Darkness Unveiled

by Emerson Knight

  Now we know what he wants. Finally.

  “And you think you should be that person?” Sky asked, incredulous.

  “Of course. I should be revered for what I am, and they need to be controlled. A logical choice, don’t you think?”

  “And you think the way to gain that is by killing their people? Did you consider that would just really enrage them? I can assure you that showing you reverence is the furthest thing from their minds.”

  “The first ones were to make a point.”

  “Ever tried an Edible Arrangement? Those things really get your attention. They’re fruit carved into cute little flowers. For a little extra, they can dip them in chocolate. They’re the best. I just love them.”

  The rest of us held our breaths until we heard Ethos chuckle.

  “On any given day, who is the most feared is a toss-up between the were-animals and the vamps, and they are a force. Sebastian, unlike Demetrius, could turn to the South for assistance. I took care of that, and now they are on equal playing fields. I’ve destroyed the Southern Pack and killed a substantial number of the Northern Seethe. They are weakened. If I continue, how feared do you think they will be when they don’t have the numbers to make them a threat? Do they think they will continue to enjoy the luxuries of their power?

  “The elves and witches are considering an alliance, are you aware of that? How hard will it be for them to subjugate a fractured power? The vampires are immune to fae and elven magic, the were-animals to the witches’. Apart, they are at a disadvantage. Together they are a force that most will not deny. But they are too foolish and arrogant to form a lasting alliance that will be invincible. They are in need of direction and a real leader.”

  Sky released a nervous chuckle. “Again, you think it should be you? For argument’s sake, let’s say they submit, and you become … president, prime minister, CEO, king, the big cheese, or whatever of the otherworld—”

  “Lord.”

  I could almost hear the laughter in her voice as she asked, “Then what?”

  “Everyone else will follow. With them under my control, the elves wouldn’t stand a chance, and the faes would submit without much of a fight. Then the witches will have no choice but to follow. I need them because they have something that belongs to me that I would like back.”

  “Why are you talking to me? Go call Demetrius and Sebastian and tell them your plan,” Sky said, making no effort to disguise her sarcasm. “Perhaps they will think it’s a good idea and submit upon request. Clearly they would see that you are more qualified to lead than they are.”

  “I would like to keep you alive because you will prove to be very useful to me, but I will accept the loss if you can’t control your tongue.”

  I heard a sharp intake of breath from Sky, and my heart skipped a beat. Judging by Josh’s pale expression, Ethos could kill her quicker than we could react. Even if we transported in time, would it be a suicide trip for my brother? I had no problem putting my own life at risk, but I wouldn’t do the same with his. I’d have to attack Ethos immediately, and hope I could buy him a few seconds to escape with Sky.

  When she spoke again, her tone was cautious. “What do you want with me?”

  “You will serve as my representative. Make them see that surrender is their only choice. I know you can do this. Although you consort with them, you are not part of their pack and you seem to have established a working relationship with the vampires as well.” Steven lowered his head, as if in defeat, while Josh and Sebastian turned their gazes on me. “You are bonded to both. They know your power, and they will listen. You have three days. If they don’t concede willingly, then …” his voice trailed off.

  “They will not listen to me,” she insisted, almost laughing. “Coming from me, it will be ignored. You want it to be considered, then you should meet with Demetrius and Sebastian.”

  Ethos laughed. “You know a meeting between us would not be nearly as pleasant. How would anything be addressed with them looking for any and every opportunity to destroy me? No, I would rather not deal with such unpleasantness during a meeting.”

  “They’d rather die than be led by anyone other than themselves. They don’t continue to fight for their leadership to hand it over to someone like a candy bar on Halloween. They would consider a brutal death more admirable than being considered a feckless and superable leader by submitting to you.”

  “It would be an easier transition if they did, but I am fine with getting rid of them if necessary,” he said as if it were a small matter. “You have three days.”

  “I will need more time.”

  When he spoke again, his voice was further away. “No, three days. They either concede willingly or by force.”

  After a tense moment, Sky texted us, “He’s gone.” Josh brushed my hand from his shoulder and then disappeared. A moment later, he reappeared near the office door with a badly shaken Sky.

  CHAPTER 14

  I found it difficult to meet Sky’s gaze as she described in a trembling voice her harrowing experience with Ethos, detailing his demands and threats. Now that she was safe, her bravado was gone, replaced by fear. At any moment of their encounter, he could’ve instantly killed her on a simple whim. How could I just dangle her out there as bait? If anything had happened to her… I could never have forgiven myself. At the same time, I felt immensely proud of Sky. I knew very few were-animals who could comport themselves with such bravery in the face of such a capricious and unassailable threat.

  Sebastian and Gavin remained reticent as they absorbed her story. Informing her that we had bugged her GPS and had heard the entire conversation would only upset her unnecessarily. She was far too shaken to find our lack of shock suspicious. After she’d told her story, she announced that she needed a shower and left.

  Sebastian picked up his phone and dialed a number. “Expect Demetrius and his vampires in a few hours.” For once, Gavin made no complaint. Instead, he acknowledged the news with a sober nod. Now that we understood the threat that faced us, we were going to need all the help we could get. Once the meeting was arranged, I made the rounds, informing the others that the final fight was close at hand. The activity level in the gym, particularly the sparring room, increased immediately as the pall of futility that had been hanging over the pack since the attacks began was finally lifted.

  I wanted to check on Sky, but I couldn’t bring myself to face her.

  A few hours later, I escorted Chris, Demetrius, and Michaela into the living room. Sebastian emerged from his office, while Josh brought Sky downstairs, directing her to an ottoman in the middle of the room. She took the seat with some trepidation as the vampires lined up on one side of her, and the were-animals lined up on the other.

  “You say you have important news to share,” Demetrius said, his tone bored. “Perhaps your witch would like us to catch all of the creatures for him, in the hope that at least one won’t escape.”

  I saw my brother’s jaw clench. He glared at Demetrius, who never bothered to meet Josh’s gaze after insulting him. Despite his defiance, I could see the vamp had touched on some doubt by the way he began to fidget—subtle gestures like rotating his wrists, flicking his fingertips, and shifting his weight, but I knew them well. That Josh had failed to anticipate the creature’s ability to injury itself as a means to escape had reflected badly on the pack, and on him.

  Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest. “The silver-haired witch has made contact with Skylar.”

  I grunted as Demetrius turned to her with a raised eyebrow. Interested in this conversation now, aren’t you? Chris leaned forward intently, while Michaela crossed one knee over the other and lazily reached over it with one hand, impatiently tapping her knee as she gave Sky a doubtful smile.

  “It is Ethos,” Sebastian stated.

  I grinned as Michaela’s smile melted into a general look of shock.

  At Sebastian’s urging, Sky told her story, leaving out that she had been held out by us as deliberate bai
t. As far as Chris and the vamps needed to know, Ethos’s arrival at Sky’s home was an entirely unexpected turn of events. She also left out the part about Ethos referring to her as an amphora.

  At the time that Ethos had initially issued his demands, I’d been far too concerned about Sky for them to sink in. As she repeated his demands then, I felt an indignant fury fill my chest. Demetrius jumped to his feet, repeatedly shouting “Outrageous!” I found myself edging protectively closer to Sky as all three of the vamps paced and cursed as she carefully repeated every detail. By the third telling, Gavin, Sebastian, and I were equally incensed by Ethos’s audacity. Only Chris took the news quietly, her attention fixed on Sky, who appeared increasingly uncomfortable in the room.

  “Three days?” Michaela shouted, stomping a path back and forth through the room. “I want him dead. Now.”

  Sebastian turned to Josh. “How do we kill him?”

  Josh’s eyes widened. “You want to know how to kill one of the rulers of dark magic who has existed longer than anyone in this room?”

  “Doesn’t mean he can’t be killed,” Demetrius barked. “Just means no one has figured out how.”

  Josh gaped in stunned silence.

  “He’s no longer sharing his magic,” Sky interjected, warning Demetrius. “He’s at his strongest.”

  “Josh,” I said, drawing my brother’s attention. “Can his magic be taken?”

  “If it was that easy, don’t you think it would have been done years ago?” he snapped, venting his frustration at me. “Ethos has more enemies than the pack and the Seethe combined. There’s a reason people don’t screw with him.”

  “Then kill his creatures and the magic dies with him,” Demetrius said, determined.

  Josh rolled his eyes. “Are you even paying attention? At the first sign of fatal injury, he retrieves his creatures for the magic to be returned. We are not dealing with an amateur here.”

  The vampires began a fresh tirade of indignation, proclaiming the myriad of ways they intended to torture Ethos for an almost indefinite period before finally granting him permission to die. Eventually, Chris rose and left the room. Judging by her direction, she was either looking for a bathroom or headed to the library. A few minutes later, Sky had had enough and followed Chris, escaping the room with her head down to avoid drawing attention to departure.

  “We have three days to come up with a plan,” Sebastian stated, drawing a hard look from Demetrius. “We’ll find a way.”

  Demetrius cast a sideways look at Josh. “Do you think your witch is up to the task?”

  I growled, stepping forward to knock some manners into the vamp when Josh barred my path with his arm. His eyes darkened as he glared at Demetrius.

  “Since you have no ideas of your own,” he said sternly, “I guess I’ll have to be.”

  Demetrius scoffed as he turned away.

  “Then we are agreed,” Sebastian said, drawing everyone’s attention. “We fight Ethos to the death.”

  “You say that as if you considered surrender,” Michaela said, as if tossing alcohol into a fire.

  This time it was Gavin who strode forward, but Sebastian stopped him. “We will never submit,” he stated coolly.

  “We shall see,” Demetrius answered, then stormed out of the house with Michaela on his heels.

  Once they’d left, I turned to Josh. “Can you find a way?”

  “Sure,” he answered. “I’m sure I’ll just open a hundred books and the answer will just fall right out.” He ran a hand through his hair as he blew out a tense breath. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said, then left for the library.

  After a few final arrangements were made with Sebastian, I went to join Josh in the library. Instead, I found Chris and Winter having a glare-off. Winter’s jet-black hair was pulled into a ponytail, revealing that her sun-kissed skin had finally returned to its usual hue. The bruising, from what I could see, had vanished, but she still wasn’t a hundred percent. There was a fatigue there, and her posture, while defiant, lacked the flagrant confidence that she’d exuded before her injuries. She’d been defeated in a way that none of us—especially Winter—had thought possible. There was a certain caution that every fighter obtained once they’d been soundly beaten—it was difficult to see in Winter, but she would be stronger for it, eventually.

  Their gazes locked together as the tension-filled room came to a boiling point. I glanced between them, wondering what I’d missed, but I knew a fight was coming. Neither of them was going to back down. I glanced at Sky’s horrified expression, then at Josh, who watched over a pile of books on the table in front of him. Winter had been in a coma for days. What could Chris have done that made the were-snake so angry? I was going to intervene when Kelly appeared in the doorway, her usual smile and cheerful demeanor unswayed by the pall of impending violence.

  “Here you are,” she said, facing Winter. “Dr. Baker was about to send out a search party. You may be back to your old self, but he will not give up the chance to mother hen you some more. Just go humor him for me, will you? If not, I’ll have to endure his ten-minute speech about how no one in this pack appreciates how hard he works and how everybody takes his talents for granted. Please don’t make me listen to that speech again.”

  I watched Winter’s expression as she slowly made up her mind to kill Chris another day. When she turned to follow Kelly, her gaze fell to me. She hesitated. Her expression clouded with anger and her hazel eyes briefly became slits as her snake rose to the surface. In any other were-animal, I would’ve taken that steady, judgmental stare as a challenge, but I had known Winter a long time. Behind her surprising anger was … disappointment? I stared back at her, waiting for an explanation. After a long moment, she rolled her eyes and followed Kelly out of the library.

  I stared after her. What did I do?

  Chris half-smiled as she sauntered out a moment later. Josh followed, clutching books under his arm and shaking his head at me. After they left, I turned to Sky for an explanation. Instead, she pursed her lips as if suppressing a grin, shrugged, then left me alone.

  Later that evening, I locked myself in my room with the books I’d taken from the library. Dense reading. Much of it was either was either too dry or lacked any practical application that I could conceive of, but there were a few interesting spells, the kind Josh had never mentioned before. I wanted to ask him questions, but that wouldn’t be possible without revealing more than was safe for him to know.

  Thinking of my brother, I called him to check on his progress. He had a tendency to get lost in his work when focused, so the first time he didn’t answer, I assumed he was hard at work. When he didn’t answer the next three calls, I started to worry. I was halfway to his condo when it occurred to me that I might be overreacting. Up until then, the creatures had limited their targets to the vampires and were-animals. I had no reason to worry that my brother had been attacked. My showing up at his condo in the middle of the night was likely to start a fight. I’d promised to give him space, but he could be more considerate. I grumbled as I made a U-turn at a slow intersection and drove home instead.

  The next morning, he called me, sounding as if he hadn’t slept. “Ethan, you asked me earlier about the Aufero. Turns out, Marcia didn’t destroy it after all. She’s been using it to punish other witches.”

  I scowled. While I didn’t think the Aufero was a direct threat to the pack, Marcia might be. “Sebastian has enough on his plate. We’ll fill him in after we kill Ethos.”

  “I think I’ve found a way to do just that. Come over as soon as you can.”

  “On my way.”

  I disconnected the call and smiled. I knew he’d find something. But then came the worry. If I knew Josh, he was going to put himself at risk somehow.

  A short time later, I knocked on the door of his condo. When he appeared, his eyes were bright with excitement. He eagerly welcomed me inside, where I found Sky sitting on a couch. A silver rod with a gentle, smoky glow sat on the coffee table ne
xt to her.

  “Ethos killed Gloria and Thaddeus,” Josh said in an excited rush. “It’s their blood that’s allowing the genums to morph into creatures larger than themselves. It’s the only way the genums could operate the way they are,” Josh said. “I should’ve figured it out myself.”

  I gestured to the rod.

  His smile broadened. “A gift from London. It’s called a capsa. You were right about taking Ethos’s magic. The capsa is designed to do just that.”

  As I approached the rod, I felt the distinct heaviness of dark magic emanating from it. “It holds dark magic?”

  “It holds Ethos’s magic,” Josh emphasized.

  I gave him a skeptical look.

  “It belonged to Pala. I think it was something she was working on to prevent him from taking back the magic he’d loaned her. Or perhaps she intended to steal more.”

  “Pala is dead.” I waited, but Josh seemed to miss my point entirely. “How did London have the capsa?”

  “Before Pala became obsessed with Ethos’s magic, she and London were close. Maybe she was holding it for Pala. Maybe she was keeping it from her. Whatever the reason, we’re lucky to have it. When the genums die, their magic goes back to Ethos—unless the capsa is closer. We can weaken him, Ethan. He’s spending a lot of energy powering his little army. If we capture enough of his energy, we might be able to kill him.”

  “We’d have to know in advance where the genums are going to attack, to have the rod present.” As unlikely as that was, I saw another problem. I shook my head. “It won’t work. They disappear the moment they’re injured. You’d have to have the rod present wherever it is they return to, which could be anywhere.”

  Josh grinned. “Even Ethos can’t get around the limitations of a transportation spell. They’re local. And I think I can use the capsa’s affinity toward his magic to find them, but we need to test it, first. If I’m going to present my plan to Sebastian and Demetrius, I want to be sure that it’ll work.”