Seizing Darkness (Fur, Fangs, and Fairies)

by Mariana Thorn

  “Would you like something to eat?” Jenna asked. Her voice was light and airy, soothing my strung out nerves.

  I tensed up again as I thought about her question. The thought of food made Isaac’s face flash before my eyes and my stomach lurched. I saw Dante grimace as well. “I think I’ll hold off for now,” I said in a weak voice.

  Val was staring hard between the two of us. He hadn’t missed the look that had passed over our faces. There would be a lot of questions to answer.

  Don’t worry, I can field most of them for you. I think he knows more about this process than he’s letting on. Just go get cleaned up, Dante said to me in my head.

  I got up from the bed slowly and went into the bathroom. My head was spinning, but I could manage. Dante’s voice filtered into my head again. I’m here if you need anything.

  Thanks, I said to him. It was nice to have someone watching over me, but a bit annoying to have him in my head. His laugh sounded through my mind, letting me know he could hear everything I was thinking. I was beginning to get the hang of hearing his thoughts as well. Oh this is so going to suck, I thought. I might have thought something about no good nosy bloodsucking mind-reading jerks. I think he laughed out loud that time. I listened in on his and Val’s conversation as I showered.

  “Want to tell us what’s going on?” Val’s voice held only mild curiosity.

  “They aren’t my stories to tell. She’ll tell you what you need to hear. Why don’t we go down and give her some space? It was a lot to take in,” Dante said.

  I was glad he was on my side. I sent him a big thank you.

  “Okay. I’m going to get cleaned up as well,” Radek said. His voice held relief.

  “Good plan, because you stink,” Dante said.

  He thought I was recovering nicely. Then he began thinking that now they had a way to get rid of Louis and Thane. Andrei was definitely on the list as well. Once he started thinking that he needed to feed, I tried to block out his thoughts. I could tell that he was trying not to think about it as much as possible for my sake. That was a relief.

  Val and Dante were going down the stairs together.

  “How bad is it?” Val asked.

  “She thinks it’s bad, but it should be fine. We will just need to give her our support. How do you know so much about what we just did?”

  “I have experience with the process and I’ll leave it at that. For the record it should only last a week or so.”

  Dante was surprised to hear that. “I know you have your secrets and as long as it isn’t relevant, you can keep them. What do you know about a vampire named Andrei?” Dante already knew the answer to that though. I was surprised he was withholding information from Val. That was interesting.

  Dante saw Val’s face turn ashen for a moment. “Quite a bit, actually. Why do you ask?” he asked, dread creeping into his voice.

  “He’s the one that was controlling Natalya. It seemed he had all of us watched before and after we left for the Americas. Why would he be after you?” Dante asked, even though I knew he knew the answer.

  “Oh, there are a lot of reasons. But they don’t really matter right now. If he’s truly the one that did this, then we need to take him out. He’ll be after her. She’ll know his secrets. You now know them as well. He’ll have another reason to kill you,” Val said grimly.

  Dante thought that Val seemed older as he was speaking. It made me wonder how old Val really was.

  “Another?” He was fishing now, even though he already knew the reason that Andrei wanted him dead. I was taken aback that Dante would do this to Val. I just kept my thoughts to myself as much as possible. Dante definitely had more practice at this than I did. He was able to block me out better than I was able to block him out.

  “It’s a long and difficult story, son. I think it will be best if you wait to hear it for now,” Val said with a weariness that hadn’t been there before. Since it was obvious that Val had been keeping things from Dante, I could see where Dante was coming from.

  “I’ll give you time then, Father. You do know that no matter what you have to tell me, it won’t change things between us.”

  I could see that he really wasn’t trying to hurt Val, but to relieve him of his burden. Now I got what he was doing. There was a lot I could learn from being in Dante’s head. Over the years, I’d lived mostly on my own. I wasn’t predisposed to share with people or care about them. Every time I’d gotten close to someone, something had happened to them. The only exceptions were the few students from the school I’d gone to in China. We had kept in contact over the years.

  Val looked at Dante and said, “I am proud of you, Dante.”

  I could tell what those words meant to Dante. Val had picked him up when he had been at his lowest and had always been there for him, both when he was human and then when he’d become a vampire. Val had never judged him and had treated him no differently than Radek. To him they were his sons equally, and Dante knew it. I wondered what it would feel like to have that.

  My subconscious was nudging me to remember something, but it wouldn’t materialize in my mind. It was rather frustrating.

  “Thank you, Father,” Dante said.

  He left to go feed, and I went back to my own head, not wanting to even think about that. He was trying to block me out for my own good. I finished up and dressed quietly so as not to disturb Jenna, who was sleeping on one of the beds. As I walked down the steps, I wasn’t too far behind Radek, so I heard the conversation between him and Val.

  Radek’s voice held a deep concern. “What’s wrong, Father?”

  “The usual,” Val said with a cynical laugh.

  I had never heard Val be caustic or fatalistic before now.

  “That’s a bit vague, don’t you think?” Radek’s shoulders were stiff.

  “It’s just a lot to take in. This goes back before any of you were born. I fear I’m to blame for part – if not all – of this mess,” Val said in a very tired and old voice.

  “Father, I’m sure you didn’t start this,” Radek tried to reassure him.

  “I contributed, that I did. I know I might have been able to prevent what happened to Natalya. I should have told her before when I recognized her. We thought it was for the best,” Val said.

  I gasped, and his head spun toward me and a look of pure regret passed over his features.

  “Val, I don’t think what you did or didn’t do would have mattered in the end.” I quickly went across the room and kneeled before him. He was sitting on the couch and Radek was standing before him. I took Val’s hands in mine and looked up at him. “And don’t feel bad for me until you have heard what I’ve done. Val, you saved me, and probably many others.”

  “Child, you deserve more than you know. I probably know more about you than you realize. I knew who you were the instant I saw you. I should have told you.”

  I could tell that he hadn’t made that decision lightly. He had his reasons and I would ask him later. Right now it didn’t matter, nor did I care. It wouldn’t have changed anything. If there hadn’t been so much going on in my mind right then, I would have picked up on what he was saying. At the time, though, I didn’t catch on.

  “Hear me out, then decide how you feel about me,” I said quietly. I knew that I would have to tell him everything. He deserved to hear it all. I didn’t want him thinking that he was responsible for any of this.

  “We’ll wait for Dante,” Val said with authority. He straightened up.

  “He already knows. He knows more than you think, Val.” I didn’t want to give him away, but I had a feeling that Dante wouldn’t mind.

  “I know child, but there is more to this story that he’ll need to be present for. I know of your connection, but you already know that. From now on there’ll be no more secrets. They can harm too many people. Radek needs to know about that as well.” His hand tightened over mine and he pulled me closer.

  “What do you mean?” Radek asked, his face confused.

  �
��For the next week or so, Natalya and Dante’s minds will be connected. As a side effect of what just happened. Also they both experienced every memory they both have ever had. There are no longer any secrets between your brother and Natalya.”

  Radek surprised me by shrugging it off and saying, “I don’t envy you having him in your head. As long as the hold that vampire had on you is broken, that’s all that matters to me. And of course that you’re safe and unharmed.”

  He sat on the other end of the couch from Val and patted the seat in between them for me to sit. I thought that since this would probably be the last time I’d be offered any kind of friendship that I might as well accept. At least I wouldn’t have to face them when I told them what I was. I could see the pride in Val’s eyes as he looked at Radek. I wished that someday I would earn that look, but I didn’t think it would ever happen. Not with what I’d done.

  “Come in Jenna; you’re just as much a part of this as everyone else,” Val said.

  I was curious about that comment, but didn’t say anything as I watched Jenna come into the room. Her rose scent drifted over to me and made me smile.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude,” Jenna said softly.

  “I want you here,” I said.

  I could feel Dante getting close; he would be walking in any minute now. I only wanted to go through this once and then never again. His moral support would help me get through it.

  Dante strode in and looked at me. It’ll be okay. They’ll support and love you as I do. Well Radek maybe a bit more.

  I was hoping that would be true even after he heard what I was. Dante seemed to think so, but I wasn’t convinced.

  I smiled up at him. Just shut up and stay quiet so I can get through this. He just winked at me and I rolled my eyes at him. He went and stood by the fireplace.

  Val pulled me closer to him and I let him. His arms felt safe. I laid my head on his shoulder and stared at the wall. I started at the beginning, at least as far back as I could remember. I talked about my training. I got to the assassin part and skipped through most of the details. Finally I got to Isaac. There was a pause before I started as I prepared myself to relive it again.

  Go on Nat, it’ll be okay. We’re here for you, Dante encouraged me.

  I took a deep breath and went into every detail of what had happened. The tears were streaming down my face. Val’s arm tightened around me as I cried out the rest of the sordid tale. A tissue appeared in front of my face. I looked up and over the back of the couch – it was Jenna with tears in her eyes. It touched me that she would offer me a tissue after hearing what I’d done.

  I cried into Val’s shoulder for a few minutes. He was murmuring soothing things to me and kissed the top of my head. I couldn’t believe that they were still here. They could easily kill me, for I had broken many laws over the years. I hadn’t noticed that Radek had moved closer until he touched me. I was a little surprised he was still in the room after what he had just heard, let alone offering me comfort.

  I told you so. We all care about you. This won’t change what has already been started. You need to learn to listen to me sometimes.

  I smiled into Val’s shirt which was soaked in my tears. Dante was right and now he knew that I thought he was right. A groan slipped out. Yet again, this whole being in each other’s heads was very inconvenient. I pushed away from Val and wiped my eyes and nose with the tissue. I gathered myself before I went on with my story.

  “Anyway, that’s why I sought you out and how I ended up in your territory. I was sent to kill you, Val. I suspect it was a way to get rid of me as well. He figured either I would kill you, or you would kill me. I was able to hide my real intentions from him though. I had gotten good at hiding my thoughts from him over the years. Maybe his hold on me was fading.”

  Val pulled me back to his chest. “That’s quite a story, Natalya.” I could feel the rumble of his voice through his chest. It was comforting. It’s what I would imagine it would’ve been like to have a real father. I had a vague memory, but I couldn’t get it all. It was frustrating. I turned my attention back to the present. There was a brief silence as the information settled in. I breathed in his comforting scent.

  Dante was the first to speak. “Father, I think it’s your turn.”

  “You’re right, Dante,” Val said.

  I was curious as to what information Val had that we didn’t. He gently nudged me over to Radek. I relaxed against him and felt him kiss my head. Then I turned my attention to Val with Dante’s thoughts dancing through my head and Radek’s warmth surrounding me.

  “My story is equally sad and hard to tell. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The sun was shining. The scent of flowers and herbs was thick in the air. I walked into a large meadow. There she was, Mircea.” He seemed to be gazing into the past with a hint of a smile on his face.

  “She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. The breeze lifted her long dark hair and whisked it from her face. Her dark eyes met mine. She knew what I was, yet didn’t flee. I fell in love with her that instant. She had a small child – that would’ve been you, Dante. Your father had disappeared a few months prior. I put in a good effort to find him, and thought that he’d been killed in a vampire attack. It turned out that he had in fact been turned into a vampire.

  “His name was Andrei.” He paused and looked at Dante.

  His eyes narrowed when Dante didn’t react or comment. “Just after Radek was born, he showed up again. Mircea could see Andrei’s cold heart and didn’t want him to raise their son. She chose to stay with me rather than be with him. He has never forgiven me for that, nor her for that matter. He disappeared again. Or so I thought.”

  I saw the pain age his face when he continued. “He lured me away one night a few years later. The attack was swift and brutal. I hurried home, but was too late. I could only save you two.” He nodded at Radek and Dante. “Your mother was already dead.”

  I leaned over and placed my hand on his. He accepted it. His gaze settled on Dante. “That’s why Andrei has been trying to kill me for all these years. He is also the reason you were turned into a vampire. He sent Rosa for you.” There was a dead silence in the room.

  “I figured it would be something like that, Father.” Dante’s voice was soft with emotion. “Rosa said some things before she changed me. After seeing him through Natalya’s eyes, I’m really glad that you were there for me. He’s not my father. You are.”

  As he was speaking, Dante’s memories flashed through my mind. I really didn’t like this Rosa. I was relieved when I saw her death. At least I wasn’t going to have to hunt that vampire as well. Dante had killed her, and the result had been the village incident. That was when Dante had changed his name and gone back to Val and Radek.

  “You’ll never stop surprising me, Dante.” Val’s relief was evident in his voice and face. “This means that all of us have a common enemy.

  “I have some more news. It involves you, Jenna. It’s the reason I brought you here,” Val continued.

  We all turned to Jenna, whose eyes just about bugged out of their sockets. Not that I could blame her with all the emotions flying around the room.

  “You’d better sit down,” Val said, getting up and leading the poor little wolf girl to a chair. He kneeled on the floor in front of her. I sat closer to the edge of the couch and Radek’s arms slid from me. I wanted to go to her; I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be good news.

  “Madon called earlier and confirmed our suspicions. He’s been doing some investigating with the help of Gregory. They’ve found people in both of their camps that have betrayed them. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Jenna, but your father is one of them.”

  Could this get any worse? I thought. I felt Jenna’s pain and confusion. My teeth were clenched and it took all my strength to stay seated and not go find the no-good mutt and teach him a lesson or two.

  Jenna paled. “No, it can’t be. Daddy would never go against Uncle Mado
n. They’re brothers.”

  “I’m so sorry, Jenna, but it’s true. There’s more that you need to hear. After discussing things with Madon, I have offered to take you under my protection. He feels that you would be safer here once this comes out. So far nothing has been done. Gregory and Madon are waiting until we get there to take action. No one knows yet what’s going on.”

  “He doesn’t want me anymore?” Jenna’s voice was bleak. Her eyes were big and held tears just waiting to fall.

  Val’s hand rested on her cheek. “That’s not it at all, dear. There might be some backlash after everything goes down. He doesn’t want to see you get hurt. Your father has ruined your family. There will be a tribunal. With the evidence that’s been collected, he will be convicted. There may be action taken against you by other wolves in the pack. He was responsible for the killing of a wolf in your pack this morning. It’ll be much safer for you if you’re not there.”

  “Do I have a choice?” Jenna asked.

  “Of course you have a choice, child. We just want to keep you safe. I can offer you protection, a home, and a family.” There was a deep conviction in Val’s voice.

  “Can I think about it?” Jenna sounded understandably overwhelmed.

  “Yes, take all the time you need. I know this is a lot to take in. Sometimes life is like that.” Val’s voice was heavy with sadness.

  She just nodded. Val sat back on his heels, but didn’t take his eyes off Jenna. His whole demeanor changed. He was now a tiger on a mission. I was a little intimidated by his ability to switch gears like that.

  “Dante, I need you to call Gregory and get an update. Radek, call Madon and get one from him too. We’ll be heading back there as soon as we can. We need to find out what their people know about the situation. Tell Gregory and Madon that we’ll have a meeting when we get there. Jenna, sit tight for a minute. Natalya, come for a walk with me. We need to talk.”

  “Sure.” I followed Val to the door. I grabbed the first coat I could lay my paws on as I went out the door. It was Radek’s. His scent surrounded me as I put it on to ward off the chilly night. My thoughts were going from one thing to another. I was confused and didn’t know what to think or feel.