LOGINI stepped forward, taking the ring off and holding it up for photographs. The mark of the Goddess' Benevolence on my hand. And I looked at Neil, who looked hesitant. His eyes seemed so young and gentle then. He took off his own illusion and revealed the mark on his hand. The gasp that filled the hal
The day of the gala, my stomach was a mess of excitement and nerves. Neil, Dominic, and I had spent days alone in my condo. And while we still hadn't gotten past. Feeling each other up over clothing, I was pretty satisfied. They seemed happy as well. Arielle, grandpa, and I arrived together in one o
“Depressing things later. Food now. How about steaks?"That earned a startled laugh out of Dominic."Steaks… sound great."Neil moved like a man on a mission in my kitchen. Within minutes, the apartment smelled like toasted bread, cooking meat, potatoes, and something herby that I couldn’t quite nam
Andrew's voice was hoarse, wet, and pathetic as he looked at Arielle like she was some kind of angel.“You—you saved me from that monster,” he blubbered, his words slurring from pain. “I owe you—”Arielle struck him hard enough that teeth flew. Then, she grabbed him by his hair. She crouched just en
Somewhere below, I could still feel Dominic.And I knew I wasn’t going to let either of us die here.But I still didn't know how to swim and the water was so cold.The current pulled and tugged. I thrashed, until I could feel something beneath my feet.I breached the surface. Dark clouds gathered fa
ReneeThe salt and rot of the docks hit me before I even saw the water. The rogues shoved me forward, rough hands biting into my arms, until we broke through the last stretch of shadows.That’s when I saw him.The man standing on the edge of the dock, next to a small motorboat rocking gently against
DominicHer tequila was balanced perfectly in the crook of her collarbone, and she held a slice of lime between her teeth. She whispered something obscene in my ear when I took the shot, I didn’t quite catch and didn’t want to.The whole boat whooped, cheering, clapping, happy. To think that the peo
NeilWe came back from the cruise different.Not in an obvious, someone’s bleeding or missing an eyebrow kind of way, but in the subtle way you notice when two people have crossed some invisible line between strangers and something else. We spoke quietly as we disembarked. He was still clinging to h
I grimaced at that, there was no way I'd see her again soon. Or at all, if I could help it.I kept looking for her. But I didn't see her.I glanced around the quiet marina, half expecting her to come running up late with a cup of hot cocoa and a sheepish smile. But instead, I heard a low whistle.“L
Someone pinned a white lunar bloom to my jacket lapel, whispering “For fortune and clarity.” It was a traditional flower, rare and typically reserved for ceremonies or offerings. Before I could ask where they even got them on a party boat, another one appeared, then another.My eyes burned with tear







