“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.
“Because of my genetics, I have enhanced senses and abilities. One of which is that I’m able to smell blood in people. And everyone has a unique scent…no two people have the same scent of blood. Similar if related, sure, but not exact.”
“That’s totally not weird or anything.”
Shadow frowned. “I’m not proud of it, but it comes in handy sometimes…like now.” He rose to his feet and walked a circle around the room, sniffing the air. “How about you come out, Kay?”
Ryan’s jaw dropped. “I thought you said she wasn’t here?”
Shadow didn’t respond immediately. He sniffed the air once more and went over to a wall, suspiciously free of debris. “Oh, she’s here…right here.” And in one swift motion, he put a hand against the corner of the wall, and pulled it back, revealing a hidden alcove with Kay standing inside.
Kay’s eyes widened upon seeing them. She stepped out of the alcove and it took her a bit of time to recover from the shock. When she finally did, she gave them a small smile and toyed with her necklace. “Hey, guys. How’s it going?”
“Oh we’re good,” Ryan replied, “but I have a feeling your night is about to become not so good.”
“Is that so?”
“Where have you been, Kay?” Shadow asked bluntly. He had no time for preamble and wanted to get right to the bottom of things.
Kay’s face reddened. Her lips opened and closed a few times as if she were trying to think of what to say. “I’ve just been…around. Why, am I in trouble or something? I wasn’t aware I needed to ask permission before leaving.”
“You don’t, but you have to admit…it is suspicious that you disappeared right after the sun was swallowed by darkness.”
“I don’t see how, I mean…unless you’re accusing me of being involved, or something.”
“Are you involved?” Ryan asked pointedly.
Kay just stared at him, blinking. “No, I’m not…I don’t know why you’d even ask me something like that. I’m as confused about all of this as the rest of you. I just didn’t want to stick around and deal with Tristan’s idiocy and the new girl being weird, so I set out on my own to do some detective work.”
“Uh-huh,” Ryan replied. He put a hand up to his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully. “I don’t know about you, Shadow, but something sure smells fishy to me.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Ryan,” Kay said, “but luckily for me, you’re not the leader of this team, so your opinion doesn’t really matter.”
“You’re right,” Shadow said softly. “And as the leader of the team, it is my opinion that your story doesn’t quite add up.”
Kay looked as though she had just been struck. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve heard two very interesting stories about you tonight, Kay. I’d say that I would be really disappointed if they’re true.”
“What did you hear?”
Shadow kept his gaze on her, and he couldn’t help but notice that for the first time since he had met her, she seemed nervous – her hands were shaking, and her gaze kept darting around the room like a trapped animal. It didn’t give him much confidence in her honesty. “Well, let’s see…I heard from Ellie that you stole something at the mall today. Is that true?”
“No,” Kay replied, almost instantly.
“So you’re calling Ellie a liar, then?” Ryan asked.
“No, I’m not–”
Shadow held up a hand. “Okay, let’s try story number two. Cameryn also had something interesting to say about you. He told me that he overheard you talking to someone about questionable things. And when you found out he was there, you threatened him. Is that true?”
Kay didn’t respond and refused to meet his gaze.
Ryan made a tsk sound. “You know, not answering is an answer.”
“Ryan, please,” Shadow said. “I want to hear it from her.”
Kay took a while to respond, and when she did, her gaze fell to the ground. “I’m not lying, I swear…this is all just a huge misunderstanding.”
“You say that, but the evidence says otherwise.”
“Do you think we were born yesterday?” Ryan asked, ignoring the look Shadow was giving him. “You’re expecting us to believe that two of our friends lied about you…just because? And you also just so happened to disappear right after the worst thing that’s happened to the world since Firefly being cancelled? I don’t buy it.”
“Screw you, Ryan!” Kay yelled, tears forming in her eyes. She sobbed into her hands for a few seconds, and there was a pained expression on her face when she looked up. “I didn’t do anything, I promise! I don’t know how you guys could accuse me like this! We’re supposed to be friends….”
“Cut the waterworks,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “It’s a poor gimmick, and you know it.”
Kay looked at both of them for a long moment and then shrugged, wiping her eyes on the back of her sleeve. “Alright, fine. I’m tired of this game…you got me, I surrender.”
“So you admit it then?” Shadow asked quietly.
“I mean…do you want a written confession or something? Yes, I admit it. I admit to being a double agent. I’ve been working with Maedara for a few months now.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Ryan replied with a look of disgust on his face. “You’re helping that monster…how low could you get?”
Kay sneered. “Oh, please, get off your high horse…it’s so easy to take the moral high ground when you’re an immature punk. But there are those of us who choose to live in the real world. And in the real world you either become a monster or get eaten by one. And I don’t want to be eaten.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“Whatever, Ryan.”
Shadow clenched his fists and felt his temper rising. He couldn’t believe that someone he had taken in and trusted would betray him in such a way. It was almost too much to handle. But he couldn’t lose his temper. He had to stay focused – until he found out what information she had. “What is Maedara up to?”
“As if I’d tell you.”
Ryan went closer towards her. “How about you tell us, and I won’t wipe the floor with you.”
Kay laughed. “You could try, but I don’t think you’ll get very far.”
“Oh, but I can,” Shadow said, his voice cold and distant.
“You’d do something…to me? Please, don’t make me laugh. It’s just not who you are, Shadow. You promised to watch over and protect us, and you would never break a promise. Your precious little conscience is nothing but a hindrance.”
“I did promise that…but there’s something you’re not factoring in, Kay. A promise was made to cover and protect my teammates. And as far as I’m concerned, you’re not on the team anymore…you’re on the side of evil now. Which makes you fair game.”
Kay’s eyes narrowed. “Even if I’m not on the team anymore, that doesn’t change anything. You still couldn’t lift a finger against me.”
“Maybe he can’t,” Ryan replied, “but I sure as hell can.”
Shadow closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was time for him to take action. He knew that being leader meant sometimes doing things that made you uncomfortable. And hurting someone he once considered a teammate definitely qualified as something that made him uncomfortable. But his comfort wasn’t important now. What was important was the rest of his team. Kay working for the other side had jeopardized them, and if he didn’t find exactly how bad the situation was, they’d be in danger for the rest of their lives. It was because of those reasons he told himself he was justified in doing whatever it took to get the information he needed.
Kay seized her opportunity when Shadow was distracted and made a dash for the door.
“Hey!” Ryan shouted, flicking his hand forward. A small gust of wind shot from his hand and wrapped around Kay’s feet like a miniature-tornado, causing her to lose balance and fall.
Shadow opened his eyes and turned to the door.
“Going somewhere, Kay?” He held his hand out, palm facing the sky, and slowly raised it. As his hand rose, tendrils of shadows gathered from the room and wrapped around Kay’s hands and feet, rooting her to the ground.
Ryan gave an appreciative whistle. “Nice one!”
Kay struggled within her bindings. “Let me go, now! You can’t keep me here like this!”
“I think you’ll find we can,” Ryan said.
“So what’s your plan now, Shadow? Gonna torture me for information? Real heroic of you!”
“I don’t want to do anything,” Shadow replied, fighting to keep his voice neutral against the rising heat of anger threatening to surface. “Ultimately, it’s up to you. But…I would hope that deep down inside you somewhere, you know that I’m not your enemy. And that you’ve made a huge mistake siding with someone who seeks to destroy the world.” He looked at her and couldn’t decipher the expression on her face. “Think about what you’re doing here, Kay…truly think about it. You’re hurting the people who care about you. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
Kay just stared back at him for a few seconds and then laughed derisively. “Oh, please…is that the best you can do, tell me to think about my actions and how they affect others? How pathetic. It’s no wonder Maedara’s going to win this war. You guys are a joke.”
“And you’re awful,” Ryan replied scornfully.
“I took you in, Kay,” Shadow started, keeping his voice low because he knew he’d yell otherwise. “I gave you a home. I made sure you were safe. I risked my life to protect you multiple times…and you betrayed not only me, but the others, too. We were supposed to be a family!”
“I didn’t ask for any of that. You offered, and I took the offering. You’re the idiot who puts his trust in total strangers. And it’s going to cost you dearly.”
Shadow’s brown eyes darkened and became swirling pools of darkness. “I’ve had enough of this. I’m only going to ask you once more…tell me what you know.”
Kay gave a half-shrug. “I told you everything I’m going to tell you…which is nothing. And since everyone in this room knows you’re too soft to do anything, can you let me up? I’m getting bored lying down here.”
“Fine,” Shadow replied, his voice harsh. “Have it your way, then.” He slowly walked toward her, and with every step, the shadows in the room flickered, and the light from Ethan’s spell dimmed until it was barely noticeable. Darkness seeped from his eyes like black tears, pouring down and covering his face like a black mask. When he was but a few inches away from Kay, the darkness pooled at his feet and started flowing towards her.
Kay squirmed against her bindings, fear flickering on her face for the first time. “W-what’s that? What are you doing?”
Shadow didn’t respond. He continued forward until he was standing over her, and then he bent over. The darkness dripped off of his body and fell onto her in steady drips – as the drops of darkness hit her body, they spread out and merged into a thick pool.
Kay began to scream as the pool of darkness made its way up her chest. The fog slowly made its way over her face, and her screams were muffled as the darkness seeped into her mouth and eyes.
Shadow stood over Kay, his face impassive. After a short time, he held out his hand and pulled the darkness back – slowly. He drew no joy from the look of horror on her face, but knew that it was a necessary evil. “Are you ready to talk?”
“Just stop it,” Kay whispered, her voice hoarse. Her face was pale, like she had seen a ghost. “Please…let me go.”
“Tell me what I need to know, and I’ll let you go.”
Kay swallowed audibly and closed her eyes. “I don’t know what you want me to say…I was spying on you for Maedara and I gave her basic information on everyone. I didn’t report to her very much…only when I had the chance.”
Shadow nodded. “And what about your actions tonight? What did you steal from that magic shop and why?”
“I knew that Maedara was going to make her move soon. I needed to make sure I had a plan in place for when that happened. The mall was the perfect opportunity. I gathered materials for a teleportation spell…I didn’t know when I’d need it, only that I’d need it soon. When that girl showed up…I knew it had to be today because she might know that I was a spy. So I went to my room and cast the spell.”
“And why did it bring you here?” Ryan asked.
“I don’t have to tell you anything, Ryan.”
“So tell me,” Shadow said, before Ryan could issue a retort. “Unless you need more of an incentive to speak.”
“You think you’re so tough, picking on an unarmed girl. You’re nothing but a joke. Both of you. And you’ll pay once Maedara finds you.”
Shadow shook his head. “I don’t think I’m tough at all. Don’t mistake me for a cruel person. I don’t like hurting you. But I will if I have to, because the only thing that matters to me right now is the safety of my team. You’ve compromised that safety, and that’s why I’m doing this.”
Kay gave a bitter laugh, the color returning to her face. “So you’re being noble…is that it? You’re doing what you have to…because you care about their safety, huh?”
Shadow frowned. “Of course I do…more than anything else in my life. Because they’ve put their faith in me. And I wouldn’t let them down. Which is a hell of a lot more than I can say for you. Look at what you’ve done…you didn’t just betray us, Kay, you’ve betrayed Isaac, too. He looks up to you and he loves you. Do you even care?”
“Don’t talk to me about him!” Kay shouted, anger etched on every inch of her face. “My relationship with Isaac is not your concern!”
“But it should be yours,” Shadow replied. “Isaac was a wreck when he found out you left. How does that not bother you?” He stared at her intently and felt the tiniest twinge of relief at the appearance of a single shred of guilt on her face. “So it does bother you, doesn’t it?”
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Have we touched a nerve? Be still, my heart – Kay actually gives a damn about someone other than herself!”
“Don’t you dare talk down to me, Ryan. You have no right. At least when I was on the team, I actually contributed something besides witty banter. You’re nothing special.”
“I’m nothing special?” Ryan replied incredulously. “You know what? That may be true. But I’m worth a damn more than you.”
Kay’s face turned bright red. “Oh, yeah? Well, at least I’m not the one who left his most fragile teammate alone and vulnerable.”
Shadow’s eyes slowly went wide as he processed her words. “W-w-what…?”
“What, surprised? After all, you’d think the great and powerful Shadow would know better than to leave one of his own by themselves at a time like this…especially a fragile little thing.”
“Cameryn,” Shadow breathed. His stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot as he came to a horrible realization and the thought of what-ifs made him feel sick. “Kay…what did you do to him?”
“Bingo,” Kay replied, an unpleasant smile forming on her lips. “And I didn’t do anything – that’s all on you. See, Maedara knew you’d come here searching for me. In fact, she counted on it.”
“She knew?”
“Yup, you hero types are so predictable. And if I’m right…which I know I am, as you’re sitting here wasting your time trying to pry information out of me, some of Maedara’s demons are probably at the castle right now to kidnap your little friend and bring him straight to Maedara.”
Shadow felt as if the world broke away and he were falling through the ground. How could he have been so stupid to play right into Maedara’s hand and risk someone he cared about? And he couldn’t help but think of Cameryn and how terrified he probably was. “There’s no way we’ll get there in time. Kay, I need you to tell me where they’re going to bring him…where’s Maedara’s place?”
“Why should I? I mean, what’s in it for me? I gain nothing by giving you that information.”
&n
bsp; Shadow clenched his fists and considered his options for a moment. “If you tell me what I need to know, I’ll let you go and you can walk out of here.”
“Shadow, you can’t!” Ryan said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Not after everything she’s done! Besides, we don’t need her. Couldn’t you just track him?”
Shadow sighed. “I don’t have time to debate this, Ryan. Cameryn’s safety takes priority over getting revenge on Kay. There’s also no way of knowing for sure if he had his communicator on him when he was captured, and I can’t take the chance.” He held up a hand before Ryan could protest further. “Please, don’t argue.”
“I didn’t say I’d help,” Kay pointed out. “Besides, how do I know if I tell you where to find Maedara, then you’ll actually honor your part of the bargain?”
“Because we’re the good guys,” Ryan said. “And we’re not the ones who have a history of backstabbery and lying.”
“I give you my word,” Shadow replied before Kay could issue a retort. “I promise if you tell us where Maedara’s located, I’ll let you go with no hassle. No harm will come to you. I just need you to tell me where they’re taking him – please.”
Kay gave a short, mirthless laugh. “I guess I’ll tell you – since you’re so desperate and all. As I said, they’ll be taking him to Maedara right now. You can find her on the far-south continent at her new mansion. If you let me up now, I’ll even be nice enough to write you the coordinates.”
Shadow glared at her as a dozen awful thoughts raced through his mind, but knew that none of them would be helpful in the current moment. In the end, he snapped his fingers and the dark tendrils binding Kay to the floor vanished. “Now, come here and give me the coordinates.” He brought his communicator out and navigated to the tracking screen.
Kay went to him and punched in the coordinates. “There, you happy? You’d better hurry. And if you’re quick enough…you may get there before Maedara gets her hands on him first.”
“You sound far too happy about all of this,” Ryan said, his face screwed up in disgust. “You know…there’s a special place nice and warm for people like you.”
The Descending Darkness Page 19