Darkness Falls (The Dark Series Book 1)

by Steffany Steffensen

  “W-We were only following orders, I swear! Please!”

  Jenevi nicked his neck and a bit of blood trickled down. She threw the sword to the side and the man quickly grabbed his throat. “One more thing,” she started. “What happened to me?”

  “What happened to you?” repeated the blond man. Jenevi turned her head towards him. “Do you not even know? Your eyes are…glowing. You’re a demon. You’re a demon!”

  The leader’s black horse came up to Jenevi and nudged her shoulder with his snout.

  “I’ll let you two live,” she said with a sneer as she got up on the horse. “But if I see either of your faces again, you’ll end up just like your leader.” Jenevi turned the horse around and continued on her way to the city, leaving the two bandits alone to tell the story of how a demon, for the first time in many years, left the Forest of Despair.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Peter Baxton sat with his hands clutching his head and his elbows digging into his knees. It had been four days since the death of his young wife, Olivia, and his newborn son. Both passed during childbirth.

  Peter owned a blacksmith shop called Peter's Smithy. He specialized in crafting weapons, and his products were favored by the Knights of the Shining City. Ever since the passings, Peter had not been able to craft anything. He couldn't eat or sleep. All he wanted was his wife and child back.

  Peter met Olivia when she turned seventeen. After the death of her father, Olivia and her mother moved to the city to stay with her aunt since they had no money. After touring the place, Olivia entered the smithy, curious to see what kind of weapons were sold.

  After hearing someone enter the kitchen, Peter came out only to stop and stare.

  Not only was he taken back by a fresh new face, but she was mesmerizing. Long, wavy brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin. She would be the talk of the town in no time.

  Peter, on the other hand, was tall, broad, rugged, and ten years older than Olivia. He had a long, curly black beard, tan skin, and with all the work he did, it showed in his callused hands.

  Once Olivia caught sight of Peter, she felt the same way he did towards her. They were in love, and the young woman would come back to the shop every day. People grew suspicious of the two, and most gave them a scowl. Despite their disapproval, Olivia's mother and aunt were very supportive. Peter and Olivia wed two months after they met, and a month after that, Olivia found out she was pregnant.

  Now, Peter didn't even want to go outside to face everyone, though they all felt sad for him. Olivia's mother and aunt tried to visit, but Peter shut them out. The two moved out of the Shining City shortly after.

  The blacksmith's taxes were a couple of days past due, and the guard responsible for collecting the payment, who was also a close friend of Peter, let him off the hook for a bit so he could grieve peacefully. The guard was getting in trouble, and he had no choice but to go collect the money.

  "Peter, open up!" the guard called, pounding on the door. "You need to move past this."

  "Go away, Carter! You have no business here!" roared Peter.

  "I need to collect your tax payment, Peter! It's either me or someone who will break down the door!"

  Peter didn't respond. Carter, irritated, left.

  Around midnight, it started to rain. The blacksmith listened sadly as the water droplets hit his roof. There was a knock on the door.

  "What did I say, Carter?" yelled Peter as he pounded his fist on the wooden table. The knocking continued. Peter shot up out of his chair and knocked it over in the process. He stomped towards the door, pulled it open with force, and was about to yell at whoever stood there, but there was no one in sight.

  "Slarin, I'm going crazy..." mumbled the heavy man. The sound of a baby's coo stopped Peter from shutting the door completely. Peter looked down and froze. Beneath him lay a small baby inside of a woven basket. Silky white sheets wrapped around the young child, and the roof of Peter's shop kept rain from pouring on the young child's skin.

  The baby stared up at Peter with big hazel eyes and smiled. Peter glanced around, trying to find who left the child, but there was no one. The large man picked the basket up and went inside, shutting the wooden door behind him. He passed the shop and went into the kitchen where he placed the basket on the table and read the note that was tucked inside.

  My dear Peter Baxton,

  I cannot explain why I had to give up my son, but I can tell you this: it's not by choice. I would keep my child in a heartbeat, but the circumstances are complicated. I know I will be dead soon after you read this note. I have been in this city for a week, and I kept a low profile. Of course, I wasn't going to give my child to someone who would raise him poorly or not at all, so I watched. I saw you and your pregnant wife together and I knew you would make great parents. I almost gave up on this city because I saw no one who I would be willing to give my baby to, but then I heard the news about your wife and child. I was devastated to hear about it, and I was sure that you were even more so. It took me another day to decide, but I was sure you would be the perfect father to my son. I have not given him a name yet, for I didn't want to become too attached to him. I'm at peace knowing that you will raise him well and that he will grow up to be great. This is all that I can say. I wish you the best of luck, Peter, and I deeply apologize. I know you won't regret it.

  Peter reread the note with tears falling from his eyes that caught on his beard. He had a son again. A son. It was a surprise, of course, but a good one. Peter set the note on the table and stared at the baby who was staring at him curiously with large, hazel eyes. A smile formed on the large man's lips as he gently picked up the boy and held him close to his chest.

  "I'm going to be your father," said Peter. "Olivia, if you can hear me...I have a son now. He won't replace ours, but I ended up being a father after all. I'll take care of him, Olivia."

  The baby smiled, showing pink gums.

  "Now what in the world shall I name you?" Peter pondered over different names in his head, but none seemed to fit. After looking around his shop with the baby, he stopped at a weapon and smiled. "Mace."

  Mace wiped the sweat from his forehead and moved his dirty blond hair away from his face. He had been working on a custom sword for a month for a customer who would be traveling when he would leave during the fall which was a season away. Ever since he was little, Peter's work fascinated Mace and wanted to try smithing himself. It didn't take Peter long to see that Mace was good at smithing, so he decided to make him his apprentice.

  Mace had always known he wasn't Peter's biological son, and when he was more mature, Peter told him about the story of his wife and child. Mace never felt unloved though, since Peter treated him like he was his real kid. What young man wanted more than being a blacksmith was to go on an adventure, but he hadn't found the opportunity.

  The apprentice grew up to be the male heartthrob of the town. He was not social and didn't leave the shop much, and the only time he'd leave was to buy supplies. He had a best friend, though. His name was Tobi, and as a child, he was hated because of how uncontrollable he was.

  When seven-year-old Tobi was causing mischief behind the smithy, eight-year-old Mace came out to investigate. Ever since then, Tobi came by frequently to hang out with the strange child.

  One other peer Mace saw often was a young woman by the name of Pia. She was the daughter of the Shining City's Captain of the Guards and the beauty of the town. She had short, curly blonde hair, dazzling blue eyes, and a smile that could brighten anyone's day. Pia's mother, Geeta, was determined to have Mace and her daughter wed. Peter, on the other hand, just wanted his son to be happy. Sure, Pia would be an excellent choice, but it was Mace's decision as well.

  As the sun was setting, Peter stopped Mace from working on his sword.

  "What is it, father?" asked the young man of seventeen. He wiped his dirty hands on his equally dirty pants and looked up at the older man expectantly.

  "You work too ha
rd," said Peter, worried about his son's social life. "I never see you go out for fun like all the other kids."

  Mace smiled. "I don't need to go out. All I need is to perfect my blacksmith skills."

  "You're already great at what you do. You should take the night off and have some fun, okay? Meet a girl, do...stuff. I've talked to Tobi and he's waiting for you outside."

  Mace sighed as he stood up from his chair. "I'll do it if it makes you happy, but expect me back soon."

  Peter watched his only son walk out of the shop and prayed to Slarin that he would come back more of a man.

  "Hey, Mace! Long time no see!" exclaimed Tobi as he draped his arm around his friend's shoulders. Tobi had darkened skin from the sun and short, light brown hair. He worked on his uncle's farm every morning, causing his body to be toned.

  "Evening, Tobi. What did my father say to you?"

  Tobi grinned from ear to ear. As they were walking, he leaned in close and whispered, "He wants you to make love to a woman tonight."

  Mace turned bright red. He's never been with a female before. Sure, he's thought about it. A lot. But he's always been too shy to do anything about it. "I-I can't do that," said Mace as he turned his head away.

  "You're seventeen! Slarin, save this boy!" called Tobi as he messed up his friend's hair.

  Mace changed the subject. "So where are we going?"

  Tobi didn't respond as he weaved the both of them through the city crowd. The women whipped their heads in their direction after realizing Mace was out of the shop.

  "Seriously," sighed Tobi. "You could have any girl here in the city, yet you choose to be so humble. What's up with that?"

  "What do you mean?" Mace's innocence was getting Tobi to the point where he wanted to punch his friend in the face.

  Finally, once the sky completely darkened, they arrived in front of the Shining Tavern. It was a large wooden building that brought in many different customers. Many people came to get drunk and have fun.

  "This is going to be great!" exclaimed Tobi as he led his friend into the building. All eyes were on them, and the noise died down.

  Mace looked down once he felt his face heating up. It was his first time entering a tavern.

  "Well, well, well!" started a busty woman. Her curly blonde hair was tied up elaborately, and makeup caked her beautiful face. Her red corset pushed her chest upwards and cinched her curvy waist. She took Mace away from Tobi and led him to the bar. "I'm so glad that you could finally join us tonight, Mace! I thought that I was going to have to steal you away from that dirty old smithy!"

  "It's wonderful to see you again, Catherine."

  Catherine pressed her breasts closer to Mace's arm in an attempt to seduce him. It was working. The escort had him sit on a bar stool as she ordered him a strong drink. Mace has never had a sip of alcohol before, and he was starting to get a bit nervous. As Catherine talked to the bartender for a bit, Mace turned his head to looked over at Tobi. He made himself comfortable at a table full of women. Tobi looked over at Mace and winked.

  The blacksmith apprentice rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the bar when the bartender slid the shot glass across the table.

  Mace had stopped the glass before it slid over the edge. The escort stood behind Mace and nuzzled her chin into the young man's neck as she draped her arms around him. "Go ahead," she whispered into his ear. "Try it." She kissed his cheek, leaving a lipstick mark on his white skin.

  Mace hesitantly picked up the shot glass and brought it close to his lips. He could smell the strong odor coming from the liquid, but the weight of the beautiful woman on his back gave him the courage to quickly drink the alcohol in one gulp.

  He's never felt his throat burn that much in his life. The overwhelming taste caused him to scrunch up his face. Catherine and the bartender laughed, amused by the boy's first drink.

  "Hey!" A deep voice boomed throughout the tavern, causing most people to jump in surprise. A big, muscular man with a scar running across his nose pushed a table in anger as he approached Mace and Catherine.

  The escort stepped in front of Mace. "Ronen, stop it right now."

  "Move out of the way, whore." Ronen picked up Catherine and placed her to the side like she was nothing but a stick.

  Mace looked up at him with wide eyes. He got a taste of many firsts that night. Going into a tavern, having his first drink, and now, he knew he was going to die.

  "Ronen!" yelled Catherine.

  "Take it outside!" scolded the bartender.

  Tobi got up to help his friend, but one of Ronen's posse members stepped in the way.

  The large brute noticed the lipstick mark and narrowed his eyes. He grabbed Mace by the collar of his shirt and threw him on the ground. The young man cried out in pain when his head met the hard wooden floor. "You think leaving your little shop for one night gives you the right to take someone else's woman?" The large man kicked Mace in the stomach with his large, filthy leather boots.

  "I'm not your woman!" screamed Catherine. Another one of Ronen's friends held her back.

  Ronen grabbed one of the chairs behind him and brought it down towards his opponent. Mace rolled away just in time and scrambled back up. He looked over at Tobi, terrified.

  "Fight him!" yelled his friend. "Get a weapon or something!"

  An ale bottle was the closest thing that Mace could use. He grabbed it and slammed it on the side of Ronen's head. The bottle broke and Mace dropped the remains. Ronen stared down at the young man with anger in his eyes. His nostrils flared as blood and alcohol streamed down the side of his face. The attack didn't even faze him.

  The large man picked up Mace just as he did Catherine and threw him out the window. He landed roughly on the cobblestone, and he felt his head hit the brick wall. He was sure pieces of glass were puncturing his skin. He could hear Ronen chuckle when he came outside, and Mace listened helplessly as Ronen's boots came closer. The young man's vision was becoming blurry, but he was sure he made out the glint of a dagger in his opponent's hand.

  This is it, thought Mace. This is the end.

  Mace was about to shut his eyes when he heard the sound of different footfalls crunching the glass as they got closer.

  "Who in Slarin's name are you?" questioned Ronen.

  The mysterious person had feminine features and was wearing a long, dark cloak, and it looked as though there was a piece of black cloth covering her eyes. The cloaked figure swiftly approached Ronen, grabbed his wrist, and twisted his arm back as she sent him to the ground. The dagger was released, and the mysterious person picked it up and knocked the back of the large man's neck with the hilt. With a grunt, Ronen collapsed onto the cobble and shattered glass

  The figure turned her attention on Mace and started walking towards him, but the young man couldn't stay awake any longer and blacked out.

  The people stared in horror and awe as the mysterious woman, without even using her eyes, defeated the infamous Ronen like it was nothing. She stepped over the limp body on the ground and approached the other man who just lost consciousness. The woman grabbed his arms and pulled him up, sitting him against the wall. Mace's head hung low.

  The woman turned to leave to leave when Tobi approached. "Wait!" he said, and then gulped when the woman turned her head towards him. "C-Could you help me take him home? I'm sure he would want to thank you when he wakes up, and his father will be very grateful that you were here. What's your name?"

  The woman sighed. "Since I involved myself in this situation, I may as well. My name is Jenevi." Jenevi cursed herself inwardly when she failed to give him her alias.

  Tobi took one arm while Jenevi took the other, and the two half dragged the unconscious boy back to the smithy. Tobi knocked on the door with his free hand, and Peter quickly answered, expecting it to be Mace home early because he chickened out. He stared in shock for a moment at the scene before him. Tobi and a strange woman who hid her eyes under a sash were holding
his unconscious son up. Mace had pieces of glass stuck to his arm, and blood slowly poured through open wounds.

  "What in Slarin's name happened?" cried Peter, practically jumping to the side to let the three enter the room.

  Tobi led them into the kitchen where he and Jenevi placed Mace on the chair. Peter came over and started cleaning his son up with some rags. "What happened?" he asked, looking over at Tobi.

  Tobi looked over at Jenevi and then back at Peter. "Ronen was about to kill Mace for talking to Catherine when this lady showed up."

  The blacksmith looked at Jenevi, and his eyebrows knitted together as he tried to understand why she was wearing a black sash on her face. Grateful for what she had done, Peter left it alone and instead said, "Thank you so much for saving my son. I don't know what I would have done if Ronen killed him."

  "I was just passing through," said Jenevi. She turned to leave when Peter stopped her.

  "Wait," he said. "Please stay. I'll repay you for what you've done. You must be a traveler. I'll give you a place to sleep and food for your journey which you can continue tomorrow morning."

  The young woman shook her head. "I'm sorry, but-"

  "I insist," stated Peter.

  "Fine. But once your son wakes up tomorrow, I am leaving."

  Before Tobi left, he turned to Jenevi and asked, "So why are you wearing that sash?"

  Peter gave him a disapproving look.

  "Eye sensitivity," was all Jenevi said before going into the room that Peter let her borrow. She took the cloth from her face off after shutting the door. The glow of her eyes illuminated the dark room. She took off her black cloak, threw it on the floor, and climbed into the thin sheets of the bed.

  She woke up early next morning to check up on the boy that she saved. The door to his room was open, and Peter sat on a wooden chair by his bed. The large man looked over at Jenevi when she entered and was a bit shocked to see that her dull green eyes were visible.