Side Characters Second Life Novels & Stories

asked Joseph after the introductions. “I’m not sure, maybe. Would you mind if I try?” Trisha behaved like a princess, all silk and honey. “Not at all,” Ann replied. She aimed her phone cam at the couch and giggled, showing me the screen. The SLS had detected two humanoid shapes sitting on the couch, two more standing behind it and two smaller ones, standing by the left side of the couch. It was like a family portrait in stick figures. “It can!” I cried, excited. “Lizzie, would you please raise your hand?”

Jack glanced around; no one paid her any attention. “They never did like you,” he reminded gently. “Oh, right.” She shrugged, but determination sparked behind her smile. “Don’t worry—everything changes today. You’re my only sidekick now.” Jack blinked. “Sidekick?” Liliana merely smiled wider, a dozen schemes already unfolding in her mind. ******* LMCD22

I thought about the second life and what it had been for. I had thought it was for Clara. For the woman who had died having given everything to people who did not value it. The second life was for her to have something for herself. That was true. But it was not the whole truth. The whole truth was that the second life was not just for Clara. It was for everyone the first Clara would have been in the world of if she had simply lived and grown and built. For Eleanor who would not exist without the choice at the consent form. For Edmund who would not exist. For the specific shape of Adrian's belonging in the family. For Luke becoming the person who built bridges and flagged failures. For Cassie

"They aren't looking for a fight, Pim. Look at their eyes. They’re looking for a payday. They’re survivors, not soldiers. If we show them a little gold, they’ll lead us to the Devil himself, provided he’s still breathing." "The Secondary User isn't a demon. He’s a former tech-officer from mother’s firm, and if the rumors are true, he’s spent the last decade perfecting the art of vanishing," Pim muttered, checking the signal strength on her handheld interface. The blue line was erratic, pulsing in rhythmic, dying breaths. "If he’s really hiding here, it means he’s desperate. People in his position only go to Klong Toey to die or to disappear. He hasn't died yet." "Then we’re here to provide t

A screen appeared on the wall. My face appeared on it. Then another image. Me lying dead in the street. Then another. Me waking up six days before the apocalypse. My breathing stopped. Marcus stared at the screen. Daniel looked away. The voice continued. “You thought your second life was an accident.” I stepped closer. “What do you want?” “To see how far you’ll go.” The screen changed. Six women appeared. Sana. Lily. Priya. Maya. Nia. And Elena. They were unconscious.

“I’m here to decide what I can live with.” Lady Serephine’s hand slid from her belly to the edge of her gown, fingers smoothing fabric as if Elowen’s words were merely noise. “Decide,” she echoed softly. “But remember, Lady Elowen. Second wives don’t get to rewrite the story. They only get to accept the ending.”

SCARLETT I walked down the hallway toward the conference hall with Adrian and Celeste following a few steps behind me. For the first time since waking up in this second life, I didn't feel like I was walking toward my execution. I felt like I was walking toward theirs. My heels struck the polished marble floor with a steady rhythm as I moved through the corridor. I could feel Adrian and Celeste behind me, but neither of them said a word. They had probably noticed the difference in me already.

I just nodded calmly and said, "You're right, Chase. These paintings and the art exhibition are very important to me—far more important than Jane will ever be." Those things and that future belonged entirely to me, so there was no way they weren't important. Chase was completely infuriated by my response. He bolted out the door in a fit of anger, wanting nothing more to do with me. In my previous life, Chase's sudden departure would have sent me into a panic, leaving me anxious for a long time since I couldn't track him down. But in this life, I didn't give it a second thought. I knew exactly where he had gone—straight to Jane. He was completely captivated by her now and couldn't stand being

Moments later, a shout rose outside. “The griffin carriage lost control!” “Is that Adrian Seraphiel?” “Why did he not open his wings?” My steps paused for only a moment. Then Cassian came quickly from the council hall and took my hand. “What happened?” “Nothing,” I said. The noise outside faded. In my last life, I had looked back at Adrian too many times. Each time, I only made myself smaller and easier to hurt. This time, I would not look back again. Cassian led me inside. Beyond the high windows of the Holy Court, the cloud sea rolled beneath the sky, and our child moved gently inside me, like a spark of dragonfire reminding me that my future was already in my hands.

I'm met with bad news the moment I woke up. Apparently, I have a condition. My skin needs frequent intimate contact, or I break out in a painful, unbearable rash. The good news? I somehow wake up in a Shifter Realm. To keep my symptoms under control, I buy a pair of White Tiger Shifter twins. The older sister, Sierra Valle, has me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while her younger sister, Sabrina Valle, gets Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Sundays are up for grabs, and they settle the matter with rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins gets to spend the day with me. This Sunday, however, neither of them is willing to give an inch. Just as I'm about to suggest that the three of us