Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)

by S. L. Jennings

  Chapter Twenty Five

  There are things that you will experience over the months preluding your ascension. You will begin to feel things, see things. You are becoming who you were meant to be. There are no spells to learn, though Donna may ask that you study certain herbal combinations to help keep you safe until you receive your power. The power is in you. YOU, my child, are the magic.

  Because your Light is so bright, you will notice the people around you may begin to change. They will become drawn to you, almost pulled to you in a way that you haven’t experienced before. It’s as if you are a warm fire in frigid cold weather. They need you to be comforted. Your proximity is mollifying for both humans and magical forces. However, be careful of those who seek your presence at all times. Your power is euphoric to them; it intoxicates them and makes them stronger and more powerful. It will become a source of sustenance for them, and they will stop at nothing to feed their need. If they pull too much from you, it can kill you. Until you ascend and can defend yourself, stay away from all sources of magic- Light, Dark or other. They can, and will, take your life. And if you lose your power, you will die.

  I wish there was someone there for you to help you through your transition, but other than Chris and Donna, I trust no one. Neither should you. While I would prefer you pledge your allegiance to the Light, be careful of them. There may be radical followers that feel you are a threat to them and their way of life. They may wish to do you harm. Keep your eyes and ears open for any sign of danger. You will know when it is near; the Dark Hunter in you will sense it. Though powers of the Light and Dark will not be able to sense your power, there is a way that your secret will become unveiled. If they touch you, they will know what you are. They will feel your power. They may not know exactly what you are, but they will know you are something special. My sweet child, take heed of this warning. Do not let any strange persons make physical contact with you. Once they touch your skin, you will be exposed and your life will be in jeopardy.

  My dear Gabriella, I must go now. My heart aches with great regret, though I do not regret creating you. You will be my greatest victory, and my love and devotion will live on in you. You will achieve so many wonderful things. You will bring peace and prosperity to our people. You will help spread the Light.

  Your father and I are so proud of you and the person you will become. He loves you so much already. He would even sing to my belly every night. He said music was the language of the soul, and any message could be conveyed through song. His wish for you was that you would grow to be immensely happy, and find love even in adversity, like we had. You are so special to us. We will love you forever, in this world and the next.

  Natalia

  ----------

  I close the book, and will myself to hold in the tears that are beginning to pool in my tired eyes. I told myself I could do this; I could finally end my mother’s journal and move forward. I had been holding onto the last pages for so long, fearing that her memory would die once I was finished reading. She has given me so much to think about, so much to ponder and yet, all I feel is longing for her warmth and embrace. I wish I could’ve known my parents. I wish I could have felt their love, could have seen their undying devotion for each other. I can only imagine how gloriously beautiful they were. Even their beauty shines through on the pages of the aged journal.

  My father loved music, just like I do. He sang to me when I was still in my mother’s womb. I wish I could have heard his voice, wish I could have curled up in his lap and let him sing me a lullaby as a little girl. Wish he could have been there to hold me when I experienced my first heartbreak or take me to my first Father-Daughter dance. I’ll never have that. I’ll never know him. Never have I felt so alone, so incredibly abandoned. For the first time ever, I truly feel like an orphan.

  I blink away the tears and then look over at the clock, realizing the late hour. Since it is Spring Break, I’ve taken on some extra hours at the mall to distract my mind and heart from missing Dorian so much. Plus I’ve wanted to stay away from my parents, our argument still fresh in my head. I love them; they have been so good to me. But every bit of knowledge I gain about who and what I am pushes me farther away from them. There’s no way they could possibly understand the confusion I am dealing with, and while it isn’t their fault in any way, I can’t help but feel like an outsider. Or better yet, an inherited obligation.

  **********

  “So what’s been up, Gabs?” Jared says settling into our booth at our favorite restaurant. He mindlessly flips through the menu though we always order the same thing: Italian Nachos and deep-dish meat lover’s pizza.

  I’ve invited him here to find out first-hand what’s really been going on between him and Aurora. It’s been damn near a week since we’ve seen each other which is rare for us. I know I have contributed to the distance but I can’t help but feel slighted at Jared’s nonchalance. It’s like he doesn’t even notice the awkwardness between us.

  “I don’t know, you tell me. Busy Spring Break thus far?” I ask quizzically. Translation: Has Aurora been keeping you busy?

  “Not busy, but eventful,” he replies casually. He takes a sip of his soda.

  “Is that right? What’d you do?” I can’t believe Jared is playing coy with me. Why doesn’t he just come out and say it?

  “Well Friday, hung out over at UCCS, picked up a game or two. Then there was a dorm party. Saturday I worked most of the day. And Sunday, just hung out, helped Mom around the house, did some yard work. Monday I worked most of the day and today pretty much the same.”

  “And that’s all you did?” I ask with an edge of skepticism.

  Jared shrugs nonchalantly. “Pretty much.”

  Argh! He can be so frustrating! “Jared,” I say flatly. “Really? Are you really playing like I don’t know? Is this some ploy to get back at me?”

  Jared has the nerve to shrug again. “I don’t know. Didn’t realize we were back to sharing.”

  “Jared, I can’t believe you can say that! Yes, I made a mistake, and I’m sorry. But our friendship hasn’t changed. At least for me, it hasn’t.”

  Jared sets his menu down and folds his hands in front of him, resting his chin on them. “You’re right. I’m sorry,” he finally says. “So what do you want to know?”

  “Well, for starters, do you actually like Aurora?”

  Jared ponders my question for a beat, moving his head from side to side as if trying to sift out the right answer. “You know, at first, I really didn’t. I thought she was a lot older and one of those hoity-toity types. I just figured we’d have nothing in common and she’d be too prissy to even be into the same stuff as me. But she was totally different from what I expected. Super cool, down to earth. And hot! Holy shit! I never thought girls that pretty even existed outside of magazines and TV!”

  I can’t help but feel jealous and hurt over Jared’s depiction of Aurora. Can’t believe she exists? But my mediocre, ordinary existence is totally believable, of course. Jared doesn’t know what he’s up against. There’s something very strange about Aurora and I have a feeling that she’s dangerous. I don’t want Jared caught in her web.

  “Jared, you can’t really expect to like her after just one date, can you? You hardly know her.” I try to take the snarky undertone out of my voice but it’s hard to hide.

  “I know that, Gabriella,” Jared replies stiffly. “That’s why I’ve seen her just about every night since our first date. And we’ve been texting and talking every day. She’s a great girl, Gabs. Funny, easy to talk to, really smart and cultured. And gorgeous, of course. Unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” Ouch.

  “Of course, she seems like that now. But something about her just doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “And you know this because…? What, you’ve seen her like two times?” Jared says cynically. “What’s the problem, Gabs? I thought you’d be happy for me. Like I said I was for you. Finally a totally amazing girl is into me and she’s got to have something wrong
with her? She can’t just genuinely like me too?”

  My shoulders slump with resignation, and I shake my head. The last thing I need is for Jared to be at odds with me again. “No, no. Nothing like that. She’s lucky to have you and I’m sure she is great for you. I wish you two the best. Of course I want nothing but good to come of this,” I say with an apologetic grin. Until I find confirmation of who and what Aurora is, I have to play nice.

  “Thank you, Gabs. I really think this could go somewhere with Aurora. I even invited her on our trip this weekend. So I’d really like it if you could make her feel welcomed.”

  Oh hell no! I agreed to feign friendliness whenever our paths may cross, but I wasn’t planning on vacationing with her. Well, this is as good a time as any to inform Jared of Dorian’s presence in Breckenridge.

  “And I hope you’ll do the same when Dorian arrives. I asked him to come too. You don’t mind, do you?”

  Jared’s expression becomes rigid. “No. I don’t. But I’m sure you’re aware of Aurora and Dorian’s past, right? That won’t be awkward for you, will it?”

  Past? Other than them knowing each other since childhood and their families doing business together, what kind of past could they have?

  “I don’t know what past Aurora told you about but there’s nothing to feel awkward about. Unless she tries to make a move on him again,” I say tersely.

  “Um, Gabs, Dorian didn’t tell you? About them?” Jared almost seems amused as if he knows something that I don’t.

  “Tell me what?” I ask annoyed.

  “When they were younger, before Dorian got himself into trouble, I guess, they used to be together. Like really together. They were each other’s first love. She thought she could help him get on his feet after he came back. She admitted that she was a little hurt that he had just pretty much forgotten about what they had when he was gone, but people change I guess. He obviously has some commitment issues.”

  The fuck?

  Rage heats my face instantly, and I fight the urge to scream and accuse Jared of lying just to hurt me. But I know he would never do that. He is just reciting what Aurora told him. Could she be lying? Of course she could. But why? Why risk telling lies and looking like a fool to both Jared and Dorian? She surely wouldn’t go that far just to get under my skin. I can’t be that important to her. But Dorian said he would always tell me the truth. I asked him what was going on between he and Aurora and he told me nothing.

  Of course. Nothing is going on right now so he didn’t lie. He did tell me that they have known each other a long time and that Aurora wanted more. He didn’t want the same. So he wasn’t completely dishonest, just not 100% forthcoming. Now I really want to see Dorian, and not to sate my sexual appetite.

  “Look, Jared, not everything is always what it seems,” I try to say with a level voice, masking my seething anger. “Just be careful, ok.”

  “You too, Gabs,” he replies, nodding. “You too.”

  **********

  The following days drag on, and I struggle to digest the news of Jared and Aurora’s newfound romance. His cheerfulness is sickening because I know that Aurora and her lies have created that illusion for him. He even started dressing differently, exchanging his t-shirts and athletic shoes for button-ups and oxfords. She’s trying to change him, and it’s only making me despise her even more. It’s like she wants to sink her teeth into him and make her place in his life as quickly as possible. Probably so I’ll eventually become obsolete.

  “Don’t let it bother you, Gabs,” Morgan says as we’re shopping during my break at the mall. She insists we need new outfits for our trip. We leave tomorrow, and I can hardly wait, though I’m not thrilled about having to spend three days with Aurora.

  “Don’t you think it’s kinda soon for Jared to be inviting her on trips? I mean, damn! They just met a week ago.” I pick up a blue dress that reminds me of the hue that Dorian wore before he left for Greece. The image of him in that beautiful color makes my heart skip a beat.

  “Well, yeah,” Morgan begins thoughtfully. “But how long did you know Dorian before you spent the night with him?” Touché.

  “I just don’t see how that relationship makes any sense whatsoever. Yes, they may be physically attracted to one another...” I say, feeling my stomach churn at the thought of them being intimate. “But what else could they really talk about?”

  “Look, Gabs, I love you, girl. You know I do. But you have to let this go and focus on your own relationship. Who cares what the hell they’re doing. You’re happy with Dorian, right?”

  “Yes,” I reply simply.

  “Well then, worry about that,” Morgan says brusquely. My complaining has gotten to her and I don’t blame her for being snippy. All I’ve talked about is Jared and Aurora.

  “You’re right,” I say somberly. “So, anything new going on with Miguel? Or was that DOA?”

  “Girl, that boy has been blowing up my phone since I gave him a taste of this cookie!” she laughs. “The sex is good, great even. And we get along. I actually like him as a person. I don’t know though. He graduates next month and then he’s supposed to be getting some job at Lockheed Martin.”

  “That’s a really good job, Morgan. What’s the problem?” Chris even had a hand in helping Miguel land the job after learning he was majoring in Aerospace Engineering.

  “I don’t know. It has nothing to do with money or status. I just don’t want things to get weird, ya know? I’m keeping an open mind about it. Who knows what will happen on this trip. We may realize that we can’t stand to be around each other for more than a few hours.” Morgan shrugs but I can tell she really likes Miguel. This is the most thoughtful she’s ever been when referring to a guy. I like this more sensitive side of her.

  “It’s ok if you like him. Miguel is a great guy.” Secretly I am rooting for him; he’s one of the few men that have earned the right to be in Morgan’s life. He’s ambitious, loyal, and fun to be around. In a nutshell, Miguel is a catch.

  “Of course, I like him. I wouldn’t have slept with him if I didn’t. But whether or not it goes beyond that is the question.” We both shrug simultaneously and go back to rummaging the racks.

  Morgan and I continue our hunt for clubbing outfits for Breckenridge. I’ve purchased the blue dress and a few practical pieces, while she’s snagged a few sexy numbers that are out of my price range. While we’re browsing in another store, I get the keen feeling that we’re being watched. It’s as if all my senses have been heightened and they’re picking up some unknown signal, telling me to turn around. I spin on my heel and scan the store floor, my eyes darting around rapidly. Nothing appears to be out of place yet I know something isn’t right. I extend my arm out in front of me. The soft thin hairs on the back of it stick straight up. The air in front of us has a shimmery effect to it, like the hot sun beating down on asphalt. I can actually see the air. I can hear a familiar murmuring in my ears yet I can’t place where I’ve heard it before. All I know is we better get out of here. Now. Something is terribly wrong.

  I turn to Morgan, alarm etched in my face. “We better go,” I say with a hushed, urgent voice. “I just have an eerie feeling something bad is going to happen. I know it sounds crazy, but just trust me.”

  Morgan takes in my anxious expression, my hazel eyes devoid of all humor, and nods. She knows I’m not kidding around and this is not the time for questions. She casually yet hurriedly puts the dress she’s holding back on the rack and follows me out of the store. We’re trying our best to keep calm, not wanting to bring any attention to our exit. If someone is looking to hurt us, they would surely zero in on two girls running for their lives. We try to remain as collected as possible until we’ve walked far enough away that I no longer feel the strange sensation. Once we have taken a seat in a quiet corner in the food court, I turn to face Morgan’s worried eyes.

  “What was that?” she asks.

  “I don’t know. I just got a really bad feeling something horrible was goin
g to happen. Call it intuition; I just didn’t want to stick around to find out. Would you think I was crazy if I told you I could just sense stuff? Like dangerous stuff?”

  “Yeah, I heard of things like that,” she whispers. She looks up to meet my eyes when reluctance and doubt wash over her face. “My dad used to tell me stories about my grandmother. I guess she was some weird Vodou priestess who used to deal in black magic. You know, my dad was raised by his aunt so he wasn’t around all that mess. But he used to see things, really scary things that would haunt him at night. His mother was known for…,” she trails off. I can see this subject makes her uneasy, and I know now that she isn’t aware of what she is. “She conjured the dead.”

  “Holy crap, Morgan! Are you serious?” I say, playing it up a bit. Nothing really surprises me anymore.

  “Yeah. Really freaky shit. And once you open some doors, they can’t be closed. Before my dad was sent to live with his aunt, those spirits would visit him.”

  “And after he left? He never saw them again?” I really am intrigued. Could Mr. Pierre be some kind of Medium?

  “I don’t know. He never talks about it. After his mother died, he just acted as if she never existed.”

  Before I can delve any further into Morgan’s past, a chorus of horrified cries rings out, echoing through the mall. Then right on cue, a stampede of screaming shoppers begins to rush towards the exits, many falling down the escalators and stairs, causing some to be trampled. Morgan and I both stand simultaneously, eyes wide with alarm. Something has happened. Several security guards and mall police officers rush towards whatever dread the shoppers are running from. It is just as I feared.