House Eventide

  River Black River Black stared at her phone’s screen through tear filled eyes, the last text she’d received a watery haze. It wasn’t a surprise, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time. She fought the urge to hurl her phone into the ravine, and tucked it into the back pocket of her jeans and wiped her face. At least the view was nice. She could see so many stars, so many more than when she was sitting on her roof at night at home in the city. River hadn’t wanted to go on the camping trip with her parents, but they’d begged and pleaded and she just didn’t have the heart to tell them no. Now, she wasn’t sure if she was glad or not that she came. It was nice to get away from everything. She didn’t even have cell signal. But as they had pulled into the campground, the sun setting, she received one last text before all her bars dropped to one, then to no signal. All she wanted to do was respo

River Black River collapsed to her knees in front of where the doorway had just been moments before. She prided herself on being strong, being brave, but this was so far out of reality that it rendered her weak. Just for a moment. Tears streaked down her lightly freckled cheeks. “I’ve gotta wake up,” she whispered to herself, pinching her arm. All it did was sting a little. There was no way this was actually happening, she knew that. It wasn’t possible. You just didn’t get yanked into other...what? Dimensions? Worlds? After following a strange light. She knew it was stupid now. The music, the light. She’d heard fairy tales before. She’d listened to YouTube videos about going missing in the woods under bizarre circumstances. It was just she hadn’t believed in any of that stuff. She never really thought very deeply about it. After crying and pinching her arm until it was red, River got to her feet. She only had one shoe on. It would mak

Tamsin Eventide:He moved without telling his body to do so. The illusion of control he had over his curse broke. The safety of the new moon was a lie. He moved stealthily through the trees, his sea green eyes slashed with silver crescents. He could feel himself change, not wholly, but enough.Enough for what? He didn’t know.His lips peeled back from his teeth, now sharper, elongated, and his nostrils flared. He tracked the Dain through the trees, intent on killing the monstrous son of Carmun if he must. Nothing could touch his woman. His mate.His curse demanded he have her. Possess her. No treaty made in heaven or hell could stop him or stay his hand. Tamsin had never wanted anything so badly in all his life. Just this woman. River. Though he couldn’t see her now as he moved, silent and deadly, through the trees, his mind supplied him with the picture of her beautiful, tear-stained face. Her sweet cries for help.The

River BlackHouse Eventide was a sprawling manor surrounded by a wrought iron fence dripping with crimson roses. Four stories and made of marble, it was the most beautiful building she’d ever seen in person. It did look like a prince would live there. Something about it was sad too, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Most of the windows were dark, heavy curtains drawn. The gardens in the courtyard were a little overgrown. It looked to be a grand place forgotten. She supposed that’s what made it sad.Tamsin helped her from the carriage and took her into the manor, sneaking her in almost. He said that though he hadn’t seen his brother in a long time, he wasn’t keen on visitors and had a fiery temper. Plus, he’d broken the treaty, and he was sure his older brother would be angry with him. He promised her he would deal with it and told her not to worry.River was too confused and dazzled to worry. Opu

River BlackThe man just collapsed. She’d been asleep only to wake to someone standing over her, threatening her. Scaring her. His surname was Eventide, just like Tamsin’s. It was likely his older brother he’d kept mentioning.She didn’t really see the family resemblence. Where Tamsin was lithe and athletic, this man was taller, broader, more muscular. Despite his masculine frame, his face held the same delicate beauty that Tamsin’s did. He had an aquiline nose, high cheekbones and eyes fringed with dark, sooty lashes. His hair was a bloody auburn, like polished mahogany.He’d cut a powerful figure but now, crumpled to the floor, seemingly lifeless, he looked ill at best. River feared he was dead. She tugged on her filthy jeans and knelt beside him, brushing his long, silky hair from his throat to feel for a pulse.There wasn’t one.With great effort because of his muscular bulk, River grun