Tripping Arcadia Novels & Stories

But in the way someone watches the last bit of security drive away. “Ready?” I ask quietly. Aria nods her head. “Yeah. Ready.” The engine rumbles to life. The tires crunch on the gravel. As we pull out of Crescent Bloodmoon’s grounds, the rising sun paints everything gold, an almost peaceful picture if I didn’t know how fragile that peace really is. Alaric lifts a hand in a silent wave. Aria lifts hers in return. I keep driving. Back towards the academy. Back towards uncertainty. But with a stronger resolve than before.

“How did you get here? My instruction is clear, Tripp.” “I flew. And I got here alive, didn’t I?” He knew he sounded like a toddler, but he couldn’t just believe how dumb that idiot that made him madder. “Your sarcasm won’t take us anywhere.” She snapped at him. “Bryce, we’re leaving before this man will light your shop on fire.” “All he needs is a little tickle.” He smiled knowingly at Ari. “See you both soon.” Tripp asked for the key to her car once they were outside.

I can’t wait to see where I’m going to be staying. “Hi Ms.Sinclair, I’m Jefferson. I’ll be your driver for the rest of your trip.” Jefferson opens the door for me and grabs my luggage and begins loading my things into the truck. It doesn’t take him long to finish putting the bags away and start up the engine. In seconds we are propelled forward and we’re on our way to our next destination. After an hour we pull up to what has to be the most luxurious beach house I’ve ever seen in my life. It takes a minute for me to fully take in the view. I’m pulled out of my trance by Jefferson opening the door for me.

Eva’s POV We’re barely ten steps down the tower when Parker trips over his own foot. “Watch it, klutz,” Trixie says, grabbing his arm before he face-plants down the spiral staircase. “Try not to die. It’d ruin my day.” “Don’t flatter yourself, Witchlet,” Parker mutters. “I’m just allergic to stone and bad attitudes.” Behind us, Lenny yelps. “I swear something touched me. Right here. Right on the butt.”

It molds us into the wolves the Goddess meant us to be. And because so many of us are still unmated, the nightlife here is popping. Our parents designed Arcadia with us in mind—modeled after Paris, Rome, New York, and Berlin. They knew we’d need a release after the intensity of training. So they gave us everything: clubs of every kind (BDSM, dance, strip, comedy), global cuisine, skateparks, courts, pools. You name it, it’s here.

“Zee! You look like a sexy snow bunny. Perfect. Let’s go corrupt the town boutique before they close.” I rolled my eyes, but the knot in my chest loosened a little. Aradia had that effect, chaos and comfort in equal measure. We climbed into the waiting SUV, black, tinted, bulletproof-looking, because of course...and the driver pulled away smoothly, snow crunching under the tires. Aradia sprawled across the seat, boots on the console, already scrolling wedding inspo on her phone. “So,” she said without looking up, “you gonna tell me why you look like someone kicked your puppy?”

Once I reached the street, I flagged down a cab and left. … In the departure lounge, I ran into Roxanne again. She came to a stop in front of me, her voice laced with anger as she said, "Louis, we've been married for years. There's really no need to avoid me over something this minor." Without even looking up from my keyboard, I replied, "You're overthinking it. I'm not avoiding you." No sooner had I finished speaking than a special ringtone played on Roxanne's phone. When she answered, I heard Conrad's voice on the phone. "Where are you? Don't forget about tonight's banquet. Whether we close this deal comes down to tonight."

“Not with you.” He exhaled, and for a brief moment, the tension between us shifted—from fear to something else entirely. His hand brushed against mine again, lingering just a fraction too long, and I knew he felt it too—the pull, the desire, the temptation of being pressed together in the dark, trapped and electric. Then the intruder spoke, voice cold and deliberate: “Well, well… what do we have here?” Jace’s eyes narrowed, protective and dangerous all at once. “Aria, move!” he snapped.

And now I was supposed to hope that this one would be different. I sighed and leaned back against the edge of the tub. The thought of leaving the bath and facing the world made my chest tighten. “El! I left your coffee on the counter. You better hurry, or you’ll miss your chance!” Anna’s cheerful voice floated from the door. I groaned, letting the warmth soak me a little longer. “I don’t know if I can, Anna… I’ve tried so many times. I’m tired of failing.” She pushed the door, towel over her shoulder. “Elara, listen. You’ve made it to the final stage for a reason. You haven't made it this far in a while which means they think you are qualified.

Inside this room, everything is completely different. End of Arc 15: Caught