by Sarah Erber
“How does this feeling pertain to Rosewood?”
I see flashes of chrome teeth that are jagged like a cluster of scalpel blades. Their soulless eyes would even haunt a ghost. “It’s what Rosewood is. A graveyard. And the living, are not welcome.”
I recount what happened in Rosewood. Mrs. Linn listens intently the entire time. By the time I finish, the color in Mrs. Linn’s cheeks drains away.
“My goodness that’s quite a tale. I don’t suppose you have any physical proof?”
“Don’t you see my teeth – my eyes?”
Mrs. Linn grimaces, but swats an imaginary fly away. “You can buy those online or at special stores.”
“Fine.” I dig into the pocket of my bag and pull out a tattered book. “This is the book Mrs. Peters gave me.”
Mrs. Linn plucks the book from me and flips through it.
I glance around the office, while Mrs. Linn reads the ancient book. My eyes land on a photograph of the counselor’s daughter. Even in the photo, I can see the real Karma hidden so well from the goblins.
“Do you know if Jenkins is dead?”
The new fear in Mrs. Linn’s voice startles me. “I can’t feel him or Silus. I don’t know what happened after I left. If they’re alive, I should see one of them today–”
“Did Jenkins ever mention any other Nephilims?”
My brow creases. “No. Why?”
“Did he ever say what other world would appear today?”
I stare at the counselor’s bug-eyed expression. “What kind of being is your daughter?”
Mrs. Linn blinks. “What?”
I point to the photo on the desk. “I can tell Karma’s not all human. What is she? A Nephilim?”
Mrs. Linn removes her glasses with a shaking hand. “No. Something a bit more special.”
The television blinks a few times before blacking out. Darkness creeps into the room.
“The eclipse is starting.”
The earth shakes beneath our feet and a sharp wind howls. Mrs. Linn screams and grasps the desk. The room is covered in darkness. The window makes a cracking noise. It breaks. Shards of glass whip into the office and graze our skin. The window on the office door pops like a bubble. Before Mrs. Linn or I can move, the contents of the office swirl like a tornado. Cackling enters the room and glowing eyes narrow in on me.
Mrs. Linn shrieks.
I beam. Warm arms encircle my waist. Unlike humans, I can see perfectly in the dark.
Silus’ handsome face registers my own. “I told you I’d come back for you.”
My eyes turn an electric green and the black part of my hair fades away, leaving a beautiful white shine. My figure morphs into sharper features. I can feel the mark on my neck heal instantly. “I didn’t know if you were alive.”
Silus chuckles. “Did you really think Jenkins could defeat me?” Conjuring a single blue rose from his pocket, he hands it to me. Raking a claw through my hair, he massages his fingers down to my shoulders. “Will you come back with me?”
I smile and snake my arms around his neck. “Tempt me.”
Pulling me into a tighter embrace, he kisses me. I deepen the kiss, loving every second of our connection. The way he smells of pine and a single strand of his black hair slashes across his eye. I finally have a family. I can finally go home.
The surrounding goblins cheer, except for Remorse. He is staring at the photo on Mrs. Linn’s desk. Picking up the photo, he strokes the picture of the plain girl. His eyes flicker to Mrs. Linn when she makes a gurgling noise. A lamp lay on the floor with light still emitting from its’ flashing core. “Be this yer daughter?”
Mrs. Linn’s body freezes, but she manages to nod.
“Yer a witch, but human, so her father be the immortal.” Remorse frowns and points a spidery finger at Mrs. Linn. “Be warned, yer daughter’s life be in danger. He be huntin’ her at de moment. He can feel her and yer disguise ain’t gonna fool him. Teach yer daughter how to do the spell or she’ll be found before the week is out. Yer not alone in this world anymore and yer daughter be not the only one of her kind. Jenkins woulda taken her if he’d lived. But he be not as powerful as the creature seeking yer daughter.”
The goblins cackle loudly. The eclipse is about to end. After all, they only last about five minutes.
Silus holds me – his new queen – as the wind picks up. “Return to Rosewood!”
The goblins pop out of the room and into the blackness of the world. I smile – happy for the first time – to fade into the darkness.
Acknowledgments
I’ve been fortunate to have a very supportive family who has cheered me on from the first day I began writing. To the blueboarders on Verla Kay’s Message Board, the overwhelming encouragement and dedication to each other is priceless. To author Talia Vance on the blueboards, who believed in Temptation, and encouraged me to keep seeking publication. My sister, who helped me create Temptation’s song, Alice Demented, from a short poem I wrote as a teenager. To my two darling girls, Karma and Isis, for reminding me of the wonder and curiosity of a child’s imagination, as well as the beauty of unconditional love.
Most importantly, to my favorite author Clare B. Dunkle, who took the time to give me advice over the years, and inspired me to be the author that I am today. Her dedication to her fans is truly inspiring and is something I hope to achieve for my fans. Thank you J
About the Author
Sarah Erber spent her childhood growing up around the lush forests and beautiful lakes around Interlochen, Michigan. Since childhood, she moved to Central Texas where she is rearing her two beautiful little girls, Karma and Isis. Between raising children, working, going to College, and writing novels, she still finds time to dip into a good book.
Works in Progress
The In Darkness She Fades Series: Book 2: INCURABLE KARMA is in the editing stages.
Book 3 of the In Darkness She Fades Series is half written.
My New Adult fiction novel A Martyr for Freedom is still in the development stage.