Women in the small kingdom of Aeriana are disappearing.
Iris Daniels, a budding painter in the East Territory, is trying to keep her head down. In a kingdom filled with abilities, music, and Destined love, Iris is determined to build a career out of...
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"When an Ace meets their Destined and activates the bond, it sparks a change within, almost like a transformation at a molecular level. This transformation has resulted in a spectrum of extra abilities, ranging from advanced eyesight all the way to telekinesis. Scientists have spent decades studying these abilities, however, one thing is certain: these abilities appear to be an evolutionist reaction, a way to protect their Destined."
–Dr. Uziel Balakin, Aces: Destiny vs Science, Third Edition, pg. 35
Thad snored softly in one of the queen beds across the room. He'd fallen asleep in less than a minute. Perhaps it had been longer, but one moment he was sitting up and awake, the next he was asleep over the covers.
Wylan worked away at his laptop at the desk in the corner. If he was tired, he didn't show it.
"He must be used to long nights," Iris muttered to herself.
"When you have a flexible schedule," Wylan said without looking up, "you get used to your days and nights blurring."
Iris curled up further onto the couch. It was four in the morning, and despite the hour and the heavy eyelids, she couldn't let sleep overtake her.
She had what felt like a million questions filling her brain. But despite it all, she wasn't sure her head would actually process any of it.
Sometimes when she had a big vision for a painting, but was overwhelmed at how to get there, she started with a grid, or worked in small layers. That way, the piece felt more manageable. It wasn't a mountain she had to climb but a beautiful house she could build step by step.
She felt the need to do the same here. To break things down into steps.
Before it broke her.
Her hand curled around the blanket over her shoulders. "Why are we holing up here?" she asked quietly. "Doesn't it make sense to keep moving?"
"We will," he told her. The surrounding room was just dark enough that the light from the laptop screen put a glow on his face. "When our new ride is dropped off in the parking garage."
Made sense. But... "You can't just... steal another car?"
At that, he looked up, eyebrow raised. Even in the dark, she caught the glitter of amusement in his eyes.
She curled her blanket tighter around herself. Calm down, heart. Even only knowing the man for a few hours, she'd be a liar if she said he wasn't handsome. Despite all that was going on, Wylan had a steady, quiet confidence about him. She took comfort in that. His calm made her own anxiety settle.
