Clumsy Beasts, You’ve Crossed The Line Novels & Stories

[AZTEC] "You would leave me, the woman who was beside you, for a woman who is clearly lying to you? You’re pathetic, Aztec,” Beatrice said and Aztec let out a growl. It wasn't the growl of power, but it was the growl that reminded him of his guilt.

Its fingers have these long, curved claws that are oozing something black. Something in me tells me the beast is about to lunge, and it doesn't look like it will give way for a conversation with the rage I see in his eyes. I shift immediately, seeing it's about to slam its claw into Lyric who is now frozen in place looking at it in awe. I hit the beast with a force I myself don't know where it came from and it knocks it into a tree, but it gets back up almost immediately.

The power burning inside me surged in time with every step, and something in me - Sable, or something older with her voice - whispered: "Unleash it. Show them." The earth trembled beneath my feet. I raised my arm and slammed my palm into the ground. The front line of beasts stumbled - then stopped entirely - as thick roots burst from the soil and wrapped around their limbs, tearing through flesh and armor, dragging them sideways. One tried to leap, jaws wide, but a whip of wind curled midair and hurled it into a tree trunk with a bone-crunching crack. Still, more came.

The route shuddered as if that distinction itself burned. The route creature dragged itself forward another inch, all stolen mouths trembling with effort. “First crossing joins scent to memory,” it whispered. “Second crossing joins memory to future. Third crossing makes the pair a road.” Its grey eyes fixed on us with wet, fascinated hunger. “The old line failed because it could never force both hearts to open at once. But you…” It shivered. “You keep reaching for each other voluntarily.” “That is the least seductive sales pitch I have ever heard,” I said.

I finish And then I move again Faster Stronger More dangerous than I have ever been Because this is no longer just a fight This is the moment everything changes And I am done being hunted Now I am the one they should fear

No table to crawl under. “Don’t make me hurt you.”

Pain drained the color from my face, and my whole body trembled. Seraphina kicked me in the face, so furious she looked as if she wanted to tear me to pieces. “Let me tell you this,” she shouted. “Forget toad eggs—even if Alaric told you and your parents to kneel and lick his shoes, you’d have to do it!” The slimy sensation of the toad eggs still clung to my mouth, making waves of nausea roll through me. My parents, Edward and Eleanor Blackwood, looked even worse, their faces deathly pale as they clutched the table and retched uncontrollably.

They knew better. I stayed hunched there for minutes—or hours—fighting every twitch of my muscles, every urge to run wild and tear through anything in my path. Eventually, the trembling slowed. The beast didn’t retreat, but it backed off. Like it was watching. Waiting. Amused. I dropped to one knee, form half-shifted, claws still extended, fangs bared. I could think again. Breathe. Barely. But I knew something was broken now. A line had been crossed. And I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get back.

"To the monster's den." ~to be continued~

“Let him in, and worlds will kneel.” It lunged. Claws flashed. “NO!”