than just his playful banter and charming smile. There was a depth to him that I hadn't seen before, a vulnerability that he rarely showed to others.

"I lost my mother the same way," I revealed. "And my father was even worse. He abused me, but not my half-sister because she didn't killed her mother."

Ingram's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and empathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine concern.

I nodded, feeling a lump forming in my throat. Opening up about my painful past was not something I did often, but there was something about Ingram that made me feel safe, understood.

Ingram took a few steps closer to me. His presence felt comforting, as if he was a shield against the world's cruelty. "We've both endured so much," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But here we are, standing in this forest, finding solace in each other's company."

I couldn't help but be drawn to him, his vulnerability and understanding creating an unspoken bond between us. It was as if we were two lost souls, finding refuge in the depths of our shared pain.

Ingram reached out, his hand hesitantly brushing against mine. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through my veins, igniting a spark that I hadn't felt in years. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much meaning.

"I never expected to find someone like you," he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity. "Someone who sees beyond the surface, who understands the pain that lies beneath."

"You hardly know me," I replied.

"But sometimes, you just know," he whispered, his gaze unwavering. "Sometimes, the connection is instant, and it feels like destiny."

I couldn't help but smile at his words.

Ingram's hand tightened around mine, his grip firm yet gentle and pulled me into his arms.

"Maybe we're meant to heal each other," he whispered, his voice carrying a hint of hope.

The touch of his hand sent a wave of reassurance through me, as if he were a lifeline in the midst of a storm. It was as if his touch had the power to heal wounds I didn't even know existed, to mend the broken pieces of my soul. In that moment, I felt seen, understood, and accepted in a way I had never experienced before.

As we stood there, our hands intertwined, I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability and trust that I had never felt with anyone else. It was as if he had the ability to peel back the layers of my carefully constructed facade, to see the raw and unfiltered version of myself that I rarely showed to the world.

Ingram's touch was not just physical, but emotional as well. It was a touch that spoke of empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the human experience. It was a touch that said, "I am here for you, no matter what."

As I looked into his eyes, I saw a reflection of my own desires and dreams. It was as if he had tapped into a part of me that I had long forgotten, awakening a sense of purpose and passion that had been buried deep within. His touch, his words, his presence, all seemed to ignite a fire within me, urging me to embrace the possibilities that lay ahead.

"Thanks for that, shadow man," I murmured.

Ingram chuckled. "Shadow man?"

"Well, you gave me a nickname, so why not return the favor?"

Lenore's caw echoed through the air, adding a touch of whimsy to the moment. Ingram's laughter filled the air, a sound that was both comforting and infectious. His crimson eyes sparkled with amusement, his voice laced with affection. "I suppose I can embrace that nickname, flower."

I couldn't help but smile at his words.

In that moment, the world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us standing together in our little bubble of shared understanding and connection. The trees whispered secrets in the breeze, and the moonlight shined in the sky with hues of silver and white, as if nature itself were celebrating our bond.

Ingram squeezed my hand gently, his gaze never wavering from mine. "You know, you have a way of making even the darkest shadows seem less intimidating," he said softly.

"And you, shadow man, make the light seem all the more brilliant," I replied.

We stood there in silence for a moment, the gravity of our connection pulling us closer together. The night seemed to stretch on, each second amplifying the intensity of our shared feelings.

Ingram's hand slipped from mine only to wrap around my waist, pulling me into a gentle embrace. His touch was cold, yet it ignited a warmth deep within my soul. "Are you planning to see me again?" he whispered into my ear.

I leaned into his embrace, feeling the chill of his body contrast with the strange heat that stirred within me. "As often as you'll let me," I whispered back, my breath mingling with the night air.

Ingram pulled back slightly to look into my eyes, his expression a mix of longing and determination. "Then let's make a promise," he said, his voice steady and resolute. "No matter what shadows we face, no matter how dark the night becomes, we will always find our way back to each other."

I nodded. "A promise," I echoed, my voice firm with conviction.

The raven cawed joyfully, her wings fluttering as if applauding our commitment. I couldn't help but giggle. "And I'll see you soon too, Lenore."

Ingram chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "It seems she has taken a liking to you as well."

A smile graced my lips. "I should return. My coven will surely be worried about my whereabouts."

"Give my regards to my brother," he said with a playful grin.

I nodded, a pang of sadness tugging at my heart as I reluctantly began to untangle myself from Ingram's embrace. "I will," I promised, my voice filled with a mixture of longing and anticipation.

Ingram's hand lingered on my waist for a moment longer before he finally released me, his touch leaving a lingering warmth that I carried with me as I turned to leave. As I walked away, I couldn't help but steal one last glance at him, his figure standing tall and strong against the backdrop of the moonlit night.

The journey back to my coven was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Ingram, his touch, his voice, and the vow we had made. I couldn't shake the feeling that our connection was something special, something that transcended the boundaries of time and space.

[elenichr]

Year of Lists

June Books

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors *3/5 - I expected more from this. I loved Cleopatra and Frankenstein. The characterisation is very good and the start is promising, but it just gets boring. I feel like there was so much more that could be done, both with the plot and with the exploration of themes.

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown *4.5/5 - the rating is a bit of a fuck you, like the book is a bit of a fuck you. There are many problems but it's certainly worth the read. Molly could sit alongside any great literary character and hold her own. She's one of those characters that stay with you as if they've lived - and in a way they have. The book is bold, loud, tenacious, and funny.

And it became increasingly clear that all Leroy and I had in common was a childhood full of ice cream, raisin boxes, and a mattress full of holes. But then I had never thought I had much in common with anybody. I had no mother, no father, not roots, no biological similarities called sisters and brothers. And for a future I didn't want a split-level home with a station wagon, pastel refrigerator, and a houseful of blonde children evenly paced through the years. I didn't want to walk into the pages of McCall's magazine and become the model housewife. I didn't even want a husband or any man for that matter. I wanted to go my own way. That's all I think I ever wanted, to go my own way and maybe find some love here and there. Love, but not the now and forever kind with chains around your vagina and a short circuit in your brain. I'd rather be alone.

James by Percival Everett *4/5 - Beautiful writing, nuanced reimagining. Looking forward to reading more Percival Everett.

Brutes by Tate Dizz *2/5 - it starts off strong with language that forces you to slow down, like a sticky, sweaty summer haze. And then it fizzles out, kinda stays at that. The use of the plural is refreshing, dizzying, unnerving. It could have made a cracking short story. It fails as it tries to be more. Length doesn’t add to it, it takes away.

[bookishlyvintage]

05/02 pub day: The Half Moon, Mary Beth Keane

[full thoughts] This book is about a couple that split, but they somehow find their way back to one another indirectly. The bar Half Moon is the main topic of this book, and infertility is kind of the secondary topic. Long chapters & a slow pace, but an interesting read overall

[theauthorpaula]

(via Siblings in Fiction)

[sylviahubbard]

ATTN PAPERBACK GANG: the hiccup for the paperback copy of Wicked Chances is FIXED! Get ready to order... 🫰🏾📚🥰

Just received approval for the cover design on Amazon and pushing it to print. I’ll post the link as soon as it’s available. Don’t forget to subscribe for updates sylviahubbard.com/subscribe ✓ Subscribed I’m really excited about this venture and I’m relearning what it takes to publish an ebook and paperback plus stick to a writing schedule. I had to get back on the horse and other authors…

[desdasiwrites]

– Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half

[hazel-janes-books-galore]

1976 edition of Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley.

[harmonyverendez]

Being Edward Cullen's Twin Sister would include | Twilight Saga

Warning: Stalking, Killing, gore, Blood Sucking, Mention of Rape, Etc.

Tags: Fanfiction, suspense, Fantasy

Pairings: Edward Cullen x Bella Swan, female! Reader x Random Reader ( Whoever you choose to be paired with )

~

• Life before becoming a vampire was average. You had some up and downs but your life was human.

• When the town begins to get sick with Spanish influenza, you are scared.

• Spending as much time as you could with your family.

• Going to parties, never leaving your brother side and helping out with your mother and father.

• When your father died, you were sad.

• When your mother died, things were not the same.

• You were always on Edward's neck when both of your parents died.

• That's when you met Carlisle, he was a young doctor at the time.

• He seemed nice, but you always felt calm around him. He made you feel protected, loved, and just cherished.

• When Carlisle bit your brother, you were scared and ran for your life.

• You came back two years later at the age nineteen and was shocked at what your brother begin.

• You told your brother Edward about your past and how men took advantage of you.

• Edward was shocked, but you told him to not to worry.

• it was too late, your brother hunt them down and killed every single one of them.

• Carlisle changed you and your brother couldn't be more happier.

• Edward didn't want your soul to be damned to hell, but he was glad to see you... Even in the afterlife of being a vampire.

• You two went rogue and ended up killing bad men, draining humans, you were more Sadist then your brother since men raped you... And you hated them all.

• Once that Victorian area ended, you drunk yourself with alcohol and only Edward brought you out of it.

• You two ended up going back to Carlisle and that's when Rosalie enter the picture.

• She was just like you in every way... Same rough past

• Although you disliked her attitude.

• Hated going to high school.

• You disliked Alice and Jasper the moment they step into your and your family's lives.

• It took a while to warm up to Jasper, dude had problems controlling his bloodlust.

• Your brother was the same, you had more control than you thought.

• When Bella entered the picture, you just wanted to shove your head out the window.

• She brought so much pain, drama, and chaos to the family.

• In the end she became family.

• Taking up and Protecting Renesmee.

• You found your soul mate with [ Person name ] and you two life has changed and for the better.

[bookdivareads]

Book Spotlight: WATER MUSIC by Marcia Peck

Today's book spotlight shines on WATER MUSIC: A CAPE COD STORY by #MarciaPeck, published by #SeaCrowPress. #fiction #historicalfiction #familysaga #AuthorMarketingExperts @Bookgal

Water Music: A Cape Cod Story by Marcia PeckISBN: 9798986567686 (Paperback)ASIN: B0C15CNBMG (Kindle edition)Page Count: 242Publisher: Sea Crow PressRelease Date: May 5, 2023Genre: Fiction | Historical Fiction | Family Saga The bridge at Sagamore was closed when we got there that summer of 1956. We had to cross the canal at Buzzards Bay over the only other roadway that tethered Cape Cod to the…