{{Unedited}} When Austin pulled up to Marielle’s apartment building and parked the car, he left the engine running for a moment, and neither of them moved. His eyes followed a path to her apartment building, which looked like a prison in his mind. He was about to say goodbye to “them” for real, wasn’t he? …

{{Unedited}} “How are you?” Klara asked from behind Vincent as he tinkered with a metallic piece that he’d fit onto their spike. He turned to her. “I’m okay, I guess.” He paused, crossing his arms over his chest. “How was the holiday?” Klara shrugged a shoulder and went silent for a moment as she pushed …

{{Unedited}}   When Vincent left, he was promptly shoved against the wall by Austin who immediately had a finger in his face. “What do you want, Austin?” Vincent growled. “I want you to promise me…” Vincent shoved his hands in his slack pockets and shrugged, shaking his head. “Promise you what, Austin?” “You’re a coward. …

{{Unedited}} When Marielle woke up, she wasn’t as peaceful as she’d been when she’d ended the night. Not because she’d changed her mind – she smiled softly at the ring as it glittered on her finger – but because she knew that she had to tell Austin that she’d said yes to being Vincent’s wife …

{{Unedited}} Austin rolled over and flicked the light on. Below the lamp was the picture of the Queen of Hearts card stained with blood… his blood… her blood… the blood of their enemies… it didn’t matter. What he knew right now was that he was shivering and it wasn’t that cold in his house. And …

{{Unedtied}}   He was coughing again, a lot… and the more that Vincent looked at him, the more it hurt his heart and his mind. Vincent lifted a hand and put it to Hazal’s back. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, and he meant it. But all that Vincent wanted to do was escape. He wanted …

{{Unedited}}   Marielle had walked away when she heard Austin calling to her. His voice was overwhelming and all-consuming in her head, sometimes. -Come to me… he’d begged and she’d started toward him. But why? To what end? Marille knew that if she went to him and actually made it to the piano and the …

{{Unedited}}   “Your move…” Cory taunted, staring down at the chess set. Vincent started to lift a chess piece. “You sure about that, boyo?” Vincent paused, thinking, and then peering up into Cory’s eyes to try and read him. Cory smirked and sat back against the chair and in that instant, Vincent knew. “Oui, mon …

{{Unedited}}   “No, mon amie,” Chamber’s sad voice was heard, whispered in Austin’s ear piece.  Marielle was certain that the world had stopped spinning. There were images flooding her mind from the last five months layering on top of one another and jolting through her in waves. For a moment, no one said anything. The …

{{Unedited}}     Now, I am the desert dry, and endless and you are the rain that turns me into the beautiful mud; the moldable clay. Make me as you want me, darling. Trap me with your love. I beg you. Give me my prison again. – Austin Rancor.   ***   Austin thanked Sabine …