Dark Soul

by G. Bailey

  “Mum?”

  Chapter 21

  Aura

  My mum stands right in front of me, all of her skin glowing a light pink before it fades away. Two more flashes appear in the room; one is a woman I briefly recognise as Iris’s mum and the other is Maxx’s mother. Why are they all together? I step back, running my eyes over how mum looks nothing like the woman stood next to Okeken when I last saw her. She is dressed in all leather, her long blonde hair braided down her back, and tears running down her cheeks as she watches me silently.

  “Aura, I’ve missed you,” she lightly says, but I can only stare, stepping back in pure anger and shock. The events of the mountain flashing through my mind.

  “No, you haven’t. You’ve been next to Okeken’s side the whole time! Tricking me!” I protest, shaking my head.

  “That was my sister. My twin sister. I am your mother, not her. It’s a long story, but I need you to see the truth,” she tells me, and I shake my head, stepping back. I don’t know what I believe anymore. There have been so many lies, so many tricks. “I love you, and I never wanted you to be alone. It was me who sat watching movies with you every Friday after school. I tucked you into bed every night while your dad sang that silly song you loved. I am your mum, and I am so, so sorry I failed to protect you. That is never happening again. Never.”

  I cry, breaking down into deep sobs as mum runs to me, holding me closely to her. I believe her. No one but mum or dad could know about the silly dolphin song I used to love dad singing to me as a kid. Mum mumbles over and over how sorry she is, even as I sense Maxx coming into the room moments before I hear his mum’s joyful sigh. I open my eyes on my mum’s shoulder to see Maxx hugging his mum, who is crying, though his eyes are on me, watching me always. Protecting me always.

  “I guess we have a lot to talk about. Is dad back wherever you have been? I bet he was happy to see you?” I pull back from mum to ask, holding her arms. I frown as she shakes her head at me, moving my arms away and gently placing her hands on my face.

  “Oh, sweetie, I don’t even know how to tell you this,” she says, her voice catching. “Ross is dead. Your dad is gone. She killed him.” I don’t need her to tell me who, to say her name. I only feel myself falling as I scream, crying out as pain rips through my heart. Mum tries to hold me, but Maxx picks me up, holding me to his chest.

  “I’m sorry, Freckles. I’m so, so sorry. We will avenge him,” he promises me.

  “We have to leave. It is not secure here, clan leader,” Iris’s mother tells Maxx, but I can’t think of anything but my dad as Maxx agrees.

  “I can flash her back to the clan. Landon, Aliana and the others are safe there,” my mum suggests.

  “No. We are the true light, and Aura is my mate. Where I go, so does she. Go, we will follow,” Maxx orders, and there are mumbled agreements. Mum tries to touch my arm, but I pull away from her, knowing I can’t deal with her right now. She left, and dad is dead because no one was here to protect him.

  “When you’re ready, come and talk to me. I love Ross and you more than my own life. If I could have saved your dad, I would have. I love you, sweetie,” mum says, and I stay quiet, processing her words with my head pushed into Maxx’s chest. I hear them leave only moments later, and Maxx walks us into the lounge, sitting down with me on his lap. I don’t know how long I sit, crying my eyes out, wishing for dad to be here, before I fall asleep. When I wake up much later, it is dark outside, and I’m still on Maxx’s lap, where he is awake, stroking my hair. I look across the dark room, only lit up by the moonlight coming through the window. I stare at the curtains, wondering why dad didn’t close them until it sinks in that he is gone still. Sleep doesn’t erase that.

  “It’s still real…for a moment, when I woke up, I thought he was alive, and then I remembered he is really gone,” I whisper to Maxx.

  “The only way someone is really gone is when they are forgotten,” Maxx whispers back. “Ross will never be forgotten by you, by your mother or me. He was a great man who brought up this amazing girl who will do him proud.”

  “I miss him so much,” I reply, knowing Maxx is right, but it doesn’t take the pain in my chest away.

  “I know, but I need you to be strong for now,” Maxx gently tells me, turning me to look at him and brushing his lips against mine. “We have a war to win and a clan who need us. You have family still alive, Freckles. We need to go to them.” I nod, not able to really give Maxx an answer as we both slowly stand up. Maxx links his fingers in mine, and a purple glow spreads from our hands, covering all of our bodies before we disappear.

  Thank you so much for reading Dark Soul. A big thank you to Helayna, Mads, Cora, the cat’s Pj’s and everyone that supported me with this book!

  Including my wonderful Pack Leaders <3

  The final book is called Shadow Kiss. Join my facebook group for updates.

  Please keep reading for an excerpt from other books of mine, and links on where to find me for updates and teasers!

  Thank you for your continued support! You’re all amazing!

  Also by G. Bailey

  Her Guardians Series (Complete)-

  Winter’s Guardian (Book one)

  Winter’s Kiss (Book two)

  Winter’s Promise (Book three)

  Winter’s War (Book Four)

  Box set with bonus epilogue scenes (Book One)

  Her Fate Series-

  (Her Guardians Series spinoff)

  Adelaide’s Fate (Book One)

  Adelaide’s Trust (Coming Soon)

  Saved by Pirates Series (Complete)-

  Escape the sea (Book One)

  Love the sea (Book Two)

  Save the Sea (Book Three)

  One Night Series-

  Strip for Me (Book one)

  The Marked Series (Co-written with Cece Rose)-

  Marked by Power (Book one)

  Marked by Pain (Book two)

  Marked by Destruction (Book Three)

  The Forest Pack series-

  Run Little Wolf- (Book One)

  Run Little Bear- (Book Two)

  Run Little Prince (Coming Soon)

  Run Little Beauty (Coming Soon)

  Protected by Dragons series-

  Wings of Ice (Book One)

  Wings of Fire (Book Two)

  Wings of Spirit (Book Three)

  Wings of Fate (Book Four)

  Wings of Dragca (Book Five)

  A Demon’s Fall Series-

  Runes of Truth (Book One)

  Runes of Mortality (Book Two)

  Runes of Black Magic (Book Three)

  Runes of Royalty (Coming Soon)

  From the Stars-

  True Light (Book One)

  Dark Soul (Book Two)

  Shadow Kiss (Coming Soon)

  The King Brothers Series-

  Secret (Book One)

  Chance (Book Two)

  Past (Book Three)

  Fall (Book Four)

  Revenge (Coming September)

  Petting Them. (A 100% charity anthology)

  The Missing Wolf (Book One)

  Keep in touch…