RykerThe word rushed from her lungs on a current of magic that had the hairs along my arms lifting.“You’re not listening to me. I don’t care what he feels for me. He’s not going to treat me this w and continue fucking with my head and my—” Her lower lip wobbled. “You won’t listen to me though, will you? He’s your brother. You’re clearly on his side, no matter who he hurts. If I want you to listen, I’m going to have to make you.”There was a loud crack as the singular window above her bed shattered. The pieces were blasted inwards, raining over our heads as they clattered to the floor.Ophelia lifted a trembling hand, and the shards of glass began to quiver.It wasn’t possible for her to have this much control, and yet the pieces began to rise. They hovered around her shoulders and back, forming a wall between the two of us.One move and I’d be skewered.I lifted my hands slowly. Taking control of the shards hadn’t slipped my mind. It was an option, but it was one that would likely s

OpheliaI looked up at Lucille, who really hadn’t changed much since I’d pulled out my phone. My mind was soupy, thoughts swirling and churning without any rhyme or reason.I blinked. “I think you blew a blood vessel.”Had I said that already? Oh well.“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” She snarled, grabbing my wrist as I moved to walk past her.I looked down, frowning at the sight of her nails digging into my skin. A few inches higher and she’d be touching the dark-bond mark. We locked eyes, and I could tell she knew what I was thinking.She inched her nails higher, digging them in deep. Scorching pain shot up my arm.I blacked out.Seconds—or minutes—later I blinked. It felt like no time had passed and yet everything was different.Lucille was several feet away, cowering against the wall. Her skin had gone ashen white, eyes wide as saucers.There was glass everywhere.I stumbled, drunkenly turning in a circle.The numerous vases perched on expensive coffee tables had been s

OpheliaThe reflection in the water shifted.Gone was the orange glow from the single candle. Gone were our haggard, severe-looking faces.The water showed us the room we were in, but at what had to be a different point in time. Both curtains were drawn, pinned to the far wall. The moon hung like a droplet of blood in the sky. Even the stars had vanished, blotted out by its harsh light.Large pillar candles dripping wax sat in clusters, their flames casting a glow upon our faces. The furniture was pushed against the wall, leaving the majority of the room open and bare.On the floor, painted in dark ink, was a circle. There were runes dispersed like the numbers on a clock, their shapes unlike anything I’d ever seen before.There was something blunt about them that instantly set me on edge.“A blood moon.” Ryker murmured, “The demons were released on a blood moon.”Jude stiffened, “Not just by anyone. By our parents.”A man and woman appeared within the room. I knew instantly that the m

Ophelia A simple freeing spell was all it would take to unlock the doors of the prison my mother had been thrust into. Matteo Romero, possessed by a demon, had trapped my mother within the pages of the journal, hoping it would break the chantment she'd placed on the island. Plot twist, it didn't. Unfortunately, I had to wait until the third quarter moon at the end of the month. It was a time for release and new beginnings. According to my mother, its energy would be needed to perform the spell. After skimming her instructions, I swallowed my nerves and scribbled out a hasty reply. ‘Does the name Atticus Morningstar mean anything to you? He’s my father, isn’t he? I know you’re the one that put the spell on the island. Is there any way you can undo it?’ I wasn’t sure why, but her reply came faster this time. Right before my eyes, my questions melted into the page, replaced by a neat, delicate script. ‘Yes, Atticus Morningstar is your father. Tread carefully, daughter. There is muc

OpheliaI followed Ryker back to Lucille’s. As we entered, magic seeped from him, cloaking us in an iridescent sheen.His eyes flicked back to where I stood, dripping in the foyer.“If Lucille hears us, Kimberly will find out. She will take her anger out on you.”“She’s been doing it for years. I can handle it.”Pushing away his magic, I walked past him and headed up to my bedroom. He followed, of course. I could feel his presence hovering over my shoulder. His scent, dark chocolate and spice, left my head permanently swimming.“Do you have something I can wear?” he asked as the door clicked shut behind us.I snorted, “You do realize you’re like five times bigger than me, right?”“Yes, I’m aware.” His lips twitched. “You do realize I am a witch, yes?”How that mattered, I wasn’t sure. With a shrug, I walked over to my lopsided dresser and found an old t-shirt and a pair of oversized sweatpants. They were both several sizes too small.I tossed them at him, hoping to hit him in the head