Page 2 of Anger

The swords clashed together.

“You are a creature of the dark, a monster full of sin, an abomination of wickedness,” Alainen shouted as he aimed for her head.

Irideesa pulled back and counter swung. “I am the same person inside!” she yelled.

“Liar!”

“I loved you!” Irideesa cried as she delivered her own blow.

“Another lie! I have joined a squad to hunt all of your kind down. We shall kill each and every one of you vile monstrosities for your crimes against God!”

Irideesa jumped back as an arrow landed near her. Alainen’s full betrayal become apparent as men appeared with bows and arrows notched.

Alainen stepped forward and pressed his attack, which Irideesa parried.

A sneer crossed her face. “I am not the one who betrays love. I’m not the one who is a monster who hunts innocent victims. My squad is hunting Pandora and the Jar, and we shall succeed. And you’ll grovel at my feet for forgiveness. And I tell you now, it’ll not be forthcoming,” Irideesa snarled.

Alainen pressed forward, and she once again defended. But as another arrow landed near her, Irideesa knew she had to escape. She slashed forward and cut Alainen’s handsome face.

“Now your internal ugliness will be visible for the world to see!” Irideesa hissed and dived into the river. She swam deep as possible as arrows rained down in the water, and, using her tail, she was leagues away within minutes.

Surfacing momentarily, tears streamed down Irideesa’s cheeks as she escaped.

The warrior she had loved, who Irideesa thought she had a future with, had sorely betrayed her. She’d never forgive Alainen for this.

Chapter One.

Lanie/Lamia

“Miss Cross, a word, please!” a guy called as she got out of the car. Lanie tilted her head as her chauffeur stepped forward.

“Not too close,” he warned, and Lanie smiled at him.

“Thank you, Ranson. May I help you?” she asked the keen-looking young man.

“I’ve been calling your office for an interview, and I can’t seem to get anywhere. It’s for my end-of-year paper, and some of the other students have got some big names. But I wanted you,” he said.

“What’s your name?” Lanie questioned.

“Simon Clare.”

“Simon, did you set your cap at me because I’m the unicorn everyone wants to interview and people rarely do?”

“Yes—no? Which answer gets me a meeting?” Simon replied eagerly.

Lanie laughed, and Ranson looked amused, even though he remained alert.

“We have to give him kudos for his energy,” Lanie commented. “You may have ten minutes of my time. Call my personal assistant in half an hour. However, should you miss this appointment, there won’t be another. My time is valuable, and I don’t like wasting it!”

“Thank you so much, Miss Cross,” the man said and stepped forward.

Ranson got between them. “No personal contact,” he warned.

“I was just going to shake her hand,” Simon replied.

“No personal contact,” Ranson repeated.

“Okay, okay!” Simon exclaimed.

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