The Weight of the Dead Behind Me

Nothing, no answer. My fists pounded harder, frantic. I kept knocking and pounding at the door for a few minutes. Each time I was louder than the last. Panic and fear for my best friend gripped me. I was about to kick down the door. “Open the godsdamn door!” I pleaded to whatever god or goddess who would listen. Finally, the door flew open, and someone aimed a bow at my face. A mop of black hair blew all over the place like it was alive. “Fuck, Nera—” Ivy gasped, lowering the weapon, her blue eyes wide with shock. “What are you doing here?” “I’m sorry—there’s no time. We have to leave now!” Bella growled low at my side, her body taut, sensing danger creeping closer. Ivy’s voice shook. “What is going on?” She seemed to look ‌me all over. Her face grew more concerned with every inch she took in of

Last Updated : 2025-12-10

The Roads We Must Walk Alone

Ivy let me sleep far longer than I meant to, but she was right—I needed it. My body felt heavier, my chest hollow, and the guilt had not lessened. Ivy didn’t look tired at all. She only looked worried.“Has anyone come out of the woods?” I asked gently.“No.” Her voice was clipped, trailing into silence.“Not even—” I started, but she cut me off.“No.”She didn’t look at me, which was merciful, because I flinched. The pain in her tone was worse than anything I could have imagined.“Maybe he had to go another way,” I said quickly, desperate to keep the fragile thread of hope alive—for her sake, for mine.“Maybe.”Her face was unreadable, but her shoulders sagged, and guilt hit me hard. If her husband was gone, was it because of me?“I’m sorry,” I whispered.“Don’t be.” She still didn’t meet my eyes, just kept staring out the window, as if the forest itself might deliver him back.“Is there anything I can do?” I asked, my voice small.“Yes.” Her gaze finally left the glass. “Take watch

Last Updated : 2025-12-11

Falling Into Familiar Arms

Saying goodbye to Ivy was harder than I wanted to admit. But there was no changing it. We each had our own missions to handle. She was strong, clever, and resourceful. She’d survive. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.Bella padded quietly at my side as the days blurred together. I followed whispers and tracks, chasing after Sir Garret and Carlin. Even with their direction, I always seemed to be a few steps behind. Sleep became a stolen luxury—snatched in shallow bursts beneath trees or in abandoned barns.The woods weren’t safe. The city was worse. Every time I stepped into a street, suspicion prickled over my skin. Eyes lingered too long. Who knew how many Remier had bought? Shadows felt sharper here, less like cover and more like traps. I didn’t belong among them, not hidden in alleyways with my hood pulled low.Nearly a week passed before I finally stumbled into the outskirts of the seeker camp. My knees weakened at the sight of their banners, relief flooding through me s

Last Updated : 2025-12-12

Hunt of the Birthday Huntress

Time dragged like molasses these past months. Camp to camp, trail to trail—always moving with Carlin and Evalandra. Evalandra was a bard who could make the rain sound poetic. We checked on supplies, trained till my muscles ached, and kept things running. All of that was useful and important, but they hadn't allowed me into the Order's secrets yet, and that gnawed at me. Every day, I pestered Carlin to let me join early. Every day, he refused. Today, though—today was different. Today was my twentieth birthday. The rules finally shifted today, in my favor.I leaped out of bed, a surge of excitement coursing through me. My hair routine was muscle memory by now: down enough to hide the scars, pulled back enough to keep it out of my eyes. Not glamorous, but efficient. I could never make it look as good as Hana did. Today I had a new mission—to harass Carlin worse than ever before.

Last Updated : 2025-12-12

Bella, Boots, and Bad Ideas

I slipped into the clearing, basket slung at my side, and began gathering tusoshary. I wasn’t sure whether to hunt down a Yale beast or search for the elusive crawling stammerwort. My decision would have to wait—first, I needed river pokeroot. The sound of rustling snapped me into the shadows, heart hammering. I knew there would be other creatures out here, but these woods were unfamiliar to me.A bark broke the silence.“Bella?”“Woof!” She tilted her head, as if asking what I was doing out here.“So this is where you’ve been running off to, girl?”“Woof!” She barked again, pleased.“Alright, but you need to be quiet. I’m hunting a Yale beast and searching for plants. Hopefully Uncle Garret won’t mind you tagging along.”Bella gave a low, dismissive growl, as if to say she didn’t care what Garret thought—she was with me. I laughed and scratched her head.“Okay then. Hunt the beast with the big horns and lead me to it. But don’t let it notice you.”With a soft bark, Bella darted away

Last Updated : 2025-12-13

Drink or Die

We reached the clearing where Zephyrous and Evalandra were already waiting. Zeph wore his usual cool, unreadable mask; Evalandra waved excitedly at our approach, “You got it done faster than I thought,” Evalandra said, grinning. “How did the fight go with The Yale? You don't look injured?” Ev looked me up and down.“I guess I’m good,” I said, letting a little pride warm my chest. “She didn’t actually fight it.” Carlin said, bursting my false pride. “You actually didn’t fight one?” Zeph asked bluntly.“I didn’t. I took it while it slept,” I said

Last Updated : 2025-12-14