“Kyle Ross.”
“Ross? As in the little brother of Mayra and Serena Ross?”
I nod. “Do you know them?”
He pats me on the back, hard. “My goodness, I never thought I’d get meet the Ross heir. It’s an honor.”
“Who are you?”
“The name’s Leo Coran. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“How about we hang out for a bit? You’re going to have to show me that combo.”
Leo and I spend hours together. He’s one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. He’s laid back, and by the way he talks, it’s obvious that he’s driven. I’m kind of envious. We run into Matthew and the others. Michael just glares at me, but the others are stoked about my win. Simone is especially proud, so much so that she tries to steal another bloody kiss from me, but Vivica shoos her away.
There’s a crowd surrounding the bar, which is full of high-end liquors and beer. “So, Kyle, do you drink?” Leo asks.
“No.”
“That’s cool, neither does my fiancé. Makes her a little crazy, so I’ve learned to make a pretty good shake.”
A group of guys wander over to the bar while Leo makes our drinks. In the center of them is the birthday girl. “Kyle! Please, excuse me,” Valene says, rushing over to me. She wraps her arms around my neck. I smell alcohol on her breath. “I’ve been hearing tales that you’re making a big impact on the partygoers. I’m happy you’re having a good time.”
“Yeah, but I’ve had a little help,” I say, pointing at Leo.
He waves as he works on our drinks. Valene’s face instantly turns annoyed. “Why are you here, Leo?”
“What? Can’t I come and see my cousin on her birthday?” He passes me my drink.
“That’s nice and all, and I thank you for entertaining Kyle in my absence.” Her body tenses, and the air around us grows thick. “Now, if you don’t mind, leave.”
Leo puts his hands up. “Still sour, I see. It was five dytics ago, and I’ve said I’m sorry.” She glares at him. “Okay, I can take a hint. You take care, Kyle; this one has a short fuse.”
She growls a little. As he leaves, her whole demeanor relaxes, and I can breathe again. She turns to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just couldn’t breathe for a second.”
“I’m sorry. My anger can get away from me sometimes, and my energy tends to lash out,” she explains while caressing my face. “How about I make up for it by taking your breath away again?” She moves in for a kiss.
“Mistress,” Zel says, appearing next to us, “it is time to cut the cake.”
She slumps her head, still holding on to me. “Very well.” She looks at me. “We’ll pick this up later.” She gives me a little peck on the lips and leaves. Zel clanks a fork on a glass, grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Good evening, all you happy people! Are you having a great time?” Valene screams.
“Yeah!” the crowd answers. The attendees who’ve had a bit too much to drink slur and woot in response.
“Well, as you know, it is my seventeenth birthday, and when there’s a birthday, that means there must be?”
“CAKE!”
The doors to the kitchen open. A huge cake, two times the size of a wedding cake, is rolled out on a cart. “I hope everyone likes red velvet!” Valene snaps her fingers, and from within the cake, dark energy explodes, slicing it into squares. She grabs one and takes a bite. “Dig in!” she says with a mouth full. Everyone gets their piece, wishing her a happy birthday as they do.
I look for Leo, but I think he really did leave, so I find Vivica and the others and spend the rest of party with them. Not long after, the music dies down and the lights click on. Party’s over.
Everyone migrates toward the foyer and out the door. Lingering rays of evening sunshine beam through the open doors. “From dusk till dusk—now that’s the way to party,” someone says as they leave.
Wait, twenty-four hours have passed? How did I not notice that?
The last of the guests leaves, taking as much food as he can carry, leaving me, Matthew, and the others sitting around on the staircase.
“So, are you guys staying here?” I ask Matthew.
“No, we’re all visiting from the Underworld. We’re just waiting for Zel to open the doorway for us,” he explains.
“Underworld? As in Hell?”
Matthew chuckles. “No. Hell is a metaphor, but then again, it could be a real place. The Underworld is the demons’ home plane. It’s quite beautiful. Orange skies, huge forests with purple and blue leaves, open grasslands, the black sea, the dead plains, the capital, and the Divide.”
“It sounds amazing, but I’m sure it’s super dangerous.”
“Yeah, but where in existence is there truly a safe place?” I linger on his words. My chest gets heavy, and my eyes sting with tears at his words. “Kyle, are you okay? I didn’t say anything to offend you, did I?” Matthew places his hand on my shoulder.
I wipe my eyes. “No, you didn’t. It’s just that my mom used to say that our home was a safe place, until it wasn’t.”
“We feel for your lost.” He pats me on the back. “Just know that you’re safe with us, for the most part.”
I look him in the eyes, and they light up, along with the soft smile on his face. “It’s so weird to think you guys are demons. You’re so nice.”
He leans in a bit. “Kyle, my friend, let this be your first lesson in dealing with our kind. Demons are only favorable toward those they care for or have loyalties to. Otherwise, we couldn’t care less about your existence, unless you are food or entertainment.”
And just like that, I’m nervous again. “Gotcha.” He pats me on the back again.
Valene walks into the foyer with Zel trailing behind. “Okay everyone, Zel will be opening the gate for you now.” Zel bows, extending his arm to the door of the party room, now surrounded by a black, wooden border.
“What about him?” Michael asks with disgust.
She walks by him and stands next to me near the stairs. “Kyle will be staying for a little longer. I’m going to introduce him to my parents,” she says, patting me on the chest.
Everyone else nods approvingly, but Michael’s expression is sour.
“No, I cannot allow this worm—no, this pitiful human—to go before the honorable Kirs,” he says, visibly outraged.
Valene looks at Michael. “What did you just say?” she asks.
Matthew stands and walks up to his brother. “Michael, heed my words, you might just want to shut up.”
Michael pushes Matthew aside. “That human is not worth the air we are breathing, let alone that of your parents.”
Wow, that’s kind of harsh, but I don’t take it personally. I’m pretty sure he’s just digging himself deeper into a hole. I look at Valene; her eyes are focused on Michael, still confused but clearly livid. Vivica, Amber, and Simone all move away from him.
What?” he asks, as he looks to them, taking his eyes off Valene.
In a burst of wind, she vanishes from her spot next to me and appears behind Michael. As he turns around, Valene drives her fist deep into his stomach. He topples over, gasping. She then grabs his neck and lifts him off the ground just as easily as she lifted her brother, Jason. “You dare speak ill of the Ross family heir in my home, in my presence?” she asks, her voice sharp and cold.
“Ross?” Michael rasps, trying to escape her grip.
Matthew steps next to Valene. “Yes, brother, our friend Kyle here is the Ross family heir. Weren’t you listening when she told us about him a few days ago?” he asks, not even a tad bit concerned. Michael looks around. It’s apparent he wasn’t, but my question is: How does everyone seem to know of my family? I see the muscles in Valene’s arm grow tense, along with her grip on poor Michael’s neck.
What is she about to do?
“Kill him,” Vivica says in my mind.
I look at Vivica, who is standing next to Amber, a few feet away
. Why?
“In the demon world, to disrespect the name of a family member or ally in such an abhorrent fashion is punishable by death if the offended sees fit.”
What?! I have to stop this.
She walks up to me, placing her delicate but firm hands on my shoulders. “Stop. When she’s like this, she could kill you unintentionally, without even noticing.”
I take Vivica’s hands and look her in the eyes. She looks at my hands, realizing that I’m shaking. “I can’t handle seeing someone die right now.”
I step around Vivica and a cut appears across my face. This must be a product of Valene’s energy lashing out. The life begins to leave Michael’s eyes. Crap. Rushing forward, more cuts appear on my skin, and my body grows heavy. I place my hand on Valene’s arm and a cut appears on my hand, so deep that I see bone. I yank my hand away from her.
“Valene, that’s enough!” She doesn’t even acknowledge me. The air grows hot, and it feels as though I’m breathing in needles. “Valene, put him down.” I try again. A weight hits me, driving me to my knees. The taste of blood is heavy in my mouth as everything starts to hurt. I grab her pant leg with my good hand. My vision blurs, as tears stream down my face. “Valene!” I struggle to say.
“Stop, Valene, you’re killing him!” Vivica screams.
“That’s the point,” Valene says, her voice different now, monstrous.
“Not Michael. Kyle! You’re killing Kyle!”
Valene looks over her shoulder at Vivica, then down to me with black eyes as I hold on to her leg. It takes a moment for recognition to kick in, but when it clicks, her face shifts from anger to dread as she looks at me. She drops Michael. “Kyle! Are you okay?” she asks, kneeling before me. The air lightens.
“Why? Why would you try and stop her?” Michael asks in a rasp.
I try to say something, but only blood comes from my mouth. I look to Vivica while I try to regain my bearings. Go ahead.
“Because a life is more important than a few harsh words,” Vivica explains for me. I see disapproval in Valene’s blackened eyes.
Michael stands, holding his neck, and bows. “Kyle, I am sorry. Please forgive my rude and foul words and behavior.”
With my good hand, I point to Valene. “It’s cool, but it’s her that you should apologize to.”
He turns to her. “Please, please forgive me, Valene.”
Her gaze is full of disgust as she glares at him. “Get out of my sight before I change my mind about letting you live.”
Michael bows before walking over to Zel, who has opened the doorway already. He steps through into darkness and vanishes. Matthew walks over to me and Valene. “You okay, girly?”
“Matthew, I really don’t want to see your face right now. Please go, and leave Kyle and me alone.”
“I understand. Kyle, you just saved my brother—the other half of me—at the risk of your own life. We are forever in your debt.”
Vivica walks up and takes his arm. “See you later, Kyle.” She leads Matthew through the gateway.
Simone and Amber walk by us. Simone runs her finger across the cut on my face. “A taste for the road.” She licks her finger and shivers. “See you again soon, Sugar Lump.” They both walk through the gateway, and the doors shut behind them.
I look up to Valene. She stares at me with those cold, black eyes for a moment, then the black melts away to gold. “Crazy fool,” she says.
I try to say something, but again, all that comes out is blood. The world spins as I fall to the ground.
I snap awake to Valene holding a cold compress to my forehead. “What’s going on? What happened?”
“You passed out from blood loss and damaged lungs,” she explains.
“Damaged lungs? How? And how am I alive?”
“Energy can be used as a weapon in a battle. It’s heavy and invasive, and can take a major toll on the body, inside and out—especially if the enemy is unknowing.” She strokes my face. “And Zel fixed you up. Ever since Father gave him that philosopher’s stone, he has been on a heal-everything-and-everyone kick.”
I feel like Shadow mentioned something like that, but that isn’t what he did. Man, third time I’ve almost died since I woke up from my extended nap. Hopefully this doesn’t become a habit. I get to my feet with a little help from Valene and look at her. What have I gotten myself into? “So, what now?”
“Well, we’re going to meet my parents. I must warn you, though, they’re a bit over the top.”
I look at her, a little worried. “More than you?”
“Don’t worry, Hero, you won’t nearly die visiting them. At least I don’t think so.”
“That’s very reassuring. Did you just call me ‘Hero?’”
She smiles and drags me around to a door to the side of the stairs.
Meeting human parents is scary enough, but demon parents? Please let this go well.
She leads me down a corridor made of wood and stone, lit by white LED lights that hang on the walls like torches. We pass a dozen or so doors until we hit a dead end. “There’s nothing here, just a wall.”
She laughs. “Only to the human eye. Can you see the truth of things?”
“Umm, what?”
She walks up to me, placing her forehead to mine. “Close your eyes.” As I do, a surge of energy radiates from her into me. “Okay, open them.” Opening my eyes, I see a dense, golden mist coming from Valene.
I remember this feeling; I felt it when I was at the hospital. “This is the dark sight.”
“Correct. Now look at the wall.” On the wall now is a door, drifting and twisting like smoke. Moving in to touch the knob, Valene takes my hand. “Don’t touch it. There’s a barrier around it. Only those with a key may enter.” She takes my hand and grabs the knob. With a popping sound, the door begins to implode. It’s sucked off its hinges and inward into a swirling purple portal. “Come on, Hero.” I hesitate. Valene smiles. “It’s okay, just hang on to me,” she says, gripping my hand. We move into the portal until I can’t see anything but this swirling space.
It’s really disorienting. My senses are all over the place, trying to pinpoint the direction we’re moving in. Moving left feels like moving forward; moving right feels like moving down. I can still feel Valene’s hand and grip it.
“The space in this corridor is distorted to disorient any unwanted visitors.”
Her voice catches me by surprise. “How did you know what I was thinking? Are you psychic like Vivica?”
“No. I can feel you trying to fix yourself. Just hang on, I won’t let you go.”
We keep moving until she comes to a sudden stop. I hear a pop, and a doorway of light appears in front of us. “This door doesn’t lead to another wacked-out space, does it?”
She snickers. “Only if you think my parents’ study is a wacked-out place.”
We walk through the door and enter a massive room. The light here is low, and the atmosphere is homey. There’s a second story that has tons of books lining the walls. Roots reach down from the ceiling, plucking books from the shelves and moving them to different areas. Clearly, this is no ordinary house. Behind us, the door shuts. I turn at the sound, but there’s nothing there, just a tapestry. In front of a huge fireplace on the opposite wall sit two Victorian-style chairs with high backs.
“Mother, I have someone for you to meet.”
A head pops up from behind the seat. “Hey, Sis,” Jason says with a suspicious smile.
“Jason? What are you doing in mother’s chair, and where is she?”
“I’m keeping it warm for her while she waits.”
“For what?” The impression I get from Valene is that she’s not afraid of anything, but all I hear in her voice as she asks about her mother is fear.
“You,” a voice says from behind us.
Valene spins around, pushing me out of the way, and faces the source. A hand blurs past my face and wraps around Valene’s neck. I make out what appears to be woman’s nearly invisible body, but I
’m sure what I’m looking at isn’t human. Her face looks like a mask, and all I can make out are her emerald-green eyes. She lifts Valene into the air with seemingly no effort and sets her eyes on Valene in slight confusion.
“Darling, I have never seen you this off guard. What could cause you to be so distracted?” She speaks with a thick, beautiful French accent. Valene eyes me while trying to break the creature’s grasp on her throat. Her attacker’s green eyes focus on me, and my heart skips a beat. “And you are?”
I can’t quite see her until she stands still, and with shifting smoke making up most of her body, that isn’t often. My mouth doesn’t work as I try to speak. I keep stuttering on the K.
“Ross, Mother. His name is Kyle Ross,” Jason answers for me.
Did he just say Mother?!
Mrs. Kir’s eyes grow wide with surprise, and she drops Valene. She starts toward me, vanishing from my sight. Suddenly, I feel her hands on my face as she comes into existence inches from me. “You have grown so much, chéri.” I jump back so hard it even startles even her. “What is the matter?”
“Your form, Mother, it frightens him,” Valene rasps, rubbing her throat.
“Ah yes, I did not think about it. A quick change is in order.” She stands tall, and the darkness melts away, revealing a human form. She’s just as beautiful as her voice. She stands about the same height as Valene—five-nine, I think—with skin the color of ebony, and has an acrobat’s physique—thin and powerful. Her hair is in braids that reach the middle of her back, and her face rivals those statues of African queens. “Now come here, mon chéri, and let me get a good look at you.” I eye Valene, who gives me the okay. I move closer to her mother. She wraps her arms around me, giving me the biggest hug. “By the Creator, it seems like it was only yesterday that I held you in my arms at the hospital.”
I push away from her, confused. “Wait, you know me?”
“Of course, I’m your—”
“Mother, he has been told nothing,” Valene interrupts.
“Hmm, I guess we need to talk to my husband then. He’ll want to explain everything. Come with me.” Mrs. Kir takes my hand, and we walk toward the fireplace with Valene and Jason following close behind. Mrs. Kir says something weird, and the fire goes out. From behind the smoke, another doorway appears. “Come,” she says, pulling at my hand. We walk through the doorway, and the flames roar back to life behind us.
Light of Darkness Page 20