All Chapters of After the Mark: Chapter 21
- Chapter 25
25 chapters
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: Berserker
I moved slowly through the chaos, unsure of where to begin.The battlefield was madness layered upon madness.Massive wolves—some the size of small cars—were tearing into one another, fur and blood staining the snow in violent streaks. Their snarls echoed against the mountains like thunder. Among them, the white-haired black warriors clashed with their mirrored enemies, spears and curved blades flashing under the pale Antarctic light. Their long ears twitched with every sound; their blue eyes burned with fury.Two blurs streaked across the battlefield at impossible speed—one was clearly Juliet. The other had to be the man in the orange parka. They moved like streaks of shadow and frost, appearing and disappearing, leaving broken bodies in their wake.And then—Pain.A tall, slim figure with waist-length white hair appeared in front of me as if the air had split open. His eyes were cold. His lips curled into an evil grin. Before I could react, a long spear drove straight through my che
Last Updated : 2026-02-22
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: Blood of the Ancients
I heard a laugh behind me.Slow. Deep. Amused.I turned.The man in the orange parka stood a few feet away—but the parka was gone now. His shirt clung to his body, soaked in thick blue blood. It streaked across his dark skin like war paint. Without the bulky coat, I could see how powerfully built he was—broad shoulders, carved arms, a body shaped not by vanity, but by centuries of violence.He wasn’t just any vampire.There was something ancient about him.Fast. Controlled. Dangerous.For a brief second, I wondered who would win in a fight between him and Juliet.He walked toward me calmly, like he owned the ground beneath his feet. When he reached me, he placed a firm hand on my arm—not aggressive, just claiming space—and looked at Juliet.“Cousin,” he said, voice smooth but commanding. “Where did you find this one?”Cousin?Juliet just chuckled.I stared at her. Cousin?Before I could process that, he gave my arm a light squeeze.“Come,” he said. “Let’s get you inside. You need a sh
Last Updated : 2026-02-23
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: The Edge of Loyalty
“Daniel” I called out to him…“Daniel.”I called out to him.He looked at me immediately.“You don’t need to say anything,” I told him.I turned and stepped out of the pool. Water trailed down my body as I grabbed a towel from the arm of a nearby chair and wrapped it around myself.Then I walked around the pool to where Daniel and Timi were.“Walk with me,” I said to Timi.“Ohhh,” Timi said dramatically. He turned to Daniel with a grin. “Seems like I’m in trouble. Anyway, we’ll continue our chat later.”He jumped out of the pool.I quickly looked away, not wanting to see him completely exposed. A second later, I heard fabric rustle as he wrapped a towel around his waist.“Well, well, well,” he said as he followed me. “What do you want to talk about?”I didn’t answer.I walked out of the pool chamber and into the long glowing corridor. The blue crystal walls reflected faint light as guards passed us, bowing slightly to Timi.As we walked, he spoke first.“How is Tunde? Last time I saw
Last Updated : 2026-02-25
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Caught in the Blue Night
After talking with Juliet for a while, she excused herself.“Will you be okay on your own?” she asked.I nodded.She searched my face for a second longer, then turned and disappeared down the hall.I sat there in silence.The great dining hall was almost empty now. Slaves moved quietly between the long tables, clearing plates, wiping wine stains, stacking goblets. Their footsteps echoed softly against the crystal floor.I looked toward the massive window.It was pitch dark outside.The kingdom that had looked so alive earlier now shimmered under the night sky, blue lights glowing faintly in the distance.I figured I’d sit for a few more minutes… then try to figure out where I was supposed to go next.Suddenly—Two soft hands covered my eyes.“Guess who?” a tiny voice whispered.I smiled immediately.“Ayara.”She removed her hands and slid into the seat beside me.“How did you know?” she asked, pretending to be offended.“You have the tiniest voice I’ve ever heard.”“It’s not that tiny
Last Updated : 2026-02-25
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: Half Dead at Dawn
We sat across from each other at one of the tavern’s wooden tables.Ayara and I on one side.Juliet and Timi on the other.I glanced at Timi.He was biting the inside of his cheek, clearly trying not to burst into laughter.Then I looked at Ayara.She was smiling proudly, like she had just won something.Then I looked at Juliet.Her arms were folded.She was slowly shaking her head at me.I cleared my throat.“It’s not what it looks like.”“It is what it looks like,” Ayara cut in immediately.“We just came out for a stroll,” I added quickly. “She wanted to show me around. We ended up here.”“He’s my boyfriend now,” Ayara said again, grabbing my arm tightly.I pushed her hands off.“I am not your boyfriend,” I snapped.Right on cue, Bhaim the busboy appeared with two large cups of wine and dropped them aggressively in front of us.“The drinks are on the house,” he said loudly, “for the lovely couple.”“Oh God…”I rested my forehead on my arm on the table.“See? I told you,” Ayara giggl
Last Updated : 2026-02-26