Golden Dawn Novels & Stories

The gems lit up, began their opening notes. Rain shivered as unearthly music, barely heard and intensely felt, vibrated in the air. Designed to physically pleasure the listener, the sounds shivered with the radiance of the aurora, seductively sweet. Piercing. Addictive. Rain shivered. She hadn’t meant to make the Bell. It was supposed to be a gate key, a door to the Dark Lands that would allow her to take a peek without being trapped. She realized too late that one actually had to go the Dark Lands before it could be set, which was problematic, since she’d had no intention of applying for her green card. By then she’d been addicted, unable to abandon her seductive little toy. The idea of it

The Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan was a blinding kaleidoscope of crystal, gold leaf, and high-society decadence. It was 10:30 PM. The air inside the grand ballroom was thick with the scent of white orchids, expensive champagne, and the suffocating perfume of Italy’s corrupt elite. Government ministers, offshore bankers, and syndicate bosses mingled beneath massive Murano chandeliers, their laughter a polite lacquer over a world built on blood and narcotics.

And there, gleaming in the distance like a cruel mirage, rose the Golden City. From the crest of the final hill, the capital of the High Council looked exactly as it had in my nightmares. Its towering walls were constructed from flawless white stone, capped with sheets of polished gold that reflected the morning light in a blinding, arrogant display of wealth. A massive, shimmering dome of solar magic—the primary Sun-Shield—hovered over the entire metropolis, its golden grid pulsing with a sterile, defensive warmth.

*Hazel* The room was unexpectedly large and modernly furnished. I had anticipated complete darkness, thinking it would mirror the outside night, but I was immediately shocked. It was nothing like I imagined. The room was themed in gold and white, making it sparkle and feel almost ethereal, as if every surface had been touched by sunlight. The décor was elegant yet comfortable, a perfect balance between luxury and warmth.

The banner still burned above the atrium ceiling. Moore / Calder Bright. Unyielding. A symbol Briarcrest believed it had forged. Nyx looked back at Alaric. “Here’s the real question,” she said. “What question?” Her smile sharpened slightly. “When we break…” Thunder rumbled faintly beyond the academy walls. “what else breaks with us?”

I wake to sunset painting the room gold. Ethan’s already up, wearing nothing but low-slung sweats, leaning on the balcony watching the ocean. I slip on his shirt and join him. “Street carnival tonight,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “Music, lights, dancing. You in?” I smile. “Always.” The island comes alive at night, streets lined with colorful lights, live bands, food stalls, people dancing in the warm breeze. We blend in—sunglasses, hats, just another couple.

“Did you see the silver light, boy?” “Everyone saw it.” The memory hurt. Sera kneeling there, her power pouring out of her like a broken dam. Her eyes had been pure silver. Not the primal wolf-gold she used to have, not human. Something ancient, terrifying, and beautiful. Too weak. I had called her too weak. The Moon Goddess must have been laughing. “Do you know what it means?” Corvus asked. “You said something during the ceremony about bloodlines. About things that should have stayed hidden.”

--- The Golden Harvest Years — or what would later be called years — passed. Elarion bore fruit, small golden orbs that glowed faintly like trapped stars. The Children called them hearts of memory. When one was eaten, the eater would see a vision — not of the past, but of what could be. Dreams of cities, families, music, stories yet unwritten. They began to imagine futures — and through imagination, the world expanded again. Lyra marveled at it all. “What began as one seed has become a thousand dreams,” she said softly.

"She's my girlfriend." "No, I'm not. We broke up a long time ago." Yael, with a grin, eyed Caleb and could not help but notice the ring he was holding. "An HD ring? I remember at the auction, Mr. Brooks and I were both after the Heart of the Ocean. I knew I couldn't outbid him, but he stopped at three million dollars. Do you prefer this diamond ring?" Yael's words shocked me. Three million dollars for that necklace? Yael sure knew how to waste money.

But my real focus wasn’t my reflection. My focus was on the project. The clients. And the determination not to let Damien Hayes think I am not capable. I wore my old black heels. They pinched slightly, but they made me feel taller. _____________________________________________ At the Grand Arc Hotel, my nerves were like many little sparks tickling my skin. Golden light filtered down through the chandeliers. The chandeliers had a shape similar to an upside down crystal fountain. Light reflected off the marble floor. The floor was polished. Shadows of moving people became moving shadows.