It takes us a few moments to realize that we are safely tucked away in our own minds, and I make sure to throw up a few extra mental barriers just in case. Aiden slowly rises to his feet, and now that I know what should have remained secret from me, this is going to take some getting used to. I am not sure how I feel about my own exposure, even though I am certain Aiden has always been aware of my schoolgirl attraction to him, he has learned more about its intensity than what I was even willing to admit to myself.
“Are you alright?” Aiden asks, looking at me as if nothing ever happened.
I shrug. “Good as ever I guess. I don’t know what happened.”
“I think your powers are coming in too quickly for you to understand fully how to control them…the intensity of that pull was-“
“Embarrassing,” I mumble to myself.
“Amazing actually. The only issue I see is when you go in, the other person can take as much as you do, which means the process of connecting with you is more than intimate-“
“Listen,” I say interrupting him. “I’ve had a really long night and would like some sleep. I need time to…process everything.”
He steps closer to me, and I retreat until I am pressed against the wall. I am so confused right now I don’t know what I am going to do with myself, but I don’t need Aiden to figure it out for me.
“I will give you as much space you’d like Dawn,” he says with his mouth just a couple of inches from mine. “But just know that I am here.”
I don’t know how long I have been holding my breath but when he takes a step back I exhale.
“I’m actually going to go run some errands. I will be back in a few hours. Are you going to be alright?” He says after a beat.
“Uh, yeah. Again, I just need sleep,” I reply and honestly meaning it. All of a sudden my bones feel tired and all of my muscles become achy. I sense the presence of a migraine coming on, and my eyes burn which is a big sign that I need some shut eye. I spin on my heels and stumble down the hall, to the farthest room available and fall face first onto the mattress. Wrapping myself underneath the covers, I listen and wait for the sound of the door closing before succumbing to the much needed sleep that calls me.
Aiden
I leave to give Dawn some space. Hell, I need some space too after that experience. She’s a strong telepath-too strong and she is going to have to learn how to control it. However, connecting with her went well beyond an exchange of information. I can sense her now, much more acutely than before. And we owe that to Han. Now it all makes sense. She has a psychic connection to the father of her race who is supposed to be locked away for an eternity in a dark prison…That also explains the dreams. He’s been the one grooming her telepathically, and giving her doses of his strength to prepare her setting him free. Things have just gotten a lot more complicated than finding her mother and setting her free. If Han is released from his prison, that could mean the end of the world as we know it. No wonder Lucena wants her dead. Han’s freedom means the end of the House of Light and all of the other realms in between.
I accelerate onto the freeway. Pushing my Humvee has always brought some sort of much needed mental clarity. I’m on my way to meet with another old friend of mine who may be able to answer some questions about this prophecy that has everyone on the edge. And just who is this entity that is more “power hungry than the queen herself”? And does Lucena know about this individual? But the real million dollar question is, if Kai is not Dawn’s biological mother, then who is? Did Demetrius father Dawn with another before marrying Kai? Or is he too not a part of Dawn’s parentage? And if so, who is?
I drive for another with a myriad of thoughts racing through my mind before turning onto the exit ramp and pulling into a 76 gas station. I step out to slide my card and prepare to pump when adrenaline spikes my system. A familiar yet unwanted presence emerges from behind the driver’s seat of a black Sedan. I am well prepared to kill this big bastard, and thankfully he picked the right time to show up to his death. Without a human in sight, I can kill him, watch his remains disintegrate and go on with my life without losing a wink. He stands just a few feet away from me, his car parallel to mine next to a pump. The fucker has clearly been following me. He stands with his legs slightly spread, muscles tense and his arms loosely held at his sides. His black eyes meet mine in a mutually hateful gaze. The air around us comes alive with violent energy. His death becomes palpable on my tongue.
“Light Bringer,” he growls, taking a step closer.
“Darkness,” I say, not moving an inch.
“Where is the girl?”
“None of your fucking business,” I quip.
“Oh. So I take it the Prince of the House of Light has satisfied his loins and now wishes to claim her for himself rather than ensure her safety…how pleasant.” Kian gives me a look of pure amusement, even though I am detecting a hint of something else in the depths of those dark eyes of his…jealousy.
“I take it that you are no more concerned with her safety as with who she may or may not be bedding,” I add with a smile. “Seems like you look at her as more of a mate than anything. I don’t know how Han will take to that.”
My last comment seems to have struck a chord with him because he lunges at me. I duck just in time and flip him on his back, stunning him. I summon my blade into my possession and position it right underneath his chin and press it hard against his throat until a pool of blood demonstrates just how close he is to death. He glares at me, and bares his teeth in the process.
“I want no such thing other than her safety,” he chokes out.
“You want either one of the two things from her: her place as your mate or the means to free your master and neither of those things include her wellbeing.”
“You wish for the same thing Light Bringer…do not pretend like your intentions are noble.”
“What do you want other than to die?” I growl, digging my blade in a little deeper.
“He comes for her…which is why I was sent,” Kian wheezes.
“I know Han wants her. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“No. El. Han sent me to protect her from his brother, El…”
El? Han has a brother? That surely was never written in any of our books…
My split second moment to ponder this found information was just what Kian needed to break free. He manages to land a kick to my abdomen, sending me crashing backwards into my car, which gave him enough time to jump to his feet. I recover just in time to square off.
“I don’t see how she could stand being in your presence after discovering your little secret,” he seethes between clenched teeth.
“Let’s just say she knows my intentions.”
“Foolish.”
We circle each other, like two alpha predators, when a car pulls into the station, forcing us to place this long awaited battle on hold once again.
“Until we meet again, Light Bringer…”
“Keep stalking her Berserker, and you will find yourself gravelly disappointed.”
“I do not stalk. I protect. I guard.”
‘”Like the good little watch dog that you are.”
We face off once more, not one muscle flinching and neither of us backing down. It isn’t until the aging clerk comes storming out of the gas station shaking his fist at both of us.
“Alright break it up you two! You’re scaring away my customers!”
Kian relaxes and begins inching his way back to his Sedan. The big fuck was just proven today size doesn’t matter. He obviously never read the human story of David and Goliath.
“I’ll be watching you Prince,” he sneers.
“I’m sure you will be, stalker.”
He eyes me with another hateful glance. “She almost died on your watch. Don’t let it happen again.”
“Get a fucking life,” I retort.
He ignores me as he leans into the car and starts the engine. The clerk is still in the middle of his rant while I pump my g
as before driving off.
I am sick of these random ass run-ins with Kian. The guy just shows up out of the blue as if he is entitled to do so, however, during this particular run in he made it a point to be informative. Now that I think of it, the fucker allowed me to flip him over and press the blade against his throat. But why? And then there is another issue that must be dealt with: Bane. I still have the bastard’s number saved in my phone. I use voice command on my IPhone to dial his number, and just as I suspected, his number has been changed. However, rats never change their habits, and I know which hidey holes to dig him out from. He lives to be surround himself with the spiritually and mentally lost; the emotionally destitute; and the morally depraved, however, I am not leaving Dawn alone for too long.
Instead, I make a quick right turn in the direction towards the one entity in the world who would have the answers to my questions. Her name is Delphine, the former oracle to the House of Light before my mother exiled her for a prophecy that was not her doing. The sun is barely peaking over the horizon, which should give me a few hours before Dawn wakes from her much needed slumber. I send out a silent prayer to whomever is listening that Kai still has the strength to keep going.
Lucena
Lucena allowed her long golden mane to tumble freely from the crown of her head after a long evening of donning a heavy bun. Victory was close. Her men managed to finally capture the infamous Kai alive, and from the looks of her, barely managing to survive. For the last two days since her capture, it had been nothing but celebrations in all of the high courts, and tomorrow when the sun set, she would make an example of the Grey in a public display of execution. After that, she was sending all of her best men into the earth realm. Time was of essence and she can feel Han’s dark energy growing stronger by the day. There has also been more sightings of members from the House of Darkness, especially Han’s special guard of Berserkers.
She smoothed out the lush silk that was beautifully woven into an all white gown, which offered a sheer covering over her large, supple breasts, exposing her shoulders, and hugging the rest of her curvy body perfectly. Tonight she would indulge herself in every fleshly pleasure imaginable as is befitting of her station. But not before she paid the legendary Grey, ½ of the people responsible for the deaths of thousands of her best men, a visit. She sighed at the satisfaction. Taking one last look in the full length mirror that covered the entire wall of her personal quarters, she summoned two of her personal aids to escort her to the dungeons where she kept hundreds of her enemies hostage until further notice.
She waited impatiently as the two fledgling House slaves took their positions behind her, each holding a side of the long train that made up her gown and when they were in position, she motioned to her guard that she was ready to go. Stepping into the long winding hallway made of a durable crystal substance which most of her elegant palace was constructed of. Fused with the power of the sun, there was not an inch of a dark shadow that was present, for the entire structure illuminated with bright white light. They walked in silence, her guard nearly a foot taller than she, guided her down the long stretch and down several flights of stairs to the dimly lit quarters where she held her prisoners captive. Locked in a single unit cell and separated from the rest of the inmates, Kai laid sprawled out on the cold floor, trembling. Lucena peered through the transparent door and motioned for her guard and aids to leave her be. She wanted to relish this victory alone. With a quick wave of her palm the door flung open and she carefully stepped inside, careful not to soil her glass heeled slippers with the grit and grime that accumulated in Kai’s cell.
Kai slowly raised her sweat drenched head to meet the curious and all too satisfied stare of Lucena. She licked her dry, cracked lips in attempt to relieve some of the discomfort, but to no avail. She knew her time was coming. Her body was shutting down from dehydration and days of imprisonment in Bane’s camp. All hope of survival drained from her body, and now as she faced the entity who is responsible for the strategic murder of Greys all around the world. No place was safe because of the Queen. Dawn was never permitted to live a normal life because of the constant threat, and now as she stared this beautiful deity in the face, she would not give her the satisfaction that she’d won. There was still hope. Dawn lived, and that was all she needed for her to rest in peace.
“Go away,” Kai managed to say after a long tense moment. Her voice cracked at the word “go” and now her throat burned. But in those two words were a thousand more that told the queen how she felt.
“I will in due time,” Lucena replied calmly. “I simply wanted to look in the eyes of my most respected enemy.”
“I would not have been an enemy had you not made me one,” Kai whispered.
“Ah, so it was my fault you and members of your race were born? Abominations you are! A sin against the Infinity!”
“And you…you are poison.”
Lucena hesitated before speaking, for some reason Kai’s words struck a chord with her which did not settle well within her. “You will die tomorrow. And after that, I will hunt your daughter to ends of the earth…or should I say, your adopted daughter.”
Kai swallowed thickly.
“Tell me Kai, did you suffer the ills that any wife suffers when her husband gives his loins to another?”
“No. Demetrius was a good man.”
“Was your womb barren where a seed could not plant itself properly?”
Kai did not answer. Anger gnawed at her spirit as Lucina continued.
“Oh, Kai how I love toying with you…I am the one responsible for the execution of Kai’s birth mother. She was a member of my high court. Beautiful. Intelligent. Full of elegance… but she thought of me to be stupid. Her husband was a part of my elite fighting force, so he was always away. I intentionally kept him busy with missions…and other things too,” Lucina smiled wickedly. “Anyways, I knew the moment she came into court one evening she was pregnant, and she looked at me with this haughty look in her eyes…as if she knew something I did not. And to make a long story short, it was uncovered by one of my messengers that she had been carrying on a long time affair with my enemy…her husband was heartbroken when I told him this and so together, we waited for the child to be born…unfortunately she fled just days before the child was born. We did of course find her eventually, but no baby. I captured her and had her publically executed and shortly thereafter, her husband died by the hand of one of the House of Darkness….”
Lucena waited for her story to sink in, but when Kai still provided no reaction, her expression darkened.
“I cannot wait to plunge my sword into your chest Kai…to watch you choke on your own blood and watch the light in your eyes disappear from your body.”
“And when that happens,” Kai wheezed. “She will come for you and the entire House of Light will be blotted out by total and complete darkness… and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
Kai did not have time to brace herself for the jaw cracking slap that sent blood spewing from her mouth. Lucena hissed, and stomped out of the cell, slamming the glass door behind her. Kai rested her now swollen face on the cold surface and prayed that death would come to her in the night, so Lucena would not be granted the pleasure of doing it herself. A single tear left a trail on Kai’s battered and bruised face while Lucena whizzed past her guards and her aids and marched straight to her bedroom where the only entity with the sexual prowess that matched her own awaited.
“Eros,” she smiled seductively. “How I’ve missed you.”
Chapter 21 Dawn
I awake to the sound of Aiden pushing his way through the door. Biscuit barks in greeting, and I stretch and yawn and go through the process of fully awakening before getting up. My goal is to shower, eat and go back out on the hunt for my mother. She has all of the answers to the questions regarding my parentage. Is she or she not my mother? If not, how did she find me? I roll out of the bed, my braids tumbling down from the loosely spiraled bun that I wore last night. I k
now I cannot avoid Aiden forever and whatever-if there is truly anything at all-we have between us will have to be placed on the backburner. I stretch once more and tip toe across the hall to the next room where my clothing and personal items are stored. The room like all of the others is small, windowless and painted in the typical white paint with brown carpeting that is found in any basic apartment building. My things are strewn about, half packed in my duffle. I drop to my knees and begin sorting through my options when Aiden peeks his head in the door.
“Hey,” he says with a grin.
“Hey,” I reply, not even bothering to turn my head.
“Did you get any sleep?”
“Yup. I slept very well.”
He pauses. I can feel him studying me.
“I need for you to hurry up and get dressed. I have someone who wants to meet you.”
“Who?” I ask now interested in who this individual might be.
“An oracle. She wants to see you for herself.”
“Oh…ok. Give me twenty minutes.” I decide on a pair of black denim and a blue knit short sleeved top and head to the bathroom where I take refuge in the hot, steamy spray my body desperately needs. The longer I remain in the shower, the more relaxed I become, lowering my defenses. I sense Aiden’s conflicting emotions towards me: his desire to do what is right by me coupled with his own selfish desire to claim me. I’m not sure how I feel about the last part. Am I attracted to Aiden? Absolutely. Do I trust him? Without a doubt. But, do I trust myself? No, not with him. I sigh, finish lathering myself and step out. I glance at myself naked in the mirror above the sink and wonder what it would be like to actually kiss a man; to be held in his arms…to be taken… Aiden seems to prefer the seductive experience of sirens and women like them. What could he possibly do with an inexperienced virgin like myself? I shake off the thought and focus on the task at hand: getting dressed so I can meet this “oracle”. What could she possibly have to say about my life that I don’t already know?
In the Light of Darkness Page 14