by Raven Steele
“Stop this!” I bit out, but the pressure around me only grew as did the breeze in the room, creating a powerful whirlwind. My hair twisted and whipped across my face. I jumped when a stereo behind me turned on, blaring Ode to Joy.
Boaz waved his arms back and forth, leading the debris in a dark symphony of destruction. His combed-back hair flipped forward, falling across his forehead.
Every part of me trembled as all kinds of objects, many of them antiqued weapons, whizzed by my head. I tried to stop them using my magic, but I’d been completely paralyzed. It made me feel small and weak, a feeling I hadn’t felt since being with my parents.
Without warning, he slammed his arms forward against the desk. Everything crashed to the floor, and the music shut off.
His gaze lifted to mine. “You didn’t realize I was this powerful, did you? Not using magic was the hardest part about playing the role of the perfect man. It was extremely difficult being around you and feeling your dark energy. It was always there, just waiting for me to use it.”
I grunted against his restraints. Boaz released me. I slumped forward and inhaled a full breath. On my exhale, I said, “Then why? Why the elaborate scheming if you could’ve just taken it from me all along?”
Boaz groaned. “You have no idea how tiresome it can be to constantly force someone’s powers from them. It’s like trying to tame a lion. It can be done, but really, what kind of idiot does things the hard way when there are such easier methods? Besides, I like you, truly. And now that you've embraced darkness and all its power, we shall accomplish so much.”
I barely heard his words. I was such a fool!
He looked over the notebook again and scanned its entries. “There’s still something I’m not sure about, though.”
He opened his palm. A dagger from across the room flew directly into it. He turned the knife over, eyeing it carefully. “I know you’ve been through a lot in the last several hours, but I must know if it worked.”
“If what worked?”
“This will hurt a little, but if my calculations are correct, the pain won’t last long.” He tossed the dagger at my stomach.
I cried out when the knife lodged itself deep into my gut. I stared down at it, shaking from the pain until I collapsed to my knees. “Why?”
Boaz walked over to me and knelt down. With one hand on my shoulder and the other on the dagger, he pulled it out slowly. I fell over and rolled onto my back. Blood pumped out of the open wound with each beat of my heart.
His eyebrows drew together, and he frowned. “That can’t be good.”
My breathing slowed as did my heartbeat. Death was coming, anxious to claim me for itself, but I welcomed it. Death would be better than staring up at the devil that stood over me with a quizzical expression. But my wish wasn’t granted. Darkness receded into the shadows of the room, taking with it my pain. My wound healed over with new skin.
Boaz hurried to the chair behind his desk and scribbled furtively in the notebook. “It worked. Excellent!”
I pulled myself to my feet and inspected the bloody hole in my gown. The wound had entirely healed. I slowly looked up at Boaz. “What makes you think I won’t leave you, now that I know your true motives?”
He stopped writing and looked up. “Because you're one of us now."
“I am nothing like you.”
His gaze burned into mine. He stood so quickly and with such force that his chair flew backwards and smashed into the bookcase behind him. He rounded his desk and grabbed me by the arm to drag me in front of a tall mirror not far away.
“Look at you!” he demanded, holding me by my shoulders and giving me a shake. He grabbed my chin and forced me to face my reflection. “See how you’ve changed? You’re so full of dark magic it’s changed even your physical appearance. You are cruel and ruthless. You use magic for your own personal gain, but most of all, you crave the power just like me.”
I stared at myself in the mirror, and for the first time in a long while, I really looked, holding back nothing. This honest view of myself might not have happened had it not been for the vampire at the park. His touch, filled with light, had reawakened feelings and emotions I’d long ago buried.
I didn’t recognize the woman before me. She had a hardness to her that only the worst kind of experiences could give. My hair, once a vibrant flaxen color, was now almost entirely black, like the color of a raven’s wing. The tight, emerald-green nightgown I wore was cut low, exposing the majority of my chest. I cowered.
Boaz shoved me back toward the mirror. “Don’t shrink from it, love. Embrace it!”
I stumbled into the glass, frightened by the cruelty that stared back at me in those green eyes. They no longer reflected the chaste light I’d once guarded with my life. All innocence was gone. I reached forward to touch the reflection in hopes that when I did so, it would be an illusion like all of Boaz’s other deceptions. But when I touched my face in the mirror, I touched evil. I felt the power of it and saw the same dark mist I frequently saw in Boaz’s eyes rise in my own.
Behind me, Boaz laughed.
I fell to my knees and covered my face in shame. “How could you do this to me?”
“You did this to yourself. You made the choice.”
“But you tricked me.”
Boaz sat on the floor next to me, his back against the mirror. “Let me tell you a story. Maybe it will make you feel better.”
When I didn’t respond, he continued.
“There once was a young Indian boy who was gathering sticks for a fire. Across a river, he noticed a fallen tree where he could get plenty of wood. He was about to cross when a serpent stopped him.
“‘Please, boy, carry me to the other side. There is no food to eat, and I will surely die if I cannot get across.’
“‘But you are a snake,’ the boy said, ‘you will bite me and kill me with your poison if I pick you up!
“‘Nonsense. I will not bite you if you help save my life. Now, please, pick me up and carry me to the other side.’
“The boy agreed and picked up the snake. When they reached the other side, the snake bit him.
“‘Why did you do that? You said you wouldn’t bite me,’ the boy cried.
“The snake hissed back, ‘You knew what I was when you picked me up.”’ Boaz paused for dramatic effect. “You knew what I was, yet you still chose to be with me because you loved and craved the power you felt between us. That will never leave you, especially after all you've done. This is the path you've chosen.”
I lifted my head, my chest was hollow, and my mind empty. “How was that supposed to make me feel better?”
Boaz shrugged. “I’m just saying you can’t be angry with me. You let yourself be fooled.”
“Leave me alone.”
“This is my lair, remember? You leave if you want to be alone.”
I stood up, too depressed to care anymore how he spoke to me.
“By the way, your parents will be here soon to see your marvelous transformation,” he called after me. “Don’t disappoint.”
Chapter 22
I had nowhere else to go but to my room. I could run away but I wouldn’t get very far, especially with Hunwald who could track anything. He’d followed me to my room and remained camped just outside. He frightened me as much as Boaz. I collapsed on top of my bed in frustration.
Escape was not an option unless I used magic. A big part of me itched to do just that, but I held back, knowing I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I did. Dark magic was too addicting, and I didn’t know how to use anything else more powerful to combat Boaz if it came to that.
Had I discovered Boaz's deceit only a few days ago, I wouldn't have cared as long as I had Boaz and that power. But then everything had changed when the strange vampire in the city had touched me. That tiny sliver of light that had passed between us had pushed back some of the darkness in my mind, like the sun parting the sky after a storm, and finally I could see the devastation I had caused, not o
nly to myself, but to others too.
I rolled over on the crumpled blankets, tears burning my eyes. I thought about the injection Boaz had given me. I was immortal. I didn’t know what that meant exactly or how it would affect my future, but it couldn’t be good. Any creation of Boaz’s should be destroyed.
Wouldn’t death be better than to be like the black wolf that shadowed him day and night? Was my magic the only good thing about me? I had more to offer. Didn’t I?
Several hours passed while I tried to decide between life and death. I had harmed so many people! I thought specifically of Helen and Harriet. Pain wracked my chest and I rubbed at it as if I could make the hurt go away.
I paused, my hand clenched tight at my stomach. Madelyn would be so disappointed in me. I should feel pain. I should suffer just like all of my victims. Death would be too easy. Somehow I had to make things right, no matter how difficult. Starting with swearing off magic for good.
And with that seemingly small decision, the flame in my heart, already lit by the vampire I’d met in the city, grew, and I felt hope for the future.
The lights flipped on. Still wide-awake, I shielded my eyes from the glare, but when my parents walked through the door, I jumped to my feet and scooted backwards into the wall. Memories of the abuse they had inflicted upon me flooded my mind, and I thought I might drown in them. But then I drew in a deep breath, in and out, and cleared my head. I had to be strong for what was to come.
Sable crossed the room with a smile that made me think she’d just won a beauty contest. Her hair was pulled up into a tight French twist, and an evening gown clung to her slight curves as if she were attending another one of her charity events. She threw her arms around me in a tight embrace, something she’d never done before.
“Eve, dear,” she said, while releasing me and staring me in the eyes. “You look absolutely wonderful. Boaz told us all about your remarkable transformation. To think, he actually made you an immortal! I’m sure you can understand now why we were so hard on you growing up. We only wanted what was best for you, and now you have the most wonderful thing possible.”
She glanced back at Boaz, who was standing next to Erik in the doorway, and flashed another perfect smile.
Boaz nodded at me encouragingly. I wanted to give in, to be back in his arms, to feel the darkness that made me feel nothing. It would be so easy to do what they all wanted.
But it wouldn’t be right.
Now, at last, that meant something.
“Well?” Sable asked, looking at me expectantly.
I lifted my chin a little. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not who Boaz thinks I am.”
“What is she talking about?” Sable asked Boaz, her head cocked to the side.
“She’s confused. Don’t worry, it will pass.” Boaz crossed the room and took my hand, but I jerked it away.
“This won’t pass. I’m done with magic. I’m done with all of you.”
He chuckled. “You’ve already crossed the line. You're addicted.”
“You’re wrong.”
Boaz suddenly slapped me with the back of his hand. Sable and I jumped at the same time. I touched my cheek. He could’ve hit me so much harder, but the force still stung.
“Don’t test me,” he growled.
I stared at him, truly shocked.
“What’s going on, Boaz?” Erik asked behind him. “I thought you said she had changed.”
“She has. She’s just being stubborn, but I can change that. Leave us.”
Before turning away, Sable shook her head sadly and followed Erik from the room.
As soon as the door closed, Boaz whirled on me. “I don’t like hurting you. You must believe me.”
“I will never believe another word you say.”
“What’s happened to you?” He eyed me up and down. “Where did you go after I left?”
“I went to the city, alone.”
“And what did you do while you were alone?”
“I was my usual mean self. I used magic to hurt others.”
“And?”
“And I met someone who reminded me of who I used to be.”
Boaz grabbed me roughly by the arm. “Who?”
“I don’t know his name, but he was a powerful vampire, maybe more so than you. And he didn’t hurt others. There was light inside him.”
Boaz flinched, almost hissing.
“Do you know him?” I asked, startled by his reaction.
His expression darkened. “None of that matters now. We’re wasting time. I need you, and you need—”
“No,” I argued. “I don’t need you.”
Boaz clenched his fists and breathed heavily through his nose, nostrils flaring. Without touching me this time, he sent me flying across the room and into the wooden headboard. I cried out, but only for a moment as my body had already begun to heal.
“Don’t think that just because you’re an immortal I can’t hurt you. I can spend hours breaking your bones, and after they’ve healed, I will break them again.”
“It won’t matter. I won’t do what you want. I endured my parents’ abuse for years. You will be no different.”
Boaz glided to the bed, his feet barely skimming the floor. “There are other ways to hurt you than just physically, love.”
He took hold of my ankles and jerked my legs toward him. He forced his weight upon on me.
More than anything else, I wanted to use magic to throw him from me, but that’s exactly what he wanted. I closed my eyes tight as he ripped open the front of my gown. My heart beat so quickly, I thought it might stop.
“What are you waiting for?” he screamed, spittle spraying from his mouth.
When I didn’t answer, he stepped away and stormed from the room without Hunwald. The wolf remained, watching me with a satisfied expression upon his hairy face. I covered myself quickly and moved to jump out the window. The impact of the fall would only hurt for a minute.
Hunwald jogged over and leapt upon the windowsill as if guarding it.
“Stupid dog,” I muttered and fell back to the bed.
Hunwald growled.
Outside the open door, Erik argued with Boaz. “You said she changed. You’ve wasted our time!”
“I’ve wasted your time? I’ve waited decades for someone like Eve. She just needs a little more convincing. There was an unexpected complication.”
“You’re the one who so arrogantly insisted you could change her.”
“Watch your tongue, Erik, or I’ll rip it from your throat. I’ve made more progress than you made in her whole life.”
Sable sighed. “This has been a waste for everyone involved. Let’s just start over. I know it will take more time, but really Boaz, don’t you have plenty of that?”
Boaz scoffed. "You're too old to bear any more children. Besides, I want Eve!”
“Then what do you suggest we do?” Erik asked.
I heard silence for several moments and then, from Boaz, “Get the necklace.”
“I told you it’s not safe,” Sable hissed.
“I’m willing to take that chance. Now get it and make it work or you will lose everything, the money, the power, but most of all, your lives.”
I didn’t hear anyone move. My pulse raced as I tried to recall what necklace they could be talking about. I'd never heard any mention of any significant jewelry in the family.
“Get it, Sable,” Erik finally ordered.
Sable’s light footsteps moved down the hall. Boaz came back into the room and knelt by my side. When he tried to smooth back my hair, I flinched.
“I don’t enjoy hurting you. And despite what you may think, I am quite fond of you. I really wish you would reconsider.”
My shoulders slumped, and my gaze slowly lifted to meet his. “Is there any way you can just let me go?”
He laughed.
I tried again. “But there are so many others better suited for you. Helen?”
He stopped laughing. “You are suited for me. I
will have no other!”
“Don’t I have a say in this?”
“Of course you have a say! It’s ‘I will do whatever you want, Boaz’. That’s what you can say,” he snapped.
I turned away from him.
“I’ll give you one last chance, love. Give your whole self to me, the powerful part not the weak, ‘I-feel-nothing’ Eve. I want the part that loves darkness, loves to hurt others and takes pleasure in other’s pain. That’s the Eve I want by my side. Give me her, and I will not do what I am about to do.”
The image of the vampire I’d met only yesterday came to my mind. Had it only been a day?
“Power is a dangerous thing,” I whispered.
Boaz snorted. “That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”
I lowered my head, wishing I could be wherever the vampire with the sorrow-filled eyes was.
“Last chance. Join me willingly.”
I didn’t answer, and I didn’t care what he did to me anymore. There was nothing left.
“Very well. You will never be the same again.”
He stood and exited the room with Hunwald by his side. The door slammed behind him without being touched.
Chapter 23
I remained alone in my room for days; no one even brought me food. At first, I was starving, but then I realized it was more from habit than true hunger. My body was only slightly weakened by the lack of food.
Since there were no distractions, I used the time to gather my strength mentally for what was coming. It couldn’t be good with both my parents and Boaz involved. But whatever it was, I had to be prepared not to use magic. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction, nor would I let myself get sucked back into dark magic’s seductive grip.
The more I thought this, and the more I said it out loud, the more my resolve strengthened. The spark inside me grew, slowly overpowering the darkness that had rooted itself inside me.
I stared out the window toward the full moon above. It was a clear night. Tiny pinpricks of light dotted the black sky. When footsteps approached my bedroom door, I focused on the strength of the stars. No matter how many times night came, they always managed to stay bright. Darkness couldn’t penetrate them. I had to be the same.
