Darkness Whispers (The Darkness Series Book 1)

by Aubrie Nixon

The tall brunette—Charolette—smiled, her teeth white and perfectly straight. “Yes, zey are. Vhat brought you to Sarilo?” she asked in her native Sarilan accent.

  “Business, unfortunately,” Sephera replied.

  The small blonde, who rivaled Chantry with her beauty, clucked her tongue. “Oh, zat is a pity. You vill ave to visit sometime. Perhaps a vedding holiday? Chantry here ‘az told us so much avout you and your lover, Zadkiel.”

  Sephera opened her mouth to respond but then promptly shut it again and smiled tightly, shooting Chantry a daggered glance.

  “Love ez such a beautiful zing, don’t you think? And zere is no better place to celebrate et zan Sarilo,” Eviee cooed.

  “Indeed. Sarilo is the country of love,” Sephera agreed.

  “I was just telling them that we had nothing to wear tonight. Our bags were lost, so we are stuck with our traveling clothes.” Chantry pouted, motioning to her outfit.

  Sephera pursed her lips. What kind of game was Chantry playing?

  Charolette looked sympathetic. “Such a pity! Please, you both look avout our sizes. You can’t go to zey celebration looking like zat. Let us show you how women from Sarilo prepare for a party.”

  Chantry looked so excited that Sephera was afraid she might jump on the two women. “Oh, that would be just lovely. Right, Sephera?” she asked hopefully.

  Sephera had to admit dressing up did sound delightful. “Oh, all right. Charolette, Eviee, how can we thank you?”

  The two women glanced at each other and laughed. “Zer is no need. Ve simply enjoy beauty and you Nostorran woman rarely ‘ave a chance to show off yours.”

  Sephera let out a hollow laugh. Floozies. But she wouldn’t turn down an offer to wear a beautiful gown, especially one from Sarilo.

  “Come now, ve ‘ave a lot of verk to do if ve vant to ‘ave you both ready for tonight,” Eviee said, grabbing Sephera’s hand. Charolette seized Chantry’s hand, and the two women led them to their spacious, luxurious suite.

  Sephera gasped at the size of their cabin. The walls, the ceiling, even the floor were all white. There were two double beds with golden frames and more pillows on the bed than there was bed. Intricate lace fabric draped from the pristine ceiling, making the room feel like it was resting in a cloud. They had their own private washroom, with a golden washing tub and more perfumed oils and soaps than Sephera had ever seen in one place. A golden chamber pot sat by the water basin. One wall was lined entirely with mirrors. It was breathtaking.

  “Zis is zey king’s suite. Our father vanted to make sure ve vere comfortable on zhe long journey across the sea,” Eviee informed them. “Come, ve vill call a servant to fill the tub.” She scrunched her nose at Sephera.

  A half hour later, the tub was filled to the brim with steaming hot water. Since there would only be time for one of them to bathe, Chantry insisted Sephera be the one to bathe.

  “I’ll go and wash these and have them returned to you in the morning, miss.” The servant bowed, addressing Sephera.

  “Thank you.” Sephera nodded as she stepped into the bath. She let out a moan as the hot water tingled along her skin. She leaned back, closing her eyes. If this wasn’t heaven, Sephera didn’t know what was.

  She looked at all the beautiful crystal bottles full of soaps and perfumes. She took one that contained pink-tinted liquid and pried the lid off. She sighed with pleasure. It smelled just like her rose perfume at home. She measured a small amount into the lid and poured it into the water, soaking her aching muscles.

  She was so excited to eat the delicious food and dance the night away. Why hadn’t they taken the two-day journey by ship instead of the two-week journey through the hillsides of Nostorra? She made a mental note to ask Baleem his reasoning behind that ridiculous nonsense when they returned.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called.

  Charolette made her way into the washroom with a large, fluffy towel. “Come, Sephera, you must pick your dress,” she said eagerly.

  Sephera groaned and disappeared under the water, rinsing her raven hair. When she was finished, she stood up and took the towel from Charolette. “Do you enjoy this sort of thing? Sharing your life and your belongings with strange women?” Sephera asked.

  Charolette tittered. “Strange? No, you are a fellow voman. Et ez our duty as zey fairer sex to take care of one another. We take great pleasure en et.”

  “Well, then, you are kinder than me,” Sephera replied. Charolette moved behind her and grabbed her shoulder.

  “Come, ve ave much to do!” She steered her out of the room.

  Chantry was sitting on a striped bench in her undergarments while Eviee brushed her hair. She shot Sephera toothy grin.

  “Sit,” Charolette demanded. Sephera sat. She watched as Charolette pulled out a case full of powders, kohl, rouge, and varying sizes of brushes. “You ‘ave such beautiful, porcelain skin. But I would like to add some rouge to your cheeks if zat es all right?” she asked, holding up a light, rose-colored powder.

  Sephera nodded excitedly. Charolette worked with pursed lips, running a brush over Sepheras cheeks. When she was finished, she opened a small vial of black powder. She sucked on a thin brush to moisten it and dipped the brush into the vial, covering the bristles in dark kohl. She worked silently, using gentle strokes to apply the kohl to the top of Sephera’s eyelid.

  She grabbed another brush, one that was ridged. “For your lashes,” she explained. Dipping the strange brush into the kohl, and brushing her lashes carefully. “Oooh, la! Exotic!” Charolette sat back, admiring her handy work.

  “Eviee, let us switch. You are much better at hair zen I,” she said, standing.

  “Oh! Vhy, Sephera, you look lovely!” Eviee gushed. Sephera smiled to herself as Eviee began to brush her long hair. “Vatch, as I verk my magic,” she commanded, pulling Sephera’s ebony locks back. She dipped her hands into a clear, sticky substance, slicking Sephera’s hair against her head. Eviee’s motions yanked Sephera’s head back. “Keep your head straight,” she scolded, smacking the back of Sephera’s head with her hand. Sephera grimaced. Chantry whooped musically, causing Charolette to trail a squiggly line of kohl onto her cheek, which sent the group into stitches.

  After Sephera’s hair was finished, she stood naked in front of the walled mirror. Her breath caught when she saw her reflection. The kohl had sharpened and accentuated her natural, dark beauty. Her long hair was parted down the middle, slicked back tightly and held together with a black velvet tie. Charolette brought in a knee-length scarlet gown. It was made of the finest silk and had a plunging neckline. Sephera stepped into the dress, and Charolette laced the straps around neck. Sephera smiled wickedly at her finished appearance. She followed Charolette into the main room of the cabin.

  Chantry’s mouth fell open. “Oh, Sephera! Your beauty could rival the goddess herself!” Sephera grinned as she spun around.

  “You aren’t so bad yourself, Chantry.” She wore a dusty rose, floor length dress, made of tulle and lace, and her golden hair had been pinned to one side. Eviee handed them both silk slippers that matched their corresponding dresses. Three horns sounded from somewhere on the boat as violin music tinkled through the air.

  “Our vork es complete,” Eviee said with satisfaction leaning her head on her sister's shoulder and beaming at the girls’ transformations. “Now, go! Enjoy your evening. Ve vill meet you for breakfast in ze morning.”

  “You’re not joining us?” Sephera asked.

  They laughed. “Ve ‘ave attended many parties in our life, and ve are tired. They are all zey same. But, please, go meet your lover and dance zey night away,” Charolette said brightly. She walked toward the cabin door. “Go on, shoo!” she ordered, shoving the pair out into the hallway.

  Sephera turned, her heart beating quickly. “Thank you both so much. Really,” she said to Charolette. The woman beamed and bowed her head before shutting the door.

  “Wait, I want to grab one th
ing from my bag before we go,” Sephera called to Chantry, who was already three steps ahead of her. They talked excitedly as they made their way to their cabin. Sephera shuffled in and rummaged through her bag. Finding the dagger necklace, she pulled it over her head. An angel of death should never be without her weapon. Now she felt complete.

  * * *

  Chantry raised an eyebrow when she saw the necklace.

  “Don’t,” Sephera warned, walking past her to the staircase. Chantry merely shrugged and followed closely behind her. When they reached the main deck, they both gasped. It had been transformed into a dance floor. Fairy lights entwined the pillars and spread like dewy cobwebs through the air above the deck. Passengers dressed in varying styles—from plain tunics to silken finery—milled around the small round tables that dotted the deck. The air was festive and filled with mirth. Sephera spun around, taking it all in, her face lit with joy.

  Chantry squealed and pointed to some of the crew, who were filling in as the ball’s musicians. Sephera let out a surprised laugh as she spied Brenner among them, playing the cello. He was smiling and tapping his foot in time to the music. She glanced around the crowd of boisterous people, searching for Zad. He was chatting with a tall, thin man who was dressed in a crisp, navy blue suit decorated with gleaming medals.

  “Ooh, Zad’s made friends with the captain,” Chantry murmured appreciatively. “I think I’ll go say hello to Brenner.” Sephera nodded, her eyes never leaving Zad.

  He glanced up as she arrived, his mouth going slack with shock. She glanced at him sinfully and then hooked her index finger under his chin and pushed up, closing his mouth. “Are you going to stand there, all bug-eyed the rest of the night, or are you going to ask me to dance?” she said playfully, running her finger along his ear and jaw and sending shivers through his body.

  The captain gave a short bow and excused himself. Zad growled and pulled her close, kissing her deeply.

  “You look divine, Sephera. Dance with me?” he asked. Sephera pointed to her chest.

  “Me? Why, I’d love to,” she cooed. He grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.

  CHAPTER 32

  He almost hadn’t recognized her when he’d first caught sight of her in that titillating, blood-red dress. She looked radiant, though he could do without that dagger around her neck. Her normally scowling face was replaced with a playful smile. This was the Sephera he knew and loved—the Sephera that rarely showed the world her soft and flirtatiously feminine side, the woman he knew she could be. It was all he could do not to take her right there on the dance floor. Had she gone to all the trouble of dressing up for him? His heart filled almost to bursting, and in that moment he loved her more than he ever had before. They danced in time to the quick melody. Sephera laughed as she threw her arms to the sky, spinning in time to the beat.

  Zad shook his head and smiled. Wild joy rolled off of her like waves from the sea. She deserved this night after everything she had gone through. She deserved her happiness. They all did.

  When the song ended, Sephera leaned into him, her voice breathless and ecstatic. “Oh Zad, isn’t this amazing?”

  “It sure is, Seph. It sure is.” Chantry joined them with drinks in her hand. She handed the delicate fluted glasses to them.

  “I propose a toast,” she said, raising her glass. “To surprising friendships, Sarilo women, and this delicious champagne.” She giggled.

  “Here, here,” Sephera added. Their glasses chimed musically as they tapped them against each other. Sephera and Chantry tipped their heads back, emptying their glasses. Zad merely took a sip.

  “Let’s go get more alcohol.” Sephera grabbed Chantry’s arm.

  Zad chuckled. “All right, you two. I’ll be over there,” he said, pointing to a table nearby. He was glad Sephera was finally connecting with Chantry. The golden-haired girl seemed to share Sephera’s love for fine things, and it pleased him to see her bringing out that side of Sephera so perfectly. She would never admit it, but Sephera needed another woman who could hold her own against her. It was refreshing to see them dancing and giggling together.

  When Sephera looked like she was well taken care of, Zad silently slipped away from the main deck and made his way down the staircase to their cabin, hands in his pockets. He had to be quick. Sephera would notice his absence soon and come looking for him. He opened Sephera’s bag and searched through it for the vial of dark liquid, careful not to disturb anything. He felt a twinge of guilt, but he needed that vial. His hand touched a letter that was addressed to Sephera. He sucked in his breath and looked over his shoulder at the door.

  He pulled the letter out and unfolded it. His fists tightened as he read it. He snarled viciously and shoved it back into her bag. Daegan was a fool. He knew nothing of him or Sephera. He was a murderer and wanted Sephera to follow him down his own twisted, dark path, to join him in his loneliness. Zad would never allow that. If they ever met again he would make sure that bastard left her alone. The coward was so jealous of what he and Sephera had that he had slithered off like a scared snake. Disgusting.

  He rummaged again through her bag, finally finding a small parcel wrapped in cloth. “There you are,” he whispered. He unwrapped it carefully and grabbed the vial. He pulled an identical one from his pocket and held it up, comparing them. He had acquired the fake vial from some of the ship’s supplies. It had been a simple thing to create a liquid that looked like Reina’s concoction. He wrapped the cloth around the fake vial and then placed the package back in her bag, careful to put everything back as it was. He sighed in relief and leaned his head against the wall.

  “All right, Reina. Let's see what you’re made of.” He opened the vial and wrinkled his nose at the smell of rot that met the air. He took a deep breath and brought the vial to his lips, swallowing the putrid liquid in one gulp. He stifled a gag. Shaking his head with disgust, he stood up and made his way to the door. “That's it? That's all you wanted from me?” he asked the air around him. He didn’t feel any different. Perhaps it was Reina's idea of a cruel joke.

  * * *

  He made his way back to Sephera and Chantry who were now joined by Brenner. They were all laughing and dancing jubilantly. He reached them just as the song came to an end.

  “Where did you go off to?” Sephera called over the music as it started up again.

  “Nature called,” he replied, giving her a wink.

  “You know, I’ve never understood that expression: nature calls. Like there is a tree calling you? Or perhaps a flower? No, what you really should say is ‘I’ve got to piss’ or something like that.” Sephera was spouting off words and slurring them together, drunker than a drowned kitten.

  Chantry giggled loudly, her arm slung around Sephera. “A talking tree! Ha!” she said before tripping over her own feet and pulling Sephera down with her. They sat on the ground, laughing deliriously. Zad looked at Brenner, who grinned.

  “Come on, you two. We have a big day tomorrow. Let's get you to bed,” he commanded, helping the two inebriated girls up. He took Sephera under his arm and motioned with his head for Brenner to grab Chantry.

  “Mmmm . . . You are no fun, Zaddy.” Her alcohol-laced breath tickled his ear.

  “I know, I know,” he replied, his lips pressed together but turned up.

  “Carry me,” she said, leaning against him and closing her eyes. He bent down and scooped her up in his arms.

  “You smell good,” she murmured, her head resting against his chest. “What do I smell I like?”

  “You smell like liquor and roses, Beasty,” he replied and kissed her head. She giggled, softly closing her eyes.

  He carried her in silence down to their cabin and opened the door. Then he put her on the lower bunk and tucked her under the cotton blanket.

  “Sleep well, Sephera. Dream of this night, for tomorrow will be trying indeed.” She began to snore softly. Zad smiled. “Good night, Beasty.”

  CHAPTER 33

  Sephera groaned as
she sat up, rubbing her eyes and smearing kohl onto her fingers. “Ugh.”

  She glanced around the darkened room. Chantry was sitting in the middle of the floor, still in her dress, mouth open, eyes half-closed and staring at the ceiling. Sephera stood, feeling slightly dizzy.

  Chantry turned to look at her. “Remind me to never drink with you like that again, especially while we are at sea.”

  Sephera nodded, collapsing down next to her. “How much did we drink last night, and what was in it?”

  “Rum, mead, everything.” Chantry moaned, poking her face with her index finger. “My face is numb.”

  Sephera giggled. “For the first time in my life, I actually look better than you. You look like shit.”

  Chantry merely pointed to the wash basin. “Is that so? Why don’t you take a look?”

  Sephera crawled over to the basin and pulled herself up to the mirror. She laughed. “I take it back. You still look better than me.” Her eyes were shot through with scarlet lightning, and the kohl had smudged, leaving huge black circles under her eyes and bruise-like marks all over her face. Remnants of her lipstick stained the skin around her mouth like she’d been smashed with red berries. And her lovely, slick-backed hair had lost its velvet bow and now looked like a bird’s nest.

  She filled the basin with water from a jug and dipped her hands in it, scrubbing her face. The chilly water cooled her skin and constricted her blood vessels, making her headache dissipate slightly.

  “That’s better,” she said, drying her face on a small hand towel. “I’m not sure what to do about this, though.” She pointed to her hair.

  “Shave it off,” Chantry mumbled, rising to join her. Sephera handed her the towel as Chantry cleaned off her face.

  “How does your hair still manage to look so perfect?” she asked, running her fingers through Chantry’s soft curls.

  Chantry shrugged, stepping toward her bag. “Here,” she said as she threw a brush at her.