A knot grew in Kane’s throat at the mere mention of his father and he nodded. His people not only deserved a king, they deserved a great king. But there was only one way to become king—and that was to kill his own mother. How could he do that in good conscience? Yes, she was evil and had done unspeakable things to her own kind, but could he bring himself to slay her when the moment arose?
He wasn’t a coward, though the road he must take was sure to be wrought with peril. Kane knew the risks of traveling through the darkest and most evil regions of Dark World. He knew he might not return. But his people depended on him and he needed to prove to them that he was worthy of their respect.
Kane raised his eyes to the cracked walls and ceiling as though the weight of his worries were mirrored within the foundation of the palace.
He knew what he had to do.
“Will you,” Kane began, his throat tightening like a noose had been cinched round his neck, “take care of Ever for me if anything should…go wrong?”
“Of course.” Elder Ozen’s eyes lit like sparkling jade. “I swear on my life that I will do everything to protect her.”
With every stroke of the brush, Ever’s long brilliant hair gleamed like fresh snow on a pale winter’s day. She gazed sightlessly into the mirror, her thoughts cast on the whereabouts of her new friend. Mindlessly, she set down the brush and taking three thick sections of hair, braided them together to form a lengthy rope.
She sighed heavily, her reflection staring back with discontented eyes.
Until recently she didn’t realize what she’d been missing. The reality of her eternal imprisonment hadn’t truly sunk in until she met Fate. Something inside Ever ignited. A desire to see the outside world. If this shade could wander free over the darkened lands, why couldn’t she? Fate was the same as her. Young, naïve, and, unfortunately, wanted by her cruel grandmother.
For once, Ever felt a kinship with someone who could understand her. Fate knew nothing of Dark World, a mere baby in the underworld, yet she braved the ruthless realm by leaving the safety of the demon kingdom.
Why can’t I?
A light knock at her door stirred her from her longing.
“Yes,” she called out, forcing her voice steady.
Her father’s large figure entered. His tortured aura sucking all of the air out of the room. Of course he still wasn’t willing to admit his feelings for Fate, but just standing in his presence, Ever was able to feel his pain.
Gifted from birth, Ever’s ability to sense others emotions had often left the adult demons speechless. Shaman Goretus dubbed her an empath, a rarity among their kind.
The only person she’d ever encountered that she couldn’t read was Fate. She surmised it was because she had no soul, or very little of it left. There was something there, but it wasn’t strong enough for Ever to sense.
Her father’s feelings were as evident as fire on a phoenix. He loved Fate. His aura exuded an unnatural heat whenever she was around, even when her name was just simply mentioned.
“I need to speak with you,” her father began, his tone tainted with sadness.
She moved to the bed and sat down, folding her hands in her lap. The edge of the bed sank as he seated himself next to her.
“Ever,” he started, his eyes trained on the floor. “I know you are cross with me for allowing Fate to leave.”
Ever stiffened. Yes, she was still upset with him. Not angry, but disappointed. She forced herself to look at him. To see the heartbreak in his eyes.
He continued. “I intend to find her…and to apologize.”
Ever couldn’t suppress the smile wandering across her face. “That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to see her! I have so much to tell…”
“Ever,” her father interrupted, a pain lingering behind his eyes. “I don’t mean to bring her back here.”
Ever frowned. “Then where?”
He exhaled deeply, thick lines of concern scarring his forehead. “She…I hope…she will help me find the scrolls.”
“All of them?” Ever swallowed, certain she already knew the answer.
He nodded, not meeting her gaze.
“But…Malus has one, doesn’t she?”
He clenched his fists at the mention of his evil mother. Ever was aghast. How could her father risk Fate like that? He may as well deliver her into the Queen’s waiting hands.
“You can’t! You risk her. You risk yourself? No one has ever entered the Blood Palace and escaped again!”
“No one we know,” he countered quietly.
Ever stood, wrapping her arms around her waist and paced the room. “What do you mean?” she hissed angrily.
He met her heated stare. “Whoever stole our scroll had to have a talent like no other. I will seek them out and…”
She stopped in mid-stride, a realization striking her. “You…don’t intend to return, do you?”
He rose, opening his arms to her. “I have to do this, Ever. I have to find Fate and beg her to help me find the pages or…” He hesitated.
She turned from his embrace. He didn’t need to finish. Ever knew the consequences of Malus obtaining all of the scrolls. She would control all of Dark World and the Surface, and the demons would be destroyed.
Confused, she asked. “Why would you want to seek out the thief?”
“As far as I know, Malus only has one. The banshees’. The Oracle spoke of another that is acquiring the scrolls and I have a feeling…”
“Oh, you’re basing all of this on a feeling? I feel so much better!” she fumed.
“I have a feeling,” he continued through gritted teeth, “that the thief will lead us to that person.”
“Why? Why do you think the thief works for this other person and not Malus? Maybe the shade is collecting them for himself.” She crossed her arms and held her ground before him.
His indigo eyes locked onto hers. “The guard saw a black mist enter the scroll room…normal shades can’t do that. He could be collecting them for himself. I can’t know the truth unless I find him.”
“Black mist?” Her anger receded. “I’ve never heard of a shade being able to do that.”
The corners of his mouth lifted microscopically. “Exactly, he’s different. He must be a single-born, like Fate, and Malus doesn’t allow single males to live, and unless there’s another single-born female out there that we don’t know about…” He shrugged.
Ever let everything sink in. She suddenly felt silly for doubting her father. He was smarter than she was giving him credit for.
“Now do you understand why I have to go?” he asked quietly.
She did, but it didn’t make her any happier. “What if…something happens to you?” Tears found their way to her eyes.
“Baby girl,” he started, pulling her into his large chest and stroking her hair, “I promise I will do everything in my power to come back to you. Everything.”
Ever swallowed back a sob. What if everything wasn’t enough?
Longings
“I don’t understand,” Vale raked his rebellious silver hair, frustration building as he eyed the weeping shade. “They’re just unicorns. Just food.”
What was her problem? Did she not realize she needed to eat? They were just animals. Not even aware of their demise, let alone their existence. He was pretty sure they didn’t stand around pondering the wonders of the underworld or their purpose in life. These kinds of creatures were disposable. Simply awaiting consumption as far as Vale was concerned. Yet here was this girl. This shade with a conscience, mourning the loss of a beast with the worth of Surface cow.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed, kneeling close to the corpse of the horned horse. “I just feel so awful.”
He sighed. It had been a century that he’d dwelt here, forgetting how it felt when he’d first arrived. He recalled his first attempt at feeding. It was messy and indignant, for both him and the creature he’d stolen from.
Vale’s master had forced him to surrender to his needs, not tha
t he’d much choice. The hunger always wins…eventually.
“Fate,” Vale began softly, settling onto one knee beside her. “You mustn’t burden yourself with such things. Feeding is necessary for our kind. Inevitable.”
“I know,” she glanced up, her luminous eyes glistening. “I just can’t help feeling sad. It’s just…it’s a unicorn.” She swept her hand over the mangled carcass.
He had to admit, it was a magnificent beast. That and the human lore tied to it, he could almost see how she could be upset. But not devastated.
“Come on.” He helped her to standing. “We need to start moving.”
Sniffling, she asked,”Why?”
He scanned the width of the forest, gazing between the glass trees. “Nighttime is upon us, the darkest creatures will be awakening soon.”
“Nighttime,” she scoffed waving an impatient arm in the air. “It’s always nighttime here.”
Vale paused, stifling a laugh as she stomped away with a scowl masking her pretty face. She amused him. She had a way about her that was so…human. All the other shades he’d ever come across were so cold and lacked character. Like their personality had been kidnapped alongside their souls when they arrived in the underworld. This girl, she was comical. It was a relief, to say the least.
Mind you, he hadn’t met another shade that had been born alone. They’d all been the victims of a multiple ritual. Damned in twos and threes.
He followed Fate to the edge of the forest, her head down and shoulders low.
Time. She just needs time. Then she’ll toughen up. Once she sees and experiences enough of the horrors this world has to offer…she’ll change.
An uninvited ache moved through his chest and he exhaled.
He really didn’t want her to.
Kane packed his bag slowly, wondering if he should really be doing this. Was he going to find Fate for his people? To recover the scrolls?
Or was it for himself?
Ever since that moment, that instant, that she laid her hands upon him and healed him, something had changed in him. It was like she’d shared what remained of her soul with him, and he with her.
He shook his head, wishing he knew more of the shades and their capabilities. Their magical potential. What if all she had done was unwittingly unleashed some kind of curse upon him? Like a love potion.
He raised his eyes to the ceiling, frustration owning his thoughts. With Seren, love was easy. Simple. But with Fate, it was laced with confusion and dread.
He relinquished a shaky chuckle. “She might not even feel the same way, Kane.”
“Talking to yourself?” a voice emanated from the doorway, startling him. Deme leaned against the frame, an expression that bordered both amusement and concern.
Kane smiled, warmth rose to his face. “Yah, I guess so.”
She glanced at the bed, his belongings scattered and pack half-full. Her pleasant look melted.
“Where…are you going?”
“I have to find her,” he stated, lowering his eyes to the floor.
Disgust rolled in a wave from her as she stormed all the way into his room, closing the distance between them.
“Then I’m going with you,” her voice softened, the heat from her ruby skin mingling with his own.
He hesitated. Waiting for a stir of emotion. He should feel something with a female of his own species, should he not? But it never came. Only Fate lingered in his thoughts. Only her.
“No.” He finally surrendered.
“That’s ridiculous!” Deme seethed, taking a step backwards. “Why would you go alone?”
Kane sighed, exasperation clawing beneath the surface of his skin. This was his responsibility. His burden. There was no reason to endanger anyone else’s life. Especially Deme’s. He’d already had the displeasure of feeling guilty for her near-death experience with the sphinxes. He didn’t want to feel that again.
“Deme, I…it’s just the way it has to be,” he stammered, attempting a tone of authority.
Her red tail flicked and twitched as though it had a dark mood all its own.
“It’s too dangerous alone,” she argued, her eyes narrowed into slits.
He nodded. “You’re probably right, but it’s what I’ve decided. Besides, once I find Fate, I won’t be alone.” He joked, offering her a weak smile.
She abruptly turned from him and headed for the door. With her fingers wrapped around the handle, she suddenly paused. Her back to him, she muttered in a quiet voice, “I hope she’s worth it.”
Then she left.
Though Deme was well out of range, he answered, “She is.”
Journey
The scalding landscape lay as a desolate orphan before him. The dark wonderland overflowed with memories of pain, suffering, and death. A world haunted by residual ghosts and real nightmares.
The doors to the underground palace shut behind him with a metallic slam. He was alone.
No one had seen him off. Deme avoided him completely while Ever stayed in her room, inconsolable. Other than Elder Ozen, no one else knew he was leaving. He wondered if they’d even notice. Or care.
A sigh escaped him. He wasn’t one to wallow in self-pity, but he couldn’t help feeling slighted by his own people. Shouldn’t they be more concerned of his whereabouts? He was supposed to be their leader, after all. The son of the great King Lucifer. Their future king. Maybe.
He adjusted his backpack and started forward on his journey. If nothing else, it gave him plenty of opportunity to think. And to sort out his feelings for Fate.
He gazed over the landscape. So many directions to take, so many paths.
Where would she go?
Anxiety prickled through him. Was she alright? How would she have survived out here? Even for just two days?
In the distance, the glistening stalks of the Crystalline Forest beckoned him. Somehow, he knew that’s where she would go. Following his gut, he began his trek towards the glassy trees.
He glanced back, the distance between the palace and himself growing further and further, leaving him to feel more isolated than ever. The rounded prints of his hooves left a lonely trail etched into the red sands of the Crimson Desert.
Reluctantly, his thoughts drifted to Seren. The bond they’d shared forever severed by violence and greed. He wondered what she would think of his feelings towards Fate. Would she be disgusted? Or content he’d moved on and his heart mended enough to accept new love?
He gave his head a shake. The whole idea was preposterous. A demon and a shade. Ridiculous. Besides, he had more important—no, critical—concerns to deal with. One being the recovery of the scroll. Even if he thought there was a chance to have a future with Fate, the future would cease to exist unless he prevented Malus from obtaining any further pages of the Devil’s Bible.
Kane frowned. He was certain he knew the reason for his mother’s interest in the scrolls, being that she wanted to open the fissure to the Surface and create a massive army of shades, but why did this mystery thief desire the pages? What was his agenda? What other motivation could there be for reopening the fissure?
Locked within his thoughts, he trudged over the ash-ridden terrain. His pack, full of food and survival gear, weighed heavily on his right shoulder while his sheathed sword burdened the other.
He glanced ahead. The journey to Fate seemingly endless. A cold front wandered over his soul as his imagination summoned an image of her hurt, scared, and alone.
Adrenaline fired within and he picked up the pace. A geyser, only twenty feet to his left, exploded high into the air. It was later than he thought. Nighttime was descending quickly.
It was in that moment a deep tremor rumbled beneath his feet.
He knew instantly he’d made a fatal error.
Dread hit him and he wished more than anything that he was still able to fly.
“Ick!” Fate called out as loudly as she could. “Ick, where are you?”
“Hush! What are you trying to do? You may as wel
l announce there’s an all you can eat shade buffet over here,” Vale hissed, scowling at her.
She didn’t care. Without Ick. Without a home. Without Kane. There wasn’t much left to live for. Depression burrowed into her core. If she only knew where she belonged. Oddly, she would have thought the Surface was where she should be, but even there she recalled feeling awkward. A misfit.
Seating herself onto a nearby boulder, she turned her attention to Spark perched loyally upon her shoulder.
“Where are we going to go?” Fate asked, stroking Spark’s downy chest with her pointer finger, the flames parting chivalrously for her.
Vale paced the small area in which they’d paused, his face pinched in deep concentration. “Well, I believe the wisest…and safest…would be to return to my master.”
Fate bristled. “Is your master…kind?”
His face fell slightly, then he replied, “Kind? I don’t know that anyone in Dark World can be described as kind, but he is…worthy of respect.”
“I’ve met kind people here,” she argued, her defenses rising.
“Oh? Then why are you here and not with them?” His tone was almost cruel and she cringed.
“I…don’t know,” she admitted, picturing Kane’s face when he found her in the garden with Ever. The hatred in his eyes.
Vale eyed her a moment, his demeanor softening. “What if,” he began, “my master took you in, like he did me, and trained you?”
“Train me?”
“Yes, he’s a master of black magic. The dark arts. He could teach you as he’s taught me,” he smiled hopefully, taking a seat beside her and resting his arm over her shoulder. “We could be…a team.”
“A team? What is it you are trained to do?” She raised an eyebrow at him, a flare of suspicion igniting.
He exhaled, removing his arm from around her. “Well, let’s just say…I’m a seeker…of rare antiquities.”
“Seeker? And your master is a collector?”
“Exactly!” His eyes brightened.
Dark World (Book I in the Dark World Trilogy) Page 17
