Page 1 of Chaos Carnival

Chapter One: Broken Sanctuary

Tess

Thesulfurintheair reeked of Ivan's magic—darker now, more potent. My legs gave out as I knelt beside Maverick, the cold floor of Empire Decay Ink biting into my knees. The shop I'd just reclaimed as my own, turned back into a nightmare in seconds. Static electricity sparked between us as I steadied him, tiny blue arcs jumping from his skin to mine.

A hysterical laugh bubbled up in my throat.

One month.

I'd had less than one fucking month of supposed freedom after escaping Ivan's control, after surviving the Devil's Delirium, after becoming whatever I was now. Some kind of hybrid creature, because Maverick had to force his power into me,claiming me as his mate. Trading one man's control for another's. Now, the mate bond thrummed between us, an unwanted tether that made my skin crawl, even as it called to something deep inside me. At least Ivan had been honest about his intentions to own me.

And now he was back, stronger than ever, threatening to put me in a jar like some twisted genie. The acrid fumes curled through the air, carrying the echoes of his maniacal laughter. My hands trembled as they hovered over Maverick's shoulders, remembering how Ivan's magical barrier had sent him flying.

Outside, the midnight sky pressed against the shop windows, darkness making the ghostly blue wisps seem to glow brighter. Even with three ancient seraphim in the room—Maverick, Stone, and Lux—Ivan had waltzed in here, untouchable. My stomach churned at the thought of what that meant. Blue tendrils danced in front of my eyes, and I blinked hard, trying to focus. The familiar smell of ink and antiseptic after Lux's tattoo fought with the lingering sulfur. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice whispered that I should be terrified. But something else rose up instead—rage, bright and burning. I wasn't his “cum rag” anymore. I wasn't alone anymore. And I was done being afraid.

I stared at the empty space where Ivan had been, the pungent stench burning my nostrils. Smoke drifted through the air like phantoms. My hands trembled as I helped Maverick sit up, his skin still crackling with residual energy.

Stone and Lux rushed over, their footsteps echoing in the sudden quiet of the shop. Only the heavy sound of our breathing and the faint sizzle of static. I wiped my face with the back of my hand, the silence shattered by an unexpected British drawl.

“Well, that was quite the electrifying performance. Though I must say, the special effects were a touch overdone.”

My head snapped toward Oscar's crystal skull, perched on the shelf between vintage spell books and dried herbs. Three pairs of eyes followed my startled gaze.

“Did that... skull just speak?” Maverick's eyebrows shot up.

“With perfect diction, I might add.” Oscar's crystalline surface caught the light. “Since we're doing introductions, I'm Oscar. The ghost of criticism past, one might say.”

Stone stepped forward, his tactical mind already assessing. “You've been able to talk this whole time?”

“My dear boy, I've been chattering away for ages. Miss Tess here has been my sole audience, though I must say she's been a rather captive one.”

“Is that… OscarWilde?” asked Lux.

I nodded at him and crossed my arms. “Oscar, you've never wanted anyone else to know about you before.”

“My sweet witch, when a man starts throwing lightning bolts in one's general vicinity, one tends to reassess one's position on remaining decorative.” He sparkled with what I swore was amusement. “Besides, the game has clearly evolved from chess to something more akin to Russian roulette, and I've never been one to stay silent during life's more interesting moments.”

Lux leaned against the counter, a smile playing at his lips. “A talking crystal skull containing Oscar Wilde's consciousness. Now I've seen everything.”

Oscar's tone dripped with theatrical sympathy. “Oh darling, if that's everything you've seen, you've been living a desperately dull exist–”

“Ahh…” A sharp pain exploded behind my eyes, doubling me over. The room tilted sideways as images crashed through my mind.

Addie in our apartment.

The purple throw pillows scattered across the floor.

The scent of her lavender hand cream mixed with copper and fear.

My stomach heaved. Cold sweat broke out on my skin as another flash hit. Ivan's hands crackled with that blue electricity, reaching for her throat. Her favorite mug shattered on our kitchen floor. Coffee spread like dark blood over the tiles.

“Tess?” Maverick's voice came from far away, sounding underwater and distorted.

I couldn't breathe.

Couldn't think.

The vision slammed into me again.

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