The Mall, Variku.Monday 12th of August, 2024.8 P.MJosie's POV(Continued)People said that when it rained, it poured. For me, the heavy rain turned into a thunderstorm and now, it was a motherfucking tornado. Of all the terrible ways the day from hell could have gotten even worse, running into Kora was the worst thing that could have happened to me. In a way, it was actually fitting. First, I woke up with the ability to drain people of not just magic but their youth as well. Then I found out that I drained not 1 but 12 women. And now, when my control was nearing it’s limit, I chose to willingly walk into a building with over a hundred people in it -stupid decision, yes I know. So of the hundred, who else would be more appropriate to run into than my cousin?“Hey, cuz. You’re looking especially horrid today.” To accentuate how utterly fucked I was, the elevator dinged as its doors closed, and Kora and her friends were definitely not in it, as evidenced by her cruel words.I bit my li
Josie's POV(Continued)“Hello? Are you okay -”“NO!!” It was instant. One minute, I was splat on the ground, having just spilled out of the elevator like a roll of tissue, the world spinning around me, then the next, a flash of light hazel irises, freckles and a button nose.Soft hands gripped my shoulder, and I whirled around instinctively, catching the boy’s wrist in my fingers. And the next thing I knew, a rush of light so bright and warm I went dizzy with it. Then it was over in what felt like seconds. I blinked, and for a single minute, I didn’t understand why there was a gray haired man with sallow skin lying unconscious beneath my feet. The yellow shirt of a store attendant looked so oddly familiar that when reality smacked me in the face, I squeaked and scrambled away on my butt.The warmth rushing though my veins turned to molten heat, threatening to roast me from the inside out. But still, I kept crawling backwards, my stricken gaze on the unconscious boy. My back hit a wa
FlashBack.Somewhere in Durbent.March, 1724.Sven's POV“Little prince.”Careful not to startle Lydia, my pet komodo dragon, I kept my fingers steady even as I moved only my head to glance up at the approaching figure.Even before I looked up, I knew who the familiar voice belonged to. After all, his voice was the same rumbling cadence that read me bed time stories, coached me though my horseback rides and walked me through my sparring sessions; it either sung my praise or gently corrected my mistakes. Besides, he was the only one who ever came to look for me in my hideout.Lydia was done feeding, plus she was weary of humans who were not me, so she turned, her long tail flicking my hand as she trotted back into the out-building.“You know she will make a meal of you one of these days,” he murmured, walking further into my line of vision.His rich brown hair was cut short once again, but it highlighted the brown and gold flecks of his eyes. He was not that much taller than me, but wi
Josie's POV Silvery hues glittered across my princess Diana bedspread, giving her green dress an otherworldly colour. Her crown shined in much the same way. Tomorrow was the start of my dream job.I might simply be a lowly intern at St Patrick's art gallery, but working in an art gallery has been my dream since I was a child. I may not be the next Picasso but I felt at peace only when I was lost in the world of my next creation. In the last year, getting a job-any job- has been my sole purpose in life. Because that job was my ticket out of this hell hole I was trapped in. Case in point, the aggrieved yelling that just disturbed the quiet of the night. With a heavy sigh, I approached my window and closed the heavy curtains before getting back in bed. Someday soon, I was going to leave this house. I just had to hold on to my sanity before that day came.The sound of glass smashing was hard to sleep t
Josie's POV"Josie?" Someone tapped my cheek over and over, calling my name urgently.When I couldn't take the tapping anymore, I held their hand and grumbled "I'll live if you stop hitting me."A soft exhalation displaced wisps of my hair before my head was lifted gently. I opened my eyes to see wide blue eyes an exact replica of my own gazing back at me. Anna.My sister won the jackpot in the gene lottery. She had skin so fair and pale, it was milky white. Delicate features and pretty blue eyes reminiscent of the blue sky.I was the washed out version of her.I got nothing of mother's features but everything from dad and let me tell you, my father is no looker. But today, Anna's pretty features were marred by anguish, her eyes wide as saucers and filled to the brim with unshed tears."What's wrong A..." I started to say before it all came back to me. The men. Dad! I rushed to my feet, pausing to let the
Josie's POVGrayson went pale and Anna's eyes got so wide I was afraid it would pop right out of her head. I could do nothing but stare at my mother incredulously. My father? Stole from someone? That was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. We came from old money. We were f*cking rich, damnit! There was no reason in the world for my father to stoop so low as to do something like that. His pride would never let him."You might want to elaborate on that mother." I stated in a low tone. I didn't want to accuse of her making up things, but it was a close call."Elaborate on what? Vladimir is a bad man. Your father worked for him, then he was stupid enough to steal from him and now Vladimir has come for his pound of flesh!" She thundered with wild eyes.Anna gasped. I slanted her a look and she covered her mouth. This was not the time for her theatrics."The last
Josie's POVThe building was an entire block of skyscraper comprised almost entirely of glass. We had to park in an underground parking lot used by visitors. They had a freaking lot solely for visitors! Rather than walk back outside, we took an elevator and emerged on the ground floor, that was apparently manned by the biggest bodyguard in history. He was at least twice of Grayson's size and not a single hint of fat anywhere. Why would a cooperate have such a behemoth manning their front desk? Grayson walked ahead and flashed his badge at him. He nodded and pressed a button. The steel glass separated and we were let in to the grand reception. Without pause, Grayson turned his attention on the model parading as a receptionist."Good morning to you all, welcome to Ryki's. What can I do for you today?""Good morning ma'am, I'm special agent Callahan from the FBI and I'd like to see Mr Sedof."Special agent? Since
Josie's POVThe hive was a local bar in Newark and an hour away from our home in Milpitas. It catered mostly to blue collar clientele. I've only been there once before with Grayson. Well, not with exactly.The thing was, Gray's dad was a construction worker, not the owner, just a regular employee and his mum was the daughter of a congressman. Many people -mostly his mum's parents- had been against their relationship because of the huge difference in their social class. Unfortunately, theirs was not a love that could withstand the derision from society. On more than one occasion, my mother had referred to Grayson's dad as 'that bum that's leeching off Louise'. Let's just say that my mum was one of the few people who put their condescending thoughts delicately, others were as blunt as a sledgehammer and uncaring if he was within hearing distance. By the time Grayson was four, Mr Callahan couldn't take it anymore, especially when he lost his