Dark Touch

by Elle Lewis

  I turned to Millie and raised my eyebrows.

  Millie laughed and then quickly said, “Sloan, do you want to put your purse in my bedroom?”

  I faked a smile. “Sure.”

  James was smirking.

  “James, do you want a drink?” Donovan asked. “Follow me into the kitchen, we have a little bit of everything.”

  I went with Millie to her bedroom. As soon as the door closed I said, “Millie! I told you not to set me up!” I tossed my bag on her bed.

  “How was I supposed to know you were bringing a date? He is your date, right?” Her eyes were big, and she was doing mini claps with the tips of her fingers.

  I rolled my eyes, unable to be annoyed. “Yes.”

  “Oh my god!” she gushed. “He is so hot! Is he a model? Your babies will be gorgeous!”

  “Our babies?” I laughed. “How much have you had to drink?”

  Millie plopped on her bed. She giggled instead of answering.

  I sat down next to her, smiling. “You seem to be enjoying the party.”

  “Never mind the party. Tell me about James. How long have you guys been talking?”

  “Almost a week.”

  “And how are things, you know...between the sheets?” She tried to give me a saucy expression, but she couldn’t quite manage it because she was drunk.

  I laughed.

  “Just tell me when to stop.” She put her two fingertips together and then started spreading her hands apart, letting the space between her fingers get wider and wider.

  I started laughing so hard and slapped her hand. “Oh my god, Millie! You’re too much. Alright, dirty birdie give this to Donovan for me when you get a chance.” I opened my bag and handed her a blue envelope. “It’s a gift card to GameStop.”

  “He will love it! Thank you, Sloan!” Millie could care less about video games. Drunk Millie on the other hand was super enthusiastic about it.

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s see what the guys are up to.” I grabbed her hand and led her through the crowd to the kitchen. James and Donovan were talking with drinks in hand.

  I handed Millie over to Donovan. “She needs to eat.”

  “Roger that.” Donovan began making her a plate of food.

  James looked down at me. He gave me a warm smile. “Hey.”

  I looked up at him and grinned. “Hey.”

  Donovan gave Millie a plate stacked with pizza and then slipped his arm around her waist. Millie ate while Donovan continued his conversation with James.

  “Yeah, I don’t play at venues anymore,” Donovan said. “School is just too hectic, man; but my old band mates are here tonight. The new bass player is insane. They usually play at Chop Suey on Friday nights.”

  “What kind of music?” James asked.

  “Its progressive metal. But with a lot of guitar solos.”

  “I’ll have to check them out sometime,” James said.

  “We should all go. Hey Sloan, what do you want to drink?” Donovan asked.

  “I’ll have another Moscato,” Millie answered immediately.

  Donovan laughed. “You can have some water. Sloan?”

  “The usual.” My heart tugged with nostalgia. Damn, I missed them.

  Donovan grabbed a fine bottle of scotch and a rocks glass. “I told everyone here to keep their hands off my scotch. You are, of course, the exception, Sloan.”

  I took the glass of amber liquid and ice. “Thanks.”

  James raised his eyebrows. “You like Scotch?”

  Donovan held up a finger, “She doesn’t just like it. She truly appreciates it.”

  I smiled and looked up at James. “Looks like you can take a night off from sneaking me drinks.”

  That crooked grin twisted his lips. “Are you sure you don’t want him to add some water?”

  I took a sip, my expression smooth as the strong liquor eased down my throat. “I’m good.”

  His crooked grin got wider. He rested his hand in the small of my back.

  “So, what do you do, James?” Millie set her now empty plate down and began sipping a bottle of water.

  “I work on a fishing boat.”

  Millie’s brown eyes lit up. “Really? Like way out in the ocean?”

  James laughed. “Yeah. We’re out there for weeks at a time, in all kinds of weather, looking for crawfish, crab and fish. Salmon and trout especially. It’s rough and intense, but, being on the ocean suits me.”

  An impressed expression crossed Donovan’s face. “When was the last time you were out there?”

  “I got back Sunday actually—a four week trip.”

  “Four weeks, that’s crazy,” Millie said. “What’s the first thing you do when you get back?”

  My stomach clenched. The first thing James did was go to St. James Cathedral, to spend time in the one place that made him feel close to his deceased mother. I watched his reaction, worried the question was too personal.

  “Get a really good Guinness on draft,” he answered. “And then I’m right back on the water. I have a small sailboat of my own that I take out almost every day.”

  “You get off a boat and then jump right back on another?” Donovan asked him. “Don’t you ever get sick of the water?”

  James shook his head. “Not ever.”

  The four of us continued to talk for a while, laughing and joking, the conversation light. Occasionally, I felt distracted by the pain on the left side of my body as well as my fast heart rate. The sensation of tension remained constant, as if there was a hand inside my stomach and it was reaching up my throat, squeezing. But after a third scotch, I began to ignore all of it. Donovan and Millie got along with James well, although there was an awkward moment when Millie asked how James and I had met. I said ‘um’ a few times until James stepped in, saying that we had met at an Irish pub last weekend—which was close to the truth. Eventually Millie and Donovan stepped away to mingle with some of their other friends. James and I decided to go back out onto the balcony, despite the cold weather.

  We leaned against the railing side by side and talked quietly as we looked out over the beautiful city skyline. Occasionally James would lean down and kiss me. I wanted to stay longer. I felt a little like Cinderella, with a time limit. Soon, the magic would be over, and my harsh reality would return.

  “What’s on your mind?” James asked.

  I shrugged. “Its nice to be here. You and my friends. I could get used to it.”

  “So could I,” said James.

  “They like you, I can tell,” I said.

  “Then why the frown?”

  I looked out over the city. The buildings stood against the night sky like gigantic dark puzzle pieces.

  “It’s just—” before I could get the sentence out my eyes caught the outline of a figure on the rooftop of a nearby building. I stood up straighter, fear pooling in my stomach.

  “What is it?” James asked

  I put a finger to my lips and then pointed to the rooftop where the figure stood.

  James straightened, his eyes moving in the direction that I pointed. He squinted as he tried to see—and then his eyes widened.

  I watched in horror as dark silhouettes with wings began dropping from the sky, landing noiselessly on the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Darrow and his army had arrived.

  “It’s time to go,” James said. His voice came out like steel, his face set in angry determination. I was speechless and couldn’t look away from the winged figures that were placed strategically on the rooftops. W
e were surrounded.

  James grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the apartment. He led me through the crowded party, towards the door. I spotted Millie across the room and managed to give her a little wave goodbye. She smiled and held her hand to her ear, mimicking a phone. My throat constricted. I wouldn’t be alive to make the call. As soon as the apartment door closed behind us, James and I ran.

  We sprinted down the length of the hallway, coming to an abrupt stop in front of the elevator doors. James pushed the down button frantically. “Come on you uptown piece of shit.”

  As we waited I kept looking behind us, expecting to see Darrow striding towards us. Adrenaline coursed through me, making me tremble. The elevator doors opened. James pulled me inside and hit the button for the ground floor.

  “What are we going to do?” I said. “There are too many of them! James, you have to stay here. I will draw them away.”

  James gave me a stern look, “Sloan, I am not leaving your side. Let’s get that straight right now. Just stay with me, okay? We need to get to my truck.”

  I nodded and took in a deep breath, trying to control my fear. James kissed me quickly and then grabbed my hand. We watched the floor numbers descend as the elevator made its way to the ground floor. I kicked off my heels and ripped the cat ears off my head.

  As soon as the doors opened, James sprinted, pulling me along behind him. We ran across the lobby and into the night. The streets were still crowded, and the temperature had dropped. James plunged forward, weaving through the gaps in the thick throng of party goers, pushing people aside if necessary. Some of them pushed back, cursing at us. James barely took notice and continued to run.

  I held onto his hand, trying to keep pace with his long strides. My heart pounded furiously in my chest, vibrating the bones of my rib cage. Sharp pain began to throb on the bottom of my feet as I ran over the sidewalk, pebbles and other miscellaneous objects tearing into my skin. After a few blocks James stopped suddenly, and I collided with him. He pulled me around, cradling me protectively at his side.

  We were at an intersection, both breathing hard. Across the road, directly under a street light, stood one of them. It was one that I didn’t recognize. He was dressed all in black, his hair the color of snow. Even at this distance I could see that his eyes were entirely black. James looked to the left. I followed his gaze and saw that another one stood at the adjacent corner. I risked a glance over my shoulder. Two of them were weaving their way through the crowd, coming up quickly behind us. There was nowhere to go. The people around us took no notice of their frightening appearance. Darrow’s army blended into the crowd of Halloween costumes.

  “James!” Terror crept up my throat. I tried to control it, but panic was quickly taking over.

  James tightened his grip on my hand and darted to the right. He made a series of quick turns, finally drawing us into a dark alleyway. My instincts told me this was not a good idea. It was too isolated. But with the amount of people out tonight, it was probably the fastest way through the city.

  I quickly lost all sense of direction as James navigated us through the maze of backstreets that snaked behind the buildings. I didn’t know how far away we were from his truck, but I hoped it was close because my muscles were beginning to cramp and there was a searing pain ripping across my chest. I forced myself to keep going, trusting that he was leading us in the right direction. We turned a sharp corner that lead into a long wide alley with storm drains and brick walls.

  “We’re almost there, Sloan!” James said breathlessly.

  I nodded, unable to talk, my feet splashing through cold puddles. We made it halfway down the length of the alley when I heard powerful wings beating directly above us. Fear took over. I stopped running and let go of James’s hand, pressing myself flat against the brick wall.

  “Sloan!” James back tracked to me. “I know you’re scared, but we’re almost there. You can do this, come on!” He reached for my hand.

  The ground suddenly shook beneath us, throwing us off balance. James gripped my shoulders, steadying me. Our eyes locked. Something had landed behind us. James turned, placing himself directly in front of me. I peeked around his arm.

  Darrow was crouched on the pavement, the asphalt broken beneath him. He stood, folding in his wings. The ground tremored again and again with loud THUMPS as his army descended around him, scattering themselves strategically down the length of the alleyway to the left and right of us. There was no way out.

  Darrow’s black eyes centered on me. I began trembling, unable to control my fear.

  “Don’t fucking touch her,” James growled.

  Darrow tilted his head.

  “No!” I shouted.

  Darrow lunged forward, his movements a blur. James disappeared. I was suddenly standing against the brick wall, alone. Darrow had thrown him. I spotted James’ limp body several yards down the alleyway. He was not moving.

  “James!” I wanted to run to him, but Darrow advanced on me. I backed into the wall. His eyes bored into me, hungry.

  “Sloan,” he purred.

  One of Darrow’s soldiers took a step forward and said, “They are coming. Be quick.”

  I balled my hand and swung. Darrow swatted my fist away, as if I were an irritating fly. He backhanded me savagely. I stumbled, catching myself on the brick wall. Blood filled my mouth.

  “They are here,” another one said. “You must take her somewhere else. We will distract them.”

  Darrow nodded and grabbed my arm. I pulled away, attempting to break his grasp. My efforts were useless against his immense strength. Darrow spun me, so that my back was pressed against his chest. His other arm wrapped around my upper body and his wings unfurled.

  Tears sprang into my eyes. “No. No. No. God, please...”

  Darrow bent his knees and then suddenly the ground disappeared.

  I screamed.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  THE WARRIORS OF THE GUILD

  My stomach dropped as Darrow rapidly gained height. Within seconds, the city below became small, the lights like candle flames. Darrow’s arms were firmly pinned around me. The sound of his beating wings filled my ears and my breath billowed in the freezing altitude.

  Darrow shifted the angle of his body, becoming parallel to the earth. I knew as soon as he shot forward, I would never be seen again. Tears streamed down my cheeks, my entire body shaking. And then something suddenly exploded from the darkness, crashing into Darrow like a torpedo. It knocked him off balance. We dropped several feet before Darrow was able to right himself.

  Darrow growled, his wings beating furiously as he regained height. And then I saw what had crashed into us. Hovering in the air directly in front of me, was another warrior, but this one had ivory white wings. His hair was long, twisted in thin silver dreadlocks. His eyes were bone chilling. They were the color of glass, utterly translucent. A long white spear was clutched in his hand.

  “Give her to me, Dark One,” the warrior commanded.

  “Aleo,” Darrow said cordially. “I wasn’t expecting you. I am surprised that you would abandon your quadrant to become involved in this matter. I’m curious, who guards it while you are away?”

  The white warrior’s translucent eyes narrowed. He lifted the spear. Bright white electricity burst from his hands, the hot strands wrapping around the weapon.

  Darrow snarled.

  “Oh shit,” I whispered.

  The warrior threw the spear with incredible force and accuracy. I tensed as the sharp tip of the spear sliced into the upper corner of Darrow’s right wing. He roared and to my horror, released me.

  I screamed as my body plummeted to the earth. I twisted through the ai
r, forceful winds pulling at my hair and clothes, my surroundings a disorienting haze. My body quickly reentered the city skyline, careening between two skyscrapers. The pavement was rapidly approaching. I closed my eyes, hoping it would be over quickly. And then, a strong arm hooked around my waste. My body jolted.

  I dared a look over my shoulder. The golden warrior from the gardens had me. His massive wings were extended to their full width, catching the wind. I held still, staring at him in shock as we descended to the ground. He had brown hair that was shaved on the sides, but thick on top, arranged in a miniature Mohawk. The golden warrior smiled down at me, revealing dimples in both cheeks.

  I blinked several times, bewildered. What the fuck?

  The golden warrior gently released me. My legs did not want to work. I crumpled to the ground.

  He pointed at me and in a voice like thunder said, “Stay here.”

  The golden warrior ran to the left. I took in my surroundings and realized I was back in the alleyway. I hunkered against the wall. It was all out war. Darrow’s army was attacking a third warrior. The warrior twisted and somersaulted in the air, Sai blades crackling with lavender electricity. The warrior moved incredibly fast. All I could make out was an alternating pattern of gold and white wings, and grayish purple hair. The golden warrior rushed into the fray, a huge broad sword appearing in his hand. Darrow’s army descended on the two warriors, like a murder of crows. The warriors were outnumbered, but they fought with precision and power. Their weapons blazed with electricity, making the air crackle.

  I drew my eyes away and looked up. High above the buildings Darrow and the white warrior were locked in an airborne battle. It began to rain, a heavy torrent that fell like a wet curtain over the pandemonium.

  The golden warrior told me to stay put. Fuck that. All of them were occupied. I could slip away. But I needed to find James first. I stood. My eyes scanned the alley, but it was poorly lit, and the rain made it even harder to see. I spotted the outline of a body. James. He lay on his stomach, unmoving. I started to run to him but did not get far. Something powerful slammed into me from behind.