Dark Secrets

by P. L. Midnight

  I wiggled out of his arms and started my own splashing war until we decided it was time to race. That didn’t last long as none of us had much energy left after all our romping in the water. It was nice to forget everything for a while and spend time with my old friends.

  I was starting to look like a prune, so I got out of the water after Julian had gotten me a blanket to wrap around my waist. Vincent followed close behind me. Julian ran and got me another blanket, which didn’t take long with his speed and agility. He’d grown into a fine-looking man with his long legs and lean muscles.

  He tossed a blanket at Vincent, which he spread on the rocks near the water. Julian began drying off with the blanket he held. I quickly wrapped my blanket around me when I noticed Vincent’s stare. It seems women’s undergarments become somewhat transparent when they get wet. I guess I just hadn’t paid much attention, until his icy blue eyes sparkled with yearning as he watched me.

  Then as if he realized he’d been staring, his face turned pink and he began drying himself off. The shy Vincent was back and the moment was gone, but I’d never forget that hunger on his face as he’d looked at my wet bra. I guess we were all feeling it as I watched him from under my eyelashes as I half closed my eyes. I didn’t want either of them to know the effect they were having on me.

  We finished and laid on a blanket to dry out so we could get dressed. I laid there in my bra and blanket around my waist concealing my nether regions. I used my other blanket to dry my hair a bit. I was amazed at how different Vincent looked without his dark framed glasses and bulky sweater. Both brothers were handsome in their own way as I looked from one to the other as I lay sandwiched between them.

  Julian told a few corny jokes, while Vincent and I just chilled for a while. Unlike Julian with his endless energy, we were tired.

  “Guys, thanks so much. It was great just forgetting all our troubles for a little while. By the way, how did you find us, Vincent?”

  “My brother and I share a special kind of wendigo communication. It’s hard to explain scientifically, but we always know where the other one is.”

  “That must be handy.”

  “It is, but Vincent can’t stand it that there’s no scientific explanation for our kind of bond.”

  “Julian is right. It baffles me, but it has saved our lives a few times. I guess we should get back. Raven will be expecting us for the meeting. He postponed it for a while so we could all chill a little. The last few days as you know have been more than a little rough.”

  “I’m just glad we’re all ok.”

  “Me, too.”

  Vincent reached down to help me up, while Julian gathered the blankets. We made sure to leave no trace of our visit, in case we ever needed to come back to these caves again. It wouldn’t do for Dark Hearts to know we’d been here if they somehow stumbled upon the place.

  Vincent held one of my hands and Julian the other until the path became too narrow to walk side-by-side.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Raven greeted us as we walked into the room. The rest of the guys were already sitting around the small chamber.

  “Everyone has gotten at least a few hours’ rest, I believe.” Everyone nodded and agreed. Raven continued in his all business tone. “We need to make plans to get out of here. There’s only one entrance and exit, which could prove to be deadly for us if Dark Hearts should stumble upon this place. It’s pretty secluded, but we can’t afford to take any chances.”

  “Victor knows this part of the cave system as well as I do. He’s agreed to lead everyone out of here while a couple of us stay behind to remove all traces of our visit. We may need this place again sometime, so I want to make sure it looks undisturbed.”

  “Vincent and Julian will stay behind and remove all traces of our presence. Victor will lead the rest of you out of here. We should be able to exit the caves by Johnson’s abandoned farmhouse just south of Bellefontaine. It’s going to be about two miles of walking through the caves. Emma, will you be alright?”

  “I’ll be fine, but what about Alexander,” I asked, noticing that he still didn’t look quite himself and that Sebastian stood near him. The others all looked fine. I didn’t even see a bruise or cut leftover from the encounter with Dark Hearts. I hoped they all felt as good as they looked. I knew Sebastian had worked miracles on my knees and other wounds. I was nearly healed. I knew he’d done the same for the others. He was amazing. I thought as I looked over at the handsome warlock healer and smiled.

  “I’ll be alright. Sebastian will be with me unless you want to help me, honey.” Alexander said in that cheeky tone of his and grinned at me, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. I could tell he was still in pain and planned to ask Sebastian in private about his condition. I couldn’t leave them, if Alexander wasn’t healing as he should be.

  Raven intercepted the conversation before any comments could be made, “Victor will lead the group, followed by Miles. Alexander and Sebastian will follow and I will go last to help Sebastian as needed. Emma, you will stay between Victor and Miles at all times for your own protection. As you are all aware, we must leave the area as quickly as possible. I’m only familiar with the cave systems in this area, as is Victor. Therefore, we will need to get a vehicle as soon as Victor is able to contact the Order. We’ll then head towards Columbus. We can hide out in some obscure motel until we receive our directive on where to take Emma to keep her safe.”

  “Are there any questions? There is enough water for everyone to take two bottles with them and a couple granola bars. The chips are all gone. All trash is to be put in the bag over in the corner as you leave. If anyone left any wrappers behind make sure to put them in the bag, too. Vincent and Julian will take it with them when they depart.”

  Raven had just gotten through speaking when Alexander suddenly started jerking in his seat. He began screaming as he fell backwards on the cave floor with a thud. He writhed in pain. Sebastian and Miles immediately subdued him putting something in his mouth to keep him from screaming, again, and possibly alerting our enemy to our whereabouts.

  I almost yelled myself as I watched Alexander’s agony. He was sweating now as he thrashed around. It was all Miles and Raven could do to hold him while Sebastian gave him an injection of something. Almost immediately, he stilled somewhat. My gods what was wrong with him, I wondered, knowing that now was not the time to ask, but I had to know as I watched his painful trembling.

  I walked over to where Alexander was now lying and gently stroked his forehead. Sebastian and Miles had tried to make him as comfortable as possible, but even in his sedated state, he was groaning and sweating profusely.

  “What’s wrong with him? Isn’t there anything you can give him for the pain?”

  “Emma I’ve given him all that I can. His wings are starting to grow back. When a sun seraph loses his wings, within a few days, a new pair will appear, but it is extremely painful and can take several hours. I will stay with him as will Miles. I’ll do everything I can to keep him as comfortable as possible, but his metabolism is such that he burns up anything I give him very quickly.”

  Raven spoke up in agreement, “Alexander will have to stay behind until his wings are fully grown back. Other than Sebastian, Miles, Victor and I are the only ones strong enough to handle him when he’s like this. I cannot leave you without ample protection Emma. Vincent will take Miles’ place. I will have to stay behind with Sebastian and Miles to help with Alexander. Believe me. It will take all three of us to hold him as the feathers start growing back.”

  Alexander had told me that his feathers while appearing soft had the ability to become a golden metal that was stronger than steel and protected when necessary in battle. He just failed to tell me that they would have to grow back one feather at a time. Sebastian had removed his shirt and just as he got it off, Alexander began flailing his arms about almost knocking Sebastian across the room. Sebastian got his footing and quickly ran to Alexander where Miles and Raven were struggling to
keep him down. He gave him another injection. I hoped it would last longer this time.

  I didn’t realize I was crying until I felt an arm go around my shoulders. I’d backed away from the nightmarish scene that I’d never forget. I knew it was Victor by the coolness of his hand on my shoulder and by the scent of exotic spice and mysterious darkness, which was my vampire.

  “Printesa, this is no place for you,” he said in his sexy Romanian accent as he walked me to the door of the chamber. “he wouldn’t want you to see him like this. Sebastian will take good care of him. We must get out of here as Raven said. It’s going to be cold. I believe Raven said he had a few more sweatshirts. Let’s see if we can get you a couple more. I’d offer to keep you warm, but that’s Miles’ or Alexander’s job. They’re both much warmer than me as you’ve probably figured out.” Then to distract me from the scene we were leaving, he whispered in his sexiest voice, “However, there are other ways I can warm you, printesa. Someday I’ll show you how a vampire warms his woman.”

  After putting on a couple more sweatshirts and an extra pair of socks, I was ready. I’d have no chance to escape now. I’d have to make sure Alexander was ok and then figure out a means of getting away from them. I would’ve probably gotten lost in the caves anyway. This might work out better. I just hoped Alexander would be ok.

  My thoughts were interrupted by a blood-curdling scream that had escaped from poor Alexander. My heart broke when I thought of the pain he was enduring because of me. I had to see him once more before I left. I think Victor saw the need on my face. “We have to leave quickly, printesa, for our enemy could have heard those screams. You can go say goodbye. I think you need to do so, but go quickly.” Victor led me back to the chamber where Alexander was, and then he kissed my hand before he released it.

  I didn’t think it was possible, but he looked even worse than before. His beautiful golden skin had an almost greenish tint to it. Golden tears streaked his face. He was again semiconscious.

  As I approached the rock where he was lying, Raven spoke to me in a soft, but firm voice, “say your goodbyes quickly for the medicine will wear off soon and you could get hurt when he starts thrashing around. You need to leave right away with all this noise, Dark Hearts may be able to track us. Are you ok, piccola dolce,” he said more softly as he kissed my cheek and moved back so I could kiss Alexander’s cheek.

  I knotted my head and gave him a small smile.

  I stroked Alexander’s fevered skin, which was hotter than his normal, overly warm temperature. I prayed he’d be alright. I wanted to do something, so he’d know how I felt. I bent over him and kissed his lovely mouth, which was currently free from the cloth blocking his screams. I thought I saw his eyes flicker in recognition, but he remained still. Then he spoke in my mind, it was barely a whisper as I wiped his face with the cloth I’d taken from Sebastian, I’m sorry you’ve seen me this way. I cannot control any of this. I’ll explain it when I see you again. Go and be safe so I can focus on healing instead of worrying if you’re ok. Victor will take good care of you, my honey. I love…

  His beautiful fiery eyes were all but dead now. He was gone before he could finish or I could reply to him. Sebastian was pushing me out of the way, as Alexander started thrashing about again. Raven stuffed the cloth back into his mouth.

  I got away from the table, knowing there was nothing I could do but let Sebastian, Miles and Raven do their job of restraining him from doing something crazy that might hurt him even worse. I left the room with Victor escorting me. It was like something from a horror movie. I wanted to kill every Plutonian that had touched even one of his beautiful feathers. If I ever got the chance I would kill all of the ones that had attacked us.

  Victor must have read my mind or felt my pain, for he said most gently, “It will be alright. Rest assured, I will most certainly kill those bastards as soon as the opportunity arises. I will cut their throats and drain every drop of their black blood for how they have hurt you, my printesa. Taking an angel’s wings is like removing a vampire’s fangs, a most horrible experience.” He spoke as if he knew exactly how it felt, I shivered at the thought of one of his lovely fangs being removed by force. He’d heard that and whispered, “I’m glad you think they’re lovely. They can provide a great boon to lovemaking, which you’ll find out about one day. Now, come we need to go.” I tingled at his unveiled promise. He took my hand and led me to where Julian and Vincent already waited.

  I send a silent message to Alexander. I hoped that he heard it. Come back to me, my golden knight for I do love you. I will be anxiously waiting to see you again.

  It felt like he was trying to answer, but I heard only groans of pain in my mind and prayed he’d heard me.

  We then began the long trek out of the cave system. Victor led our little group as planned with the others behind me. It was an even longer day than I’d expected.

  Chapter Twenty

  I didn’t know if Victor was a Speleologist, but he knew the branch-work caves with their grottos, rock shelters and galleries even better than I expected. He led us forward through wide passageways into fractures that formed high, narrow, straight passages and persisted in what appeared to be widespread loops. He didn’t seem phased at all that we seemed to be going in those loop patterns at times, which made me feel that eventually we’d see the light of day.

  It was a good thing we’d brought flashlights with us as it was dark going most of the way. I was amazed at some of the rock formations we passed along our journey to safety. There were stalactites and stalagmites, a breathtaking variety of crystal formations with delicate designs and complex creations. Someday I hoped to come back with Raven or Victor and take the time to appreciate the beauty of the place instead of keeping up the pace we were going.

  I was thankful I wasn’t claustrophobic as we walked for what felt like miles twisting and turning. Victor stopped and spoke softly, “we are going through what was likely an Indian burial chamber.” To me, he whispered softly, “it’ll be fine, Printesa. Just keep your head down and stay close behind me.” He squeezed the hand he grasped, as he’d spoken. He added for benefit of the others, “Don’t touch anything, especially you, Vincent.”

  He pointed that out. I wondered if he knew that Vincent’s scientific curiosity had caused a few problems in the past, like the time he blew up the biology lab trying to reanimate a dead frog. I didn’t realize that Victor knew about Vincent’s little idiosyncrasy of touching anything that looked interesting. Personally, I was struggling with my own fear of going into another place filled with remains of dead people. First, there’d been the mausoleum, then the cemetery and now this creepy place bathed in darkness.

  I had no curiosity whatsoever about the things we were undoubtedly passing as I watched Victor’s feet before me and followed him as closely as possible. I could see someone’s flashlight moving all around the ground as I tried to pay attention to where I was going and keep my light focused on the male in front of me. I didn’t want to get separated from him for any reason.

  Everything was going fine until the ground suddenly opened up beneath us and down we tumbled. I dropped my flashlight as we fell into a dark abyss. I knew Julian and Vincent had tried to catch the door, but I heard it shut as I fell, sealing us in darkness. It separated us. At least Victor was with me.

  I heard Julian screaming at Vincent as I continued to fall rapidly down into the darkness, something about a lever that he’d apparently touched. I’d kick his ass myself for this one if Victor didn’t beat me to it.

  The last thing I heard was a sickening sound of something ripping apart and a loud thud as Victor hit the bottom of the pit. I screamed and the darkness overcame me as I passed out from my hard landing.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I don’t know how long I’d been unconscious, but when I came to there was still a beam of light coming from Victor’s flashlight. I couldn’t see much because it was shining towards the floor. I moved and felt horrible pain shoot up through my
ankle. I was pretty sure it was no sprain this time as the sharp pain shot up my entire leg.

  I was pretty sure that it was broken and wouldn’t support my weight this time. I wasn’t sure how I’d managed it, but nothing else seemed broken from my crash landing. I didn’t know what I’d landed on, but the pit seemed filled with a wet, sticky substance that was probably something disgusting. It may have saved my life though. I’d remembered to protect my head. I was fairly sure that my arm had been injured in the process, but at least my head seemed to be fine.

  I was stiff and sore as hell, but I managed to crawl over to the beam of light. I needed it to find the flashlight I’d dropped. I’d need all the light I could get if I was going to find Victor and get out of this black hole. I didn’t possess the night vision Victor did. I reached the flashlight only to realize that Victor still held it in his hand.

  His lifeless hand gripped it with a determination that let me know I’d have a hard time getting it away from him. I called out to him, but really couldn’t see how he’d landed. I got no answer and figured that like me, he’d landed hard enough to be knocked unconscious. I worked for quite a while and finally got the flashlight from Victor’s stiff fingers. It was strange that he’d used one anyway, since he didn’t need it. I guess he’d used it for my benefit, so I could see a little further in front of him.

  What I saw as I pointed the beam towards him was enough to make me scream in terror and hopelessness. Victor had landed atop an old skeleton. One of the skeleton’s longer bones had somehow pierced the area close to his heart. It looked like his clothes were soaked in blood from what I could see in the beam of the flashlight. I touched his face and found it colder than usual and as still as death.