by R. L. Wilson
I gasp as the ringing stops. I’m not sure why I’m so nervous. I snap out of it. Holding my phone in my hand, I declare, “Like I said before, I’m going home and I don’t need any protection there.”
Suddenly the buzz of the phone pulsates my hand. I yank my attention to the phone and scoff. The unregistered number again. I stare at Kato as I tremble. He nods. I drop my gaze to the phone and push the green icon.
My voice cracks like I’m standing in the middle of a frozen lake. “Hello.”
“I want to talk, come home now.”
That sinister voice causes my knees to buckle. Retreating back, I bump into the building.
“Why?” My chest becomes tight with panic.
I’ve been waiting to kick his ass, but this call is monstrous. Like a boulder on my shoulder. Something’s wrong.
“I have your father here. If you ever want to see him, you’ll get your ass back to Detroit.”
Flashing alarms blink around me. I shut off the outside world. My mind whirls. Is this possible? He couldn’t be talking about my father—he died years ago. I persuade myself that he’s lying.
“That’s not possible,” I mutter.
“Say hello, Paul. Your daughter’s here.”
I let out a sigh from the pit of my belly. Dropping my phone to the ground, I hear the crack as it lands. That screen is gone, I think. My heart sinks as I drop my gaze to the ground. I glare at the cracked screen but the minutes keep ticking. Prentiss is still listening.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Kato questions, shaking me as I stare past him.
“I’m going back to Detroit now.”
Sneak Peak of Eternal Darkness
Sneak Peak of Eternal Darkness
Revenge is mine.
“Prentiss has to die.” I glare at Kato. “He killed my mom and now claims he has my dad,” I shout, and clench my teeth tight as anger flits within my being.
“We know that can’t be true.” He grabs the knob and lowers the music on the radio. “Your dad died several years ago, right?”
“I’m not so sure, Kato. After learning the truth about my mom, I’m not sure who my actual father is.” I blink back tears. I’m lost, a shell of myself. Nothing to call my own.
Kato hits another pothole, causing my head to jerk forward, nearly hitting the windshield.
“I’m sorry,” Kato says. Riding in the car with Kato is an adventure. But we have to get to Momma’s house. I’ve got to pack my clothes and head to Detroit. Before that, I pack away Momma’s life. Her personal belongings fit in a small suitcase. I’m not sure of the next time I will return to this hellhole. I’m so angry I could spit fire.
I came to New Orleans mission driven. Find Momma at all costs. I completed my task, but I failed Momma. “How could I be so stupid?” I pound my fist into the dashboard. Anger slices through my heart.
The truth is finally being revealed. Momma’s death is only half the battle. There are still hundreds of shadows missing.
He shoots a sharp stare at me, his eyes taking a moment to flicker with compassion. “Don’t beat yourself up about this. It’s not your fault.”
I comprehend what he’s saying, but my primary job was saving Momma and then helping whomever else.
Glancing out the window, I observe the sun shining bright. Sunny days usually make me smile. But not today. I can’t smile when I’m so gloomy inside. I will always remember the way Momma loved rainbows after a storm. The storm I’m in will never end. I’ll never see the rainbow.
Why do I have such a terrible life? I’ll never understand. I don’t have either parent, and now no job.
Prentiss will hurt just like I do.
“You’ll never understand the pain that’s crushing my chest.” It’s a constant gnawing at my lungs.
“I understand.”
“I want blood, do you understand?” A couple of tears race down my face. It’s like I’ve been hit by a two-ton truck.
“We’ll get Prentiss. I’ll devote my life to helping you get revenge,” Kato promises.
He swivels the car into the driveway of Momma’s house. I imagined her running out of the door screaming this was all a nightmare. “I’m fine.”
But she doesn’t. The house is as dark and pale as it had been. Morgan went home to Detroit. No one is here except a faint memory.
I slip my hand in my bra and grab the key. Staring at the key, I brace myself for the brewing anxiety. Opening this door could send me into a panic attack. I have to get Momma’s important things, knowing that she’ll never return.
“Are you ready?” Kato questions.
I nod and hold my breath.
I open the door and a cool breeze races up my legs. Morgan left the central air running.
Kato scuttles in behind me. I’m doing well so far, then I glance at a picture of Momma on the coffee table and I fall to my knees. I let out a screeching cry that I can’t control. It rocks me like I’m having convulsions.
“Why my momma?” I cry.
Kato takes a seat on the floor next to me. He wraps his arms around me, and his warm embrace soothes my heart for a second. But the tears continue to flow from my eyes. I’m vulnerable and in need of love, from anyone.
There’s a void in my life where my parents should be. “How do I move on alone?” I ask while burying my face into Kato’s chest.
He grabs my arms, peeling me away from him. “Look at me.” I narrow my gaze on his green eyes. A lustful expression flashes across his face. “You’re not alone; I’ll always be here for you.”
I cry harder out of gratitude because he sounds sincere. Morgan and Kato are as close to a family as I’m going to get.
“I’ll never let you go.”
I nod as Kato wipes the tears from my face. At this moment I feel so loved. I sniffle and rise to my feet.
“We’ve got to get going. We have a plane to catch.”
I grab a cardboard box and go to Momma’s room. I stand there for a moment, consumed by the essence of her presence. And I feel her standing here right next to me.
Running my hand across her bed makes me uneasy. I grab her comforter from the bed, close my eyes, and take a sniff. Momma is here—I can smell her, touch her. Pain tugs at my heart like strings on harp. I have to fight through this.
Her jewelry box lies on her dresser. I take the box along with an envelope labeled important papers. I grab her favorite black dress and take a seat on the bed. This is the reality.
The floor creaks with Kato’s footsteps as he re-enters the room. “Only grab a few things. We can come back later to pack.”
“I know. I’m ready.” I never want to return here. Tackling all my fears, I push them down in the box with Momma’s belongings.
I grab my luggage and roll it out to the door. As Kato grabbed the box full of Momma things.
“How much time do we have?” I question.
Kato glances down at his watch. “About ten minutes.”
“I’ll grab me a bottle of water. Do you want one?”
“No, I’ll turn off all the lights,” Kato says before walking toward the bathroom.
I grab a bottle of water and glance out the window when I hear a screeching tire sound coming from the front of the house.
I race to the living room and open the blinds to find two all-black SUVs with tinted windows.
“KATO! KATO!” I scream.
He races to the front with wide eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Look,” I yell, pointing to the cars outside.
He walks closer to the window with a glare of defeat on his face. His facial expression makes my stomach flip. Are we doomed?
Three men in suits jump out wearing sunglasses. They march towards the front door.
“What should we do?”
“I have no clue who they are, but judging by their attire, they’re not from around here.”
The jingle of the doorbell makes me jump. But I’m sure they know we are here. The car is in the driveway. The blinds
are partially open.
I swing the door open. “Can I help you?” One tall man with a slight tan stands at the door with navy blue eyes.
I gasp and glance at Kato. There’s a dazed expression of fear on my face.
I shift my attention back to Mr. Blue Eyes. He smirks and says, “Hi, Harmony.”
My breathing becomes more labored as I step back from the door. How the hell does he know my name?
Kato steps in. “Hi.”
The two other men step within view, each with an angry snarl upon their faces.
“We’re here for Harmony.” He clears his throat. “We’ve been instructed to drive her to the airport,” he mutters.
“What? No the hell you are not,” I growl from the shadows of Kato.
“Can we come in?” the man asks.
“Hell no,” I yell.
Cutting me off, Kato says, “We’re on our way to catch a flight.”
“We have a private jet for Harmony, no need to catch a plane,” he explains with a faint grin.
“Listen, I’m not going anywhere to meet Prentiss. So, get away from my house,” I scream.
“Ma’am, we don’t work for Prentiss. We represent important people who want to meet you.”
“Meet me for what?”
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Also by R.L. Wilson
The Urban Fae Series
Book 1 Eternal Curse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0825V7Q9Y
Book 2 Eternal Fire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0838MMLR2
Book 3 Eternal Shadow
Book 4 Eternal Darkness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSFQ7J
Coming Soon
To Claim a bear
Dragon Burn
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