The Lightest Dark (The Dark series Book 1)

by Sweet, Avery

  “I know. There’s more to the story. I’m not sure how informative it’s going to be, but this is what you wanted. I can only tell you what I know. I don’t have much more than that. Only Brett, or your mother could give you the whole story and we both know how that would go at the moment.”

  “Yeah I know. Keep going. I have a feeling we don’t have much time left.” I started to chew my lip as I went and sat next to him on the couch.

  He nodded, “So as I said, we were trying to get him off her when your mom did this thing with her hand and Brett let her go screaming and grabbing at his hand where she’d touched him. Then he said that she was a lying bitch and he should have left her with and I quote ‘That scum sucking dirt bag of a husband, Cyran.’ She ended up yelling back at him that he’s just as bad. That he may even be worse for what he wanted.

  “He got quiet then he started saying something in the other language again. Your mother got really pale and she starting saying he would never do that. That he would never get what he wanted then. He said try him. Your mom got really quiet after that.

  "Brett started to walk again, so we all started walking again. You could have cut the tension with a knife it was so thick between the two of them. Alex and I were flanking your mom. I think there were two, or three other people there, but I can’t remember who. Anyway, we started to go past this building that had some strange carvings and symbols. I found out later it was your mom calling in some kind of reinforcements.

  “We ended up at least another mile out before we saw some men heading our way. Brett suddenly started yelling at your mother. Something about how could she betray him after all he’d done for her and your mom said he did nothing but con her into a trap and he should burn in the hell he crawled out of. Then before any of us could so much as blink your mom was just… she was on the ground. It looked like she was sleeping, but I knew she wasn’t.”

  Dark’s eyes got distant like he was seeing everything again before he shook it off, taking a deep breath. He looked back at me, seeming to be grounding himself in this moment rather than the past. “Alex started to scream at Brett. He said he could believe that Brett would be so cold and some other things I can’t really remember. I couldn’t stop staring at your mom. When I finally had, it was to look up and see Alex with Brett by the throat and the other guys that were with us trying to pull him off. I ended up blacking out after that and I woke up with these wings and Cillian telling me that he was my brother along with a few other things, but that’s a story for never.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah.”

  We sat in silence for a few minutes, but I started to get a bit restless so I got up and walked over to my box of stuff. I grabbed out a bunch of scrap clothes and a few different things before heading over to the bag of clothing I’d created earlier. Dark had thrown them in the corner just off the stairs leading from the hall we’d been in earlier.

  In all honesty, I really only need something the size of a match to create a five story building, but I’d like to think I’m keeping some sort of balance by using at least half the volume of stuff to create what I’d like even if I don’t need to. After all, those extra atoms have to come from somewhere and while they may come from the air, I’d rather have it be created from something more solid.

  I took all of the things in my hand placing them on the floor and concentrated on creating a privacy screen. I may not be able to get clean, but I could at least change into some clean clothes. I only hoped that I was able to change before everyone showed up and we needed to head out. It would be just my luck that they show when I’m half naked.

  I’d gotten a clean shirt on and was one foot into a clean pair of shorts when Dark’s voice came from the other side of the screen. “Candy, what exactly are you doing?”

  I screamed, jumping into the air while simultaneously flinging the shorts off my foot, and knocking the privacy screen over into him then proceeded to fall and land on my butt. I sat there in a daze for a few seconds.

  "That went well." At the sound of his voice I looked over at Dark who had pieces of broken screen and wood scattered around him and on him with my shorts on his head looking as dazed as I felt. He looked around him then back at me, and we both burst out laughing. It felt like a sense of tension that had been there since he'd kidnapped me lifted.

  I had to wonder why.

  Maybe a part of me new something I didn't about what was going on. The part that had me dropping my guard and cracking jokes with him. That same part that had me making the walls in my secret room the same color as his eyes. The one that was also suddenly telling me to hurry and finish getting my clothes on.

  I stood up, grabbed the shorts off his head and started to get them on. I'd lost any sense of modesty the second I'd fallen, but I still blushed at the heated look he sent my way. I was going to have to try to keep that under control. It was okay to start to trust him somewhat, but I was not about to fall into bed with him… again. At least not anytime soon.

  Just as I'd gotten my shoes tied the room turned the color we were looking for. I stood up, a feeling of apprehension coming over me. This was a major thing. If I messed this up, my brother would be the one to suffer the consequences. I wasn’t sure I could handle that, but I was going to try for his sake if not for mine.

  Dark took one look at me and shook his head. "Not the time to doubt yourself Candy. We get up there don't think, just do. You have instincts. Use them." He didn’t even give me a chance to respond before he was walking up the stairs expecting me to follow.

  I did, falling in a step behind trying to keep my stomach out of my throat. “Dark hold on. There isn’t an actual door there. It’s just a wall.” I stepped around him on the stairs careful not to brush any body parts against him. All I needed right now was another distraction. I’d probably lose what little thought I had left that wasn’t concentrated on not hurling.

  I transmuted the wall and we step into my closet. It takes a second for Dark to adjust but he does. After that we wait for him to here their voices start to head to the kitchen. "Candy, are you able to make it so we have a secret passage to the kitchen like you made those underground tunnels?"

  I started to think about it. In seconds the walls were shifting and we had a straight shot to the kitchen without being seen. I stood staring at it in awe. It seems the more I practice this ability, the easier it came to me, but that was a bit unreal.

  I hadn’t been concentrated on creating the path. I’d only been focused on the thought of what it would look like. Normally I would have needed not only that, but a basic knowledge of the composition of what it is I'm trying to change, like I've said before.

  Now, it seems I don't even need that much, or it could be this was a one-time deal because I was seriously stressing out. Either way I was grateful.

  I'd have to be careful with that in the future. I don't want to start changing things randomly with a simple thought, unless it's an actual idea and not just a thought. It could end badly. Kind of like quicksand. Before I know it I'll be half way down with no way out to speak of.

  “Good thinking, Dark. That’ll make getting him out of here a bit easier. Although, we’re going to have to be seriously quiet when we get near the kitchen. It’s not sound proof and Tristan can hear a pin drop in a crowded room. From what you told me earlier, I’m guessing Brett is no slouch either.”

  He gave me a look. “If that’s the case, it might be better if you let me carry you, or at least piggyback you. No offense, but you can’t be quiet to save your own life, let alone Ryan’s.”

  I thought about protesting, but figured there was no point. He was right even if I wished he wasn’t. “Fine. Piggyback’s okay. At least that way I don’t feel like I’m being manhandled.”

  He leaned down for me and I hopped up, my arms around his neck and legs wrapped and locked around his waist as he started to walk. “Why exactly do you hate being carried so much? Most girls love this kind of thing. Not that I go around doing this
with just anyone, but still. Do you actually have a reason, or is this just one of your odd quirks?”

  I sighed. “I don’t like the feeling. My equilibrium goes all wonky when I’m being picked up and I’d really rather have my feet on the ground than have to rely on someone else’s sense of balance.”

  “So basically it’s a control thing?”

  I thought about it. That was kind of a trick question for me right now. “Yeah kind of. Although, if I'm being honest, I haven’t felt it as strongly with you. Just don’t let it go to your head.”

  “Don’t worry. I will most definitely let it go to both heads, just not at the moment, because it might be awkward when they hear your screams through the walls.”

  You could have seen the blush on my face from space had we been outside. “Cut it out. You’re not allowed to tell dirty jokes Dark.”

  “Why not?”

  I hopped off his back. “Seriously?” he turned to face me and I could see that he had been entirely serious. “Dark, you’re not my boyfriend anymore. You’re not even my friend to the point where it’s cute to make me blush. Not even twenty-four hours ago you kidnapped me and while I may not be running and screaming my head off at the first chance I get, I still have a strong enough grip on reality to know to be wary of you now. I may have known you then, but I don’t know you from yesterday. I still really have no logical reason to trust you let alone joke with you.”

  “So why do you?” now it was my turn to be confused.

  “Why do I what?”

  “You said you have no logical reason to trust me. That would imply that you do in fact trust me. Why?” I shouldn’t have yelled in anger. The truth always has a way of weaseling out into the open. I said it myself earlier. Never speak in anger. I should take my own advice.

  I shook my head, now angrier at myself than him. “I don’t know. I really do have absolutely no reason to trust you accept that something in my gut is telling me I don’t know the entirety of what’s going on and I should trust you because despite all things that point to the contrary, you’re not going to hurt me. Could you tell me why I feel like that?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  After my comment he looked torn between euphoric and devastated which confused the heck out of me, but I guess it made sense to him. “Yes. I promise I’ll tell you what’s going on, but I can’t yet.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. Something told me there was a lot that I was going to have to find out and quick if I wanted to keep my sanity. “Can’t or won’t?”

  He grimaced, “Can’t. I really can’t right now, or there will be some serious ramifications. Not just for me either.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I can live with that. For now, I’m going to put my faith in you and hope that it doesn’t bite me in the butt later. You had better not betray me. I’ll turn you into a sombrero and burn you alive.” With that I was jumping up and being piggybacked again.

  “You would not.” He mumbled as he started walking and shook his head as if trying to convince himself. He was right, but I didn’t have to let him know that.

  I smirked, leaning over to his ear careful to keep my voice whisper soft as we got closer to the kitchen, “Betrayal can make a girl do some crazy things Dark. You sure you want to test that theory?”

  I felt him shiver and I had to suppress a laugh. “No, I don’t think I do. Although there are a few other things I’d like to test.”

  “Never again in this lifetime Dark. While I’m sure it would be fun, I’m inclined to think I might hate myself afterwards.”

  “That’s too bad.” He gently placed me on my feet. “I know you can’t hear them so what am I listening for exactly?” I thought back on the vision, trying to shake other thoughts out of my head.

  “Brett had just said something about being sorry it came to this and then he told Tristan ‘you know what to do.’ He left after that and Tristan…” I trailed off. I just couldn’t bring myself to say it. It might jinx us. That was the last thing I wanted at the moment.

  “Okay. That’s all I need.” He surprised me by pulling me into another hug. “I know how much Ryan means to you. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you both get out of this unscathed. I swear it to you.” As the words left his mouth a strange warmth spread over my left shoulder blade again.

  I remembered the same sensation earlier, but before I could ask what it meant, Dark was through the wall and pulling me with him. I mean he literally went crashing through the wall. He shielded me from all the flying debris as he did, but it didn’t take away from the surprise of it.

  He released me, but I had a feeling it was with a bit of reluctance. “Dark was that necessary?” He smirked which gave me all the answer I needed. I shook my head and turned toward the room. Tristan and Ryan both stood frozen in shock, while Brett had come back into the room, a look of a surprise shifting to a sneer as he saw us.

  I could hear Dark’s wings rustling in agitation, “Never underestimate the power of an entrance. Especially a big one.”

  Ryan was the first to recover, running over and picking me up in a bear hug. “Oh man! I’m so happy you’re not dead.”

  I laughed and hugged him back. “I love you too, bro.” He put me down and I was suddenly reminded of who else was in the room. I looked back at Dark for guidance hoping he’d understand without words.

  As far as I was concerned he could take the lead. I had absolutely no experience with this kind of thing and I wasn’t really sure what to do at this point. Now that Ryan was safe, it was finally hitting me that I was betrayed by two people I should have been able to count on.

  One, my best friend of the last seven years and the other, the supposed head of council that should have been looking out for the best interest of everyone in the compound. It seems they both had their own agenda and no one was privy to it but them.

  I guess Dark understood what I was trying to project because one moment he was standing behind me arms crossed wings unfurled looking intimidating, the next he was in front of Ryan and I, blocking us from view and taking charge of the situation.

  He subtly nodded in the direction of the giant hole behind us. I was assuming he meant get the heck out of dodge, but I could be wrong. Still I needed no more prompting than that. I pushed Ryan through the opening and took off after him. “What’s going on? Isn’t that the same demon who took you?”

  “Dark’s not a demon.” I thought about that statement and realized I didn’t know that for a fact. I just knew he was at least half fae. I should probably ask him about that once all this crazy was over with. “At least I don’t think he is. Look, all I know is he’s helping us right now. We have to get to my safe room. The others should have gotten there by now. I have no idea what the heck is going on back there, but I have a feeling Dark is going to need a lot more help than I can give him.”

  The way back felt a lot quicker than getting there had been, but it felt longer at the same time. I think that’s the way things go sometimes when you’re worried. I started down the stairs having to pull Ryan along seeing as he was in awe of the room hidden underneath mine. Just as I’d predicted, Cillian and the rest of the ten men had made it to my room.

  Unfortunately, they were all having the same problem as my brother Ryan, not to mention Dark’s similar reaction earlier. Maybe there was something I was missing, but I didn’t understand the fascination of it outside of the obvious. I know it’s not every day you see a room made of amethyst. Still, it wasn’t fascinating to the point of forgetting what I was doing beforehand.

  Then again, Dark had said something about being able to feel me inside the walls. Maybe that was it? It was the only thing that made any kind of sense to me anyway. Maybe I should ask?

  In any case, I left my brother to wander and went to Cillian who was touching the walls with a look of wonderment. “Cillian, what the heck is going on? You’re all looking and touching the walls as if they were created by a mythical creature. I knew they’d cause a f
ew heads to turn, but I didn’t think they would turn everyone into mindless drones.”

  He shook his head and turned to me. “You’re correct. We look at these walls as if they were created by a mythical creature because they were. At least our version of one. This skill is one that the ancients have. It should not be possible for one so young. The fact that you have done something that requires centuries of practice is truly a wonder. We are all in awe of you."

  “Excuse me?” I shook my head, “Never mind, tell me later. I’m pretty sure that Dark is going to need some help up there. If not to save him, then to at least pull him off Tristan, or Brett before someone gets killed.”

  Cillian’s eyes widened. “Men! Assemble!” I took off up the stairs and headed back up to the kitchen while they did that. I wasn’t sure what I could do, but I didn’t feel right leaving Dark by himself in there. That just spelled all kinds of bad to me.

  I was about to turn the corner to enter the kitchen, but that annoying voice in my head told me to stay put and listen, so I did. Dark’s voice carried to me. “You think she’s yours. Like she’s some trophy that you can just take and display on your mantle for all to see. It doesn’t work that way.”

  “Why? Because you say so? I think that's exactly how this works.”

  “We’ll agree to disagree.” There was a pause and then, “And how did he fit in all these grand plans? Wasn’t he in charge, or was that just a smokescreen?”

  “Ah yes. Brett here may have thought he was in charge of this, but he was just a means to an end and he's reached his. He was an easy way for me to achieve what I’ve wanted since the day I laid eyes on her and as much fun as it would have been to see how far I could push, he thought he could have her. I couldn't allow it. So regardless of what you say and what you might think, she is still mine and I will have her. Her cooperation is wanted, but unnecessary.”