MasukCASSAIN "Shit..how do I survive everything at once today?""You can postpone the wedding you know?""No way. Do you want her to change her mind?""Ugh..if you weren’t both my parents I'd be concerned at your insane level of obsession with her but she is my mother so.."Game day. Wedding day. Somehow, the universe decided it was a great idea to cram both into the same twenty-four hours.I wake up before the sun. My muscles ache from practice yesterday, and my mind is buzzing with strategies, not just for the match but for the rest of the day—the ceremony, Evelessa’s face, her dress, the looks she’ll give me, the chaos inevitably waiting in the wings.The arena smells like leather, sweat, and anticipation.I take a deep breath, feeling the pulse of the crowd before I even step onto the field. My team is ready, eyes sharp, adrenaline primed. We all know what’s at stake—honor, pride, and yes, a wedding that’s waiting on the other side of victory.The whistle blows. The game starts.I mo
CASSAIN I have a rule when it comes to wedding preparations: keep it clean, precise, and dignified.Today, that rule is being tested.I’m in Maison D’Or, the finest tailor in the city, white marble floors, polished brass fixtures, mirrors everywhere you can see every angle of yourself, and soft classical music that whispers “wealth” without needing to shout it. I’ve been looking forward to this: the moment I finally choose the suit that will say to the world, I am marrying Evelessa, and yes, I own every second of this room.I’ve walked past racks of suits lined up like soldiers on parade, fabrics shining under the lights. My tailor, a man named François, has been hovering politely, making notes, asking questions. It’s perfect. Peaceful. Until my phone buzzes.I glance down.A text from one of my so-called “business partners,” the type of man who apparently thinks being rich also makes you creative in problem-solving.“Congrats on the engagement! Sending a little celebratory entertain
EVELESSA “I hate this already,” I mutter.“You haven’t even tried anything on,” Alexis replies, completely unbothered as she flips through a rack like she owns the place.“She’s right,” Aretha adds, sitting down dramatically like she’s about to watch a live performance.“I’m here for entertainment.”“You’re pregnant,” I remind her.“And?”“And you’re supposed to be supportive.”“I am supportive, you were the one who got screwed into saying yes so just deal with it” she says.“I'm here for the drama.”Of course she is.I pinch the bridge of my nose.“This was a mistake.”“No,” Seraphina says calmly.“This is necessary.”I turn to her.“Why?”“Because you are getting married.”“I’m aware.”“And you need a dress.”“I also own dresses.”“Not this kind.”“She’s right,” Lira chimes in softly, her hand resting protectively over her babies.“You deserve something special.”I glance at her.At the quiet glow in her eyes.At the softness she’s carrying now.And I sigh.Because fine.Fine.I ca
ALEXIS“Say that again.”I don’t look up.I don’t blink.I don’t even pause the line I’m writing.Because if I do I might actually laugh.Or worse—Engage.And I’m not in the mood.“I said,” the voice repeats, louder this time, “this room is needed.”Still not looking.Still writing.Still unimpressed.“By who?” I ask.Calm.Flat.Bored.There’s a pause.The kind that expects recognition.The kind that assumes importance.The kind that usually works on people who care.I don’t.“By me.”I sigh.Set my pen down.And then I look up.Finally.Slowly.Deliberately.Because if someone is going to interrupt my class—They should at least earn my attention.He’s… polished.Expensive suit.Perfect posture.Confidence that borders on arrogance—No.Not borders.Lives there.Breathes there.Owns property there.And judging by the way he’s standing?He thinks this room is already his.“How unfortunate,” I say.He blinks.Just once.Because that wasn’t the response he expected.“Excuse me?” he as
EVELESSA “Again from the top!” the choreographer calls.I don’t respond.I don’t need to.My body already knows.Already moves.Already follows.Because this?This is the one place I don’t have to think.No war.No shadows.No power plays.No expectations.Just movement.Just rhythm.Just me.My feet glide across the floor.Precise.Sharp.Controlled.Every turn intentional.Every step exact.Every breath timed.Because dance isn’t just art.It’s discipline.It’s control.That’s something I refuse to lose.“Evelessa!”I barely hear it.A distant echo.Irrelevant.The music swells—And I follow.Spin.Dip.Rise.Again.Again.Again.“Evelessa!”Louder this time.Closer.Still ignored.Because I’m not here.Not really.I’m somewhere else.Somewhere quieter.Somewhere simpler.Somewhere I don’t have to think about everything waiting for me outside these walls.The song ends.But I don’t.I keep moving.Because stopping?Means returning.Means remembering.Means feeling.And I’m not read
SERAPHINA The house has never felt like this before.Not even during war.Not even during loss.Not even when I hid my grandsons from things that wanted to devour them whole.This is different.Alive.Watching.Waiting.“She’s close,” I whisper.Michael looks up immediately.“How close?”I don’t answer right away.Because I’m listening.Not to sound.Not to movement.To something deeper.Something ancient.Something that doesn’t belong to this world yet, it is forcing its way into it.“Now,” I say.And everything changes.The walls pulse.Not crack.Not break.Pulse.Like the house itself has a heartbeat.And it’s syncing with hers.With Lira’s.With the child.“Everyone in position,” I command.No hesitation.No questions.Because when I sound like this isn’t practice.This isn’t caution.This is survival.Aristotle is already there.At her side.Of course he is.His hand wrapped around hers tightly, steady and unyielding.“Stay with me,” he murmurs.Lira doesn’t answer.She can’t.
CASSAIN "Maddox, Ares, why do I feel so restless? What's going on?" I ask my beasts for the tenth time as I try to figure out the cause of my restlessness.The security doors slide open as I approach my private office, recognizing my biometric signature. The room beyond glows with dozens of monito
CASSAIN I know something is wrong the moment I wake up.The feeling hits before I even open my eyes.A hollow space.Like something important is missing from the world.I stare at the ceiling for a few seconds, trying to shake the feeling away. Morning light cuts through the curtains, pale and sha
EVELESSA "Alright...let's go get this over with."Michael stands beside me with his hands behind his back.Behind us are two members of the sea council.They look far too serious for my liking.“You’re quiet,” Michael says.“I’m trying not to throw up.”He chuckles softly.“You’ll be fine.”“That’
EVELESSA "I feel so lost."Classes ended hours ago, but I’m still sitting on the stone bench outside the academy gardens, staring at the fountain like it’s going to suddenly explain my life to me.Water spills gently from the marble statue in the center.The sound should be comforting but it rathe







