Wilson pulled Kora in close to him and ran his fingers down the back of her hair, gently massaging her head and neck.“It sucks we had such a bad ending to such a wonderful day,” he said.“The day isn’t over yet,” she reminded him.He looked into her eyes, leaned in, and kissed her. Then his face broke into a wide grin, and he seemed to be holding back a chuckle. She pulled away just a bit, giving him a quizzical look.“I’m sorry. It’s just—it’s pretty cool that my girlfriend’s a ninja warrior,” he said, his grin widening.She pulled back even more. “Your girlfriend?”“Yeah, you want the job?”“We’ve only known each other for two weeks.”“Is that really all it’s been? Huh . . . But think about it—in those two weeks, we have probably spent more time together than most beginning relationships do in two months, and well . . . I just feel really comfortable around you. When you know, you know. You know?”She sat and looked at him for a moment, and a cheeky smile began playing around the c
All around them, encircling them in a protective dome, was a wall of electricity. It arced out in waves from the sword on Wilson’s back, pulsing brightly every time one of the bats hit it. The creatures could not penetrate the dome. Each one that tried was repelled violently by a bolt of electricity and thrown to the ground. The fried, smoking bodies were piling up all around outside. Eventually, the crashes slowed and then ceased altogether as the remaining bats learned of the danger of the dome. Still shrieking furiously, they circled around overhead, forming a tornado-like funnel with Wilson and Kora in the center.Kora stared at Wilson in bewilderment. She looked scared, and he couldn’t blame her. He was fairly certain he could maintain the force field as they moved, but it was still a risk.Without warning, the bats started dropping out of the air, dead. The funnel began to scatter, and many of them flew toward the building. There was too much chaos for Wilson and Kora to see wha
“You talk a lot,” he said.“Are you my son?” she asked tremulously.“No,” he replied. “But that was quite some story. I’m impressed even though it’s not true.”She tried to run. His arms transformed into snakes, stretched out, and wrapped around her arms. He let go of one side, flipped her around, and pulled her back in toward him. She looked at his snake arm in terror.“Do not try to run, Mrs. Cale. You will not make it very far,” hissed Isaac .“You are an experiment gone bad,” she said.“Yes and no. The government of the United States had nothing to do with my unique qualities. In fact, it didn’t even exist when I was made. They have been the ones trying to mimic my abilities, not the other way around. I am the only one capable of creating life. I was a by-product of an experiment but not the experiment itself. My father was the experiment, and it didn’t go exactly the way he planned, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it went bad. It was fate that I ended up this way. I was given extr
Once they were in position, John gave the signal to open fire. The creature leaped to the ceiling, and without warning, the broken security door burst from the walls and flew straight at Smasher and Flint. They quickly ducked as it flew overhead. The monster used the distraction to escape the concession stand and climb up into the rafters. It was a large, powerful ape with huge claws that were apparently able to break through stone, judging by the fact that it was able to scale a solid concrete wall with relative ease.They ran after the ape as it swung through the rafters, but it moved too fast, and the marines couldn’t keep up. They separated; Smasher, Ghost, and Flint turned around and ran the opposite direction to head it off around the other side, while John, Eraser, and Jolly continued forward.The plan worked. The ape was cornered. In desperation, it let out a loud howl. As the marines were getting ready to open fire, a monstrous roar echoed back. Unable to pinpoint exactly whe
Once the stadium was completely destroyed, Thunderbird turned its devastating attention to the nearby buildings. The rest of the National Guard in the area were called to the scene. They threw everything they had at it, but it just ripped through them like they weren’t even there. Those on the ground felt helpless as they watched the bird carve an unstoppable path of destruction through the city.Another news chopper bravely flew into the area to cover the event. Dutch quickly turned on the news to see their footage. Those on the ground and in the control room could only watch in horror as Thunderbird destroyed a nearby suburb. The few families who managed to make it out of their homes before they were demolished only became moving targets, drawing Thunderbird’s attention without mercy. Its attack did not discriminate. Men, women, and children were systematically burned alive as they ran screaming, desperate for somewhere to hide.Seeing the smoking and mutilated bodies of children ly
“When a man murders pretty much the entire police department, you learn his face well,” he answered.“But the way you describe him, he sounds like a hero, not a mass murderer, and he may have even been working with the FBI.”“That’s one of the things most puzzling about the whole situation.”“Could it be that the police have been searching for the wrong man?”“I have no idea, but it was baffling to us how one man could cause so much devastation to this town. After witnessing all that—whatever that was—I now understand. This man is capable of extraordinary things and clearly possesses some . . . superhuman abilities. I sure hope he isn’t the villain he has been made out to be. Because if he is, then God help us.”Andrew turned directly toward the camera. “You heard it here. Some extraordinary events are taking place, and we hope and pray that the worst is behind us. Back to you, Teri.”The news feed changed back to Teri in the helicopter. “Thank you, Andrew. We are now receiving report
The girls both dropped to the floor, and Kyle sank as far down in his seat as he dared while still keeping an eye on the road. Another puff of dust appeared from much lower down on the mountain, and this time, the RPG was closer to its mark. There was a deafening explosion, and the SUV flipped onto its side, sliding crazily for a couple of hundred feet before finally coming to a stop at the foot of the mountain.“Is anyone hit?” asked Kyle.“I think we’re good,” Kristen answered, her voice sounding a little muffled.“Kora? You okay?” he asked.“Yeah, I’m all right. What hit us?” she said.“RPG,” said Kyle, sounding angry. “We’d better get out of here before they launch another one.”Kyle kicked out what was left of the windshield, and the three of them climbed out of the car. As soon as they hit the ground, they ran and took cover behind a big boulder to avoid another shower of bullets.“I wasn’t expecting a gunfight. This is when we need Wilson,” said Kristen.“Well, Wilson is not he
The Analoya were getting tired and frustrated, Kyle in particular. He started ignoring his gun and tried to throw himself at Thunderbird every time it flew near, but it was too quick, and he missed again and again. Thunderbird started targeting him with each flyby, and his attempts to knock it out of the air became increasingly risky. Finally, he managed to briefly grab a hold of some of the tail feathers. Thunderbird swerved and nearly crashed into the cliff face, but it was still able to swoop around for another attack.As it came near, he leaped into the air and grabbed it around the chest. Thunderbird sank its talons into Kyle’s chest plate, piercing every layer of armor. He yelled in pain, but he didn’t release his grip as they tumbled to the ground. He managed to roll to his knees and pushed the bird far enough out that most of the talons came loose, but this opened up an opportunity for Thunderbird to attack again. It opened its beak directly in front of his face. Since some of
Hopefully the thought that we are out of jeopardy isn’t phony, a fantasy from our purposefully deluded minds.-Isaac Weak. Inferior. Helpless. Useless.These are characteristics that should never be associated with an Alpha, yet I feel them all on a daily basis now.I have a job to do and the need to be a stable and reliable leader is essential after what has just happened. Countless new procedures need to be implemented for the safety of the packs. Each Alpha will need to take precautionary measures -ramping up training, security, and make plans with alias incase war comes.There isn’t time to stay on a sick bed with people keeping me from my work while all these pressing matters wait to be handled. Not to mention my duties as a mate and the fact she has her own position among the packs to undertake.Each day doesn’t hold enough hours to get my tasks completed even if I was healthy and able bodied, the challenges are even more daunting as I regain strength from the poison my brother
If there is a chance behind that cold wall he is capable of feeling rejection, I don’t really want him to feel it from me. I don’t want to be the one who gave up. I will be careful, but right now I want him to know I want to try.So, I reach out and grasp his hand in mine.He smiles sleepily. “Much better”“You know his lips look a little cold too”“Levi!” Isaac grumbles.“I thought I was the wing man?” Levi shrugs.Isaac doesn’t look that upset... I think I might even see a hint of a smile as I chuckle at the two of them. Soon Isaac leans his head back again and falls asleep.I’ll just hold his hand a little longer.-May“She is gonna be here any minute” I mumble against his lips as they tease mine.My mate responds by groaning in protest and pulling me closer causing me to giggle.It’s not like I wasn’t already crammed against him in the small play house that rests just inside the woods behind Robert’s parents’ home.I typically have higher standards for make-out locations. This
“Alright party people, lets get this show on the road!” I giggle nervously and nod before chancing a glance behind at Isaac . He meets my eyes looking tired but other wise emotionless. I eye him narrowly with a glare and let my frustration flood the link between us, unsure if he was even paying attention through that thick wall of his.Turning I adjust myself in my seat and pull out my phone to keep me busy on the drive.I had been working on my linking while my family was still here but with them gone and me not yet being a part of Isaac and Levi’s pack – if I ever become apart of it- I was unable to practice or use the link for the last few days. Only Isaac would be able to talk to me now and we both have been avoiding that.I imagine that the link or bond I have with Isaac works in a similar way to a pack link, and I could learn to keep him out if I try. I don’t get how I have started to be able to keep my thoughts to myself in wolf form but Freddy, Chris and Alpha Cold heart ca
I chose not to make eye contact with Isaac as he is wheeled out of the make shift hospital. I had just finished loading up a few things in the car to make this trip easier.It has almost been a week since he was poisoned but the recovery has been slow. Isaac still spends most of his time sleeping and it frustrates him to be so weak. The slightest activity seems to make him tired.It frustrates ME that he is a stubborn ass.My mate has spent his every waking moment pushing himself by dealing with pack business and trying to get out of bed. I took pity on him the first night he had ripped his IVs out and caused a commotion, now I know I shouldn’t have.He has been such a handful. Willfully disregarding Greta’s orders to the point that I was on board when she threatened to strap him down two days ago.Boy did that Idea go over well.Lucky for Isaac Levi took pity on him and talked us down.I roll my eyes remembering how ridiculous he was being yelling at us to stop babying him and hol
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing more power to be put into the spell, “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these lines to boundaries defined. Expand this protection with the flow of desired correction. Right to what has been outlined.”I hear Silas shout and Wilson growl. I start shouting the spell. “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these lines to boundaries defined. Expand this protection with the flow of desired correction. Right to what has been outlined.”“Stop Isaac !” Mike begs. “You can’t stop this spell.“Stay away from her,” Silas orders.“Please!” He screams as he begs.I feel the thunder shake the ground, and I open my eyes in enough time to see lightning strike the center of the anchor in the ward as it shatters. The earth turns black and spreads out from under me, killing the trees and grass within a mile of us.I pant as my hands clench the dead earth. Sweat has beaded on my forehead, and I try to catch my breath as the boys struggle behind me. I get to my feet very shaki
I give Mike my wrist, my blood still freely flowing. “Squeeze my blood onto each paper and say; Deliver these to Goddess Kaelish, protector of Linru. Bring what’s true in this discovered news.”He gives me a questioning look, and I didn’t miss that his neck is tense. “Why?”“Because I can’t.” I motion to my bonds.He gives me a cautious look, trying to determine if he can trust me. “Why?”“You literally have me chained to a bed, just trust me.” I say, glaring at him.Mike follows my instructions, nearly jumping out of his skin as the pages start smoking. “What are you doing Isaac ?”“Relax,” I say, the flames turning turquoise, signaling they’ve been received. When Kaelish accepts them, the flames dissipate, leaving the pages in their original state. I hand them back to him. “There, now it’s in Kaelish’s hands.”“How much magic do you actually know?” Mike asks, looking me over as if he’s seeing me for the first time.I shrug. “Almost everything. I can’t speak the original spells, b
When I find them, huddled behind Isongarth’s statue, they are clearly talking about me. I’m in no mood to explain myself, though I really should tell Silas about Alier. That can wait until after my very much needed nap.I ignore their conversation and surprised expressions as I sit down cross legged next to Silas. Skipping past looking at them, slightly annoyed they’re talking about me, I pull out a sariah petal and wipe it against one of my bloody wounds. I lay it next to me and bring a trail of salt to it, linking the other spells. I look to Leo. “Repeat after me.”After he nods, I prick my finger and pour seawater over the new wound, right over the sariah petal I had just placed, chanting as I pour. “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these lines to boundaries defined. Expand this protection with the flow of desired correction. Right to what has been outlined.”Leo starts copying me, touching my heart with his hand, flowing my power with his. “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these
“I will see you again. I will find out what you’re up to Isaac . I didn’t know you knew this much about magic, so it’s going to take me a minute.”“I’m more than the girl that you keep trying to sink your teeth into.” I tell him, walking away from him. “I know more than fighting.”“Wait,” He grunts, trying to sit up. “Did you really know Elayna?”I look behind me, trying to keep my face cold. I hold up my hand and wipe off some blood from my wrists. I point to the healed dainty fang marks. “For two years I kept her alive with my blood. Every second of every day we were together. She was a sister to me, and I miss her terribly. Her death nearly destroyed me. I knew everything about her, except for most of her family. I knew she had brothers, but nothing more than that. She would shut down and close herself off whenever that topic was broached, and I knew it was because she was purposely distancing herself so not to hurt them.“Before you ask, she never did tell me about you. She never
Well, I’m dead anyway. I walk into his room to quickly skim through his books. Nothing here can tell me what blasted spell he’s using. I need to think. Something here has to help me escape. I’ve read all of these books! I kick his bed as I try to think. Think Isaac , I shout internally as I try to slow my breathing. I kick his bed again and here a thump. I look under the bed and see Yvanna’s book. It was tucked underneath his mattress, pinned by a board. I grab it and tuck it into my bag as I try to think. I mean outside of using forbidden magic.Several hours later I’m still at a loss and trapped in this god forsaken room. The windows are sealed. His bedroom door is now locked. The only thing I can go into, is his adjoining bathroom. My head is resting against the warm wall while I sit on his surprisingly warm floor. I keep hitting my head against the wall as I try to think. Maybe if I pretend to be here waiting for him, like a loving mate, then he’ll let me off the hook. Nah.I hear