Into The Shadows (Shadows Ascending Trilogy)

by Jenn D. Young

  There was so much in here that I felt like my head was about to explode.

  A rectangular box with a large red ribbon tied around it drew my attention. Kaniul gave Kyara a look and sighed. It was clearly a violin case, based on the shape, and sitting in front of it was a folded note on thick white cardstock. I lifted the paper and opened it.

  Your arms are getting too long for your current one.

  This will be a much better fit.

  Take good care of it

  V

  I ran my fingertips over the words and my eyes drifted to the case. Curiosity getting the best of me, I flicked open the latches and gasped as I gazed at the most beautiful violin I had ever seen in my life. I caressed the dark cherry oak wood lovingly. My breath caught as I saw the marking and realized this was a Stratovarius.

  It was the most beautiful thing that I had ever laid eyes on. Everything about it was perfect. The smooth shape of the C-Bouts. The cutouts of the F-Holes. Tears burned in my eyes as I ran my fingers along the bridge and up the strings.

  With trembling hands, I lifted the instrument and bow and tucked it beneath my chin, playing a simple chord. Of course, it was perfectly tuned already. I lowered my eyelids and played the familiar requiem by Mozart, the notes haunting me as I eased the bow back and forth over the strings. This instrument sounded better than anything I had heard before in my life.

  When I finished the piece and opened my eyes, Kaniul and Kyara were staring at me with wide eyes, their mouths gaping.

  “That is one of his favorite violins. He never let anyone touch it, much less play it or gift it to anyone. You should be honored, Kishka.” Kaniul brought his hands together in a few claps of applause for my performance. Kyara joined him in the applause but didn’t say a word.

  Heat crept up my neck and stained my cheeks. With exquisite care, I placed the instrument back in the case. “It’s the most beautiful instrument I’ve ever seen.” I closed the clasps to secure the lid and laid my hands against the hard, black surface, just staring at it.

  I was still trying to process how I felt about what I had overheard Kaniul say about Vincent. What was this man to me, and why had he been such an integral part of my life? Just thinking about him made me shiver. Remembering one of my mother’s favorite phrases comforted me in these times.

  “Lorelei, there will always be things in life that we cannot explain, emotions that we won’t be able to handle, situations we won’t be able to ignore, but our real test of strength is how we handle ourselves in those situations. Don’t give up, don’t back down, keep your head held high, your back straight and fly on my angel.”

  Smiling, I turned back to Kyara and Kaniul, ready to embrace my surroundings and fly on. “Where is my bedroom?”

  Kaniul smirked as if he sensed my thoughts and held out his arm as a gesture for me to move first, “Upstairs, this way.” We climbed the stairs and took a right at the landing.

  “My area is to the left, yours will be to the right. The bedroom is set up like a suite, with a living area, a bathroom and separate bedroom. It will allow you privacy and space if you need it,” Kyara explained as she opened the double doors at the end of the carpeted hallway.

  The room was as beautiful as all the others in the house. Plush carpet lined the floor, giant windows lined one wall facing the lake, a small loveseat and chaise lounge were facing a large flat screen TV and stereo system, which were surrounded by bookcases filled with books, movies and CD’s. My jaw dropped as I ran my fingers along the titles.

  “You arranged all of this for me?” I cocked my head at Kyara and Kaniul, who both had a sheepish look on their faces. Although, Kaniul was radiating anger underneath his expression. His aura flashed red with his emotions.

  “Well, you see,” Kyara stammered, “It was mostly Vincent.” She cleared her throat and elbowed Kaniul in the gut, who grunted in response.

  Well.

  This was interesting.

  What was Kaniul so angry about?

  It seemed Vincent knew more about me than anyone else because he chose my favorite movies, books, and music. The music section contained everything from Mozart and Chopin box sets to imported German and Swedish metal and industrial bands. I smiled as I came across the entire collection of albums from my favorite German metal band.

  “The closet is full of clothes. If you see anything else you need, just let us know and we can go shopping. Bathroom should be fully stocked.” Kyara paused, “Kaniul and I have a few things to go over, so we will leave you to get settled before bed. If you need anything, just knock on my door down the hall.” She gave me a short hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  Kaniul approached next and pressed his lips to my forehead. “This is goodbye for now, Iah.” His voice was low, his accent thick with emotion.

  “When will I see you again?” I couldn’t help the tears gathering in my eyes.

  “I don’t know, kishka. I must ensure your safety and in order to do that I need to stay as far away from you as possible. I will visit your dreams.” He smiled softly and ruffled my hair.

  “Ugh, I hate that,” I backed away as he laughed. The corners of my lips lifted in a grin which I’m sure was his goal, as I smoothed my hair down. He tilted my chin up with his thumb. With a final nod and smile, he turned and walked toward the door.

  He looked over his shoulder at me, his hand still on the knob of the door. “You look more and more like your mother each day. She would be so proud of the young woman that you have become. Keep flying, Angel.”

  Tears gathered in my eyes and slipped down my face as he gently closed the door behind him.

  Welcome to my new life.

  Chapter 6

  Lorelei

  2 years later

  My eyelids fluttered open as sunlight spilled across the room. I stretched out my limbs and yawned, trying to rouse myself enough to crawl out of bed. Today was my 18th birthday and knowing Kyara, she would have something elaborate prepared for breakfast downstairs, waiting for me.

  My nose twitched as I smelled the delicious aroma of the mentioned breakfast. My feet touched the plush carpet as I rubbed the remaining sleep from my eyes and padded over to the bathroom. As I was walking, something on top of my dresser caught my eye, stopping me in my tracks.

  A single blood red rose, adorned with a simple black ribbon tied across the stem was laid out behind a small rectangular jewelry box, along with a note on simple cream-colored cardstock.

  Happy Birthday, Theera

  V

  Closing my eyes, I tried to lock onto his presence. Echoes of memories scattered throughout my mind, the familiar lock on my recollections of Vincent hidden away by his manipulations. Brow furrowed, I delved deeper, the ache behind my eyes intensifying. I rubbed my fingers along my temples as my eyes fluttered open again.

  The rose, which had all its thorns thoughtfully removed, had a sweet aroma as I brought it to my nose and inhaled deeply. Looking to the box, I carefully laid the flower back down, and lifted the lid. My breath caught in my throat and tears burned behind my eyes.

  On a bed of black velvet laid a silver necklace with a tear drop shaped ruby hanging from its center. The gem was set in a delicate design of flowing silver vines that were tipped in black onyx stones. I ran my fingers along the necklace as my emotions flowed out of me. I had never received such a gorgeous gift in my life.

  Since that day two years ago when Kaniul dropped Kyara and I off here, I had very little contact from Vincent. He had only visited me in a handful of dreams, and I think most times that was because I had stumbled into his. I couldn’t explain the feelings that he brought out in me, as they shifted and changed constantly.

  My memories were always dulled, and I couldn’t recall exact details, but I knew I dreamt of him. Kaniul’s words from two years ago still haunted me. “He alters her memories slightly to dull them but doesn’t fully erase them.”

  Lifting the silver chain, I unclasped it and secured it around my neck. The stone fell
just below the hollow of my throat, in between my collar bones. Looking at my reflection in the mirror above my vanity, I ran my fingers along my skin just below the necklace. Thoughts of Vincent made goosebumps rise over my flesh and heat pool in my belly.

  I closed my eyes, my mind relaxing. With my thoughts still centered on Vincent, I felt my body go limp as I fell backward onto the mattress of my bed. My consciousness faded away, and the world went black.

  Vincent

  Today was Lorelei’s eighteenth birthday and my body was on fire with awareness, my demon practically clawing at my insides trying to get out. Demanding we go to her immediately and claim her. Knocking back my fifth glass of scotch, I cursed myself for going to her myself and laying out her damn birthday present. It was a mistake the second I had appeared in her room and saw her asleep in her bed.

  She looked like an angel, her skin practically glowing in the moonlight, her black hair spread across the pillow and one delicate hand tucked beneath her cheek, her brow furrowed in sleep. She must be having an intense dream to have such a look of concentration on that beautiful face. Her lips were pink and full, fuller than I remembered from the last time I saw her. Maybe I just hadn’t been paying as much attention last time because she was only sixteen at the time.

  “Fuck,” I cursed as I poured myself another drink. It was next to impossible to get drunk, but I sure was trying tonight. I needed something to dull my instincts. My senses were going haywire tonight, there was something coming, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly what.

  “Oof.”

  The sound had me spinning around and darting across the room with supernatural speed as someone landed directly onto the couch in my office.

  “What the hell? How did I get here?” Her voice sent a shiver of awareness down my spine.

  Fuck.

  It was Lorelei.

  Lorelei had astral projected to me.

  I watched as she sat up, her form watery and translucent. “Thank the gods,” I whispered. She was still in her astral form. She needed to remain in that form and get back to her body immediately. I was too hyped up right now, too out of control. Her being here physically would not end well.

  “Lorelei, listen to me carefully.” I held up my hands and approached her slowly. She gasped and looked over the back of the couch to stare at me. She was still dressed in a tank top and shorts that she slept in. Damn her legs looked fantastic. I had to stop that type of thinking.

  “V-Vincent?” She whispered reverently, her eyes wide as she looked me over from head to toe, lingering on my broad shoulders and chest. I wanted to groan in frustration.

  “Yes, Theera. You are not safe here. You need to return to your body right now.” I kept my voice calm and soothing, lowering the tone an octave. Her form still wavered as she clutched the cushions of the couch.

  “Close your eyes, think of your room. You must return.”

  Her crystal blue eyes stared up at me as she nibbled on her bottom lip. “I don’t want to go.” The words were uttered so softly I barely heard them.

  “There will be time for us later, Lorelei, but you are not safe here. Go,” I urged, drawing on some of her own power to place a compulsion behind my voice.

  A single tear slipped down her cheek as she nodded, and her astral body faded away. The growl of frustration that left my throat echoed through my office as I stomped off in search of a very cold shower to try to cool myself down.

  A chill went down my spine as another feeling of dread swept through me.

  Lorelei

  A gasp, followed by a long groan, escaped my mouth as I slammed back into my body. What the hell just happened? I had been thinking of Vincent, and suddenly I was there with him, but somehow, I wasn’t. I rolled across the bed and reached for a bottle of water from the small fridge on the other side of my nightstand.

  Slivers of pain stabbed through my head as I climbed to my feet and I added a couple aspirin to my mouth and took another long pull from the water bottle.

  A knock on my door interrupted my musings. “Happy Birthday Lorelei!” I heard Kyara shout. “Breakfast is ready, plus I went out and got you Dutch Bros coffee. It is waiting for you downstairs. Now get your butt moving, lazy bones.” I heard her laugh as she retreated down the hall and down to the kitchen.

  Letting out a deep exhale, I showered and changed, trying to put the strange incident behind me. I looked in the mirror, arranging my hair as my eyes lingered on the necklace. Everything about this day was confusing me. The feeling in the pit of my stomach would not go away. My sixth sense of foreboding was telling me that something was happening, but I couldn’t isolate it. It was making me nauseous.

  I shook my head and splashed water on my face as I took one final glance in the mirror. “Happy Birthday,” I said wryly to myself before making my way downstairs.

  “Finally, I was just about to send a search party. Sit.” Kyara pointed to the barstool with her spatula, her other hand poised on her hip. “I put your coffee in the fridge, I didn’t want it to melt too much. Bacon is warming in the oven, eggs are just about ready and,” a timer rang, “now the waffles are done.”

  I grabbed my coffee from the fridge, taking a long indulgent sip. The smooth flavors of dark chocolate and cherry of my favorite Black Forest Mocha floated over my tongue and sent me into caffeine heaven. I couldn’t help the moan that left my mouth.

  Kyara chuckled as she assembled two plates. “I knew you would be eternally grateful to me and may even do my laundry for me if I got you Dutch Bros.” She took a sip from her own blue and white cup.

  “Three more times next week and I’ll do your laundry for a week.” I would make all sorts of deals for my beloved caffeine fix.

  “Deal.” Kyara hated laundry. I had never minded the chore, so it was one thing we usually traded on. In the two years that I’d lived here, Kyara, and I settled into a loving and easy relationship. She was a wonderful guardian who encouraged, yet challenged me. We had gotten into our share of arguments, mostly over my desire to leave the house more often, but with the rules set upon us from Kaniul and Vincent, I had to limit my visits to the city to small outings, and only when Kyara was with me.

  Sometimes, it was difficult for me to understand these rules. Kyara would always try her best to explain, but most times, the answer was either “You’ll understand when you’re older,” or “We will discuss this later.”

  It was frustrating, but my situation was far from the worst that it could be. I thought about what could have happened if I had been left at Zach and Leah’s and a shudder ran through me. Here, I had almost everything that a girl could ask for. I had graduated high school at seventeen, then went on to pursue a program in sound engineering from the comfort of my own personal music studio. I had just completed my classes last week, much to the shock of my professors.

  Music had been a solace for me since the beginning and I loved everything around it. I had already composed several songs and as part of my program I had done work on several commercials and television shows.

  A plate was placed in front of my, rousing me from my musings. “This looks amazing.” I picked up my fork and scooped up a bite of waffle, egg and bacon all together before dipping in the syrup. “Oh my god, Kyara, did you put cinnamon in these waffles? They are freaking delicious.” I groaned around the food as I chewed.

  She puffed out her chest as she grinned and took her seat beside me. When I first arrived, Kyara couldn’t even scramble an egg or boil water. We had fumbled through cooking lessons on the Food Network and YouTube, but I never developed the knack for it that she did. After two years, Kyara was a genius in the kitchen. How I wasn’t 300 pounds with all the fantastic things she made, I had no idea.

  Her eyes caught on my necklace and she fought off a cough as she choked on the slice of bacon she was eating. I slapped her on the back a couple of times as she caught her breath and sputtered, “Where did you get that?” she rasped.

  I looked away sheepishly.
“It was sitting on my dresser this morning.” I paused, picking up another bite of food from my plate. “It was from Vincent,” I whispered shoveling the food into my mouth, preventing me from saying anything further.

  Kyara just shook her head and continued to eat in silence. “At least it is pretty,” she finally said.

  I narrowed my eyes and cocked my head at her, “What is that supposed to mean? Is there something wrong with it?”

  She sighed, “Lore. Vincent shouldn’t be giving you a gift like that. He should be staying as far away from you as he can, especially now that you have turned eighteen. This is for your own safety.” Turning her back on me, she grabbed the dirty plates and began to clean up the kitchen. The message was clear, she was done with this conversation.

  “Why does everyone keep saying that to me, but won’t tell me why?” I pulled on her arm and forced her to face me. “I am eighteen years old now Kyara. Like you said, I am an adult now. I think I have earned the right by now to know what I am up against.” Angry tears gathered in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. My fists were clenched at my sides and I could feel the heat creeping up my chest and flooding my face.

  “Lorelei.” She pulled me into a hug. “It is not my place to tell you. Please trust me when I say that we have all done everything in our power to protect you. I love you like you were my own daughter.”

  Her words did nothing to calm my anger. Knowing I would get nowhere, I just exhaled and returned her hug. “I love you too, Kyara.” The words were hollow. I did love Kyara, but I was tired of being kept in the dark.

  “Thank you, Lei-Lei.” She smiled, knowing I hated when she called me that. Kyara was endlessly coming up with different variations on my name, and Lei-Lei was by far the worst of them all, because when she said it, it was always in a high-pitched sing song voice that made me cringe.