The Lightest Dark (The Dark series Book 1) (10 page)

Chapter Fourteen

After my comment he looked torn between euphoric and devastated which confused the heck out of me, but I guess it made sense to him. “Yes. I promise I’ll tell you what’s going on, but I can’t yet.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. Something told me there was a lot that I was going to have to find out and quick if I wanted to keep my sanity. “Can’t or won’t?”

He grimaced, “Can’t. I really can’t right now, or there will be some serious ramifications. Not just for me either.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I can live with that. For now, I’m going to put my faith in you and hope that it doesn’t bite me in the butt later. You had better not betray me. I’ll turn you into a sombrero and burn you alive.” With that I was jumping up and being piggybacked again.

“You would not.” He mumbled as he started walking and shook his head as if trying to convince himself. He was right, but I didn’t have to let him know that.

I smirked, leaning over to his ear careful to keep my voice whisper soft as we got closer to the kitchen, “Betrayal can make a girl do some crazy things Dark. You sure you want to test that theory?”

I felt him shiver and I had to suppress a laugh. “No, I don’t think I do. Although there are a few other things I’d like to test.”

“Never again in this lifetime Dark. While I’m sure it would be fun, I’m inclined to think I might hate myself afterwards.”

“That’s too bad.” He gently placed me on my feet. “I know you can’t hear them so what am I listening for exactly?” I thought back on the vision, trying to shake other thoughts out of my head.

“Brett had just said something about being sorry it came to this and then he told Tristan ‘you know what to do.’ He left after that and Tristan…” I trailed off. I just couldn’t bring myself to say it. It might jinx us. That was the last thing I wanted at the moment.

“Okay. That’s all I need.” He surprised me by pulling me into another hug. “I know how much Ryan means to you. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you both get out of this unscathed. I swear it to you.” As the words left his mouth a strange warmth spread over my left shoulder blade again.

I remembered the same sensation earlier, but before I could ask what it meant, Dark was through the wall and pulling me with him. I mean he literally went crashing through the wall. He shielded me from all the flying debris as he did, but it didn’t take away from the surprise of it.

He released me, but I had a feeling it was with a bit of reluctance. “Dark was that necessary?” He smirked which gave me all the answer I needed. I shook my head and turned toward the room. Tristan and Ryan both stood frozen in shock, while Brett had come back into the room, a look of a surprise shifting to a sneer as he saw us.

I could hear Dark’s wings rustling in agitation, “Never underestimate the power of an entrance. Especially a big one.”

Ryan was the first to recover, running over and picking me up in a bear hug. “Oh man! I’m so happy you’re not dead.”

I laughed and hugged him back. “I love you too, bro.” He put me down and I was suddenly reminded of who else was in the room. I looked back at Dark for guidance hoping he’d understand without words.

As far as I was concerned he could take the lead. I had absolutely no experience with this kind of thing and I wasn’t really sure what to do at this point. Now that Ryan was safe, it was finally hitting me that I was betrayed by two people I should have been able to count on.

One, my best friend of the last seven years and the other, the supposed head of council that should have been looking out for the best interest of everyone in the compound. It seems they both had their own agenda and no one was privy to it but them.

I guess Dark understood what I was trying to project because one moment he was standing behind me arms crossed wings unfurled looking intimidating, the next he was in front of Ryan and I, blocking us from view and taking charge of the situation.

He subtly nodded in the direction of the giant hole behind us. I was assuming he meant get the heck out of dodge, but I could be wrong. Still I needed no more prompting than that. I pushed Ryan through the opening and took off after him. “What’s going on? Isn’t that the same demon who took you?”

“Dark’s not a demon.” I thought about that statement and realized I didn’t know that for a fact. I just knew he was at least half fae. I should probably ask him about that once all this crazy was over with. “At least I don’t think he is. Look, all I know is he’s helping us right now. We have to get to my safe room. The others should have gotten there by now. I have no idea what the heck is going on back there, but I have a feeling Dark is going to need a lot more help than I can give him.”

The way back felt a lot quicker than getting there had been, but it felt longer at the same time. I think that’s the way things go sometimes when you’re worried. I started down the stairs having to pull Ryan along seeing as he was in awe of the room hidden underneath mine. Just as I’d predicted, Cillian and the rest of the ten men had made it to my room.

Unfortunately, they were all having the same problem as my brother Ryan, not to mention Dark’s similar reaction earlier. Maybe there was something I was missing, but I didn’t understand the fascination of it outside of the obvious. I know it’s not every day you see a room made of amethyst. Still, it wasn’t fascinating to the point of forgetting what I was doing beforehand.

Then again, Dark
had
said something about being able to feel me inside the walls. Maybe that was it? It was the only thing that made any kind of sense to me anyway. Maybe I should ask?

In any case, I left my brother to wander and went to Cillian who was touching the walls with a look of wonderment. “Cillian, what the heck is going on? You’re all looking and touching the walls as if they were created by a mythical creature. I knew they’d cause a few heads to turn, but I didn’t think they would turn everyone into mindless drones.”

He shook his head and turned to me. “You’re correct. We look at these walls as if they were created by a mythical creature because they were. At least our version of one. This skill is one that the ancients have. It should not be possible for one so young. The fact that you have done something that requires centuries of practice is truly a wonder. We are all in awe of you."

“Excuse me?” I shook my head, “Never mind, tell me later. I’m pretty sure that Dark is going to need some help up there. If not to save him, then to at least pull him off Tristan, or Brett before someone gets killed.”

Cillian’s eyes widened. “Men! Assemble!” I took off up the stairs and headed back up to the kitchen while they did that. I wasn’t sure what I could do, but I didn’t feel right leaving Dark by himself in there. That just spelled all kinds of bad to me.

I was about to turn the corner to enter the kitchen, but that annoying voice in my head told me to stay put and listen, so I did. Dark’s voice carried to me. “You think she’s yours. Like she’s some trophy that you can just take and display on your mantle for all to see. It doesn’t work that way.”

“Why? Because you say so? I think that's exactly how this works.”

“We’ll agree to disagree.” There was a pause and then, “And how did he fit in all these grand plans? Wasn’t he in charge, or was that just a smokescreen?”

“Ah yes. Brett here may have thought he was in charge of this, but he was just a means to an end and he's reached his. He was an easy way for me to achieve what I’ve wanted since the day I laid eyes on her and as much fun as it would have been to see how far I could push, he thought he could have her. I couldn't allow it. So regardless of what you say and what you might think, she is still mine and I will have her. Her cooperation is wanted, but unnecessary.”

"Seriously? You know, I always knew you were a little off with how you followed her like a shadow, but I'm starting to think you're a couple of colors short of a rainbow."

"You mock me but I'll have the last laugh. Eventually she'll see what I've done for her and she'll thank me. She'll have no other choice, but to."

"What exactly did you do for her? It blows my mind how crazy you really are because the only thing that comes to the forefront is the fact that you almost slit her brother’s throat and you've scared off almost every potential friend she could have made. Not only that, but if I remember right you've slept with half the women in the compound. How is that conductive to a healthy future relationship? In your mind, or otherwise she probably still won’t have anything to do with you after this."

"I don't have to explain myself to you. For the record though, Ryan is beginning to become somewhat of a nuisance. She's coming to his aid left and right and he thanks her by doing something to get himself right back where he started. I'm sure she would have gotten over the loss just like she has with her mother. It'll just take time."

There was a loud crash and suddenly Cillian and his men were surrounding me as they pushed me into the kitchen. At first I wasn't sure what I was seeing. There was so much red coating the floors and ceiling that it was almost unreal. Then I started to notice all the chunks and bits of flesh that were all over and realized this is what Tristan probably meant when he said Brett had reached his end, or something along those lines.

I was torn between the urge to run screaming, or throwing up what little was left in stomach of the blueberries and almonds. I looked around and saw Dark and Tristan had gone through the wall, literally. That must have been the crash I'd heard a few seconds ago.

Cillian and his men moved me out to the street to see what was happening. I just followed, too shocked at what I'd just seen. I looked up to see Dark and Tristan, both covered in blood and bits of what was left of Brett.

Seeing them like that, something in me snapped.

In that moment I went from the lost, naive girl that just wanted a place to belong, to a woman who just had reality slap her in the face with a 2 x 4. I could never fit in here and it was time I got over it and moved on.

I now had the opportunity to find a new home, not just for myself, but for Ryan as well. A place where we might fit in for once. Where acceptance could be a reality rather than a thought in the back of my mind while I pretend everything is fine. I should grab on with both hands and ride it out.

I was ready to find out if it was possible. All I had to do was find a way to put an end to this fight and take the opportunity I'd been given, however indirectly it may have been.

So here's the thing.

I may have had an epiphany, but that didn't mean I suddenly had all the answers. Like this fight for example. Thinking you needed to end a fight and actually doing it are two entirely different concepts.

That said, I was at a loss as to how I should go about it. The only thing I did know for certain was that it needed to end. Preferably before someone was severely injured. That, or the more likely scenario, someone from the compound noticing the fight going on. That would cause all kinds of problems I definitely didn't have a solution for. Not even a hypothetical one.

Never had I been happier that Tristan had insisted we move to the outskirts than I was in this moment. Of course I think I had other reasons for agreeing to it at the time, but the thought remained all the same.

As I watched them, I kept playing different scenarios in my head on how I should stop them, but at the end of it all there was no certainty and I wasn't sure if my ideas would even work. It was beginning to feel a bit like the witty comeback you wish you would have said.

You can think about it all day long, but at the end of it all you still have no definitive idea how the situation would have played out had you said it. Even the most predictable person can surprise you under the right circumstances after all.

As I watch them hit each other at a speed most of the people around me couldn't see, I decided the only way to find out if my idea would work is to just do it. Worst case is I end up with a black eye, or something along those lines.

Either way, I knew I probably wasn't coming out of this without a scratch and to think it was a bit delusional. I just had to figure a way around my human- err- ... excuse me.
Fae
shield. It didn't matter what way I turned, or where I tried to go. They were all moving around me like a well-oiled machine. I could think of a few different things to remove them, but nothing was standing out except one.

I guess I could test my theory and see if it worked on still targets before moving ones. Honestly I didn't really
need
them out of the way, but it was taking away from my focus with how they kept moving in my peripheral.

I started slowly then worked my way out, careful to concentrate on my goal and nothing else. Not an easy task for someone who likes to assess every detail around them, but I managed, if only just.

Soon I had them all in small cages that couldn’t be seen. Well, at least not by the normal eye. I could see the re-purposed air molecules moving around them as they pulled everyone out of my way while simultaneously keeping them still. It was effective, but a bit more complicated than anything I’d tried before.

I moved forward leaving behind a very confused group of fae. At least I knew I could do what I’d been planning in a matter of seconds. The trick was going to be in the timing. I didn’t want to trap them only to have the air wrap around the wrong thing and rip an arm off, or something equally odious.

I focused on them, looking for patterns in movement, or anything that would help. It took a few minutes, but I finally figured out that every seven moves both Dark and Tristan would step back only to move forward into a different stance. Weird, but at least it was something I could work with.

After that it was a breeze separating them, literally. Lame joke I know, but everybody is entitled to one and it’s helping relieve my tension. Then again inappropriate laughter usually does. For me anyway. Not usually other people, but I've been known to get a laugh of two, however awkward it may feel to the other party.

I walked over to the two of them once I had them separated and deliberated what I should do next. If I was a stronger person, I would have killed Tristan on the spot for what he would have done. If I’m honest, I didn’t think I’d have the stomach for that.

Although even if I did, I wasn't sure I would. Despite everything that I’d heard today, I still cared about him. He may have been an overbearing jackass, but he had still been my friend when I needed one and I didn’t want him dead. I’m sure in his warped mind he’d been thinking of my best interests… or maybe his? Either way, it's clear to me he's not exactly got all his wires in the right spots.

By this point, I was pretty sure I'd pissed everyone off if the looks on all their faces were anything to go by. I looked over at Dark and Tristan and released half the binding so they could speak.

Of course, the first five minutes were the two of them cursing the ground the other walked on and yelling at me to let them loose so they could tear the other limb from limb. I didn't, but they told me to all the same.

When I was sure they'd both calmed down enough that they weren't going to kill each other with anything but a glare, I moved Cillian next to me. He seemed the most diplomatic of the lot of them and I needed that right now.

Of course he could try to steer me in an entirely different direction than I should go, but it was better than leaving everyone like this until I'd come to some kind of decision. I wasn't sure if we had that kind of time though. Hence the need for outside help.

Releasing Cillian in the same manner as Dark and Tristan, I waited for the yelling, but none came. I thought it strange, but I don't know if I want to question it. Still, I do have to ask a few questions that were unrelated to that. "Is this going to be a problem for me when I release them? I need to know if I have to plan for the inevitable knife in my back." I gestured to the caged fae behind me.

He looked back at them, then to me. "While I'm sure they will be a bit annoyed, there will be no back stabbing. The men of our race are a proud people and do not appreciate being held in such a manner. It usually can’t be done at all to be honest. That said, I have no doubt they will more than likely be in awe at the ability than annoyed. At least they will eventually. I know of none but three with the skill."

"Speaking of, as you know I'm kind of new to this whole 'our race' thing.” I used finger quotations which made him smile, but I ignored it. “I was curious about what exactly would happen to Tristan if he was fae?"

He shrugged. "Depends on his court, but the least that would happen is eternity in the veil. Basically the fae version of limbo. Nothing good ever comes of it. The worst would be to send him into service with Dullahan. Basically becoming indebted to Death. That is what would be done, but as we both know he is not fae. His kind have a separate set of rules."

"What would you do?"

"Me personally, or from a diplomatic stand point? My opinion would be different in each instance seeing as this is hitting very close to home."

I debated my answer and figured that I may as well know both regardless. It was my decision in the end, but it might help me hurry it up. "Both."

"From a diplomatic stand point, I would bring him to his own authorities, inform them of his indiscretions and let them punish him accordingly."

That sounded reasonable. I was dreading his next answer, though I still wanted to know. "And you personally?"

He raised a brow, "You are a living legend to our kind, you are in your growth as we speak, and that's not to mention the fact that you had a vision of him committing a crime against our own. That’s as good as if he
had
done it. I would be in the same position as my brother. I'm sure the same could be said of the men behind me. Dark just happened to have gotten there first."

"Oh." That one threw me. Living legend? And there was that growth thing again. I still couldn't ask about it since it sounded like something I definitely didn't want Tristan to know. "Thank you for being honest...I think.”

“You’re most welcome. Was there anything else you’d like to know?” He had a knowing glint in his eye, and I had a feeling he was picking up on my feelings again. Still, I wasn’t about to ask what he meant about growth now.

“Yes and no.” I looked over at Tristan who was still in a glaring contest with Dark before turning back to him. “Can I ask later, or is the honesty thing a onetime deal?”

“I’ll always answer any questions you have honestly. It doesn’t matter when you ask them. It's my responsibility as your elder, though even if that was not the case I would still have been as honest as possible. You are new to our culture and will need guidance after all.”

“Good to know. I will be taking you up on that guidance thing. In the meantime, I’m wondering if taking him to his authorities is the best decision considering the only council member here right now was… well. In all honesty it looked like he was blown up, but I have no idea.”

He nodded looking thoughtful. “Who would you have spoken to if not him? Is there no one else in charge?”

I was about to say no when my back door off the side of the kitchen was thrown wide open. Alexander came storming out, a sword almost half the length of me in his hands.

I had what the pre-apocalyptic would have referred to as a 'light bulb moment'. Before he could start swinging he was in the same air cage as the men around me. I move toward him. I was close enough that he could see me, but far enough away that I couldn't be hit with that sword.

"That would be the next in the chain of command. Not sure how this is going to pan out, but I'm hopeful."

That said, I released the hold I had on Alexander, careful to relieve him of the sword. Turns out it wasn't really necessary. The second he saw me he had me in a bear hug, much the same way Ryan had before setting me back on my feet.

"Calista. I should have known. How are you here right now, or should I be asking why?"

"Vision about Ryan." He seemed to realize what he just walked into as he took stock of the fact that everyone was frozen, or at least halfway in Dark, Tristan, and Cillian's case. That's not even mentioning the bits of Brett coating the walls and floor he more than likely just walked out of. That he came charging out like the proverbial bull was enough testament to that.

His eyes shifted back to me, a look of disbelief marring his features.   "I think you have some explaining to do."

I nodded, "You have no idea."

That said I proceeded to tell him everything that had happened up to that point, careful to keep a few things to myself. It would do me no good to tell him everything considering the trust issues I was experiencing. His expression started out a frown and ended up a scowl as I came to the part of what that red stuff was all over my kitchen.

"It sounds like you've been quite a busy lady this past day and a half. I think it may have been a good thing I was forbidden to send anyone after you. They might not have survived it. Not that they would have found you. I searched for a good six hours before I came back. Not a trace of you."

It was my turn to frown. "What do you mean?"

"I mean Dark here erased everything from your footprints to your scent. Couldn't get a read on you at all. I was coming here to let Ryan know when I saw all the commotion through the back. Glad to know I didn't have to be the one to find
him
in pieces. You two are like kin to me."

"If that's true, why didn't you tell us what really happened to our mother?"

He sighed, "Firstly, because Ryan is like a loose cannon. We both know how he would have taken it and it would have ended up with him getting himself killed, or you involved to clean up the mess. Secondly, I could have just told you, but I didn't want you to run off and tell Tristan, then leave the compound. He..." He looked over at the frozen scene behind me, shaking his head. "Well, I guess you've figured out how unstable he is when it comes to you."

I shook my head too, more at myself than anyone else as I turned to the man in question. "Has everyone known you've had this unhealthy fixation? Why am I the last to know? This seems like something I should have picked up on."

"It's not a fixation. Your mine. You always have been. Now, why don't you release me and we can leave. Start a new beginning somewhere without all this other nonsense hanging over us."

I looked at him in disbelief. "You were going to kill my brother because you felt he was a nuisance and then had the delusional thought that I would get over it. I may not want you dead, but I don't want you anywhere near me either." His face twisted into a nasty sneer. He looked like he was about to start screaming, but I wasn't about to hear it so I made him immobile again.

I turned back to Alexander, "Cillian here made the very diplomatic suggestion that he should be turned over to whomever is in charge. Since he just blew up Brett, or whatever the heck he did, you're next up. I leave his fate in your hands. Now if you'll excuse me. I'm getting out of here."

I turned and started to walk back through the hole in my kitchen wall rather than the door Alexander had left open. I felt it made more of a statement. I also released the air cages. No point in leaving everyone frozen and I had a feeling Dark was going to need to be held back from Tristan as Alexander hauled him away.

As far as I was concerned I was done with all of it. I just wanted to spend some quality time with my brother and get something to eat. Let everyone else deal with the fallout.