LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
“So, I heard Silas Creed is running against you,” he says to Arthur. “Quite the surprise.”Arthur nods. “Yes, and he’s using the smear route in his campaign.”My mother sighs. “Such a shame. He was such a sweet little boy. Wouldn’t hurt a fly…”This catches both Arthur and me by surprise. “You knew
IrisAfter a long, revitalizing, and at times rather emotional vacation, we’re finally home in our apartment in Ordan. Despite the death of the she-wolf, I feel refreshed and excited to tackle the new year after our trip. In fact, even though we spent the day travelling, I’m just about to head to Ma
I tilt my head. “Why not?”“I am too wild. I didn’t want to bind myself to you.”The admission stings a little, but I manage a soft, “What about now?”The wolf’s form shimmers slightly, like heat rising from pavement on a hot day. “Even now, I refuse to give myself entirely to you. I’m going to the
IrisI’ve been staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror for several minutes now, searching for any hint of gold in my eyes. Nothing. They’re back to their normal honey-brown color now.For a moment, I wonder if Arthur and the hunter imagined it; maybe it was a trick of the light. Either way,







