Hearts Eclipsed: A Beautiful Nightmare Companion Novel

by L. C. Son

It’s the last thing she touched—touching me—I’ll take what I can get. For now.

  “What’s so funny?” Shawn asks, peering over my shoulder from the backseat. I can’t help the light chuckle that escapes me when I think of how her phone always takes over in my car. It doesn’t matter my settings. If Damina’s phone is in proximity, the car automatically takes its cues from her. Funny—the car seems to be wiser than me when it comes to her.

  “Nothing, just thinking,” I quietly answer as glassy tears form when we pass the church where we were to marry. As we sit at the red light, I feel my skin tighten. Thoughts of our would-be nuptials race through my mind. Seeing the church today and picturing how lovely my bride would’ve been in the center aisle plagues my heart.

  My body boils inside as my wolf gnaws at me, craving his release. But it’s the sound of Chris Brown’s song Enemy blaring through my radio that pierces my soul. I didn’t even know Damina liked his music—but tonight—it’s as though the song was meant for this moment.

  It’s the most appropriate melody of viciously scored retribution tailored just for me.

  As Gregory pulls in front of Damina’s building, I haven’t the patience to wait for him to put the car in park before I jump out and sprint up the staircase. While I feel the remaining fragments of glass thrust deeper into my flesh, I dare not wince or blink. I must stay focused. I need to remain vigilant and prepare myself to reclaim my beloved.

  Lunar speed carries me to Damina’s door in what seems like less than a blink. I hardly recall using my key fob to enter. Yet, here I am again standing before her door as I did this afternoon. My sweaty palm glides its way to the imprint I left behind earlier today. Except now everything has changed, and I am confident upon opening this door nothing will ever be the same.

  Dalcour

  “Dalcour! What’s the meaning of this? Dalcour!” Jerrica’s screams do little to quench the fiery rage brewing within me. I know storming into the mansion and tossing a wooden console across the foyer at my entrance is more than disturbing. But it is likely the rippling bolts of lightning I hurl up at the crystal chandelier, sending it crashing to the ground along with my deafening and rage-filled roar that truly alert both Jerrica and Braelyn to my distress.

  “D! Calm down! Tell us what happened!” Braelyn shouts from between the parlor threshold with a watchful Jerrica at her side.

  “Please, Dalcour tell me it isn’t Brian. Is it? Has something happened to him?” Jerrica questions with a bleak yet hopeful expression. Yet, her hope-wrought eyes do nothing to disrupt my fury. Just the mention of Brian’s name plagues me to my core.

  “You dare ask me of that pompous, cross-bred mutt? I suppose you think it’s all my fault too. Is that what you think, Jerrica?” I demand with my gaze locking with hers. I know I should back down—that it’s not Jerrica’s fault but it’s too late. My rage is already set in.

  “What happened, D?” Braelyn questions once more, this time in a slightly censuring tone.

  “Where is Brian? What did you do?” Jerrica snaps, pulling away from Braelyn’s side. Her eyes glow back at me and I see a glint of her fury forming with the bronzing of her skin.

  “I did nothing to your little mongrel except teach him a lesson. I could’ve done much worse.”

  “Wait a minute! Will somebody explain what’s going on here? You know us vile Scourge aren’t blessed with your telepathic gifts,” Braelyn adds coming between the rising stand-off between Jerrica and me.

  I keep my sights on Jerrica and try to discern her next move, but she’s still difficult to read. She’s working hard to keep her thoughts from me, and I don’t know why. I know I should press the matter, but I don’t. Closing my eyes, I bite my lower lip and inhale deeply. I need to find a way to calm down. Even if I wanted to end Brian tonight---Jerrica is not my enemy.

  “Abahana is dead,” I answer gruffly. I had hoped to give the news more graciously, but the sweltering rage inside will not allow it.

  Both Jerrica and Braelyn gasp at my revelation and hold each other tight at the waist.

  “That’s horrible, D!” Braelyn exclaims, her eyes glassy and tear laden.

  “And Brian blames you?” Jerrica says with diffidence. I watch as her defenses fade, and her stiff posture softens.

  “Why would he blame you? It was just a random Scourge attack, right?” Braelyn questions, her eyes still watchful of both Jerrica and me.

  “It was Decaux,” Jerrica answers before I can form a reply.

  “Decaux?” Braelyn mutters softly.

  “Yes, my wretched brother is exacting his vengeance and innocent people have been caught in the crossfire!”

  “It’s not your fault, Dalcour. You must know this!” Jerrica exclaims.

  “Well, you can try to sell that to your loyal canine, but I doubt he’ll buy it.”

  “He’s just upset Big D! Abahana was like his surrogate—the only family he’s ever known,” Braelyn responds.

  “There were women, children—babies.” My voice drifts as both Braelyn and Jerrica’s voices grow mute as tonight’s encounter replays in my mind.

  “Dalcour!” Jerrica shouts, regaining my attention. “This isn’t your fault,” she states with stubborn resolution.

  “She’s right, D!”

  “I should’ve put an end to my brother’s schemes long ago!”

  “And what? Kill your brother?” Jerrica counters.

  “What other option is there? Decaux has proven time and again that his treachery knows no end! It’s all one endless and deadly game of pursuit with him.”

  “Then let us end it, Dalcour—once and for all!”

  “What would you propose? I’m doing everything I can to meet his wretched deadline.”

  “That is, everything except one—”

  “Jerrica, no not again! Must we do this now?”

  “C’mon D, at least consider this woman might be what you need to finally give you a reprieve!”

  “I’m sorry but I don’t see how me finding true love will solve anything—this isn’t a fairytale!”

  “No, it’s no fairytale indeed. But even Decaux knows it has been foretold that only through the love of mates bearing the sacred oak will balance be reset—or even possible. Maybe in his own twisted way, he wishes to end his torment through you. It makes sense since of your lineage you are the only one who bears the mark.” Jerrica exclaims. Her eyes dance once more with a hopeful gleam that would almost be convincing if I believed in such bedtime stories.

  “I have no use of ancient and baseless prophecies of old fools, Jerrica! Nor have I the luxury of waiting to find someone who may not exist. Don’t you think I’ve looked for her? Don’t you think I want to find happiness? To find love. Well, I’ve never found her—she doesn’t exist!” Jerrica’s eyes fall at my admission and a flashing stream of her erratic thoughts flood my mind.

  Of all the emotions coursing through her consciousness, caution swathes my being at the capturing of her most secret thought. “If only my love were enough,” Jerrica confesses from the deepest part of her soul. Never before have I heard such thoughts revealed by her. Although Brian and Charlotte do a decent job of keeping her intimate thoughts safe, I’m accustomed to an occasional slip of consciousness from time to time. Yet, never anything like this.

  This is different.

  This changes everything.

  With her canine attendants afar, Jerrica stands before me barren. One thought after another wreak havoc to my psyche, splitting my head in two. Now, I’m not only working to keep her thoughts out, but shoving my own aside just the same. It’s obvious she never intended to divulge her affection nor have I the heart to bare my lack of reciprocity.

  A fear grips me I never thought I would face. The fear of hurting my most trusted friend and ally. Never before has Jerrica appeared so vulnerable. Almost fragile. And while I know she
is a formidable force all her own, tonight her most private thoughts are exposed to me. Jerrica’s eyes dance once more, but she stares back at me, hesitant to reply. I spy a deep longing for me piercing through her gaze that is unfamiliar to me.

  Who is this woman?

  Beads of sweat form at my brow not due to my skirmish with Brian and the Scourge, but one brought on by the newfound knowledge of a secret never intended for release. To combat the tussle forming within me at her revelation, I do what comes easiest when matters of my would-be-heart brew at the surface: lash out.

  “Like I said ladies, I don’t have the luxury to sit around waiting for a happily ever after. It does not exist. So stop trying to play fairy godmother and know this there is no beauty in the world of men or the supernatural capable of taming this beast.” As vehemently as I know how, I spew my words like a fire-breathing dragon, summoning the Altrinion force within to emanate through me with as much ferocity as possible. I take flight and rise to the top of the landing in a flash before either Jerrica or Braelyn can respond. Though gut-wrenching, I watch tears trail down the faces of both women. An eerie sense of satisfaction looms through my being and I know my actions had the outcome I intended.

  For the first time tonight, the fogginess of my mind dissipates, and clarity takes over. Those around me have become too familiar. I’ve always been taught that familiarity is as much of a curse as the sun. At least that is what my father always said. Tonight I’ve been both challenged and wrongfully infatuated all due to familiarity.

  This cannot continue.

  Fear, not familiarity must return with the resonance of my name.

  If I am to play the beast in the west wing, then it’s high time for my beastly depravations to resume.

  If we are to play Decaux’s wicked games, the familiar must be pushed aside and only what is necessary will be released.

  And if what is necessary is considered by some to be evil—then so be it.

  Chapter 7

  Jackson

  With just the slight press of my palm on the door it opens, and a cold chill sends shivers up my spine as the sight of Damina’s wedding gown hanging on the wall greets me at my entry. It’s the most hauntingly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and a damning reminder of the damage I’ve caused.

  Quickly, my eyes scan the condo and I immediately know Damina is not here. Only a light trail of her scent remains. Yet, this time it’s tinged with a fragrance I cannot detect. It smells like her—but doesn’t.

  Odd.

  I have to wonder whether Gregory and Shawn got their facts straight. Looking around, I don’t see her luggage, so I wonder whether she indeed left with her cousin. That would be the better of the outcomes because I know if nothing more, Delia will be my best ally.

  I walk to the back bedroom just to be sure she isn’t in her room, but to my dismay, she is not. I notice she cleaned up since I was here earlier. Boxes are neatly packed and prepped for the movers. Most are labeled but I inwardly chuckle that the majority are marked miscellaneous. She likely tossed a bunch of stuff in the boxes and bins and figured she’d go through it after our honeymoon.

  Sounds like my baby, all right.

  As I walk about, I hear a scraping sound under my flops, and I find a thin slice of glass near the couch. It’s likely leftover from the picture frame of her parents that broke as we made out. Plopping down with the broken glass in my hand, I can’t help recalling the passion we shared. If only I had stayed as she asked, none of this would be happening right now.

  Instead of gazing at her mother’s wedding gown adorned above me now through rueful eyes, I would only be staring at her perfectly naked body pressed against my own. She would be in my arms. Safe and protected.

  Where she belongs. Not out God knows where!

  Gnawing ire grows within me once more and my muscles stiffen as I work hard to stop my wolf from his eventual release. A loud snarl rumbles through my chest and I feel the walls around me shake.

  Calm yourself, you fool.

  “Jackson! Come quick!” I hear Gregory shout from outside, redirecting my rage.

  Taking a deep breath, I try once more to settle down. I can’t phase now. I must stay focused. Besides, I need to do my best not to bring too much attention to us so late at night. There’s been enough of that already.

  As I head toward the door, I notice a sticky note on the fridge from Damina to her aunt and cousin:

  Aunt Delia and Dacari,

  I’m safe but I have to go. I’ll call you whenever I get to wherever I’m going.

  Love, Damina

  CRAP!

  She’s gone! She’s not with her family! Where on earth could she be?

  If she isn’t with me who is she with?

  Large pellets of water erupt from my eyes and my body warms all over. The thought of her gone from family—from me—is more painful than I can imagine. And without her phone, I can’t track her.

  “Jack-O!” Gregory shouts once more and I rush out the door, hopeful Damina is with him.

  As I race down the stairs, my phone rings and Sophie’s name is on the screen.

  “What is it?” I snap.

  “Delia just returned my call. Damina isn’t with them. They were out—”

  “Yes, because of the dog, I know but do they know where she is yet?”

  “Well, it’s a little more than that, but—no they haven’t heard from her. I just thought you should know,” Sophie replies gently, obviously wary of my tone. I hate being so curt with her, but my patience is waning thin. I just want to know where Damina is.

  “Call me back if you hear anything else,” I demand and quickly hang up, shoving the phone back in my pocket.

  “Don’t worry dude, we’ll find her.” Gregory’s voice is calmer than I’d expect as he rests his hand on my shoulder, but the thought of not knowing where she could be tears me up inside.

  “Why did you call me out here?” My reply is brusque as I shove Gregory’s gesture aside. He gazes back at me with a half-irritated smile, but I can tell he’s doing his best to set aside his growing irritation with me.

  “Check it out,” Gregory answers, pointing to Tye’s Mercedes pulling up curbside. I’m shocked when the window rolls down to see Shawn seated inside.

  “What’s going on? Why is Tye’s car here? I don’t understand.”

  “Do you remember when I asked you where Tye was earlier?” I hunch my shoulders at Gregory’s reply, not sure of his point. “Why would Tye leave? At first, I didn’t think too much of it, but then Brandon said he saw Tye jumping over your fence when we were all in the front yard. With Brandon being so wasted tonight; I didn’t think anything of it—”

  “You know I can hear you, right!” Brandon shouts from the other end of the block.

  “I don’t understand your point, Gregory,” I reply, both Gregory and I ignore Brandon’s quip.

  “What he’s trying to say, Jackson is that Kyra took Tye’s car, and we just found it two blocks from here!”

  “I’m not sure what to make of all this chief, but it looks like these two were working together—against you.”

  “And I can bet they weren’t working alone!” I bark as Sophie’s warning of my brother’s machinations earlier today replay in my mind.

  Before I have an opportunity to dig deeper, I hear Damina’s landline phone ring from inside her condo and I race back inside, hopeful that it is her. I’ll even settle for her aunt or cousin if only they have more information.

  “Hello!” My tone is grubby as both anger and grief form within me.

  “Well, I was expecting the blushing bride, but I suppose you’ll have to do just the same, brother.”

  “Keiron! What have you done with her?”

  “Oh, whatever do you mean, my dear brother? Have you misplaced your lovely bride?”

  “Keiron
, I swear if you’ve done anything to harm her I—”

  “You’ll do what? Spare me your indignation. You’ve done more harm to Damina than I could possibly do in a lifetime.”

  “Where is she?” I demand through gritted teeth.

  “Poor, Jackson. For someone who was once captain of his chess team, you haven’t discerned there are far more players than just me. Still, I’m a mere rook on your board. Yet, because of your unwillingness to do what is necessary my dear king, I have the advantage on the board. I think you would call it castling—your move!” Keiron ends the call in a callous and slithering lilt.

  A loud bellowing roar rumbles through me as I rip the phone from the wall and toss it across the condo into the next room.

  “Jackson!” Gregory shouts my name once more. Racing out of her condo I see Gregory running toward a car. “It’s her! It’s Damina,” Gregory yells, pointing at a dark BMW.

  “Damina!” I scream. I try to run, but my momentum is hindered by a scraping piece of glass wedged between my toes. Glassy tears glaze my view, but not enough to block my sight of Damina peering at me over the backseat of the car.

  Bending at my waist I try to catch my breath and Brandon and Gregory run past me. I wince when I look down and see blood pouring from my feet through my socks.

  “I think I got the license plate!” Brandon calls back over his shoulder.

  Gripping pain shoots through me as my muscles protrude and my stride lengthens. My phasing forces the remaining glass from my body in one fluid motion. The stinging sensation of my sharp canines tearing through my gums pinch my nerves, but it is the crippling sound of my bones breaking and contorting beneath my skin that sends a blaring growl from me which echoes through the empty city streets. Try hard as I might, the wolf has bided his time long enough.

  He breaks through the caging of my bones, howling upward to the covered night sky. With the crescent moon as his only light he charges with speed until he reaches a nearby wood, releasing a yelping howl signaling the ache of our broken heart.

  Dalcour

  The night has awakened. Overlooking the outline of New Orleans from my balcony, I watch as nocturnal creatures rise from their slumber. All manner of carnivora, both supernatural and mammal, slowly take their rotation in the order of night.