Crossfire Series By Sylvia Day Novels & Stories

Pain shoots through my bones, and tears pierce the corners of my eyes. I hear footsteps coming from the hallway, but before I know it, the bitch is on the floor too, screaming and writhing. Ares appears and only takes in the scene in one flimsy second before stalking closer to us. He doesn’t rush to our aid. Instead, he looks at me accusingly. “What did you do, Annika?” Ares questions, positioning himself between me and her. I shake my head exasperatedly, hoping that this time, he believes me. But hope has been nonexistent since I got married to Ares Brooker. "Nothing," I answer through clenched teeth. "She pushed me."

Grave Groaning, I pulled the blonde closer, thrusting harder while she moaned beneath me, nails dragging down my chest. Her legs trembled around my waist, but it wasn’t enough. None of it was enough. Because she wasn’t her. Every damn time I closed my eyes, all I saw was Lyra Cross. Her mouth. Her attitude. Those dangerous fucking eyes. I knew we were playing a reckless game, but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting more. The girl was poison and danger, and it intrigued me. It’s only natural I love danger.

he said, eyes already gone dark. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Time stopped. Matteo yelled something. Lazaro’s finger curled. And I knew he was going to pull the trigger. To be continued... Chapter 38 – Burn Them All Amara The city burns. Flames eat through rooftops like hungry mouths, smoke veils the sky until the sun itself disappears. Sirens scream like dying violins. Bullets cut through air thick with the scent of gasoline, blood, and betrayal.

**Disclaimer/Trigger Warning** This chapter contains an explicit depiction of torture involving cutting. If this is a trigger, please skip to the end of the chapter. **** My feet dangle above the hard floor as my wrists begin to ache from the metal cuffs digging into my skin. My voice is going hoarse from screaming for help. As I hear heels click on the marble floor, my heart stops. The fluorescent lights flicker to life casting a blinding light that makes me pinch my eyes closed. When I slowly open them, I see Jessica, Heidi, and Lenore, standing before my suspended frame.

My body becomes enveloped in a burst of flames, and the fire spreads from my skin and causes an expulsion as soon as it got close to the gas tank across the room. THE END.

," I coughed and begged but she didn't stop in her tracks. She continued walking until she got to the door and locked it, not giving me a chance to escape. I stared at the locked door, panic surging through my veins. The flames danced and roared, devouring everything in their path. The air grew thick with smoke, making it harder and harder to breathe. Each labored breath felt like a futile struggle against the encroaching darkness. I stumbled back, the intensity of the fire pushing me away from the window. Every cough sent searing pain through my chest as if my lungs were being scorched from the inside out. Desperation flooded my mind as I realized there was no way out. I was trapped in this

--- Only tomorrow. Cliffhanger As the sun rose higher, a small silver spark appeared on the horizon. Tiny. Almost invisible. --- Lyra frowned. --- The spark drifted closer. --- Closer. --- Until it landed gently in her palm. --- A single silver flame. --- The last fragment of the First Flame. --- And inside it, a familiar voice whispered: "This isn't the end of the story."

I owe it to you to make you powerful. My mind fractured. Images and symbols I didn’t recognize flashed in my head—ancient and very old. And then— Darkness. Slowly, I opened my eyes, and I was in a realm where fire fell from the sky and darkness, pain, and suffering reigned. This is going to be your world soon, Saraphina. Chains of flames clasped around me, and they burned. I cried out in pain—and I was back to reality again. It wasn’t really, but it felt so real. Too real. Was it all in my head, or was I actually there? I wasn’t sure.

Hellfire moved in perfect, surgical arcs. Warehouse soldiers burned first—screams cut off mid-breath.Three corrupt elders ignited where they knelt—flesh melting from bone in heartbeats.The deputy who lied about Nyxara vanished in a single pulse of white flame. Voss was last. I pinned him under one boot as the fire crawled up his legs—slow, patient, almost tender.He shrieked until his voice turned to ash.Until only blackened bones smoked gently on the marble. Silence.Absolute.Sacred.

Drunk is better. I open a full bottle of whisky and drink a fourth of it down in one swallow. The burn is exactly what I need in order to forget. I fear the smell of Laryn's bride's scorched flesh will haunt me forever. I take another drink and sink back against the pillow*s. Through my bleary eyes, I gaze at the door when I hear it open. She's lovely. She also appears angry when she looks from me to the two women. I think her name is Sierra. Sarn's story next... END OF PART TWO