Smithers X Burns Novels & Stories

The burner hummed like an insect. And then, because strategy needs theater sometimes and because the world she’d built required attendance, she put the burner in its drawer and slid the photos into a small bonfire of things that no one could later read. She watched them go black and curl at the edges — evidence dissolving into smoke in a pan that smelled faintly of lemon and guilt. She kept her face still while Vince and Marco stood with their chins set like guards and toasted the ashes with coffee that tasted no different for the sacrament.

Don Bryant, who was standing nearby, asked anxiously, "Is there really nothing else that can be done to save Oliver, Cynthia?" I shook my head, replying calmly, "There's nothing that can be done, Don Bryant. You see, once someone is tainted by a black witch, the damage is irreversible. It's only a matter of time before his life force is completely drained. Your best course is to begin making funeral arrangements for Oliver now, Don Bryant." Having said that, I took William's hand and walked away, deliberately ignoring the heart-rending cries of despair that erupted from Oliver behind us. …

Damien's POV The glass of whiskey burned down my throat, but it did absolutely nothing to calm the rage boiling inside me. I sat alone at the private section of the club with my jacket beside me while loud music echoed around the room. Several women had attempted approaching me since I arrived, but one glare from me was enough to send every single one of them running away. My mind remained occupied with the disaster from earlier. Zachary, the stolen project, Celeste's involvement, and the possibility of betrayal inside my own home.

From then on, whenever I unknowingly wore a color she favored, used her favorite perfume, or styled my hair like hers, he would scowl or lash out with cold, cutting words. The most humiliating thing I'd ever done was to fall in love with a man who never truly belonged to me. I traced the burns on my legs and called my mentor abroad. If I were just a forgotten shadow beneath Tucker's true love, then walking away was the only thing left to do. … That evening, Tucker handed me a necklace. "You're coming with me to the cocktail party tonight. Don't make a scene."

The new prosthetic limbs integrated perfectly with the human body, allowing them to run and jump just like before. On top of that, the investor who had initially tried to fund Dad's company came back around, ready to back him fully as he rebuilt from the ground up. A few days later, we heard news about Vera. She suffered burns over 99% of her body. Under the constant agony, she was barely conscious. My parents and I silently agreed not to visit her. Vera had made it clear we were not her family, so there was no reason to pretend otherwise. A few months later, my parents' new company went public, and by perfect timing, it hit a booming market. Not only did they repay all their debts, but they

"I… I didn't know!" "Declan," I said evenly, "if you order your warriors to stop the men carrying the stretcher, it might not be too late." But before he could react, one of the warriors came running back, panting. "Alpha! As ordered, the body was thrown into the incinerator at the waste plant for fuel." He straightened, almost proud. "I even waited until she was completely reduced to ash before returning to report." Declan's knees gave out. He hit the floor.

NEVER IN YOUR LIFE Sire, the father of Justin has had quite the life. He and his two friends turned to worse enemies have had a story worthy life that they all would rather that they forget but there's a danger that's lurking so close to them that they can't ignore what happened then because it might help them find their way out of the troubles ahead. This is the start of the life of Sire, Mona and Mury. Three former friends known as three flames that burnt so bright that they could shine even the darkest places.

Not without consequences. Thick, gray smoke curled into the sky, the acrid scent of burnt wood and charred memories filling the air. Flames had already been extinguished, leaving behind a blackened skeleton of what was once their safe haven. Firefighters moved around, their uniforms smeared with soot, speaking in hushed voices. Victoria’s breath hitched. Her legs refused to move as she stared at the devastation before her. "No—no, no, no!" Gerald's voice cracked as he ran toward the ruins too, but a firefighter caught him before he could get too close.

“I'm not going to lie to you, Jake. I want to see where this all goes, but I wouldn't to do anything to hurt Natalie.” “Even if that means you’re not allow to explore this new part of yourself?” Vivienne's arrival interrupted any answer my friend was about to give me. “Why do firefighters have to be so sexy?” She said, sitting on my right thigh. “Even Chief Sinclair looks great with his white mustache and permanent frown.” “I don't think Tina would like the way you talk about the Chief, Vivi,” Kane replied amused. “What are the young people talking about?” “Tina was just telling me how sexy she thinks your mustache is, Chief,” Vivienne blurted out without hesitation as the man in question ap