Dark Summer

by Lizzy Ford

  “What happened?”

  “You’ll see, son.”

  Decker saw the raw pain cross her face. He’d resented and feared her since she took his soul. He’d never considered what she might’ve gone through on her own in her role as the Mistress of Fire and Night. He’d never thought her capable of being vulnerable.

  “We have a long way to go,” his mother said. “Next up is Bartholomew the Terrible, the Deathbringer.”

  “Oh, god,” he muttered. “The psycho.”

  “Maybe, maybe not.”

  Decker drew a deep breath and stood. His mother stood beside him. She’d made it through this; he could, too.

  As they watched, Horus passed his magick onto the eighteen year old boy. Decker readied himself for the awful flood of scenes to follow, and as he expected, he was horrified to see what Bartholomew spent decades doing. The scenes ended with his violent death, where his sons found two amulets around his neck.

  “One for him, one for the woman he couldn’t kill,” his mother said softly. “His only love. He chose a lifetime of madness over killing her.”

  “That’s why he went mad?” Decker drew a sharp breath.

  “Bartholomew was the first to reveal the weakness of our bloodline. While we were capable of handling more than any other human, we weren’t invulnerable,” she explained. “There were two things we had to balance: the evil around us and the evil within us.”

  They were somewhere else now, where Bartholomew’s son met with the yeti. Beside him was a young woman who glowed with Light magick.

  “We needed a counterbalance to keep from being consumed,” Decker’s mother continued. “A husband or wife from the Light who could keep us from falling completely to the night. Bartholomew’s son, Tranin the Restorer, lived—”

  “Wait,” Decker said. “You’re saying I need my uh … counterbalance? You and Father weren’t just an anomaly?”

  “No. We were meant to be together,” she said with a smile.

  “And nothing bad happens to whoever it is?”

  “Nothing. The burden of dealing with the Dark is yours alone, but you’ll have someone who quells your mind when she’s near and makes life bearable.”

  For the first time since meeting Summer, hope flickered to life within him. They weren’t doomed. He wouldn’t put her in danger. They were meant to be together. Even better—they were expected to be together.

  “There is someone,” his mother said, studying him. “The girl from this weekend?”

  “Yeah,” he said softly, a smile crossing his features.

  “Good. You won’t end up like Bartholomew. That’s been the big concern with you.”

  “It shouldn’t be,” he said. “Not anymore.”

  She smiled. “Then let’s get through this. I want to meet this girl.”

  Decker was alive for the first time in months. He nodded and braced himself.

  They went through the history of Dark Masters. He managed not to get sick again, though the images in his head and the scenes they visited made him nauseous more than once. The idea he didn’t have to be alone, that he could have Summer, fed him strength to keep on his feet as his mother taught him about their history.

  They reached the scene where her father, Louis, turned over the reins to her. Decker expected her transition to be the easiest of them all, for they’d live very quiet lives. Until he saw the images of what happened three days after she became the Dark Mistress.

  He gasped, his eyes going to her. His mother’s features were tight, pained, and she gazed into the fog instead of at him.

  “That’s why we never met Nora,” he said at last, stunned.

  “She was the Mistress of Light for three days,” his mother replied in a hushed tone. “The reason she didn’t become the Mistress of Night was because she was too weak. She couldn’t withstand what this position required. I didn’t think I was suited for this position, but the Dark claimed me. She couldn’t withstand what her own position required. I took her soul and killed her.”

  The calm words left him speechless. The black fog cleared from around them, revealing the vacant field again. It was morning. They sat in the center of the pentagram. The scent of herbs still hung in the air, and he sensed rather than saw Sam there somewhere. Beck was hunched against a tree, asleep.

  “I thought there couldn’t be a Dark without Light,” Decker said at last. He didn’t know what else to say, not when his mother just admitted to killing her twin. He thought of killing Beck and knew he couldn’t do it.

  “I took on both roles, protector and enforcer,” she answered. “This is the reason the balance has swung to the Dark. The Mistress of Light has not existed in twenty years. There’s been no one to grow the Light, but I’ve been killing, adding to the Dark.”

  Decker rubbed the back of his head. His mother appeared unruffled by her actions, and he couldn’t help wondering if any part of her regretted her actions. Worse, would he become like her in twenty years? Immune to killing? Capable of killing those he loved most?

  Would he care what he did if he could come home to Summer every night?

  “And that is the final secret,” she added. “You know all of them now, from the first Dark Master to the latest Dark Mistress.”

  His head swam with disjointed images and whispers from across time and different people’s memories. She was right; he could make little sense of them. But they were there, and soon, they’d become a part of him as they had her.

  “You will be able to explore your newfound powers. I can help you,” she continued. “You’ll know when it’s time to claim a soul. I’ll go with you the first time. I’ll retain some of my powers. My father can still sense when a soul goes bad, so I think I can, too.”

  “Thanks, I think,” he said. “I don’t feel different.”

  “You will when you step outside the circle.”

  He gave the circle a leery look. He wasn’t ready yet to leave the calm of the pentagram.

  “About Beck,” he said.

  “I got your messages,” she said. “And the school’s. Your father spoke to the attorneys. He’ll handle it. We intend to have the ceremony this week, with or without the school’s permission. If it means your father shuts down the school and kicks everyone out, so be it.”

  Though he had a pliant temper and quick smile, Michael Turner never failed to get what he wanted. Decker relaxed at the thought his father had already made a decision regarding Beck’s ceremony. The rest—mainly Dawn—seemed inconsequential after all he’d learned during his own ceremony.

  At his silence, his mother rose. Decker remained, not feeling ready to face himself after all he’d learned. Of all he saw, he struggled most with his mother’s actions.

  “I’ll give you some time,” she said. “And have a talk with Beck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Decker watched her leave the safe place and cross to his twin. She shook him awake, and Beck woke with a grimace.

  Decker’s attention went back to his thoughts. He rested on his back and gazed at the midmorning sky. It was bright and clear. He should’ve felt torn, as he did before the ceremony. He feared his new duties, but he’d face them with Summer at his side. Remembering the peace that filled him when they were together, he closed his eyes and tried to make some sense of the knowledge and memories spinning in his head.

  Over and over, he came back to his mother killing her twin. Disturbed, he stayed in the pentagram until the sun was almost directly overhead before he stood and reluctantly stepped outside.

  The onslaught was worse than he expected. The magick she passed to him was overwhelming and drove him to his knees. Even with no one around, he heard souls.

  “Easy,” his mother said, taking his arm. She helped him up. “You’ll need to rest for a few days.”

  “I want to see Summer,” he managed. The world around him wobbled, a mix of colors and blurry shapes.

  “Summer’s her name? Fitting for the partner of a Dark Master. We can drop
by the school on the way to the cabin. I doubt you’ll be able to stay long.”

  “You made it!” Beck’s voice held relief. He took Decker’s other arm. “Thank God we’re leaving. I could eat a yeti.”

  Decker smiled. He tried to force his feet to walk. He made it a few steps. He felt like he was flying and falling at the same time, like the pressure of magick within him would make him explode while the magick of the world would make him implode. The sensations were completely unbalanced, beyond his control.

  By the time they made it to the car, he was able to walk slowly. As long as he didn’t look around or lose his focus on his next step, he’d make it. He all but collapsed into the backseat of his mother’s SUV and sucked in shaky breaths. Beck got into the passenger seat and dug through a small cooler in the front seat.

  “Here, Decker,” he said and passed back a sandwich.

  Decker ate it in three bites, unaware of how hungry he was until he smelled food. He and Beck wolfed down the lunch Louis packed them. By the time they’d finished, they reached the school.

  “Beck has a restraining order,” their mother said, eyeing her son. “He’s not allowed in. You need your rest, Decker. Be quick, okay? We’ll have your Summer over for dinner tomorrow.”

  “It’s her birthday tomorrow!” Beck said cheerfully.

  Decker was halfway out the door. He wobbled with his first step and spread his arms for balance. Excitement filled him, spinning quickly out of control like the rest of his magick. He reached the porch and reached for the railing to balance himself. Not wanting to fall over as soon as he saw Summer, he took a deep breath and struggled to balance the sensations pelting him from within and without.

  At long last, he made it up the stairs and stood before her door. The effort left him near panting, and he steadied his breathing. Before he could raise his hand to knock, the door was wrenched open. Tiny Biji stood in the middle of the doorway, a raised bat in her hands. As soon as she saw him, she lowered it and stepped back.

  Decker had no idea what he looked like after the rough night but suspected it wasn’t good.

  “Umm, it’s for you, Summer. I’m gonna just step out,” Biji said. She inched around him, taking the bat with her. Her gaze remained cautious.

  Decker pushed the door open. Summer stared at him from across the room. Surprise then uncertainty crossed her features. He closed the door, wishing he had a mirror to see what they saw. Finally, she rushed to him and flung her arms around him.

  Decker stabilized. The sensations stopped and he thought of nothing but staying with her. He was warm.

  “You made it!” she said at last, looking up at him.

  “Barely,” he said. He touched her swollen bottom lip gently with his thumb, agitated to see she’d been hurt by Dawn. Her cheekbone was bruised as well. Decker kissed her gently. “I can’t stay long. My mother is waiting. I need to spend some time with her and Beck. But I wanted to give you your birthday present early and invite you to dinner tomorrow to meet my folks.”

  Summer glowed at his words and her singing soul was contagious. She raised herself to her tiptoes and fluttered kisses over his face. Heat rose within him, energizing him.

  “We’re going to be okay,” he said as she kissed him. “I found out why we feel like we’re meant to be together.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Well, because we are. Every Dark Master has a perfect match, and you’re mine.”

  “So we can be together.”

  “Yep.”

  Summer grinned and hugged him again. He breathed in her scent, thrilled to have her in his arms. He didn’t want to leave her, but he had some learning to do. Knowing he didn’t have to give up Summer made him regard his life differently. He didn’t have to choose between his future and his heart. He didn’t have to spend his life alone.

  He pulled away and reached into his pocket for her birthday present.

  “I got us both something. I figured when you turn eighteen we can get the real thing,” he said and withdrew a small jeweler’s pouch. He handed it to her.

  Summer took it with a curious smile and dumped the two rings onto her palm. She gasped.

  “Promise rings,” he said. “One for you and one for me. It’s not much, but I thought—”

  “It’s perfect!” she exclaimed. Her eyes gleamed with tears, and Decker smiled, his own throat tight.

  “We said the words the other night,” he said, taking the white band with a pink sapphire. “I meant it. I’m yours, Summer.” He slid the ring over her ring finger.

  “I’m yours, Decker,” she whispered, sliding the white band with a black stone over his finger. “Forever.”

  “Forever.”

  She kissed him with heat that made his resolve slip. Decker pressed her against the wall, kissing her hungrily. His phone rang. With a groan, he pulled it out and saw it was his mother. He sighed and rested his forehead against Summer’s. They were both breathing hard already.

  “Tomorrow night,” he promised. “You’ll stay with me after dinner, okay?”

  “Deal,” she said. “Thank you, Decker.” Her heart was in her words.

  “You saved me, Summer,” he replied. “But I know now everything will be okay.”

  “Thank god. I was afraid I’d lose you.”

  “Never.” He kissed her and eased away. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Summer wanted to scream out of happiness. She waited for the door to close then danced around her room, stopping finally to look at her ring. The tiny pink gem sparkled.

  Though he was changed by the ceremony, Decker still wanted to be with her. He was more resolved than ever that they’d be together. She wasn’t sure what erased his doubt and fear, but he’d been confident, hopeful.

  She threw herself on the bed opposite Tarzan, beyond thrilled. Even if she did get suspended for a week, she had Decker. When she turned eighteen, they’d get married. He’d all but said the words. In a matter of a month, she’d found her home and her future.

  Convinced her life had changed for the better, she admired her ring until Biji knocked on the door. Summer opened it and smiled at her little bodyguard.

  “He looked different,” Biji said instantly. “Way different.”

  “He did,” Summer agreed. Decker appeared as he had at night, with shadows and darkness trailing him. For a moment, he’d seemed to flicker, as if he wasn’t really there. “He did it, Biji. He’s the Dark Master, and he says we can still be together.”

  “Wow,” Biji murmured. She walked into the room and closed then locked the door behind her. “I heard something in the hallway.”

  “What?” Summer asked, seating herself near Tarzan again.

  “Beck knocked up Dawn.”

  “No!”

  “I overheard it,” Biji said. “Something about her family suing his over it.”

  “That’s weird.” Summer frowned. Beck had pried her and Dawn apart yesterday, even taking some blows from the furious blond. He hadn’t tried to protect Dawn. She wondered if Biji had misheard. “How or why would they sue over it?”

  Biji shrugged. “Advance child support? I don’t know. Is that a ring?”

  Summer held up her hand. Biji took it and stared.

  “It’s a promise ring,” Summer said. “One day, we’ll get married.”

  “Summer, that’s awesome! I’ll come to your wedding. Tarzan can be the ring boy.”

  Summer laughed, eyes on the fawn. She petted him, hoping he’d be completely well one day.

  “All we need is for Tarzan to get well, and I’ll be happier than I’ve ever been before,” she murmured.

  There was a knock at her door. Biji picked up her bat and answered it, stepping aside to show Amber. The normally chipper instructor looked unhappy.

  “Summer, could you come down to the office after dinner?”

  “Sure.”

  “Great. How’s he holding up?” Amber asked, eyes on Tarzan.

&nbs
p; “Better today,” Summer answered.

  “I’m happy to hear that. All right, I’ll see you around seven.”

  Amber left, and Summer exchanged a look with Biji.

  “She didn’t look happy,” Biji said.

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “I wonder if she’ll suspend you for like, two weeks.”

  “I don’t know. Something has seemed off with her for a couple of days,” Summer said, puzzled. “I wonder if the Dawn thing has her down.”

  “Beck was one of her favorite students.”

  Summer looked at her ring. Whatever happened, it wouldn’t last long. Amber might suspend her for a week or two, but she could spend time with Tarzan and Decker.

  Still, something about the look on Amber’s face made her uneasy. Summer and Biji ate in shifts, so one of them could stay with Tarzan, Biji going down at six and Summer at half past six. Dawn, Decker and Beck weren’t at dinner, and Summer made her way after dessert to Amber’s office. She knocked and waited.

  The taller, severe-looking Matilda opened the door.

  “Come in.”

  Summer did. Amber sat in one of the armchairs and motioned Summer to the couch with a distracted smile. Her office was comfortable and cluttered, with no desk and an abundance of chairs and filled bookshelves.

  “First, congrats on passing your test,” Amber said. “Your trial was your Tarzan. You passed easily, as I knew you would.”

  Summer smiled in response.

  “We have to postpone your ceremony, though, for the time being. We wanted to wait until Beck took his place as the Master of Light.”

  “I thought he did yesterday,” Summer said.

  “No. Decker went through his ceremony, but there have been some issues we’re addressing,” Matilda said carefully. “But rest assured, we’ll bring you back for a ceremony, even if it’s a few weeks down the road. We owe that to all witchlings who pass their trials.”

  “Bring me back?”

  “That’s the bad news. After the fight, Dawn’s family filed for restraining orders against you and Beck. Neither of you are supposed to come within one hundred yards of her or the school,” Amber said, her smile fading. “The school rules for fights are mandatory suspension of a week. We can suspend you in place, but not with the restraining order.”