Dark Summer

by Lizzy Ford

  Biji used fork and knife to slice pieces of meat off the chicken. Summer carefully tried to mimic her movements, sending the vegetables careening off the edges of her plate at the awkward movements. She stopped to eat the veggies then tackled the chicken again. She tried sawing off the top of a chicken leg to free the meat from the cartilage before resorting to brute force. Suddenly, the joint snapped off and sailed down the table.

  Dawn and her friends burst into laughter. Biji appeared startled, and Summer stared. Frustrated, she was about to give up and grab the chicken with both hands. Someone’s foot settled against hers under the table. She started to shift away when she recognized the magick flowing into her.

  She looked at Decker, who was in discussion with the Dark girl beside him. He didn’t move, and neither did Summer. Like when they danced, her body seemed to know what to do whenever he touched her. She tried her chicken again, pleased when her hands worked the knife and fork as expertly as Biji.

  The rest of her dinner passed with no more embarrassment. Decker didn’t even acknowledge her until he pushed his plate away to rise. His foot moved away, the flow of his magick ceasing. Summer glanced up, catching his eye.

  “Thank you,” she mouthed.

  He lifted his chin in response, dark eyes lingering on her before he turned away finally. Summer watched him go, joined by the other Dark teens in the foyer.

  “You totally have a crush on him,” Biji said.

  “I don’t. But he’s a nice guy,” Summer said.

  “Nice? Right.”

  Summer smiled to herself, touched by his thoughtfulness.

  “Can I see Tarzan again?” Biji asked.

  “Sure.”

  They left the dining room together and ascended to Summer’s room. Tarzan was dozing and raised his head when they entered. Summer turned on the light. It was past dusk, and the light of bonfires in the backyard made shadows dance on the walls.

  “Do you sleep with him?” Biji asked.

  “Yeah. He kicks me at night.”

  “He’s so cute!”

  Summer smiled as Biji sat down and patted the animal. She prepped the bottle Amber had brought her and handed it to Biji. The Indian girl giggled. As much milk ended up on her as in Tarzan’s mouth, and the fawn licked up what he’d missed.

  “You really do have a deer.”

  Summer glanced up at Dawn’s voice, her smile fading. The blond girl pushed the door to her room open, trailed by one of her friends. Biji scowled openly at Dawn, who ignored her.

  “He’s so sweet,” Dawn cooed, kneeling beside the bed to peer at the deer. “Tarzan is an awful name, though.”

  “I like it,” Biji said promptly.

  “What do you feed him?” Dawn asked Summer.

  “Milk. And he goes out to eat grass and berries during the day,” Summer replied, troubled by the girl’s presence after her comment at dinner.

  “He’s so little,” Dawn’s friend said. “You can’t let him out alone, can you?”

  “Not yet,” Summer replied. “He’s too young to be without his mother. Maybe in another month or two, he can go find a new herd to join.”

  Tarzan chewed on Dawn’s hair, and Dawn tugged it free. Her friend giggled, and Biji muttered under her breath.

  “Okay, I’m ready,” Dawn said and straightened. “There’s nothing to do in this godforsaken place. We’re going out back.”

  “You could sleep with a few more boys,” Biji responded.

  Dawn gave her a dirty look. “Summer, you’re always more than welcome to join us.”

  “Why, so you can make fun of her, like you do when she’s not around?” Biji demanded, rising. “You’ll just make jerky out of Tarzan. You need to go, Dawn.”

  Summer stared at the small girl, surprised.

  “Whatever,” Dawn replied. “She’s only jealous because I never invited her shopping or anywhere like I did you, Summer.”

  “Good night!” Biji snapped.

  Dawn rolled her eyes again and left.

  “What a bitch,” Biji said as soon as Dawn was gone.

  Summer laughed. “You really don’t like her!”

  “Nope. She’s no good for you and no good for Tarzan,” Biji said. “I know these things. And I’ve heard how she talks about you behind your back. I wasn’t going to say anything but you’re just too nice.”

  “I’m used to people saying things about me,” Summer said. “It doesn’t bother me, Biji.”

  “It bothers me.”

  Summer stroked the deer’s head, marveling at how soft its fur was.

  “Hello.” The note of awe in Biji’s voice replaced her anger.

  “Hello.”

  Summer looked up at Decker’s voice. Dawn had left her door open, and Decker stood in the doorway. He was tall and wide enough to fill the door frame.

  “I came to see how Tarzan is doing,” he said.

  “You can come in,” Biji said eagerly.

  “Thanks.” He stayed where he was, gaze on the small deer.

  Summer was as mesmerized by him as Biji, not expecting to find his draw even stronger at night than it was in the day. His dark, soft eyes were like the night. He met her gaze at last. Summer crossed her arms as a shiver ran through her.

  “Are you going to the dance?” Biji asked him.

  “I don’t dance,” he replied with his normal brusqueness.

  “I can teach you.”

  “No.”

  “So you really aren’t going? It’s the last dance before the school year starts.”

  “No.”

  Summer looked away to keep from smiling. Biji was determined.

  “What if you could dance with Summer?” Biji pushed.

  “Biji!” Summer exclaimed. Her stomach fluttered at the idea, but she didn’t want him answering. If he said no, she’d be crushed, even though she had a date.

  “Let him answer, Summer!”

  Summer looked at him again, cringing internally.

  “I might,” he said finally.

  Summer’s breath caught at his direct look.

  “So you can go to the dance and dance with Summer then me,” Biji decided.

  “Biji, you know—” Summer hissed.

  “Just because you already have a date doesn’t mean you can’t dance with someone else,” Biji returned.

  “You already have a date.” The note of cooling in Decker’s voice was plain. He crossed his arms.

  “Sort of,” Summer replied. “I’m sorry, Decker.”

  “I hope he can dance half as well as we might.”

  She flushed at the quiet words.

  “Well, he should,” Biji said. “He’s your brother.”

  Decker stepped back from the door, his quick footfalls on the stairwell down to the first floor making her wince.

  “Oh, Biji,” Summer murmured.

  “That was kind of weird, wasn’t it?” Biji said. “We almost got him to go, and I almost got a dance in his dreamy arms!” She hugged herself and danced around the room.

  Summer couldn’t help feeling as if the rug was pulled out from under her. Her gaze went to the suitcase, where she’d placed the notes Beck had left for her the past couple of days. They’d thrilled her at first, but she felt no comfort from them now. Not when she knew Decker had wanted to dance with her.

  He’d probably never show up to their morning lessons again. The thought of dancing without him made her fidget.

  Chapter Eight

  Decker wasn’t sure which shocked him more: that his brother had unknowingly moved into his territory or that Summer would choose someone else over him, even knowing she felt their magick when they danced. He paused when he reached the first floor. More than his pride was bruised. Maybe this was better. He hadn’t wanted to drag Summer into his world.

  The thought had never crossed his mind that Summer didn’t feel for him as he did for her, that she wanted nothing to do with him. He stepped into the cool night. Every day, the sensation of darkness grew around hi
m, within him. It was comforting as it flowed through his body yet caused his headaches to grow during the day. He was becoming more and more sensitive to those around him, a necessity for one who must track evil.

  Disturbed, he went to the square out back. The bonfires were lit. His brother was absent, probably in their room. Decker returned to their room and froze as he opened the door. Beck and Dawn were half-naked on Beck’s bed in a make-out frenzy.

  “Later, Decker!” Beck all but shouted.

  “It’s my room. Get out, Dawn.”

  The lust-struck lovers both looked startled at his low growl. He hadn’t meant it to come out so harsh. Or maybe he did. Beck was good-natured enough to believe Dawn if she said she was on the pill, and Dawn was conniving enough to lie to him to get knocked up and tap their trust funds.

  After a moment, she grabbed her clothes and dressed calmly, looking up at him with a smile as she left. He locked the door behind her.

  “Dude, what the hell?” Beck demanded, tugging his shorts back on.

  “You two didn’t break up?”

  “Why does everyone think we did?”

  “Maybe because you asked Summer to the dance with you.”

  “Oh, god. This again.” Beck rose and opened the top drawer of his nightstand. “Dawn was playing a joke on her, and it got out of hand. She keeps writing me notes and seems convinced I’m going to the dance with her. Dawn’s tried to tell her a million times it’s just some sick delusion.”

  “Summer’s writing you notes?” Decker asked, taken aback.

  “Look at these. Every time I come back to the room, there’s another one.” Beck said and picked up a stack of lined paper covered with flowery handwriting. “There’s like, twenty of these things.”

  Decker took them, his heart at his feet. He couldn’t imagine Summer doing such a thing, but then again, he didn’t know much about her, aside from how he felt. His insides were cold as he took the notes.

  “What did Dawn do?” he asked, perplexed.

  “She pranked Summer. Pretended to be me, wrote Summer a note and asked her to the dance. Things got out of control after that. She came to me finally and admitted it.”

  “You ever think Dawn wrote these, too?”

  “It’s not her handwriting,” Beck snapped. “And yes, I checked. I know you don’t trust her, and I trust your judgment, even if I don’t like to hear it.”

  Decker looked up, not expecting his brother to admit to trusting anything he said, especially about Dawn. Beck looked troubled but said nothing. His words about Summer made Decker nauseous.

  “At least you didn’t ask her out,” he managed and sat with the letters in his hand.

  “You like her?” Beck asked, surprised. “She doesn’t seem like your type.”

  “What’s my type, Beck?”

  “Alexa.”

  Decker snorted and stretched out on his bed. He began to read the letters and got through four before he set them down. Professions of love, sexual references … he was expecting quotes by Shakespeare, not something that read like it was pulled out of a teen magazine.

  “Weird, aren’t they?” Beck asked. “Goes to show you never know who the psychos are.”

  It can’t be her, Decker replied silently.

  “So, no, I’m not going with her to the dance. If you can take that twisted bitch off my hands, I’d appreciate it.”

  Decker stared at the ceiling.

  “On the topic of twisted bitches, Alexa was looking for you,” Beck added. “We both have our girl issues. Did you break up with her or something?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That would explain the dead bird she left at the door. Is that some kind of curse or something?”

  “Pretty much.” Decker didn’t want to deal with Alexa at all.

  “That’s all I need.”

  “Your life seems pretty stable. What’s wrong?” Decker asked, twisting his head to see his twin.

  “There’s a rumor about Dawn going around.”

  “Let me guess. She cheated on you.”

  “You heard it?”

  “No, idiot. She cheated on me, remember?”

  “Guess I didn’t think about that. You guys didn’t date long anyway.”

  Decker said nothing. His attention returned to the letters. He read another one, growing less and less convinced. He’d never seen any of Summer’s writing, but she appeared too smart to misspell works like heaven. The girl who dutifully attended her fawn, had one friend, and rarely spoke didn’t seem capable of the over-the-top language in the letters.

  “This just—”

  A knock at their door made him lower the letters. Beck was almost fully dressed again and crossed to the door as he buckled his belt.

  Alexa stood in the doorway. Beck glanced at Decker, who rose.

  “I’ll go for a walk,” Beck said, moving around her.

  Decker took in Alexa’s features. She looked determined, and there was a gleam in her gaze he couldn’t interpret. She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. Her one hand was shoved in her pocket. Without speaking, she moved towards him and pulled her fist out, flinging something at his face.

  Decker coughed as what looked like black glitter sprayed him. His body absorbed the Dark magick of the spell, unaffected.

  “That stuff doesn’t work on me,” he told her, wiping it off his face. “What is it?”

  “Love spell,” she said and frowned. She searched his gaze. “Decker, the time we spent together was the best time of my life. Please, please tell me we can try again.”

  “No.”

  “I’ll do anything, Decker.”

  “Alexa, I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you. I’m sorry. I really am,” he said with feeling. “I didn’t think twice and should have.”

  “I heard Matilda tell Amber last night I might be the one who is meant to be your partner, to help you through your transition,” she said. “I can do it, Decker.”

  “Matilda’s wrong.”

  Loss then anger crossed Alexa’s features. She paced. Decker eased away, sensing she was ready to explode.

  “What if I’m pregnant?” she demanded.

  “We used condoms.”

  “Condoms don’t always work.”

  “Look, Alexa, I know what you’re—”

  “So you just woke up and decided you were done with me?” She stopped and stared at him. “There’s someone else, isn’t there?”

  “There’s no one.”

  “Guys don’t just walk away from me, Decker! I’ve never had anyone—”

  “It’s over, Alexa!” he said more loudly. “I’m about to become a monster, and I won’t drag you into it.”

  She frowned. “Is that what this is about? You’re afraid of what happens in two weeks?”

  “I’m terrified. But aside from that, I won’t put anyone else in danger.”

  “Oh, Decker.” She softened again. “I’ll stand by you. I promise.”

  Frustrated, he tried to think of something diplomatic to say to make her leave him alone.

  “You don’t have to worry. I’ll always—”

  “No, Alexa,” he said at last. “No. We’re through. I made a mistake and now it’s done. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

  Her eyes fell to the notes written in pink pen in his hand. Before he could react, she snatched the letters. He reached for them, but she skirted him.

  “There is someone else!” Her features twisted again into rage.

  “My dearest love,” she started. She gave him a warning glare then read fast, turning it over to see who signed it. “Summer. You’re ditching me for Summer?”

  “No. I’m not ditching you for anyone. These letters—”

  “That short, fat bitch with big boobs. You’re leaving me for her.” Alexa wasn’t listening.

  “She’s not short, fat or a bitch!” Decker snapped and snatched the letters. “You’re not listening—”

  Wounded and angry, Alexa looked up at him.
“You may be immune to my spells, but she’s not!” She snatched the doorknob and yanked the door open.

  Decker planted a hand above her head and slammed it closed. His body was tense with fury and magick again. It boiled just beneath his level of control, wanting to be free.

  “If you so much as look at her wrong, you will be the first I track down after I turn eighteen. You understand me?” he whispered.

  Alexa hunched her shoulders. She wrenched the door open and faced him when she’d made it safely onto the landing. He couldn’t do anything with the bonfires full of teens a few feet away.

  “You can’t protect her all the time, Master of Fire and Night,” she hissed.

  Decker slammed the door, his head pounding. The sounds of the others’ souls were even louder this night. He paced, but the clamor only grew louder. He wanted to explode and pulled his door open.

  He ran into the forest, not caring that the branches lashed him as he went. He ran until the sounds of the others were too faint for his throbbing head, and he dropped to his knees in a small clearing.

  “Sam!” he shouted into the air. “Come out, Sam!”

  He heard no response for a long moment and slumped. His headache eased, and he flung his head back to see the stars. He’d gone so far as to put up constellations above his bed at the cabin—where he spent the weekends and many nights—after talking to Summer about stars. He recognized a few of the constellations and breathed the cool night air deeply until his nerves calmed.

  The Master of Night is distressed, Sam’s voice came to him at last. What troubles you, Master?

  “Everything,” Decker whispered.

  The yeti emerged from the dark forest and sat in front of Decker. Its auburn fur glowed like fire in the moonlight.

  “You’re the only one I can talk to, Sam.”

  It was the same for your mother before she took her oath to the Dark. The world grows both darker and lighter. The sensations hurt, but you will get used to them.

  “If you say so.”

  I do say so, boy, Sam said with his chortle-laugh.

  “I don’t want this. I don’t want to go mad like Bartholomew. I don’t want to spend my life so far from the Light.”

  Your profession is a noble one. You serve the Light in a different way, by enforcing the Dark Laws upon those who threaten the Light.