"What the hell?" I took a step closer to the mirror, staring at my reflection in disbelief. The person looking back was still me, but at the same time it wasn't. I had the same thick, dark, curly hair. The same hazel eyes. The same olive skin with a light dusting of freckles (ugh) scattered across the bridge of my nose. But my curls were now streaked with highlights. And not the subtle, golden-brown ones that sometimes appeared during the summer. No, these were an aggressive, dazzling blond that went from the roots of my hair all the way to the tips. It looked like I had spent a full day getting my hair done in some upscale salon. Never mind that I had never set foot in such a place since the day I was born. My eyes appeared somehow wider and more luminous. The colour brighter, my eyelashes darker up against them. And, when I looked closely, my pupils seemed to be slitted almost like a cat. I looked down at my body. My skinny arms-which had always refused to gain any definition no matter how hard I exercised-were lined with flat, wiry muscles. My bony shoulders were now curved and smooth. My scrawny legs were toned like a dancer. I reached down and lifted my shirt, revealing two subtle lines running vertically down my perfectly flat stomach, hinting at the rock-hard abs underneath. My whole body was rippling with strength. Like liquid steel.

If you are given a choice to choose between your family and your love what would you choose ? With their fates entangled they can't escape their destiny. They have to decide whether to lose or to die. His scent was like the rain drops on the ground, His touch was like soft yet cold snow against my bare waist, His lips were like tulip's touch against my lips, And his eyes , his eyes were lonely and beautiful like the night sky. I've thought about this moment since I saw him. Didn't know it would come true in such inauspicious situation. Joy Ian a playful girl studying to get into college, with her life totally not figured out. Getting into problems was her side business but when Joy encounter a mysterious guy named Xavier Hayes. She felt drawn towards him awkwardly. Something about him made her restless and want to stay beside him and to know about him. She started finding herself involved in every situation which included him. While all he did was push her away , tell her how annoying she was, break her heart , ignore her and proved million times that he feels nothing towards her. But the fact of being away from him hurted her more than getting ignored by him. But its all for some time, she has to choose between her family and love. To save ONE or to lose BOTH. But as for Xavier his life was already messed up . His life was different from others. He was sold by his dad to a drug mafia. Although he hated his life and he was forced to be part of it. He did it all for his family to be safe but when he encounters Joy Ian a 18 year old lively girl. Knowing that staying away from her was the only way not to lose her but with his desires so bright it all starts to crumble.... Cover credits @Ashley_Mariex

WATTYS 2016 WINNER Untouchable. Stone. Jewel - these are some of the names used for people who are born with a gemstone at the centre of their forehead. This unfortunate phenomenon cannot be detected before birth, it cannot be prevented, if a family has a Jewelled child, there is only one outcome: Before they're sixteen, they will have to leave human society forever and serve "the Zephyr". Among the Jewels there are those who have it worse. Those who sport clear diamonds on their foreheads, the Undefined. The downtrodden, the unlucky - the doomed. Cello Riles and Syianne Locke are both Undefined. On their sixteenth birthday, they each leave their homes and travel across the country to the Zephyr, attempting to go into service. Though aside from the place, or thing, that will take them from human society forever - what IS the Zephyr? There are only questions promised, only shadowy riddles guaranteed. Yet faced with no other choice they must venture forth and plunge into the unknown - the Zephyr. [A big thanks to @stpolishook for being a wonderful friend and helping me figure out how to write a better synopsis] COVER BY Abyss-of-Crazy