#priya said he looks dazed

[mrsbuckybarnes1917]

12: MENDING FENCES

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Bucky is finally trying to be more communicative about his feelings but you keep giving him things to worry about.

Word count 3.4k

Warnings: better communication between two idiots in love, insecurities, anxiety, panic attack, medical issues: surgery, allergies, anaphylaxis, tracheostomies, Tony Stark and is generosity is basically legend, Big Brother Steve is worried

"She’s stable." Steve told Bucky, the moment he sat down. 

Bucky heaved a sigh of relief. "Is she awake? Can we see her?"

"They’re taking her to surgery," Nat interjected, having appeared suddenly.

"How long will that take?" Bucky demanded. Surgery was never something to celebrate.

Nat shrugged, sitting down beside Bucky, the only empty seat in the waiting room that was filled by several other Avengers and Melinda May. Everyone was concerned about your wellbeing.

Steve glanced at Nat before turning back to Bucky. "They didn't give a specific time frame, but they said she's stable for now. That's a good sign, right?"

Bucky nodded, trying to hold onto that small glimmer of hope. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you, not after everything you had been through together. The memories of your laughter, your smile, and the way you always had his back flooded his mind, making his heart ache with worry.

Nat placed a comforting hand on Bucky's shoulder. "She's a fighter, Buck. She'll pull through this, I know it."

Bucky managed a weak smile, grateful for the support of his friends. He knew they were all rooting for you, praying for your recovery. The waiting was agonizing, each passing minute feeling like an eternity.

As the hours ticked by, the tension in the waiting room grew thicker. Bucky couldn't sit still, his leg bouncing up and down with nervous energy.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a doctor emerged from the operating room. Bucky's heart leaped into his throat as he stood up, his eyes locked on the doctor's face.

"She made it through surgery," the doctor announced, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "She's still unconscious, but the procedure was successful. She's a strong one, that's for sure."

Relief washed over Bucky like a tidal wave, his legs suddenly feeling weak with gratitude. He sank back into his seat, tears of relief pricking at his eyes. You were going to be okay.

Steve clapped Bucky on the back, a proud smile on his face. "See, I told you she's a fighter."

"Rogers!" Nat punched Steve's shoulder as he chuckled.

Bucky nodded, his heart overflowing with love and gratitude. He couldn't wait to see you, to hold you in his arms and never let go. You were his rock, his anchor, and he would do anything to keep you safe.

"She's stable," he whispered to himself, a mantra of hope and faith. And with that, Bucky knew that together, you would overcome anything that came your way.

"Can we see her?" Nat asked.

The surgeon looked around the room at the crowd of people in the room before answering hesitantly. "Maybe just one person." He held up his forefinger.

Bucky stood up and was about to stride into the recovery room, when May grabbed his metal arm. The glare she gave him terrified even him, stopping him in his tracks while she walked into the room to see you. But he knew that she had known you longer than anyone else, you considered her your closest family. So he conceded, grateful that she left the doors open so that he could peer into the room to where you lay sleeping peacefully. His heart started beating faster as you opened your eyes and took May’s hand.

He craned his neck as a nurse blocked his view of your face. Edging forwards slightly, creeping closer to you. Would you want to see him?

*

You woke up in a daze, the beeping of machines and the sterile smell of the hospital room filling your senses. You blinked a few times, trying to clear your head and make sense of what had happened. Memories flooded back to you in bits and pieces - Priya, the Vrellnexian, Steve… and Bucky. Had he really been there?

As you tried to sit up, you winced at the sharp pain in your side. May was by your side in an instant, her face etched with worry. "Take it easy," she said softly, helping you adjust the pillows behind your back. She had never been a fan of physical touch, but it was much worse since she got her empath powers.

As you let the air out of your lungs gently, you felt the tension melting away slowly and the pain subsided. "Thanks," you croaked, voice hoarse from the tube that had been inserted in your throat for surgery. "What happened?"

"Same thing that always happens." 

You rolled your eyes, focusing back on May just in time to see her gaze flick back from the other side of the room. You frowned at her, questioningly.

May shook her head, contemplating how much information to give you. You turned your head to follow her gaze but it was blocked by a cheery nurse who greeted you. 

"Right dear, my name is Gertrude. I'm here to give you your first dose of antibiotics. Is that alright?" Her tone was so chipper that you could feel May tense with irritation. 

You nodded, still drowsy from the effects of the anesthetic. May took a step back to allow Gertrude to do her job. The antibiotic felt like cold, seeping through your arm, spreading to your shoulder and straight into your heart. This was followed by a strange sense of euphoria, your heart was racing and there was a strange tightness in your throat and chest. A sudden craving for air filled your lungs and your skin felt like it was on fire, burning as though someone was prodding you with a thousand red hot pokers. 

From a distance, you heard May’s voice calling your name and someone else, someone so familiar. You strained your ears, but it felt like you were under water and your friends were so far away. You did everything you could to swim through the murky waters, but something was dragging you under and you didn’t have the energy to resist. But the voice, you knew it well, you missed that voice. You clawed your way up towards it but the forces acting against you were too strong and the darkness surrounded you, until you sank into oblivion.

*

You woke dazed and confused, your eyes fluttering open to the dimly lit hospital room. The first thing you noticed was the tightness in your neck, the feeling of something foreign lodged in your throat. Panic set in as you tried to sit up, only to be met with the sharp pain of the tubes and wires attached to you.

You reached up to touch your neck, feeling the hard plastic of a tracheostomy tube. What had happened? Everything felt hazy, memories out of reach and it was terrifying. As you tried to make sense of it all, you heard a soft snoring beside you. You turned your head to see Bucky, sitting in a chair by your bedside, his head lolling to one side as he slept in what looked like a terribly uncomfortable position.

"Bucky," you tried to speak but there was no sound. Instead you reached over with your hand, the one free from tubes. He was just about close enough for you to graze the skin on his arm.

He looked up with a start, his expression softening as your eyes met his. They were red-rimmed and weary, his usual stoic demeanor replaced by a look of sorrow. "I'm here," he said quietly, reaching out to grasp your hand.

You pointed at the trach in your neck and mouthed, "what happened?"

"Cricket, you had an allergic reaction. I didn’t know you were allergic to antibiotics."

You frowned in confusion, neither did you. You couldn’t even remember the last time you’d taken antibiotics and you wondered what they had given you. It was as though Bucky could read your thoughts, he grabbed your chart from the end of the bed and held it out in front of you so you could read the name of the drug you had been injected with: ceftriaxone. You’d have to make a note of that for future reference. Bucky put the chart away, but not before glancing at it himself, making a mental note for himself.

"How’s the pain?" Bucky asked, softly.

You lifted your hand holding it parallel to the mattress and rocking it slightly. Bucky nodded, sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, I should have been there for you. I'm so sorry." His words held a multitude of meanings.

In a flash, it felt like nothing had happened between you, his presence was the comfort you sorely sought and all was forgiven. You tried to speak, to tell him that it wasn't his fault, that you didn't blame him for the past. But the words caught in your throat, the tracheostomy tube making it impossible to form coherent sounds. Instead, you squeezed his hand, trying to convey your gratitude through a simple gesture. But Bucky understood your unspoken message.

"I made a mistake," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought you didn’t care about me. But I know now that I was wrong. You’ve always been there for me. I miss our… us and I want to make things right."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at Bucky, the weight of his words sinking in. You had never stopped caring for him, never stopped loving him. And in that moment, you knew that forgiveness was possible, that your bond could, not only be repaired, but had the potential to grow stronger. You reached out and pulled Bucky into a tight embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against yours. In that moment, you knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, at the very least, your friendship would endure. 

As your whole body trembled with emotion, you felt a hand on your shoulder. You turned to see Nat standing there, her eyes filled with concern and anger. "Stop, Bucky. Leave," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the air.

But you couldn’t let Bucky go. Not now, not when you finally had the chance to mend things between you. You reached out and held Nat’s hand, squeezing it gently. Your eyes telling her what your voice couldn’t. "I need him here, Nat. Please understand."

Nat’s expression softened as she looked at you with an air of disappointment. "So after all the pain he put you through, all the crap, you're just gonna forgive him? Because he comes in here and bats those blue eyes at you and you just pretend these last 6 months of agony didn't happen?"

Your face flushed at her words, not wanting to look over at Bucky to see his reaction. But you knew he hadn’t let go of your hand, he wasn’t shying away from Nat’s allegations. You took a deep breath, trying to find a way to explain your feelings. But with the tracheostomy in place, all you could do was look at Nat with pleading eyes. You wanted her to understand that forgiveness wasn’t about forgetting the pain, but about moving forward and healing.

"You’re right, Nat. I know I have a lot of work to do to prove I deserve Cricket’s forgiveness." Bucky was talking to Nat, but looking directly at you. "But I need you to know that you can trust me."

Nat sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine," she said, her voice tinged with resignation. "But if he hurts you again, I won’t be so forgiving."

You nodded, grateful for her acceptance. And as Nat left the room, you turned back to Bucky, who was still holding your hand. His eyes were filled with a mixture of regret and hope, as if he couldn’t quite believe that you were giving him another chance.

"I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I never meant to hurt you. I was just..."

You squeezed his hand, letting him know that you understood. And as you sat there in silence, the weight of the past six months slowly lifted off your shoulders.

*

Over the next few days, Bucky was at your side. Natasha and May took it in turns to glare at him so that he would leave to shower and get a few hours of sleep. He would sit with you all night and even though you urged him to go home and take care of himself, you were grateful for and comforted by this presence. 

The days were filled with hard work and rehabilitation. You were determined to be weaned off your tracheostomy in record time, especially since you missed the taste of real food. And the catheter they'd put in your bladder was far from dignified.

On your fourth day, they put in a speaking valve and it felt good to be able to communicate again, even if it was just with short raspy sentences. Bucky was dizzy with delight when you greeted him by name. He missed hearing your voice, he would take anything you had to give him. Bucky wasn't the biggest talker at the best of times, he needed encouragement, coaxing into a conversation. It made you wonder how well he and Priya communicated. In the first few days of your recovery, he hadn't spoken much, preferring to sit beside you while you watched your favorite shows on the huge television that Tony had wheeled into your room before dragging a rueful Steve off to Thailand to neutralize a strange artifact giving off cosmic radiation.

Your powers helped you excel with speaking using the valve and you were allowed to use it for longer periods. But sometimes success didn't always work in your favor. 

The following evening, after a grueling session of physical therapy, you fell asleep, only to jolt awake in the middle of the night in a state of panic, heart racing and your chest tight. You couldn't breathe. Panic gripped you as you struggled to catch your breath.

You sat up, gasping for air, feeling like you were suffocating. The room felt like it was closing in on you, the darkness pressing down on you. You tried to calm yourself down, to slow your breathing, but the panic only grew stronger.

Just when you thought you couldn't take it anymore, you felt a warm hand on your shoulder, pushing you backwards. Bucky grabbed the suction tube and skillfully removed the mucus blocking your air passage, a task he had observed the nurses do countless times.

As your oxygen levels rose, Bucky shoved the tube back on the bedside unit and gripped your shoulders. "It's okay, it's clear now, you're okay," he reassured you.

But the panic still gripped you tightly, refusing to let go. Bucky looked at you with concern in his eyes as you took shuddering breaths between sobs. Without a word, he climbed onto the bed and wrapped his arms around you, holding you close to his chest.

"I got you, Cricket. I promise I'm never letting you go again. I got you," he whispered softly, his voice a soothing balm to your frayed nerves.

As you lay there, enveloped in Bucky's comforting embrace, the panic slowly began to subside. Your breathing steadied, your heart rate slowed, and the darkness that had threatened to consume you began to fade away. Bucky's presence was a lifeline, a reminder that you were not alone in your struggle.

With his arms around you, you felt safe and protected, allowing yourself to relax and drift back to sleep, knowing that Bucky would be there to watch over you throughout the night. And as you finally succumbed to sleep, you felt a sense of peace wash over you, grateful for the unwavering support of your friend in your time of need.

*

The next morning, you woke up with your face plastered against Bucky's chest, a ridiculous amount of saliva coating your mouth and to your horror, Bucky's t-shirt. You couldn't help but feel mortified at the situation. Waking up with your face pressed against Bucky's chest, drooling all over his t-shirt was not how you had envisioned your morning going. But despite the embarrassment, you couldn't deny the warmth and comfort you felt being so close to him.

Bucky chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. "No worries, Cricket. It happens to the best of us."

As you sat up and tried to compose yourself, Bucky reached over to grab a tissue and handed it to you. "Here, clean yourself up."

You took the tissue gratefully, wiping away the excess saliva from your mouth and the stain on Bucky's shirt. "S’rry, B’cky. Didn't mean to drool all o’er you."

Bucky just shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's no big deal, really. Just a shirt. Besides, it's not like I haven't drooled on myself before."

You couldn't help but laugh at his comment, feeling a bit more at ease. Bucky always had a way of making you feel comfortable, even in the most embarrassing of situations. You missed the camaraderie that you’d had before Priya had entered your lives.

“How's the breathing?”

“S’rry fo’ ‘reakin’ ou’.”

Bucky just waved off your apology, his eyes filled with understanding. "Don't worry about it, Cricket. We all have our moments. I’ve lost count of the number I’ve had, this is the least I could do. I'm just glad you're feeling better now."

You couldn't help but smile at his kindness. Despite the awkward start to the morning, you were grateful that Bucky was still by your side. When it was just the two of you together, it was so easy to get lost in a world where he was yours.

“Di’ you sleep?” you asked him.

“A little… enough.” He added as your face fell. “Don’t worry about me.”

You were taken aback as the door to your room flew open, revealing Steve and Tony standing in the doorway with surprised expressions on their faces. You quickly sat up, feeling a rush of embarrassment at being caught in such an intimate position with Bucky.

Tony raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, well, well, what do we have here? Looks like we interrupted something.”

Bucky clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes, but said nothing. He never answered back to Tony. Bucky had confessed to you that he remembered every detail of how he had murdered the Starks. He had never mentioned any specifics to you but you knew his subconscious would never let him forget. He told you that his dreams were like vivid flashbacks, they played behind his eyelids too often.

“T’ny!” You couldn't help but roll your eyes at Tony's teasing. “Miss’on ‘kay?”

“Total success, Cricket. Thailand was pretty scenic, from what we saw on the flyby. I’ll be sure to take you one day, I think it’s right up your alley.”

You smiled gratefully. Tony had a way of showing his affection by showering you with gifts.

“Hey, why is this thing not on?” He tapped at the wide screen at the end of your bed. “I brought this to help aid your recovery.”

“An’ it’s workin’ marv’ls.”

“That’s fantastic! Well, we'll leave you two lovebirds to it then. Just try to keep the drooling to a minimum, okay?” 

Steve and Tony exchanged a knowing look while both you and Bucky groaned in unison.

“Err, actually, I’m going to stay for a moment,” Steve said, hesitantly before turning to you. “If that’s alright with you?”

“Co’rse.” Now that he was closer, Steve looked tired and worried.

You watched as Bucky got up and left the room to use the bathroom, leaving you alone with Steve. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his expression serious.

“I was worried about you, Cricket,” Steve began, his voice filled with concern. “You and Bucky are like family to me. I can’t bear the thought of losing either of you.”

You felt a pang of guilt at causing Steve to worry. “S’rry, St’ve. Didn’t mean to put you thr’ugh that. Promis’ I’ll be more ‘areful in the future.”

Steve reached out and placed a hand on your shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I know you didn’t mean to, Cricket. But please, promise me that you won’t do anything reckless like getting stabbed again.”

You nodded, feeling grateful for Steve’s concern and support. “Pr’mise.” You held up three fingers in a scout’s salute.

Steve smiled, his blue eyes filled with warmth. “Good. And remember, I’m always here for you. You can talk to me about anything, okay?” He looked at the door, the one that Bucky had just used to vacate the room.

You nodded, feeling a sense of comfort and reassurance wash over you. Steve had always been there for you and Bucky, like a protective older brother. You were grateful to have him in your life.

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[zackcollins]

"I told you he was an airhead." "He's behind an airhead at this point. He's a whole ass hot air balloon." "No, a blimp--"

[awesomerextyphoon]

Bura na mano, Holi hai!

This is my submission for @darkmcuficswap​’s Dark MCU Festive Fic Swap 2020! My giftee is the lovely @searchforanotherway​ / @saaracha​. Thank you so much for your patience. I hope you enjoy this!

Summary: This year’s Holi Festivities would’ve been your best yet...if not for a handsome stranger.

Paring: Soft Dark!Thor x Desi!Reader (Fem)

Holiday: Holi (Festival of Colors)

Word Count: 2,022

Rating: 18+/Explicit

Warnings: Kidnapping, Smut, Loss of Virginity, Non-Con, Oral (f receiving), Stalking, Obsessive Behavior, Swearing, Age Gap (reader is of age), Light Bondage, and Breeding Kink

A/N: This is my first time doing a Desi!Reader. Thank you @darkficsyouneveraskedfor​ for hosting! Translations will be at the end. Feedback is welcomed and appreciated! Dividers are by the lovely @firefly-graphics​!

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“So, I guess you won’t have to tease about my poor gulal throwing skills since I’m coming back.”

You shrieked into your phone so loudly that you feared your Aunt Malati would stick her head in with a disapproving look again.

Harshad, your brother, was finally coming home after four years abroad! You had missed him dearly. He had called you twice a month for at least two hours talking about your novel idea. You were writing a sci-fi novel about a girl, Kanti, going on space adventures. You never thought you stood a chance since there weren’t many people who looked like you in the space, but Harshad was your biggest cheerleader.

Everyone was preparing for the festivities, getting the gulal, cooking all of the food (you were constantly salivating from the aroma), and making sure everyone has lotion for Rangwali Holi.

You and your best friend, Hema, were returning from an errand when a sleek black car passed your path. Luckily, neither of you were hurt and went on your way, but you were blissfully unaware of the occupants.

  You always loved your neighborhood’s Holika Dahan. Your grandmother used to regale you and the other children with tales of old. Your mother and aunts would hand out Gujiya, Barfi, Malpua, and other sweets. The bonfire always meant new things were coming for you. It was at the Holika Dahan that you had your novel idea two years prior.

This year you helped pass out the sweets to the crowd and shared a serving of Chana Marsala and Malpua with mango when you saw him.

On the other side of the bonfire was a man who was staring intensely at you. He could be described as some kind of supreme being in your sci-fi novel. He was 2m (6’6.75”) tall with short dark blond/light brown hair and beard, electric blue eyes, plump lips with laugh lines, broad shoulders and chest, and mostly had a defined midsection and legs. All of this deliciousness was wrapped in a tasteful royal blue Dupion Silk Kurta, a beige Churidar, and a pair of golden silk Mojari.

You never thought that a man like him would give you the time of day. You wondered what it would be like to kiss him-

“Hey! Hello, anyone in there?” Hema snapped you out of your musings, “I asked you if you want to come with the rest of the girls.”

You nodded and left with her not noticing your mystery man talking with Harshad.

  “Rangwali Holi Mubaarak, Auntieji!” Bushra exclaimed as she jumped on your bed. She did this every Holi since she could crawl.

“Alright, alright Bushra. I’m awake.” You grumbled as you gave her a hug, “time to get ready.”

Nilam, your older sister, handed you a cup of Thandai from your favorite vendor as a bribe to watch over Bushra this year. Slightly annoyed, you accepted the cup and hummed at the flavors noting the extra pinch of cardamon they added just for you. You made sure that Bushra didn’t get near the Barfi (not wanting a repeat of last year) and made sure that she moisturized herself.

Once you and Bushra were ready, you met up with Hema and had a blast at Rangwali Holi. You smiled at Bushra running around with her friends with her playful yelps and laughter. Hema got you square in the face with gulal so you chased her until Harshad stopped you.

Afterward, both you and Hema helped your mother and aunts prepare for the party. The party was wonderful and you may have had a few more Gujiya and Barfi than you should’ve. Though you did catch a glimpse of the striking man from last night.

After the festivities, you walked around your neighborhood with Hema talking about clothes, boys, and music (nothing major). You got another cup of Thandai from your favorite vendor once Hema decided to retire for the night.

You went against your grandmother’s warnings and took the shortcut through the dark corridor. You got about ten steps in when you started to feel incredibly dizzy. Someone caught you before you fell and the last thing you saw a pair of plain gold Mojari.

  Your eyes fluttered open then snapped open once you realized that you weren’t on your bed. You found yourself in a red embroidered art silk Lehenga with gold and ruby studded earrings and bangles.

The room itself was an immaculate hotel room with reds, blues, and green adorning the walls and surfaces. It felt unreal. It was like in your story where the protagonist got stuck in her adversary’s lair.

You were about to reach the window when the door opened and in walked the man from Holika Dahan.

He only wore a royal blue Dupion Silk Dhoti and the gold Mojari. And Fuck, he was a vision of masculine beauty and power. He had a powerful build with rippling muscles, rich tawny pink skin, broad shoulders, plump pink lips, long medium brown eyelashes, chiseled chest and abs, and a super defined Adonis Belt.

You could only imagine what was underneath his Dhoti.

The man strode in like a king, confidence and charisma came off of him in waves.

“How do you like the room, priya?” You nearly swooned at the smooth, deep timbre of his voice.

“Wh-who are you? Where am I?” you asked slightly terrified by the way the man was ogling you in your outfit.

He chuckled at your actions, “My name is Thor Odinson, but you may call me Thor, jaanu. As for where you are, well, you’re where you belong. You’re with me.”

“But I can’t be your jaanu! We’ve never met-”

“I would watch your tone, priya.” Thor warned as his nostrils flared and his eyes darkened.

“I jus-I just want to go home.” you nearly sobbed as Thor raised your head with a bent forefinger.

“It doesn’t matter now. You’ll see, mera pyaar.” Thor murmured as he kissed you.

You would’ve gasped at the sudden action. This man stole your first kiss, but it could’ve been worse. The kiss was soft and demanding getting more passionate by the second.

Thor moaned when he got his tongue past your full lips. You gave him a tepid response with your own tongue which only egged him on with the knowledge that he would be your one and only.

He scooped you up in his arms and gently placed you on the plush bed like a feather once he broke for air. Your clothes were gone in an instant and you felt helpless under the ravenous gaze of your captor.

Thor started with a kiss to the top of your forehead, inhaling the Damask Rose perfume he got from Kannauj. “You smell divine, jaanu.” He descended upon your face, neck, and shoulders kissing and marking your skin with love marks.

You tried to push him off of you, but he bound your wrists to leather handcuffs and returned to his foreplay.

Thor hummed at your moans and gasps loving how responsive you were. His kisses sent shivers down your spine and waves of heat to your lower abdomen, sometimes simultaneously.

“P-Pleas-”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Thor tutted at your incoherent pleas, “You need to use your big girl words, jaanu.”

You begged him to release your wrists and he only did once you promised not to fight you. He released your wrists and gave each wrist three open kisses while making eye contact. You shyly ran your fingers through his hair and his smooth plains of muscles while Thor praised your efforts noting that you will get better in time.

He stopped at your breasts and loved how they filled his hands musing on how much bigger they’ll be once you’re round with his seed.

That scared the shit out of you. It wasn’t that you didn’t want kids at all...you didn’t want kids now.

Thor alternated between sucking and pinching your nipples and covered your chest in love marks. He moved to your midsection and hips, “Fuck, you’re so beautiful jaanu.” he murmured as he kissed your hipbone.

“Please, Thor, I can’t-”

Thor pressed a forefinger to your lips, “It’s fine, jaanu. All will be well.”

“I’ve ne- I’ve never been touched down there.”

Thor chuckled, “I know, mera pyaar. I’ll be your one and only,” He kissed and nipped your inner thighs and gave your slit a long, slow lick. Thor moaned at the taste, “Better than the finest cuisine,” and dove in like a starving man at a feast after only knowing years of famine.

Never in your life had you felt such a rush tear through your body. Each movement brought you to a new level of pleasure. You weakly grabbed his hair and arched your back to him begging him to continue.

Thor kept you on the edge for what felt like an eternity, “Come, mera pyaar.”

The floodgates burst at his words and he made sure to slurp up every drop of your juice that squirted.

You were in a euphoric daze when Thor removed his Dhoti. You would’ve gasped if you could because the man was a sculpture of near hyper-masculine perfection with his form glistening with sweat.

Then you saw his cock. Fuck! He would split you in two!

You begged him to stop once more, but he kissed the corner of his mouth and said that the pain will pass.

Thor pushed into you as gently as he thought possible. You wanted to scream but he swallowed them in a passionate kiss and even took you biting him in stride.

“You feel amazing, jaanu!” Thor exclaimed once you calmed down and he filled you to the hilt. He started thrusting at a good pace and the feeling of pain soon turned to pleasure,” Isn’t this better, mera pyaar? Being under me, taking my cock like a good wife?”

You were too fuck-hazed to respond.

It didn’t take long for you to come again. Not a minute later, Thor came with a roar with thick ropes of cum shooting into you.

You thought it was over only to see Thor inside you...and hard.

“Did you think that was it, jaanu?”

After a couple more rounds, Thor let you fall asleep and had someone get you ready for the jet.

It was all coming together. Odin neither liked nor trusted his playboy lifestyle and threatened to disown him and cut him from the company if he didn’t find a wife. The woman had to be someone he approved and he had two years to do it.

Seventeen months into his search, he met Harshad. Thor thought the man bright and amiable so he got the man a job in the company as a Data Engineer. He kept an easy-going friendship with him, but all that changed when Harshad talked about you.

Harshad talked about your interests and dreams like a sibling is wont to do. Thor thought you were a lot more interesting than his usual lays. Your brother showed him a picture of you that your mother took right before he left.

Thor was hooked.

You were softer, plumper, and much more genuine than the models he dated. You were simply breathtaking.

Thor almost snatched the photo from Harshad.

Thor started to search for you that night. He scoured your social media presence captivated by your smile and words. He hired a private investigator to get more information about you and he convinced Harshad to let him celebrate Holi with your family. His cock hardened when he saw you walking with your friend, Hema, on his way to the hotel. He almost came on the spot when he locked eyes with you at Holika Dahan. Thor had his agents watch you during Rangwali Holi and take pictures and bribed a worker to give you a drugged Thandai.

Now he had you.

Sure, you will be rebellious at first, but you will accept this. Perhaps he could help you with your book series. He hoped his children would be as creative as you.

Maybe one day you’ll laugh.

Taglist: @giorno-plays-piano​ @lookiamtrying​ @jtargaryen18​ @sapphirescrolls​ @jobean12-blog​ @sweeterthanthis​ @gotnofucks​ @mcudarklibrary​ @saiyanprincessswanie​ @golden-ariess​ @navegandoaciegas​ @stargazingfangirl18​ @opheliadawnwalker3​ @tilltheendwilliwrite​ @imanuglywombat​ @bucky-the-thigh-slayer​ @navybrat817​ @anyatheladyclown​ @buckysbunny​ @nacho-bucky​ @donutloverxo​ @stephanieromanoff​ @threeminutesoflife​ @angrybirdcr​ @angrythingstarlight​ @chixkencxrry​ @hurricanerin​ @marvelfansworld @the-soulofdevil​ @captain–barnes​ @drabblewithfrannybarnes​ @thebanprincess​ @winteralpine​ @leslie2898​ @buttercandy16​ @propertyofpoeandbucky​ @hevans-angel @thorfanficwriter​ @afriendlyblackhottie @avintagekiss24 @syntheticavenger

jaanu => my life

mera pyaar => my heart

priya => darling

Bura na mano, Holi hai => Do not mind, it’s Holi

[sylverstorms]

Unexpected

Fandom: Bloodbound (Set until early book 2 because after that it died for me)

Pairing: Priya Lacroix x MC (Rose)

Warnings: Priya. You all know what that includes.

A/N: Here you go, anon. I went a bit farther than expected with this one. Also a bit sexier than intended, but Priya is to blame for that, I’m totally innocent. Hope you enjoy!

Prompt by:

They’d done this dance a few times, before.

Rose knew it wasn’t smart. Not even remotely so. It was wrong and dangerous and every time she went to her she willingly flirted with death itself. Priya was not exactly the epitome of self-control. She was wild, untamed, utterly selfish. She always took too much –and Rose had been dizzy for the entire day after their nights together.

But.

She needed it.

She needed the sensation only Priya could provide. That of letting it all slip away, the mess that had become of her life, of letting herself surrender in ecstatic bliss. The adrenaline of licking a razor and coming out uncut. Equal parts freedom and fear; the burning of her muscles and rapid pounding of her heart making it all ten times more intense. She needed her to feel alive.

That night, however… was different.

Because as much as Rose wanted to forget being kidnapped by Gaius, the trauma was still too fresh. Her mind needed Priya to make it disappear, but her body wasn’t in line with the idea. Every ardent touch to her shoulder, pressed too tightly by Jameson when he’d forced her to sit beside his master, sent a sharp wave of pain across her form.

Rose had tried to close her eyes and focus on the soft, insistent lips lavishing her neck with sucks and bites from yet-blunt teeth. On the hand moving higher up her thigh and hiking her dress along with it. She could certainly feel the arousal pooling low in her belly and lower, aching between her legs. But. Every time Priya’s fingers curled into the skin of her shoulder –she was none-too-gentle with her strength— she’d shut her eyelids in something other than pleasure. Tears, of pain, of frustration, were fought down.

Until the vampire’s ministrations stilled. Her lips broke away from Rose’s neck, moving further back, until a pair of extremely dark, hungry eyes were looking into her own. And they weren’t pleased.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?” she demanded, fangs flashing underneath her lips in barely-restrained anger.

Because you don’t like your toys faulty before you break them yourself. Rose thought but couldn’t say. “It’s not that bad.” she lied, somehow maintaining a straight face, though her voice did waver at the end.

Priya’s hand traveled from her shoulder to her chin, curling there. It was tight, but it wasn’t painful. “Why did you come here injured, doll? Don’t you know how stupid that is?”

Because I needed you.

Rose gave up on trying to lie. She huffed and shook her head out of the hold, pulling up the strap of her dress Priya had pushed down, swinging her legs, previously over the designer’s, back down. She thought to leave while she still had her dignity. While the fragility she’d been feeling since she opened her eyes in that dark room Gaius had thrown her in didn’t shatter her entirely.

Priya’s hand fell to her arm, locking her in place before she could even attempt to stand. “Did I say we were done?” the vampire asked, one perfectly arched eyebrow raised.

“Aren’t we?” Rose asked, a hint of agitation slipping into her tone.

“I cancelled my plans for the night for you, you think you can just dump me here, bored to death?” the designer asked, in a way that implied ‘if you’re planning to do that, you’re not leaving here alive’.

“Your mansion has, like,” Rose immediately replied, baffled. “Everything.” There was a swimming pool. A jacuzzi. Hell, even a fucking cinema.

“That’s beside the point.” Priya raised a dismissive hand.

How is that beside the point?? Rose opened her mouth. Closed it. No use arguing with Priya. “Alright, then, what? You want to watch a movie together?” she said it just for sake of saying it. Something equally absurd to how the vampire was being.

Except.

The designer seemed to consider it. And then… “Antonio!” she called, clapping her hands as though calling a dog. The skimpily-dressed houseboy dashed out of a side room and bowed in front of them. “Prepare that one movie I wanted to see.”

“R-Right away!” he hurriedly scurried off.

Priya stood with all the grace of a queen, Rose’s hand grasped in hers. “Come on.” she urged, guiding her along to the cinema, while the human remained utterly speechless. She pinched herself for good measure, discreetly, because what was even happening?

They took the massive, joined seats at the middle of the dark room, more like a couch than anything else. Rose had been stressing over how close to sit, but Priya made the decision for her, pulling her almost to her lap. Don’t blush, don’t blush…

“Is this the kind of movie I normally wouldn’t watch with anyone else?” Rose asked, perhaps to rid herself of her anxiety, because this new dynamic between them left her too unsure and giddy to be comfortable. Sex was safe –well, not in the literal sense— and she didn’t think or stress over it anymore. But this?

Priya made a grimace. Then smirked. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Rose had honestly expected a high-class porno film, or anything among those lines. But other than one or two drawn-out lesbian sex scenes, it was… surprisingly normal. The plot was even good, from what little of it she had managed to focus on. Because her attention wasn’t so much on the screen as the woman next to her, whose nails were absent-mindedly running over her thigh, whose arm was hot iron around her waist.

“Rose.” Priya said, like a reprimand, dropping her chin to her uninjured shoulder. “Your heart’s beating too loud, it’s distracting.”

“What can I possibly do about that?” the secretary asked.

“Relax~” the designer said, rocking her a tiny bit in her arms. An airy laugh bubbled out of her, but she found her cheek dropping against Priya’s conditioner-scented, impossibly soft hair anyway. She didn’t know what possessed her to turn the slightest bit into her.

She tried, very hard, in that moment, not to think that their outlines didn’t look like a casual hookup, but something else.

At the next sex scene, Rose felt Priya’s lips touch her neck and only pushed her head back in response. The vampire bit her, a quick flash of pain and then blissful pleasure and intimacy… that lasted only for a moment. Unusually quick, she licked the wound clean and eased back.

What…? Rose was dazed and beyond a little bit aroused. Torn, between wanting more and not tempting her luck further for one night. She turned to look at Priya’s face, but the vampire’s visage was calm, almost too calm, eyes fixed on the screen.

Illuminated by the soft blue light coming from the movie, the designer was stunning, a picture, a painting, something otherworldly and for once not in an aggressive way. Rose felt magnetized; drawn, in a way she never had been, before. She hadn’t realized how close she’d leaned until her lips were pressing to the corner of Priya’s inviting mouth.  

“Hon, I swear, I’m trying to watch this…” she let out a low hiss, but brushed her lips over Rose’s despite her words. “…but you’re making it extremely difficult.” Crimson nails dug into her waist, almost painfully.

It wasn’t even that Rose was that horny. Well, she was, but she wanted the closeness of that bite with Priya again, far more than an orgasm. Despite the warning, she turned further into the vampire, kissing her fully on the lips. Their mouths locked together, tongues sliding in unison, soft sucks followed by softer sounds.

They remained that way for far too long, in no hurry to separate.

Rose dropped her head to Priya’s clavicle when they finally parted, daring not draw a single breath until the end of the movie, which they already missed the biggest part of.

She absolutely wasn’t blushing.

[daddytyrilstarfury]

Baking

Summary: Ethan tries to teach Anupriya how to bake

Paring - Ethan Ramsey and Anupriya Valentine

Taglist @ezekielbhandarivalleros @drethanramslay @caseyvalentineramsey @ohramsey @schnitzelbutterfingers​ @gamechoices-player

"No, no, no!" Ethan said exasperatedly, grabbing Anupriya’s hands. "You need to sieve the flour, Priya, not just throw it into the bowl!"

Anupriya smiled sheepishly and set the bag of flour on the counter, rummaging  about for a sieve. What exactly was a sieve, anyway? The really big spoon? Or maybe the weird thing that looked like a spatula, but wasn't really a spatula. Sensing her confusion, Ethan rolled his eyes and reached for a... well, Anupriya wasn't quite sure what it was. It looked a little bit like a mesh bowl with a handle sticking out of it. With expert ease, Ethan weighed the flour into a measuring jug and then poured it into the sieve, shaking it with deft hands. The flour dropped into the mixing bowl like tiny flakes of snow. Anupriya grinned.

"I could totally have done that," she claimed, ignoring Ethan's disbelieving expression.

"Sure,"  Ethan said, grabbing a bowl of broken up chocolate pieces. He placed the bowl over a pot of bubbling hot water on the stove and mixed it gently with a wooden spoon. "OK, so now we melt the chocolate until it's nice and gooey. See the way it's melting?"

"I'm not a child, Ethan," Anupriya protested.

"The way you cook, I'm not so sure about that."

She grinned playfully and carefully removed the bowl of melted chocolate.  watched as Ethan set the bowl on the countertop and rifled through one of the cupboards, producing a bag of almond nuts.

"My secret ingredient," Ethan announced proudly. "Almonds."

"In chocolate brownies?" Anupriya said doubtfully.

Ethan nodded enthusiastically. "They give it just the right texture – not too crunchy, not too soft – and they taste absolutely divine. Come here, try one." He eased the bag open and removed one of the nuts, holding it between two long, delicate fingers. Anupriya eyed it with suspicion, before opening her mouth and allowing Ethan to pop it between his lips.

"It's not bad," she admitted, licking his lips. Ethan grinned and took one for himself, closing his eyes as he savoured the taste. A moment later Ethan's tongue flicked out and he slipped another almond between his lips. Anupriya watched him, entranced, before moving forward and pressing their bodies closer together. Ethan gave a squeak of alarm.

"Priya," he said, voice wavering, "I have to finish the brownie mix."

"Later," Anupriya murmured, taking the bag of almonds and placing them carefully on the counter. "The brownies can wait."

"No they can't," Ethan protested, wiggling in an effort to escape her embrace. "The chocolate will go all hard and flaky!"

With a sigh, Anupriya retreated, watching with a mixture of frustration and amusement as Ethan finished the brownie mix and poured it expertly into a cake tin. He opened the oven door, slid the tray inside and then turned back to Anupriya with the almost-empty bowl of chocolate brownie mixture. With a devilish grin, he dipped his finger into the bowl, brought it to his lips and licked it clean. Anupriya's eyes widened. Unconsciously, he moved closer to her .

"Want some?" Ethan asked mischievously.

"Sure," Anupriya breathed, but instead of dipping her finger into the bowl, he threaded his hands through Ethan's hair and pulled him down for a long kiss. He could taste the chocolate on Ethan’s lips, mingled with the flavour of the almonds.

The kisses got more and more heated. Before long, Anupriya had hoisted Ethan onto the countertop and was running her hands beneath Ethan's shirt. Meanwhile, the brown haired man had wrapped his arms around Anupriya's neck. His legs dangled from the countertop, though every now and then they would jerk slightly, as if he wanted to wrap them around Anupriya's waist but wasn't quite sure if he was allowed.

She was just working up the nerve to try and tug Ethan's shirt off when the oven timer dinged. With an excited squeak, Ethan pushed her away and grabbed a pair of oven mitts. Anupriya was too disorientated to notice Ethan pulling the brownies out of the oven, slicing them into squares, piling them onto a plate. Before he knew what was happening, Ethan had pushed her into a seat at the dining table and placed a plate of brownies and ice cream in front of him. Dazed, she tasted the cake, recognizing at once the unusual flavour of the almonds.

"So?" Ethan said eagerly, leaning forward. "How are they?"

"Delicious,"  Anupriya said, swallowing a mouthful of ice cream. "Heavenly, amazing, beyond belief. The only thing I want more than your brownie recipe is  for you to kiss me again."

Ethan flushed. "The brownie recipe was my father's," he replied, raising an eyebrow, "but I think I can manage a kiss." He leaned across the table and connected their mouths, to Anupriya's great delight. They sat there for a long time, just kissing, until the ice cream had melted and the brownies had gone cold.

Anupriya left the house the next day with a foil boxful of brownies, and unbeknownst to Ethan, a tiny tin of almonds. After all of her doubts, Anupriya had found that she quite liked the nuts.

Especially when she was sharing them with Ethan

[ask-agent-stone]

✂️, ✌️, ↕️

✂ - a vivid memory

✌ - a memory of a relative

↕ - a memory that may or may not have happened

~~~~

✂- Drown Down, Stone memory.

Altair gasped for air as another wave sent him under the cold water. He could barely hear the sounds of excitement from the shore as water crashed into his ears again. The echoing sound of water, his own sputtering, and the wild flailing he couldn’t call swimming. 

His cousins, he could hear them too. Laughing wickedly as they swam back to shore, leaving him out near the buoys. He shouldn’t have been there, but they had promises his mom and dad that they’d stay with him, that they’d be careful. Oh how they had lied. They had promised to show him some fish they had found, but when he finally managed to doggy paddle out here in the most ridiculous fashion, they’d left him to struggle. 

Altair tried desperately to cling to the slick buoy, but just like all his previous attempts, he was unable to secure a grip. He took in one last breath as his exhausted limbs began to slow down, and he began to sink. The world was quiet, and he felt a brief peace before panic began to set in again.

~~~~

✌ - Milk, Stone Memory

“Come on, Slowpoke!”  Priya yelled as she took off running down the next aisle. Her plastic princess heels clacked loudly as she disappeared around the corner. Altair typically hated those heels, but for now he would appreciate those stupid purple shoes because it made it easier too keep track of her in the store. Were it not for them, he was positive his older sister would have abandoned him in the middle of Farmer Jacks. “Lee!”

“Priya, you’re not suppose’ to be runnin’ in the store!” Altair whined as he scurried after her. As if keeping up with his sister wasn’t hard enough, she’d expected him to carry the milk by himself. It was cold and heavy, much too heavy for him to carry on his own. He could barely walk with this thing, running was definitely out of the question. “PRIYA.”

The boy groaned loudly before setting, no dropping, the milk on the floor. He was genuinely surprised it hadn’t burst open on the floor, but to his surprise it only bounced once before settling on its side. An older lady bent down and scooted it to beside him before continuing her shopping, leaving the little boy to sit with the milk. He rubbed his cold hands together a few times before rubbing them off on his cargo shorts. His sister always did this, and if she had the common sense, she’d come back and get him before their mom found him.

Priyta would copy their mom when they annoyed her for too long, and she’d grab her long black hair in two fists and raise it over her head like antennas. “You drive me crazy little boy!” she’d cry, and stick her tongue out at him before getting the milk herself. Altair would hold onto the back of her dress and allow his sister to lead them back to their mom and the cart. Normally she’d try and bribe him not to tell their mom, but this was the third time she’d done this.

 There was a price to pay. 

It was going to be 2.79 for the milk, and their mom scolding her for leaving him.

~~~~

↕ - One last walk, Finn memory.

It was the third foster home, and their fourth running away attempt. Just past midnight and all Finn heard was the  cars on the distant main road as they passed by the park. 

The playground was empty except for a homeless man who had eyed the child for a minute before continuing his walk into the darkness. He wasn’t much of a threat during the day, and Finn doubted he’d be any more of a problem during the night. He was a nice man, Finn thought, who would play harmonica for money. He told Finn that he had played for Billy Joel once. Now, he was just another stranger in the night, with nowhere to go and no place to call home.

Home, a word that left such an ache in the childs stomach that could easily be mistaken as hunger. They curled into a tighter ball on the park bench as they tried to figure out their next steps. Keep going west? No, too obvious Fievel. East maybe, but they had already come so far from that direction. Turning back down risked them winding back at square one. Maybe south, maybe to the bus station. They could get a ride to Ohio and start a new life in Cincinnati. It sounded like a nice town, and promised new adventure. They could be safe there. 

“Cincinnati sounds like a nice town for a dragon...” Finn whispered softly to their self, reaching into their worn jacket pocket for the map they’d stolen from the kitchen counter of Sam and Beth’s. They were a rude couple, and they had sent Finn to bed early again. Not because Finn had done anything of course, but because Finn refused to do anything. No playing, no talking, no eating, just staring at the wall until they decided to try and runaway again. Well this time they’d make it, this time they would get away for good. No more foster homes, no more new families, and no more suitcases. To Hell with Miss Cherish. The child struggled to read the map in the dingy light of a streetlamp. 

“Cincinnati is pretty far, kid.” A male voice said from nearby. 

Finn shot up, breathing heavy. The map fell into their lap and they looked around wildly. That voice, it couldn’t be, it wouldn’t be, it had to be. They stood up. “Hello?”

“Oh, my baby...” The voice seemed to be getting farther away. 

“WAIT!” Finn snatched up their backpack from beside the bench. They began running in the direction they thought it was coming from. The map was left behind, and they yanked their goggles down to be around their neck. Their feet didn’t even seem to hit the ground as they ran blindly into the darkness of the park. Streetlamps lit up little areas here and there, but not enough too see past trees. “WAIT, I’M COMING!” 

The area was thicker here, but too far away from the main attractions to need lights. No park, bathroom, or path here in need of illumination according to the city. As a result, Finn was unable to see the raised sidewalk and tripped, sending them crashing to the ground. They laid their dazed for a moment, struggling to collect their bearings as something approached from nearby.

“Finny....” A warm hand caressed their face, and Finn struggled to see their face in the dark. They could barely make out a poorly shaven face and long ginger hair that stopped past his ears. Other than that, nothing too identifiable. The child clung to the hand tightly as they desperately tried to scramble to their feet. The stranger shoved them harshly into a wooded thicket. He lingered for a second, before shaking his head and hurrying away.

“DADDY?” Finn flailed desperately to grab onto him, to find stability. They were instead greeted by gravity pulling them down the incline, where they were found the next morning by joggers. Their map laid over them like a blanket.

Sam and Beth sent for Miss Cherish the second they saw Finn again. Then they never saw Finn again.

[made-me-deep-blue]

Neither a theory or a headcanon, but a request in which Kamilah figures out she's been abused by gaius since she was turned before book 1 and when gaius is confirmed to come back, she has a talk with mc and explains to her the whole rotten thing with gaius? Mc is very understandable and ready to offer any support Kamilah needs (probably not nsfw bc that's rly what not Kamilah needs rn). Thank u kindly

Because of Gaius’s recent comeback, and now newly reborn as the most powerful vampire that has ever walked the surface of the earth, the crew’s nights were usually eventful. 

So when they had barely anything to do tonight, it was awfully suspicious to the point where Kamilah, Adrian and Jax had a few of their clan members as a team on the lookout for any suspicious activity around their location.

Adrian and Jax had left to do some strategic planning, Lily was busy putting up the technical stuff in another room, so it was only Kamilah and Amy in their shared bedroom together. 

The vampire looked through the small slits of the blinds at the nightlife down below, flicking a quarter in another hand. Amy had a novel in her lap. The noises of the silver against her skin and the flipping of pages were the only noises that filled the void.

Then, the sound of Kamilah’s hand smacking on the top of the quarter against the table, snapped Amy out of her reading phase, her novel flying out of her lap.

“Jesus Christ, Kamilah,” Amy rubbed her eyes. ���What was that for?”

Kamilah didn’t answer, her eyes were still in a daze.

“Baby?”

“Nothing,” the vampire shook her head, opening her palm to reveal the small dent on the wooden stable. “Just...thinking.”

“Well,” Amy slid over the bed and swung her legs over the edge, joining Kamilah, sitting side by side. “Thinking usually doesn’t involve smacking a table that hard with a quarter against your palm. You must be thinking very hard then, darling.”

Kamilah’s expression was...unreadable, to say the least. She’s usually like that, but something told Amy that this was more than her usual brooding face.

“I was thinking about the time when you asked me about my relationship with Gaius back in those days, where I was still under his spell.”

Realisation dawned on Amy, like lightning just stroke her at that point. Was she thinking about that the entire time? Why did she have to ask that question in the first place?”

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” Amy waved her hands in front of her dismissively. “I was so into my thoughts and I didn’t even consider your feelings! I’m so-”

“You don’t have to be.”

The Bloodkeeper was slightly surprised at the monotone answer but patted the open space on her lap: Kamilah’s go-to place to lay her head. After getting into position, Amy started threading her fingers gently through her lover’s hair, calm and therapeutic, to the point where she could have sworn that she heard Kamilah purring.

“You can tell me,” Amy said. “There’s a reason why you chose me and not other women, right?”

That was true on such an unexplainable level. Even someone as hot as fellow Council member Priya Lacroix wasn’t even worthy of the Kamilah Sayeed.

“There was just something in the way he looks at you, and you immediately fall under his clutches. He can turn a rebel into his servant if he ever wished. Despite his claims of his love for me, he does...things when it’s only the two of us.”

Amy tried not to think too far and let Kamilah explain her side of the story, feeling her blood boil.

“To think that I found his inflicted pain as pleasure...I don’t even recognise who I was back then when I was still by his side. A loyal servant. He claimed me to be his queen, but now that I look back, I don’t see it that way. But whenever he spoke, it felt like as if my moral compass always shifted to his preference, and he would just play me like his own toy.”

Nothing is wrong with Kamilah Sayeed.

What’s wrong...is this messed up world.

Amy suddenly felt a chill went down her spine, after hearing her own voice speaking those sentences to her. She didn’t sound like her usual tone.

It sounded dark...sinister...an overwhelming force, rumbling deep within the abyss.

“What’s wrong, Amy?” Kamilah tilted her head upwards. “You suddenly just went eerily silent.”

Amy smiled and shook her head. “No, it’s nothing. Sorry for zoning out.”

...or was it not?

[marycecilyy]

Here's my piece for the My Candy Love Zine!!!

Rating: G

CandyXNathaniel

Words: 5000 (total)

Theme: The Little Mermaid AU

Also, the ending for the zine was drew by the wonderful @ghoulyunicorn!! Go check her beautiful art

PART 1

“I want to be part of your world.”

Nathaniel wasn’t a very social guy. His life consisted in studying with his particular teacher and doing the chores. He had no contact with other teens apart from Armin, who also stayed the whole day at home (but differently from him, he spent his afternoons playing video games instead of reading didactic books).

His dream was meeting other young people like him. Going to parties, enjoying life. But his father, afraid from what liberty might cause him, kept him locked inside of home. His mother? Absent. His sister? The demon itself. His social life? Non existent. Life sucked for poor Nathaniel. 

But he had hope that one day he would go to this world so appealing to him. He would enjoy life. Spend the whole day partying and even, maybe, find his significant other. And that dream was closer than he expected.

“Pssssh. Nath. Over here!”

    Nathaniel raised his head from his books and looked around, searching where did the voice come from. After a few moments, he saw a figure waving through the window. It was Armin. How the heck did he get up there? His room was on the second floor!

“Come on, open the window!”

Hurrying up, Nathaniel let his friend come in. He entered the room in a heartbeat, excited for what he had to say. 

“Why are you so jumpy, Armin? What happened?”

“Well, I have big news for you! Alexy’s best friend is throwing a party at her place tonight! You have to go there!”

Nath almost fell from his chair. A party? That night? We wasn’t emotionally prepared for that at all. And that was what he told Armin, who just shrugged off his worries. It looked like he wouldn’t give up, would he?

“Well, okay, let me just get ready.”

Armin agreed, and the golden haired boy went to take a quick shower, thoughts about this party spiraling through his head. That world that he oh so wanted to be part of maybe was closer to him than he thought.

After he was all set and ready, Nathaniel put some pillows under the blanket and turned of the lights, hoping it would fool his dad. It always did. Actually, he wasn’t new to going out without his parents permission. He normally would just go with Armin to his place and play videogames, but nothing this important. He never went to an actual party, with real people.

    The house was a bit far from his, so they had no choice but to go by foot. In the meantime, Armin was telling him how to behave, since he wouldn’t stay with him (as if Armin would ever go to a party by his own choice). He talked about the host, a girl named Candy. Apparently her parents were never home because they travelled a lot, and she stayed alone most of the days. That night was not the first time that she threw a party in their absence, but the other times the only ones invited were people that she knew directly.

    “And here we are!” Armin said, ringing the doorbell of the enormous house in front of them.

    “Wow.” Nath whispered, enchanted with the place. Nath’s parents had a significant amount of money, but it was nowhere near the richness of that house’s owners. There was a beautiful garden and a big pool which was glowing from the colorful party lights. The house itself had two floors, both with so many windows that it was possible to see everything happening inside of the building. And it was crowded. So crowded.

    Nathaniel started to feel sweaty from the anxiousness and considered going back to his place and forget all of this crap. Why the heck was he doing this anyway? 

    “Armin, you’re here!” A girl emerged through the other side of the gate, opening it and hugging her friend.

    “Yes, but I won’t stay for long, just came here to drop my friend. Candy, this is Nathaniel.”

    He straightened his column, feeling his heart pump faster at the sight of that girl. She had sparkling green eyes, silky brown hair, red lips… She was beautiful.

    “Nice to meet you, Nathaniel!” The girl offered her hand for him to shake and that was what he did, so enchanted by her words that he couldn’t barely form proper words.

    “Cat got your tongue, sweetie?” Candy said, laughing at his red face. He was cute, she thought.

“Yeah, sweetie, cat got your tongue?” Armin repeated, obviously mocking his friend, though the girl didn’t notice the tone.

“Anyway, come in, you two! I’ll show Nath the house.” 

Armin tried to protest, saying he already told her that he wouldn’t stay in the party, but Candy wasn’t having it. Without saying anything, she dragged them both into the house.

It was way louder on the inside. On every corner of the room, there was a couple making out and drukens shouting excitedly the lyrics of the music. Armin made a disgusted face, but Nath didn’t. He felt a chill through his spine at the rhythmic beat from the boom boxes. It was everything he ever dreamed of.

The host went to talk to the other guests and left the two of them alone in the crowd. A few minutes later, Armin recognised Alexy and Rosa’s faces and went talk to them. After introducing Nathaniel, they all found a place to sit and talk. 

The group stayed there talking for hours and Nath felt for the first time like he finally made friends apart from the geek (who, by the way, left as soon as he had the chance to). Alexy was cheerful, Rosa was funny, Iris, kind and Priya, the only responsible of the group.

The party was almost ending and Nath felt the need to go to the bathroom, leaving the group for a few. After he did what he had to do, the boy finally saw Candy again. She was next to the pool, talking to the phone with someone. Cautiously, he started to walk in her direction, waiting for her to finish the call. He didn’t like invading her privacy, but the boy felt attracted to this woman. Her presence pushed him to her without him even noticing. 

The conversation didn’t seem to be very friendly. Apparently, it was her mother who was on the phone saying that she would be away for a few more days, and Candy didn’t like that at all. Nath frowned, feeling bad for her. It seemed like she, too, had problems with her family.

Candy threw her phone on the ground, yelling bad words at it. Nath felt weird witnessing the private scene and turned around to leave, but stopped when he heard a surprised scream and the noise of a body falling on water. 

Shocked, Nath ran to the edge of the pool, gasping on the sight of Candy drowning. The scare of tripping made her inhale water and she moved her arms frantically as she tried to get the liquid out of her lungs. Nathaniel, desperate, jumped into the pool, taking the girl into his arms, whose movements were already slowing down.

When he rested her body against the dry ground, she wasn’t moving anymore. Remembering what he had learned on his classes, he put his hands flat against her chest and started to pump it. After a few seconds, she started to cough violently. That took a weight out of Nathaniel’s shoulders. She was well.

A few people started to notice what was happening and soon Candy was surrounded by worried guests, all talking at the same time. The girl was still a little dazed, and the moment Alexy appeared in the middle of the crowd, he left her with him. He didn’t want to attract so much attention and trusted on his best friend’s brother.

He took a glance at Candy, who seemed to be finer. Then, he turned around and left, without letting the lady know the identity of the man who helped her out.

[notworkingsposts]

Regret (Priya x MC)

Requested by @kennaxval for @choicesjulychallenge hosted by @kinda-iconic . This is the first time I’m writing for Priya but it was a lot of fun so thanks for the request friend.

Thanks @strangerofbraidwood for pre-reading. You are the best :D

NFSW, MEANING ANYONE UNDER 18 SHOULD NOT READ THIS. THIS MIGHT BE UPSETTING TO SOME READERS SO READ WITH CAUTION.

Tagging: @queerchoicesblog @kennaxval @strangerofbraidwood @crazypeanat @tornbetween2loves @politicallycorrectinnocentteen @brightpinkpeppercorn @standoutofthecrowd

Let me know if you want to be added or removed

Regret is a peculiar thing; you wouldn’t do that certain thing again, but does that mean you’re sorry it happened? Take a step outside of your “humanity” and think, really think about a “regret” - would you honestly be sorry? 

A toy is there to play with, to treat as you desire and to exercise your imagination. Some toys last forever, but other toys are fragile; they break so easily… urgh…way to easily. This afternoon, I broke one of my new favourite play things, do I regret it? Do I want to play again? Am I sorry? The events that took place are making me answer all of these ridiculous questions. Questions I buried deep, deep down a century ago. I’ll warn you now, this story is not for the faint hearted, look away now if you have a fragile human stomach, this does not have a happy ending. Or does it? I guess it depends on what kind of person YOU are. This is Priya Lacroix bitches and this is MY story…

It was a glorious day in New York City or so I heard. I was busy, knee deep in 4 of my house boys AND 5 young hungry sorority girls who were competing to be my next muse. I guess it was a glorious day! The party had just begun, I quite like to see what each individual has to bring to the table. My dress was hitched up as I sat in my thrown, one by one each participant pleasured me. The last house boy was a eager fellow, offering his neck while he fucked me. I couldn’t help but bury my fangs deep, ripping in to his artery. His blood soaked my white dress, the smell of blood everywhere was intoxicating and I wanted more. His sheer determination was marvellous as he carried on thrusting deeper and deeper. I heard a knock at the door which was startling as I was not expecting a guest. And NO ONE turns up to the mansion without an invite. Well I was busy so as expected, a house boy was sent (obviously, when do I ever get the door). I was angry with the unexpected interference, which made me buck a little too hard, breaking the poor boys manhood. He had lost too much blood anyway and what good is a man without his dick?  Regardless, we carried on and as the door opened to reveal Adrian’s doe-eyed assistant, I opened another artery soaking myself further; the walls, floors and other participants were also covered. I drank the last of his sweet blood and threw him across the room. His body crunched against the wall, every bone breaking with a “sickening” thud but Amy just stood there staring. I saw fear, but I could also sense hunger and want. Why the fuck did she not run? Such a delicious but idiotic creature. This is where the game started! I looked straight at her, wiping the blood away from my lips seductively. I didn’t want to say a word until she atleast moved or rambled. This was a game of chicken between prey and predator.Finally, she began to speak, but it sounded like a mixture of squawking sounds until she found the balls to ask me to move the discussion elsewhere. I didn’t make it easy, but I granted her wish and escorted her to the living room while I showered. Sadly, she didn’t want to help me clean up…

My mortal friends this is far from over, the best/worst is yet to come. You are fabulous for making it this far, but I’m not surprised. No one can resist Priya Lacroix!

————

Since the day I met Amy, I wanted her to be mine, my toy, my muse. Her beauty was intoxicating, there was something different about her and my body ached to fuck her. No matter what she saw of me, it seemed like the same thing was happening to her. I’ve been around for some time, it’s easy to figure out when someone wants me, but wanting me is dangerous. Whatevs, no point beating around the bush, lets get to it… 

Amy didn’t notice that I had entered the room. I took a moment to admire her perfectly arched back, her plump arse which was begging to be licked. She still hadn’t noticed me, and of course that pissed me off. I rushed behind her, digging my fingernails quite hard in to her hips, letting my breath ghost over her neck. I could hear her heart beating faster, see her skin flushing - she liked the pain as well as the closeness. Difficult as ever, she pulled away and rambled on about some nonsense regarding the council. This was the first time she visited without Adrian or the old bag; it was now or never. Amy had said yes in the past but those two spoil sports ruined it. I ran my nails up her thigh, but she didn’t stop me. I carried on going higher, until I saw fear again. I might not have a good track record with my sexual partners but  it has to be consensual. She was all to eager to say yes; I wanted to make her wait, I wanted to play with my toy properly. 

———

Urgh, so I guess I will have to explain the game I proposed for the next part to make sense. Hide and Seek was the game, of course with a few tailored changes. Every time Amy found me, she was allowed to take a piece of clothing, as well as being able to do anything to the newly exposed body part. The same rules applied to me, apart from one; I was also allowed to bite her (my mansion, my rules) BUT she could only be healed by the house boys who were tactically placed.

Before the game began, mamma needed some sugar. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her tight against my body, I kissed her hard; using my body to grind on hers as I licked her lips and grazed them with my fangs. Her hands made her way through my hair, gently tugging, then they moved down my back; she scraped her nails down. I could already smell her desire and it was absolutely delightful. Not gonna lie, the kiss was damn hot and I was just as dazed as Amy. Obviously, I couldn’t show that side of me, so I left after giving her a hard spank. I knew for a fact there was a solid red handprint there, ready for me to admire later.  

Amy eventually found me laying by the pool. She was nervous as she approached, she didn’t say a word but her eyes were already hooded. She kneeled down, taking my shoes off slowly as she gazed up at me. She already tried to cheat by grazing her fingers up my legs, moving to take my dress off. I stopped her with a foot, placed between her full breast; she smiled sheepishly and moved back down. Mmmm, just thinking about how she took each toe in to her mouth and sucked is turning me on right now. She finished with licking the soles of each and with a kiss at each ankle. 

Now, this is where it gets interesting folks. I found Amy in my dance studio, trying yet failing to hide behind a speaker. I couldn’t help but laugh at how…”adorable” she looked. I took her from behind, which earned a throaty gasp. I kissed her neck with fervour, biting here and there as I ran my hands up her thighs to the hem of her dress. To my delight, she didn’t have a bra on. After removing the dress I pulled her closer, my breast were pressed against her back. Her breathing grew heavier as my hands glided up her flat stomach, she arched back in to me as I took each peak and squeezed. I turned her around and threw her up against the large mirror; a slight crack had formed from impact but she seemed to enjoy it.  As I massaged her breasts, she straddled me and her head fell back in pleasure. My tongue trailed a line from her neck, all the way down to her erect nipple. Taking her in my mouth, I sucked and licked until she let out a guttural moan. I was as turned on as her, but the game had just begun. Without warning, I pushed her off me, held her against the mirror while I buried my fangs deep in to her throat. OH.MY.GOD, I was so right - she was delicious. I fed more and as I pulled a way, blood began to spray everywhere. With a smirk, I left so she could find a house boy. Of course, out ofintrigue I looked over my shoulder to track her progress; she was moving but she was weak. I knew their was a house boy close by, so the game was still on…

20 LONG minutes later, she found me resting against my four poster bed. Amy was healed but the hunger in her eyes had grown in intensity; the nerves had��gone. She practically ran over to me, kissing me passionately. She struggled to get my dress off so I tore it off my own body. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of me without any underwear on. Pace was thrown out the window as she fell to her knees and buried her face in my wet centre. She licked deep, sliding her tongue up and down in long strokes. This was fire, but the throbbing was getting intense. I grabbed a hand full of her hair, pulling hard. As our eyes met, I demanded her to suck. Amy was extremely obedient (such a good toy) and dived back in; sucking while she thrusted three fingers in and out, twisting and curling as my moans filled the room. We both agreed that the game was over, however, everything was still on the table. 

I lifted her with ease from the floor and threw her on to the bed; shredding any clothes that were left. Amy tried to move but I held her down by the throat with a tight grip and began riding her hard. I bent down to take a bite out of her neck. Blood spraying everywhere, but the pleasure seemed to grow more for Amy so I continued. I lost myself completely, the room filling with both of our screams of pure ecstasy. There was no stopping me now; the sheets were covered in blood and her eyes grew weaker, at that moment I didn’t care. I place heated kisses all the way down to her thighs. Biting again, not realising I went event deeper than her neck. I moved between her legs, smelling her desire as I went nose first in to her soaked centre, her moans filled the room as I began working my tongue and fingers inside her. The bucking got more insistent, until I took another bite from the other thigh. Her movements slowed…her moans grew softer…then…silence… 

This had happened more than a handful of times with other lovers, but I wouldn’t care. My house boys would take care of it. I felt something different, my stomach sank and I panicked! I have not felt this kind of emotion in years and without thinking I called Kamilah. She arrived within minutes, looking around the room in disgust. Her exact words were “It looks like 10 people got murdered in here Priya. What the hell were you thinking?”. 

With that she left with Amy draped across her arms… lifeless. Now here I am, questioning how I have lived for the last century. Why does some assistant have this hold on me? Do I go to help Kamilah? Do I stay? What is this feeling?

Regret is a peculiar thing; you wouldn’t do that certain thing again, but does that mean you’re sorry it happened? Take a step outside of your “humanity” and think, really think about a “regret” - would you honestly be sorry? 

I think this is the part where I say…yes. 

[alleycat97]

Tricked

Pairing: MC (Aurora) x Kamilah

Description: After a rough couple of days in Paris and no contact with Kamilah, Aurora begins to lose hope in this war against Gaius. But as time goes on, the close Gaius gets, and can you begin to trust even the most harmless things?

...

Paris 11:34pm

Aurora was taking a long break from the days session with Serafine. It was taking way too long trying to access the location of the tree. Serafine wasn’t quite as strong as Jameson and Aurora couldn’t stay conscious long enough for them to probe her memory. It just hurt so much and it was killing her each time they tried.

“It’s no use, the girl is much too weak. We will never find the location at this rate.” Serafine spoke rejoining Adrian and Jax.

“We must keep trying, there must be something we can do to trigger the vision.” Adrian spoke as Aurora stumbled into the room.

Jax was quick to his feet to help guide the bloodkeeper to a seat, “What are you doing up? You should be resting.”

She was clearly out of her mind but continued to speak, “Kamilah will be here soon.”

Jax looked to Adrian in concern, Aurora had been saying this for the last 3 days and they were growing tired of it. Kamilah wasn’t coming until they gave her the ok.

“Aurora listen to me, Kamilah isn’t coming ye....” Adrian tried snapping the mortal from her daze.

“She’s coming! You just wait and see! I didn’t want to come on this stupid trip without her anyway!”

Adrian and Jax backed away slowly, concern growing for the poor mortal.

“Aurora are you feeling alright?” Jax asked calmly.

“Never better!” She replied sarcastically. “Just the entire fate of the world is on my shoulders and I can’t do a damn thing about it because I can’t have a stupid vision! Not to mention Kamilah and Lily are home by themselves with Gaius lurking with Priya and I can’t help them because I’m just a stupid mortal!”

She finally lost it all when she tried to call Kamilah again for the uptenth time and got her voicemail, leaving yet another heartfelt message.

...

New York 5:34pm

Kamilah sat with Lily in one of the many hideouts they occupied now.

“How is everything.” Kamilah asked her protege.

“As well as we can expect. A few more members joined up.”

Kamilah nodded in approval but stayed quiet. Lily broke the silence asking a sensitive question,

“How are you holding up? I mean being so far from Aurora and with this Gaius business going on?”

Kamilah sighed, she knew it was coming.

“I miss her terribly. I miss everyone terribly. But it is what is best. I have faith in this plan. If we do this, we can take Gaius down for good.”

“What if Aurora fails and Gaius finds us here? Do you think we can take him?”

Kamilah didn’t want to think about the most realistic scenario but she had to answer, “With Priya and her Clan members by his side and the power he has, I don’t think we stand a chance.”

Lily slumped down at the sound of defeat in Kamilah’s voice. She’s never heard the queen so down before. “I better make my rounds. I’ll check in with you later.”

“Be safe out there Lily.” Kamilah said before the young vampire exited the hideout.

Kamilah pondered all possible ways to defeat Gaius but a loud noise shook those thoughts aside as she sprung into attack mode just in case and was met with the last two vampires she wanted to see. Priya and Gaius.

She was no match for the two and was easily restrained by the two. She couldn’t figure out why they kept her alive but she didn’t dare complain. Until her phone rang a familiar ring tone that Aurora had set and the two vampires took interest in the callers voice. Kamilah cursed herself for the bad timing.

She sat quietly as she listened to her new voicemail,

“Kami it’s me again. I miss you so much and I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. It’s been 3 days and still no vision. Serafine and Adrian are pushing me to my limit and I’m not sure I can handle it anymore. I don’t want to fail you. The longer it takes me, the more time I’m giving Gaius or the clans to find you. I wish my first trip to Paris would have involved you, but I’ll try my best so that we can come visit when we take down Gaius. Just call me when you can ok?”

A tear almost came from Kamilah’s eyes but she was quickly smacked by Priya.

“Ah man isn’t she sweet.” Priya cooed as Kamilah tried to break her restraints. “What do you think my king?”

Gaius looked at Kamilah with interest, “It seems you have found a new lover my queen? Was I not good enough for you? What could some mortal give you that I could not?”

Kamilah began to speak but Gaius snapped and threw the phone through a wall destroying it in anger, “That was rhetorical!!! Oh but don’t worry my queen, you’ll soon remember who your master truly is...”

...

Paris 8:34am

“I think I know what we need to do.” Serafine spoke.

“Greatttt.” Aurora groaned.

“We need you to focus all of your energy on past dreams, visions, thoughts, anything YOUR MIND has seen. We may get some clues from this, you’ve mentioned your dreams of Rheya and the tree no?”

“Perfect!” Adrian beamed, “Think you can do that Aurora?”

“I’ll try.”

Serafine placed her hands on the bloodkeepers head and she focused and within seconds, she saw the tree in a beautiful cave. A beautiful woman praying to the tree,

“Oh my gods of Mydiea, please spare me and punish those who sent me here. For I am a priestess of Phampira, please hear my prayer.”

Serafine smiled, that was the information needed to find the tree. But another person came to view in a much more modern setting, the caves were in near ruins. It was Aurora praying to the tree and then Kamilah entered the temple as if answering her prayer.

Kamilah called to the bloodkeeper and then when Aurora was in each reach, she choked her to death before re-joining Gaius! The shock was too much to bare and the vision ended abruptly.

“What the hell was that!” Serafine yelled frightened, looking to Aurora for answers, but the young girl had passed out.

[madrut16]

The Dungeon Part 1 - BB Chp. 13 Rewrite (Adrian x MC)

Author’s Note: Ahhh, it’s back! I know I’m skipping a lot of chapters but, I don’t think I can emotionally handle playing Chp 4 and 11 again. That’s why I’ve been putting off writing more of this. So, that’s why I’m resuming from here. Also, the end is what I’ve been the most eager to rewrite. I made a few major changes to this chapter that aren’t canon about Nicole. First, she’s not helping with the rescue because I thought it was weird and I don’t want that snake a part of it. Second, Isabel (my MC) is already highly suspicious of Nicole and part of the plan is to prove she’s a traitor (I don’t want to give too much away). I also made Isabel’s reactions more emotional because of Adrian being her LI. 

The changes are also why I split this into two, it would be way too long if I didn’t! Hopefully, you all enjoy it though!

Summary: It seems like fate has been sealed after Adrian is sentenced to death, but Isabel isn’t ready to give up even with the odds impossibly against them. She works together with Kamilah and Lily to come up with a genius but dangerous plan to save him, one that could put her right in The Baron’s crosshairs. 

Disclaimer: All of the characters and the dialogue not original belongs to Pixelberry Studios.

Rating: PG/PG-13

Word Count: 4113

Tags: @endlesshero1122, @kinda-iconic, @starshippromise, @flyawayboo, @kamybelen-blog

“He’ll meet the sun.”

Kamilah’s words echoed through Isabel’s mind as she sat next to the fireplace at the powerful vampire’s office where they came to regroup after the verdict. The first time she heard them, the emotions that she had been holding back as they dragged Adrian away had come to the surface all at once. Right there in the middle of Central Park she completely broke down sobbing and Lily had to almost carry her back to Ahmenet Financial. 

She was still sitting where her friend had placed her on the leather couch, her tears now silently streaming down after the violent cacophony had seemed to go on forever. She stared at the flames and ash beginning to form on the wood and she swallowed another lump that had formed in her throat. That’s what Adrian would be in mere hours and here she was, completely unable to help him like she should be able to. 

Isabel couldn’t deny that he wasn’t just her boss anymore or even a friend. Up until the ball, she managed to convince herself that it wasn’t anything more than a small crush. Even when she gave into temptation with that kiss almost a month ago during their midday excursion. But then, there were the sparks she felt during their dances and the intense dread and worry she felt during the whole trial and all of the little moments in between. And now that he could actually be gone...there was no going back. She cared for him, in a way she’d never felt before. That same feeling her cousin Delilah constantly described when talking about Liam.

In fact, she suspected it was more than that even, that she was starting to fall in love with him. Isabel knew that she wasn’t completely there, it took her forever to arrive at that. And there were so many secrets about him that she wanted to know until she was at that point. But, that process had definitely begun. Enough that she couldn’t think of living without him. She would do anything to save him if she could, even if it put her in danger. 

Also, she could tell that she wasn’t alone in feeling this way. It was in his eyes constantly. She noticed it in her apartment when she was begging him to save Lily. Or maybe it even started in the museum, when he told her he just couldn’t let her go. That’s what scared her the most, the possibility that she was somehow responsible. He broke the rules for her. He had been so concerned for her safety and happiness throughout all of this. Yet, it hadn’t crossed her mind until now what danger he faced by having her so involved. Without her, this might not have happened at all. 

Her daze from being lost in her head was broken by the sound of heavy footsteps on the hardwood. 

“Hey,” Lily said gently, causing her to look up. “Figured you could use this.” The gamer gestured to the glass of water in her hand, a single ice cube inside to chill it. 

Isabel simply nodded and took it as her friend sat down next to her, an equally tense expression on her face. “This is all my fault, Lil,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“How? You were the one who advocated for him the most! They were idiots for betraying him. Maybe he’s done things in the past, but now? I don’t think Adrian could hurt a fly unless he had to.”

“But I’m the who reason he’s in this mess in the first place! If I ha...hadn’t begged him to turn you then The Council wouldn’t have been so mad at him.” Isabel took a sip of the drink in her hand, failing to stop the waterworks once more. “Hell, I should’ve just gotten my memories erased like he was told to,” she spat angrily. “All I’ve been doing since then is causing more trouble.”

“Nonsense.” 

Kamilah suddenly appeared and sat down in the armchair across from them. Seeing Isabel, her eyes softened into a more concerned expression. “I don’t want you to talk like that anymore. I know I had my doubts about you in the beginning, but now I know he made the right decision. He confided in me at the Ball about what he saw you and I’ve rarely seen him speak of someone so highly. And never a human, not even Nicole.”

“Really?”

The Vampire queen nodded. “I happen to agree with him. You’ve proved to be brave and extremely helpful among many other things. And Lily, I have to say you have learned rather quickly and I have grown quite fond of you two.” 

Isabel saw a brief moment of light on her face as she looked at Lily.

Soon, her expression darkened once more. “None of this is your fault...or his really. Truth be told, this was bound to happen whether you were here or not. Most of them have wanted him gone for a while now. The Baron is relatively young and resents Adrian for making him follow the rules, Lester has been holding a grudge against him for decades. As for Vega...he’s been jealous almost since the beginning. He will do anything to have power and Adrian has been in the way of that.”

“What about Priya?”

“She’s indifferent either way. The only thing she cares about is herself. Not to mention she's easily manipulated. I think she still wants affection from Vega also, even though they've been done since the thirties."

A minute went by with silence before Lily perked up. "Wait, I wanna know more about this serum. Do you know anything?" she asked Isabel who nodded.

 "I know a lot about it actually," she answered.

 "Is what Vega said true then? Can it really…?"

"Yes, it's really supposed to make vampires human. The final product anyway, I have no idea if it works like it's supposed to. Adrian only showed me a prototype. Although with his success rate, I wouldn’t doubt that it does.”

"That definitely sounds like something Vega would make a fuss about. I had no idea until the trial," Kamilah told them. 

Isabel felt a spike of anger and she slammed the glass down onto the side table. "That's what I can't figure out, he's not supposed to know about it! If Adrian didn't tell you, the person he trusts the most, he definitely didn't tell anyone else on The Council. Now I know why."

"So someone on the inside...leaked it to him?" Lily questioned following along.

"Yes, that's the only way Vega would have known. You both saw how surprised Adrian was at the trial!"

"Isabel, who is authorized to know about it?" Kamilah asked, almost demanding.

"Not many. Just me, the researchers in the lab working on it...and Nicole." The last name she answered with dread.

The others picked up on her suspicions. Lily exclaimed, "You think she betrayed him? That girl is attached to him like a leech."

"I think it's highly possible yeah. It's the only person that makes any sense. You would think she would've helped more at the trial. It was almost like she wanted him convicted."

Kamilah frowned. "Something about her just never sat right with me either. However, that is a lot of suspicion without evidence.”

"Adrian did express to me once that she really wants him to turn her.” She was met with wide eyes. “Don’t worry, he told me he would never do that, even if there wasn't a rule. She was too power hungry, irresponsible. And she was really agitated during the ordeal with Lily. At the time I just thought she was worried about Adrian but now...she was probably wanting it to be her," Isabel theorized. 

"That's... convincing. However, we would need more than that to actually prove it enough for any action. It'll have to wait until...after dawn," the Vampress stated.

They all knew what she was referring to.

"So that's it? Just like that, Adrian's gonna die?" Isabel asked once she realized that no one had a plan to try and save him.

"I'm afraid so," Kamilah spat angrily, her hardened expression returning.

Even she had given up trying. Isabel figured out of everyone, she would be the last to leave it to fate.

"I feel like I've been punched in the gut…"

Lily agreed with her sentiment. "Me too. Like I can't catch my breath…"

While it hadn't been long, she had grown fond of him too. 

Kamilah looked at them sadly before taking out a carafe and mixing some liqueur before handing them both a glass over ice. "Drink. It'll dull the pain."

Suddenly Isabel looked up at them, her eyes ablaze and pushed the glass aside. "Dull the pain? I want to do something about this! There must be some way--"

She was quickly interrupted. "Believe me, if there were I'd be doing it." The older vampire snapped. "Adrian is like a brother to me. I'd burn The Council to the ground for him…" she let out an impossible, defeated sigh. "But we've played our hand and lost. If we went to war, it'd be two clans against four. We'd be destroyed. Along with half of the city."

"But that trial was total bull! Adrian was set up!" Lily exclaimed.

It was clear that Kamilah thought so too. "Council justice is swift...and not always just."

Isabel shook her head, not believing what she was alluding to. "Can't we at least...appeal to the Council?"

She was met with a scoff. "And say what?"

"I don't know! Try to reach whatever shred of fairness and humanity they have left? They can't really all want Adrian dead?!"

Kamilah frowned once more. "After what they learned about the serum, I suspect they do."

No. They weren't just going to give up. Bolting from the couch Isabel paced frantically, tears welling in her eyes again. "There's got to be something! I mean Priya likes me. What if I offer to let her feed on me in return for a favor?"

"Yikes dot yikes," Lily exclaimed, begging her not to.

As for Kamilah, she let out a dry, bitter laugh. Bluntly, she told Isabel, "Priya would take the deal...then use you till you broke, and then force you to watch Adrian die with a smile on your face. Priya might be clueless when it comes to council meetings and put off an air of allure...but she's every bit of a monster as the Baron. Maybe even more."

Isabel gulped, instantly regretting what she'd suggested. She remembered Adrian's warning about her in the club that first night.

However, the lecture wasn't done. "I'm sorry Isabel, Lily. The reality is harsh, and I won't sugarcoat it." Kamilah’s next words were clipped as if to put an end to the discussion. "There is nothing we can do."

Isabel didn't know what came of her, but the idea of doing nothing became more and more unacceptable. Maybe it was her sadness turning into anger or her feelings about Adrian influencing her but, the one thing she wasn't used to is giving up. Even when the deck seemed impossibly stacked against her. So, she impulsively said what she had once before. 

"No."

Both Kamilah and Lily looked at her in surprise.

"Excuse me?" The older vampire said. "Did you not hear what I said?"

Isabel wasn't swayed. They were going to fight until the very end. At least she was. "I did, and I still say no. How can you accept that?!" she said incredulously. "There's always something." 

She paced around the room desperately trying to get her fast mind to work at lightning speed. Suddenly she stopped as a simple but dangerous idea came to her. It was a long shot, but it might be the only way.

"What?" Lily asked, knowing that look on her friend’s face.

"Couldn't we just...rescue him ourselves?" Isabel blurted out. "Can we at least try?"

A moment of silence hung in the air.

Finally, she watched as Lily's expression grew slightly more optimistic. "Yeah, I mean...we're pretty badass right? You especially?" she gestured towards Kamilah. "And you've got at least two dozen vampires in your Clan…"

Kamilah shook her head. "I wouldn't ask them to risk their lives. Not for another Clan's leader." Isabel could tell she liked the idea though, she could see it in her eyes. "Besides, even if we could do that without getting ourselves killed...none of us know exactly where Adrian is being held."

"Um, I do."

All of them turned around to see a woman Isabel had seen a few times when she'd gone to meetings here with Adrian. She was a vampire from Kamilah's Clan and head of security. She also worked for Adrian before becoming interested in finances and transferring over and was still fond of him. She couldn't remember her name though.

"Janet," Kamilah said in surprise. "How much have you heard?"

The redhead swallowed. "Most of it. I was--working late. Word is already spreading through the Clans about the trial. I can't believe they're going to execute him."

Isabel was the one who replied. "Not if we do something. You said you know where they are keeping him?"

"Yes...I know exactly where he is."

Kamilah quickly offered her a desk chair. "Come, sit down. Tell us what you know." She poured Janet a drink and slid it to her across the desk as they all took a seat.

"Thank you. I have a friend who works for Vega who's privy to that information. She was glad to tell me where he is. "

Lily sat up straight. "A mole! You've got a mole!"

Janet smirked. "I work in espionage, both here and when I was with Adrian. It's my job to get information. Luckily, that was her plan all along. She's been wanting to leave for a while and this was the perfect opportunity. She's willing to work with us to keep Vega off his trail as long as possible too."

"Again, I've underestimated you, Janet," Kamilah replied, a smile appearing for the first time in a while.

That's when Isabel knew that her crazy plan might work after all.

"I think love you," she exclaimed gratefully. "Now, where is he?"

Janet sighed. "In the Bloody Cellars."

Isabel felt a chill up her spine. That's where The Baron sent her until she was rescued by Jax on the way.

Suddenly, she jumped as Kamilah slammed her fist on the table, anger once again coursing through her. "I knew it. My worst fears have come true."

 "It makes sense. It's the one place they thought he'd be safest from you."

"Well, they picked the wrong human to mess with, especially when someone I care about gets hurt,” Isabel fumed.

"Sorry, can we put that thing down, flip it and reverse it?" Lily asked, confused. "What is the Bloody Cellars? Because it sounds like a Halloween-themed wine bar."

Kamilah explained sternly, "It's The Baron's private prison beneath his club, where he locks up anyone who's crossed him. A disgusting cesspool of torture, murder, and brutality."

"So no Halloween-themed wine bar."

Her friend shook her head, mouthing "no" before swallowing back yet another wave of emotion. "To think...to think they've got Adrian in a place like that…"

She closed her eyes tightly, imagining the suffering he was most likely going through. It felt like a knife to the heart. She had to get him out of there, whatever it took.

She felt Kamilah's steely gaze and met it. They both felt that way. "It's beyond cruel. Even for The Council."

Janet agreed. "That's exactly why we need to bust him out. Quickly."

Isabel nodded. "I couldn't agree more."

She looked at the clock and saw that it was almost three thirty am. Sunrise was at 6:45, which meant that they had three hours to work with. They need to do this fast.

Kamilah cleared her throat, the determination back in full force. "Okay, now that we know where he is, we have to figure out how to get him out."

Isabel remembered that Adrian kept a blueprint of the entire club that he showed her when she went to deliver the notice a couple months earlier. Her almost photographic memory still gave her a vague idea of what they looked like. She also remembered where they were kept. 

She relayed this information to the group. "We still should have time to grab them, if we act quickly. Plus, it can also give us an opportunity to see if Nicole is really the traitor I think she is."

"Vega already has security outside Raines corp, although...if you could get past them…"

"Kamilah?"

"He won't have much of the secured the inside, not until the killing is done. He'll want as many of his men to watch as possible."

Isabel smiled. "Easy. Priya isn't the only one who can do some manipulation. I already have an idea of how I want to do it. I’ll just pretend I'm just getting my things from the desk, which is true. I did leave a lot of things there thinking I could go back. And I'm a good actor too."

"Have I told you that I love you?" Lily exclaimed.

"Many times Lil." She continued her explanation. "Now, if Vega wants the serum for himself, he's going to go back for it. And if Nicole is in on it...she'll trap us in the office if we return there after Adrian is rescued. By then, I'll have gotten rid of it, so Vega can't have any. Then, we head to the club from there. That part won't be easy. I'll see if on my way out I can get Adrian's car. It'll be fast enough for us to lose them if they follow us at any point."

Even Janet and Kamilah looked impressed. "Nice work Isabel."

"Thanks. I also know enough about the layout that we can still think of the rest." Isabel said.

"Cool, so what's the plan now?" Lily asked.

"We need to find a way to sneak in and bust him out!"

"Hell yeah. I'm always ready for some Technical Espionage Action! Although I kind of meant, you know, a plan plan."

"Oh. Right."

Janet shifted in her chair, refilling her glass. "Even with the floor plans, infiltrating the Shrike is no easy task. And if my friend is telling the truth, The Baron's doubled the number of guards on duty."

Isabel began to think, picturing the blueprints in her mind until an inkling of an idea began to form, like a puzzle she had to solve. It was almost too simple but, that was what she hoped would make it work.

She looked up at them, her eyes shimmering. "Wait. I've got something. This may sound dumb but what if we just...walked through the front door."

"You're right," Kamilah admitted bluntly. "That was...idiotic."

"But, that's just it! That's exactly why I think it could work!" Now, Isabel had their full attention. "What if...we went in like we were trying to make a deal...and then sprung him."

She left everyone speechless. For a few seconds, everyone stared at her in surprise.

Finally, the CEO stammered, "I...stand corrected. It's actually an interesting idea...a good idea. But what could we possibly offer The Baron?"

She already had an answer, although she didn't like putting the person she had in mind at risk. But, she had to. "Another prisoner. One he can't refuse."

They all looked at her, slowly coming to the same conclusion she did.

Her and Lily whisper the name at the same time. "Jax."

"Are you sure? I doubt he would easily agree to this," her friend exclaimed.

Isabel sighed. "I hate putting him in danger too. But, he’s the one enemy that The Baron hasn't been able to put away. And...we should give Jax something in exchange: a home for the Clanless. He wants that more than anything. If...that's not too much to ask." 

She looked over at Kamilah. 

"If this is successful, and we win the fight with Vega afterward...I don't see why not. I certainly wouldn't object. The only reason I've been against it so far is because of Adrian making enemies with the Council. But, seeing as that has already happened...I'm done playing nice."

"Then I think we'll have a deal!"

The air was full of optimism as the rest of the plan was pieced together in meticulous detail.

Just when Isabel thought they had accounted for every obstacle, Lily posed one more question.

"What if The Baron won't even be convinced with Jax? What if he thinks even that's not enough to go against Vega?"

Kamilah scoffed. "Oh, I know he won't give us Adrian unless we get him ourselves. He'll just sit us there and wait for the sunrise. Jax breaking him out will be the ace up our sleeve.”

"But what if he doesn't even let him down there at all? Then we've done all of this for nothing!"

Isabel knew. She knew immediately what The Baron would accept without a doubt. Both Jax...and her.

"Then have Kamilah throw me in there also," she volunteered.

"No!" Lily pleaded. Kamilah also looked uneasy.

But she already made up her mind. She told herself that she would put herself in danger for Adrian and she meant it.

Turning to Kamilah, she explained, "You said you would do anything to save Adrian. So, if you throw me in there as if that's not part of the plan, he'll bite. Especially if you pretend that I'm expendable because I'm human. I'm the one person he wants to kill more than Jax.” She saw they were still hesitant. “Please, I want to be down there, I need to. I need to see him and make sure we get him out."

"If you are sure that you are okay with this, I will do that," Kamilah replied.

"Yes, I'm sure. We can't tell Jax about this part though, his reaction needs to be genuine. It'll sell better." She escaped the Baron's clutches with Jax once, she was confident they could do it again.

Lily frowned at her friend but didn't stop her. "I hope you know what you're doing Iz," she warned her, voice wavering with fear. "I don't wanna lose you, not after all you've done for me."

Isabel smiled. "I do Lily. Adrian's risked his life to save mine before. Now it's my turn."

Her best friend nodded. “Okay,” she mouthed. 

After everything was confirmed, she called Jax. He was the one thing left she needed to secure the plan. He picked up after the second ring.

"Isabel? Is everything okay? How...how are you?" He inquired with concern.

Biting her lip, she put him on speaker before answering, her stomach in knots. “We’re rescuing Adrian!" She exclaimed. 

"What?”

"Jax, we have a plan to bust him out that can work. But, we need a big favor from you in order to make it happen, one you’re not gonna like.”

There was silence. "This is going to be something dangerous...isn't it?"

Isabel sighed. "Yes, but it's the only way The Baron will let us down into the Bloody Cellars where they're keeping him."

She quickly explained the whole plan with help from the others.

"You really put all of this together."

"Oh, I...it was a team effort really."

Lily scoffed loudly. "Are you kidding, you were the one that refused to give up, even when the rest of us did! You also came up with the idea for rescuing him, and how to do it."

"Fine, I guess I contributed a lot, that’s not the point,” Isabel said hastily before returning to the task at hand. “Look, Jax, I know it's a lot to ask." 

"You're right, it is. I don't know if I can risk leaving my people without a leader." He replied.

She knew he would say something like that but, she still had her end of the deal to disclose.

"Jax, that's exactly why you have to do this. Keeping Adrian alive is your best shot at giving them a real home, safety. He’s been fighting for you, but the Council wouldn't let him. If you help us by doing this, and we somehow win against Vega, we'll make sure the Clanless are protected.”

After a minute, he said, "You're serious? You can actually make that happen?"

It was Kamilah who answered him. "If we do the impossible and make it out of this alive? Adrian and I will personally see to it that you and the Clanless replace Vega on the Council since he won’t let us go both alive.”

"Then I'll do it. If Adrian really has been that sympathetic to us," Jax stated. "There are a lot of my people in that prison also."

"I promise he has," Isabel said.

They were actually about to do this. The adrenaline already began to run through her veins.

She heard him sigh after a long pause. "Alright then. Let's get Adrian out of there." 

Note: I just edited this because I realized that this is Chapter 13 and not 12! Sorry!

[mareshmallow]

However Long it Takes pt ii

The city bustles with activity, more so than usual as the final preparations are made. Streamers bearing Montfort’s colours fly in the wind, weaving through the streets. There’s an air of excitement that I’ve never felt before. We didn’t have much holidays in Norta, not ones we were willing to celebrate. Religious ones had faded with time, though I knew a few who did observe them.

Tyton strolls beside me, seeming more at ease than I’d ever seen him. Why shouldn’t he be? This was his home, something he was familiar with. I however refuse to drop my guard. The wind stirs my hair, tickling my cheeks. I tuck it back furiously wishing I’d brought a hair tie. Tyton glances at me, vaguely amused. “Careful or you might rip it out next time.”

I huff and swat at a few stray strands. To my shock he reaches out and tucks them neatly in the messy bun I’d piled on my head. His finger trails along my cheek and I find myself reveling in his touch. It’s unlike anything I’ve felt in so long. His deep eyes bore into mine, though they were a different shade from the one I longed for. The image of Cal’s face has me pulling away sharply. His hand falls to his side before he stuffs it in his pocket. A persisting blush crawls up his neck and I find my own face heating.

“We’re here,” I manage to say, squinting at the sign that dangled off the side of the shop. It was a cute little thing, with a white lattice trim to compliment the pale pink. A bell chimes when I push open the door announcing our entry. A tall, willowy brown-skinned girl grins at us from behind the wooden counter. I smile back. “Hey, Priya. Is Gisa around?”

“She should be in the back getting the last few bits ready,” she tells us. Priya hops down gracefully and waves us over. Tyton and I share a look before following. She pushes aside a white curtain to reveal Gisa hunched over a suit

The simplicity captures my attention first. It was velvet in a deep shade of red, near purple. Gold metal cuffs the wrists but doesn’t touch the skin. The front is open with a revealing half top, almost like a bra in the same shade.

I clear my throat and Gisa looks us, sheepish. “Oh come on, your idea of style is any scrap of clothing that’s clean.” I shrug. That was fair.

The fabric was smooth, surprisingly so. I pinch it between my fingers, admiring it’s texture. “Priya did the metalwork,” Gisa explains when I examine the the cuffs. Priya blushes. “You did most of the work anyways,” she protests, trying to brush off the compliment though she was clearly pleased. They begin to jabber back and forth and Tyton nudges me. “You’ll look beautiful, as always,” he murmurs softly. I dip my chin to hide my rising blush. He laughs gently.

His fingers tip my chin and once again I find myself in his gaze. “I love it when you get all embarrassed, it’s cute,” he grins. I swat his arm. “You wish.”

“Mare, you have to try it on!” Gisa exclaims, gathering the suit in her arms. She thrusts it towards me and we all look at Tyton expectantly. “Oh, yeah um…”

“Shoo shoo!” Priya insistently repeats, making brushing motions with her hands. Tyton scrambles to do as she says and I laugh to myself. He was still working on opening up, and the vibrant personalities that belonged to Gisa and Priya threw him off.

They pull on the suit with my eyes closed, per Gisa’s request. The rustle of fabric is all I hear before two dreamy sighs. Someone presses something into my hand, the top I assume and I pull it on myself. I begin to open my eyes but Gisa squeaks. “Close them!”  I shut them tightly once more, wincing at her screech. “Can I open them, please? I won’t look, promise.”

She hums, considering. “Nope.”

“Turn around please,” Priya directs. I do as she says. “Ok good, now you can open your eyes but don’t look down.”

I blink furiously as my eyes adjust to the light. Keeping my gaze straight ahead I follow Gisa out. Tyton’s propped himself up in a floral patterned chair and he gazes out the window. When I enter his head whips towards me and I watch as his eyes widen. He visibly swallows and it takes everything I have to not fidget. “Is it that bad?”

Gisa wheels a large framed mirror out and spins it to me. “Okay, look!”

I sigh and face the mirror. Gisa had obviously worked hard on this and I’d warned her that I wasn’t the best choice for finery. I wouldn’t be accounted for if she was disappointed but I trusted her judgement.

The waist pinched but the rest flowed out slightly to the ankles and cut itself off neatly, exposing a sliver of skin. The jacket fits snugly against my form and the cuffs gleam in the morning sunlight. The revealing top displays my brand with pride and Gisa adjusts it while I watch the girl in front of me. She looks vaguely otherworldly and not at all like me. Priya twists my hair into a simple knot and pins it with deft motions, leaving a few strands to fall freely.

“So... what do you think?” Gisa asks, nervously chewing on her lip.

“It’s beautiful Gee, your work always is,” I say in a daze. I’d never worn something quite like it but leave it up to Gisa to shoot for something unique. I turn to her and smile. She’d always had an eye for these things and a brilliant mind. It used to be the subject of my envy. Now it only made me feel pride.

“Good,” Gisa grins in relief. As if I could ever tell her I disliked her work.

“How about you, Tyton?” Priya asks. He looks startled at being addressed. Perhaps he expected we forgot about him sitting there. ”Surely you will attending as well?”

“Of course,” he replies. “Though I don’t need--”

“Nonsense,” Gisa waves him off, catching Priya’s meaning. They share a look and I can tell from the glint in her eye they won’t be letting him off so easily. I chuckle into my hand. Poor Tyton was really in for something. He catches my laugh and wilts, looking appropriately regretful at coming with me.

The girls heave him out of his seat and whisk him off. I can’t help but cackle and he shoots me a glare. Oh well. If I had to suffer, so did he.

***

I press a few coins into Priya’s hand as discreetly as possible. She tries to refuse them but I halt her. “For what you’ve done. Getting Tyton to wear something suitable is no easy task,” I wink at her. She accepts them after a long moment with a bow of her head and an easy grin.  “I find myself drawn to challenges.” Her gaze strays to Gisa as she speaks. I follow it to where my sister stands conversing with Tyton. He catches my eye and saunters over, oddly at ease.

I raise a brow at his change in attitude and he extends a hand in an absurdly dramatic manner. “Shall we?” I shake my head at his antics but put my hand in his anyway letting him pull me along through the door. We leave the shop like that and I don’t retract my grip and neither does he. This was harmless, I thought. We were both lonely, and it wasn’t like I’d invited him to bed. Somehow it still felt like betrayal, but oddly freeing. The thought makes me hold on tighter, all the way back.

***

The servants fly in and out, more of in a rush than I’d ever seen them. Carmadon catches my questioning stare. “Holly’s coming to visit and Dane and I wanted her to feel as welcome as possible,” he explains.

“Oh,” I say. Clearly, I’d forgotten about her arrival but he doesn’t take offence. “I guess I got so wrapped up this morning,” I apologize.

“It’s quite alright,” he smiles. The plate of chocolate-covered strawberries we’d been eating lie abandoned now but I trust Farley to take care of it. As if hearing my thoughts, she enters the parlour with Clara nestled in her arms. The little girl squirms in her mother’s grip, babbling. She was a year old now and though she couldn’t form a proper sentence that didn’t stop her. Another figure enters with them. Blue marches in proudly despite her arms being painted in a mess of colours and her braid askew.

Carmadon sighs. “Do I even want to know?” He receives no reply and gathers his daughter in his arms. “Dadda, look!” She displays her painted limbs. “I’m actually blue!”

“Lavender Blue, what did I tell you about making a mess?” he says sternly. She hums in consideration. “That it wasn’t good?”

He flicks her nose. “What do you think your mother would say about this? And your father?”

Blue winces. “Please don’t tell mom and dad. Pretty please?”

Carmadon pretends to think. “You have to promise to not do this again and I’ll consider it.”

Blue nods furiously. “Promise.”

“She was painting again,” Farley huffs. She has a smudge of white that streaks across her cheek. Clara pokes at it.

“I wanted to make a present for mommy,” Blue responds, crossly. “She said I was getting better last time.”

“And I meant it,” a female voice trills. A woman enters with Davidson, both of them at ease. He looks more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. The woman wears a grin with eyes only for Blue. She shrieks in delight and hops over to her, jumping into her outstretched arms. The woman embraces her and I can only assume that this was Holly, her mother.

“My dear Lavender, what have you been up to?” Holly laughs, examining her daughter’s arms. “Dane?”

Davidson shifts uncomfortably. “I didn’t have anything to do with this.”

Holly laughs again, the sound strangely musical. Her kind eyes land on me and she smiles, holding out her free hand. “You must be Mare Barrow. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dane only ever says good things.” I smile back, clasping my hand in her own. To my surprise, they are soft, not hardened by battle. “It’s wonderful to have met you as well. Your daughter is quite-”

“A handful?” Holly suggests. I flush. “Somewhat.”

Clara has found her way onto the floor and crawls over to Blue. Holly bends over and sets her down. “Who do we have here?”

Farley steps forward looking torn between greeting Holly and scolding Clara for interrupting. She settles on the former. “This is my daughter, Clara.”

“What a beautiful name!” Holly exclaims. “Perfect for a lovely little girl,” she grins down at Clara. Farley smiles warmly though it’s tinged with sadness and I understand why. We share a quick glance. “Thank you. She was named after my mother.”

Holly catches the look. “Oh, I see,” she draws out. Her voice was faint. Carmadon clears his throat. “It’s good to see you, Holls.” I raise brow at the nickname. He envelopes her in a hug, dwarfing her easily. She was slight woman with delicate features and black skin with a warm red undertone.

I knew that Holly and Carmadon were good friends and they’d conceived Blue for him and his husband to raise. That was pretty much all I knew. However, the relationship between them was unlike anything I’d seen. Davidson had told me she was a singer, the kind that was born of talent not blood and travelled often.

Though she was a newblood, a nymph. Not a particularly powerful one though. She came to visit as frequently as she could so I was told. I think back to when we’d had our first night here and Carmadon had alluded to children between Newbloods and Silvers. I wonder what Cal would think if he were here. My heart flutters at the thought. Would he see what I saw? A chance, a future?

Carmadon sweeps an arm at Farley. “This is General Farley, an esteemed member of the Scarlet Guard’s Command.” Farley straightens. “She is a vital member in the relationship between Montfort and her own people”

“I commend you for your work, General. Thanks to you, my daughter won’t suffer the fate of war,” Holly says, inclining her head. Her eyes flash with something dark before it’s wiped away.

Farley swallows heavily “We do what we can to protect them,” she responds softly. Her gaze strays to Clara wobbling around while Blue holds her arms. Both mothers watch as their daughters giggle, oblivious to the complications of the world. I’d been that way once. Carefree with my siblings, confident in the knowledge that my parents were the shield against any horrible thing.

Davidson frowns. “Where’s Eli? And Nadine for that matter?”

Carmadon blinks for a moment. “I have no idea.”

Holly eyes him. “Seriously?”

Farley sighs. “They went out, relax.” Davidson is clearly upset by this but when he opens his mouth in protest Farley cuts him off. “They’re old enough to handle themselves.”

“I don’t mind putting myself in danger, but my children are a different story,” Davidson grinds out. “It’s not safe for them to go out alone.”

“Perhaps it’s for the best,” Carmadon reasons. He lays a hand on his husband’s shoulder and looks at me pleadingly.  I pretend to not notice. There was no way I was getting into that.

“How so?” Davidson bites. His leg bounces with nerves. Holly takes his hand in her own. Her touch seemingly having a calming effect. “You know Eli and Nadine. They’re good kids and you’ve raised them well.” Davidson slumps into a seat, absorbing her words.

“If it helps...Nadine’s improved immensely in combat,” Farley shrugs. “If she continues training with me, she’ll be unstoppable.” I huff in amusement at her barely disguised self-praise.

Even Davidson cracks a smile. “I’m sure she will.”

Footsteps pound through the hall and we all rise to our feet. Lightning pulses beneath my skin, ready to be called upon. Eli and Nadine burst through, both panting and out of breath. She holds a creamy envelope in her hand. I know that this must be one of Davidson’s correspondences. The sparks recede back into my skin as I watch her hand the letter to Davidson.

They looked strangely alike in demeanor if nothing else. You could almost say they were related though she was not his daughter in the adopted or biological sense.

Davidson scans the letter, his expression infuriatingly blank. I catch sight of the Nortan seal on the front and my heart gallops in my chest. I already fear the worst but it’s not the kind I expect.

He clears his throat before reading the words aloud.

“The honourable General Calore and his uncle, Julian Jacos have accepted Montfort’s request to have them at our Independence Day celebration.”

I’m out of the room before he can continue. I run and run until I swear I can hear Maven’s mocking laughter dodging my every step. It’s almost childlike and full of glee. I whirl around to find him grinning by a pillar. I almost gasp but he’s gone before I can.

No, no, no. He only ever came in the night, this wasn’t real. Did this mean he would pop up at any time? The real Maven would delight in that immensely. I collapse and shove my head between my knees, rocking back and forth.

Still his laughter doesn’t fade.

[key2rebeca-blog]

Lust of the Haunted

Dr. Anjum Khurana had just finished her lecture on psychokinesis at the University of Mandla ....The attendance to the lecture was along the expected lines with quite a few social and academic dignitaries in the audience....She had spent the last part of the lecture answering various questions from the audience ranging from subjects such as precognition to reincarnation....The audience has since dispersed and after a few handshakes and informal talks with some of the prominent academicians she was about to leave the auditorium....

"Dr. Khurana!".....she had descended from the stage and was heading towards the exit when she heard the voice from behind her....she turned back....the auditorium was now empty except the one middle aged man who had called her from behind....the man looked to be in her 40s, had a rugged and unshaved face and seemed to have tired eyes....

"Yes!"....Dr. Khurana responded with a managed smile....she tried to quickly recollect if she knew this person but she could not...

"Dr. Khurana!...My name is Sanjay Joshi....I am an alumnus of this University....and I have read a lot about you and your husband....when I heard that you were about to give a lecture here I thought that I will attend....I am glad that I did."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Joshi! Thanks for taking time to attend my lecture....I feel sometimes I do get a bit boring."....Anjum was looking to get done with the conversation as soon as possible.

"Not the least Dr. Khurana. After hearing your speech here I am convinced now that your reputation is well earned. And that's why I am talking to you now."

After a slight uneasy pause where the man seemed to hesitate a bit....he suddenly said in a tone that had a tinge of desperation...

"I need your help. There is something going on at my house which I think only you can help with."

Anjum was a bit bemused....she was not sure what the man was looking for....and how she could he of help with the problems in his family....

"Mr. Joshi....I...I am not sure what I can do....I am.."....she tried to make herself clear..

"I know this sounds strange.....but I can assure you Dr. Khurana that if you listen to me then you will know what I mean."

Anjum was in a dilemma....on one hand she wanted to head back home as soon as possible since she had to get herself ready for a party in the evening which she needed to attend with her husband. But there was something in the tone of the man which she could not ignore....

"Ok. Mr. Joshi...Let's talk over a cup of coffee.".....she said to him and then they headed towards the cafeteria in the campus..

Dr. Anjum Khurana was the wife of Dr. Rakesh Khurana and they were the most prominent parapsychology experts in the country. Their reputation had earned them fame all over the world and apart from the times when they are busy with research they visit different parts of the globe delivering lectures on their field of study. They were back to their own country after a span of three years....and were planning to return back to Pune after spending a few days at Mumbai on academic assigment.

"So tell me what is going on, Mr. Joshi. I am still not sure how I can be of help!"....Anjum said while sipping at the hot cup of coffee...

Mr. Joshi seemed nervous and restless....he did not seem comfortable with the conversation that he was about to have....but he started to talk.

"Dr. Khurana, I have a family of four - myself, my wife Sushma aged 42 years.....and my two children.My son Vicky is 20 years old and my daughter Priya is 18. We had moved to a new house in Navi Mumbai a month back. Our family is of introvert type and so we had chosen a house in the outskirts, away from the hundrum of city life. There were rumors about the house being haunted or so, but I did not pay much attention to that since we were getting the property at a very affordable price....We were so happy after moving in. But recently there are things happening which has taken away my sleep."

Anjum did not say anything....she just took another sip at her cup and continued to listen intently...

"My daughter had initially told me a couple of times that she had heard noises at the house during night...I had been alarmed thinking that it might be created by some thieves or miscreants....and I tried to remain alert for a couple of nights after that but did not see or hear anything."......Mr. Joshi paused for a bit...."And then around a week and a half back....I woke up in the middle of the night....and found that my wife was not in the bed....I called out for her.....and then looked for her in the room....and then outside....when I could not find her anywhere I panicked....I was about to call up my children....when I heard someone talking in the basement....I went down and found my wife standing there and talking by herself....no one else was there....when I walked in on her she seemed to be in some sort of a daze....I brought her back to the room....and she slept soon after that....when she woke up in the morning she was perfectly normal again.....so I thought it must have been some sort of sleep-walking she had that night."

Anjum was not sipping at her cup any more....she was looking intently at Mr. Joshi and absorbing every word that he was saying.

"But at that night I could sense something was wrong with her....my wife was no longer the same person at night."....Mr. Joshi said....with a bit of tremor in his voice..

"What made you think so?"....Anjum's question was short and to the point..

Mr. Joshi seemed to fumble again with his words...."Well....I mean....you know....my wife has always been pretty reserved in the bed....and in fact we have hardly had much sexual interaction over the last few years....we both had known for sometime that the flame in us was just no longer there and so had put all our effort and focus towards bringing up our children."

Mr. Joshi paused again....he was obviously hesitating with what he was about to say..."But that night....I found her a completely different person....she was like a sex maniac.."....he could not look at Anjum's eyes now....."Before that night in all these years she has never agreed to a blo*j*b....but that night she was sucking me like...you know....a slut....I could not keep up with her...and it was....it was like she was insatiable."

Anjum was a bit disturbed...and amused a bit....but she was sure that Mr. Joshi was not cooking up a story....there was sincerity in his voice....

"And since that night....she has been a different person at night....she would be a normal woman, my wife during the day.....but at night she transforms to someone whom I do not know....in fact she gets so wild and turned on that I have to bind her with ropes now at night....else I feel afraid that she might hurt herself."

Anjum was herself in deep thought now....if what Mr. Joshi is saying was true then it has to be one of the most interesting paranormal events that she has come across in her career....and it fueled her curiosity intensely...

"And then last night I saw something which has made me worried even more....that is why I desperately need your help now Dr. Khurana."

"What did you see last night?"....Anjum asked....with concerned curiosity in her voice...

"I had kept my wife bound in the bed with ropes during night...I gagged her too so that she could not scream, lest my son and daughter get alerted.....but then I heard some noise in the basement again....and I went down there."

"And what did you see there?"....Anjum asked,

"It was my son....down there in the basement...with the same dazed look which his mother had a few days back."....

Mr. Joshi looked at Dr. Khurana and pleaded...."I do not know what I should do....please help us!"