Dark Rising Trilogy

by DeAnna Browne

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Becca’s legs still ached from the five-mile run they took following that old pooch. The only solace she found was that Darion appeared to be just as winded. Leon and Alex trudged along like the soldiers they were without breathing hard.

  Just like Richard had said, the dog led them to a section of city wall lying in ruin. Ryma didn’t need a physical wall to keep his ward in place though. But for some reason, this section was void of magic.

  “Walk carefully,” Darion instructed. He pointed to bowls of salt and herbs. “Richard must have somehow provided a break in the circle. Not sure how.”

  Becca didn’t care about the “how” as long as they could get out of there. Once past the city limits, they continued at a fast pace and straight back to the jeep.

  Once they arrived, Leon slung his pack into the jeep and removed the camouflage, while Becca and Darion struggled for oxygen.

  “You guys should really get in shape,” Alex told them.

  “We’re not all allowed to play outside at the beach,” Darion replied.

  “It’s not playing,” Alex said.

  “If you guys want to wake early, you’re welcome to come on our morning run,” Leon offered before buckling up.

  Darion rolled his eyes and didn’t bother with an answer. With the high sun, this jog was hard for him too.

  Here was a time when Becca’s life depended on her physical condition, not her magical one. She shouldn’t have let herself relax lately. She never knew when she may need her fists. “I may take you up on that, Leon.”

  He looked back at her, as if checking to see if she was serious.

  “We don’t slow down for girls,” Alex said.

  Becca met his gaze. “I hope not.”

  “Good.” The engine roared to life, and Leon drove out of the hiding spot. “We have one more stop on the way back.” He tore through the forest before anyone could answer.

  Darion pulled out the paper he’d received from Richard. Worry creased his face.

  Becca held out her hand.

  He glanced at her, then back at the paper.

  “Come on. We knew it wouldn’t be that easy.” Becca spoke loudly, the wind tearing at the fabric roof. “We should both memorize it.”

  He nodded and handed over the spell.

  It was hard to decipher the handwriting, but she recognized some English and Latin. One word stood off the page: blood. It required a lot of human blood and a human sacrifice. Anger built up in her throat, tightening as she tried to swallow. She must not be reading this right. They didn’t get this far to find it impossible. Turning the spell over and over in her mind, she memorized the words.

  She handed it back and kept her gaze straight ahead. Becca always thought she’d do anything to save her sister, but now she wondered just how far she was really willing to go.

  Darion lowered his head and studied the spell.

  She didn’t want to think about what was on that piece of paper. Or what else lay between her and her sister.

  They traveled in silence for almost an hour before pulling off the highway again. They followed a dirt path for several miles to an old warehouse. Leon parked behind it.

  “What’s this place?” Becca asked.

  “Supplies for us from city dwellers,” Alex answered.

  Leon climbed out. “Come on. Also, don’t use magic in here.”

  Darion climbed out of the jeep. “Even defensive? How can they tell?”

  “Not sure. But they don’t want anything influencing the bartering process. If they think you’re using it, they’ll shoot. We will be fine if we stick together.”

  “Easy for you to say with a gun in your hand.” Becca shut the door behind her.

  Leon gave an exasperated sigh. “Just keep your questions and hands to yourself.”

  Living by herself in the city for years didn’t make her a complete idiot. She couldn’t take too much offense though. Leon treated everyone like an idiot.

  Inside the warehouse, long tables were laid out, holding a variety of goods from tools to cooking utensils. The only source of light were windows, or what used to be windows, lining the top of the walls, twenty feet or so above them. Light shined through the broken openings, throwing shadows across the room. With the tall ceilings and concrete floor, the chill bit through Becca’s jacket.

  Only a handful of people were scattered around the room. Most of them kept to themselves. Leon and Alex picked up several items, like cooking and medical supplies.

  A couple of guys brushed past them, knocking into Becca’s shoulder.

  “Hey,” Becca hollered.

  The guys kept walking, ignoring her.

  “You okay?” Darion asked.

  “It was nothing,” Becca mumbled.

  Leon turned and glared.

  “I kept my hands to myself.” She raised her hands innocently.

  Leon turned and said something too low to hear. At the checkout, Leon bargained on a couple of items while the others stood nearby quietly. Becca turned partly to scan the room. Alex set down the jug of gas he had been carrying.

  Those same guys who knocked into her approached. There were only two of them, both tall and thin with greasy hair. She avoided their gazes, not wanting to put up with Leon’s crap the whole way back if she got in a fight.

  “So you think we can do it? Maybe with animals?” She aimed her question at Darion, referring to the spell.

  “We need to talk to Andre. He’ll know more—”

  Alex shoved Darion aside, knocking him into Becca. A shots echoed in the air, accompanied by shouting. By the time Becca had her feet under her, Alex had his gun pointed at the two men from earlier. They lay on the concrete floor, blood seeping underneath them.

  Darion pushed her forward. “Move!”

  Crouching low, she rushed out of the building, Darion’s hand on her back. Alex followed them to the jeep, gas container in hand.

  “Is Leon okay?” Becca asked. Why wasn’t he coming out? “When people start shooting, it’s usually a good time to go.”

  “They were shooting at you, not him. Get in the jeep. He’ll be here soon.”

  Alex opened the gas container, and Becca crawled into the back. Darion sucked in a sharp breath as he followed her into the back seat.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked as she scanned his body for injury.

  There on his side, blood seeped through his shirt.

  “Darion!”

  “Easy, Bec.” He carefully lowered himself on the seat.

  “Alex, he’s been shot.”

  Alex didn’t seem surprised as he dumped the gas in the jeep. “First aid kit under the seat.”

  “It only skimmed my side.” Darion tried to be reassuring, but his pale complexion and short breaths told a different story.

  She ripped open the first aid kit. “How do you know?”

  “I can sense metal, usually to heat it up or destroy it. There’s nothing in me.”

  “Now you’re a doctor? Who’s to say it didn’t go clean through?” It was easier for her to be mad than let the panic set in.

  Darion grabbed her hand, and a warmth of magic flowed into her. “I’m okay, Becca. I promise.”

  She pressed a heavy bandage onto his stomach to stop the bleeding.

  He winced. “Would I still have my magic if I was dying?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” Her nerves were too on edge to think straight.

  “Guess someone’s been passing out wanted posters or something. We should feel flattered we’re famous.”

  “Yeah, flattered.” She placed another layer of gauze on the wound and taped it in place.

  Leon and Alex climbed into the front seats without a word. They were out of sight of the warehouse in mere seconds.

  “You alive back there?” Alex asked.

  “Yeah. I’ll survive.” Darion’s face whitened as the side of the jeep jerked and bounced.

  “Can you take it easy on the roads?” Becca ask
ed.

  Leon didn’t take his eyes off the road in front of him and kept his foot firmly pressed to the floor. “No.”

  Alex searched the road behind them. “If we slow up, we’re more of a target. And the sooner we’re back, the better your boy will do.”

  A feeling of total uselessness attacked Becca, then she thought of the one thing she could give him. Leaning back against the seat, she covered Darion’s free hand on the seat with her palm. She briefly closed her eyes and spoke the spell to combine their magic. She wanted to give him whatever he needed. He couldn’t heal with her magic, but maybe she could ease his pain.

  It reminded her of the first time they’d tried it back at the cabin when he was training her. At the time, she didn’t know then how rare and special it was. She hadn’t seen any other magicians do it since. Probably because it opened a person up and lowered all their defensive magic. But now, Becca couldn’t imagine not doing it. She felt the part of him that was free of the complications of the past.

  “Thanks.” His shoulders relaxed slightly, and he eased back into the seat.

  The moon shone bright through the trees as they maneuvered their way back. She watched Darion drift in and out of sleep, his head now on her lap. The bleeding looked like it had slowed, but it was hard to tell without light. Keeping her hand on his shoulder, she prayed. Her parents were religious, but that didn’t work out too great for them or her. She wasn’t sure what she believed. But if there was a chance in heaven or hell that something could help Darion, she would try.

  Somehow, Leon managed to maneuver through the dense trees in the dark as he parked the car. “Alex, finish storing the car. I’ll take Darion in.”

  “Sure thing, boss.”

  They carefully maneuvered Darion out of the car. His quiet compliance worried her.

  “Think you can walk?” Leon kept an arm around Darion and didn’t give him a chance to answer. Leon carried most of his weight while Becca helped carefully with his injured side.

  Darion winced slightly.

  “Sorry.” Becca tried to adjust her hold.

  “No sorrys,” Darion told her as they started forward.

  Leon tried to keep a fast pace, but they had to maneuver around shrubs, trees, and fallen debris. They found the trail quickly. Thankfully, the ocean was already at low tide, the ground damp underfoot. Only two fit on the trail, so Leon helped him down, while Becca brought up the rear.

  She peered into the darkness, listening for anything out of the ordinary. They hiked down carefully. She cringed with every sound that escaped Darion’s lips. There weren’t many, but there were enough. Soon, Alex caught up and continued ahead so Doc would be ready for them.

  Darion’s breath came in short gasps. She touched his neck to feel his magic. He was weaker than she’d ever felt him.

  “Just tired,” Darion said as if reading her thoughts.

  She wanted to believe him, but the tightness in her chest wouldn’t relax until she spoke to Doc. Ignoring her panicked thoughts, she kept moving. They squeezed through the dark caves and headed straight for the medical unit.

  “Doc knows what he’s doing,” Leon told them as they approached the medical unit. “He’s stitched me up plenty of times.”

  They pushed through the door, and a warm light greeted them. Doc waited for them, already dressed in scrubs, and Nikki waited beside him similarly dressed.

  “Over there,” Doc ordered. His usual relaxed jovial expression changed into stern concentration. “What do we have?”

  “Bullet. Think it went straight through. Lost a lot of blood.” Leon, with Alex’s help, lifted Darion on the bed.

  Doc quickly cut off his shirt and stripped off the bandages. “Did this happen in the city?”

  “No, someone recognized us at the trading post.”

  Doc nodded and focused back on the wound in front of him.

  Becca felt Caleb beside her, his tall frame a comfort. “You okay, Becca?”

  “I will be, when he is.” She motioned to Darion.

  Caleb remained silent and placed an arm around her. She leaned into him. He’d been there for her for as long as she could remember. Caleb knew better than to push her or tell her lies that everything would be okay. He was her best friend for a reason.

  Time passed slowly as Doc worked tirelessly. Leon left to report back, and Alex headed to the other side of the room to talk to Marcus who had a large bandage over one shoulder.

  “How’s Marcus?” Becca asked Caleb softly.

  “Well. He’ll regain full mobility in his shoulder.”

  “Good.” She folded her arms to keep her hands from shaking.

  Nikki approached Becca and Caleb. “It didn’t hit any organs. We’ll clean it out, then stitch him up. He’ll make a full recovery. He’s lucky.”

  Becca bit her tongue. Lucky was not a word she would use. Caleb’s arm tightened around her.

  “You can go rest,” Nikki said. “I will come get you when he wakes.”

  “I’ll wait.” Becca stared at Darion’s hands. They could be so gentle and so fierce.

  “Come on, Becca.” Caleb steered her into a chair.

  She continued to watch Darion as others flitted in and out of her vision. Staring numbly, she began to realize a few things. First, despite her fears and Darion’s past lies, she didn’t want to live without him. He had woven himself into the fabric of her life, of her existence, and she didn’t feel complete without him. And unfortunately, with this revelation, she knew her heart would never be the same.

  Regardless of what came next with Elizabeth, she could no longer endanger Darion or Caleb. Saving Liz was Becca’s job and her job alone. Today brought that into horrifying clarity.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  “You awake over there?” Nikki asked Caleb.

  “Yeah. I’m worried about Darion.” Caleb took another bite of breakfast, but his mind was in the medical unit. Becca had spent the night there, and he wanted to see how Darion was recovering.

  “He’ll be fine. I promise. Becca doesn’t need to worry. He’ll be back to his normal routine in a couple weeks.”

  “It’s not only Becca worrying. We’ve survived weeks together, and he’s saved my butt more than once.” He couldn’t help the heat rising to his face. Nikki had lived her entire life here in the safety of her father. Yes, he was jealous of it, but he also didn’t think she could relate to many of these refugees.

  Surprise crossed her features. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I know, I—”

  “Nikki.” The young girl, Navina, appeared next to him, a small cat in her arms. “Is Becca okay? I heard someone was shot.”

  “Yeah, she’s fine. Her friend Darion was shot.”

  “Her boyfriend? The one with messy black hair?” Navina struggled to keep the kitten in her arms.

  Nikki nodded. “Yes, but he will make a full recovery.”

  He shoveled oatmeal into his mouth and tried to ignore the girl’s comments.

  “Maybe I’ll go visit later.” Navina turned to go.

  “Wait until tomorrow,” Nikki called to Navina’s retreating figure. “And not with the cat.”

  Once Navina was out of earshot, Nikki put down her spoon and stared at him. “Are you in love with Becca?” she blurted out.

  Caleb paused, his spoon in the air. The question took him by surprise, even when he was asking himself the same thing seconds ago. He took the bite of oatmeal to give him time to figure out how to clarify the mess of emotions going on inside of him. “I was at one time, years ago when we were still teenagers. But now we’re friends, as close as family.”

  At first Nikki didn’t reply, as if she were trying her next words to see how it tasted. “Okay… I guess I thought with all the time we’ve been spending together, there might be something between us...”

  Caleb dropped his spoon. It bounced off his metal bowl and clattered to the ground. He bent over to pick it up and took a deep breath. He enjoyed Nikki but did
n’t think he was ready for something serious. How could he be, when he didn’t know where he’d be in a month? He had nothing to offer.

  He swallowed hard, his throat surprisingly dry. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, but…”

  Her lips tightened as she waited for an answer.

  “I don’t know where I’ll be in a month, or a week, and I don’t want to get involved with anyone right now.” The awkward words were painful to get out.

  Before he could say anything else, she stood up and gathered her bowl. “Uh-huh. I understand.”

  “Becca!” Navina’s voice rang out through the cafeteria.

  Becca stood in the entrance, exhaustion darkening her eyes, her hair on top of her head in a bird’s nest. Navina rushed to her side.

  Unable to help himself, Caleb stood as well. He loved her, just not in the way Nikki might’ve thought.

  As Nikki brushed past him on her way out, he couldn’t find the words to make things right. Not that it really mattered. In the end, there was really nothing to say.

  “You’re back!” Navina rushed over with such excitement that Becca’s mouth lifted into a grin.

  “Yep.” She reached out to pet the small kitten trying to claw its way out of Navina’s arms. “What does your mom say about bringing this into the cafeteria?”

  “I’m not eating, just looking for you. Wanted to make sure you were okay. Are you going to practice this afternoon?”

  Becca hadn’t slept much, and with every step she took, her sore legs protested. She’d also visited her sister this morning with Andre. Bael was gaining power, while Elizabeth deteriorated every second a little bit more. Becca came in for some coffee to help power her through the day.

  At the sight of Navina, though, a distraction was tempting. “I have to go back to check on my friend, but I’ll come a bit later.”

  “Good.” Navina’s mom entered the common room. The young girl’s eyes widened. “Gotta go.” She hurried out, the kitten in her arms.

  Becca turned to find Caleb with a large, steaming cup of coffee. “Here you go.”