Dark

by Erika Phillips

  That evening he had betrayed me. When I entered the ceremonial room, I saw so many dead. The bodies of my family lay scattered around the room. Blood seeping from their bodies, staining the cold, hard floor. I could hear myself scream as I saw the terror-stricken face of my mother, her eyes filled with horror, her mother open as if she was still screaming, the blood oozing from her neck. I searched the room, looking for my father, he was nowhere to be found.

  There were so many, I couldn’t count them all. Thane sat on the throne, the blood of my kin, stained his clothes and lay smeared on his cheeks. I could feel my rage, my blood boiled as I ran at him, ready to kill him. My love for him now dead and only pure hatred filled my veins. I reached out my hands to clasp his slender neck, wanting to strangle the life from him, but his vampires swarmed me, keeping me from getting close. They grabbed my arms and waist, pinning me to the ground.

  Thane stared down at me, helpless on the ground, a wicked smile forming. “You made this much easier than I ever imagined. I really thought it would have been a lot harder getting you to fall in love with me. But what they all said was true. You are a very naïve child,” Thane began, his cold stare never leaving my face.

  “I had hoped that they,” Thane motioned to the dead bodies, “would have just forfeited and recognized me as their true leader. But no, they would rather sacrifice their own lives than just follow me. A shame, I truly did want this to end peacefully, but alas, it was not meant to be. And your poor mother. It was a pity I had to kill her.”

  Thane watched as I struggled to get up. My fury reignited by his admission of his murder. It was no use, I was the only one left. No one could save me now. I still had no idea where my father was, but it no longer mattered. Thane had defeated us.

  Thane got up from the throne and walked over to me, as I continued to flail around trying to break free. He placed the heel of his boot on my shoulder, pressing it down into the floor. I could feel my bones breaking under the weight. A piercing scream escaped my lips from the pain.

  “One day, I will rule this world,” he released his boot from my shoulder and kneeled down next to me. He leaned in close, so close no one could hear him whisper a prophecy in my ear. “And, one day centuries from now a daughter you birth will be my Queen.”

  Jazmine gasped. How did he know that one day I would exist? Had he been waiting for me all this time? Why? I’m nothing special? Jazmine felt even more lost, like she had more questions than answers. It all made no sense. And why would her mother never have spoken about any of this? It was like she had no idea who her mother once was. Jazmine picked the diary back up and began to read again.

  I could feel the blood drain from my face. Was he mad? How could he predict this? “Never,” I screamed back at him, as he walked from the room. I don’t remember how long I lay there, or how long they held me down. Eventually, I believe I passed out. When I came to, I was alone, surrounded only by death.

  I had no idea of where to go, I had no one left, or at least I thought no one was left. I needed to hide. That much I knew. So I picked myself up off the ground and I fled from that place. I ran so fast and never looked back. The only place I could think of to go was to my father’s old family home. I knew no one would be there, they had all come to my crowning. They were all dead now.

  When I arrived, the home was vacant as I had speculated. I walked in, the home once cheerful and warm, now only a painful reminder of all that was lost. I ran up the stairs to my father’s childhood room and flung myself on the bed. My shoulder throbbed as I landed. I knew I needed to get some ointments to heal it, I had been a healer in my coven, but not now. I needed to feel the pain as a reminder of my sins.

  I could feel myself slipping in and out of consciousness and eventually I let myself slip into the peaceful abyss. The visions that came while I slept frightened me. I dreamt of a time far in the future, I saw myself, but I no longer looked like me. I was a mother to many children and l lived in a small room that reeked of urine and booze. It was no longer 1790, but another time. The clothes I wore were so strange, I gathered I had lived for many years. When I woke, I knew I was no longer alone.

  Someone else was here and I could sense it was someone I knew. Yet, I knew this visit would not be friendly. Whoever was near me kept their identity hidden. Almost as if I was the enemy and they could no longer trust me. I called out, demanding they show themselves to me, but nothing. I tried for several hours, when I finally gave up. Night had fallen again, and I lay there alone.

  Jazmine placed the book down on her lap. Her head swam with the knowledge that Thane had killed her family. He had slaughtered them all and for what? To rule? Reading her mother’s words, made her feel closer to her. She had grown-up despising her mother for her weak nature. Now, she understood that she had lost everything that night. Jazmine picked the diary back up and continued to flip through the pages.

  June 1901,

  So much time has passed, yet I have not had the desire to commit my thoughts to paper until now. I have lived many lifetimes already. The years have turned to one blur after another. I fear so much for this child who now resides snuggly in my belly. I keep hearing Thane’s words play over and over in my head every time I lay my head down on my pillow to rest. I fear he will come for this child that I carry. I know I need to do everything in my power to keep her safe. And yes, I know this child will be a girl, I can feel her, I can sense her thoughts. She is me and I am her. We are connected. One day, she will be strong like I once was and I know he will use her power to control her and others around her.

  I never meant to get pregnant, never meant to allow another man into my life. But he was so charming and so pleasing to the eye. I was weak and for that this child will forever be hunted by a vampire. I can tell no one of the things I know. The man I love is simple, he is human and has no idea who I truly am, or who I was.

  Jazmine could feel a single tear slip down her cheek. This was the year she was born; she was the child her mother spoke of. And the man she loved, was not the man Jazmine knew. Her father was a drunk and had spoken no kind words to anyone. Jazmine brushed the tear away with the back of her hand and continued to read.

  March 1918,

  I saw him today. He didn’t think I did, but I saw him watching us. He has come for her, but he will never have her. I will keep her safe. I know I need to tell her, let her know everything, but she is not ready to know the truth of who she truly is. She is a true priestess, one who comes from great power and will lead many. But she is not ready to fully accept her true nature. I need more time, but I fear I have little left.

  Jazmine finally understood. She flipped the page and saw it was blank. Frantically she kept flipping through the rest of the diary. Nothing. Then Jazmine looked at the date and realized this was the year her mother had died. She had not been sick, or even mentioned anything was wrong. Jazmine always assumed that she died from sorrow, from living a life that was bleak and miserable that her heart just simply gave out, but now she wondered if Thane had finally killed her. He had come back to complete the job he started out to do.

  Jazmine tried to process everything, but she felt more lost. Who was she? She did not want this power that her mother spoke of, the responsibility that she and Christian referred to. She was no great leader, nor did she want to be. She never asked for any of this, and now she was being hunted for a crown she never wanted.

  Chapter Ten

  It was several hours later before Christian returned. Jazmine stood silently in the room staring out the window when he entered. Christian didn’t say anything as he walked in. He waited for her to speak. “I never asked for this power, I never wanted to lead anyone, but I know if I don’t Thane will take what doesn’t belong to him and he will kill us both. And that’s something, I can’t let happen. So...what do we do next?” Jazmine asked, as she turned around to face Christian. Ready to accept her destiny.

  Christian walked over to her and placed her hands in his. “I have had hundreds of yea
rs to prepare myself for this day. I have always known my purpose. You’ve only just learned about your fate. Yes, we are meant to be together, but I don’t want you to only want to be with me because someone prophesied our union. I want you to want to be with me because that’s what you truly want. I want all of you,” Christian replied.

  Jazmine knew he truly meant every word he spoke. She also knew that if she ran away from her destiny, she would regret it for the rest of her existence. Fate had brought them together, but it was her heart that fell in love with him. She would walk to the ends of the earth for this man.

  Christian knew he needed to tell her about his change. He guided her back over to the bed and sat her down. He needed to tell her everything that had happened since the night she left with Thane. Her memories of that night were still hazy. Christian told her everything, from Shane bringing him back to their house, to him drinking the blood of a young vampire, and how he looked for her for months and finally found her.

  Jazmine barely moved as he recounted the details of that night. “Now we are the same creature,” she smiled at him with acceptance. “Maybe we can use this to help us fight against Thane.” As Jazmine spoke, she could feel her hatred for Thane building even more. Any love or feelings she had left for him had dissolved as Christian spoke. They were replaced by pure disdain and she now longed to kill him. She secretly vowed to be the one to take his life with her own bare hands. To extinguish the life from him as he did to so many people she had loved. When he was done, Jazmine spoke, “How do we kill him?”

  “Patience, we need to prepare. We don’t want a repeat of last time. We need to be ready,” Christian stated.

  Jazmine knew he was right. Thane had been plotting for decades and he was ready for any war that Christian and she may bring. And currently, Jazmine had no idea if they even had anyone who would fight with them. She knew Christian had been planning, but she had no idea how many witches or vampires were willing to risk their lives for them.

  “I have seen his army. They are large, but I believe they could be swayed. Many do not trust him, and they know he will turn on them to save himself. Some already have,” Jazmine informed him thinking back to her last night with Thane.

  “I agree. Thane is a selfish vampire and he’s not to be trusted, but he’s strong and powerful and the others know that. And they would rather be on the winning side than the losing, and if they think he’ll win, then they will follow him,” Christian reminded her. “Right now, Shane is out searching for anyone that is willing to fight against Thane. Many do not want to see him rule.” Christian paced across the room, “We can’t stay here long. Thane will be looking for you and he will have people out searching. We need to bide our time and that means we need to keep moving.”

  Jazmine was starting to become accustomed to picking up and moving quickly. It was no surprise that they would not stay in this place long.

  “Shane has found us a new hideout and we will go there tonight,” Christian informed her.

  This time, Jazmine had only her mother’s diary to take with her and it was all she needed, besides Christian. “Okay, I’m ready,” Jazmine smiled at him.

  Christian nodded in affirmation. He knew she was ready to fight for what was hers. The only thing he feared was losing her again. He had never imagined he would feel so much love for this vampire in front of him. Over the hundreds of years, he searched for her he only hoped he could learn to like her. He never dreamed that the one that was prophesied to be his partner would end up being his true soulmate.

  A short time later, Shane arrived. Jazmine had not seen him in such a long time and she was so happy to have him on their side. He had saved Christian’s life and for that she would be eternally grateful. Shane’s face lit up upon seeing her. He welcomed her in a warm embrace. “I’ve missed you,” he stated, his eyes twinkling with delight.

  “I’ve missed you too. And thank you, for keeping him safe,” she murmured back.

  Shane’s smile grew wider. “You mean this old bag of bones,” he jested pointing at Christian. “He’s been around so long, it would take more than a fight with Thane to kill him off,” he chuckled, but Jazmine would see his eyes change and a flash of concern that he could die one day pass over them.

  Jazmine knew that they had a special bond and to lose Christian would destroy Shane. “Well, now there are two of us to keep him safe,” she smiled with reassurance.

  “Yes, there are,” he retorted back.

  Christian watched as the two of them bantered back and forth, Shane oblivious to the fact that he was standing next to him and acting like he could not take care of himself or keep himself alive.

  “Seriously!” Christian chuckled. “I mean, I have managed to keep myself alive for over five hundred years. It’s not like I have no idea how to fight for myself!”

  “True,” Shane agreed. “But this time you actually have something to live for and a man in love does very stupid things.” Shane pointed out. Jazmine blushed at hearing Shane speak about Christian being in love with her.

  Christian made no reply to Shane’s comment. But he knew Shane was right. When it came to Jazmine, he had made some vital errors in judgement and it had almost cost him his life. He knew he could not do this again. If they were going to defeat Thane they needed to have a concrete plan and any small error could change the course of events for them all.

  “Are you all ready to go?” Shane asked, not wanting to waste any more time. He could sense that others were searching for them and it would not take long for them to discover where they were hiding. They needed to keep moving, Thane had many vampires looking for them.

  “Yes, we should get moving. I can feel something getting close,” Christian confirmed Shane’s suspicions.

  “Okay,” Shane nodded. “I have a car waiting outside to take us to your new place. We should be there before sunrise.”

  Jazmine had no idea where they were headed; she trusted them both to keep everyone safe. Like Shane stated, when they stepped outside she saw a black sedan waiting for them. Shane sat up front by the driver, and Christian and Jazmine sat in the back. Jazmine felt a sense of fear as she got in. For the first time, doubt entered her mind. She knew leaving with them that there was no turning back and in the end either she or Thane would die.

  Chapter Eleven

  When they arrived, the sun’s rays washed over the mountain tops far off to the east. The colors were warm, and the quick glimpse Jazmine caught as they raced into the new building was all she would get of the outside world for the next few months. She knew they needed to stay hidden for as long as possible to build up a strong army.

  Thane had had years to accomplish what they needed to do in months. She knew the task they were about to undertake would not be an easy one, but she trusted Christian and Shane. She just only hoped they could all succeed.

  When they entered the building, the long hallway was lit only by torch light. The flames burned warm and bright as they walked down the long corridor. She could feel the temperature drop, indicating they must be walking downward, underneath the ground. The twists and turns of the maze-like entrance would have confused anyone that tried to enter. There were hallways that led off from each other. She guessed many led to dead ends meant to confuse any intruders.

  Jazmine followed Shane, who clearly knew his way around this labyrinth. When they finally arrived at a small opening that had a large brass door on the left-hand wall. Shane knocked several times, each knock making a distinctly different sound. With one last tap, the door slowly swung open. A soft orange light spilled through the frame welcoming them in.

  Shane led the way, with Christian and Jazmine following closely behind. The moment they all stepped through the door, it shut on its own accord. A large boom echoed throughout the spacious chamber, startling Jazmine. The sound made her jump into Christian’s back, bumping him in the process. He gently reached his hand back to enfold hers in his, giving it a small squeeze. The feel of his hand on hers, comfo
rted her and helped her to feel more at ease. She could not understand why she was so on edge, but the feel of his body next to hers was a welcomed comfort.

  Shane turned around to face them. There were doors located all around the room that magically appeared and multiplied out of thin air. As they stood there, silent, one by one these magical doors began to open, and people started to fill the room.

  Jazmine’s eyes grew wider as she watched in disbelief, unable to comprehend that everyone here was willing to fight and possibly die. She could feel all their emotions as the room filled in. The feelings of love, hate, and vengeance overwhelmed her and she felt like she may faint from the overload to her body. She had never experienced such an emotional drain before and was not sure she could handle it all.

  Christian noticed the effect this experience was having on her and pulled her in tighter to him. Letting her body slump against his for support, both emotionally and physically. The feel of his warm, hard body pressed against hers gave her strength to suppress the climate swirling around the room that almost engulfed her.

  Then her eyes locked on Celeste. It had only been awhile since she had last seen her. Celeste had allowed her into her home, even when she knew the risk she was putting her coven under. Celeste had always been there for her, no matter what. They shared a special bond that no one or nothing could ever break. And here she was again, standing in front of her, ready to risk her life again for Jazmine. The knowledge of this gave Jazmine a warm feeling in her stomach.

  A slight smile spread across Celeste’s lips as Jazmine’s gaze continued to consume her. Jazmine noticed how she still looked the same and she had not changed in almost a hundred years. Her skin was still as smooth as silk and she wanted to reach her hand out to stroke the soft, perfect flesh. The thoughts of their time together came rushing back to her and brought a slight blush to her cheeks, which did not go unnoticed by Celeste.