A Moment of Darkness (The Chronicles of Elizabeth Fairbairn Book 3)

by Cheryllynn Dyess

  CHAPTER 10

  “What can we do?” Sari asked her sisters as they sat around the table sipping their coffees. “I’m worried for her. I am at a loss.”

  Reba looked into her cup, “Not much we can do really. We just have to believe she is going to choose the right side. If she doesn’t, we are all in trouble.” She took a deep sip of her black coffee, closing her eyes in both resignation of her situation and at the pure pleasure of the hot liquid coating her throat.

  Raina stood to refill her cup, with her back to her sisters, “Can you get anything from her dreams or thoughts anymore?”

  “No,” was all Reba said. Raina dropped her hands on the counter and hung her head. Taking in a few deep breaths, she swung herself around, “Well, no matter what happens today is the first day of December. Which means decorating happens! Let’s get the boxes out, get her down here to help, and try to act as normal as possible. It’s the best we can do.”

  That afternoon, the house was covered with boxes and boxes of decorations. Elizabeth looked around as she came down into the den, “Where in the world do you even store all these?” Everyone laughed.

  Raina waved her over, “Okay we always do this the same way each year. We start in the den, then move to the living area, and the kitchen… then upstairs, tomorrow will be the outside.”

  “Oh, you have it down to a science huh? And you still ignored my previous question!” Elizabeth ducked from Reba tossing some tinsel at her, laughing she stuck her tongue out at her aunt. Sari watched from across the room loving the fact that her daughter was acting more normal today than she had in months, she only hoped this all helps in the long run

  The women laughed and decorated all evening until Raina finally admitted, “I’m starved. Let’s go out for dinner then pick up a tree!” The others dropped their things and met up at the door, “Where to?” Raina asked.

  “Pizza!” Elizabeth called out.

  Sari frowned, “I’d prefer Chinese.”

  Reba laughed, “Of course your body can handle pizza. How about Italian as a compromise?”

  After they all agreed they got in Reba’s truck and headed to town to the local Italian eatery, Italia Pomodoro. From the back seat, Elizabeth asks, “Do you really always do the decorations the same way every year?”

  “Yup. Family tradition. We’ve been doing it this way since we were kids,” Raina responded. Elizabeth looked at her mom questioningly, her mom looked away. Sari never kept up the family traditions when it was just her and Elizabeth, they kept little belongings since they moved around so much. Elizabeth had missed out so much on the family history, and it was showing now.

  “Well, I guess I can learn about them all now,” Elizabeth snipped as she looked out the back window on her side. The car went silent and stayed that way till the four women got to the restaurant.

  The town was silent with only a few cars on the road. The holiday streets lights were slowly coming to life on the antiqued light poles that were adorned with garland. The air was just starting to get crisp as a hint that winter is around the corner. The four women got out of the truck and headed in, but the hairs on Elizabeth’s arms began to raise an internal alarm. She stopped to look around but all she could see was closed businesses and the random holiday decoration blinking from them.

  Sari turned to see what was keeping Elizabeth and noticed her looking around, “Everything good?”

  Turning to her mom, she rubbed her arms, “Yeah. I think so.” Neither said anything more about it but Elizabeth still looked over her shoulder until they were inside

  The restaurant had an old world feel about it with the interior design. Aged wood tables and archways with artwork representing Italy’s past along with empty wine bottles that adorned the many walls and nooks. The host greeted them in Italian, Elizabeth just smiled since she didn’t understand a word. She was quite thankful when the waitress showed up with the menus and spoke English.

  “I’ll have a red wine, whatever goes good with chicken parm,” Reba belted out without even opening her menu up.

  The waitress scribbled it down and smiled, “Anyone else know what they want?”

  Elizabeth glanced over the menu quickly, no pizza. She frowned. “I’ll have sweet tea, fried calamari, and cheese ravioli,” she looked up at the waitress and gave a smile. That is when she noticed the waitress was none other than Sara. “Hey. I didn’t know you worked here.”

  “Just started yesterday, haven’t had time to really tell anyone.” She spoke and wrote at the same time. “And you two?” She pointed the end of her pen towards Sari and Raina.

  “Linguine with wine, you choose,” Sari replied.

  Raina closed her menu, “Same for me but add calamari for me as well,” then handed the menu to Sara.

  “Alright. I’ll get you ladies taken care of. Be right back with the drinks,” she smiled and headed to the waitress station.

  Raina looked over at Elizabeth, “Is that the Sara?” Elizabeth nodded. The ladies all made small talk while waiting on their food. About halfway through their dinner Sari froze staring at the door, fork in mid-air about to take a bite and mouth wide open. Everyone followed her line of sight and discovered the distraction. Edom, Jeremy, and Devlon.

  Elizabeth reached over and helped move the fork back to the plate. “Just ignore them. They do live in the same town.” Sari glared at her daughter for defending them.

  Reba laid a hand on her sister's shoulder, “She’s right. She’s not defending them. As long as they don’t bother us then we should ignore them.” Sari pulled her shoulder free of her sister's grasp. Her mind whirling with hate and fear. She was tired of her daughter being the center of Edom’s attacks and Devlon’s obsession. She never wanted any of this for her daughter and now she can’t do anything about it, or could she? Slowly a smile came over her.

  Listening to her sister's thoughts, Reba looked back over at the three men who were making their way to a table on the other side of the restaurant but still had a perfect view of their table. Speaking to Raina silently, ‘we need to be careful. Sari isn’t thinking peaceful thoughts at all,’ she nodded towards the men. Raina turned to see the men sit and take their menus, then looked at her twin and nodded acknowledging what she was told.

  Raina looked at Elizabeth who was mindlessly rubbing her pendant and staring at nothing in particular. She watched the men sit and give their orders. She also saw Devlon look at her and give a little wink. They knew the women were there. With a raised brow Devlon tried to speak to Elizabeth through their link, ‘Good evening beautiful.’

  A smile came across Elizabeth’s face, ‘Evening trouble.’ She sat back in her seat, folding her arms over her chest defiantly. Then heard Reba in her head, ‘Don’t instigate.’ Cutting her eyes at her aunt, she replied, ‘He started it.’

  Reba chuckled before taking a sip of her wine, just as she sat the glass down she noticed Sari watching them, “What?”

  Her face said all it needed to, but she expressed herself verbally anyway, “Really? You know not all of us know how to speak to one another like that or hear others thoughts…” She looked at Elizabeth, “Want to share?”

  “Nope,” Elizabeth retorted back.

  Raina raised a hand towards Sara to get her attention, “Can we get the check please? I think it’s time we go now.”

  Sara chewed on her lip, “Well…no. Your meal has been paid for.” She nodded to the guys across the restaurant, “Sorry. They went to the manager to do it.”

  Elizabeth sent a mental message to Devlon, ‘You shouldn’t have paid for our meal.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘First of all, we didn’t ask for you to. Second, we aren’t on the best of terms for that.’

  ‘That’s the whole point, Elizabeth. I want you to know I care and mean you no harm, plus you won’t go out with me so what better way to treat you to dinner.’

  ‘Then leave my father’s side. Show me your true intentions.’

  He wadded up his
cloth napkin and threw it on his plate and looked at Elizabeth through the crowd, ‘Now you know I can’t do that.’

  ‘Your loss.’

  CHAPTER 11

  “I can’t believe finals are next week,” moaned Sara

  “Yeah, it sucks but with this course load I’ll be done in under a year.” Elizabeth sighed.

  Sara laid side by side with Elizabeth on the king size bed Sara inherited from a family member who moved away last month. Looking confused, she asked, “Under a year?”

  Elizabeth nodded, “Decided to just go for my associates in herbology. I can open a shop then maybe go back later.”

  Passing a book to her friend, Sara thought about the her plan. “Well, this town could use a new herb shop for sure. Trista’s shop closed five years ago, and everyone goes two towns over for a good one. Well, everyone who doesn’t grow their own of course.”

  Closing her book, Elizabeth rolled over on her back, “Ya know. You’ve become very okay with living in a town full of witches and others.” She chuckled a bit remembering how her friend first reacted when discovering her boyfriend was a warlock and had put a spell on her. Giggling in response, Sara could only nod.

  “I saw Wesley a few days ago. He came to the library.”

  “Oh! Is that why we are studying at my house tonight instead of the book cave?” Sara inquired and smiled at their code word for the library.

  Nodding, “Yeah. I just don’t know what to do.”

  The silence settled over them as they both considered what was happening when Sara blurted out, “Why not do that dream thing with his mom again? I’m sure she’d help.”

  Elizabeth nodded. It was a great idea, but would Lady Doreen allow her to dream walk with her again, after so long. She had so many questions and no one would answer them. She had to try. “Right after we finish up these finals!”

  The two students dove right back into their studies until early in the morning when they both crashed from exhaustion.

  “Oh. My. God!” Elizabeth exclaimed. She started shaking Sara, “We’re going to be late. We fell asleep. Damn!”

  Sara swatted Elizabeth off then the what her friend registered causing her to jump from her bed, “What time is it?” She squealed.

  “We have class in one hour! Shit.” Elizabeth searched for her bag to shove her stuff in while Sara scrambled around the room doing the same with her things.

  Running down the stairs, they nearly knocked Sara’s father over, he laughed, “Girls. Breakfast is on the table.”

  The two ran in and gobbled down a few bites, “Running late. No time.” Was all Sara got out before they were both out the door heading for their cars. “See ya in class.” She waved to Elizabeth as she brought her car to life.

  The professor, in their last class of the day, walked around and sees the two girls yawn simultaneously, laughing he starts his instruction. “Ladies and Gentlemen. You have exactly fifty-four minutes to finish this exam. There will be no notes, books, or search engines to help you. Should you finish early, turn your papers in and leave silently. Pencils out.” He paused and clicked a button on his watch, “Begin.”

  The minutes passed quickly, and both girls finished just as the professor called, “Times up.” Both dropped their pencils and sat back in their seats sighing.

  Sara leaned over to Elizabeth, “Did you finish?” She nodded yes. “Good. I did too, barely but I did.”

  “You were right. I should try to talk with Lady Doreen,” Elizabeth mindlessly talked as they made their way to the parking lot.

  Opening her door, Sara threw in her bag and looked back to Elizabeth, “Let me know how it goes. I have to get home, gotta shower and get ready for work.”

  “Joy. Alright, I will!”

  Back at home, Elizabeth drug herself through the door. “Late night?” Her mom asked. Elizabeth looked up at her mom sitting in the den in the chair facing the door sipping on tea.

  “Sorry. Studied all night with Sara and I think we fell asleep somewhere between growing herbs and harvesting them.” Elizabeth plopped in the chair nearest her mother.

  Sari chuckled, “Interesting stuff there. Ya know we can teach you all that stuff.”

  Allowing her head to fall to the side, “Mom. I need some normalcy in my life, and right now college and Sara is as close as I am going to get.”

  Leaning forward, Sari looked her daughter in the eyes, “Your life was never normal. I’m sorry. I think back and wonder if I had never run with you if things would have been better for you.” She looked down into her tea as she finished.

  Twisting her mouth, Elizabeth thought hard before responding. She didn’t want to hurt her mother’s feelings, but she needed to know how she felt. “Mom,” Elizabeth began, “I wish you hadn’t run either, but you did. Now, we both have to adjust. I am working hard to adjust and figure things out.” Drawing her feet under her in the chair she continued, “but to be honest you and the aunts haven’t been the most helpful. Y’all like to only give me bits and pieces leaving me to discover shit on my own and that’s not helping. In the last nine months, I’ve learned that not only is there magic in a world I didn’t know existed but I’m one of the strongest among those who wield it. I’ve met my mate and fallen in love with an elf, which by the way is a whole other issue.”

  A tear escaped and fell down Sari's cheek, “I know I’ve not been as helpful. I was trying to protect you. I never wanted you to be a part of this world. Surely never intended for you to meet your dad and brother or that wretched Devlon.” She pleaded with her daughter.

  Elizabeth stood, grabbing her bag, “Well mom, you failed miserably at that.” Running and stomping up the stairs Elizabeth ignored her mother’s cries. The photos on her walls shook from the force of Elizabeth slamming her bedroom door for added effect.

  She finished her finals, fought with her mom and now laid across her bed evaluating the life she has before her. Not sure of what to do, Elizabeth pulled out her phone to text Sara but discovered her phone had been on silent all day and her notifications ran pages long. Unlocking the phone she noticed five notifications from Sara, twenty-two from Devlon and nearly forty from Wesley.

  Quickly she read Sara’s messages and responded with a flurry of emojis that expressed her night. Her finger hovered over the other unread notifications, not sure of who she should look at first the phone did it for her when another message from Devlon popped up. Instinctively, her finger hit his messages and she started reading them. The last few read,

  Hope dinner was good

  Good luck with finals today, beautiful.

  You looked tired today, get some rest.

  Will you please respond at least?

  Are you okay? I can feel your angry and upset. Just let me know you’re okay. Please.

  Another message popped in while she was reading, you know I can see that you have opened these. Just let me know. That is all I am asking for. Promise.

  Not sure if she should even respond, she figured if she did he’d leave her alone. She typed her response, short and to the point, I’m fine. Thank you.

  Closing out his messages she went to Wesley’s. Quickly scrolling through she stopped at one blaring text that drew her in completely, I am sorry. Please come by and let’s talk or try to at least. I love you.

  Elizabeth huffed, confusion filled her mind. She loved Wesley but didn’t understand what happened and why the distance was necessary. Before she’d respond she needed answers. Rolling over, curling up with her pillow she drifted off to sleep with thoughts of him.

  The mist rolled over her feet and immediately she knew she was in her garden. A man walked towards her, a young man with dark red hair and eyes like hers. She stood watching him as he made his way.

  Arms stretched out the man spoke, “Elizabeth. Oh, it’s so good to see you again.” The man embraced her, and she stood frozen, looking around confused.

  “Um, do I know you?”

  The man let go and looked down at himself and laughe
d, then he changed to the man she would recognize. “Grandpa! Oh my gosh. It’s been so long.” She squeezed him hard and kissed his cheek. She held him out, “Wait. How did you do that?”

  “I’m dead honey, I can look any age I want! Come on let’s sit and talk. I think you need to hear a few things.”

  They walked over to the bench and sat, “Okay. I’ll listen but I have questions too.”

  He patted her knee, “I think I’ll answer them all. Let’s start with the deal with the Seraphim.” Elizabeth listened closely as her grandfather spoke. “Part of the arrangement for us to take care of the humans and make sure the others were safe in this world was that they were to be left out of any disputes among us, but we were also given information on the others that no one else knows.”

  "So Petre and Sorina... I know they were the first and apparently the strongest but why were they given the task of protecting the others? Isn't that what The Veil is for? Why would they make it, so their powers diminish if they help us?"

  He laid a hand on her knee and gave her a kind grandfatherly look before responding, "The power of the others comes from the Seraphim as well as ours. The others were here before us and when the Seraphim, we got our gifts from, created us they did so without the others knowledge, and in the process made us stronger. There was a great war between our kind and the others and the Seraphim were so upset by the fact that the others were envious that they put limitations on their powers. The others are descendants of the Seraphim."

  "It was them against us?" Her voice a bit shaky. She would never have known that at one time the elves and fairies rose up against her own kind and she wasn't sure how she should feel about that. "So, because they started the war they were punished?"

  He nodded. "Lady Doreen's great-grandfather was the one who led the war," his voice barely a whisper. "It's why the elves and fairies no longer help us."

  Chewing on her lip, Elizabeth just knew there had to be a catch. Suddenly her face lit up as she turned to face him, "But what if someone asked them too? That's different right? They aren't offering their services if they are being called upon."