The Lightest Dark (The Dark series Book 1) (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

I watched him for another few minutes and started to get impatient. “Okay, Dark. I get that my walls are made up entirely of amethyst, but it’s not that fascinating. Stop fixating on it.”

He shook himself seeming to wake up from whatever self-induced trance he’d been in. “Sorry. I just… it’s kind of incredible. I can literally feel your influence in every single thing here, the walls especially. It’s kind of intoxicating. I get why you hid this. From what I remember the last one with an ability similar to this in the compound ended up being killed because she refused to submit to all the demands of the people.”

“Not quite, but that’s close to what happened. It’s my understanding that she eventually ended up trying to transmute time itself and she got stuck between dimensions because she didn’t comprehend enough about what she was trying to do.”

“What do you mean? And how would you even know that story was true? It could be a lie just like half the other nonsense they tried to preach to us.”

“I mean that’s how this ability works. For me at least. That and I didn't read that in a normal book. I found it in this hidden alcove."

"Really?"

"Yep. From what I’ve read there have been a few who didn’t even need to know what something was made from. They just had to think it, but as long as
I
have a basic knowledge of what it is that I’m trying to change, I can change anything.”

“Anything? People too?”

I nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly. “Anything. Before you ask, yes. I tried it. Small stuff like my hair and nails, but there was an incident when I was thirteen."

"Would I know about it?"

"Depends on your memory of the compound. I accidentally gave Chloe Romero a Pinocchio noise. That was kind of a disaster, and I couldn’t even own up to it." I shrugged. "On the plus side she did stop lying about me.”

Recognition lit up his face. “I do remember that. She kept saying that you and Ryan were…” he trailed off, probably realizing what he was about to say.

“She kept saying that we were half demon freaks from hell and that our father was Lucifer himself." My voice was monotone, but it the incident still made me a tad irritated.

"Yeah. That."

"I came to terms with all that name calling and nitpicking years ago. It was the fact that she was talking about Ryan that sent me over the edge. Up to that point no one ever said anything about him. At least not to me.”

“No. The guys took him into the fold early. He was fun. I think that was the only time anyone ever called him a name. Then with how you ended up punching Chloe and her nose started that whole growing thing the week after that, I think anyone who even thought of it was too afraid of what you might do. That’s not even mentioning the fact that you and Tristan were practically surgically glued to each other.”

I rolled my eyes, “That’s not true.” He gave me a look, and I had to concede. “Okay, so it was sort of true, but in my defense I had a seriously hard time trusting people enough to make friends. I still do, but I’ve at least learned a bit about etiquette and small talk since then.”

“Hey, it wasn’t such a bad thing. A lot of the guys all thought you were hot, but were too scared to approach you thinking that Tristan would eat them alive with the looks he used to give us. I think I was the only one crazy enough and that was because I kept catching you without him around.”

I smiled, “Yeah he was starting training that year. It was like a breath of fresh air because he wasn’t around as much. He wanted to move up as fast as possible so he was always training. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, but he could be a bit much at times.”

Dark was about to respond to that when the room started to glow a soft blue color. I stood up a little straighter while he looked around taking in the change. “Does that mean something, or does it just happen randomly?”

“It means there’s a stranger in the house.”

“Okay. So I take it there are other colors and meanings. I wondered why we were just standing around talking. What color are we waiting for?”

“Well, I have a lot of different –for lack of a better word- settings. The color we’re going to be waiting for is a reddish- brown. Almost a maroon, but not quite.”

“Why that color?”

“Because it was Brett, Tristan, and Ryan in the house when it happened. When they’re in the house Ryan is Red, Tristan is Green and anyone else is blue. I can’t tell if it’s Brett. Something doesn’t feel right about this. The timing is off.”

I looked around me lost in thought, taking in the room and making absolutely sure everything was the way I had left it. Not that I thought there would be anything out of place. It was more something to do to occupy my mind and keep me from storming up the stairs to see who the heck was here.

There was a spiral staircase that lead to a secret entrance in my room just inside my closet. The walls of course, were the way they always were though they weren’t just amethyst. They also had ten-inch steel surrounding them and sealing out any water, or whatever else might come in. The small couch I’d made was in the far corner as usual.

Next to that was the large box of random things I’d practice on. The floor was black onyx and I was kind of grateful that Dark hadn’t noticed that yet. It had always been his favorite stone and I was inclined to believe that was still true. Everything in here was exactly as it always was, but I still felt like something was off.

I frowned and headed to the stairs. It had to be something about the person in the house. That was the only thing I could think of and I needed to find out what was so off about them.

Dark cut me off before I could go up. I was about to protest, but he put a finger to his lips. I watch as he stood eyes closed listening to something I couldn’t hear. It felt like we stood that way forever when it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes.

Dark finally opened his eyes and I couldn’t help but frown as I realized the walls around us were the same color as his eyes. When they weren't alerting to a presence that is.

I shook it off realizing that he wasn’t smiling. In fact he looked about ready to punch something and I couldn’t help the instinctual reaction I had to back away. He noticed, but didn’t comment. I shook myself. If he was going to try and hurt me I’m pretty sure he would have done it by now. Instead I focused on the here and now. “What exactly did you hear up there?”

“Someone in the room above us is going through your stuff. I think it might be a girl from the sound of her mumbling, but I don’t recognize the voice. She has some serious hate going on for you. Have you pissed anyone off lately?”

I smiled at that, relieved that it wasn’t something unusual. I could deal with this all day long. In fact, I’m pretty sure I have on a few occasions. “Dark, the entire female populace in the compound hates me with the exception of Ava, but that’s because she’s on the council. This isn't anything new.”

He looked at me, skepticism written all over him. “That’s ridiculous. It has to be an exaggeration. What reason do they have to hate you?”

I laughed, but it wasn’t very humorous. “Whoever needed a reason to hate someone? Girls are crazy around this place. They all think that I’m with Tristan in a romantic way. The fact that he’s slept with almost every one of them hasn’t changed that opinion. If anything, it only reinforced it. That and a lot of them blame me for your death. Sierra in particular. If the girl up there said anything about me being a murderous she-demon, that’s probably her.”

He was still frowning. “No, this girl called you a craven idle-headed malt worm.”

I giggled. That had to be the best one they’d come up with yet. “That’s Shannon. She’s one of those girls who likes to pretend to be your best friend and talk about you behind your back. She took it personally when I told her that she was a bloodsucking leech and she needed to stop trying to latch onto me.”

He looked like he was trying to hold in a laugh, but failed miserably. “And you’ve been sworn enemies ever since?”

“No. I haven’t given her the time of day and it’s been driving her crazy. The fact that she’s here means they haven’t told everyone what happened with me. Not surprising given the fact that I know the compound suffered an
actual
demon attack this morning.”

He smirked, “And you know that how?”

“I had a vision the night before you took me. It was about a horde of gremil demons taking out the south wall. I tried to warn everyone at the Guardian meeting, but they said I hadn’t been with the Guardians’ long enough for them to act on a quote unquote
hunch
. Complete bull if you ask me, but that’s just my opinion.”

He shook his head, a grim look on his face. “Ignorance and stupidity as the wolves lead them to slaughter. Sheep at their finest.”

I nodded, “I bet everyone who didn’t listen is kicking themselves right now. I hope Alex is okay though. Even if he is in on this whole machination thing, he’s never been anything but kind to Ryan and me. He could have been a jerk like everyone else, but he wasn’t.”

“Alex is still around? I thought for sure he would have dipped out too after what happened.”

I shook my head, “Nope, he stuck around. He’s been giving Ryan the third degree after his pranks to the point it’s funny and he still has us over for Sunday dinner.” I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “Why do you think he would have left?”

"Because he was there. He knows what really happened the day your mother was killed. In fact, I think he was the one who protested the loudest. He had Brett by the throat and it took three men to pull him off the last I saw of him."

"So what exactly did happen to my mother? You said earlier it was the reason you ended up leaving, but you never told me what all went on that day."

He shook his head and went to sit on the sofa. "I'm really not sure I should tell you. I don't want you going off in a rage and doing something that you might regret later. We both need a clear head right now."

"No, I think you should tell me now. With how up in the air everything is at this point, I may not have another chance to hear the truth."

He studied me. I was hoping I looked determined because I really did want to know. "You're not going to budge on this, are you?"

"No. She was my mother and I have the right to know what happened to her. Even If it was something as idiotic as a fight over a bread stick, I want to know."

He nodded as if he was conceding to some heavy task, but I didn’t say as much. I just stood waiting for him to start. “You might want to sit for this. It’s not a long story, but it might be a bit shocking. Especially since they told you your mother was killed by scavenger demons.”

I shook my head, “If I feel I need to sit, I will. Otherwise I think I’ll stay where I am if it’s all the same to you.”

He shrugged. “Okay then. So I guess I’ll start at the beginning.”

"As you know, we were going on the monthly supply run that day. I had been talking to your mom about something trivial when she told me that she was worried about you staying in the compound. You specifically, not Ryan. When I asked why she felt like that hadn't been elaborated at time, but she said she had to get you out. Said she’d been making plans to get all of you away from the compound, but she needed help.

“I don’t really know how, but Brett overheard her. He wasn’t even supposed to be on the run, but Havarti had been sick to the point he could barely make it out of bed. He came up and they started arguing in another language. Next thing I know he takes your mother and slams her into a building screaming ‘I want what I was promised’ then Alex and I were trying to get him off her.”

I shook my head, confused. “What the hell was he promised? That makes no sense.” Thinking on it, he always had been a little off. Now I guess I’m starting to find out why.

“I know. There’s more to the story. I’m not sure how informative it’s going to be, but this is what you wanted. I can only tell you what I know. I don’t have much more than that. Only Brett, or your mother could give you the whole story and we both know how that would go at the moment.”

“Yeah I know. Keep going. I have a feeling we don’t have much time left.” I started to chew my lip as I went and sat next to him on the couch.

He nodded, “So as I said, we were trying to get him off her when your mom did this thing with her hand and Brett let her go screaming and grabbing at his hand where she’d touched him. Then he said that she was a lying bitch and he should have left her with and I quote ‘That scum sucking dirt bag of a husband, Cyran.’ She ended up yelling back at him that he’s just as bad. That he may even be worse for what he wanted.

“He got quiet then he started saying something in the other language again. Your mother got really pale and she starting saying he would never do that. That he would never get what he wanted then. He said try him. Your mom got really quiet after that.

"Brett started to walk again, so we all started walking again. You could have cut the tension with a knife it was so thick between the two of them. Alex and I were flanking your mom. I think there were two, or three other people there, but I can’t remember who. Anyway, we started to go past this building that had some strange carvings and symbols. I found out later it was your mom calling in some kind of reinforcements.

“We ended up at least another mile out before we saw some men heading our way. Brett suddenly started yelling at your mother. Something about how could she betray him after all he’d done for her and your mom said he did nothing but con her into a trap and he should burn in the hell he crawled out of. Then before any of us could so much as blink your mom was just… she was on the ground. It looked like she was sleeping, but I knew she wasn’t.”

Dark’s eyes got distant like he was seeing everything again before he shook it off, taking a deep breath. He looked back at me, seeming to be grounding himself in this moment rather than the past. “Alex started to scream at Brett. He said he could believe that Brett would be so cold and some other things I can’t really remember. I couldn’t stop staring at your mom. When I finally had, it was to look up and see Alex with Brett by the throat and the other guys that were with us trying to pull him off. I ended up blacking out after that and I woke up with these wings and Cillian telling me that he was my brother along with a few other things, but that’s a story for never.” 

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes, but I started to get a bit restless so I got up and walked over to my box of stuff. I grabbed out a bunch of scrap clothes and a few different things before heading over to the bag of clothing I’d created earlier. Dark had thrown them in the corner just off the stairs leading from the hall we’d been in earlier.

In all honesty, I really only need something the size of a match to create a five story building, but I’d like to think I’m keeping some sort of balance by using at least half the volume of stuff to create what I’d like even if I don’t need to. After all, those extra atoms have to come from somewhere and while they may come from the air, I’d rather have it be created from something more solid.

I took all of the things in my hand placing them on the floor and concentrated on creating a privacy screen. I may not be able to get clean, but I could at least change into some clean clothes. I only hoped that I was able to change before everyone showed up and we needed to head out. It would be just my luck that they show when I’m half naked.

I’d gotten a clean shirt on and was one foot into a clean pair of shorts when Dark’s voice came from the other side of the screen. “Candy, what exactly are you doing?”

I screamed, jumping into the air while simultaneously flinging the shorts off my foot, and knocking the privacy screen over into him then proceeded to fall and land on my butt. I sat there in a daze for a few seconds.

"That went well." At the sound of his voice I looked over at Dark who had pieces of broken screen and wood scattered around him and on him with my shorts on his head looking as dazed as I felt. He looked around him then back at me, and we both burst out laughing. It felt like a sense of tension that had been there since he'd kidnapped me lifted.

I had to wonder why.

Maybe a part of me new something I didn't about what was going on. The part that had me dropping my guard and cracking jokes with him. That same part that had me making the walls in my secret room the same color as his eyes. The one that was also suddenly telling me to hurry and finish getting my clothes on.

I stood up, grabbed the shorts off his head and started to get them on. I'd lost any sense of modesty the second I'd fallen, but I still blushed at the heated look he sent my way. I was going to have to try to keep that under control. It was okay to start to trust him somewhat, but I was not about to fall into bed with him… again. At least not anytime soon.

Just as I'd gotten my shoes tied the room turned the color we were looking for. I stood up, a feeling of apprehension coming over me. This was a major thing. If I messed this up, my brother would be the one to suffer the consequences. I wasn’t sure I could handle that, but I was going to try for his sake if not for mine.

Dark took one look at me and shook his head. "Not the time to doubt yourself Candy. We get up there don't think, just do. You have instincts. Use them." He didn’t even give me a chance to respond before he was walking up the stairs expecting me to follow.

I did, falling in a step behind trying to keep my stomach out of my throat. “Dark hold on. There isn’t an actual door there. It’s just a wall.” I stepped around him on the stairs careful not to brush any body parts against him. All I needed right now was another distraction. I’d probably lose what little thought I had left that wasn’t concentrated on not hurling.

I transmuted the wall and we step into my closet. It takes a second for Dark to adjust but he does. After that we wait for him to here their voices start to head to the kitchen. "Candy, are you able to make it so we have a secret passage to the kitchen like you made those underground tunnels?"

I started to think about it. In seconds the walls were shifting and we had a straight shot to the kitchen without being seen. I stood staring at it in awe. It seems the more I practice this ability, the easier it came to me, but that was a bit unreal. 

I hadn’t been concentrated on creating the path. I’d only been focused on the thought of what it would look like. Normally I would have needed not only that, but a basic knowledge of the composition of what it is I'm trying to change, like I've said before.

Now, it seems I don't even need that much, or it could be this was a one-time deal because I was seriously stressing out. Either way I was grateful.

I'd have to be careful with that in the future. I don't want to start changing things randomly with a simple thought, unless it's an actual idea and not just a thought. It could end badly. Kind of like quicksand. Before I know it I'll be half way down with no way out to speak of.

“Good thinking, Dark. That’ll make getting him out of here a bit easier. Although, we’re going to have to be seriously quiet when we get near the kitchen. It’s not sound proof and Tristan can hear a pin drop in a crowded room. From what you told me earlier, I’m guessing Brett is no slouch either.”

He gave me a look. “If that’s the case, it might be better if you let me carry you, or at least piggyback you. No offense, but you can’t be quiet to save your own life, let alone Ryan’s.”

I thought about protesting, but figured there was no point. He was right even if I wished he wasn’t. “Fine. Piggyback’s okay. At least that way I don’t feel like I’m being manhandled.”

He leaned down for me and I hopped up, my arms around his neck and legs wrapped and locked around his waist as he started to walk. “Why exactly do you hate being carried so much? Most girls love this kind of thing. Not that I go around doing this with just anyone, but still. Do you actually
have
a reason, or is this just one of your odd quirks?”

I sighed. “I don’t like the feeling. My equilibrium goes all wonky when I’m being picked up and I’d really rather have my feet on the ground than have to rely on someone else’s sense of balance.”

“So basically it’s a control thing?”

I thought about it. That was kind of a trick question for me right now. “Yeah kind of. Although, if I'm being honest, I haven’t felt it as strongly with you. Just don’t let it go to your head.”

“Don’t worry. I will most definitely let it go to both heads, just not at the moment, because it might be awkward when they hear your screams through the walls.”

You could have seen the blush on my face from space had we been outside. “Cut it out. You’re not allowed to tell dirty jokes Dark.”

“Why not?”

I hopped off his back. “Seriously?” he turned to face me and I could see that he had been entirely serious. “Dark, you’re not my boyfriend anymore. You’re not even my friend to the point where it’s cute to make me blush. Not even twenty-four hours ago you kidnapped me and while I may not be running and screaming my head off at the first chance I get, I still have a strong enough grip on reality to know to be wary of you now. I may have known you then, but I don’t know you from yesterday. I still really have no logical reason to trust you let alone joke with you.”

“So why do you?” now it was my turn to be confused.

“Why do I what?”

“You said you have no logical reason to trust me. That would imply that you do in fact trust me. Why?” I shouldn’t have yelled in anger. The truth always has a way of weaseling out into the open. I said it myself earlier. Never speak in anger. I should take my own advice.

I shook my head, now angrier at myself than him. “I don’t know. I really do have absolutely no reason to trust you accept that something in my gut is telling me I don’t know the entirety of what’s going on and I
should
trust you because despite all things that point to the contrary, you’re not going to hurt me. Could you tell me why I feel like that?”