Novels by Zophirya

RAVENThe new house smelled like hope and sawdust.I sat on the edge of the unfinished porch, my legs swinging over the side. The wood was cool against the back of my thighs. I traced the silver marks on my wrist, watching how they pulsed in time with the first stars appearing overhead.A footstep crunched on the gravel behind me. I didn't have to look. The air grew warmer, smelling of woodsmoke and old leather.Dominic sat down next to me. He didn't say anything at first. He just rested his large, scarred hand on the porch next to mine. He looked tired, his golden hair messy from a day of shouting orders and moving stone, but his eyes were soft as they swept over the valley."The roof goes on next week," he said. His voice was a low rumble, the kind that made me feel warm "Jax says the wood is string enough. It won't warp when the snow hits.""It’s beautiful, Dominic," I whispered."It’s just a shell," he corrected, his fingers finally reaching out to cover mine. His skin was hot, a

RAVENAfter the adrenaline of the mine and the heat of Jax’s embrace, a strange restlessness had settled into my marrow. I had slept for a few hours, tucked safely against Jax’s side, but the silver marks on my neck had begun to hum— I was restless.I slipped out from under Jax’s arm, moving silently. He didn't wake up, though his brow furrowed for a second as he felt the loss of my warmth. I tucked the blankets around his broad shoulders, lingering for a moment to watch the steady rise and fall of his chest. He looked younger when he was asleep, the hard lines on his face softened.I stepped out into the hallway. The air was cool, smelling of the fresh pine planks used to board up the library.I didn't head for the kitchen or the courtyard. I followed the pull in my chest, the invisible thread that led toward the back of the house, where the old stone archives sat nestled against the mountain’s roots.The door to the archives swung open without a sound.Inside, the room was bathed in

JAXI didn't move for a long second. I couldn't. My heart was slamming against my ribs, and the air in my lungs felt like it had been replaced by smoke. I’ve been in a hundred battles. I’ve seen men torn apart by teeth . I’ve looked into the eyes of death so many times I know the color of its iris.But I’ve never been as afraid as I was when that shadow-thing turned its white pits toward her."Raven," I rasped.My voice sounded foreign to me—cracked and raw. I pushed myself up from the stone wall, the pain in my chest a dull roar. The impact had probably cracked a couple of ribs, but I didn't give a damn. I crawled toward her, my boots sliding on the damp, cold floor of the mine.She was on her knees, her small frame trembling so hard I could hear her teeth chattering. The orange glow of her magic had faded, but the silver marks on her wrists were still pulsing with a faint, dying light. She looked fragile. She looked like a piece of glass that had survived a hammer blow but was cover

JAXI didn't move for a long second. I couldn't. My heart was slamming against my ribs, and the air in my lungs felt like it had been replaced by smoke. I’ve been in a hundred battles. I’ve seen men torn apart by teeth . I’ve looked into the eyes of death so many times I know the color of its iris.But I’ve never been as afraid as I was when that shadow-thing turned its white pits toward her."Raven," I rasped.My voice sounded foreign to me—cracked and raw. I pushed myself up from the stone wall, the pain in my chest a dull roar. The impact had probably cracked a couple of ribs, but I didn't give a damn. I crawled toward her, my boots sliding on the damp, cold floor of the mine.She was on her knees, her small frame trembling so hard I could hear her teeth chattering. The orange glow of her magic had faded, but the silver marks on her wrists were still pulsing with a faint, dying light. She looked fragile. She looked like a piece of glass that had survived a hammer blow but was cover

RAVENThe sun was barely up, but Jax was already sweating.I found him at the north perimeter, where the forest pushed hard against the compound’s stone walls. He was stripped to his waist, his back a map of old scars and fresh bruises from the battle in the library. He was swinging a heavy iron sledgehammer, driving thick silver-plated stakes into the ground.Clang. Clang. Clang.It was the heartbeat of a man who didn't know how to rest unless his hands were busy.Jax didn't look up when I approached, but his shoulders shifted. He knew it was me. He knew my scent, the sound of my boots, and the specific rhythm of my breathing. That was the thing about Jax; he didn't need to see you to protect you. He just felt the space you occupied in his world."You’re up early," he said but didn't stop swinging."The room was too quiet," I said, leaning against a nearby cedar tree. "Dominic is still asleep. Cole is probably snoring loud enough to shake the barracks. And Merek... well, Merek is be

RAVENDominic had left an hour ago to oversee the reinforcements of the north gate. He hadn’t wanted to go, but I’d practically pushed him out the door. The man was full of protective energy, and if he stayed in this room any longer, he was going to start pacing holes in the floorboards.I sat by the window, my fingers tracing the marks on my wrist. They didn't feel like skin anymore. Every time the sunlight hit them, they shimmered.I was staring at a patch of dead grass in the courtyard when a sudden thwack hit the glass.I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat. For a split second, I expected to see a shadow-walker or a splatter of black ink.Instead, I saw a pinecone.It was wedged into the corner of the window frame. A second later, another one flew up from below, bouncing off the glass with a cheerful ping.I pushed the window open and leaned out.Cole was standing in the dirt three stories down. He wasn't wearing a shirt—he rarely did when the sun was out and his golden-brown

Sophia ~I didn't go home that night. Or the next.Alexander didn't show up at the institute. Didn't have Marcus follow me. Didn't call except for one text each morning: "Good morning. I love you. I'm waiting."Simple. Direct. So unlike the Alexander I'd known.On the third day, flowers arrived at my workspace. Not the extravagant arrangements he'd sent before—a single white rose with a card in his handwriting: "One day closer to earning your trust. - A""Secret admirer?" James asked, smirking."Persistent husband." I touched the soft petals, my heart aching."You know, for what it's worth, I think he means it." James leaned against the doorframe. "I've done some digging. Alexander Wyndham hasn't been seen with Elena Hartley since your confrontation. He's turned down three major business deals. And according to the society pages, he's been notably absent from every social event.""How do you know all this?""I have my sources." He grinned. "Also, your friend Jennifer won't stop textin

Sophia ~I stayed at the institute until seven PM, burying myself in work to avoid thinking about Alexander's parting words."You should go home." James appeared beside my workstation, concern etched on his face. "You've been staring at that canvas for twenty minutes without moving.""I can't go back there." The admission came out broken. "I can't face him. Not tonight.""Then don't." He pulled out his phone. "My sister has a spare room in Brooklyn. She's traveling for work. You can stay there as long as you need.""James, I can't impose—""You're not imposing. You're surviving." He squeezed my shoulder. "Let me help you, Sophia. Please."I nodded, too exhausted to argue.The apartment was small but warm, filled with plants and books and the kind of comfortable chaos that came from actually living in a space. So different from the sterile perfection of the penthouse."There's food in the fridge. Extra towels in the bathroom." James handed me a key. "And Sophia? Turn off your old phone

Sophia ~I made it to the Morrison Restoration Institute by nine AM, my heart still racing from defying Alexander's order to stay home."Mrs. Wyndham!" Dr. Morrison greeted me at the entrance, his white beard and warm smile instantly calming my nerves. "Or should I say, Ms. Chen? I wasn't expecting you until Monday.""I wanted to see the workspace." I forced a smile. "Get reacquainted before my official start date.""Wonderful! James is already in the lab. He'll be thrilled to show you around."James Chen looked up from a Renaissance painting as we entered, his dark eyes crinkling with genuine warmth. At thirty-five, he had the kind of easy confidence that came from passion for his work rather than inherited wealth."Sophia." He set down his tools, extending a hand. "Welcome back to the real world.""It's good to be back." I shook his hand, surprised by how natural it felt. No pretense. No calculation. Just simple human connection."I'll leave you two to catch up," Dr. Morrison said,

Sophia ~ Alexander came home two days early. I was in the kitchen making coffee when I heard the elevator ding at six AM. My stomach dropped. He wasn't supposed to be back until Friday. "Sophia." I turned slowly, mug in hand. He stood in the doorway still wearing his business suit from Tokyo, his tie loosened, dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. Good. "Alexander. I wasn't expecting you until—" "Where were you Monday night?" He cut me off, his voice dangerous and quiet. "I told you. I had dinner plans." "With who?" He moved closer, and I forced myself to hold my ground. "I called Jennifer. I called your parents. No one knew where you were." "Because I didn't tell them." I took a sip of coffee, proud that my hands didn't shake. "I'm allowed to have privacy, Alexander." "Not when you turn off your phone. Not when my security can't locate you. Not when you disappear for eight hours without explanation." His jaw clenched. "Do you have any idea wh

Sophia ~"You're unusually quiet."Alexander's voice broke through my thoughts as we rode home from the gala. I'd spent the rest of the evening watching him orbit Elena like a planet drawn to the sun, all while maintaining my perfect smile."Just tired." I kept my eyes on the passing city lights."You barely spoke to anyone after Elena left.""Did you notice?" The question came out sharper than intended. "I thought you were too busy with foundation business."His jaw tightened. "Sophia""It's fine, Alexander. Really." I turned to face him, channeling every ounce of Eleanor's words into armor around my heart. "You were networking. That's what these events are for."He studied me with those calculating gray eyes. "You're angry.""I'm tired," I repeated. "There's a difference."The penthouse felt suffocating when we arrived. Alexander loosened his tie, watching me kick off my heels with unusual intensity."What did Eleanor Hartley say to you?"My hands stilled on the zipper of my dress.

Sophia ~Three days passed in tense silence.Alexander worked late every night, though I suspected he was avoiding me as much as I was avoiding him. We moved around the penthouse like strangers, carefully orchestrating our schedules to minimize contact.But Saturday arrived too quickly, bringing with it the charity gala Alexander had demanded I attend."The dress is in your closet." Alexander's voice came from behind me as I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection. "Valentino. Your stylist will be here at four.""I don't need a stylist.""You need to look perfect." He appeared in the doorway, already dressed in his tuxedo. God, why did he have to look so devastatingly handsome? "The Blackwood Foundation Gala is the social event of the season. Everyone will be watching us.""Watching me, you mean. Watching to see if the Wyndham marriage is cracking." I turned to face him. "That's what this is really about, isn't it? Appearances."His expression remained neutral. "Appearances ma