The Lightest Dark (The Dark series Book 1)

by Sweet, Avery

  “So I have to ask before this last trap just in case. How strong are you?”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I mean; this last trap is a giant rolling ball that takes out everything in its path. If I’m not able to do what I want, which I doubt will happen, but still. If it does, are you going to be able to stop it from trampling us because there is no way in hell that I can.”

  “I’ll be able to stop it.”

  I sighed. “I’m both happy and disappointed. It seems that everyone, but me has that ability.” Well, and Ryan, but I think I remember Mom saying he’d get that ability at around my age. Not fair.

  He chuckled. “That’s because you’re a female. Your strength isn’t meant to be physical. The men of our race are said to have physical strength so that they’re able to protect the women and children from bodily harm while the women nurture and protect the soul. That’s how it’s always been, although there have been a few females who gained that ability on rare occasions.”

  “That’s stupid.” I grumbled and he laughed at me again. I was starting to get irritated, but then I always had at this subject and he knew it. I didn’t like being the only kid in the sandbox with a shovel, but no pail. If I had it my way, I'd have both plus my own sandbox so no one could bother me while I built my sand empire. Sadly, life doesn't work like that. At least not when you play fairly anyway.

  “Quit your pouting and look at it this way. Let say- hypothetically of course- that you’re pregnant and someone, or something is after you. Would you want to have to protect not just yourself and your unborn child, but everyone around you, or would you rather be able to rest and keep yourself safe for the child while your mate protects you and anyone else in danger?”

  “That’s a stupid example.” I'm sure I was still pouting, because he looked about ready to burst out laughing.

  “Why?”

  “Because it makes me feel like my anger at being left out is petty and unwarranted. I don’t like it. Let me hold on to my unrealistic expectations of egalitarianism. I’m still young enough that I won't be in that kind of situation, so I’m allowed and I’m taking full advantage. Besides what if my mate gets knocked out? Who’d protect me then?”

  He laughed again. “You really haven’t changed all that much, have you?”

  “No, but you have.” It wasn’t meant as a jab, and thankfully he didn’t take it that way.

  “I did, but not as much as you think. I’m not the monster that the Council would have you believe. In fact, being outside the compound, I’ve learned a lot of what they fed us was lies.”

  I sighed, looking at my arm that now had what I was always told were the marks of a demon. I was pretty sure now that that wasn’t the case. “Yeah, I’m starting to get that. I always knew that some of the crud that they told us was bunk, but this goes way beyond what I imagined.” Instead of dwelling and getting upset, I set my mind back to the task at hand. “Is there anything we need at the moment, or maybe for later? Clothes, food, a year supply of funny hats?”

  “What?”

  I rolled my eyes, “Just answer the question.”

  “There’s nothing I can think of off the top of my head right now.”

  “A wardrobe for me it is then.” He gave me a confused look as I hit the stone that would activate the huge ball and ultimately reveal the power that I’d been hiding for the better part of a decade. In all honesty I was more relieved than upset about it.

  I concentrated, waiting until it was three feet from us before changing it. Now instead of a giant ball set out to squish us, there was a duffle bag filled with the clothing I’d always wanted, but was never able to have because it was too flashy to have been found or made at the compound, or found in one of the preserved buildings.

  “The wall was you!” He sounded accusatory and as hard as he’d hit that wall I couldn’t blame him.

  Still, I couldn’t help but say, “In my defense, I didn’t know what the hell you were. I couldn’t see you and as far as my knowledge goes, only fallen and seekers have wings like yours.” He picked up the bag before I could grab it and we were on our way again. I shook my head, “I can’t believe that was only last night.”

  “Yeah, it’s amazing how fast things can change.”

  “Speaking of last night, I have a strange question.”

  “Ask away, although, I reserve the right to refuse to answer.” I smiled at my words being thrown back at me.

  “Fair enough. Last night while you were trying to breaking through the gate, I had a really weird reaction and I want to know if that was because of you, or was it just a coincidence.” I thought about all that had happened that night. “Or maybe, considering recent events, it may have been Tristan for some unknown reason, but still I’d like to figure out what the hell happened to me in those few moments.”

  “Okay. What exactly happened to you?”

  Before I could answer we were at the cavern I’d created and I was running down the second set of stairs and across the room to hit the switch. Thankfully I’d made it just in time.

  I gave him a minute to take it all in before answering. “So, in all honesty, I’m not exactly sure what the hell happened to me. One minute I was okay and the next I’m blacking out and I have a feeling like I’m swimming through fog, trapped in my own mind. I've never felt, nor heard of anyone feeling like that. I thought maybe you might have.”

  He stood studying the walls while he answered, “I think it was a reaction to my echo. It’s a very rare reaction that sometimes happens to younger Fae who are almost in their growth stage.” his voice sounded slightly distracted, but at least he was answering me.

  Not that I understood the answer, but still. Something was better than nothing at this point. At least I knew there was an explanation and I hadn’t had a mental episode, or something of the like.

  Honestly, the way things had been going I wouldn't have been surprised. Good to know I hadn't completely lost it. It really is the little things we should be grateful for.

  Seeing as how he didn't look like he was going to be moving away from my walls anytime soon, I settled myself in to wait.

  Chapter Twelve

  I watched him for another few minutes and started to get impatient. “Okay, Dark. I get that my walls are made up entirely of amethyst, but it’s not that fascinating. Stop fixating on it.”

  He shook himself seeming to wake up from whatever self-induced trance he’d been in. “Sorry. I just… it’s kind of incredible. I can literally feel your influence in every single thing here, the walls especially. It’s kind of intoxicating. I get why you hid this. From what I remember the last one with an ability similar to this in the compound ended up being killed because she refused to submit to all the demands of the people.”

  “Not quite, but that’s close to what happened. It’s my understanding that she eventually ended up trying to transmute time itself and she got stuck between dimensions because she didn’t comprehend enough about what she was trying to do.”

  “What do you mean? And how would you even know that story was true? It could be a lie just like half the other nonsense they tried to preach to us.”

  “I mean that’s how this ability works. For me at least. That and I didn't read that in a normal book. I found it in this hidden alcove."

  "Really?"

  "Yep. From what I’ve read there have been a few who didn’t even need to know what something was made from. They just had to think it, but as long as I have a basic knowledge of what it is that I’m trying to change, I can change anything.”

  “Anything? People too?”

  I nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly. “Anything. Before you ask, yes. I tried it. Small stuff like my hair and nails, but there was an incident when I was thirteen."

  "Would I know about it?"

  "Depends on your memory of the compound. I accidentally gave Chloe Romero a Pinocchio noise. That was kind of a disaster, and I couldn’t even own up to it." I shrugged. "On the plus side s
he did stop lying about me.”

  Recognition lit up his face. “I do remember that. She kept saying that you and Ryan were…” he trailed off, probably realizing what he was about to say.

  “She kept saying that we were half demon freaks from hell and that our father was Lucifer himself." My voice was monotone, but it the incident still made me a tad irritated.

  "Yeah. That."

  "I came to terms with all that name calling and nitpicking years ago. It was the fact that she was talking about Ryan that sent me over the edge. Up to that point no one ever said anything about him. At least not to me.”

  “No. The guys took him into the fold early. He was fun. I think that was the only time anyone ever called him a name. Then with how you ended up punching Chloe and her nose started that whole growing thing the week after that, I think anyone who even thought of it was too afraid of what you might do. That’s not even mentioning the fact that you and Tristan were practically surgically glued to each other.”

  I rolled my eyes, “That’s not true.” He gave me a look, and I had to concede. “Okay, so it was sort of true, but in my defense I had a seriously hard time trusting people enough to make friends. I still do, but I’ve at least learned a bit about etiquette and small talk since then.”

  “Hey, it wasn’t such a bad thing. A lot of the guys all thought you were hot, but were too scared to approach you thinking that Tristan would eat them alive with the looks he used to give us. I think I was the only one crazy enough and that was because I kept catching you without him around.”

  I smiled, “Yeah he was starting training that year. It was like a breath of fresh air because he wasn’t around as much. He wanted to move up as fast as possible so he was always training. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, but he could be a bit much at times.”

  Dark was about to respond to that when the room started to glow a soft blue color. I stood up a little straighter while he looked around taking in the change. “Does that mean something, or does it just happen randomly?”

  “It means there’s a stranger in the house.”

  “Okay. So I take it there are other colors and meanings. I wondered why we were just standing around talking. What color are we waiting for?”

  “Well, I have a lot of different –for lack of a better word- settings. The color we’re going to be waiting for is a reddish- brown. Almost a maroon, but not quite.”

  “Why that color?”

  “Because it was Brett, Tristan, and Ryan in the house when it happened. When they’re in the house Ryan is Red, Tristan is Green and anyone else is blue. I can’t tell if it’s Brett. Something doesn’t feel right about this. The timing is off.”

  I looked around me lost in thought, taking in the room and making absolutely sure everything was the way I had left it. Not that I thought there would be anything out of place. It was more something to do to occupy my mind and keep me from storming up the stairs to see who the heck was here.

  There was a spiral staircase that lead to a secret entrance in my room just inside my closet. The walls of course, were the way they always were though they weren’t just amethyst. They also had ten-inch steel surrounding them and sealing out any water, or whatever else might come in. The small couch I’d made was in the far corner as usual.

  Next to that was the large box of random things I’d practice on. The floor was black onyx and I was kind of grateful that Dark hadn’t noticed that yet. It had always been his favorite stone and I was inclined to believe that was still true. Everything in here was exactly as it always was, but I still felt like something was off.

  I frowned and headed to the stairs. It had to be something about the person in the house. That was the only thing I could think of and I needed to find out what was so off about them.

  Dark cut me off before I could go up. I was about to protest, but he put a finger to his lips. I watch as he stood eyes closed listening to something I couldn’t hear. It felt like we stood that way forever when it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes.

  Dark finally opened his eyes and I couldn’t help but frown as I realized the walls around us were the same color as his eyes. When they weren't alerting to a presence that is.

  I shook it off realizing that he wasn’t smiling. In fact he looked about ready to punch something and I couldn’t help the instinctual reaction I had to back away. He noticed, but didn’t comment. I shook myself. If he was going to try and hurt me I’m pretty sure he would have done it by now. Instead I focused on the here and now. “What exactly did you hear up there?”

  “Someone in the room above us is going through your stuff. I think it might be a girl from the sound of her mumbling, but I don’t recognize the voice. She has some serious hate going on for you. Have you pissed anyone off lately?”

  I smiled at that, relieved that it wasn’t something unusual. I could deal with this all day long. In fact, I’m pretty sure I have on a few occasions. “Dark, the entire female populace in the compound hates me with the exception of Ava, but that’s because she’s on the council. This isn't anything new.”

  He looked at me, skepticism written all over him. “That’s ridiculous. It has to be an exaggeration. What reason do they have to hate you?”

  I laughed, but it wasn’t very humorous. “Whoever needed a reason to hate someone? Girls are crazy around this place. They all think that I’m with Tristan in a romantic way. The fact that he’s slept with almost every one of them hasn’t changed that opinion. If anything, it only reinforced it. That and a lot of them blame me for your death. Sierra in particular. If the girl up there said anything about me being a murderous she-demon, that’s probably her.”

  He was still frowning. “No, this girl called you a craven idle-headed malt worm.”

  I giggled. That had to be the best one they’d come up with yet. “That’s Shannon. She’s one of those girls who likes to pretend to be your best friend and talk about you behind your back. She took it personally when I told her that she was a bloodsucking leech and she needed to stop trying to latch onto me.”

  He looked like he was trying to hold in a laugh, but failed miserably. “And you’ve been sworn enemies ever since?”

  “No. I haven’t given her the time of day and it’s been driving her crazy. The fact that she’s here means they haven’t told everyone what happened with me. Not surprising given the fact that I know the compound suffered an actual demon attack this morning.”

  He smirked, “And you know that how?”

  “I had a vision the night before you took me. It was about a horde of gremil demons taking out the south wall. I tried to warn everyone at the Guardian meeting, but they said I hadn’t been with the Guardians’ long enough for them to act on a quote unquote hunch. Complete bull if you ask me, but that’s just my opinion.”

  He shook his head, a grim look on his face. “Ignorance and stupidity as the wolves lead them to slaughter. Sheep at their finest.”

  I nodded, “I bet everyone who didn’t listen is kicking themselves right now. I hope Alex is okay though. Even if he is in on this whole machination thing, he’s never been anything but kind to Ryan and me. He could have been a jerk like everyone else, but he wasn’t.”

  “Alex is still around? I thought for sure he would have dipped out too after what happened.”

  I shook my head, “Nope, he stuck around. He’s been giving Ryan the third degree after his pranks to the point it’s funny and he still has us over for Sunday dinner.” I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “Why do you think he would have left?”

  "Because he was there. He knows what really happened the day your mother was killed. In fact, I think he was the one who protested the loudest. He had Brett by the throat and it took three men to pull him off the last I saw of him."

  "So what exactly did happen to my mother? You said earlier it was the reason you ended up leaving, but you never told me what all went on that day."

  He shook his head and went to sit on the sofa. "I'm really not sure I s
hould tell you. I don't want you going off in a rage and doing something that you might regret later. We both need a clear head right now."

  "No, I think you should tell me now. With how up in the air everything is at this point, I may not have another chance to hear the truth."

  He studied me. I was hoping I looked determined because I really did want to know. "You're not going to budge on this, are you?"

  "No. She was my mother and I have the right to know what happened to her. Even If it was something as idiotic as a fight over a bread stick, I want to know."

  He nodded as if he was conceding to some heavy task, but I didn’t say as much. I just stood waiting for him to start. “You might want to sit for this. It’s not a long story, but it might be a bit shocking. Especially since they told you your mother was killed by scavenger demons.”

  I shook my head, “If I feel I need to sit, I will. Otherwise I think I’ll stay where I am if it’s all the same to you.”

  He shrugged. “Okay then. So I guess I’ll start at the beginning.”

  Chapter Twelve

  "As you know, we were going on the monthly supply run that day. I had been talking to your mom about something trivial when she told me that she was worried about you staying in the compound. You specifically, not Ryan. When I asked why she felt like that hadn't been elaborated at time, but she said she had to get you out. Said she’d been making plans to get all of you away from the compound, but she needed help.

  “I don’t really know how, but Brett overheard her. He wasn’t even supposed to be on the run, but Havarti had been sick to the point he could barely make it out of bed. He came up and they started arguing in another language. Next thing I know he takes your mother and slams her into a building screaming ‘I want what I was promised’ then Alex and I were trying to get him off her.”

  I shook my head, confused. “What the hell was he promised? That makes no sense.” Thinking on it, he always had been a little off. Now I guess I’m starting to find out why.