MasukThe motor coach finally halted in front of a rustic, two-story local hotel tucked on the edge of the remote town. It was a faded brick building with peeling beige paint along the window frames and a cracked concrete parking space out front.Zeda stepped out onto the damp gravel, letting out a long breath as she stretched her stiff limbs.The air here was cool and thick with the scent of wet earth. Heavy, dark clouds were gathering rapidly across the evening sky, slowly swallowing the last traces of daylight and turning the air cold.A heavy rainfall was definitely not far off, and she was relieved they had made it in time.She was looking forward to curling up in bed, hopefully with Adrian keeping her warm once the chill set in.Her eyes drifted to Adrian as he walked several paces ahead of the group, his tall frame cutting through the dim twilight. He marched straight toward the hotel lobby without a single glance back to see if she was following or sticking close to him like she was
“Well...” Adrian started, frowning slightly as if considering the thought for the very first time. “Come to think of it, he has to be.“It’s the only logical explanation for why he’s the only demon in this academy, and honestly, the only one I’ve ever seen.”Zeda scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. “You’re crazy.”Adrian turned his body toward her completely, his expression darkening. “Seriously, Zeda, think about it. That portal was opened only once in history, fifty years ago, when those six demons entered the earth realm.“Lucian has to be one of them, because there isn't a single spirit mage left and there’s no record of another portal ever opening after that.”Zeda kept shaking her head, refusing to let the idea take root. “That’s not true. He could have found another way through, or maybe he was just born here on earth.”“There is no other way,” Adrian said, his tone turning stern. “Because if there was, it would have been—”“Just because it wasn't recorded doesn't mean it’s
Zeda followed close behind Adrian as the fire, earth, air, and water units of the selected mages piled into the motor coach with deeply tinted windows that sat idling on the gravel.Just like on her first mission, Mr. Percival sought her out before she could climb aboard. He called her aside with a wave of his hand, his pale, angular face carrying a mix of genuine concern and quiet encouragement that made his red eyes look less intimidating than usual.Adrian lingered nearby for a second, a curious frown touching his brow, before entering the vehicle.“Are you ready for your second mission, Zeda?” Mr. Percival asked, looking down at her.Zeda forced a courageous smile onto her face. “A hundred percent, sir.”The worried look on Mr. Percival's face eased a little at her answer, just as she had intended. “Good. But remember that you’re still not in control of your powers yet, so don't get cocky out there and lose your focus which will put your life in danger.“I want you glued to Adrian
“What did I even do to you people?” Zeda asked, her voice tight as she glared at Sam and Emily. “You were the ones who came looking for trouble and attacked me first.”Emily brushed the claim off with a casual wave of her hand, her mouth twisting into a dismissive sneer. “It doesn’t matter who started what. What matters is that you broke my nose and made Adrian punish us severely just for trying to welcome you to the Mage Kingdom. So now you’re going to pay for it.”“Whatever you’re planning to do will only get you punished even more,” Zeda countered, standing her ground despite the sudden chill in the air.Sam snorted mockingly. “Punishment is for people who get caught and judged guilty. As for us, no one is going to suspect a thing. Whatever happens to you out there will just be seen as the work of whoever we’re facing on this mission. Accidents happen all the time on official assignments.”A sudden wave of dread washed over Zeda. Her pulse spiked, a heavy knot forming in the pit of
Zeda froze as she turned around, her eyes locking onto the familiar faces of Sam and his girlfriend, Emily.They were the key figures of the bully group that had ambushed her weeks ago, paying a heavy price when Prince Adrian had stepped in to pull them off her and dish out a severe punishment.The identical, nasty sneers that slowly stretched across both of their lips as they watched her remember them made her stomach coil with instant disgust.Looking at the dark malice in their eyes, Zeda immediately noted that they must have spent every single day of their punishment plotting revenge against her.Emily leaned in slightly, her voice dripping with pure venom. "Hello, Adrian’s bed pet."Sam smirked right beside her, stepping closer as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Surprised to see us free again?"Zeda arched a single brow and crossed her arms loosely over her chest, doing her absolute best to mask the uncomfortable knot in her stomach behind a wall of pure, unbothered boredom.
Zeda held her breath, her eyes locked onto the black limousine as she waited impatiently for the dark backseat window glass to roll down completely.But the second she thought she might catch a glimpse of Vyr, the vehicle began to pull away.She gasped, a soft sound of disbelief escaping her lips as she realized the traffic ahead was finally starting to clear.Cursing the terrible timing under her breath, she leaned her head out of the open window, squinting to see how far the limousine could go. The road ahead was entirely free now.Her heart sank as the sleek car picked up speed, its bright red taillights glowing and seeming to mock her desperate attempt.To anyone passing by, she probably looked like some excited girl seeing a luxury limousine for the very first time in her life.They had no idea that her frantic attention had absolutely nothing to do with the expensive vehicle itself, and everything to do with the cold, red-eyed vampire she knew was sitting inside, probably swirli
The crowd clapped and cheered as Mr. Percival handed Lucian the microphone.“Hello everyone,” Lucian began, and the cheers became louder. He waited for them to stop with his most charming smile on his face before he continued. “I consider it a privilege to be able to help and rescue lives, and it’s
How are you feeling now?” Zeda asked Lucian on their way to the meeting an hour later. Shane was driving, and Carrie was riding shotgun.She and Carrie had helped him get to his house in a cab, where a worried Shane had been waiting. She had kept him company after he freshened up and Carrie had qui
I’M NOT YOUR PET, Zeda texted back, her fingers flying across the screen.A reply came instantly, a winky-face emoji attached. WE’LL SEE ABOUT THAT.Zeda gritted her teeth. WHO ARE YOU?PRINCE TORVIN, SAVE UP.AND IF I DON’T?YOU’LL END UP WISHING YOU DID.The threat made a shiver run down her spin
"Aren't you taking me with you?" Zeda asked, frowning as Adrian got into a white Aston Martin. "Obviously not," he said, shutting the door. "Hey, wait!" Zeda yelled, tapping his window. Adrian glared at her, rolling it down slowly. "Can I help you?" he asked, sounding annoyed. "Are you k







