Fire In The Darkness (Darkness Series #2)

by Stacey Marie Brown

  “Can I ask you what you are?”

  “I’m aware you know next to nothing about the Otherworld, but it is considered rude and presumptuous to ask. Otherworlders in general are quite secretive and suspicious. Over the centuries humans have made us this way. If Otherworlders reveal themselves or you figure it out that is fine . . . but never ask. Ever,” she stated firmly, and then smiled gently. "Because you were unaware of this, I will answer you this time. I am a siren. You are aware of what that is?”

  “Yes.” I briefly recounted what I knew about them. Sirens were dangerous mythological creatures, seductresses, who lured sailors to their deaths. Looking at her I had no doubt any man in a boat or in a bathtub would gladly follow her to a watery grave.

  “Not everything you hear is true; the folklore was written by humans. They do not have the full truth, only the myths and legends they created.”

  My mind was still trying to wrap around the fact that sirens were real when she led me into a gorgeous kitchen the size of a small house. It had top-of-the-line appliances, an oversized, double-door fridge, and a restaurant-size stove, all sleek and blending in nicely with the cabinetry. A huge island sat in the middle with its own double sink and built-in chopping block. Stools lined up on the other side. There was a curved breakfast nook with built-in benches on one side and a chandelier hanging over the round table and a walk-in pantry on the other side. It was a gourmet chef’s kitchen.

  “Obviously, this is the kitchen,” Rez motioned around. “You met Marguerite earlier. She is the reason we function here at all and we could not live without her. She does the cooking and house duties. Sinnie, our house brownie, comes out mostly at night to clean. Marguerite always leaves a bowl of honey or porridge for her, so please don’t throw it out. Sinnie gets offended easily. Also a warning, brownies love shiny or sparkly objects. So unless you are willing to lose it, don’t leave anything out she will be attracted to. I’ve lost more jewelry that way,” Rez laughed lightly.

  “Brownie?” I had heard of them but needed to be sure she was not referring to a baked good.

  “Oh dear, you are a newbie. Brownies are a sub-category of Fairies, but they are one of the least magical species. They rank with gnomes and hobbits and have limited glamour powers. Humans usually mistake them for a large rat or something of that nature. Although their glamour is thin, humans will turn what they see into something their brains will accept. Being lower Fae, brownies can only turn into creatures their own size and can only use the most basic glamour.”

  Rats. Always rats. Why not a fluffy kitten?

  “Household brownies help clean houses at night while you sleep. They are quite shy and not social creatures. Because we are not human, Sinnie will venture out every once in a while in the day, but she usually prefers attending to our rooms when we are not there. She handles the most basic cleaning and tidying and is recently obsessed with making beds. I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and came back to a made bed. Drives us all a little batty.” Rez laughed.

  She turned back to the room. “Marguerite does pretty much everything else; she is essential to this house. Lars would probably kick himself out before he’d get rid of Marguerite. She cooks breakfast and dinner, and sometimes lunch, though for most lunches you're on your own. The kitchen is yours to use as freely as you want—snacks, drinks, whatever. I only suggest staying out of Marguerite’s way when she’s cooking.” Rez shook her head, as though remembering a story. “She’ll chase you out with a steak knife if you get under her feet. She technically has Sundays and Mondays off, but she never really leaves. We are her family and she prefers to stay and take care of us, no matter how much we tell her to get out for the day.”

  Rez walked through the kitchen into a huge dining room. A long, modern, oval table with velvet-covered chairs circling it sat in the center of the room, and another stunning chandelier hung from the ceiling. A curved, limestone archway opened up to the living area. A giant, deep grey, velvet sectional, a glass coffee table, and several large chairs sat in front of a glowing fireplace. Heat and energy flowed from it into me. Aware of my connection to fire now, it felt incredible. I couldn’t believe I never noticed the strong sensation before.

  Rez pushed a button and a flat screen TV the size of a Cadillac came down from the ceiling. “Usually you’ll find the gang either here or downstairs in the family room where you can find tons of video games and DVD’s. There's also a pool table and a small bowling alley.”

  She waved me forward, finishing the rest of the house tour. There were two different wings. One held the majority of the bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. The center of the house was the living space, and the other wing included Lars' office and his bedroom that was bigger than an Olympic-size swimming pool. As we walked past the closet, I also noticed it had women's clothes hanging in the closet, which looked like those Rez would wear.

  Hmmm—a Demon and a siren playing house? Interesting.

  As for an Olympic-size swimming pool, they had a real one in back—heated, of course. The pool was installed so naturally it looked like a lake instead of a pool. There was a gorgeous patio with a fireplace and an outdoor kitchen and barbeque grill, which would have made Mark cry. All this overlooked the creek where Rimmon found me, surrounded by the most beautiful, rolling, lush green grounds with flowers and oak trees. There were a few buildings that looked to be stables, more living spaces, and offices off to one side. On the other side was a densely rich forest. It took my breath away. This wasn’t a house; it was an expensive spa retreat.

  “So how many others live here?”

  “There are seven of us who live in the main house. Of course, Lars and I, then there’s Marguerite, Nic, Maya, Koke, and Alki. Goran, Lars' right hand, stays out with the rest of the security in the farthest building out there.” Rez pointed to one of the large, English-cottage-style, stone buildings.

  “So, where is everyone?” I asked. So far we hadn’t even bumped into Marguerite again.

  “Alki and Koke are probably out practicing in our training facilities, which is the building right there.” She pointed to another bungalow-looking house. “Nic is most likely sleeping, and Maya is probably working.” Rez turned back to face the house.

  “As you could probably tell, we are self-contained out here. We don’t like being dependent on ties to humans if we can help it. We have our own electricity and water.”

  The Dark Dweller’s compound had also been self-sufficient. It seemed to be a Fae characteristic. During my little jog through Olympia yesterday, I noticed most stores were open, generators were giving people electricity, and even some gas stations were open. Life in Olympia was slowly getting back to normal. Seattle was not as lucky.

  Rez lifted her hand, touching my arm gently. “I’m sorry. You are probably starving. I’ll have Marguerite fix you something. Since we are on our own power out here, we actually have satellite Internet and some TV. We can order you clothes and other personal items and have them delivered. I’m thinking pink is not really your color.” She winked.

  “That’s an understatement.” I grimaced down at my outfit. “But I don’t have any money.”

  She let out a musical laugh “Oh, you don’t need money here. Don’t you worry about it; Lars will take care of everything.”

  That is exactly what I am afraid of—someone else controlling me.

  EIGHTEEN

  Marguerite made me a deli-style sandwich bigger than my head. I knew I was already in love with the woman’s cooking on my first bite. Whatever she did that made it taste so good, I didn’t want to know.

  She was the type of woman who was stern, but full of love and affection. Rez was also easier to be around than I thought. She helped order clothes and personal stuff and even made sure it would be delivered overnight so I wouldn’t have to wait. Exhausted and with my tummy full, my lids drooped with heaviness.

  “Go take a nap.” Rez looked at me with concern written all over her face. I nodded and
found my way back upstairs. When I entered my room, the bed was made. I couldn’t help but look around to see if there was a twelve-inch woman hiding under my bed.

  Sleep came easily enough, but staying asleep was a different story. I woke myself up screaming. I couldn't escape the image of Ian’s cold, white face, blood spilling from his neck as his eyes, now black, looked emptily into mine. “Help me.” His lifeless hand reached out for mine. His hand then transformed into Kennedy’s as her fingers slipped out of my grasp. I woke up sobbing till I was so exhausted I slipped back into another restless sleep. Then the cycle repeated. I woke up screaming over and over.

  When I roused once more calling out Kennedy’s name, I decided I could no longer lie there caught in that repetitive hell. Carting myself out of bed, I slipped into the hallway. The corridor was dark, but light and voices flittered up from downstairs. Slinking down the steps, keeping close to the wall, I tried to overhear what was being said.

  “Do we have a spy in our midst?” A sultry voice spoke behind me making me jump “Let me know if you learn Marguerite’s secret chicken molé recipe. Now there's something I’d kill for.”

  I gripped my chest, twirled around and almost forgot how to breathe. A Spanish god stood on the step above me, smiling down. His smoldering, dark eyes and shoulder-length, silky, brown hair seemed to glint in the dim light. He was built like a gladiator and was probably a walking fantasy of every woman, and many men, on the planet. My mouth kept falling open, no words forming on my lips.

  A smile broke over his face. “You must be Ember.”

  I continued to stand there and gawk.

  “I’m Nic by the way.” He reached out for my hand. When my brain finally caught up with his words, I put my hand in his. He kept his eyes on me as he leaned over and kissed my hand.

  Did I just step into some romance novel?

  Now that I understood a lot of Otherworlders’ physical appearances were based on what they needed from humans, looking at Nic, my brain instantly went to sex. I thought Eli was sexual, but this guy took the cake. Eli had many layers while Nic seemed to have only one—sex. It was a little unsettling.

  “Nice to meet you, Nic,” my voice choked out.

  “And you, Ember.” I could detect a slight Spanish accent. “Would you like to venture out of the shadows and come join us for dinner?” He held out his arm for me to take.

  Okay, he had to have taken a Romance Novel Studies course. I took his arm hesitantly, but as soon as we entered the brightly lit dining room, I dropped it. Four heads turned our way. I recognized Rez, but the rest of the faces were new.

  “Ember, so glad you could join us. I see Nic has already sought you out,” Rez said.

  “She was skulking on the stairs.” Nic tried to grab for a biscuit from the basket Marguerite was putting on the dining table.

  Marguerite slapped his hand away, “Usted muchacho travieso.” Setting the biscuits down, her tone was full of teasing warmth. Nic laughed and sat down in a chair across from mine. He did look like a naughty, mischievous boy. Marguerite scurried back to the kitchen and soon returned with another delicious smelling dish and then settled herself at the table next to Rez.

  “So now you know Nic, but I warn you, keep away from that one.” Rez pointed her fork at Nic.

  “What?” Nic exclaimed, not looking quite as shocked as he sounded. “All I did was politely escort her here, and I’m already getting attacked? So much for being a gentleman.”

  “Oh, you are so full of shit.” Rez rolled her eyes. A slight smirk hitched up on Nic’s lip. There was no doubt he agreed. “Off limits, Nic.” She now circled her fork around my head.

  “A challenge—the way I like it.”

  “Nic,” Rez’s voice went up in warning. “I am not kidding.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Nic rolled his eyes, reaching for a biscuit.

  “So Ember, this is Alki. He will be your main trainer and will teach you combat skills.” She pointed at a young, compact, muscular Asian man. He looked to be in his late twenties, but now I knew looks had nothing to do with actual age. His dark hair was cut close to his scalp. His almond-shaped eyes were so black you could not even see the pupils, and if his severe no-nonsense expression gave me an indication of his personality, I probably should roll into a ball and start crying now. He looked like a warrior. I could already feel the torture from his training. I was doomed.

  Immediately, I scolded myself. Remember who you are doing this for.

  “This is Koke and she will be training you in learning to manipulate objects with your mind.” She was also of Asian descent. She was stunning and tiny, but size meant nothing in the Fae world. She nodded back; her hawk-like, dark eyes watched me, picking up every detail.

  “And lastly, this is Maya. She will be helping with your earth powers.” Maya looked to be another no-nonsense housemate. She was tall, regal, beautiful, and extremely intimidating. Her expression was unsmiling and stern. She had eyes that, when they looked at you, made you feel she could see your most inner thoughts. She scared the bejesus out of me. My first thought when I saw her was of Madam Laveau, the famous Voodoo Priestess. Who knew, maybe she was one.

  “You’ve already met Nic.” Rez waved her hand in Nic’s direction.

  “I’ll be helping you with—”

  “Nic . . .” Rez cut him off, her eyebrow arching up with a non-verbalized threat. “You will be staying as far away from her as possible.” There was something about her tone that went beyond what seemed like normal concern. She didn’t know me so why was she so concerned for me? I could see from a mile away he was a player and I could take care of myself.

  “Nice to meet all of you,” I uttered.

  Other than everyone looking at me warily, the dinner went smoothly enough. I still felt tense and unsure of what I was doing here. They all had me baffled. This was not how people described Demons—sitting around the dinner table, talking and passing rolls to each other. It seemed surreal. Weren’t they supposed to be off terrorizing villages and killing people? They seemed so normal, well as normal as Demons and Unseelie could be. And where was Lars? Did he join in these family dinners?

  “So, is this how it is every night here?” I looked around the table, watching everyone eating the delicious meal Marguerite had made.

  “Not always, but Marguerite,” Rez nodded her head at Marguerite and smiled warmly at the woman, “likes us to eat as a family when we’re all here.” It was clear Lars was in charge, but when it came to the house, Marguerite and Rez ran the show. Rez represented the business part of the house, and Marguerite, the heart and soul. “For some of us our ‘jobs’ keep us away for a night or two a couple times each month; others, like Nic, go out most evenings, but his hours are late night.”

  I realized what would keep a siren away for a while, and I had a pretty good idea what would keep Nic out all night as well. I didn’t fully understand about the others but knew better now than to ask. I wasn’t at all sure I wanted to know anyway. Ignorance might be bliss in this case.

  After returning to my room, relief at being alone only lasted a few minutes. Ryan’s howls of anguish and Ian’s frightened face haunted me every time my lids closed. Staring at the ceiling, the minutes crawled by. The softness of the bed could not draw me into sleep. The nightmares of reality penetrated every dark corner. Desperate to talk to Torin, I tried over and over to contact him but with no results. I needed to know my friends were okay—that he would watch out for them.

  Hours passed and nothing. Sighing, I swung my legs over the bed and stood up. It was right then I felt the tug. It was so commanding and strong I couldn’t stop myself from plunging into it. My body fell to the floor, comatose.

  “Torin? Torin, where are you?” I yelled the moment my lids lifted. We were back in the forest where he usually pulled me. His favorite spot.

  “I am here,” he murmured behind me.

  I hopped up, turning to face him. “They have my friends, Torin. Samantha killed Ian. Are t
hey okay? You didn’t answer me. I tried to contact you.”

  “Calm down,” he soothed. “I know what has transpired. I was there with Her Majesty when your friends were brought in so I had to ignore your calls.”

  “My friends, Torin . . .” Emotion took charge of my mouth, words spilling out, spouting out the horrible truth again. “Lorcan took them. . . Samantha killed Ian . . . She killed him . . . .”

  His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his warm, strong body. “I know. I am so sorry,” he mumbled, kissing the top of my head.

  I tucked farther into him, seeking his solid, protective form. “I’ve lost everything. My friends, my family, my home. I can’t . . . Ian’s dead. Ken, Josh, Ryan, my dad . . .”

  “I know.” He held me tight.

  “I have to get them out. I can’t sit here. I have to get them out. They shouldn’t be there. I will trade myself.”

  “No.” Torin pulled away, his hands gripped tightly to my arms. “Ember, you cannot let her have you. She will only use you to kill more innocent people. She wants Earth back and will not stop until all humans are either dead or enslaved. If you give yourself over, you will not only destroy those people you love so much, but all those innocent human lives as well.” His deep blue eyes focused intently on mine. “Do you understand? You cannot give her what she wants. It will be even worse for your family. They will be the first she kills. You staying away is their only protection. Do you hear me?”

  My head fell forward, agony and defeat weighed heavily on my shoulders. I was so ready for people to stop using logic on me. Plus my deal with Lars kept me from acting on a foolish whim. Feeling helpless, I tucked my head back under his chin, seeking comfort.

  “Tell me you understand,” he pleaded.

  “I understand.”

  Torin pulled me into another tight hug, his lips like feathers against the top of my head. “Do not scare me like that. You cannot afford to act irrationally. When it is time, I will help you. Okay?”