A Moment of Darkness (The Chronicles of Elizabeth Fairbairn Book 3)

by Cheryllynn Dyess

  His eyes twinkled, and a smile grew on his face. Patting Elizabeth's knee he started to stand as he spoke, "You are a smart young woman. Surprising no one else has figured out so much as you have in such a short time." Her grandfather could tell she thought hard about everything he had said. After several hours her grandfather looked up into the sky and stood, “I’ve told you all I can for now. It’s time for you to wake up.”

  Elizabeth stood with tears threatening to escape down her cheeks, “Thank you. I needed to know all this.” She gave him a tight hug and then he was gone.

  CHAPTER 12

  Elizabeth woke up to her alarm beeping annoyingly from the other side of the room. When she cracked open her eyes, she saw Reba holding the clock and staring blankly at her. Struggling to a sitting position, Elizabeth rubbed her eyes. “What gives?”

  Reba pushed the power button on the clock and slammed it down on the window sill. “You went too far with your mother last night.”

  A loud sigh escaped Elizabeth and she flopped back onto her pillow, “No. I really didn’t. She needs to know how I feel. No one ever really asks and so I finally just told her.” She knew she sounded whiny but really, she needed someone to hear her.

  Reba gritted her teeth, “Go apologize!” She held her finger out pointing to the door.

  Elizabeth raised up on her elbows, “Really. Apologize? That she hid everything from me. Lied to me my whole life. Ya know who tells me things.” She sat up fully and squeezed her pillow in her lap, “Grandfather! A dead guy tells me more about my life and family than those living. Won’t apologize.” She shook her head in defiance.

  Dread came over Reba, “What did he tell you?” She came and sat on the corner of Elizabeth’s bed, her mood considerably changed.

  “He explained the deal with the Seraphim in full. Why there are always twins and how the power is split between them. How when one twin dies their power goes to the living one. Twins are necessary to be exact matches of power, power that can be used together to be stronger because by birth we aren’t supposed to be given more than one gift. All this explains a lot of why mom can do as much as she can, but then again I’d imagine she should be able to do more.” She got quiet for a moment as she thought it through, “he also told me why the others have to stay out of our disputes and how it diminishes their powers and could even kill them if they don’t!”

  Reba looked down and to the side, she knew they didn’t tell Elizabeth everything and now it was coming back at them in full force. “Is that all?” Her voice a whisper this time.

  “No. He told me there was a theory of what would happen if an other and a witch were to… ya know have babies. Apparently, that little bugger would have some serious power. He also told me where the supply of power of the others comes from and why we must protect them.” She looked blankly at her aunt. the realization that the others were human and Seraphim descendants wasn't lost on her, she understood why the Seraphim wanted them protected.

  Reba stood and left her room without saying another word, headed downstairs to talk to her sisters. Elizabeth laid back on her bed and felt a small vibration. Her phone. Shuffling the covers around she grabbed it up and saw Sara texted two hours ago.

  Touching the screen, the message opened, Did you do it? Elizabeth smiled then replied, nope but I got better than that. My grandfather showed up and spilled the beans about everything. Have some work to do. Talk later. A reply quickly showed up, Ohhhhhh definitely talking later.

  A shower was a necessity before Elizabeth went downstairs to face the chaos that was surely brewing with the other women in the house. Just as she finished up and started getting dressed, Reba sent her a mental message ‘You have company’. She replied, ‘Okay. Be right down.’

  She didn’t think to mentally scour the house to find out who it was, she was quite taken aback with Lady Doreen sat the table with her mother. “Good morning,” she called to everyone. “Nice surprise to see you Lady Doreen.” Elizabeth turned to the coffee pot and poured herself a large cup. Elizabeth glanced at Reba who just shrugged.

  “Good morning Elizabeth. I wanted to visit with you since we were back in town now.” Elizabeth rose an eyebrow. “I know we haven’t really spoken and left quite abruptly.”

  Elizabeth held up a hand interrupting her, “Look, I know why you did. Well, now I do and understand more.” She wrapped both her hands around the cup and slowly inhaled before taking a sip, closing her eyes and savoring every drop.

  Lady Doreen looked at Elizabeth, “You never responded to him. He is worried.”

  “Oh crap!” Elizabeth pulled out her phone, “Sorry, I was woken rudely this morning and it totally slipped my mind.” She held her phone up, “I’ll do it now.”

  “No,” Lady Doreen grabbed her hand to stop her. “He’ll know I came here, and it will just embarrass him. I just wanted to know, will you two be okay?”

  “I don’t know to be honest. There are things I saw,” she tapped her temple, “that I’m not sure I’m okay with.”

  “Ah. I see. Well, I’ll see myself out.” She stood to leave and turned to Elizabeth, “Things aren’t always what they seem. Sometimes you need to actually have a conversation to learn the whole truth.”

  Stunned and confused, Elizabeth sat nursing her coffee until it got cold. Her mother and aunts spoke around her, but her mind was elsewhere, and she heard nothing they said. As time went on her anger built, the threat of eruption was near. She felt the need to use her power, she needed an outlet. Without saying a word, Elizabeth left the kitchen and went outdoors. About four months ago they set up an area in the back where Elizabeth could practice. Learning to focus and aim was important, staying focused even more so. Every so often she’d come out here to escape the world and well, set things on fire. It gave her such a rush she couldn’t find anywhere else.

  The cool air left her breath hanging before dissipating, her face immediately flushed from the cooler temperatures. Pulling her hair back in a large messy bun, she headed straight for the mockup of men made from scrap metals. Old trash can lids played the parts of the bellies and backs, while pipes were crudely welded on for arms and legs. Their heads were old pots found in the run-down shed out on the edge of their property. While they were no fierce competitor for anyone but the rust beginning to set in, Elizabeth knew the blackened marks already present proved her aim was spot on. She needed a release and this was better than setting fire to a human.

  There were four of them, each spread about ten feet apart at varying angles. “Can’t have them just lined up for her,” Raina said the day they were erected. Elizabeth stood near the first one about fifty feet away, feet shoulder-width apart, arms out to her sides, palms facing the enemy. She closed her eyes and found the thoughts that make her the angriest of all, surprisingly they weren’t of a real enemy. The heat rose up from deep within her. The ground grew warm around her. Slowly opening her eyes, the fire came to life in her palms. Control. She looked to each statue that represented her nemesis and decided to try some new maneuvers. She raised her palm, aiming at the third metal man and barely hit him. She would have to learn to go around people to hit her target and this was the safest way to accomplish this.

  Elizabeth practiced for two hours straight before Reba came out and sat on the steps to watch. By this time, the young witch could turn and roll and hit her targets easily. “They need to move,” Elizabeth heard come from behind her, then heard the door close.

  Sari, Raina and Reba came out about five minutes later dressed in jeans and long-sleeved shirts. Sari smiled, “I hear your targets need to move.” She turned her head to the last target and blew out a small breath, picking the metal foe off the ground a few inches and started to move it around the back of the others.

  Stepping forward, Raina looked at Elizabeth with a confident smile, “Hit a moving target with precision and you’ll win every time.” Elizabeth nodded and focused on the moving man, she bobbed and weaved missing the man several times. Frustration start
ed to grow and the level of heat she was emanating had started to scorch the ground. “Focus.” She heard her aunts say.

  Stepping back just a bit, the young witch watched the metal man move; swaying and swirling around. There was no pattern to his movements, so she’d have to predict them. Watching closely, the flames came to life in her right hand. Flicking wildly at the air, the fire wanted a target and Elizabeth obliged. The flames shot out but at the last minute turned just slightly to curve around the man in its way. Like a curveball thrown by a major league baseball pitcher, the flames hit its mark and the metal man was out!

  CHAPTER 13

  Rushing to get last minute shopping done, Sari finds herself in the throes of mayhem in the department store. The store is crowded with others like her trying to find that perfect gift for that one person that is hard to shop for or needs that extra bit of love. Pushing hanger by hanger around the rack to find the size needed in the newest fashion for Raina, Sari gets bumped from behind. Looking over her shoulder she sees a little old lady trying to make her way around, moving to the side the woman mumbles under her breath and Sari smiles.

  “The holidays bring out the best and worst in us all,” said a familiar voice from the other side of the rack.

  Glancing up, Sari sees Edom smiling back at her. This was the smile that started it all so many years ago. The winning personality that drew her in and captured her heart, and now wreaks of darkness and hate. She nods and goes to another rack. Avoiding him here amongst the crowds would be wise, wouldn’t want to create a scene, she thought.

  He followed. “What, no witty retort?”

  “What do you want Edom?” Her voice flat and emotionless.

  He tried to look interested in the women’s clothing on the rack, “Oh nothing. Just thought I’d speak.”

  Her head tilted a little, a brow raised, and her lip curled, “You never speak just for the sake of it.”

  He chuckled, “You know me so well Sari.”

  “I’m done here. Bye.” She turned on her heel and left the store. Little did she know he followed her until she saw his reflection in the windows of the stores as she passed. She had to think fast, Edom was a clever and conniving man. In one step, she turned herself around and was face to face with her husband. A finger jabbed into chest accentuating each word, “Do. Not. Play. Games. With. Me. I am not the woman who left you all those years ago!” Her teeth gritted, and her jaw muscles flexed with anger. She wanted him to try something. She inwardly dared him to.

  He looked around at the passerby’s who now noticed both of them, waiting to see if anything would come of this. He straightened his tie and cleared his throat. “Now Sari, I’m only being cordial. I miss you.” Her eyes brightened in such a way that made him step back, “Okay, okay. I’m leaving.” He turned and briskly walked away. She knew this wasn’t the last she’d see of him and that thought made her skin crawl.

  Storming through the door, Sari threw her bags down while yelling, “How dare he! Who the hell does he think is! That sorry-”

  “Whoa mama. What’s going on?” Elizabeth rushed down the stairs.

  Raina and Reba ran in from the back room, “What in the world?”

  “Edom!” Sari sneered, “that snake was at the store and then followed me down the road.” She plopped into a chair, throwing her head back letting out a loud growl.

  The other three women just looked at each other. Elizabeth stepped forward, “I’m having dinner with Devlon in an hour. I can try to find out what’s going on.”

  Sari lifted her head slowly and the aunts turned to her, in unison, “What?” Sari snarled.

  Shrugging, Elizabeth replied calmly, “I have to. I can’t keep avoiding him, so I figured in person, in public would be best. At least he won’t be in my head.”

  The women stared at her like her head was spinning and she was spewing green vomit. It was Raina who finally spoke, “You better go get changed then. Can’t go in your gardening clothes.”

  The Hot Taco was a local Tex-Mex cafe that Elizabeth fell in love with shortly after the fight within the coven. They would play Mexican themed music softly through the speakers and had the best non-alcoholic margaritas a young adult could get. Pulling into the parking lot, Elizabeth could hear the gravel crunch underneath her tires. She swore none of the places around here paved their parking lots.

  “Table for one?” The hostess dressed in cultural attire asked.

  Elizabeth smiled, “Nope, booth for two. My guest will arrive shortly.”

  Pulling two menus from the stack the hostess turned to guide Elizabeth in, “This way please.” Once at the table, the hostess continued, “Marco will be your waiter tonight. He’ll be over shortly to get your drink order.” Nodding acknowledgment, Elizabeth opened her menu to see what specials they had.

  Completely oblivious to her surroundings she started when Devlon slid into the booth, “You look stunning.” He eyed her over and smiled with satisfaction.

  Jumping a bit, “Oh, hey. You look good too,” giving him a brief glance. She tapped the menu,” Marco will be here for our order in a bit.”

  “I’m glad you agreed to dinner,” Devlon leaned in a bit, “I was beginning to think I had lost all chance to see you.”

  Huffing Elizabeth folded her menu, “Look, its dinner. It’s a simple thing. Let’s try to keep anything negative off the table okay.” He looked put out but nodded. She chewed on the inside of her cheek then continued, “I don’t know or understand this bond we have,” she rubbed her pendant as her eyes landed on his, “but I have a feeling we need to settle it and get on with things. Whatever that may be.”

  Just then a young man of about twenty-five walked up with a notepad in hand, Marco. “Good evening. What a lovely couple. What can I start you off with?” His accent was thick, and Elizabeth found his darker skin tone and silky black eyes to be appealing.

  “The non-alcoholic margarita, steak nachos and beef tacos for me,” Elizabeth looked the young man in the eyes with a smile.

  Clearing his throat, Devlon added, “Make that two. The lady has amazing taste.”

  Marco blushed as he wrote down the order, “Be right back with those drinks.”

  “Here that, we are a lovely couple,” Devlon reached out for her hand. She started to pull away but then let her hand stay. His touch was soft and when he rubbed his thumb over hers it felt like electricity.

  "See that? Marco blushed when you spoke to him. May you should ask him out!" She snidely remarked before she looked up at him, “Not quite a couple, but yes we look good together.” She was trying her best to not want to be with him, to want him… to desire him. The pull was much stronger in person than she could have imagined. Slowly she pulled her hand back, this would be a long night.

  He sat back in the booth as Marco arrived with their drinks. “Food will be out shortly. Anything else I can get you?”

  Devlon looked at Elizabeth, “Nope,” he turned to the waiter, “I think we’re good.” Once the waiter was out of earshot, “So, you said yes does this mean I have a real shot with you? Or are you here fishing for information.”

  Nearly spitting her drink out, the wild redhead laughed hard, “Maybe both. You heard about what happened today?”

  Rolling his eyes, “Edom is foolish. He tries all the wrong angles. He still loves her, ya know?” He picked up his drink and took a long sip.

  “Yeah, I kind of figured that. But, we both know we don’t agree with the plans you two have.”

  Sighing, “About that. What if I told you I was willing to change? Willing to give all that up. Sit back and just have a less ambitious desire within our community.”

  Twisting her mouth and squinting her eyes, she decided to see if his mind was open. It was. He let her in. He wanted her to believe him. He wanted to convince her that he is trying to change. He seems sincere. “I would say, how would you prove something like that?”

  He reached for her hands again, this time she let him hold them and didn’t pull bac
k. “Time. Give me the time and chance to prove it. Come to my home and visit with me, Jeremy, and Edom,” Elizabeth started to pull back at the mention of her father and brother, holding tighter Devlon continued, “let me show you we aren’t bad. We did want things differently than you but now we just want to start our own coven. A coven of only men.”

  She considered his words over dinner. Nothing led her to believe he was lying but she knew she had to be careful. Once she finished her meal, she took her napkin wiping her mouth, folded it up, and dropped it on the plate. “You can have your time and chance. Understand,” she pointed at him, “I will be talking to Wesley. I will not commit to either until I am absolutely sure.”

  A smile crept up on one side of his face, “That is all I ask for.”

  “Oh and stay out of my dreams!”

  “Deal!” He thought for a moment, “two nights from now we are having our Christmas dinner. Join me.”

  She nodded. “Text me the address and time. I don’t think I have anything else going on.

  CHAPTER 14

  Dressed in all crimson, Elizabeth checked her hair and makeup one last time before heading downstairs. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Her mother asked as soon as her foot hit the kitchen floor.

  “Mom. We’ve been over this. He wants to prove to me he is changing. I want to dig for information. What better way to get that?”

  Huffing loudly, “Look you're… Well, you're vulnerable when it comes to him! Can’t blame me for being worried.” She cupped her daughters face in her hands and gave a quick kiss on her forehead.

  Holding her hands, Elizabeth replied, “I’m fine mom. I’ll be careful.” She pulled back and did a quick twirl, “How do I look?” She smiled innocently.