Chapters (66)
- PREFACE
- Full Page Image
- ONE
- TWO
- One week ago
- THREE
- Present day
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- FIFTY-SEVEN
- FIFTY-EIGHT
- FIFTY-NINE
- SIXTY
- SIXTY-ONE
- SIXTY-TWO
Our relationship was never perfect. God knows, we've had plenty of ups and downs, some of which we never recovered from. In a way, both Nikki and I were—are—still slaves to our past. The only difference is that his got him killed while mine is slowly killing me. But our differences made us challenge each other.
Lying on my back, I stare at the clear sky, somehow unable to believe this is my life.
Out of nowhere, a dark shadow appears in front of my eyes.
I startle up into a sitting position, blinking repeatedly just as the dark mist starts taking shape, materializing into the form of a man.
"Nikki?" I whisper, my eyes widening.
THIRTY-EIGHT
He doesn't answer, merely coming closer to me. He reaches with his hand, the ghost of a touch brushing against my face. My eyes snap shut as I inhale sharply, the warmth left behind by his caress making my pulse spike up.
"It's you, isn't it?" I murmur, nuzzling my face against the ghostly palm.
"Luce." His voice reverberates through my being. "My Luce," he whispers as he dips his head, his diaphanous cheek brushing against my own.
Tears of pure joy cling to my lashes as I let myself feel him, my soul rejoicing at being near his again.
"You stayed away for so long." I stifle a sob.
"I couldn't come. I'm not that... strong."
"It's okay." I shake my head, realizing I'm being unreasonable. "You don't have to excuse yourself. The fact that you're here means everything to me. Especially after we parted on such bad terms."
"I only want what's good for you," he continues, his voice raspy and pained. "I don't want you to get hurt. Not on my account."
"I'll be fine, Nikki. I've already finished the second trial." I smile.
He leans back, the mist swaying in the wind, waves of shimmery dust sparkling inside him.
"You will not quit, will you?" he asks with a sigh.
I shake my head.
"I know I can do it," I tell him confidently.
"At least you have your team... I feel better that you have people by your side who can help you."
My smile falls, my features tense.
"I'll be on my own for the next trial," I tell him reluctantly.
"What?" His voice booms, echoing in the stillness of nature. "Luce! You've seen the competition! How can you defeat those people?"
"I know. But I can't in good conscience continue with my team. Not after..." I take a deep breath.
"What happened?" he barks, my ever so protective knight.
I give him a tight smile.
"Maybe I'm foolish." I sigh. "But all my life I've been disrespected by everyone around me—treated as less than human. Now... well, the mere fact that I'm human makes me less."
"I don't understand."