She obliged him. “What did they want?”
“The Nightsbane clan planned to use Jennifer’s clairvoyant abilities to not only become the most dominate clan to ever exist, but also to complete their mission of eradicating the world of vampires.” His lighthearted demeanor vanished the moment the words left his lips.
She struggled to process it all. “How is that even possible? How would they have become the strongest by just using my mother?”
Alexander shrugged. “I do not know the particulars, but your mother once told me how Master Ben’s late father asked her to ‘look in on’ a rival clan’s impending meeting. He presented it as a reconnaissance mission, but Jennifer later learned he used the information she shared to mount an offensive attack on the clan’s unsuspecting population when the strongest of them were preoccupied with the meeting. Your mother left the clan the following day and never looked back. Until you needed help, of course.”
The heartbeat in her chest seemed to slow as her brain took in the information. The clan–Jennifer’s family–had tried to use her? They used her abilities to harm innocent people.
Darcie’s mother had left the Nightsbane clan when she was barely older than she was at the moment. And after all that, Jennifer went back to them.
“For me?” Darcie’s voice sounded small. “She went back because of me?” Despite her frustration, the news was humbling.
Alexander nodded. “She felt your agony during the transition. She didn’t know how to reach you, but she knew the clan could. When Jennifer went to speak with them, they agreed to help, but only with the stipulation that she rejoin the clan.”
“How could she do that?” Darcie’s head was spinning. It was all too much. “She agreed to go back to them? To let herself be used?”
He laced his fingers together, looking the picture of calm despite the guilt bomb he had just dropped. “In Master Ben’s defense, he is not the manipulative and dangerous leader his father was. He offered Jennifer a seat as one of their leaders as an act of goodwill. From what I can see, he is not driving the clan down the same path as his father.”
“Then why would they insist she rejoin?” Darcie asked, suspicious to the core. “Why wouldn’t he have agreed to just help her find me? Why did he need to ask for something in return?”
“Because not doing so would’ve been unwise,” he answered. “Like I said, no one has ever seen someone as powerful as Jennifer. Ben wanted her back in the fold. No doubt, he hopes to regain her trust and convince her to use her strength for the good of the Nightsbane clan.”
“And will she?”
“I have no idea.” Alexander stood from the chair, stretching his arms in the air and arching his back. “Like you, your mother has her own mind. It is often hard to know exactly what she is thinking.”
“But,” he added. “I know she is determined to keep you from ever being used or manipulated the way she was. Perhaps, now, you can give her a break when she seems overbearing.”
With that, he turned and left through the door. It was still open from her mother’s departure.
Darcie barely took a second to wonder if anyone had listened to their conversation before her attention was consumed with thoughts of her mother’s past. She couldn’t imagine living in a world where the people she trusted used her. Not only did the clan want Jennifer for her powers, but they even used them to harm other people. Innocent people.
But did that excuse her mother’s behavior? Wasn’t she being just as stifling and unreasonable as the people who once had control over her? Sure, Jennifer’s intentions were not bad, but that did not automatically make them right.
Did it?
“Ugh,” Darcie groaned and let her heavy head fall into her hands. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Things were never as simple as they seemed.
24
All of the pent-up emotions, combined with Darcie’s growing frustration at her lack of control with her powers, culminated into a training session that was surprisingly better than ever before.
“Outstanding, Darcie!” Mistress Lola smiled widely and clapped her hands. “Brava!”
Darcie beamed under the praise as she swung her gaze from the witch to the orb of light hanging in the air in front of her. It may have been small, but the tiny sphere of power felt like one of her greatest accomplishments. She’d been trying for so long to physically manifest her powers, and it was gratifying to finally succeed. The orb was much more impressive than the weak shield she conjured weeks ago.
She turned her smile towards Gregory. “Do you see it?”
He chuckled and said, “Yes, I see it.”
Not able to tear her gaze away for long, Darcie looked back at her accomplishment. She wasn’t sure how she managed to suspend the orb in the air, but she was glad it hadn’t immediately disappeared after its creation. She could stare and admire it all day.
“Try to increase its size,” Mistress Lola instructed, inching slightly closer. “Lift your hand like so, and aim to trickle more power into it.” She mimed the action.
Darcie nodded and lifted her arm. Facing her palm towards the delicate shape, she furrowed her brow and concentrated. She imagined the orb was a ball of yarn and she was mentally wrapping more thread around its electrifying surface.
Nothing happened.
She bit her lip, willing the pictured image to come to life before her. After a few more seconds of intense focus, a tendril of light seeped out of her hand.
The thin strip of power slowly closed the space between Darcie’s palm and the suspended ball of light. It sizzled when it made contact with the orb before morphing into it. Her arm began to shake, the tense muscle was beginning to fatigue.
“That’s it,” Mistress Lola murmured, watching the power’s progress. “Now, carefully cut off the lingering strand. Good. That’s it. Gently guide the last portion into the ball.”
Darcie listened to the instructions, gnawing on her lip absentmindedly. She tasted blood in her mouth. Once the last bit of power joined the rest, she let her arm fall to her side with a sigh.
“Incredible,” Mistress Lola commented, staring at the orb. It was now twice the size as before. “Absolutely incredible. That was amazing progress, Darcie.”
“I don’t know how I did that,” she responded, still in awe of what she created. “I don’t think I did anything different from the other times I have tried.”
“Sometimes, all it takes is a new day with a fresh start,” Mistress Lola replied knowingly.
She added, “The amount of control and restraint you demonstrated rivals those of our kin with years more experience. I am very impressed.”
Darcie straightened her spine despite the exhaustion. She felt invigorated by the progress and the praise. “Should I try something else? Maybe I can try to reign in the orb?”
Mistress Lola shook her head. “I believe that you have done enough for today. We do not want you to overexert yourself after such an impressive display.” She lifted her own arm and flicked her fingers in the direction of the orb. Immediately, the small ball disappeared into thin air. Darcie gaped, awed with how effortlessly Mistress Lola handled the orb.
The witch saw Darcie’s face and smiled softly. “Do not worry. Soon, you will be able to manipulate powers just as efficiently.”
She didn’t quite believe it, but she said, “I hope so.”
With that, the afternoon training session ended. Darcie asked Gregory if he was up for exploring the D.C. area, but he declined, saying he needed to rest. Disappointed, she resigned herself to find something to do in her temporary room. Without Gregory, there was no way she would be allowed to leave the safe house.
As it turned out, not exploring the metropolitan area turned out to not be the worst thing. Almost as soon as Darcie’s head hit the pillow with a book in hand, she fell asleep.
The sun had already set by the time she woke up from her nap. Glancing at the digital numbers on the nightstand, she was shocked to see it was already past
eight o’clock. Finally succeeding in manipulating her powers had taken more energy than she realized.
Throwing her legs over the bed, she stifled a yawn before standing and walking over to the mirror. After taming her bedhead, Darcie made her way to the main part of the house.
“About time you woke up,” a familiar voice greeted the moment she stepped off the last stair.
She turned and her eyes widened with recognition. “Henry?”
The warlock lifted a hand in greeting and closed one of the house’s many doors behind him. “Nice to see you again. I was beginning to think I would miss the opportunity to speak with you before I left.”
“You’re leaving? Wait…” Her mind was still groggy from the nap. She tried to focus. “What are you doing here? I thought you were off somewhere working for the alliance.”
Henry bobbed his head. “I am. They sent me here to monitor the surveillance mission tonight.”
“Oh.” Darcie had forgotten about the impending event. Her training success had effectively distracted her from the impending mission. But not anymore. “Right. That makes sense.”
“I was just on my way to meet with the others,” Henry stated. “Would you like to join me?”
“Yes,” Darcie practically shouted. She reigned herself in as Henry gestured for her to proceed him through the house.
Maybe I can convince them to change their minds and take me with them.
“Where are they?” she asked as they maneuvered through the long halls.
“The dining room,” he replied. “Finishing dinner.”
At the mention of food, her stomach growled. Her cheeks tinged pink and she said, “I skipped lunch.”
Henry bobbed his head and gave her an obliging smile. The pair continued with Darcie in the lead. She hesitated once or twice walking through the unfamiliar house before she finally led them to the crowded dining room. Papers covered the long, wooden table and there were people she did not recognize hovering over them.
Henry cleared his throat and several pairs of eyes turned to them.
“Henry,” Lucas greeted, stepping forward to clasp the warlock on the back. “I’m glad you are here.”
“As am I,” the warlock returned warmly. As she observed the interaction, Darcie couldn’t help but notice that Henry’s behavior was different from what she experienced back in Greece.
When he was her trainer, Henry was never warm or inviting. He was always stoic and strictly business, but that isn’t to say he was unfriendly. Darcie attributed the distance to professional behavior on his part. Now, though, he was perfectly cordial and inviting.
Maybe it’s because he’s technically not my trainer anymore.
“Did The Council give you specific instructions for how they would like us to proceed?” Jennifer’s voice interrupted Darcie’s thoughts. She turned to look at the woman, but she didn’t even spare a glance for her daughter. The witch’s attention rested on Henry.
“Only that I am to report back the events of the evening,” he replied respectively, even going so far as to tip his head towards her mother. “Consider me a fly on the wall.”
Jennifer jerked her head once. “Good. You can monitor the situation from the surveillance van with Paige. She is savvy with the technology, but we could use another pair of hands in there should something go awry.”
“What?” Darcie could not stop the word from escaping. “Paige is going?”
Her mother continued to ignore her. “Paige is currently going over the van with Lola. Perhaps you should join them. They are in the garage.”
“Of course.” Henry bent his neck again before moving towards the exit. He sent Darcie an apologetic look as he passed. He’d only been there less than a day, but apparently it wasn’t hard to pick up the tension between the mother and daughter.
Suddenly, Gregory was at her side. She didn’t even see him move from his spot against the far wall.
He touched her elbow. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
Too furious to do anything but comply, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the dining room. The vampire’s soundless steps followed.
She made it to the kitchen before she finally whirled on him. “Seriously. Paige is allowed to go?”
Gregory didn’t even blink. “It appears so.”
“That is bull.”
“Her father is permitting it,” he responded, not understanding what Darcie was really complaining about. Or, if he did, he was doing a good job at pretending he didn’t.
“Then why is my mom still choosing to be a ridiculous, overbearing dictator?”
“Because unlike Paige, you are a target for Adir,” her mother’s voice traveled down the hallway, coming towards them. Darcie stiffened and watched as she and Alex joined them in the kitchen. She crossed her arms and glared.
Her mother looked at her and sighed, looking exhausted. “I’ve already explained this to you, Darcie. It isn’t safe.”
“No one will know I am there.”
“You don’t know what people will know,” Jennifer countered. “This whole situation is complicated, and it is not always clear who we can trust. Who is to say Gregory’s contact wasn’t instructed to share the intel with him? Perhaps someone is hoping to draw us out. To draw you out.”
“You’re being paranoid.” Darcie looked at Gregory for backup. “The intel is genuine. Right?”
He remained silent. He wasn’t going to participate in her battle.
Whatever. I don’t need him.
“Your mother is right, Darcie,” Alexander spoke up. He took a step until he and Jennifer stood side by side. “It will be best if you stay here where we know you will be safe. Until Adir is neutralized as a threat, you will be in danger no matter where you go.”
Darcie’s blood began to boil. Not only were his words traitorous, but the image of him standing shoulder to shoulder with her mother–allying himself with the woman and against Darcie–it was enough to make her want to throw something.
Without even realizing what she was doing, she swung her arms down. The movement caused a slash of bright-white light to curve from her arm and fly into the air between her and her mother. The entire room stilled and things seemed to happen in slow-motion.
Alexander grabbed her mother and whipped her out of the way with vampire speed. Gregory closed the distance between him and Darcie and latched a strong hand onto her arms.
Jennifer, as she was being pulled away by Alexander, threw out her hand and sent a bolt of her own towards Darcie’s power. The moment the two collided, a loud crack filled the air, and Darcie and Gregory were thrown backwards towards the floor.
The breath was knocked out of her when she landed on her back. Turning to the side, she gasped for oxygen. Beside her, Gregory coughed, but recovered much more quickly than she did.
Frantically, Darcie flung her gaze towards Alex and her mom. Both were sitting up and looked unharmed. She released a staggering sigh, still not fully recovered from the impact.
She watched as Alex stood onto his feet and offered a hand to Jennifer. Her mother did not take it. She didn’t even look it. Instead, her focus rested solely on Darcie.
The witch was furious.
Darcie opened her mouth to apologize. She hadn’t meant to release any of her powers. It just happened. But before a single word could form on her tongue, her mother raised both hands and shot out a net-like object from the tips of her fingers.
The power covered Darcie and, for a moment, she felt like she was suffocating. The feeling disappeared within seconds when the unusual projection of power seeped into her skin. Beside Jennifer, Alexander’s eyes were wide with some intense emotion. From her distance, Darcie couldn’t tell if it was horror or fear.
“What was that?” she asked, coughing.
Jennifer stood up on her own and looked down at her daughter. “A restraining spell.”
“A what?” Gregory’s hand appeared in front of Darcie. He helped her up, steadying her when she w
obbled.
“A restraining spell,” her mother repeated, brushing off her arms like there was dirt on them. “You cannot control yourself. It will ensure you remain in this house and also keep your powers subdued.”
What?!?
“Take it off,” Darcie demanded. She clenched her hands into fists. “Now!”
Her mother’s face hardened. “No.”
“Jennifer,” Alexander murmured.
The witch’s neck snapped towards him. “You do not get an opinion, Alex.”
Then, to Darcie, she said, “I will remove it when I return.”
Without another word, her mother left.
Darcie stared after her, speechless. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream and cry until her voice went hoarse. She couldn’t figure out which emotion dominated her.
From across the room, she watched as Alexander looked like he was going to say something before thinking better of it. After a regretful glance, he disappeared without uttering a sound.
25
A loud crash sounded in the distance, and the sound waves resonated through the walls. Darcie bolted up in bed, throwing off the covers. She didn’t know what caused the sleep-disrupting noise, but she wasn’t about to wait in bed to find out. She grabbed the fluffy robe Eshe had packed and wrapped it around her body.
Reaching for her phone, she checked to see if there were any messages from Alex or Gregory.
Nothing.
A door closed, and Darcie flung open her own and quietly walked towards the sound. She maneuvered down the hall and stairs with efficient quiet. Landing on the main level, she moved towards the sound of voices that began to reach her ears. As she approached, she thought she heard someone shuffling, almost like they were fighting someone, but it was muffled.
Careful to not reveal her position, she crept forward and placed a hand against the wall for balance. She leaned forward to try and get a glimpse of the concealed scene.
“Take him into the basement,” Alexander commanded. “Secure him down there for the foreseeable future.”
Envisioned (Immortal Chronicles Book 3) Page 19