Romans & histoires Crimson Stone

Neera stood in her balcony, the skyline behind her glowing gold and steel. The letter burned quickly in the fireproof dish she kept for other purposes — evidence disposal, mostly. She watched it curl and blacken until nothing but ash remained. Kieran Renzaro’s offer — his arrogant, polished, impossible offer — was reduced to smoke. And she didn’t flinch. She wouldn’t play his game. Wouldn’t be someone’s pawn, no matter how shiny the paycheck or how seductive the power behind it. She wasn’t for sale.

The wolf dropped me and transformed so I was now staring at the feet of a man. Tion. Alpha of Crimson. Feral. Mad, they whispered. Dangerous and unstable. He looked down at me with gold eyes that mirrored his beast’s. No pity. No surprise. Only curiosity, sharp, cutting and cold. “Another stray,” he said. His voice was rougher than gravel, low with disuse or disdain. “Or a spy.” Accompanied with a grin that promised pain if I was the latter. “She’s Moon Stone’s,” someone growled behind him. “Weak. Latent. Rejected.”

I left some of the wounds bandaged as I also treated the bruises on my face. I inhaled deeply, hoping it would help ease the pain for just a few minutes. My body remained stationary in the same position for a while before the pain subsided, and I was able to stand up, returning the first aid kit. Opening the second cupboard revealed an impressive collection: emerald green, black, champagne, ruby red, and pale blue dresses, each uniquely crafted with luxurious fabrics, intricate details, and dazzling embellishments.

Frank once again began to shake his head, and I didn’t think he had an answer for Joffrey’s question, but then he surprises me by saying, “I don’t know exactly, but I remember him saying something about your family’s history, and about some stone that possesses a power that he wanted his hands on.” My hand immediately went to the sunstone necklace Joffrey had given to me, hidden beneath my shirt, as I turned to look at Joffrey, while I began to wonder what powers it held within it, that he so desperately wanted. Joffrey’s eyes immediately were giving me warnings to remain silent about the sunstone, and I did, because if it truly did hold a power, then I didn’t need anyone to know that we had

Tonight was supposed to be the first calm Friday in forever: no revenants, no Hollow Choir remnants, no oni trying to drag me into a drinking contest under the bleachers. I’m in my room, door locked, chemistry notes spread out like a losing battle. I’m re-drawing the same Vinča symbol on my palm for the 2,114th time (healing wipes it clean every morning, same old routine). Then the bloodstone cracks. A tiny, perfect fracture right down the center. A single drop of liquid starlight (not blood) beads up and rolls down my forehead onto my open textbook. The Crown HUD flickers once. CROWN INTEGRITY: 10 / 47

"That thing doesn't like me. I see it in my dreams." She didn't ask what they meant. They bought nothing. They just stood for a while, then left. By the time dusk hit, the flowers had grown taller. Crimson petals opened toward her whenever she walked near. Not aggressive. More like recognition. She stared at the mirror one last time before closing. The cracks were thicker now, webbing across the surface like veins under skin. Her reflection met her gaze. This time, it whispered — barely audible. "Bloom." She closed her eyes. Felt it in her chest like a drumbeat. Something ancient, crawling, rising through soil, through concrete, through thought.

Aldric’s hand found hers instinctively, his grip warm and steady. The bond flared with protective intensity. “He won’t get near her,” Aldric said firmly. Marcus studied him carefully. “You’re her mate.” “Yes.” The Alpha of Crimson Hollow nodded once. “That helps.” Regina blinked. “How?” “Blood Moon wolves are strongest when bonded,” Marcus explained. “The connection stabilizes their power.” She looked down at her hand still clasped in Aldric’s. The bond pulsed warmly. “So the mate bond…” “…may have awakened your abilities faster,” Marcus finished.