Dark Seeker

by Taryn Browning

  “My guess is the basement. She can’t be near the light during the day. When you get inside, look for a set of steps that lead down to the basement. Make sure to tell Tanya that Jerome sent you, or you may end up having to stake her.”

  “Yeah, that would totally mess everything up.” Kai shot her an agreeing look. “So, I’ll go through the back alley, enter the home from the rear, find a set of basement steps and make sure to tell Tanya that Jerome sent me when I find her.”

  “Good. That’s part of the plan.”

  “How do you suppose I get out once I find her? They aren’t just going to let me take her willingly.”

  “That’s the next part of the plan. . .you come out the same way you went in, kind of.” Kai signaled for her to park. “As for getting back out quickly, we’re going to work on that right now.”

  She parallel parked, noticing the park entrance across the street.

  He smirked. “I’m going to teach you how to fight dirty.”

  Janie followed Kai to a large grassy area lined by trees. A few squirrels ran along the back of a park bench. A folded wet newspaper lay on the wooden seat next to a Styrofoam coffee cup filled with rain water.

  “What’s lesson one?” Janie unzipped her hoodie and threw it over the bench.

  “Nice T-shirt.” Kai laughed. “Buffy.”

  “I thought it was fitting. Ava got it for me as a joke.”

  Kai interlaced his fingers through hers. “Lessons one through ten are all the same—don’t get killed.” Kai stared past Janie into a row of thick trees lining the park. “She’s going to help you with that.”

  Albania stepped between two trees. Janie stared at her for a few seconds and tightened her grip on Kai’s hand. Albania always made her feel self-conscious. No one, witch or not, should have such striking red hair and green eyes. Kai’s eyes are beautiful, but Albania’s green isn’t even found on this planet.

  Janie knew Kai and Albania were just friends, but she moved close enough to Kai so their arms touched anyway. “I thought you were going to teach me how to play dirty,” she whispered.

  Kai squeezed her hand. “I am—we’re going to give you an ability.”

  Her eyes shot up to his. “What kind of ability?”

  “The only one I have to give.” He acted entirely too composed. Janie, on the other hand, didn’t feel as certain of the plan.

  “I’m going to be able to run through walls!”

  “Hopefully,” Albania said, approaching. Her ankle-length skirt flowed around her feet in the breeze.

  Janie turned to Albania. “I don’t understand. That’s Kai’s ability. How can I get it?”

  “I’m going to loan it to you.” He brushed his fingers across her cheek with his free hand.

  She shot him another annoyed look. “I understand that part. How?”

  Albania greeted Kai with a kiss on both cheeks. “I’ve created a special concoction, and since Kai is willing, it should work.”

  “For how long?”

  “I’m hoping you will keep it until you get safely back to your house with Tanya, where I’ll be waiting for you,” Kai said.

  “But there’s no way to know for sure,” Albania interjected.

  “My ability is an alternative for helping you find a way out, if needed. Make sure you can get back upstairs and then run through the wall. You’ll be able to take Tanya with you if she’s touching you.”

  “Like you do with me?” An elderly couple passed on a nearby walking path. Janie lowered her voice. “What if she’s not in the basement? It won’t be light outside. They won’t need to keep her down there.”

  “They won’t move her around. Tanya’s too strong. They will want to keep her in one place, somewhere where no light can get in. They aren’t going to keep her where she could escape.” Kai shook his head. “The basement is just an educated guess. It’s where I’d keep her.”

  “Are you both ready?” Albania removed Janie’s hand from Kai’s and held it, palm up. She traced the lines on Janie’s palm with her finger. “Hmmm.”

  “Is something wrong?” Kai peered into Janie’s open palm.

  Albania ran her fingers over Janie’s fingertips and gently closed her hand into a fist. “Janie’s lines are strong. I don’t know how long her body will accept your ability.”

  “All we can do is try.” He noticed Albania’s cautious expression and stepped closer to her. “Al, tell me what that means.”

  Albania offered a hesitant smile. “If it wears off while she’s within a solid object, she could become trapped.”

  “Like in a wall?” Janie jerked her hand from Albania’s grasp. Kai placed his arm around her waist.

  She didn’t have to ask her next question. Albania answered, “Yes, you will die.”

  Kai’s arm tightened around Janie’s waist. “We’ll think of another plan. I can’t risk your death.”

  Janie knocked his arm off her. “My death isn’t yours to risk. If using your ability will help me get out of the lair, I’m going to use it.”

  “Stubborn—”

  “Stubborn or not, it’s me against a lair—I have a greater chance of being killed by them than getting stuck in a wall.”

  Kai turned his back on her to talk with Albania in private. Janie spoke loud enough for both of them to hear. “Albania, I would appreciate it if we could do this sooner than later. I’d like to practice, um, running through things.”

  Albania guided Kai to her side. “If you are still willing, I will do it.” She laid a sympathetic hand on Kai’s arm. “Janie has decided. Kai—ultimately, it’s up to you.”

  After a moment of thought, he finally answered. “I’ll do whatever Janie wants.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Janie interlocked her arm through Kai’s. “I’ll be fine. Like you said before—I need to play dirty to win.”

  He let out an annoyed breath.

  Albania removed a small bottle, the size of a small cough medicine cup, from her skirt pocket. Red liquid filled the plastic container. “You and Janie will both need to drink from this bottle.” She removed the lid and handed the bottle to Kai.

  “Are you sure about this?” Kai held the bottle in front of Janie.

  “I’m sure.” She removed the bottle from his hand and took a swig. “Your turn.”

  “Stubborn,” he repeated. He tilted his head back and threw the rest of the red liquid down his throat like a shot of tequila.

  “Do you feel any different?” Albania said to Janie.

  “Should I?” On instinct, Janie examined her body, half-expecting to physically change—sprout wings or grow flippers.

  “Try to run through that tree.” Kai glanced past her to the line of trees in the distance.

  Janie scanned the empty park. No one would see her run smack into a tree or pass through it, however it panned out. She hoped for the second scenario. Besides, she was already recovering from a split lip and a black eye. A goose egg would be an unwanted addition to her list of injuries. Not to mention, she had Homecoming in less than a week—with Matt. A goose egg, black eye, split lip and an evening gown. Perfect! Maybe Matt will refuse to take me if I look like I’ve been in a cage fight. Unlikely. My luck, I’ll be healed by then.

  Janie ironed her pants with her sweaty palms. I can do this. “What do I do?”

  Kai turned to her. “Remember, you have to run. Believe you can do it, and you will.”

  “That’s it. That’s all the instructions you have. Should I close my eyes or something?”

  “If you want.” Janie tried to focus on his touch. He seemed to believe in her. Besides, she never ran away from a challenge.

  Albania stepped back to give Janie room. Kai stayed next to her. He held her hand so tightly. She had to wiggle her fingers free of his. “So I’ll run—straight for the tree.”

  Kai nodded. He didn’t look as confident as she’d hoped.

  “Here goes nothing.” Janie focused on the tall oak’s trunk. A large nodule poked out around eye
level. That‘s going to hurt if I hit it. She sprinted forward. The crisp grass crunched under her boots and her heart pounded in her chest, each footfall slamming into her over and over again. She realized she was holding her breath and exhaled. Anticipating the impact of the tree trunk wasn’t helping her develop her confidence.

  But then a calmness stoked through her—Kai wouldn’t let anything hurt her. He knew she could do it. I can do it.

  Janie slammed into the tree trunk, but it didn’t hurt. She didn’t actually hit it; she passed right through. The molecules bounced her backward. She pushed forward, fighting hard against a forceful resistance, like running with a rubber band wrapped around her waist. “Kai—”

  “I’m right here.” His arms flew around her. “Are you okay?” He lifted her off the ground.

  The coolness of his rain-soaked tee made her gasp. She ignored the dark cotton and let her body mold to his. His sweet smell filled her with a forbidden happiness. He placed her back on the ground and stroked her hair.

  “I’m right where I should be,” she said.

  “You did it. I’ve got complete faith in you.”

  “I know.” Janie glanced back at the tree she’d just run through. “That was kind of fun.” She looked around. “Where’s Albania? I want to thank her.”

  “She had to go.” Kai twirled her ponytail. “I’ll meet you at midnight.”

  They stared at each other, both hesitant to move. They were already so close. She could feel his breath on her mouth. He leaned in closer, so their lips almost touched. Then, he kissed her.

  All rationale left her. She reached up and grabbed his neck, pulling him as close to her as she could. She twirled his blond waves around her fingers, pouring all of her fears and desires into him all at once. The intensity of his kiss felt forceful and hungry, like he tasted something delicious for the first time after starving for days.

  His lips moved to the corner of her mouth and kissed her gently. He drew back. His words were hesitant, shaky, “Janie I—”

  Janie placed her finger on his lips. “Just kiss me.”

  Janie arrived home around dinner time. She noticed Abram’s Lexus parked in the driveway. She entered the living room, startled to see Abram sitting alone in silence. “Where’s Mom?”

  Abram eyed Janie from the armchair, still dressed in a suit, this one navy. He stroked his five o’clock shadow. Janie found this odd. Abram prided himself on being clean-shaven and polished. Janie didn’t feel his behavior was related to the uprising of the Daychildren. She hadn’t seen him look so emotionally exhausted since her father’s death. Whatever the problem, it was personal.

  “We need to talk.” Abram raised his sullen blue eyes and peered at Janie over his glasses.

  “Yes, we do. There’s something going on with you. Please tell me what has you so upset. Is it Kai? Ever since he brought me home last week, you’ve been acting so strange.” Janie took a seat on the sofa. She turned toward Abram. She wanted to rest her hand on his leg, offer him some sort of comfort, but his body language suggested he wanted to be left alone. “Kai really isn’t like the rest of them. He is part human, like us.”

  Abram’s head shot up. Hatred blazed from his glare, making the whites of his eyes appear red. Maybe they were red. He looked as if h hadn’t slept in days. “He is not like us!”

  Abram’s sharp tone sent Janie back into the cushion.

  Isabelle raced into the living room, clutching a dish rag in her fists. “What’s going on? Janie, you’re home.”

  Janie didn’t speak, too afraid after Abram’s outburst.

  “Abram? Will someone please answer me?” Isabelle said.

  Abram straightened his spine. The hard lines on his face and his crow’s feet were more pronounced than ever. Janie could see the wheels spinning in his head. The day they told Janie about her father’s death, he’d had the same expression, the same hesitancy to speak. What could be so devastating?

  Her lungs constricted. She reached into her coat pocket and removed her inhaler just in case.

  “It’s about Kai.” He spoke only slightly louder than a whisper.

  “I already—” Janie prepared to argue. Abram raised his hand. She feared he would shout again. She bit her lip. When it came to Kai, holding back her feelings had become difficult.

  “Go ahead, Abram. We’re listening,” Isabelle said.

  Abram ran his thumb over the chair’s arm, still deep in thought, searching for the right words. “As you know,” he paused to swallow, “your father, Connor. . . .” Her father’s name sounded like a rock lodged in his throat. Abram had to force it out. “Connor was a part of our world through association. He’d fallen in love with your mother.” He glanced up at Isabelle. Her hands trembled. “And she, in return, fell in love with him. Shortly after they met, she stopped Seeking. She knew her lifestyle was too dangerous for him. They got married and she became pregnant with you, a future Seeker. This was a fact your father was unhappy with and expressed quite often.” Abram rested his hand on Janie’s knee. “He wanted to protect you from the monsters humans refused to acknowledge existed.”

  Janie spoke for the first time since Abram began. Her tongue was pasted to the roof of her mouth. “If he wasn’t part of our world anymore, how did he die?” She couldn’t believe it. It was the most Abram had ever spoken about her father’s death.

  Abram removed his hand from her leg. The anger returned. “Your father was downtown for a work conference. He’d left the steakhouse after a late corporate dinner to return home to you and your mother. Only he didn’t make it home.”

  Janie retrieved a throw pillow off the center of the couch. She hugged it tightly.

  “He was attacked by a Daychild, drained of all his blood. The police ruled it a homicide, gang activity, but we knew.” He exhaled deeply and wearily. “I left the restaurant moments after Connor. When I arrived, it was too late. I tried to avenge his death, kill the monster that took him from you and Isabelle, but he was too fast. I’ve spent fifteen years searching for him, knowing one day we would cross paths again.” The hate crawled back into his face. His face reddened as he involuntarily held his breath, denying himself air. “I will never forget those eyes. The eyes of your father’s murderer—bright green.”

  Janie dropped the pillow. She fought to keep her hands from covering her ears. She knew what Abram was going to say next, but she refused to hear it. It couldn’t be true. She’d finally put her guard down, tried to trust in someone other than her mother and Abram. She’d finally found someone to love. It couldn’t be. God couldn’t be so cruel.

  She slid the plastic inhaler into her mouth and squeezed.

  Abram finished. “Kai killed your father.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Janie threw the covers over her head. She’d fled to her bedroom so fast Abram didn’t have a chance to finish. She didn’t need to hear anymore. Kai killed her father, drained him of his blood and ripped him from her and her mother. Kai robbed her of a father and her mother of a husband. Damn him! For so many years she wanted to know what really happened. Now she didn’t want to know. She wished she could push a rewind button and go back in time. How do I move forward when the guy I love killed my father?

  Janie cringed. She could feel Kai’s energy inside her. He swam through her bloodstream. Her flesh pricked to life—his life. He was a part of her now. She had gained his ability. She wanted so badly to rip it out of her. Knowing part of him lived within her made her ill. She threw her covers back and leapt from bed to the bathroom just in time. She vomited.

  She stumbled back to bed and read the neon red numbers on her digital clock. It was late. She’d been in her room longer than she’d intended. At the moment, time didn’t feel like it existed. As much as she wanted to lock herself in her room forever, she had to rescue Tanya.

  Janie brushed her teeth, changed into another pair of dark jeans and a fitted smoke gray hoodie. She did her best to push all thoughts of Kai and her father out of her mind for t
he moment. She had a job to do—get Tanya and return her to Jerome so that he and his gang would help her take down Antony.

  Janie parked her car along a side street close to the tourist-filled Power Plant area, but close enough to the hood that tourists wouldn’t take their chances parking there. She remembered the look of horror that crossed a couple’s face when they were attacked beside their car after a night of drinking. In the right place at the right time, Janie had saved them from a pair of savage Daychildren. She doubted the couple would ever park there again.

  She strode toward the former law offices of Bower, Reed & Associates. The wind whipped strongly between the buildings. Janie hardly noticed the chill or that her hair swirled around her head like the funnel of a mini-tornado. She could have walked through the arctic and not felt the wet, frigid snow around her feet, or the icicles hanging dangerously close to her head. She felt numb to everything.

  She cut through the alley and crouched behind a dumpster around the back of the house. One dim light sprinkled flecks of illumination over the room, casting the appearance of two large rectangular shadows. Furniture, maybe. Neither shadow appeared to move.

  Brick steps led to a single back door with a tiny window. Janie peered through both first-floor windows. Still, nothing moved within the faint light. It’s now or never. It’s not like I have anything to lose. I’m broken already.

  She tiptoed up the steps, her eyes set on the window to catch any ounce of movement. Nothing. She turned the knob slowly. It was locked. Normally, she’d kick it in. This time, she needed to be quiet. Not alert anyone to her presence.

  She remembered once again that she had Kai’s ability within her. Bile rose to the base of her throat. She ignored her nausea and backed off the steps to get a running start. She reached into the backpack she’d slung over her shoulder. It was filled with extra silver-plated knives and a few stakes, just in case.

  Janie retrieved her Cherokee dagger from her boot and read the inscription…U-le-tsu-ya-s-ti—brave. The word gave her the courage to proceed.