Dawn of Darkness (Daeva, #1) (45 page)

As for
the missile, well, there were no sightings of anything being fired
up into the sky. We assumed Verloren kept it hidden, and it hadn't
been ready to launch immediately.

The sun
was beginning to set as we carried the coffin and set it down next
to the grave, which Brad himself dug earlier that day. It took all
my courage to take one final look inside and say goodbye. It looked
surreal, as though I was looking at the face of a different person.
His skin was ghostly pale and sickly. His hair was straw-like and
flat. There was no more sparkle in his eyes. He was gaunt and thin.
Katiya burst into tears beside me. I looked up at the orange-tinted
sky and wondered where Ash was now. Would he blame me for what
happened? I know I did.

Glancing
back into the coffin, I felt an overbearing weight pressing down on
my shoulders. It was because of me that Ash and the others got
involved in all this. It was because of my selfishness, my need to
try and convince Ash to leave Rachat, that he and Lucas had tried
to uncover the truth. If I had just left, then maybe they wouldn't
have been in the church that night. And I wouldn't be standing over
the coffin of a dead friend.

Once we
had all viewed the body, the family began their eulogies. His Mom
recalled a cheeky, brash teenager who was always up to some kind of
mischief. She struggled to retain her composure, slowly breaking
down as she went on, and eventually ending in a fit of sobs. Her
son led her to one side as her husband began his speech. He talked
about the time he built a go-kart with his son. He mentioned how
proud he was that his eldest had joined the army, and how he
regretted initially pushing him away because of his ability. Last
was the brother. He talked of his admiration for his older sibling,
who always looked out for him, and taught him so much over the
years. His voice broke several times as he fought back the tears,
but he bravely kept going.

The
father was about to close the lid of the coffin when I stepped
forward. These people knew nothing of why he died and I couldn't
allow that. I addressed his parents directly.

"Your son
was a good friend to me," I said. "He died honourably, trying to
search for the truth. You should both be very proud of
him."

The
mother burst into tears. "Thank you," his father
whispered.

The
coffin was lowered into the ground and we each took a handful of
dirt and threw it in, saying our final goodbyes. Brad picked up the
shovel and began filling in the hole. The parents thanked him for
helping out. "It's the least I could do," he said, wiping at his
eyes.

Over in
the distance, behind a row of trees, I spotted Violet, Daniel and
Sebastian. They were having a funeral of their own, for Nate. I
wandered up to them, and they each gave me a long hug. Personally,
I couldn't understand why they would choose to give him a funeral.
In my eyes, he was nothing but a traitor.

"It's the
right thing to do," Daniel said. "We had to give him a proper
burial."

"Despite
everything, we have still lost a friend," said Violet. Sebastian
held her tightly, planting a quick kiss on her forehead.

*****

That
night, I lay silently on the bed I had shared with Ash, staring at
the ceiling. I wondered what would happen now. Would the people of
Rachat choose to move in with the vampires? Would they even accept
the vampires, despite learning the truth behind the plague? My mind
was made up. I was going back to Aldar with Violet. Rachat held
only a few good memories for me, and far more than its share of bad
ones. In Aldar, I could start anew.

There was
a knock at the door. I didn't answer it. The knocking came again,
louder. Still, I didn't move. I sighed and sat up when the knocking
threatened to break down the door.

"What do
you want?" I snapped as I swung the door open.

A figure
in a black cloak stood before me, a hood pulled loosely over his
head. He smiled at me, flashing a pearly set of teeth, complete
with fangs.

"Ash."

###

COMING
WINTER
2012

Origin of darkness

Daeva: Book two

The
past
always
catches up with you.

Author's Note and Acknowledgments

Thank
you for purchasing and taking the time to read my debut novel.
Writing this book has been an incredible journey for me. There have
been times when I've wanted to pull out my hair, to scream in
frustration, and throw my keyboard against the wall. But it has
also been one of the most enjoyable rides of my life, and that is
in no small part thanks to the hordes of fantastic writers and
readers out there. It's because of their support that I've come
this far.

I'd
like to say a big thanks to Amy Marshall. I can't believe how much
time has passed already since we started trading chapters on the
NaNoWriMo forums. I honestly believe that without you, and your
encouragement, that I might have quit early. You believed in me,
and for that I am eternally grateful. Keep at the writing, because
you are fantastic, and the world needs to know who you are.

To
Patricia Lynne, and MaryBeth Mulhall. You guys are awesome. You've
kept my head up, made me laugh and smile, through the drudgery that
is editing and formatting. I wish you guys all the success in the
world with your own ventures.

To Vic. You are
an incredible person, deserving of so much happiness. I hope all
your dreams come true, and that you succeed in saving the world.
And at the risk of sounding sappy and ripping off Avatar... I see
you.

About
the Author

Daniel
Alexander Kaine was born in 1985, in good old rainy England. When
he isn't writing, he can often be found curled up with a good book.
He enjoys canoeing and bowling, though his skill in both is
questionable. Daniel hopes one day to become a werepanther and
invent chocolate that doesn't make you fat.

You can contact
him online at: http://danielakaine.com