All Chapters of Ashes Beneath The Skin: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The hospital felt unnervingly quiet; its usual hum of activity muted to a suffocating stillness that seemed to envelop everyone within its walls. The fluorescent lights flickered intermittently, casting long shadows that danced across the sterile linoleum floor, as if mirroring the tension in the air. It was as though the very heartbeat of the ward had been stilled, leaving behind an unsettling silence that echoed through the corridors.Isla, a seasoned nurse with a keen intuition, was the first to sense the shift. She noticed the sluggishness in her colleagues’ movements—each step heavy and deliberate, as if weighed down by an unseen burden. The atmosphere felt dense, pressing against her chest, as if the entire hospital were holding its breath in anticipation of something dire about to unfold.Deep in concentration, she was updating Ember’s chart, her pen gliding over the paper when the intercom crackled to life, slicing through the oppressive quiet like a knife. “Code yellow. Staff

The forest thickened as they drove deeper into its embrace, the pavement transforming to gravel, then fading into a silence that felt both eerie and familiar. Ember leaned against Kael’s shoulder from the back seat, her eyes half-closed and heavy, her body humming with a warmth that seemed to radiate from him, mingling with her own.Kael drove with a focused intensity, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. His sharp gaze scanned the serpentine road ahead, ever vigilant for any signs of danger. Beside Ember sat Ronan—Kael’s beta—a figure of strength with broad shoulders and an unyielding demeanour. His intense gaze was fixed on the treeline, alert for any movement. Though he remained silent, his presence was a steady anchor in the encroaching gloom. Once Ember settled into a more peaceful slumber, he gently pulled her closer, offering her a sense of security against the unsettling quiet of the woods. Behind them, a sleek black SUV followed, carrying two of the clan’s eli

Chloe gently tucked the soft, knitted blanket around Ember’s shoulders, smoothing it with care as she ensured every inch was enveloped in warmth. The room was bathed in a soft, inviting pink glow—walls painted in a warm blush that resembled a summer sunset, with fairy lights twinkling above like a starlit sky, casting playful shadows that danced across the walls. Shelves adorned with a cherished collection of books and whimsical miniature dragons dressed in colourful tutus were artfully arranged, creating a magical atmosphere that belonged entirely to Ember. It was her sanctuary—a haven that was both safe and beautiful, where every detail whispered a sense of belonging.“You’re home now,” Chloe murmured, brushing a few stray strands of Ember’s hair behind her ear with fingers that felt like gentle caresses. “Nothing can touch you here.”Ember nodded sleepily, her golden eyes heavy with drowsiness, each blink slow and deliberate. “Will you stay until I fall asleep?”“Of course,” Chloe

The call reverberated through the stillness of the night just after midnight, cutting through the darkness like a clarion bell. Kael stood resolute in the heart of the expansive war room, its rough stone walls glowing with the warm flicker of firelight that danced ominously in the shadows. His voice, low and commanding, carried a weight of urgency. “Wake the ones on patrol. I need them here. Now.”Within twenty minutes, the room transformed into a chaotic blend of half-dressed warriors, their hair tousled and eyes heavy with sleep. A palpable tension hung in the air, yet no one dared to voice their protests. Not yet.Ronan stood beside Kael, his powerful frame exuding calm vigilance. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and his piercing gaze remained unwavering, a bastion of steady resolve amidst the brewing storm.Kael swept his gaze over the gathered crowd, a motley mix of fierce loyalty and weary faces. “I know it is late. I know you are tired. But this cannot wait.”He al

Jared adjusted his collar, the stiff fabric pressing uncomfortably against his skin, and muttered a low curse under his breath. The night air was thick with humidity, infused with the acrid scent of city smog that clung to his clothes. He hated how the streets reeked—an unsettling blend of petrol fumes and the musty remnants of rain-soaked asphalt that lingered like a bad memory. Leaning against the sleek, black profile of the car, he crossed his arms tightly over his chest, his gaze fixed on the flat across the road. Its harsh outline was barely discernible in the dim light, the windows dark and uninviting, casting an eerie silence over the scene.“She’s asleep,” murmured one of the younger guards, Tomas, as he peered intently at the thermal scanner in his hands. The device emitted a ghostly glow, illuminating his face and highlighting the furrow of concentration etched on his brow. “No movement detected since lights out.”Jared grunted in response, irritation bubbling beneath his st