Nine Minutes Novels & Stories

It was true that Susan called me to give me the budget for the New Year’s Eve party. However, when the money came, it was only four hundred dollars. It was Susan’s go-to MO. She’d play dumb so long as I kept quiet. The moment I spoke up, she’d blame her eyesight for being off by a digit. Then came the guilt trip. “So I fell short on the funds? Do you need to go out of your way to point that out? After all the years I’ve cared for you, must you get upset over a bit of money?

"I'm okay. Don't stop." ​He began to move again, his rhythm slow, gentle, and completely attentive to every tiny shift in my expression. Gradually, the slow pace quickened, turning into a rhythmic, passionate fog that filled the dark room. The music swelled in the background, the shadows danced on the ceiling, and every touch felt like a permanent mark being etched into my skin. I was entirely consumed by him, lost in the sheer weight of a milestone I had saved for the one person I thought would hold my world together.

Luca and Fiona locked eyes, their faces ashen with the realization of what they had done. "So," Marco leaned in, "was that a big enough 'surprise' for you?" Surprise didn't even cover it. Luca looked like he was about to faint right there on the spot. Fiona’s friends gathered around, and Marco greeted each of them in the same perfect dialect. The room went dead silent. "Oh, and one more thing," Marco added, snapping his fingers. "Angelina has a special gift for everyone here tonight." On cue, the massive projector screen in the ballroom flickered to life. A high-definition video began to play.

Unease crept up his spine. "Rowena," he called again, forcing calm into his voice. "I'm not blaming you for this. Stop hiding. Let's make up." In the study, he finally saw it. A document lay neatly on the desk. It was the Mate Bond Severance Agreement. Before leaving, Rowena had asked Alan to help submit the application. She had also taken the Bond-Severing Serum. The words "sever the mate bond" slammed into Garrick's vision. He snatched up the document in disbelief and instinctively reached through the mind link, calling Rowena's name.

THIRD PERSON POV It was minutes to 9 pm and Miranda still had not heard any news about Nigel. She and Taurus were worried, plus they had been downing on whisky and rum for the past twenty minutes. The numbing cream Duran sent was already working its magic, since a witch literally made it. Miranda could feel the tingles spreading across her skin.

The system snarled. “01:59" Can someone get a break in this game?

99 Successful Operation…

a voice said over the phone. “Twenty minutes? How am I supposed to see her? The gala starts in nine minutes! Ahhh!” Bryan shouted in frustration.

“Muah!” I hang up and step on the gas. I check my time, it’s 9:49am… God, I have just ten minutes to get there. God help me!