LYRIC"Lyric Harper," Cole called with a cold smile, leaning casually against the wall. "How delighted we are to see you."I wanted to take a step back but couldn't. That would make them chase me; and I knew they were definitely going to catch me."I told you we should check the house," a female said with a taunting smile."Yeah, forgive me for doubting you, Niyah. I didn't think she'd be stupid enough to leave the man that saved her and come back here."I swallowed so hard I wondered if they heard me.I was so nervous, but I needed to say something. "How did you find me?""Wasn't too hard after we captured your best friend," Cole shrugged. "He's one hell of a tough ass, though. The asshole wouldn't break despite the torture. So, we decided to look around the city where we found him. That was how we found you at the shop."Another female took over from him. "We already had our people working on some information on Jace. Fortunately, they found this house belonging to his grandmoth
LYRIC My hands shook at my sides, fresh fear eating me up. I didn't waste any more time and started running. I heard the chase from behind. "Stop her! Get that lady!" "Lyric!!!"I didn't look back. I ran like my life depended on it—which of course it did. But there were too many of them. I feared they'd catch up with me in no time. The streets were empty. I kept running. Seeing that they could easily shoot me, I took a turn, going into the woods. It felt like an eternity of running. If only I had a wolf, it'd have been much better. I was soon out of breath and needed to pause for a break, otherwise risk passing out. I hid behind an abandoned tree, saying a silent prayer in my heart that the Executioners wouldn't come this way. I didn't want to imagine what they'd do to me if they laid hands on me. They might even kill me without taking me to Jaris and simply lie to everyone that I'd tried to attack them. But who was I kidding? The Fates had never been entirely kind to me
LYRICI couldn't get any sleep the entire night, and until morning, he still wasn't back.I was confused as much as I was scared. Something was definitely wrong with him. And the worst part? I didn't know what to do.By noon, I decided to do something crazy. I had to call Kael. If Jace had been captured or something, Kael should know.My hands shook as I listened to the phone beep. What if they manage to track my phone or something? Kael might've helped me escape, but it didn't mean he was going to keep covering my ass.It didn't matter. I needed to know what had happened with Jace.The call was almost ending when Kael picked up."Lyric? Why are you calling?" He spoke in hushed tones."I'm sorry. It's—It's Jace. Has he been captured?" I nervously fumbled with my hair."What're you talking about?! Captured by who?"Oh, gods. This only meant he wasn't captured. So, what happened to him?!"Lyric? Talk to me!" He snapped."I—I don't know. He just... he went out yesterday to get some s
JARIS"How did she escape?" I was tired of hearing Maddy ask the same question over again. Unfortunately, she didn't know when to stop. "She was supposed to be sentenced yesterday. She couldn't have been able to escape without the help of someone powerful."I pinched my brows, my elbows resting on my desk."You're barking at the wrong tree, Maddy. None of us know how she managed to escape. I'm tired of this conversation."But the brat wasn't done. "Why haven't we been able to find her? It's been two days. The whole thing is looking like you not even putting any effort.""Well, if you're that concerned, you should be out there looking for her."She paced the office, her hands on her thighs. This was the reason I didn't want to speak to anyone before now. I was tired of people bringing up stupid conversations."Are you sure you didn't help her escape?" Maddy halted in front of my table and asked. "I mean, I wouldn't be too surprised considering the fact that she's always had you wra
LYRICJace didn't stop driving until the sun was out. After long tiring hours, we finally arrived at the location he wanted.It was a house in the outskirts of a town, surrounded more with bushes than people."This used to be my grandmother's," he explained as we approached the house. "I used to enjoy coming here for the holidays."Doesn't look like anyone's been here in a long time—I wanted to tell him, but my tongue was too heavy to let any words out. I didn't know how to make basic communications anymore.We didn't have any bags with us as we had left in a hurry. The only thing Jace had on was his phone and wallet.We entered the house which was quite spacious but very dusty. It looked like it'd been abandoned for years.I coughed from some of the dust."Yup. We have a lot of work to do. Got to make it liveable."Not minding the dirt, I sat on one of the couches. I was so tired and lost."You hungry, right?" Jace asked a while later. "I'll um... just head out and get somethin
LYRIC "Hey! Can you stop being a dumbass? Now's not the time." Jace shoved him on the chest. "Just so you know, I just don't trust her because she's my bestfriend. I trust her because I know who she is and know she'll never lie to me so blatantly. If she said she didn't do it, then of course, I believe her. And if you were in love with me, you'd believe me too."A pressing silence filled the air as the two men continued to stare at each other in heated gazes. Until slowly, their rage began to dissipate."Lyric is a good woman," Kael shook his head. "I know. Okay? I actually like and respect her. But it's hard to believe when she's the only Siphon we've had, plus she had a good reason to kill the Luna. Either way, I don't know how I can help, Jace. I swore my loyalty to the King. Breaking Lyric out would be a blatant betrayal. I can't do that."Disappointment clouded Jace's features. "Really? You won't do it even for me?""Jace, come on. Don't try to make this about us. You know I