Scott The sitting room was suffocating, every second louder than the last. My fists curled tight, knuckles aching as I slammed my palm against the arm of the couch.“You have to find them!” I roared, my voice rattling through the walls.Ayana flinched but quickly dropped to her knees, her fingers grazing the floor as she whispered incantations, sparks of silver light flickering between her hands. Her forehead beaded with sweat, her lips moving faster, but after a long moment she exhaled sharply and the glow faded.“I… I can’t,” she stammered, lifting her eyes to me.“Can’t?” I stepped toward her, towering over her, fury burning in my chest. “Then do it again! I don’t care what it will cost … just do it again!!!”She stood and walked to George. Her hand shook as she reached for George’s. He gave her a quick, nervous nod, their fingers entwining as if he could lend her strength. Together they closed their eyes, their voices blending in low, trembling chants. For a heartbeat, hope clawe
Louisa/Agnes The wall at my back was rough and cold, but all I felt was his heat pressing into me. His hands slid from my waist up my sides, fingers digging in as though he feared I might vanish. I gasped against his lips when his palm cupped my breast through the thin fabric, his thumb grazing over the peak until I trembled.“Kaleb…” My voice broke around his name, half-moan, half-plea.His groan vibrated into my mouth as he kissed me harder, devouring me. His other hand tugged at my dress, bunching it at my thighs until the fabric rode high, leaving my legs bare to his touch. His fingertips traced upward, teasing the sensitive skin just short of where I needed him most.I arched into him, clutching at his hair, dragging him closer. The desperation between us was a living thing, clawing to break free after sixty years of silence. He pressed his thigh between mine, forcing them apart, and the friction sent sparks racing through me.I whimpered, grinding against him without shame, my
Louisa/Agnes The blade trembled in my grip as Ayana stepped forward, her eyes like burning coals. I hissed a string of incantations under my breath, the words curling in the air like smoke. The torchlight flickered and in an instant, the basement vanished.Cold air rushed against my skin. When the world steadied, we stood in another chamber, where my original body laid.It lay stretched across an ancient stone table, preserved as though time itself had been commanded to halt. My face, pale and still, bore the faint stains of dried blood across the chest of my dress. The hole where the blade had ended me was dark.Jace wrenched free from my grip, his back hitting the table with a thud. His chest heaved as his voice tore out of him. “What is wrong with you?”I spun to face him, the dagger still clenched in my hand though my arm had fallen slack. My throat tightened. “You really don’t remember me?”His brow furrowed as he glanced at the still form on the table. Wariness shadowed his exp
Louisa/Agnes “Push!”I bore down again, my scream ripping raw from my throat. Fire tore through my body. My vision blurred. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. My insides felt like they were tearing apart.I gasped. “It’s not working…”The doctor’s forehead shone with sweat. He looked at Scott, his face grim. “This is beyond medical.”Jace snapped, “What do you mean beyond medical?” His voice cracked with panic.The doctor’s eyes darted to me, then back at Scott. “You said… you had a witch.”Scott leaned in close to Jace, whispering something too low for me to hear. Jace’s face hardened, then without another word, he bolted out of the room.I writhed on the bed, sweat soaking my gown, my hair sticking to my skin. My hands clawed at the sheets, nails ripping the fabric. The door burst open again. Jace, Ayana, and George stormed in.Ayana’s eyes narrowed immediately. “What’s wrong?”The doctor’s voice was taut. “The baby refuses to come. She’s stuck…. something is resisting.”Ayana s
Louisa/Agnes Jace’s eyes flicked from the glowing screen back to me. Something shifted in him, his shoulders tightened, his jaw hardened. Then, without warning, he stood.“I don’t know why my instincts are asking me to protect you,” he said, his voice low, almost breaking. “That I shouldn’t let them harm you.”I pushed up to my feet, my heart thudding. “What are you saying?”His stare burned into me, sharp and unrelenting. “Why do I still care about you, even after knowing the truth?”My mouth went dry. My pulse crashed against my ribs. “What truth?”He stepped closer. “You’re not Louisa King. Witch.”The air punched out of me. My lips parted, dumbfounded. My mind reeled. How did he know? I forced a shaky breath, forcing calm into my voice. “Jace, what are you saying? What’s wrong with you?”“Oh, please,” he snapped, his tone dripping with scorn. “Stop pretending.”Before I could answer, the sound of boots and shouts exploded outside. The heavy thud of doors and the sharp clash of st
Louisa/AgnesThe food was perfect.The table had been set the way I liked, silver polished, plates aligned, wine poured into crystal. My fork slid through the roasted lamb, and I savored each bite, chewing slowly, letting the flavors coat my tongue. For the first time in days, I felt almost at peace.The door creaked. A guard stepped in, head bowed, his voice firm but respectful. “Alpha Louisa… A man who claims to be Alpha Scott’s brother requests an audience with you.”The fork froze halfway to my mouth. My heart lurched. I set it down carefully, though my fingers trembled. “Jace?”“Yes, Alpha.”My breath caught. Why now? I pressed my lips together, hiding the sudden storm beneath my face. “Let him in.”The guard bowed and withdrew.I glanced around the hall, my eyes sharp. Too many eyes on me. Too much food was still steaming in front of me. I caught a maid’s gaze and gave her the smallest wink. She hurried forward, quickly covering the plates as though hiding away evidence. I grabb