Harsh Light of Day
Page 10
CHAPTER 6
Declan hid behind some shrubberies as humans congregated at a nearby grassy knoll and cackled and screamed. It all seemed so unfamiliar, so crass and abrasive. It had been many years since Declan was willingly amongst humans. A blink of an eye really to an immortal, but it felt like much longer.
It was strange for Declan to realize. What were a couple decades to a creature that would never die? But it seemed like a distant past, and nearly something that had happened to someone other than himself.
Perhaps it was that he had avoided the memories. Declan had always been skilled at blocking out what he did not wish to think of.
Even now, he could push it away. Even now that there were reminders everywhere he looked.
Was he really so different than before? Declan wondered.
His interests were certainly the same. The object of his fixation, his purpose for being there were the same as the last time he was in this situation.
She was still his primary concern.
Declan closed his eyes and turned away from the humans.
Put up a wall. Focus on the task at hand.
The blue sky was filling with rainclouds. If it stormed, Declan knew it would be but for a few moments. Showers such as these were common here this time of year. He had witnessed more than a few. With her.
Focus, he told himself, clinching his fists and digging them into the sides of his legs.
Colin. He was still at his Castle, surely aware of what had transpired today. But he had not begun his ascent yet. The sun was still up. He would wait for dusk.
There was no need to be in a hurry it would seem. Colin was being quite arrogant, Declan believed.
He tried to reject his insolent thoughts about his Master, but they crept in. It was easy to allow them in as the rain began to fall freely on Declan’s head, no Castle ceiling keeping him sheltered.
If Declan were a Master, this never would have happened. So much would have been different. Knowledge would not be abhorred. The members of Declan’s family would be allowed to do what they wished, to learn and explore.
At least, that is what Declan wanted to believe about himself. He knew better. There were reasons for Colin’s rules. There were reasons for treating Lena as he had. Whether Declan agreed with his tactics or not, Colin was his Master. He was to be honored.
No matter how difficult it proved to be.
It was growing more challenging to control his memories. Declan was ashamed to admit to himself how fearful he was at the idea of his thoughts running amok.
There were just too many.
Declan raised his gaze to the sky and let his face get drenched by warm raindrops. He allowed himself the moment of standing in the rain, and a grin crossed his lips for a moment, but then he shook it away and huddled in the shrubberies, shielding himself from the water from above.
He needed to focus.
Stop being ridiculous.
Lena was close. Declan could smell her scent in the air, feel her presence deep in his chest. She was close. That was all he needed to know.
Now he could wait until nightfall. Finding her would be simple.