I shot up in my bed, sweat running down my face. I scrubbed it away with my clammy palms, trying to get the visions from that nightmare out of my head. I could still see that demon's smile stretched clean from ear to ear, still feel the way his breath blew against my hair.

I shuddered. It was just a dream. I repeated it like a mantra under my breath, as I heaved myself out of bed. It was just a ...

A crack rang through the air as his fist clanked against my jaw. I could practically feel the bruise forming, the pain overtaking my senses.

He cackled above where I lay, bleeding on the ground. "You seriously thought you could beat me?" The amusement in his tone hurt worse than the aching on my face. Maybe I really was no more than just a minor inconvenience to him.

I worked up enough blood-ti...

I was never what people would call a "self-starter". I preferred to sit back and let people do the work for me. It was easier that way. And I liked easier.

My grades were shot, but it didn't matter, I had my wealth to fall back on. I didn't play sports, I didn't need to. I had a personal trainer to help me stay fit. I learned to play the piano, but that was mostly for my mother's benefit; I coul...

Her heart thumped steadily as she traipsed down the path. The mist wafted across the field, blowing her skirt out behind her. She felt like something out of a movie, all those romances her mother used to watch. Kind of ironic; the whole reason she was out here was for the man she loved.

Her steps slowed as she approached a short stone wall. Hefting one foot over and then another, she hopped down...

Clark slid down the rope, the fibers making a zipping sound as they rubbed against his leather gloves. His feet hit the ground with a thud.

He glanced about the cave, squinting into the darkness creeping in around him. He lifted his wrist, pointing his watch into the dark. He turned slowly, until the device began to blink. That way.

He trudged through the cave, tripping over rocks and cracks a...

"I have never been more excited to visit a post office."

Lana raised an eyebrow. "You know, I could do without the attitude."

Austin rolled his eyes. "Let's just get this over with."

The two shuffled into the tiny office, stepping in line behind an elderly man. The employee was busy, trying to explain something to him, but he seemed to be having a hard time hearing her, let alone understanding ...

"I really can't stand you."

"Then why are you still listening to me?"

"Because I love you!" Derek shouted, hands running through his hair in agitation. "I love you, and I hate that I do. I hate that you smile and I get weak. I hate that all I think about is you. I hate that all you have to do is say the word, and I'll follow you to the gates of Hell."

Ana stared at him, her mouth hanging open. ...

The heads of my men hung dejectedly as they nursed their wounds, a layer of gravitas settling over the room. I glanced over the group, my heart sinking at the sight. All these soldiers, people I'd trained and fought with....they'd all been beaten and broken to the point of losing hope.

I couldn't blame them. I mean, who am I kidding, we all knew it was a lost cause from the beginning. But that d...

"Alyssa, you gotta let me explain!" I cried, running a hand through my hair. "I know what this looks like, but it's not that!"

My sister glared at me from across my bedroom. "Yeah, right. You just snuck into your room through the window dressed as the Crimson Spark, and you're going to tell me that you're not him?!"

"I'm not! I'm trust the president of his fan club!" I peeled the domino mask off...

Henry stared at the blade poking his throat, eyes blown wide in confusion. The tip danced over his Adam's Apple as he swallowed. "I don't...I don't understand," he murmured. His gaze drifted up to the man standing before him. "How did you beat me?"

His opponent's lips curled up into a sneer. "Kid, you weren't anywhere near my level."

Henry licked his lips, the taste of iron coating his tongue. "...