Skybound Studios Novels & Stories

“Then that’s what matters.” Jessica joined them, brushing crumbs from her hands. “The Moon clearly approves,” she said, glancing at the faint shimmer that seemed to cling to Baylee’s skin whenever she was near Lacey. Baylee rolled her eyes. “If one more person brings up the Moon, I’m going to start howling at it.” Jessica laughed. “Please don’t. You’ll start a trend.” --- The Triplet Challenge Later, the triplets decided the pack was too quiet and announced the first annual Silverveil “Moon Games.”

Every instinct screams at me to turn back to the safety of the bridge. The canopies of the remaining pods suddenly open, exposing my companions still in hibernation, utterly unaware of the impending danger. The monitors have either malfunctioned, or this is a safety device. I force myself not to panic as my breathing becomes labored from the lack of oxygen. I have almost reached Beth. She stares up at me, and I can see relief in her eyes. There is no time to consider the consequences. I rip out her tubes and remove the restraints. Globular clusters of blood and fluid float upward to the widening fracture and disappear. Beth stretches out a hand, “Skye, help me,” she whispers.

Lydia pouted as she continued, "I wasn't paying attention. Who would've thought a bike bump could lead to a concussion? In Ameristan, people usually slow down on their own." Trevon gave her a fleeting, detached look. A flicker of worry crossed Lydia's face. "Trevon, with Skylandia's tight deadlines, isn't my accident going to set us back a lot?" Skylandia was the latest venture from Trevon's gaming empire, Xystos Tech, and Lydia had returned to lead the art on it. "I won't stay here. I have to get back to work," she declared, attempting to get out of bed.

The previously chirping beauties were suddenly so silent. Confused, Chad checked floor by floor and found no one in the underground villa. Curious, he went to the shop above and saw Fifi, Matilda, and Cynthia chatting happily with the female assassins. Cynthia passionately said, "Skywood Group specializes in cosmetic medical services. If you join the group, I guarantee a starting annual income of a million. In two years, you'll all be millionaires." With a broad smile, Matilda said, "Our company is just starting. If you join and stay, you'll become shareholders. I hope you'll join us!"

But Elio wanted to know many things about me from his little spy, and that shows how much he underestimated my brothers and me. * * * * * “Fucking finally!” Vin muttered, looking at his phone as we made our way out of our industrial warehouse. I think the name Luna gave suits it better. It’s an old warehouse on the industrial edge of Ashmoor. Rusted shutters. Concrete walls. Officially owned by one of my shell companies. Trucks occasionally come and go, so nobody questions the activity in here. But the actual operation is underneath. And it involves— Ajax’s screams echoed throughout the building.

Beastfolk were on the lower end of society's hierarchy. If Nathaniel's beastfolk side was revealed to the public, his company would be in danger. This was great news! I was delighted, and tears of joy streamed down my astral form's cheeks. Now I finally had dirt on him! Let's see him trying to snipe my projects now! The serpent's tail slowly coiled around me. Its chilly sensation was the polar opposite of Nathaniel's warmth. A song of ice and fire.

“We will arrive.” Dusk drew its blade along the roofs. The Old Foundry waited with its doors hauled wide enough to prove it had nothing to hide. Wolves do not build cathedrals; they do not need to. They build rooms that remember noise. Inside, the crane hung like a metal relic that could still change its mind and lift something if asked politely by a greater force.

They were watching us. The Sanctum had known about her long before I arrived. I was never meant to observe. I was meant to trigger something. But what? And more importantly... why her? Aria's POV That night, I sat on the roof of the den, sketchbook on my lap, trying to draw something that made sense. I sketched a wolf mine, I think but its eyes weren’t mine. They were his. Blue-green, storm-lit. Watching and observing. Below, Selene paced the courtyard, her phone glued to her ear. Probably updating the patrols. Probably watching me from the corner of her eye.

“I heard you started talking with Sir Ray Hart from the Sky Corporation, Noemi! You’ll be the only person they invest in the entire country soon enough!” “The Sky Corporation is a massive company! You’ll be rich if you actually get their exclusive rights!” “Yeah! With their funds, you can invest in whoever you want! When that happens, you can crush all three great families of the South Sea on your own!” “No matter how great their businesses are, they’re no match against the Sky Corporation!” “Right! I heard Mordu’s Kaizen Group is interested in opening up business here! That’s a big fish in the entertainment industry!”

An obsidian stone is inside my seal, and the guards fall over themselves to let us inside once they know who I am. The wall is ridiculously tall, made of thick, reinforced steel. I crane my neck back, move my hair back to see it all. The portly guard pulls a lever, and a portion of it lowers. Clunky and groaning, the ice flys out, the gate forcing its way open. The gate lowers completely, warm water slowly trickles out, and the inside of Estate Eclipse is steaming. I grab onto Dante and he helps me past the blocks of ice until we cross the other side of the gate.