The Otherlands - Part 6

Her fingers were red from the cold. It had been a long time since she had actually felt the chill biting her fingers and oddly, she relished it.

It seemed like just minutes ago she had been standing before her own hearth, tending her assassin and glaring at Ren. For some reason, Ren had lost control over himself after several heartbeats, his body jerking wildly before collapsing on the floor. Not wanting to be charged for killing a Timekeeper, the great Isolde's son no less, she had gone to his side to check for a pulse. At that very moment, his eyes flashed open and she knew nothing more till she appeared here. Lost in the middle of some god-forsaken wilderness where apparently nobody knew the pleasure of a warm fire.

Her toes were turning numb from the cold but she made no move to light any fire. There were places where magic, no matter elemental or not, would backfire if used. There were also places where magic drew unsavoury attention. She would not risk it.

Her bones creaked in protest as she took a step forward in the ash-strewn ground. Her footprints were covered up as soon as she left the spot. It scared her. Although she would never admit it. Never.Her fear has cost her too much that one time.

~Rei Shiori

The Puppet Master - Part III

Continuation from.....
Part I - Link: The Puppet Master - Part I
Part II - Link: The Puppet Master - Part II

“Isa.”

Mel hissed the word as it left her lips in a cloud of icy cold mist to combine with the slash she made with her dagger in the foggy air. The rune took the form of smoke that solidified momentarily into ice crystals. The rune winked before dispersing into something akin to diamond dust. The cocky grin temporarily wiped itself off the puppeteer’s face. The grin began to look more like a rictus of anger as he struggled against her rune. It would not be enough to hold one such as he, she knew that much, but at least it would buy her some time to fend off the girl.

Ghostly in her powder blue dress, the elder sister weaved with a jerky gait across the cobblestones that were slick with slime and sewage. Mel cursed as the girl lunged, nearly catching her neck in a death grip and that was when her foot slipped. Careless. She had not been watching her steps.

“Nauthiz!”

Mel felt the burn of the word in her throat before her scream even ended. The back of the girl’s dress burst into flames as the rune took effect. Ashes spiralled in a sudden gust of cold air as what was left of the sending fluttered away on the blessed breeze.

The puppeteer seemed a lot fainter than before, the edges of his cloak bleeding into the darker shadows behind him. Mel struggled to her feet, cursing under her breath as she cleaned the blade of her dagger on her skirts, one eye still trained on him.

A flash of light caught her eye before she realized what he had done. The rune thurisaz had the power to break her power over him, that much she knew, but in the mouth of a puppet master like him, it had the power to summon a storm. Mel always knew when it was time to leave a party. She gathered her sodden skirts and ran.

Lightning flashed across the sky as he made his way back out the other end of the alley. She was impressive, the young witch, Melisande. Not only had she calmed two of his sendings that had originally been sent to assassinate her, but she had even killed another two freshly made ones. Freshly made sendings were the ones who retained most of their living body’s agility and speed since they had only recently crossed the threshold of life and death.

He had been rather disappointed with the two girls however. The madam was not going to be pleased that her two new acquisitions whom she had planned to train into the best night ladies in all of Lower London had just been scattered into the foggy night as ashes and dust. He hummed a wordless melody to himself as he crossed the street and vanished into a blackthorn bush.

~Rei Shiori

Ripple Effect 10 ( a Beginning continuation )

"Aren’t you going to give Dom an answer, Ari?" Vela’s question pulled her back from her memories.

"Yes." her voice was merely a whisper and Dominic rewarded her with the same smile that he had given her all those years ago. A smile that came straight from his heart and one that showed in his eyes. A smile that he had shown to few, and of whom she was one of the lucky ones. Arianna blushed, noting the looks that passed between their friends.

"Thank you. Now that you’ve agreed, it solves my dilemma as well.  Grandmother is always setting me up with girls from noble households hoping that I would take a liking to them. It’s become quite a nuisance to be honest. At least this year I can take a break from the awkward meetings." he said with a more solemn expression.

Just then, Adrian joined them bearing good news. "I’ve got a hold of our stalker. His name is Michael Arrakis, a werewolf from Aquarius. I doubt he came alone to Scorpio so I had them look into where he has taken up residence and came up with another two names. It seems he came to Scorpio three months ago with two of his friends; Julian Alioth, a hybrid and Lara Antares, a shifter. All three of them are currently staying at Arrakis’s mansion in Scorpio. Their background check turned out to be spotless and nothing indicates that they would be interested in our merry band for any nefarious reason." he said while taking a seat opposite Arianna, next to Velaria.

Dominic spoke up first, "Wait, you mean Arrakis as in ArrakisSecurites? The ones who act as bodyguards for the Council?"

"Not only the Council, any Nocturner who can afford the price can obtain their services. Plus, they have the same business in the human world, protecting celebrities like Charlize Theron and Johnny Depp. The Alioth’s manage a chain of luxury hotel while the Antares family focuses mainly on wildlife conservation. Both of them are also big contenders in the human world."

"I thought they’re based in Aquarius, what are they doing here?" Dominic voiced.

"Oh, it seems we were a bit paranoid after all. His brother just opened a club a few months back so he’s here to see how it’s doing, and as far as I can deduce, both Lara and Julian are here for recreational purposes." Adrian shared as he ticked off the facts on his fingers.

"At least we have one less thing to worry about. And soon, we’ll know what Maxwell wants." Arianna let out a sigh of relief. 

~by S.Dawn & R.Shiori 

Ripple Effect 9 ( a Beginning continuation )

For the longest moment she could only stare into those blue eyes as she travelled down memory lane. The last time Dominic had kissed her hand, was when they had went to their school’s farewell party four years ago, it had been a prom of sorts. She hadn’t wanted to go in the first place, but as usual Gabriel pushed her up to the entrance while he went in ahead of her. She turned back, hopefully before Gabe realised she was gone, only to run into Dominic. The top of her head only reached his chin and he was smiling down at her while his arms were on her waist to keep her from falling.

"I hope you’re not going to leave me without a date. Gabriel said that you would most probably run away from the party so he said you could be my date and I should probably be able to keep an eye on you." It was the first time she had seen his face this close and she was held captive by those hypnotic eyes coupled with his platinum blond hair. Once her brain processed what he had just said, she stepped out from his arms and had the sudden madurge to strangle her twin and also hang him upside down from the rafters.

"Gabriel didn’t mention anything about being your date, so I guess you can’t actually make that claim can you?" she began to move past him when his hands suddenly seized her wrist.

"I didn’t mean to offend you Arianna. I was just joking. But I do hope that you would be my date." he said almost pleadingly.

"Funny, I didn’t hear you asking me to be your date." she answered icily, still trying to move past him and at the same time wrench her arm back from him but she was defeated by his firm but gentle grip on her wrist.

His blue eyes glittered in the dim light of the hallway just as he raised her hand and placed a kiss on it, "Well then, will you be my date tonight Miss Acrux? I promise to be on my best behaviour." he said with a gentle smile on his face.

She ended up going to the party with him and earned glares from other girls who were green with envy. She could hear the crowd whispering as they passed by them, "Of all the girls in the academy why did he come with her?", "Maybe she couldn’t get a date so Gabriel asked him for a favour", "I heard he lost a bet with his friends and so he had to be her date" but she pretended not to hear them. The poisonous whispers meant nothing to her.

Evidently, she wasn’t the only one who could hear them, because he then whispered in her ear, "Don’t mind them, they’re just jealous because I have the most beautiful girl as my date and the girls are envious of our close relationship." The rest of the evening went by better than she had expected. At least she didn’t feel like jumping out the window to get away from the crowd, not that she could with Dom’s eyes following her throughout the room.

~by S.Dawn & R.Shiori

Ripple Effect 8 ( a Beginning continuation )

The four of them were seated around the circular marble table in the living room of The Cove. The marble was a creamy ivory white with streaks of black veins running through the marble in random, jagged lines. It was accompanied by six high backed wooden chairs that were carved with different beasts on each one, their jewelled eyes glaring down on their occupants. Adrian had just relayed the rumours he heard the night before to Velaria and Arianna while Dominic was on the phone with his grandfather gathering the details of their meeting later.

"Do you think this is merely the work of some nosy Nocturner or should we be worried?" Velaria questioned while her slim fingers with their well-manicured nails continued to swipe at her smartphone’s screen, "We’ve seen this before haven’t we? And half of the time it’s just a false alarm." The muscle in Adrian’s jaw tensed, clearly displeased with her dismissing the threat so flippantly. "And the other half has proven to be a reason for concern. Or have you forgotten the time when your Book of Shadows was almost stolen. If it wasn’t for my brilliant detective skills, you would have to say ‘sayonara’ to it." He countered with a hint of arrogance and perhaps even anger in his voice. Not that it mattered much, since the four of them could hardly spend an evening without the both of them bickering, it was a common routine. But Arianna thought of it as a way they expressed their closeness and somehow she felt comforted whenever she heard them. It reminded her of the times they had spent together since their schooling days with Gabriel and Dominic in one corner of the mansion’s library discussing their studies while Vela and Adrian was fighting over who had the most admirers, leaving her curled up with good book and a steaming cup of chamomile tea to help her insomnia.

"We still have no idea who those people are then?" Arianna asked  Adrian, her eyes showing her wariness.

"I’m having it investigated. I should get their identities..," just then his phone began to ring. He looked at the caller ID and continued, "It’s them. Maybe they have a name." and got up from his seat to answer the call just as Dominic concluded his conversation with his grandfather.

Velaria was the one who spoke up, finally giving her phone a rest, "What did Maxwell have to say about the mysterious tea that we’re having later?"

"We’ll know once we get there. Be patient. However there’s one thing I managed to overlook that might get me into another lecture with my grandmother. If grandfather didn’t give me a heads up, the matter would have entirely slipped my mind." Dominic explained as he took a seat next to Arianna.

"What matter is it?" curiosity glittered in Arianna’s eyes as she waited for Dominic to reveal it.

"What else can she be obsessed about this time of year if not the Massacre Ball? What gown to wear, what shoes to match, which earrings goes better with her eyes. And that’s not the worst part.’ He groaned as he recounted his grandmother’s antics.

"I completely understand how she feels. It’s an absolute headache to put together a perfect outfit. And to think I’m coming up with two." Velaria complained dramatically, airing her feelings on the subject. At that, Dominic arched his eyebrows, "Two? Why two?" he asked, surprised.

"I received the honour of selecting Ari’s gown this year since she gave up when she was shopping with me this morning. Not to mention, I also had to give her a lecture about the importance of having a date for social events, which she doesn’t." Velaria snapped the last part of the sentence while narrowing her eyes at her best friend.

 Arianna rolled her eyes just as Velaria completed her rant with a dramatic huff,"Oh come on Vela, isn’t giving me the lecture once enough? I just heard it like three hours ago. I don’t need to be reminded again of your teachings, Mistress of Social Etiquette." with as much sarcasm laced into the sentence. Velaria opened her mouth to strike back but was cut off when Dominic reached for Arianna’s hand and laid a kiss on her delicate porcelain-like fingers.

"Well, that can be easily remedied." he said while keeping his cerulean blue eyes on Arianna.

"Arianna Acrux, will you give me the honour of escorting you to the Massacre Ball?" he said with his usual husky voice. His eyes were deep pools of emotions, all the things he could not voice out were reflected in his eyes.

~by S.Dawn & R.Shiori

Ripple Effect 7 ( a Beginning continuation)

Julian was in the living room with a steaming mug of coffee in his hand while looking over the files Michael had just brought over. It contained all the information he could get his hands on regarding the elusive Arianna Acrux and her known companions, Dominic Rigel, Adrian Circini, and Velaria Altair. All of which were more or less young, wealthy and extremely well known socialites in the Nocturne society.

 Even so, their background check came up rather more scarce than expected, almost useless information despite all the enticement of money to their informers, there was nothing that could help Julian approach her. In the three months they had been here they had made slow progress. Every informer they had, had eventually met a dead end with the amount of information that they could provide. It was as if Arianna and her friends were mere illusions, facades of being a popular socialite held up as masks to hide their real identities. 

Julian and the rest of his friends had familiarised themselves with Scorpio and even asked around but all their efforts seemed to have gone to waste. Julian was beginning to feel anxious. Maybe all this was just a waste of time he thought to himself as he rubbed a hand across his face, trying to dispel the headache he felt throbbing at his temples. Since they were heading nowhere with the initial plan, Michael and Lara were finding ways to get acquainted with anyone in the group but it had been days since they had any progress. Michael was dozing off on the couch when Lara burst through the double doors of the penthouse, waking him from dreamland albeit rather reluctantly.

‘I’ve got it!’ she exclaimed, as she strode towards the both of them with her dirty blonde hair perfectly styled and runway worthy clothes.’ I have found a way for you to meet Arianna without making you look like a creepy stalker, although you are bordering on that right now.’ She said wryly while wriggling into the seat on the sofa next to Michael. ‘After you hear it you’ll be showering me with hugs and kisses.’ She beamed triumphantly.

Michael sat up while rubbing his eyes,’ I’m all out of hugs and kisses but do you accept fists instead? Because if you wake me one more time with your shrieking, that’s what you’ll get.’

‘I’m sure you can go without your beauty sleep, Michael.’ Lara countered with a sweet smile as she rummaged through her handbag and fished out a black envelope with gold stars embossed in the centre of it. Julian placed his coffee mug on the table and took the envelope from Lara’s slim fingers. Inside was an invitation to the Massacre Ball two weeks from now. Michael looked over his shoulder to get a peek of Lara’s so-called brilliant idea. His eyebrows rose in grudging respect.

‘I don’t know how we managed to miss it. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet her. We’re all invited, or rather our families are and Arianna will definitely be there since her family is hosting it this year. You can introduce yourself as the young and dashing master of the Alioth family.’ She explained, her voice carrying over the space between them, her figure sashaying to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.

Julian took a minute to think about the invitation. The headache intensified as he thought about the many possibilities. It sounded possible and simple enough except for a small but potentially problematic issue. ‘It’s a great idea Lara except you seem to forget the fact that I’m a hybrid. They tend to keep us out of functions like this one where only the most pure blooded of Nocturne show up.’ He voiced with a hint of disappointment obvious in his tone and tossed the invitation carelessly to Michael.

Lara returned from the kitchen accompanied by a cup of jasmine tea and continued,’ I know that, but there isn’t a law that says hybrids aren’t allowed to attend them. Plus, you have the Alioth name don’t you? It might not be as well-known as Rigel or Acrux but it does have some weight to it.’ She paused and continued, ’Plus, if all else fails, you can always say you’re Michael’s guest or mine if you prefer.’  She ended her explanation by taking a sip of her tea.

‘Even though I hate to admit it, she’s right you know. There’s no such law and your family will need to be represented anyway. Just give your father a call and volunteer for the position. As long as you bear the Alioth name they can’t stop you from attending.’ Michael added thoughtfully.

Julian was pacing the living room contemplating the situation. A hybrid attending such an important function? That would be a first. But I don’t see any other way to meet her face to face.

Julian stopped pacing abruptly and faced them both. ‘Any of you know where I can get a tux?’ he said, earning broad smiles from Michael and Lara. 

~by S.Dawn & R. Shiori