Shrouding The Novels & Stories

I felt the toxic energy hum through the air, and my heart raced as we rolled away from the immediate danger. Pelin wasted no time. She yelled “Shadow Veil!” cloaking us in darkness and temporarily concealing our presence. It was a clever move, but Virgo’s sharp laugh told me it wouldn’t last long. “Do you really think you can hide from me?” Virgo’s voice rang out, soft and honeyed, yet laced with malice. “There’s no escape here—only death!” I gritted my teeth as Virgo spread her arms. The air shifted, thickening with a swirling purple haze.

"They've been waiting for us!" From the shadows of the trees, figures emerged. Clad in black, their faces obscured by hoods. And on every hand, th e silver crescent of the Shattered Moon glinted in the dim light.

My hands still tremble, gripping the bottle like a lifeline. Suddenly, headlights slice across my face. I duck instinctively, stuffing the bottle back into my bag. My palms are still shaking. The hoodie clings to me like a weighted blanket, trapping warmth I don’t need. The wind is cold despite the forecast’s promises of a warm night. I wipe my hands on the thick fabric and push forward. I walk fast, unevenly, scanning my phone for the map. Ten percent battery. Of course. I curse under my breath, eyes flickering between parked cars and uneven sidewalks. Tonight, the drivers are perfect shields, unaware that I’m darting through their shadows.

Tucked behind the certificate was a letter on Sterling stationery—heavy, cream vellum embossed with a black rose. “Arthur,” it read. “The Feds have the manifests. The Sterling Charter is the only Sovereign Shield left to you. If you want our protection, you become blood. Marry my daughter. But understand this: we do not share. If there is another woman, she must become a ghost. If you lie to the family, we will take your life.”

Flattering without being seductive. Like I had already said, the last thing I wanted was to give this man the wrong idea. I knew it was practically impossible, but I didn’t want to give sexual favors in return for this money. I was not desperate like that. Maybe I would consider it in a future time, but definitely not now. After pulling out the shoes I was going to wear—low heels—I went to the bathroom. Shower time was always scared to me, but I found myself rushing it. I already knew I was going to be late but I didn’t want to reach even later than I was originally supposed to.

She closed the door. ********** The dinner setting in the garden was pretty. Two round tables were candlelit. Bed of flowers bloomed around the tables. The garden lights were turned on, and there was a small water fountain with trickling water that added a sense of calmness around them. The mansion was secluded, far from the nearest neighbor. The cool evening breeze blew softly through the trees surrounding the area.

ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ғᴜʟʟ ᴏғ ᴍᴀsᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴍʏ sʜɪɴɪɴɢ ᴀʀᴍᴏʀ ᴀ sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡ ɪɴ ᴅᴀʀᴋ, ᴀ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴀɢᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴛᴇᴘ ᴜᴘ

Ri Il was impressed by the guts it took to step forward though and decided to reward them as well. "Those that came forward, you'll form an assassin squad in this lifetime. Welcome to the Shroud." The ten followers harmoniously stepped closer, kneeling on one knee. They bowed their head while the rest of the Veil members chanted, "One god, one goal. One god, one goal." Ri Il howled with laughter, raising his hands in the air. "Your first Shroud mission, kill the dragon's bride!" The Shroud members bowed their heads in acknowledgement, stood and vanished into the forest. Xun Zi, Ri Il, and the remainder of the Veil members wandered away to return to their sanctuary.

I guess wherever she was , it involved finding this ghoul. My eyes are drawn to the solid, tall, figure; mysterious in their shroud of fabric which conceals all shape, a hood pulled up and over so not even a face is on show. An air of death lingering around them and I shudder and pull my eyes back to Leyanne. Dismissing this detail and more interested in what just happened before my very eyes.

The realm was said to hold ancient knowledge and secrets that could unravel the mysteries they sought to solve. The entrance to the Veil was concealed within a grove of ancient trees, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly light. As the trio entered, a soft breeze seemed to carry whispers from the past, beckoning them deeper into the realm. The path before them was a labyrinth of shifting shadows and shimmering illusions. The very fabric of reality seemed to bend and twist as they navigated the winding corridors. Time felt fluid, and the boundaries between memory and present blurred as they delved into the heart of the Veil.