Taken (Breaking the Darkness)

by Starr, Felicia

  “The thing is, Kasha, if you aren’t blessed with the gift to manipulate the elements, then no amulet or spell can enhance what isn’t there to begin with. We believe your grandmother had a pretty good idea how special you could be.

  “She also knew you could be in danger. I think she used the amulet to stop your powers from coming to the surface before you were ready for them. Perhaps in this case, before you would need them. Each of the stones serves a different purpose. They all have a power of their own.” She continued to lecture me about the amulet and its properties.

  “For example, the petrified wood helps keep you calm and grounded in the moment. I’m sure you have felt the effects of this. I can tell you more about each of the stones’ properties and some of the things they can do, but now might not be the best time for me to carry on about that kind of stuff.

  “We don’t know what has been specifically done to this charm. Please do not fear that it has become one with you. That is a good sign. Your body has accepted it, which most likely means it was meant to be with you. Do you feel any different?” Patience asked.

  “No. Well, I feel all kinds of different things, but how could I not with everything that’s happening to me? I’ve recently found out that I can travel outside my body, there are evil forces at work against me, a dragon guy almost killed me a few hours ago, and the list just seems to grow endlessly. None of which should be real. If it wasn’t happening to me, I wouldn’t believe it.”

  Seriously, I felt like I was living in a paranormal film full of great cinematography and movie magic. I had no choice but to accept this new world of reality, but it wasn’t easy. I felt like I was losing my marbles. I guess I was lucky things kept happening so fast I didn’t have time to think about it.

  “I have seen many things in my days, child. Like I told you, my family has been documenting stories and histories for supernatural families since the beginning of time. When you get out of there, as I know you will, I will teach you what I know. I have many books for you to read. One in particular is from your grandmother. Only someone of her bloodline can read it. It is spelled to protect against others knowing the truth of your legacy.”

  Patience snuck a quick glance over to her sister, whose back was now turned toward us. Phaela’s head rose slightly, but she continued to blend some herbs for a pot of tea.

  “There are many who seek to know how to gain access to the information compiled in these books.”

  “You keep all these books here in your house? Isn’t that kind of dangerous?” I asked.

  “Child, you need not worry about me. Not all the books are here. Many are hidden in sacred and secret locations. Some are hidden in plain sight but are spelled so the average person, or nonperson for that matter, cannot read the true words from the pages.” Patience smiled at me with confidence and what looked like a little satisfaction knowing most of her family’s work was safe.

  “There might be something in your grandmother’s book that tells you about what powers you might expect to have.”

  I interrupted her. “And how to use them if I do have them? I guess at this point I should be able to do something with the elements? Right?”

  “I don’t know, sweetheart, but please be mindful of them if you do start to notice anything unusual. You don’t want Ziona and her cohorts to know you have started to come into your powers. You will need to practice using them before they can become your advantage. Unfortunately, you aren’t in a position to do that.”

  My shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I think they have some kind of video surveillance on me. It’s too bad I can’t try to use them while I’m here with you. How will I even know if I can do anything?”

  “I am only a historian with a few tricks that I have picked up along the way. Just be careful. I would imagine that you will feel or see something happening around you,” Patience replied.

  She looked over at her sister. Phaela turned around and put the pot of tea on the table with three mugs. I guess the third mug was for Axel.

  “Young girl, you will know when the time is right. It is like anything else that you do. It is about focus and about believing in yourself and what you are doing. The power of the mind is the most underestimated tool we have at our disposal. What we need to do is figure out how to get you out of there. You need to find out where you are. Do you think you can try and follow someone out of the room again?” Phaela asked me as she sat down to sip on her tea. What I wouldn’t have given for a sip of tea.

  My nerves started to get the best of me again, my mind filled with the thoughts that having to see anyone come into that room again wouldn’t end well for me. When Anton left the room, I was hardly in any shape to astral project. It sucked to know that was the first time I actually saw Ziona walk through the door. If only it wasn’t to invite in a walking nightmare.

  I took a deep breath, thinking, and blew it out slowly. “I don’t know. Honestly, I hope so, but I’m not sure how I’ll be able to. I’m sorry, but I have to get out of here. Give my regards to Axel.”

  Before they could talk me out of it or tell me any more crazy prophecies, I shot out of there. Without a thought as to where to go, I just volleyed up to the clouds.

  BEFORE I REALIZED where my stream of consciousness was heading, I found myself in front of Graven’s home. The landscape that surrounded his property was truly breathtaking. I had to soak in as much as I could before I went in to look for him. Maybe I was just trying to get up the nerve to let him know I was there.

  I stood there staring at the statues that guarded the front entryway. They were both beautiful, not so much on the grotesque side, but scary in an artistic kind of way. The one on the left was female; her curves were hard not to admire. On the right, the male was perched in an attack stance with his wings ready for flight. They were both larger than life. I was sure they cost him a hefty chunk of change.

  I’m pretty sure he said he anticipated we’d see each other again. I hoped that wasn’t wishful thinking on my part. I wasn’t sure why I was there. It just felt like I needed to see him, to talk to him. What was with me and my random attachments to mysterious men all of the sudden?

  I didn’t see his truck outside or anyone else’s vehicle for that matter. Knowing he was probably not in there made it much easier to get up the courage to enter his home. I didn’t worry too much about blending and hiding when I went in because he told me no one ever went there.

  The front doors were actually closed, but that held no bearing on me getting in the house. I scanned the open living area and kitchen, which wasn’t hard since it was all one big room. I felt funny about snooping through the bedrooms, so I didn’t go there. I made my way out to the back patio. It, too, was void of anyone. I popped back inside for one last sweep.

  “Graven? Hello? Are you around here anywhere?” I felt so awkward talking to myself. It was strange; even if anyone were there, they wouldn’t have heard my calls anyway.

  I decided to hang back in the rear yard for a while. The desert had always been such a special place for me. I missed being able to go out for a hike and sit on a giant boulder and meditate. I was feeling very lost.

  Maybe I should have felt that way sooner. I struggled for a sense of belonging. Not knowing where to turn or how to hold on to hope at that point was taking its toll. My world was more than upside down. Even if I got myself back out into the real world, I wouldn’t even know how to have a normal life. My belief systems were being shattered by the minute. It was hard to envision ever feeling safe again. If what Patience and Phaela said wound up being true, there would always be someone looking for me. I suddenly wished I could sink into Graven’s giant arms and hide.

  I had nothing else to do except go back to my broken, beat-up body. There was a chance maybe Graven, either by choice or by my following him, would help me find out where I was. He was connected to those people—more than connected, he was close enough to be on a first-name basis with two of my attackers. This also should have been a giant warning
sign to stay away.

  I closed my eyes and started to center my thoughts on Graven. His eyes were the first thing I’d noticed, so they were the first thing that came to my mind. They were a mineral grey but had a transparency like a marble. I could tell there were flashes of other colors mixed in. I looked forward to an opportunity to get closer and see them in person.

  His eyebrows were well-shaped over the sockets and full enough to remain manly. He had a natural darkness around the outside of his eyes, a look that women constantly tried to achieve with just the right amount of eyeliner. By no means were his eyes small, but they squinted closed on the outer corners. They were very sexy; he had those bedroom eyes all the time.

  I should have been afraid of him from the second I saw him sitting in that conference room. Somehow, however, he made me feel safe, like I could instantly trust him. I still found it difficult to believe I decided to follow him instead of Ziona. There was no need for me to complain; thus far the things he taught me had been useful. Following Ziona may have been a dead end.

  I was always attracted to a man who could dance. I was never into the club or bar scene, but that wasn’t to say I hadn’t, on occasion, found myself on a dance floor. I wanted to see how he would tear it up. There aren’t a lot of things sexier than when a man exudes confidence on the dance floor. When he knows he’s got it, he’s got it.

  I could have sat there and daydreamed about him all day long. I let my mind flood with every detail I could think of from my brief time with him. I then let my heart show the way.

  Before I knew it, I was whisked away in a cloud of glitter. The air was warm and soothing in the astral plane, reminiscent of traveling in a warm bath. I enjoyed the freeness of my flight and was grateful for the opportunity to have the gift.

  Not knowing where I was about to land, I took caution. It was a good time to work on the advice Graven gave me about being half there. It sounded tricky, but he said I did a good job when I practiced at his house. He told me to try and hang on to the ride over. I took it as holding back and being one with the mist. He said to use the rest of my focus to blend into whatever surroundings were there. The best place for this was out of the normal person’s field of vision, like the corner of the ceiling or behind a plant.

  As I got closer, I started to become aware of his presence. I could feel the rhythm of the music hammering away. I kind of had a feeling he would be at work since he wasn’t at home. He came off as the kind of guy who was always at work.

  I found myself approaching his office. His back faced my direction. In front of him there were monitors all over the wall near his desk. They flashed images of the front entryway to the club, multiple bartenders and their cash registers, the exits, bathroom doors. Numerous screens focused on the dance floors, and one was on a room currently not occupied by anyone.

  There was also a large window that overlooked the main dance floor. The lights were flashing and lasers streamed across the room. They had the best effect when they crossed the floating fog. It was hard to tell what music was playing; the sound was dulled out up here. Only the bass made its way into his office.

  The place was breathtaking. In the middle of the club, a giant backlit waterfall took center stage. The colors behind the cascading water faded in and out with the music. Along the sides of the room there were cages hanging with men and women in full-body silver latex outfits. Even their faces were covered with the same material. The latex hugged every curve, every muscle flexing to the beat of the music.

  The ceiling was covered with sheer white fabrics. It was like being inside a giant fluffy cloud. The aesthetics of being in the club with all the colors flashing by reminded me of what it felt like when I traveled in astral form.

  Just as I was about to make my presence known to Graven, there was a knock at the door. After checking the monitor, he pushed a button to unlock his office. In walked a topnotch beauty. With her five or six-inch heels, she stood well over six feet tall. Her legs went on for miles until they stopped just under a miniskirt that just barely covered her full, round bottom. She wore a strapless top that squeezed at her tiny waist. It was covered in varying shades of lilac sequins. Her breasts were more than ample to please any man, and they looked soft enough to be her own.

  She greeted Graven with a courteous smile. Her lips were as round and full as her big brown eyes. She walked in with confidence and a respectful cautiousness. “I am sorry to disturb you, sir.”

  Without looking at her, he waved a hand in the air to let her know not to worry. “What’s up, Maritza?”

  She played with the curls that hung down around her shoulders. “Anton is here requesting the private room. He said you told him to come?” Her voice peaked a little at the end of her statement, more like a question.

  Graven pushed a few buttons to redirect some of the camera angles. He zoomed in on Anton, who was sitting at what looked like a VIP table, sipping something from a glass. The sight of him made me instantly feel sick to my stomach. Maybe it was a mistake to go there.

  “I also told him that if he was going to come by to give you a call.” Graven spun around in his chair and sat back. He looked up at Maritza. “Which I am assuming never happened?”

  Maritza gave him a quick and nervous head shake. “I don’t have anything or anyone here on premise that would meet his needs, sir. Do you want me to try and make some calls?”

  “No, I’m more than willing to accommodate special guests and requests, but that’s just what needs to be done. They need to make a request. It isn’t always easy to provide what they want. You know that all too well.

  “Have one of the boys escort him up to my office. I’ll be happy to explain to him why there will be no festivities out of the norm here in my club tonight. You do not need to deal with his disappointment.”

  Maritza nodded in understanding.

  “In case I’m not making myself clear. I do not want you dealing with him at this point. You are here as a point of contact to plan the evening for him, ahead of time.”

  “Yes, I do understand, sir. I’m hosting a few regulars in VIP tonight. They’re ready to spend some serious cash. I will see you later.” With that, her fluffy curls followed her and she turned to exit the room. She got on a walkie-talkie and looked down at her clipboard, probably to see who she could send to bring up that awful beast.

  I was torn. I wanted to leave but something held me there. I had an overwhelming need burning at me to talk to Graven. I wondered if he would notice my condition. I didn’t do a good job hiding it from Patience and Phaela. I was going to have to try harder this time.

  Even if he noticed, why should he care? Maybe this was the kind of thing those kinds of people were into. He probably brought girls there for Anton to defile and torment in that private party room. Disgusting. Just the thought of him putting his hands or tongue on me, or anyone else for that matter, made me want to hurl.

  After another knock at the door, I saw the camera capture a young man with boy-like features in a pair of tight black pants. Instead of a top, he only wore a bowtie. He had the slightest bit of definition to his slender frame. Maybe he wasn’t as naïve as he looked. He stood in the hall next to Anton.

  It was hard to tell on the screen, but I wasn’t sure if that bastard even took the time to change his clothes after he left me crumpled and broken. The young boy was standing very close to him with his hand on Anton’s chest. Anton looked entertained and moved the boy’s hand over his own chest and proceeded to lower it down to his groin.

  The door buzzed and the boy rushed to open the door. Anton just laughed and pushed the boy aside, closing the door in his face. The boy looked relieved and scurried back down the stairs. I noticed Graven grab something from his desk drawer and attach it to the back of his pants. I wasn’t sure what it was, maybe a cell phone or a gun.

  Anton’s arrogance showed in his swagger. I could tell Graven wasn’t impressed by him. He continued to fiddle with the cameras and type on his computer before h
e really acknowledged Anton.

  “I didn’t expect you would be joining us tonight.” Graven reluctantly stood to greet him. He gave him a pat on the arm and they bumped elbows.

  “You told me I should come. That the party is always happening here.” Anton looked out over the crowd. “Not exactly the kind of party I was hoping for, Graven.” He stood there looking out the window.

  “Indeed. The club is packed as always, Anton. The guest performers we have booked have made Black Reign the hardest club to get into tonight. I told you to call Maritza if you were coming.”

  Anton looked down at his hands and examined his nails. He proceeded to pick something from under his fingernail. It was probably the flesh off of my back. I shuddered at the reminder of how much pain my physical body was in. He had no problem showing Graven his level of boredom. He started to do that annoying head rubbing thing again. I think he was trying to make it shine enough to match his pointed imported leather shoes.

  “The kind of party you’re looking for doesn’t just walk in off the street. You should know it takes time to find just the right accommodations for you.” Graven walked over to the window and stood beside him—well, over him, really. His back was almost twice the girth of Anton’s.

  Graven stood over Anton with his chest puffed up a bit. I wondered if he knew what Anton was. Maybe if he knew, he wouldn’t have been so sure of himself in speaking to him that way. Yet he held his ground, overlooking his club.

  After several minutes of silence, Anton turned on his feet and patted Graven on his back. “It is of no consequence tonight.” A smug smile plastered across his taunt lips. His teeth looked more ferocious in this lighting. “I did not call because I was busy at a party of my own. Well, not really my own. I was invited, by a mutual friend, in fact.”