Dark Calling

by McIntyre, Cheryl

  “I should,” she begins. She clears her throat. Tries again. “I should answer that.”

  It hurts to let go of her, but he does. He watches her, unwilling or unable to take his eyes off of her. He follows the drops of water as they drip from her tangled hair. Eyes sweep over the towel that hugs her body.

  “Hello?”

  “Keely? Are you all right? Where are you?”

  “I’m fine, Nick. I’m home. I should have told you I was leaving. I’m sorry.”

  “Are you sure you’re o.k.?”

  “Yes. I promise. I was just a little upset. I went to see Dustin. He wasn’t real thrilled to see me though. I just needed to get out of there.”

  “It’s fine,” he sighs. “I’m on my way over.”

  “Oh. Asmoday’s here right now.” She bites her lip and stares at the floor.

  “You have to be with one of us, and seeing as he is not one of us, and Bryon’s in the hospital, and Lila is here with Bryon, I am coming over.”

  “Oh. O.k. I’ll see you in a little bit then.” The call ends before Keely can say goodbye.

  Asmoday takes the phone from her hand and drops it onto her bed. “Perhaps you should get dressed?”

  Keely laughs nervously. “Yeah, probably.” She grabs clothes and goes to her bathroom to change. Pulls a brush through her hair and brushes her teeth. She steps on something as she rinses her tooth brush. One of her pills. She drops to her knees and sweeps them into a pile with her hands. Drops them into the toilet and flushes them. Tosses the container in the trash.

  Back in her room, Asmoday waits for her in the same place he was before she left. Their eyes meet, locking onto one another. He nods at her and she is overcome with adoration. He sends his affection through the cord so intensely, it knocks out every other thought and feeling she had.

  He drifts over to stand in front of her as if she pulled him to her. His strong hands draw her body against his. “You do not realize the power you have over me,” Asmoday says quietly. He brushes the hair from her shoulders.

  Keely’s body goes rigid. “What do you mean?” She doesn’t want power over anybody.

  “You could so easily destroy me,” he says matter-of-factly.

  “I would never. I could never destroy you. I know I’m a Doyenne or whatever, but I don’t have any plans to hurt anybody.”

  “Why can you not understand?” He bends his knees, coming face to face with her. “You hold my heart in your beautiful delicate hands.” He grips her fingers with his. “I have never given my heart to anybody. I didn’t know I had one. But I gave it to you. That makes me vulnerable. I am at your mercy.” He smiles at her. “Which is not a bad place to be. I am in love with you.”

  She diverts her eyes quickly. She can’t look at him a second more or she will lose her self control.

  “I need to know, Keely. Can you ever love me? Truly love me as I love you?”

  “Don’t ask me that.”

  “Why?”

  She pulls away from him. “Because it doesn’t matter. I’m with Nick.”

  “It matters to me.”

  “What good will knowing do?”

  “I suppose none if the answer is no, but if it is yes, you will make me extremely happy.” He grins at her.

  Keely laughs despite her attempt not to, but sobers quickly. “I can’t go there right now.”

  “You have not said no.”

  When Keely turns away again without a response, Asmoday drags her back to him quickly. Arms encircle her firmly. “That is enough for me.” He kisses her forehead. A caress of his lips. He turns his head, his mouth in her hair. “Your Guardian is here.” With a smile, he lets his lips drag across her ear. “I’ll be back later to sleep with you. Until then,” he murmurs as his teeth graze gently along her earlobe.

  He leaves Keely with a rush of warmth. She is flustered and confused. It takes Nick a moment to get past Kimberly and Keely has just enough time to recover before he is there, embracing her. His arms wrapping around her as Asmoday’s did just seconds before.

  Thirty-Six:

  Before Nick has time to question Keely about leaving the hospital, the doorbell chimes. They both listen quietly as Kimberly answers the door.

  “May we speak with your family?” Keely recognizes the voice. Kind, but full of authority. The pretty woman with the built in lie detector.

  “Ambriel?” Nick looks at Keely, confusion and concern crinkle his eyes. “Why is she here?”

  “Of course. Please, come in,” Kimberly says. Keely picks up the nerves hidden in her mother’s voice. She shrugs at Nick and heads downstairs.

  “Princess. How are you this evening?” Ambriel is flanked by Michael, Coach, and two others that Keely doesn’t recognize. Nick nods at them. “Guardian Wallace.”

  “Is something wrong?” Keely plays with the hem of her shirt nervously.

  “Keely. Don’t be rude,” Kimberly says quietly.

  “It’s all right. Showing up here unannounced, I can understand your worry,” Coach says.

  “We decided, in light of recent circumstances, it’s best for your team’s replacements to begin,” Ambriel says. She gestures at Coach. “Muriel will sit in for Watcher Hill until he is able to resume his duties.” She places her hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Michael has been kind enough to volunteer himself. He will take lead.”

  Ambriel’s eyes lock onto Nick. “From this moment, he is in charge.”

  Nick nods. “I understand.”

  “Princess, I need you to go pack your belongings while I speak with your parents.” When Keely doesn’t budge, just stands there looking confused, Ambriel adds, “You will be living at the Academy until further notice. It is the safest place for you.”

  Asmoday’s words flash through her head. That school, the Academy, it has the same spell around its grounds. I could not enter there either. “No. I don’t want to live there. This is my home.”

  “It’s for your protection, Keely. You’ve had too many close calls,” Coach says.

  “I know this must be hard,” Ambriel says. “But right now is not the time for self pity. You need to be strong. There is too much at stake.”

  Keely translates that easily. Quit being a whiny little brat and do as I say before you get yourself kidnapped and end the world.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She turns away and hurries upstairs. As she packs her clothes, Keely realizes she misses Asmoday already. He will never be able to visit her while she’s there and she doubts she’ll ever be allowed to leave. Even if she were, the days of their private moments are gone. He will never again sleep in her room with her. When she’s upset, he won’t be able to come to her. No more conversations about their feelings for each other. No more teasing comments. No more almost kisses.

  She picks up her pillow and searches it for his scent. Inhaling deeply, she relaxes. Adds the pillow to her suitcase.

  “Do you need any help?” Nick asks from the doorway.

  “I need another suitcase,” she says closing the now full one on her bed.

  “It’s not permanent,” he says softly.

  “You don’t know that.”

  “When this war is over-”

  “The war hasn’t even begun. And what war do you know that only lasted a few days? These things go on for years, Nick.”

  “Anglo—Zanzibar war.”

  Keely stares at him. “What?”

  “In 1896, the Anglo—Zanzibar war. It lasted exactly forty-five minutes. British won.”

  “Fine. Name another.” Keely crosses her arms.

  “The six day war. It latest six days, obviously.” He wraps his arms around her waist. “It’s not permanent.”

  “Wasn’t there, like, a hundred year war or something?”

  Nick smiles innocently. “Doesn’t sound familiar.”


  “You are such a bad liar.”

  “I will be there every day, I promise. And Ambriel wants Lila to stay with you at night. You’ll never be alone.”

  He says all the right words, but they make Keely feel worse somehow. She wouldn’t mind some time alone. Needs it actually. And nowhere in that statement did he mention when she could see Asmoday. She forces a smile. “That’s great.”

  ***

  Keely finds them all sitting around the kitchen table casually sipping coffee. “I’m packed,” she murmurs.

  “Please, Princess. Sit. There is one more thing I need to discuss with you.” Keely suppresses a frustrated sigh and sits beside her dad. He takes her hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

  “I figured while I was here, I could have that discussion with your brother. Guardian Wallace has brought something to my attention and I feel it’s urgent to resolve this matter.”

  Keely shoots a look at Nick. “What did you do?”

  “He reported a significant change that could affect the situation. It’s his job,” Ambriel says.

  “Asmoday swore his allegiance to Apophis. It changes things. I had to tell them.”

  “And what else did you have to tell them, Nick? Did you fill them in on the juicy bit about how I can light up just like my father?”

  Nick lowers his head. “No, I didn’t. I thought Asmoday took precedence.”

  “And you were right,” Ambriel says as if this new information does not surprise her in the least. She turns to Keely. “Are you able to use your connection to contact him? The sooner the better.”

  “I have his number. I can just call him. If you’ll excuse me,” Keely says as calmly as she can manage.

  “Certainly.” Ambriel nods at her and folds her hands in her lap.

  Keely glares at Nick as she pushes in her chair. She runs upstairs. Her heart hammers in her chest. A foreboding sense of dread fits itself into her stomach. She closes and locks her bedroom door and dials Asmoday’s number. Paces as it rings.

  “What’s happened?”

  Keely pitches her voice low. “I’m fine. There are members from the Hierarchy here. That woman I told you about, she wants to talk to you.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “NO! You can’t, Asmoday. Nick told them about your allegiance to Apophis. She said it’s urgent she talk to you tonight. I’m scared for you. What does it mean? The allegiance? Why is it so important to them?”

  “It’s an overreaction. You do not need to be concerned for me.”

  “They’re making me leave. They said I need to live at the Academy. I have a bad feeling, Asmoday. I feel like they want to keep us apart. Didn’t you say there was a spell keeping you out of the school?”

  “Yes. There is. I will not be able to see you while you are on the grounds, but they cannot hold you prisoner. You’ve done nothing wrong. Please do not worry yourself. I’m coming over.”

  “Asmoday, no,” she pleads, but it’s already too late. The call is lost. A second later, the air shimmers like heat off of blacktop and he’s there. He pulls Keely into his arms immediately and kisses her. His lips meet hers eagerly, almost frantically at first. She melts into his arms and feels him relax. A sensation, a warm tingling starts in her toes, makes its way throughout her entire body. It finds places she didn’t even know existed until this moment. Butterflies flip her stomach, churning it with something stronger than want. An insatiable need raging inside of her.

  The soft coolness of his tongue against hers makes her heart slam against her ribcage. Her knees feel rubbery, but he holds her up easily. His hands push on her back, pulling her against him tightly. She feels his lips vibrate against hers as he moans with pleasure. The sound brings a fresh wave of hunger through her body as goose bumps explode across her skin. She twists her fingers into his honey colored hair and presses her mouth firmly to his. His hands move slowly up her back. Fingers knot into her hair, pulling gently and a low murmur sounds in her throat. Her teeth nip gently on his tongue and he shivers. His lips slide over hers, teasing. She grips his neck tightly as he tries to pull away.

  Asmoday makes a sigh of surprise and moves his mouth against hers eagerly. He can taste her passion, sweet on her lips. It’s everything he envisioned it would be and so much more. He never pictured her wanting him this much. Was never able to imagine the way she would taste, the way she would feel, the way she would make him feel inside. This is far from his first kiss, but never have any been like this. No one has ever been able to make him feel so complete. So human. To make him crave the same person over and over. All he wants is Keely. More Keely. Forever.

  She makes another noise of enjoyment and it’s like adding fuel to a fire. He has to fight against his desire to strip her of her clothing and thrust them both into her bed. He slides his hands to her arms and pushes her gently away from him. Their bodies coming apart first followed finally by their lips.

  Keely looks up at him, her eyes blazing with a yearning appetite. “Just in case I do not get another chance,” he whispers, as he pulls her back to him once again. “I love you,” he murmurs as his lips meet hers quickly one last time. He pulls away and opens the door.

  Keely stays where she is. Her entire body shakes violently. She had felt his desire. The way it collided and mixed with her own was unlike anything she has ever experienced before. She runs trembling fingers over her lips and tries to compose herself. Before she goes downstairs, she peers in the mirror, surprised to see she hasn’t changed. Because she feels so different. Awake. Alive. With a deep breath, she hurries after Asmoday.

  Making it to the kitchen a second after he does, she notices the room goes quiet. Ambriel stands and offers him her hand. “Prince Asmoday, it’s nice to meet you. I am Ambriel of the Hierarchy.”

  Asmoday shakes her hand briefly. “What can I do to help?”

  “Just sit and speak with me,” she explains.

  Asmoday eyes the faces in the room and sits across from Ambriel. Keely stands back and watches him intently.

  “Tell me about this bond you share with your sister.”

  “Keely is not my sister. The Demon King took me in and raised me as his own, but he is not my true father.”

  Nick looks up at Keely with shock. She feels the weight of his stare and moves her eyes to his. She knows he sees. Knows that she already knew this. That she didn’t tell him. Her eyes dart back to Asmoday.

  “And as far as our connection, the King has betrothed us. That is as far as my knowledge goes.”

  “You’re not her brother? You don’t even have Angel blood? Who are you?” Nick glares poisonously at Asmoday.

  “Guardian, should I have you escorted outside?” Ambriel glances calmly at Nick. He tears his eyes away from Asmoday and shakes his head. Bites the inside of his cheek. Asmoday leans casually in the chair, one arm thrown over the back. An air of nonchalance, but Keely feels his nerves wound too tightly.

  “Can you explain the allegiance you swore to Prince Apophis?”

  “I made a choice that was vital at the time. I did not want him to hurt her.”

  “The Princess?”

  Asmoday nods. “Yes.”

  “I asked him to,” Keely says. “Bryon needed help so I asked him to do whatever Apophis wanted. It’s my fault.”

  Asmoday’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t turn to look at her. “I made my own choice and I would do it again. I will always do what is best for Keely,” he says and his voice is almost scary. Like there is an underlying threat hidden in his words.

  “I see,” says Ambriel. “So you understand that if you are aligned with Prince Apophis then you cannot be allied with the Descendants?”

  He dips his head, keeping his eyes on hers. “I pledged my allegiance to Apophis, but I am only allied with Keely. Whatever she needs of me, I will offer her.”

  “You wan
t no accord with the Hierarchy or the Descendants?”

  “Does it matter? You just informed me that was not an option,” Asmoday says, narrowing his eyes.

  Keely takes a step toward him. Her heart thumps in her chest.

  “You will need to come with us. You’ll be treated hospitably, I give you my word. Until I understand your intentions, it’s the only safe option. We need to be certain you are a friend to the Descendants. We can’t have you running off and plotting with Apophis.”

  “You mean you are imprisoning me because I cannot ally myself with you?”

  “That is one way to look at it,” Ambriel agrees. “I understand your commitment to the Princess, but that tells me very little concerning the safety of the rest of us. It would be better if you do not resist.”

  “I will not.”

  “Wait. Wait. What is happening?” Keely moves to take Asmoday’s arm. To touch him. To connect her body to his in some way. Coach moves quickly to stand between them.

  “He’s being placed under arrest. It’s best if you stay out of it.”

  “No. He didn’t do anything wrong. Please,” Keely cries.

  The two men Keely doesn’t know stand one to each side of Asmoday. One places a necklace around his neck. It looks like something you would get from the twenty-five cent machines in front of a discount store. Just a thin black rope with a small circular medallion, but Asmoday’s eyes flutter as if he’s been drugged.

  Keely struggles to get past Coach. “What did you do to him?” She looks at Nick desperately. He sits very still in his seat, watching her.

  “It’s a blessed talisman on a charmed lanyard. One weakens him, just makes him feel sleepy. The other inhibits his powers so he cannot flee to another realm. He’s perfectly fine,” Coach explains.

  Keely looks at her mom who is frozen in place, staring at the coffee cup between her palms. She turns to her dad. He opens his arms to her and she throws herself into him. “Daddy,” she cries. “Daddy.”