Impure

by Kenna Bardot

  "The end of your human servitude, Mireyah Bolstad." He smiled, and I could not help but smile back.

  Colm walked forward, unstopped the bottle and handed it to me.

  I looked down at it. "This is it?"

  "Yes. It is nothing but water from Sylfeshire. If you have indeed been blessed by the Gods for the change, then you will change. If not, you will remain human and die a slow and agonizing death."

  "A final test, of course." I sighed. The Gods could never make things uncomplicated.

  "Drink it when you feel ready." Colm smiled just as Lathyn winked at me.

  I eyed it a moment and brought it up to my nose to smell. It had no distinctive odor. I closed my eyes and thought of where I was set to go then drank it. It tasted just as water would - crisp, cool and clean. The cool liquid sliding down my throat. At first, it was nothing until it felt like my blood had been replaced by fire and ice. I fell to the floor, a loud deafening ringing in my ear.

  "Don't fight it. You'll be okay so long as you welcome the change."

  I tried to nod but instead blacked out from the intense pain.

  ✽✽✽

  I woke up with a splitting headache and a multitude of body pains. I blinked and took a deep breath and, inexplicably; the world felt different. It was like I could smell and feel more of it. I looked down at my hands, and they looked different, luminous somehow.

  "Ah, Miss Bolstad. You're awake. Thank goodness. I was really beginning to think that we'd killed you instead." His red eyes were much brighter in my eyes. In fact, I could see quite clearly the way the red shone in the light. I could also see a teeny glow around him like an aura.

  "I feel dead," I admitted with a groan as I sat up on the bed. "Are you sure I'm not?"

  "Quite sure," Colm Svadeni said with a smile as he handed me a handheld mirror. "Take a look."

  I took the mirror, and I saw the way my skin glowed. Smooth like porcelain and shining like opalescent crystal in the moonlight. But that wasn't what the biggest change was. My eyes were no longer simply gray but tinged with a soft rose. My hair, no longer blonde, but a very light and pale pink.

  I reached up to touch a hand to my face, feeling it and realizing that I wasn't dreaming.

  I could see his reflection in the mirror. The smile in his face as he watched me stare at myself. "Yes, it's a big change. How does it feel?"

  "Surreal." My breath came out shaky.

  I felt his hand land on my shoulder and squeeze "We have to leave tonight."

  I nodded at him and he held out a hand for me to hold, helping me to my feet. He pointed to a bundle of clothes. "Change."

  ✽✽✽

  I walked out of the room, tugging at the floor-length dress I wore that had an ethereal sort of sheer quality to it. I grimaced at the feeling of it brushing against my legs as I moved.

  "You have quite a few who are here to see you off." I nodded, swallowing back the tears.

  The front door opened to reveal the guys. Shep walked over to me immediately. "Gods, Mireyah. Look at you. You glow. You’ve always been the most beautiful woman but you’re incandescent.”

  I laughed, the sound of it wet from the tears that threatened to fall. “Thanks, Shep. I feel different.”

  “I’m sure.” He looked down at what I was wearing, and his jaw tightened. “That outfit is very sheer.”

  I laughed because, of course, he would be jealous. “Yes, yes, it is. Gods, I will miss you, Shep.”

  He leaned forward to rest his forehead on mine. “And we'll miss you. We'll be in Demiorgo, but we're new so we won't be able to visit you."

  Hollis walked forward and wrapped his arms around me. "The pink suits you, Mireyah. Instead of weakening and feminizing, it gives you a strength I cannot explain. I will keep the memory of it for my next year here in Godsvail. We can't contact you because phones are completely forbidden in Sylfeshire."

  I nodded, because I knew this. I'd been thinking of it ever since learning about it. Tate walked over and cupped my face in his hands. "Another promise, Mireyah. Wait for us. We'll try to contact you as soon as we can."

  I nodded. "Okay."

  "But still do what you need to do." Charolais spoke up in his no-nonsense voice. There he was again, calm and unruffled and emotionless.

  "Of course." I smiled, lips trembling when he didn’t smile back.

  I looked over and saw that there was a Springen at the bottom of the steps. Colm took my hand and gave it a pat. "I'm afraid it's time to go."

  “Be well, Mireyah. We love you.” They waved me goodbye and the last thing I saw the five of them ranged there, seeing me off.

  “I love you all too!” I shouted as we winked away.

  I would miss them horribly, and I could only hope it wouldn’t be long before they came for me.

  Loved Impure? Book Two is coming April 27th!

  Pre-Order Book Two, Sylfic now!

  Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to dive into our fantasy world. If you loved Impure, please consider leaving us a review on Amazon. Reviews are crucial for indie authors like us as they help us get more visibility on Amazon and help other readers find our book babies.

  More From the Authors

  InkHaven Academy Universe:

  InkHaven Academy:

  InkSpelled

  InkBorn

  Ascension:

  Impure

  Sylfic (Coming April 27)

  Sired (Coming Soon)

  Incarnate:

  Desired by Darkness

  Hunted by Death (Coming 2020)

  Kenna also writes m/f contemporary romance under the name Adelaide Forrest.

  Bellandi Crime Syndicate

  Bloodied Hands

  Forgivable Sins (Coming Soon)