Asrai

Chapter 21: Dice Dice Baby

Just as we finished, a light knock tapped at my door.

“River?” Vince peeked in, eyes wide with excitement. “You ready?”

“Yes,” I said simply.

“Oww, okay cuz!” he grinned. “Aunty, you did good.”

“Alright, let’s go, River,” he added, his tone shifting. “The fae transition is underway. The Alliance has left, and we need to get to The Core before it’s complete. You know how they get at the start of their transit—even they struggle to keep themselves in check.”

So do the vamps but here we are going to a club with the main terrorizer ... i thought but kept it to myself.

We headed downstairs, passing through Gran’s hallway. As we neared the stairs across from her room, I heard a faint shuffle.

“Vince,” I whispered, pointing. “Who’s in there?”

“Shhh,” he said, tugging me gently. “don't worry about it, Asrai.” He chuckled. “I’ll tell you later.”

We descended quickly, reaching the bottom in no time. The living room was empty, but hushed voices drifted from the dining area—no doubt Gran and the other Lycan leaders deep in discussion.

Prince Kaelen and Vianna stood on opposite sides of the room, you could feel tension thick between them. Vianna looked visibly irritated, arms crossed and jaw tight. Kaelen, on the other hand, wore his annoyance like a tailored coat.

When he saw me, he straightened, eyes gleaming.

“My, my, my, Asrai,” he drawled. “Don’t you look good enough to eat.”

“Mind your manners, Prince,” I replied coolly, emphasizing the title with deliberate edge.

He raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking.

“Glad you’re out of that gown. It was a dinner, not a ball.”Vianna pushed off the wall, brushing past. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, brother,” Vince muttered with a laugh as we all stepped out into the treacherous night.

“Soooo,” I asked, glancing around. “How are we getting there?”

Vianna scoffed. “Normally, none of us have disadvantages. But you’re here.”

I rolled my eyes. “We could take the Ember Coach?” I suggested

“Oh gods, no. Like the humani?” Vianna sneered. “Asrai, be serious.” Not only Humani take the ember coach . I defended myself.

“I’m shifting,” she declared, "I'll see you losers at the club- already stepping forward. Her form shimmered, bones cracking and reforming as she transformed into her butter-cupped Lycan. Silvery eyes locked onto us, and with a snort, she bolted down the hill.

“Well…” I began, raising a brow.

“I can carry you,” Kaelen and Vince said in unison.

I blinked, then turned a sharp glare on Kaelen. “Uh, definitely not,” I said, as if he’d lost his mind.

“I don’t mind taking the coach,” I started to suggest, just as Vince opened his mouth to protest. “And I don’t want to hold you guys up taking it with me. “

“Of course she can get to the club in one piece as the fae transition takes place.” Kaelen murmured to Vince sarcastictly.

But before either of us could argue further, a low huff and a sharp neigh echoed from the shadows. We turned as the fae steed from the other day stepped into view—its coat a deep, midnight black, fur shimmering like starlit velvet. Its antlers, once silver, had darkened to an inky obsidian.

It trotted toward me with eerie grace, and both Kaelen and Vince instinctively backed up.

“Asrai, look out,” Vince warned, voice tight. “That steed’s twisted.”

“Oh, this beauty?” I said, walking forward without hesitation. The creature lowered its head, pressing it gently into my palm.

“He’s just a sweet baby,” I cooed, and he neighed softly in response.

I turned to find both men staring, mouths slightly agape.

“Close your jaws, fellas,” I teased. “Or a fae fly might find its way in.”

Suddenly, another neigh rang out—deeper, more guttural. At the edge of the forest, a second fae steed emerged, even larger than the one beside me. Its presence was commanding, its black coat rippling like smoke, and its antlers curved like ancient branches.

“Wait… I’m confused.. who is that?” I asked, eyes wide.

“It’s his mother,” Vince said quietly. “She birthed this abomination a few years ago.”

My steed whipped his head toward Vince, moonlight eyes flaring with offense.

“Easy, boy,” I murmured, stroking his neck. Then I turned to Vince. “I wouldn’t insult him if I were you.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Vince said quickly, stepping back.

“Nevertheless, he’s just as untamed and wild, Asrai,” Vince said, his voice edged with concern. “I’d encourage you to step back.”

“Oh, nonsense,” I cut him off, brushing past his caution. “You all get to The Core your way—this will be mine.”

"That's not -"

I turned, and for a moment, silence stretched between Vince and I. A beat of understanding. I saw the exact second Vince surrendered his resistance.

“Fine,” he said at last. “We’ll meet you at town square. At the Looking Pool.”

He patted Kaelen’s shoulder. “Let’s go, Kae.”

With a shimmer and a c***k of shifting bone, Vince transformed into his sleek grey Lycan and darted off into the night.

Prince Kaelen remained still—so motionless I nearly forgot he was there. But his eyes never left me. Quiet. Calculating. Watching.

“You roll the dice,” he said, voice low and deliberate, “and you pay the ugly consequences, Asrai.”

Then, in a blur of speed and shadow, he vanished down the hill.

“Hmmm… Dice,” I mused, running a hand along the fae steed’s midnight mane. “Sounds like a good name, huh buddy?”

He neighed in agreement, a deep, echoing sound that rumbled through his chest.

“They better not roll the dice with you,” I smirked, heading off to grab a saddle—no way was I dry-riding again. Dice’s mother watched silently from the tree line, her presence regal and still. Before mounting, I turned to her and bowed low in respect.

She neighed softly in acknowledgment, then turned and disappeared into the forest, her icy emerald eyes the last thing to vanish into the shadows.

“Alright, Dice,” I said, swinging into the saddle. “Let’s go tear up a club.”

With a powerful lurch, Dice took off at a gallop. His wings burst open with a thunderous snap, and we were airborne.

Thank the stars I brought the jacket—it was freezing up here.

We soared over Wolfan Terrace, his wings slicing through the wind. The flight was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, the kind of thrill that made your heart race and your soul sing. I couldn’t help it—I let out a shout of pure joy into the night air.

Flying was definitely going to be my new favorite pastime.

The 15-mile journey to Town Square took barely 15 minutes. Dice’s speed made the Ember Coach feel like a joke in comparison, especially with all its tedious stops.

As we descended toward the square, I spotted clusters of my peers strolling toward The Core. Heads turned skyward as we passed overhead—faces lit with awe, confusion, and a flicker of fear at the sight of Dice’s shadow gliding above them.

Near the Looking Pool and its rainbow spurs of water, I spotted Vianna in a blood-red mini dress and strappy heels, flanked by Alena and Lauren in black mini dressesas well; two of the girls that were buzzing around vince earlier tonight. All three stood with arms crossed, expressions locked in synchronized irritation.

A little farther off, Vince and Kaelen were deep in conversation, entertaining two girls who practically screamed witch—wildly colored hair, tight dresses, and fishhook lace that left little to the imagination.

Dice circled once, then began his descent.

The witches clung to Vince and Kaelen with flirtatious smiles, their eyes gleaming with mischief. The boys, ever the charmers, soaked up the attention like seasoned performers.

But the moment Dice descended to the ground, wings slicing through the air, all eyes snapped to me. I dismounted with quiet confidence.

Vianna and her entourage froze, their expressions mirroring the witches’—shock, disbelief, and a touch of fear.

“Vianna, what the actual hell?” one of her friends gasped. “Oh gods, not the blemp riding an abomination.”

Vianna smirked, arms crossed. “What is this—the apocalypse?”

I turned to her, something sharp rising in my chest. Maybe it was the way she tainted my perfect flight. Or maybe I was just done with her constant venom.

“Oh, Vianna,” I said, voice cutting through the noise. “Just shut up.”

Her laughter died instantly. She stepped forward, eyes narrowed. “What did you just say to me?”

Dice huffed behind me, low and guttural. I didn’t need to look to know his fangs were bared. Vianna halted mid-step.

“I said,” I repeated, “get off my back. At this point, it’s starting to look like obsession. The world is literally bigger than your self-proclaimed ego.”

I tilted my head, letting the words sink in. “And green,” I added, “never looked good on you.”

A low chuckle broke the tension. Kaelen, still leaning against the fountain, smirked.

“Spicy,” he said, winking at me.