Novels by Lillington

The boardroom was larger than Anna had imagined.A polished walnut table stretched almost the entire length of the room, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, bathing the room in natural light despite the dark wood and muted décor. Multiple screens lined one wall, already displaying charts, financial reports and market figures.Conversations filled the room in low tones as more and more people file into the room, taking their assigned seats. Executives stood in small groups, discussing quarterly reports over cups of coffee while assistants arranged documents before their employers.Anna followed Dean quietly, careful not to get in anyone's way.Dean stopped near one end of the table."This seat."She nodded and took the chair directly behind his, placing the tablet, notebook and folders neatly in front of her.Her heart refused to slow down as she tucked her slightly trembling hands under the table. This was unlike anything she'd e

"You're hired."Dean had already reached for the phone on his desk."Linda."The call connected almost immediately."Prepare the employment documents."He ended the call before waiting for a response.Anna blinked. "...That's it?"Dean looked up from another file."Did you expect fireworks?""No, I...""You wanted a job." He stated. "You have one."He picked up another document, clearly finished with the conversation."You'll find Human Resources downstairs."Anna remained seated for another second, convinced there had to be more.More questions, a second interview or even salary negotiations. Something.Dean glanced up again. "Miss Williams.""Yes?""The door.""Oh." Heat rushed to her face as she stood. "Thank you, sir."He had already gone back to reading.Anna quietly let herself out.The moment the office door closed behind her, she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.The HR manager waiting outside smiled."I take it everything went well?"Anna looked at her

Anna stared at the unfamiliar number flashing across her phone for several seconds. Was it Karl? She left his house a few days ago to stay at a friend's place for the time being. She glanced down at the number again, why would he call her using a different number? She hadn't ignored his call when he checked in with her about her brother's new hospital address. She slides right on the receive button. "Hello?" "Good morning. Am I speaking with Miss Anna Williams?" She frowned slightly. "Yes, speaking." "My name is Claire from Gordon Empire's Human Resources Department." Anna sat up straighter on the edge of the narrow bed. Gordon Empire? "I'm calling regarding your application for the Personal Assistant position." Her brows knitted together. "...My application?" "Yes, ma'am. I'm pleased to inform you that you've successfully passed the initial screening stage. We'd like to invite you for an interview this morning, if you're available." Anna's mind went com

The silence inside the house had become its own kind of prison.Melody sat on the edge of the sofa, her hands folded tightly in her lap as she stared at the muted television without seeing a single image on the screen.The clock on the wall ticked steadily and every second seemed louder than the last.She glanced toward the front door for what had to be the twentieth time in the last hour before forcing herself to look away again.He wasn't home yet.Which meant she could breathe.For now.A week ago, the house had felt like hers. Now it felt like Caden was watching her every second of the day.Her phone buzzed on the coffee table.She reached for it before stopping herself.No. She had to think first. She looked toward the hallway to find it empty before picking up the phone.Her stomach tightened as soon as she saw the caller ID. It was Karl.The same reason why Caden has been nothing but a beast these past few weeks. She'd been ignoring his texts and now he was calling. Of course

Karl stepped out of the elevator and headed straight for Dean's office. The secretary outside looked up from her desk. "Good morning, Mr. Gordon." Karl acknowledged her with a nod before continuing. She opened her mouth, probably to announce him, but he had already reached the door. He knocked on the door gently. "Come in." Karl pushed the door open. Dean sat behind his desk, surrounded by paperwork. Several résumés were spread across the polished oak surface while another stack rested neatly at one corner. His attention remained fixed on the document in his hand. He didn't bother looking up. "Leave it there." Karl closed the door behind him. "I intend to." Dean frowned slightly; that wasn't his secretary's voice. His eyes lifted and narrowed on his guest. “Why are you here?” Karl crossed the room with measured steps before stopping in front of the desk. “Good morning to you too.” Karl smirked. Dean finally placed the résumé aside, slamming the folder on the table lo

Karl stepped out of his bedroom and nearly walked straight into her. He stopped abruptly. Anna froze too. For a second neither of them moved. Morning sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting pale gold across the penthouse, and in the middle of it stood Anna wearing one of his shirts. The oversized white fabric hung loosely over her frame, the sleeves rolled twice at the wrists. Her dark hair was still slightly damp from her shower, falling over one shoulder. Karl forgot whatever he had been about to say. Anna looked equally uncomfortable. "Sorry," she blurted. Karl blinked. "What?" "I wasn't paying attention." He blinked again and soon looked away, catching himself before he muttered something he would definitely regret. “It's fine.” The silence that followed was awkward. It was painfully awkward. After everything that had happened over the past few days, neither of them seemed to know what to say or how to say anything.. Like hell, what could

Kelvin glances at the letter in his hands and back at Keith in disbelief.Laying on his table is a letter from the royal palace, requesting him to take up the position of King.Kelvin was a distant relative to the royal family, and it was almost like his lineage was never going to be king despite being related to the royal family..Keith glances up at Kelvin, he have been watching the young man for a while now, and he knew that this man was more than suitable for that position..“You want me to take over the position of the King? This is a huge responsibility! I don't think that I am…” “You are very vast in politics. You are kind hearted, I have tested you a thousand times in the past few months, and you have not failed one. You are just the right person for that seat..” Kelvin was visually surprised and a little bit doubtful..“I heard that the court wanted you to become king. Your father was King. It is only reasonable for you to ascend as one too..” Keith smiled. There's somethin

Warden,Ava and the Grandmaster were more than ready for what was about to go down. Amanda was going to be crowned queen and they won't let that happen!All they needed to do was to submit their evidences to the court, and she would be apprehended immediately.Unfortunately, Amanda doubled the security around the palace. No one is allowed in except she authorises it.The only way to get into the palace would be by using force, something the Grandmaster had visioned in the past!Ellinor was standing right next to Warden,she was going to take out her frustration, anger and pain on those bastards. Anyone who dares to stand in their way.She was going to be leading several men into the palace. The idea was to take down each and every guard within the palace walls, assuming everyone was on Amanda side. Despite the fact that she was just getting better, Rose wanted to be a part of this. They were the ones who had set her up with Jeff. It was only fair that she gets her own fair share of unl

“Your highness you can't make such drastic decisions! The King has just been laid to rest and we need the two Princes to complete the events! Then we can ordain our new king..” Amanda was sitting on the throne, facing the court members after hours had passed.Arthur was laid in his room and his funeral will be happening the next day. She didn't waste any more time to get things started.“I understand your fears but prince Keith is nowhere to be found. The guards have searched everywhere for him but no one can find him. He seem to have dropped from the surface of the earth. We can't and I repeat we can't leave the throne empty. We need to do what is right and needful at this minute.” “What are you suggesting that we do then? We just have to keep looking for the Prince and hope that he returns one day.” A member of the court replied.“How long do we hope to wait? Eternity? The young man has just lost his father. A man he met a few days back. I don't think that he will be in the right f

It was the day of the very last competition and Keith found himself a bit anxious..Today's competition was supposed to be the display of royal gifts. It is to show everyone that he is truly his father's son. He was also given the gifts bestowed to the royal family hy the Creator.Keith glances at Edward who was more than confident in his own abilities. He had seen what Edward looks like when he isn't full control of himself , he was nothing short of a monster…Keith was worried, chances are that Edward would go out of hand as a result of this so-call display..“The events has been going smoothly and we have come to the very last one. You would have to show everyone that you are truly your father's son and this is as a result of your absence…” “We believe that the two of you have remarkable abilities, you will be forced to put you both in a combat only then can we tell the strongest..” Edward smirks at this, it was almost like he had seen it coming from a million miles away..His exc

Keith stepped out briefly a smile on his face. He felt so alive and radiant with energy..The discussion he had with Ellinor was a beautiful one that yielded results! He had expected that talk to be a direct opposite of what eventually happened! He assured her that she was safe and her that secret was safe with him..Keith decided to walk around that early morning, trying to get as much sunlight soon as possible..‘You didn't win the competition yesterday.”He turned to see Hana, someone he least expected to see at the moment!She seems to be out for the sun as well but a rather disturbed look was on her face..“And why does matter if I win or not?” Keith asked in irritation.He decided to drop the act of playing nice, it was time for her to know that she was in the wrong..“But you seemed happy. Llike you won. am sure that you want to be king as much as Edward wants it too.” She pointed out.Keith tilts his head to the side, wondering where this conversation was going to lead to..H

Keith had a smile on his face, he won this round and his points seems to be looking up really good.The most important thing was the fact that Ellinor told him his family were safe like she promised.Nothing could make him anymore happier than that. To know that his family was safe and sound in the Jade temple.Ellinor was right next to him. She notice the radiant smile on his face, making her wonder if he wanted to go meet his family…“Are you going to stop by and say hello to them? Your mother, Agnes, asked of you and I told that that you were doing fine..”Keith was quiet, he didn't think about going to visit Agnes, neither did he expect her to ask about him.Agnes and Williams are every right to blame Emma's death on him. It was his duty to protect his sister but he failed horribly..To make matters worse, the person who had caused them pain happens to be someone related to him by blood!“As long as they are safe in the temple, I am fine. There's no need for me to go and visit them

Kael tightened his grip around the Meadow Iron sword, turning slowly where he stood. Every shadow between the ancient trunks seemed alive and every branch overhead could have hidden another pair of watchful eyes.He could feel them watching them in pure silence. His breathing slowed as he searched the forest, but no matter where he looked, he found nothing except towering trees whose branches swallowed the afternoon sky."...Where are they?" he whispered."You've been looking at them since you stepped into the forest."Kael spun toward the voice but he saw nothing. Only another stretch of trees.Lyra remained perfectly still beside him, her empty hands raised slightly away from her body. Liam did the same, looking far calmer than Kael thought any sane person should."Show yourselves," Liam called.The words had barely left his mouth when figures began dropping from the branches.Not a single leaf stirred beneath their feet.Kael watched in stunned silence as elves emerged from plac

The cottage fell silent and only the crackling of broken wood and the distant laughter from the village square could be heard.Kael stood frozen, the Meadow Iron sword gripped tightly in both hands.More masked figures emerged outside.One stepped onto the roof, another appeared atop the well across the road.Two more stood on opposite rooftops, watching without moving.Others simply walked into the narrow street until every path leading away from the cottage had been sealed.Kael swallowed. If he so happens to die, this might just be the day he does. "There are too many..."Liam never took his eyes off the leader."There always were."The leader rested his sword against one shoulder."You've become slower, Master Liam." The leader said. “There never used to be none witty in your prime.” "I've become old.""You say that as though it excuses you."Liam smiled faintly. "It does."The assassin inclined his head politely."Perhaps."He shifted his attention to Kael."Come with us."Kael

Kael dropped flat just as Liam shouted. The black blade sliced through the space where his head had been a heartbeat earlier before crashing into the wall behind him. Stone burst apart, sending dust and splinters across the cottage. Kael rolled across the floor and sprang back to his feet. His heart hammered fast against his ribs as he reached for his head, touching it frantically. By the light! This man would have secured his head without a second thought! He could have died, gone and forgotten by the world. The thought made Kael gasp for breath. These men were different from Lafey. Lafey was huge thus making him sort of predictable but these men moved with the wind! If he did as much as blink, his head could have left his shoulders. Before Kael could regain his footing, another figure blurred across the room. Lyra met him halfway in a blink of an eye. A sharp ring echoed through the cottage as a dagger collided with twin blades. Sparks scattered between t

The celebration carried on behind them.Laughter rolled across the square. Someone struck a drum. Children ran between the houses with flowers woven into their hair, completely unaware that death had already entered Meadow.Liam hoped the people would be able to distract the men for a bit. Kael tightened his grip around the wrapped sword Liam had placed in his hands.It still felt unreal.A few moments ago, the people had been thanking him, but now he was running again.Liam didn't waste another second."This way."The old man turned sharply into a narrow alley between two cottages without looking back.Lyra followed immediately. Kael hurried after them, keeping his hood low.As soon as they disappeared from the square, the sounds of celebration became distant, only their hurried footsteps remained.Kael glanced over his shoulder once.The three travellers were still standing near the northern entrance.They hadn't moved."Are they following us?" he whispered."They don't need to," L

For the first time in years, no Astra banners flew above Meadow square.The wooden poles where they had once hung stood empty, blackened by the fires from the night before. Burnt wagons still smoked near the lower district and several buildings had collapsed into heaps of charred timber, yet no one complained.Children laughed as they chased one another between the ruins.Families who had thought they would never see each other again embraced in the middle of the streets. Mothers held their sons so tightly the boys struggled to breathe, while fathers wiped tears from their faces before anyone noticed.Kael sat beneath an old oak tree with a wooden cup in his hands, watching everything unfold.He had never seen Meadow like this.The people who usually kept their heads lowered now walked with their backs straight. The fear that had lived in their eyes had not disappeared completely, but something stronger had taken its place.Hope.A small smile found its way onto Kael's face.Perhaps

The laughter around the tea house faded as the members of the Five Pillars departed one after another.The servants quietly cleared away untouched cups of tea and half-finished meals while musicians in the corner resumed their soft melodies as though nothing important had happened.It was getting a bit late into the day and Eldric found himself still seated back at the pavilion with his tea. He kept his eyes fixed on the empty teacup before him, exhaling a couple times as though he had just dodged death. Vaelorin had left, Seraphine had disappeared with her boy toy which she swore was no more than a servant of hers which Eldric knew was a horrible lie. Malthor had wandered off with two attendants hanging on his arms and Cassian had walked away without another word.Good. Very good.They had not mentioned Meadow.Perhaps the letter from his handler had not reached them after all. Perhaps the survivors had exaggerated. Perhaps…."You seem relieved."Eldric nearly threw his cup into