Running for the door, it slams shut in my face. My hand reaches out to grab the knob, when I am suddenly thrown back against the wall.
Breathing becomes a struggle, as the entire room ignites into flames, filling my lungs with black smoke. Putting all of my weight on my arms, I push myself off the ground, but fall down immediately after. Exhaustion seeps in, I close my eyes, and listen to the sounds of the fire surrounding me.
I take several deep breaths, and focus on drawing in the only thing that can save me. Tingles spread through my body, as the magic makes it's way out.
Heat spreads through my limbs, and a scream erupts from my mouth. I open my eyes and look down towards my leg, and notice the fire has spread and caught onto my leg. My concentration breaks, and my head lands back onto the carpeted floor.
I use every ounce of strength left, and pull myself towards the window, tearing off the curtain and wrapping it around my leg.
Black spots invade my vision, and beads of sweat fall from my head. Screams emerge on the other side of the door, but I can't make out who is calling for me. My head rests against the wall, and I close my eyes, listening to the final sounds of my time here on earth.
Tears fall freely from my eyes, until I hear a crash come from the door. I open my eyes and see my guardian angel standing above me. He comes forward, walking through the fire as he were the God of Hell. He bends down in front of me and looks into my glassy eyes. Arms lift me effortlessly, and enclose me in his warmth.
The pain eases from his touch, and I lose the will to fight. Darkness seeps in as I hear those final words before I take my last breath.
"I'm sorry."
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Trace
"You can't be so hard on yourself honey." A gentle hand rubs my back, as I sit in the waiting room, wondering if I've just made the biggest mistake in my life.
I get up from the chair, and begin pacing. "How can I not! In her time of need, I left her! Not just once mom, I've left her twice! I'm supposed to be there for her, I'm supposed to love her, when in all I do is break her even more."
"Son, you need to calm down. Now is not the time. When she wakes up, she will need you to be there for her, not just physically but emotionally. Get your shit together and calm down!" My father's voice echo's throughout the waiting room.
I sit back down and run my hands through my hair.
This is it.
If she didn't hate me already, she would now.
I look up and see the doctor heading our way. I get up immediately and meet the doctor halfway.
"Is she going to be okay?" I ask nervously.
The doctor gives me a look of pity and then sighs. "She's going to be alright."
I breathe in a sigh of relief..."But, she has been badly burned. It will take her weeks to make a full recovery. She's awake and is asking for you."
He turns around and I follow silently after. He suddenly stops and faces me again. "I'm sorry son, she said she only wants to see your mother at the moment."
My heart shatters with what little hope I had left of our relationship making its way back to normal. I nod and go take a seat next to my brother.
My mother follows the doctor, and they disappear out of the waiting room.
"Don't worry bro, I'm sure she will want to see you soon. She probably just wants to know the state you’re in first." My brother gives me a concerned look before he gets up and walks towards the vending machines.
What seems like hours passes before my mom makes her appearance back in the waiting room. When she walks in, her posture is slumped over, and tears are staining her face.
When she reaches me, her lips tremble and her teeth chatter. "Mom? What's wrong?"
She takes a seat next to me, and takes my hand in hers. She gives me a sad look before she speaks the words that will change my life forever.
"She doesn't want anything to do with you." My jaw clenches and anger settles in the pit of my stomach.
"She told me that you left her twice when she needed you most. She wants to go live with Ashley's family for now. She doesn't want to see you, and she doesn't want to talk to you until she feels she can trust you again. And then...only then, will she try to be your friend. I'm so sorry honey."
I let go of her hand and walk out the door.
I screwed up.
I left the one person who meant everything to me.
I walk towards the parking lot, and get on my bike.
When Hartley told me what Vyrix did to her, I just saw anger. I had to leave the room or I would have unleashed everything on her.
He took away our future.
He took away our chance at ever being able to conceive.
The ride to the house is quiet. No sounds to drown out my thoughts. No Hartley to make me feel.
Once I get to the house, I park my bike in the driveway, and head up to her room. When I make it there, I take a deep breath and walk in.
Nothing but black covers her room. This room no longer feels angelic, but it feels demonic. All of her belongings have been burned to dust.
My eyes rake up and down her room, trying to find any piece of evidence that the son of a bitch has been here.
I search for hours but in the end come up with nothing.
Trace...
Oh Trace...
An eerie voice creeps in the back of my mind.
I look around trying to find the culprit but come up empty handed.
Looks like you've lost nephilim.
You couldn't save your loved one from the forces of darkness. It appears you are too late.
Remember what I said?
You will hand her over to me.
Now she will come willingly, because you messed up.
You will get to see her become the Dark Queen. You will watch her fall in love with someone else.
That my friend is what it's like to lose.
"Leave me the Fuck alone!"
Don't worry, I will. Once my Queen is fully recovered, I will take what's mine!
My anger erupts and I punch the nearest wall. I walk out of the room, and come face to face with Cole.
"What are you doing?" He asks curiosity brimming his features. I walk around him and head into my room.
"None of your business."
His follows me into the room. "Look bro, I suggest you tell me what's going on, or explain it to the pa-rentals."
I grab my bag and start throwing clothes in it. "I'm leaving for a few days."
"Why? Is it because of what Hartley said? Dude, she'll come around just give her some time." He takes a seat in my desk chair and starts fiddling with a pencil.
"No, I think I may have an idea of where Vyrix's layer is. I'm going to try and find it, and kill the bastard."
His eyes widen, "Do you think that's a good idea? Dad will be pissed if he finds out you did this on your own."
"Then don't tell him. Just say I'm staying at a friend’s house for a few weeks. I don't know. Make some shit up." I zip up my bag and throw it on the bed.
I take the small picture of Hartley I had stored away in my nightstand and put it in my wallet. I turn around and look back at my brother.
"Keep an eye on her for me?" He rolls his eyes and nods his head.
"Whatever you say. Just stay out of trouble. I don't want to come bail you out." He chuckles to himself and shakes his head. "You would think the older brother would be getting the younger brother out of trouble not the other way around."
"Yeah, yeah." I wave my hand at him and pick up my bag. I walk out of my room, and head towards the door.
He opens up the front door and gives me a concerned look. "Are you sure you're up for this?"
I nod, and look him straight on. "Protect her with your life."
I walk out the door and over to my bike. I slide my arms through the straps of the bag, put my helmet on, get on the bike and start it up.
With one last glance at my brother, I leave Hartley and everyone else I love behind, and
head off to face my enemy.
With every last breath that I take, I will make everything right again.
Soon I will have my revenge.
Soon she will be mine.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Hartley
Am I doing the right thing?
That's what's been going through my head for the past several days.
Was leaving Trace the best decision for me? For us?
Shortly after I woke up, I found out he was gone. Cole said he had some business to take care of and that he would be back soon, but to me it feels like he's officially gone from my life.
I haven't smiled in months. I don't even know what it feels like to laugh anymore.
I told Trace's mom that I had needed some space. I was so angry with him. He left me twice, and every time he leaves something bad happens.
Why couldn't he just stick around?
If he loved me so much then why does he keep hurting me?
I've been staying with Ashley's family for a while until I feel ready to go back to the Evans' house. Cole told me his parents had the room completely refurbished, that it looks brand new.
But I don't care about that. The only thing I want or need is Trace. He's the only thing that makes me feel whole again.
Cole and I have grown closer. He's become a friend I never would have wanted before if it weren't for Trace. He watches out for me, listens to my problems, and is genuinely there for me. If I weren't so strung up on his brother, I could have easily fallen for him.
Ashley pokes her head in the door, "You ready to go, Hart?"
I nod, get up from the bed and grab my bag. We head downstairs and see Ryan and Cole at the table stuffing their faces.
"Ugh, why are guys such pigs?" Ashley puts her hands on her hips giving them her best intimidating glare.
Ryan flicks her off and then pounds his chest. "We're men! We eat food!"
I roll my eyes, grab a banana and sit at the bar.
"Well just because your men doesn't mean you have to act like pigs!"
"Ashley, leave the boys alone. Don't you need to leave for school?" Ashley's mom has a way of breaking up a situation before it gets out of hand, and lately that's been going on a lot.
"Yeah, yeah we're leaving." She sticks her tongue out at Ryan, grabs her keys and walks out the door.
"Shotgun." I call running out to the car.
"Not fair, Hart! I was going to do that!" Ryan gives me puppy dog eyes.
"Nice try Ry." Rolling my eyes, I get in the passenger seat.
The ride to school consists of Ryan and Ashley arguing over the radio stations, and Cole and I consumed in our thoughts. I swear those two sound like an old married couple.
When we arrive at the school, a huge crowd is gathered in the parking lot. It seems I've gone back in time to when Cole and Trace first arrived at school.
"Do you think there's another new kid?" Ashley asks bubbling with excitement. I shrug and get out of the car, putting my arms through my backpack.
Cole comes up to me, and whispers in my ear. "I have a bad feeling, stay close to me."
I nod and walk next to him as we head towards the entrance. The closer we get to the entrance the more my heart races. My pulse begins to quicken, and small beads of sweat run down my face.
Once we reach the huge crowd, I notice something.
It's nothing but girls.
There are no guys in sight, except for Ryan and Cole. I push my way into the crowd, slowly losing my grasp on Cole's location. I get to the front and stop when I see the man who has had my emotions on a high since we met.
Standing before me is nothing but Trace in all his glory. He's in an argument with a tall guy about 6'1 who has a lean build, with numerous tattoos on his arms, and short blonde hair.
I creep forward and stop when Trace notices me. His conversation with the guy stops and his unwavering gaze is currently set on me. The girls behind me sigh, and the guy Trace was talking to, turns around and faces me.
I gasp, when I see his face. Gray eyes stare back at me. Everything else around me fades away as my gaze is locked firmly on his. His eyes soften as he walks over to me.
A tug on my arm pulls me away from him and back to reality. Cole drags me out of the crowd and into the school.
"Cole, what the hell?"
"I told you something wasn't right. I need you to stay by my side today." Cole gives me a stern look that leaves no room for argument.
I nod and walk with him to our first class. I'm starting to feel suffocated by him.
When we reach the classroom, I ignore everyone and make my way towards the seat. My heart skips a beat when he walks in the room. His gaze meets mine, as he makes his way over towards me.
He leans down and whispers in my ear, "We need to talk." Tingles of pleasure radiate down my body, from the sound of his husky voice. He gives me a lingering look, before he takes the empty seat next to mine.
Class goes by flawlessly until the teacher gets interrupted by a student running through the door.
"And what might I help you with child?" Mrs. Jones asks suspiciously.
The student gulps and nervously hands the piece of paper over to her. Mrs. Jones looks at the paper and looks around the room, until she meets my gaze.
"Hartley, you're wanted in the principal's office." Every student stops what they're doing and looks at me. I grab my bag and get up avoiding Trace's gaze. With shaky hands I take the note from Mrs. Jones and walk out of the room.
Nothing but an eerie silence surrounds the hallway, making it look like a ghost town. I look around making sure the coast is clear, and pick up my pace towards the office. Suddenly, I am grabbed out of nowhere and stuffed into the janitor's closet.
A scream erupts from my throat, but a hand comes up to my face, making it impossible for a sound to come out. The person who abducted me turns on the light and my eyes widen when I see the tall guy from this morning.
His grey eyes stare into mine. "Now, when I remove my hand you’re not going to scream, got it."
I nod and count the minutes until he backs away from me. He slowly but surely removes his hand from my mouth, silently backing away from me. I take the opportunity, and knee him in the balls.
He bends over and groans in pain, while I make a break for it. I manage to get pretty far out of the school until I am tackled to the ground.
When he turns me over, he puts his hand back over my mouth, holding my two arms above my head.
He shakes his head and chuckles. "You really shouldn't have done that Hartley. After all, I am your brother."
My eyes widen, and my forehead creases.
"That's right, Hart. I'm your long lost brother, back from the dead."
Chapter Twenty-Seven
My brother?
But my brother's died, a long time ago.
I stare at the man in front of me for what feels like days.
"Are you going to speak?" A side of his mouth quirks up at my obvious discomfort.
"But...how...how are you alive?" I stumble out.
"Damn Hart, all this time we've been apart I would have thought you would ask me something more useful." He rolls his eyes and takes a seat at the picnic table in front of me.
We've been sitting outside the school for hours. He's been trying to get me to talk and I've been focused on staring at him like a deer caught in the headlights.
I can't believe a living, breathing family member is standing before me. I'm at a loss for words.
"How did you survive?" I've been meaning to ask that question ever since he first showed up, but I got caught up on the fact that my brother is in fact alive. I gulp nervously, "Is our..."
"Is Sam alive?" I nod, scared to know the answer. "No, he's not. He unfortunately didn't make it out of the castle alive. The only reason I got out alive was because I had an angel looking over me."
My brow creases in confusion. "When we were younger, everyone's main goal was to save you. You're the chosen one. The sa
vior. You were meant to save our kind, to rule over the kingdom. So when the castle was attacked, we all got separated. Aunt and Uncle came and saved you first, but when they came back for us it was too late. Sam was...he was murdered right in front of me. A demon came by and literally chopped off his head. The only reason I survived, is because I was hiding away in a cabinet, watching our oldest brother lose his life."
He runs his fingers through his hair and my heart breaks for my brother who lost his life at the hands of a monster.
As I watch Alec closely there is only one more question I need to ask. "Why didn't you find me earlier?"
His head snaps back to mine and his eyes widen. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me." He flinches at my clipped tone. All of these years, he's been alive and not one time has he come to find me. I want to know why.
"Hart, that's complicated." He rubs his hand down his face in frustration.
"Then uncomplicate it!" I cross my arms over my chest, and raise my brow.
His grey eyes stare into mine, and he takes a deep breath. "I was punishing you."
My heart drops into my stomach. "Punishing me?"
"I was so mad at you. You were the chosen one. The one everyone cared about. While Sam and I were just specks of dust. Over the years, I learned that my hatred for you was stupid. You're the only family I have left. So I decided to make amends." He shrugs his shoulders as if it were no big deal.
Anger pulsates through my body. "How dare you!" I get up and start walking away.
A hand grabs my arm and turns me back around to face him. "Hart, you have to listen to me, I didn't mean..."
Tears stream down my cheeks. "Didn't mean to what? Leave me alone for eighteen years of my life? Didn't mean to punish me for something I never wanted?" He raises a hand to my face to wipe away my tears, but I step away from him. "I expected everyone else to leave me, but what I never expected, was for my own blood to!"
I turn away from him and run back into the school.
How could my own brother do this to me?
I find a secluded area behind the school, and slide down the wall. Tears are flowing more easily now, as my heart continues to break.
Breaking The Darkness (The Light and Dark Trilogy Book 1) Page 10