The Dark Ones

by Rachel Van Dyken

  "Hi." I waved awkwardly, unsure of how I was supposed to address him since, technically, nobody knew what he was.

  He grinned. "You're cute."

  Ethan growled.

  "I meant it in an innocent way." Drystan held up his hands. "Easy…" He turned his attention back to me. "You've got the job."

  "Just like that?"

  "Just like that."

  "But what if I'm horrible at it?" I blurted.

  Drystan laughed. "If an Elder vouches for you — well, it's as good as done. Now, why don't I go over the schedule with you while Ethan makes himself scarce. Are you okay with starting work tomorrow? I had to fire someone yesterday for stealing, so I'm a bit shorthanded."

  "Sure."

  I was about to follow him when Ethan tugged me back and whispered in my ear, "Be careful."

  A cold chill settled over me. I wasn't sure why I needed to be careful, considering he was going to be leaving me alone with this guy for hours on end, but I decided to listen to him regardless.

  "Schedule…" Drystan moved toward a workstation located in the middle of the store. "…is always kept on the computer. And we do all our sales through Square, so we don't really have a typical cash register. Are you familiar with it?"

  Technology. Yes. I was the one who was supposed to be teaching them — at least at one point. I nodded.

  "Good." He clapped his hands together. "We get new books every Tuesday. You'll have to sign for them, and if we aren't busy, you're free to stock the shelves." He pointed behind him. "Books that are left out need to be reshelved at the end of the day and, luckily, you don't have to make coffee or scones. My wife does all that."

  "Wife?"

  He grinned. "We work together. It's a mate thing."

  "Do all mates work together?"

  His eyes darted behind me as if looking for Ethan. "Well, it's different for each of us."

  "Oh."

  "I'll pay you fifteen an hour. Though it's not like you need it, considering who you're with."

  I blushed. I didn't like the idea of owing Ethan anything; somehow it felt wrong. I didn't deserve it, didn't earn it, and regardless of how well things were going that day, I had no idea if one minute he was going to get tired of me, and I'd need money for some reason.

  "Great." I found myself shaking his hand, excited that I wouldn't be stuck at the house and would be able to actually contribute to society.

  Drystan squeezed my hand, then flinched and jerked it back, like I'd hurt him.

  "Is everything okay?" Ethan asked, approaching us.

  Drystan shared a look with him. "Ethan, a moment?"

  Ethan's smile was forced. "Sure. Genesis, why don't you pick out some books?"

  I nodded and watched them walk off.

  Had I done something to offend the werewolf? Everything had seemed fine until I'd touched him.

  He'd flinched.

  Why would he flinch?

  I started mindlessly walking the aisles of books, when I heard Ethan's growl.

  Slowly, I moved closer until I could hear his voice.

  "I can't protect her if he comes." Drystan's voice was frantic. "I have a family, Ethan."

  "He won't."

  "He could bring them down on me and my family. You know he could, and I don't know how much time I have left with her — before she dies like the others. I don't want to spend that time worrying that a Dark One's going to kill me."

  Ethan sighed heavily. "Trust me."

  "I do. You know I do. It's her I don't trust."

  What? That made no sense! I was a mere human!

  "She's trustworthy," Ethan barked. "You dare insult my mate?"

  "You dare bring in a marked one?"

  "We've bonded — it's done."

  "But it's not," Drystan argued. "Not unless she fully gives herself to you — you know that."

  "She will."

  Drystan swore. "How long do you have?"

  Ethan's breathing picked up. "We have time."

  "How much?"

  "This is ridiculous. I'm an Elder."

  "Ethan—"

  "She's already chosen."

  "No." Drystan's voice was distant. "She hasn't. Ice still flows through her veins. She may have said the words, but she isn't there, not yet, and until she is, he will continue to come for her."

  I was listening so intently that I almost let out a yelp when Ethan called for me.

  I grabbed the first two books I saw and ran around the corner to find him. He didn't seem on edge, but I knew he was. I could feel the distance building around his body again.

  "What books did you choose?"

  I looked down at the books in my hands and almost choked. "Um, you know what? I don't need any books today."

  He rolled his eyes. "Give me the books, Genesis."

  "I think I've changed my mind. I'm just going to go—"

  He snatched them out of my hands and looked down. I knew the exact moment he'd read the titles.

  Because he started shaking.

  His eyes flashed black then green then black again as he looked at me, his fangs elongating.

  I took a step back.

  Drystan pretended to ignore us.

  And my heart picked up speed as Ethan's gaze devoured me.

  "We'll take these." He set them on the table, his smile indulgent. "It seems my human likes to… study."

  Drystan gave nothing away as he scanned the books, took Ethan's change, and handed him the bag.

  "See you tomorrow, Genesis."

  I waved with my free hand while Ethan placed a death grip on my other. Yeah, things were about to get embarrassing really fast.

  The minute we were outside, he pushed me into the car.

  The silence was thick. Tense.

  "So," Ethan spoke in a gravelly voice, "'Three Hundred and Sixty-five Positions for Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Days.'"

  My body flamed.

  "And what was the other?" He scratched his head. "'Kama Sutra for the Advanced'?"

  I banged my head against the car's window. "In my defense, I was distracted."

  "Mmm, care to share what had you so distracted?"

  "No."

  "I feel very much distracted," Ethan mused. "In fact, I may need you to distract me from the distractions."

  My heart picked up speed. "Oh?"

  "Yes."

  He said it like a mere whisper, but I felt it in my chest. I felt the yes everywhere. I gripped the leather seat with my hands to keep from reaching for him.

  "Work," I blurted. "You said you'd show me what you do."

  "I'm not thinking about work right now."

  I trembled.

  "Care to know my fixation?"

  I turned, slowly making eye contact with him. "Books?"

  "Genesis." He said my name like a vow.

  I reached for him at the same time he reached for me. Our mouths collided; warmth spread from my chest down to my toes as he lifted me from my seat.

  And then a sudden chill filled the air.

  Abruptly, he let me go and cursed. "He's close. Let's go."

  Freaked out, I buckled my seatbelt and almost hit my head on the dash as Ethan peeled out of the parking spot. When I glanced at the rearview mirror, it was to see Cassius standing on the curb, blowing an ice-filled kiss in my direction.

  "Fish," I repeated in disbelief. "That's your job?"

  "What?" Ethan shrugged.

  After our almost-run-in with Cassius, Ethan had decided it was best to confuse the Dark One and get my scent all over Seattle.

  We'd gone to at least three bakeries, two Starbucks, bought flowers, berries, and finally ended up by the pier.

  The building said Immortal Industries.

  Talk about blatant.

  "You ship fish?" I still couldn't believe it.

  "Worldwide." Ethan grinned. "Disappointed?"

  "The name needs work."

  "Yes, well, I decided that sometimes the best way to hide is to do the opposite of hiding.
" He frowned. "You're cold?"

  I shivered. "A bit."

  He wrapped his arms around me. "It's Cassius."

  "You lied to me."

  His breathing slowed. "Eavesdropping is frowned upon — always."

  "What aren't you telling me?"

  "A lot."

  "At least you're honest about that much."

  Ethan went very still. My back was to him; his arms wrapped around my body, warming me from the inside out. "I'd have to show you — talking about it is too difficult."

  "Is it scary?"

  "No." His lips touched my neck. "Just very sad, embarrassing, a lot of other unfortunate emotions."

  "Show me."

  "Not here."

  "Yes, here." I turned in his arms. "Eventually, you're going to need my help, right? You can't just keep information from me then expect the bond — or whatever we have — to make up for everything else. We're at least friends, right?"

  His eyes widened. "Yes."

  "And friends share."

  "They do."

  "And you drink from me."

  "Shhh…" He pulled me closer. "Yes."

  "So, you owe me this. Honesty, you owe me."

  "You raised your voice." He sounded amused.

  "Yeah, well… you make me angry."

  Another heavy sigh. "If I show you, you may leave me."

  "I'd have a choice?"

  "We always have a choice, Genesis."

  "So trust me to stay."

  He was still again; his heartbeat slowed — I could feel it like it was my own. Finally, he answered with a brisk, "Alright."

  We walked in silence back to the car.

  "It's safer at the house," he whispered. His gaze no longer had light in it; it was like the conversation sucked all the energy, all the spark from his body, leaving him haunted.

  When we walked hand in hand through the door, Mason was waiting. Ethan chucked the berries at Mason's head and dragged me down the hall and up the stairs.

  Once we were blanketed in the silence of the bedroom, the doors locked behind us, Ethan turned, his eyes black, his fangs elongated. "Promise me to wait ten minutes."

  "What?"

  "Ten minutes. When you wake up, wait ten minutes before you decide to leave or stay. At least give me that."

  "Okay…" I swallowed the lump in my throat. His heart was breaking, I could feel it, and I had no idea why. "Ten minutes."

  His teeth ripped into his wrist, and then that same wrist was pressed against my mouth. "Try to understand…" His last words before sleep overcame me.

  Before a dream appeared in front of my eyes.

  Before I came face to face with the most beautiful woman in the world. The same one from Ethan's dreams when the transition had occurred.

  Her eyes danced with life.

  Ethan adored her.

  I adored her.

  She danced around him.

  He laughed and tugged her across his body. "I love you."

  "I love you too, silly." She drank from him freely, yet she was human. She had fangs — just like Ethan. But I knew she was human. I could feel it.

  "Make me immortal." She pouted, bracing herself over his body. "It's time already."

  "After our child is born, it will happen. You know this."

  "I'm tired of waiting."

  Her pouting was getting on my nerves. Rage poured through me as she dragged her fingernails down his chest. That was my chest; those lips were my lips.

  I clenched my fists at my sides and kept watching.

  More scenes of them laughing, playing.

  I tried to look away, but it was impossible.

  Cassius appeared. I flinched, thinking it was a trick, but he was part of the dream.

  "And how is my favorite girl?" He kissed her palm.

  "Upset." She put her hands on her hips. "He refuses to make me immortal."

  "Is that what you want? Your greatest desire?"

  She nodded.

  "Above Ethan, even? Your own mate?"

  "He may be my mate…" Her hands trailed down Cassius's chest. "…but we both know I have a wide range of tastes."

  "If you don't truly love him, the change will kill you." Cassius pushed her hand away. "You know this."

  "I do love him!" She twirled around. "I love everything about this life. Is it so wrong to want more?"

  "Sometimes…" Cassius's face fell. "…it really is."

  The scene changed.

  Cassius was walking with Ethan. "She's going mad."

  "I know."

  "It's the power — your power's drugging her, Ethan. You must let her go."

  "No!" Ethan roared, pushing at Cassius. "I could no more cut out my own heart, you know that!"

  "It's you or her," Cassius said.

  "She's pregnant."

  Cassius cursed and looked away. "Is it yours?"

  "How dare you!" Ethan roared. "Of course it is!"

  "And you know this for a fact? Because your mate is true?"

  "I'd know if she weren't. I'd taste it in her blood."

  "Unless you were too blinded by your own feelings… friend." Cassius shook his head again. "If the madness overtakes her, if you're wrong, you'll have to kill her yourself."

  "I'm not wrong."

  "So arrogant."

  "Are we done here?"

  I blinked away the tears. How could Cassius ask that of Ethan? I felt the love he had for her; it was powerful, like a star exploding in the sky.

  "A daughter!" Ethan laughed and held up his daughter. "Ara! You've given me a daughter!"

  She nodded.

  The scene from the dream replayed, only slightly different than what I'd watched before.

  Cassius entered the room.

  Ara, Ethan's mate, looked away from both of them.

  "I told you what would happen," Cassius said. "I warned you." He reached for the child.

  "No!" Ethan screamed. "Don't. Cassius if you do this—"

  "It's already been done." Cassius turned and pointed his hand at Ara. "Is this the daughter of a vampire?"

  She trembled beneath the blankets then burst out laughing. "No, no, you know whose daughter she is."

  Ethan paled. "Ara? My love?"

  "He promised me immortality." Ara pointed at Cassius. "So give it! I birthed a daughter! The daughter of a Dark One! I will be queen!"

  Her laughter hit a point where I needed to cover my ears.

  "Cassius?" Ethan whispered. "Tell me you did not do this. Tell me, brother, that you did not—"

  "She was tested. She failed," Cassius said simply, grabbing the child. "Now finish it."

  "Cassius!" Ethan roared.

  Ara continued to laugh. "I'm going to be queen. Finally, Ethan. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I was afraid you'd be angry. You know I love you, yes?"

  Ethan's eyes turned black; the entire room shook.

  "You bitch!" He clenched his fists so hard blood began trickling from his palms. And then, in an instant, he was on top of her.

  One bite.

  She struggled for two seconds.

  Before I felt her life-force leave the room.

  "It's done." Ethan swore, falling to his knees, blood dripping down his face.

  "She would have died regardless," Cassius answered.

  "My daughter."

  "She's not your daughter, brother."

  Ethan's eyes flashed. "Give me my child!"

  "One day," Cassius started to fade into the darkness, "you'll thank me."

  "One day… I will kill you."

  Cassius disappeared from the room with the newborn, his voice a mere whisper. "You can't."

  I woke up gasping for air.

  I was lying in bed. Ethan was a statue next to me.

  "Y-you killed her!"

  Tears streamed down my face. I hated him. Hated us. I couldn't explain it, but the anger he'd felt — I felt; the shame — it was mine. I tasted revenge on my tongue. I wanted to scratch his eyes out, yet scratch my own out bec
ause it was like I was the one who had committed murder.

  The darkness consumed me.

  "Ten minutes," Ethan whispered.

  "No."

  "You promised."

  He reached for my hand.

  When I didn't take it, he straddled me and pinned my arms to the mattress. "Ten minutes. You promised. In ten minutes, I'll release you. Not a second sooner."

  "Get. Off."

  "He can still take you from me — like he took her."

  "She chose herself, not him."

  Ethan nodded sadly. "Yes."

  I struggled against him, but he was too strong.

  "Ten minutes, Genesis."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Ethan

  HER EYES WERE GREEN.

  Just like mine.

  I felt her emotions like they were my own — relived the entire thing as if I was killing Ara all over again.

  She'd done the unthinkable. She'd not only lied to her mate but cheated on him and produced a child with that lie. I knew Genesis wouldn't understand. But I also knew trying to get her to understand while she was still trembling from shock wouldn't do any good.

  "You didn't have to kill her." Genesis's voice was hollow, her eyes still blazing green.

  "I did." I touched my forehead to hers. "Because if I didn't, Cassius would have."

  "She slept with Cassius?"

  "He never said." I sighed. "He never admitted it. The child was — not normal."

  "Not normal?"

  "She wasn't a vampire."

  "What was she?"

  "I don't know," I whispered. "Perhaps I'll never know — maybe that was Cassius's way of protecting me, of protecting my bloodline, my reputation, though it hardly mattered once everyone discovered my mate was suddenly dead."

  "But…" The green of her eyes started to fade. "Is that what would happen to me if I left you?"

  "No." My hands shook holding her down; from showing her the memory, my strength had been depleted. If I didn't feed, I was going to sleep for the next fifteen hours. "Humans are turned immortal after they produce a child, a gift we bestow upon them."

  "So she should have lived."

  "I killed her before she could accept the gift because Cassius was right. She was going mad with a lust for power. Had I given her immortality, I would have created a monster."