Novels by Becky Chikezie

Ariana's POV"What do you mean that it followed me?"The servant nodded quickly."I saw it, My Lady. It didn't attack anyone. It walked through the castle like it already knew where it was going."I looked at Kael."I've been here the whole time.""I know that," he replied.His eyes moved to the open doors of the castle."If she's telling the truth, then it wasn't following you."I frowned."Then who?"Before anyone answered, another guard came running out of the castle."The beast is in the old chapel!"Kael picked up his sword from the ground."Rowan.""I'm coming.""Selene, stay with Ariana."I folded my arms.

Ariana's POVNobody knew what to do.The creature stayed where it was.Its head was lowered before me.The same monster that had torn through the castle gates now looked... obedient.I stared at it, unable to understand what was happening."I don't understand," I whispered.The beast slowly lifted its head.Its red eyes were no longer filled with rage.They looked calm.Almost gentle.I took one careful step back.The creature did not follow.Instead, it lowered its head again.Around us, nobody moved.Then one of the hunters shouted, "Don't let her control it!"The spell was broken.Arrows flew through the air."Down!" Rowan yelled.Before I could react, someone grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to the ground.An arrow flew over my head.Kael.He covered me with his body as more arrows struck the stone around us."You never listen," he muttered.Even in the middle of danger, I almost smiled."You've noticed?"He looked at me for a second."I noticed the first day I met you."

Ariana's POVNobody moved.The battle stopped on its own.Even the hunters lowered their weapons and stepped aside.Whatever was coming...They were making room for it.The heavy footsteps grew louder.Each one made the ground shake beneath my feet.I looked at the broken gate.Smoke drifted through the opening.For a few seconds, all I could see were shadows.Then something huge walked into the courtyard.It looked like a wolf.But no wolf could ever grow that large.Its head was higher than a horse.Its black fur was rough and covered with old scars. One ear was torn. Thick chains dragged behind it, scraping against the stones with a harsh sound.Its eyes were red.Not the bright red of fire.The dull red of something that had forgotten mercy.It stopped in the middle of the courtyard and lifted its head.The roar that burst from its mouth made several horses panic.One of the castle guards dropped his sword.Another covered his ears.I could not look away.The creature slowly turne

Ariana's POVThe roar came again.This time it lasted longer.The windows shook so hard that one of them cracked.The young guard standing near the door took two slow steps back."I've never heard anything like that," he whispered.Neither had I.The sound didn't just reach my ears.I felt it inside me.Like something was calling my name from far away.Selene grabbed my arm."We're leaving."I pulled away."No."She stared at me."This isn't the time to argue.""I'm not hiding while people are risking their lives because of me.""They're risking their lives because the King ordered them to.""Exactly."I walked past her.She caught up with me before I reached the door."If you leave this room, he'll blame me.""I'll tell him it was my choice.""You don't know Kael."I stopped walking and looked at her."No.""I don't.""But neither do you."For the first time, Selene had nothing to say.Another explosion shook the castle.Dust drifted from the ceiling.The frightened guard looked betw

Ariana's POVNobody waited for me to ask another question.Kael was already moving."Rowan."His voice was firm."Get every entrance sealed."Rowan nodded once and headed for the door."I'll send more guards to the east wall.""Don't send them."Rowan stopped."If the hunters crossed our border this easily, they wanted us to notice them. They're waiting."Rowan understood immediately."I'll take another route."He disappeared into the hallway.Kael turned to Selene."Take Ariana upstairs."I stared at him."What?""You'll stay in your room.""I'm not hiding.""It's not a request."His words annoyed me."I wasn't asking for permission."I walked past him and headed for the door.Before I could reach it, his hand caught my wrist.Not roughly.Just enough to stop me.I looked down at his hand.Then back at him."You can't keep doing this.""I'm trying to keep you alive.""I don't even know why they're looking for me.""Neither do they."His answer made no sense."What is that supposed to

Ariana's POVThe silver light disappeared as suddenly as it had come.I blinked.For a second, I wondered if I had imagined it.My hand flew to my collarbone.The skin felt warm.I rubbed it gently, expecting to find something there.Nothing."What was that?" I asked, looking from one face to another.Nobody answered.Selene stood frozen near the door.She had been glaring at me only moments ago. Now she looked as if she had seen a ghost.Her lips parted, but no words came out.I frowned."Selene?"She didn't even look at me.Her eyes stayed on the place where the light had appeared."No..." she whispered. "It shouldn't be possible."A knot formed in my chest."What shouldn't be possible?"Before she could answer, Kael stepped in front of me.His body blocked me from everyone's view.The change in him caught me off guard.He wasn't angry.He wasn't cold.He looked... concerned.His eyes searched my face as if he was making sure I was still standing."Does it hurt?" he asked quietly.I