Marked for Darkness

by Raven Woodward

  It made sense why he wanted to end his eternal existence. What would life be like to exhaust every silly thing that filled your world? It would become colorless. Tasteless.

  She wondered how many nights he sat on that very bench, bare-chested and barefoot, feeling desolate, stroking the keys to try to feel something.

  Another tear slid down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. Arian rose to his feet, concern flashing in his eyes. But before he could speak, she asked. “Do you hate it?”

  He rose a single brow in question.

  “Life.”

  Arian stood, looking around the lavish room. Did he see the memories playing out before him, or just an empty ballroom?

  “I did for many centuries.” His eyes met hers again, and the intensity stole the breath from her lungs. “I most certainly don’t when I’m with you.”

  Her heart swelled and for a moment, she feared it might burst.

  Because in the end they were both two lonely people who had no choice but to remain alone.

  “You ready?” Arian asked before grabbing her hand.

  She nodded just as Olivia sighed dramatically. “It’s a pity we can’t stay. I always get a lovely tan here.”

  Arian snorted. “You get fried like a bucket of chicken and you know it.”

  Harlow joined in, laughing. Olivia pursed her lips and cocked her hips to one side, the slit of her swimsuit cover exposing one long, pale leg. She’d insisted upon donning a bathing suit and lounging under the scorching heat of the suns while it was too warm to swim. Harlow had blatantly refused to go in an ocean that looked like blood.

  Olivia scowled at Arian for another second before they all linked hands.

  “Close your eyes,” Arian commanded.

  “What happens if I keep them open?” Harlow asked, squeezing her eyes tight. The floor changed, going from solid wood to plush carpet.

  “I made that mistake once,” Olivia said. “Once was all it took. I was blind for a full day.”

  Harlow opened her eyes, ready to reply, when she caught sight of Arian’s still form. Then a boom sounded in the distance.

  “Stay here,” he ordered before dashing away in a blur. Olivia’s eyes flew wide before she raced after Arian, leaving Harlow standing alone in the sitting room.

  Another boom sounded, and Harlow felt the floor tremble. She bit her lip, contemplating. When a roar sounded from just outside, she sprinted for the door.

  Outside, chaos reigned. At least ten beasts stood in a semicircle in the distance, and prowling back and forth like caged lions were twenty more ferocious creatures, facing off.

  Oricus’s clan had come.

  A familiar black beast transformed to man in the grass in front of the house. Arian’s eyes were a fiery gold when he bellowed, “Stay on the porch! Only use your magic if they manage to get through the wards. If anyone gets close to you, take off their heads. They won’t stay dead, but it will buy the rest of us time.”

  “And you?” she asked.

  Arian didn’t respond; instead, he shifted again, his body expanding and changing into his beast. He landed on all four massive paws, roaring so loud, Harlow had to cover her ears.

  The rage that he exuded was enough to make her want to cower.

  In unison all the surrounding monsters of varying sizes and shapes rose up as one, and with giant claws sharp enough to cut through an entire vehicle, they sliced at the invisible barrier holding them back. The boom of thunder followed, echoing all around. Those that belonged to Arian’s clan didn’t back down, but instead snapped and snarled fearlessly.

  The wards stayed intact, and Harlow lifted her palms into the air. She’d never tried to manipulate wards before, but she hoped it was like healing injuries: like an invisible hand extended her awareness until she hit the wards. She felt around them, searching for any weaknesses. Cracks and fissures had begun to appear. With a deep breath she pushed her magic into them, trying to reinforce the protections.

  Another swipe of their claws met the barrier, and it knocked Harlow back a step. Gritting her teeth, she pushed more magic into them, but as she did, she felt the wards thinning. Disintegrating.

  As though someone were siphoning the magic away—hers with it.

  Brows drawn together in confusion, she searched the grounds for some sign of whatever was pulling at the protection spells. But there was nothing but a bunch of monsters preparing to fight. Her body began to tremble.

  Arian, who stood in front of the porch, swiveled his massive, furry head to look back at her. His golden eyes made her heart tumble over itself. The words get ready shone in them. She nodded.

  Harlow inhaled the faint scent of snow and pine deeply as her magic swelled within her veins, blistering hot. Flames erupted in one palm, while the other glowed blue. Crystals of ice formed along her fingers like a glove.

  Her lips tugged up in a smile, and even Arian looked at her with what appeared to be pride.

  Together, the attacking creatures roared as one, sending birds shooting from trees in the distance. And with a final assault on the wards, they flickered out, leaving the house unprotected.

  The sight of at least twenty charging beasts, all bigger than bears and faster than anything Harlow had ever seen, nearly made her bladder release itself. Arian leapt into a bounding run, every muscled inch of him a wonder to behold. She sucked in a breath as he collided with the wall of immortal beings. Arian and his clan fought as many as they could, yet her stomach dropped when a handful slipped through Harlow’s only line of defense.

  Their breaths were puffs of curling white steam in the cool morning air, their claws carving through the soil, sending hunks of grass flying through the air.

  A silky coat of midnight blue adorned the one closest, and she raised her hands, sending a jet of fire at the creature. It struck the beast in the chest, sending it hurtling backward through the air with a whine of pain. With a heavy thud, it hit the ground, rolling several times before stumbling back to its feet. Its eyes flashed silver before it began pounding its way back toward her.

  The scent of charred hair and flesh was swept up by the breeze. Harlow sent alternating blasts of fire and ice at each creature that got too close, but none of them stayed down. She huffed in frustration.

  Wood snapped to her right, followed by a low snarl. Turning to face the sound, Harlow’s throat tightened. A stony grey beast filled up the porch, prowling toward her. It was bigger than most of the others. Its claws and teeth were stained red.

  But its silver eyes held Harlow transfixed.

  Unmoving.

  She’d looked into his eyes enough times to recognize him.

  Oricus.

  Several other beasts clawed at the porch railing, attempting to get to her. Unable to look away, Harlow shot lethal bursts of pure magic in their direction as she stumbled back.

  Away from the man who’d held her hand in the vision—as if he had any right to do so.

  As if he hadn’t ruined her life.

  The persistent one with midnight blue fur crouched just in her periphery, preparing to spring up. She directed her power into one solid slice across its neck. It leapt into the air, just as its head fell away from its body, spraying blood over the trampled garden.

  “Yes!” She jumped, smiling triumphantly. But her success was short-lived.

  The weight of a gigantic beast barreled into her, knocking her to the porch. Her head hit the wood, and pain exploded in her skull. Spots danced in her vision. Claws nearly as long as her forearms sank through the wood on either side of her head. The boards groaned from the weight.

  Then they collapsed around her. Harlow screamed, shielding her face with her arms. A soothing warmth flowed over her body, and she peered from between her elbows. Pale yellow light floated above her. Around her, protecting her from the splintered wood under her back.

  The beast bared its fangs. As it opened its maw wide—most likely to snap her in half—Harl
ow caught a glimpse of all its impressive teeth. It bit down on the glowing capsule, and she jerked back. She panted from the effort to keep the magic in place. The strain of using so much magic made her temples throb.

  The orb surrounding her flickered out, and she felt the bite of jagged wood everywhere. She cried out. Oricus lifted his paw and dug his claws into her shoulder. She screamed as he cut through fabric and skin. Heat and pain swirled together, blurring everything around her, though she could tell it wasn’t deep.

  Why not just rip my heart out?

  The answer swam in his cruel eyes.

  To mark her.

  Harlow cupped her hands and sent a blast of powerful energy into his chest. He rocketed back, shredding the top of the porch in a downpour of fractured wood and dust. It sent him far enough for her to climb out of the hole in the porch.

  Looking down, she could see blood coursing over the swell of her breast and pooling between them, staining the fabric of her tank top. Her back and left thigh burned, but she ignored them. The fight was closer now. Too close. There was no way she could fight them all off on her own. She swayed, looking for Arian in the throng of glinting claws and teeth.

  His unmistakable black beast charged through the center, tearing into a throat that dropped the creature to the ground. It didn’t get back up.

  If the monsters around her were scary, Arian was terrifying as he took on three at once.

  Distracted by his presence, she sent bolts of crackling, sizzling energy into the chests of those that got too close. But they were weaker. With enough concentration, Harlow managed to send each beast tumbling into Arian’s path, while he tore through skin and bone like the warrior he was.

  She grinned. They were winning.

  Her body swayed, and she gripped the fractured post beside her for support.

  Just when she’d thought Oricus was down for good, she caught his gunmetal grey form loping toward Arian before crouching down. A spring ready to be released.

  “Behind you!” she screamed to Arian, but Oricus had already soared through the air. By the time Arian looked up, his brother’s fangs sank deep into Arian’s side. He roared with agony, sending a burst of pain directly into Harlow’s heart that nearly dropped her to her knees.

  The din of the battle raging around her faded into silence. Harlow’s vision blurred when Arian’s form fell, as if in slow motion.

  A cry ripped through her, shooting a burst of white light rippling from her body. Blood roared in her ears; her veins filled with magma. A final wave of power shot from her chest. Fine powder rained down, glittering in the light of her magic and the morning sun. She’d thrown every last ounce of her magic at their enemies. Her legs gave out and Harlow fell to her knees, catching herself with her hands.

  After a moment, her vision cleared, revealing the carnage of limp bodies, and abandoned heads with unseeing eyes. Only a handful moved—those that her magic had spared. The only ones of Arian’s clan left standing. She scanned the area for Arian’s black body. But neither he, nor the creature with grey skin lay amongst the slaughtered.

  As her breathing slowed, her thundering heart calming, she looked back at the house, ignoring the wave of nausea that swept over her. Miraculously, besides blown-out windows—which she distantly realized was what the shards of glitter were—and the mangled porch, it was untouched.

  “Arian?” Her voice was hoarse. No one answered.

  “Arian?” she tried again.

  Not even insects filled the silence as her body slumped to the broken porch and blackness claimed her.

  Harlow

  Hollow. Voices floated around her.

  Her body was empty. Someone scooped her up. Pain. So much pain. Nausea forced her to retch on the warm form that held her. It smelled of cinnamon.

  Am I dead? Why can’t I open my eyes?

  Panic.

  My magic! It’s gone! Will I ever get it back?

  Despair. Soothing whispers and the smell of peppermint.

  Arian.

  Arian!

  In a room with a desk piled in papers and books, Rex paced. His wounds were gone; he looked…healthy.

  As if sensing her presence, he turned. His blue eyes lit with joy, though a tiredness creased the edges around them.

  “Harlow,” he whispered.

  His voice— the way he said her name like a miracle come true—made tears prick her eyes.

  “Am I really here or is this a dream?” she asked.

  His brows creased as though he was trying to concentrate on something. “A dream.”

  She reached out to touch his face, to feel the blond stubble under her fingertips. His eyes closed, and he released a ragged sigh as his coarse cheek scraped her palm. Her heart gave a stab of pain.

  “Where are you?” She let her hand drop to her side. This wasn’t the cell she’d seen before, but an office with a proper bed and a small room connected to it that she guessed was a bathroom.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Why not? Arian already has people looking—”

  Rex’s face turned pained. “Harlow, you can’t let that monster claim you.”

  She took a stunned step backward. “What?” How did he know about Marking and claiming?

  “I don’t see a completed Mark on you,” Rex said, more to himself than to her. “Don’t let him. Do not swallow his blood, and do not have sex with him, Harlow. He’ll change you. You’ll be his forever, and then I won’t be able to save you.”

  “Save me?” Her heart pounded. “What are you talking about? How do you know about all this? Did Oricus tell you?”

  “You have to trust me, Arian is not a good guy—” A loud bang sounded outside the enclosed space, stopping him short. Panic washed over his features. “Go, Harlow.” His eyes widened as he searched her face. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Harlow’s eyes flew open, her heart still racing. She took stock of her surroundings, relaxing when she realized it was her room.

  But how had she gotten in bed?

  The last thing she remembered was…the fight…and…

  Arian!

  A low growl rumbled through the house. She sat up, spine rigid. Pain shot from her shoulder toward her heart. Looking down, she found a thick bandage covering the area. A patch of brownish-red stained the center of it.

  She was in a cream-colored lace tank top—not what she’d been wearing earlier.

  Someone had changed her, cleaned her, and bandaged her.

  The thought of it being Arian made her face burn.

  Heavy paws fell on the hard wood in the hallway. Creeping from the bed to the closed door, Harlow waited, heart hammering loudly in her ears. The beast outside gave a moan of pain. She sucked in a sharp breath. Arian?

  The beast nudged at the closed door, clearly too weak to break it down. She threw it open, raising her hands, feeling a surge of heat fill her palms. The sensation brought tears to her eyes. She’d thought she’d lost her magic.

  In front of her, golden eyes flared wide, then softened with obvious relief. Harlow’s shoulders sagged as she gusted out a breath.

  “Where the hell have you been?” she whispered loudly. The beast’s gaze narrowed as if to say, Can we not get into that right now? Wet drips splashed on the wooden floor, giving her pause. Her eyes moved to Arian’s side. Blood soaked his fur, running down in rivulets.

  “Shit,” she muttered, rushing forward.

  The beast snarled, and she stopped abruptly. “You’re injured.”

  He backed up, then turned around in the wide hall, leading her to the kitchen. Inside, the beast nodded at the refrigerator. Harlow pulled the door open, her stomach dropping at the sight of blood bags. Had they been in there before they’d begun moving from place to place?

  She shot the beast a nervous glance. It nodded.

  “Okay.” Her hands shook as she pulled out two. “Are you some type of vampire?”

  With a roll of
its eyes, it snorted.

  Rifling through the cupboards she finally located a porcelain bowl before dumping the thick, red liquid into it. It sloshed over the rim and dripped to the floor audibly. Harlow grimaced, then pushed the bowl in front of Arian. He growled, low and menacing, still watching her. Holding up her hands in a show of peace, she backed out of the room. The sounds of lapping and slurping followed her through the hall despite her hurried pace back to her bedroom.

  Her entire body was tense while she waited on the edge of her bed. The groans and cracking from the kitchen turned into the soft footsteps of a man. Instead of moving toward her room, however, they faded away toward his own bedroom. She imagined that was because he was naked.

  However, the only times she’d seen him shift from beast to man, he’d somehow remained clothed.

  With a huff she slid off the bed and tip-toed through the house. Peering around the open doorway to his room, she saw that it was empty.

  The sound of cascading water coming from inside drew her cautiously through the room, into the bathroom. Past the bathtub that was really just a small pool, Harlow stopped in front of the shower which utilized the same waterfall feature, though it gushed out instead of trickled as it did in the bath area.

  Arian stood under the heavy stream. Without looking up, he said, “Thank you.” His voice was hoarse.

  She nodded. “Where were you?”

  Arian remained silent as he washed himself, his movements careful around his wounded abdomen, but already it had begun to heal.

  Once he turned the water off, she held out a towel, feeling the wound on her chest ache as she tried to keep her eyes above his waist. His gaze was bright with energy as he met hers.

  Bright with hunger, she realized.

  She tried to swallow. Tried to reason that it wasn’t her blood he wanted. But his eyes betrayed the truth.

  A muscle in his jaw twitched as he looked lower. To the bandage. His brows knitted together. “He hurt you.” The same guttural, beastly rumble filled his voice.

  Harlow’s mouth opened and closed. So he hadn’t been the one to bandage her. Perhaps Olivia? Finally, Arian took the towel and wrapped it around his waist. The starbursts of gold in his irises pulsed. Wider. Brighter.