Elemental Darkness.
(Paranormal Public, Book VIII).
by Maddy Edwards.
Chapter One.
Ricky glared at me as I kicked a pebble angrily across the sand, squinting out at the late summer sun. Not even the warm weather could improve my mood, and I ignored my brother while, for the millionth time this summer, I replayed the conversation in my mind.
My thoughts were stuck on that night, the last night I had seen Dacer, Vital, and Lanca before having to return to Ricky and Carl.
I had never expected that there would be a night when the paranormals would straggle into Public, the last vestiges of resistance gathering to discuss our future. In my wildest dreams I had never thought Id be there without Sip and Lisabelle.
Queen Lanca had paced furiously back and forth, her angry strides sharp and hard as her small feet slammed into the wood floor of Olivas living room. While Lanca paced, I sat curled up on the couch, as if that would protect me from the attack we all knew was coming. Oliva had left. He wanted to take a small force of paranormals to try and find where some of the others who had escaped from Golden Falls had gotten to. Dacer was worried about his mother, and we were still missing Zervos, Nolan, Rake, Trafton, and the rest. Not to mention that Lisabelle had gone over to darkness so that our enemies would release Sip, but Sip hadnt shown up yet, so they were both . . . elsewhere.
If they harm a hair on her blond head. . . Lough had threatened. It was the first sign of life he had shown since I had explained, through tears, where Lisabelle was.
At least shes not dead, I tried to say, but that had only made Lough angrier. Now he had gone silent.
Lisabelle would never let that happen, I rea.s.sured him.
How does she think she can protect Sip? How does she know that if she goes to darkness, theyll release Sip? Vital asked.
Shes the most powerful darkness mage of her generation, said Dacer. She could do damage most Nocturns can only dream of. I imagine they wont allow her into their midst only to anger her. Sip might be leading the charge for the Sign of Six, but thats still a fledgling organization. I imagine theyll keep their word and let Sip go once they have Ms. Verlans.
Well, they have Ms. Verlans, I said bitterly. Definitely.
Dacer started to say something else, but I held up my hand. Glancing at Lough, I could see that his eyes were filled with pleading. I cant talk about Lisabelle right now, I said softly. I just cant.
Dacer appeared to understand. He nodded and said, I know. Well have to talk about it, but not till youre ready.
When Sip gets here, I said, that will be the time. Sh.e.l.l be furious if she finds out we were planning without her.
If she gets here, said Vital.
Shut up, Lough yelled. Just shut up.
I want an army, Lanca said, changing the subject before Vital could respond. Doblan was doing experiments in the Medical Wing at Golden Falls? Fine. Good. Whatever, we can do experiments of our own. Ill experiment in beating up darkness mages. Lanca could barely speak through her controlled rage.
I had told the group about the Medical Wing, but it had been difficult, because I was unaccustomed to being the focus of attention. Usually I shared my exploits with Sip and Lisabelle, and this time had been no exception, but now they werent there to share in the aftermath.
I wondered if Keller and Lisabelle were together. Lisabelle had been so calm. Shed just walked away. It stunned me how unsurprised she was by the whole thing. She had known just what to do.
Lisabelles a darkness mage, Lough pointed out quietly. He was sunk down in a corner, his shoulders slumped and his eyes looking around dully.
You never really know someone until you see how they react to tragedy. My mom used to say that, and now I wondered what had prompted her to do so. Given what had happened, I figured it must have been something awful.
Lanca paused in her frantic pacing. Vital, who had refused any medical help, never took his eyes off his mistress. Yes, and where is Lisabelle now? Right. Taking her place alongside the Nocturns.
Lanca, I said, tell me what happened. It was Nocturns and not demons?
Lanca swayed a little where she stood, her eyes feverish. I wondered how many days in a row shed gone without sleep.
Dacer got up quickly, his sharp eyes taking in her exhaustion. Sit, he urged her, taking her by the elbow and leading her to the couch. Ill get you some water. She started to argue, but Dacer raised his hand.
Far be it from me to tell a Rapier Queen how to behave, but you are doing yourself and your subjects no favors by wearing yourself to exhaustion. He pointed an imperious, gold-painted finger at Vital.
Neither are you. Get medical attention. Clean yourself up. Then return.
Vital stared hard at Dacer, who matched him glare for glare.
Do not let my calm demeanor fool you, Dacer advised quietly.
His mother is called the Unforgiver, Lough chirped.
Now Vital stared at Lough, who didnt shrink away and more than Dacer had.
For a reason, Lough added. She earned it.
Dacer smiled thinly. Ah, Mummy.
Vital sighed and looked at Lanca. Since he was her personal bodyguard, it was really her blessing he needed. She waved him away. Theyre right, she said. We have a difficult road ahead. It will do us no good to have you too exhausted to fight.
Vital nodded and peeled himself up off the couch. With an effort, he moved slowly toward the door. His right foot dragged strangely and I could see blood that had dried in a streak down the side of his neck.
Before I get started, Lanca said, taking a shaky breath, I want to say something about Faci.
Faci? Dacer raised his eyebrows. The vampire student here?
Lanca nodded, her eyes troubled.
Alright, said Dacer. If its that important.
It is, Lanca a.s.sured him.
Faci tortured and killed his sister, or so the story goes, Lanca whispered.
I clapped a land over my mouth. Thats disgusting and horrible and. . . . How can his father even look at him after he did something like that? I breathed.
It was easy for him, said Lanca quietly. His father wanted boys. Once he had Faci he didnt want more children. He viewed his daughter as a mistake. She wasnt born strong. Neither was Faci, but over the years hes gotten stronger. She never had a chance.
What happened? I asked.
Lanca took a deep breath. We found her in the Blood Throne room. She was. . . . Lanca took a shaky breath. Ill spare you the details. Faci was there. His sunken eyes pa.s.sed over her body like it wasnt even real.
He did it in public?
No, he just left her in public. Lancas eyes were haunted. It was the first time Id ever seen her afraid.
Its thought, at least my dad thought, that he tortured her for at least two days first. His mother wasnt so forgiving. She screamed from the top of Locke that her son was a murderer and she wanted him imprisoned.
But your dad refused?
My dad didnt have a choice, Lanca explained bitterly. Facis his fathers heir. He claimed self-defense.
Loughs head jerked upward. What happened to his mother?
Lanca looked at her long, thin hands. She was quiet for so long I feared the worst. Even so, when she finally spoke I was surprised by what she said.
She disappeared right after Faci was let off. Hers was an arranged marriage. Castov didnt love her. Shed long ago provided him with his precious heir. He or Faci killed her.
You know that for sure? Lough asked.
All I know is that Faci is one of the purest embodiments of evil Ive ever known, she whispered. You have to be careful.
Dacer sat quietly for several minutes, then nodded. Thank you, Lanca, he said. Im glad you told us.
I shifted. I had known that Faci was evil, but Id had no idea that he was so far gone as to be capable of killing his own family. From the looks on my friends faces, they hadnt either.
It was now the middle of the night, which meant it was vampire time at Public. Vital could float to the infirmary if he wanted. When I heard the door bang closed behind him I looked back at Lanca. She leaned her head against the sofa and closed her eyes. Now for the other telling.
Vital and I were gone. We had a meeting I couldnt miss, and when I returned, it was already too late. She paused to take a cup from Dacer, then continued. We didnt know anything was wrong until we were inside Vampire Locke. As soon as the gates closed behind us, we realized it was a trap. The demons had attacked in force as soon as we left for the meeting, and our forces were already thin from recent battles. The demons had been picking us off, and it takes time to train new fighters, but the Rapiers were working on it. Whenever Vital was at Vampire Locke he spent hours in the training facilities. We fought bravely. We died bravely. There were only a handful of Rapiers left by the time we got back, and by then they were prisoners. The demons used them to get my party to come inside, and once we were inside. . . .
Dacer sat on the couch next to Lanca and covered her hand with his.
She nodded, her eyes following the memory, and took a deep breath before continuing.
The demons must have known I had powers tied to Vampire Locke by my role as its queen. The Blood Throne is mine. It will be mine until I die, which wont be for a very long time.
Which is probably why they wanted you to come back, Dacer said quietly. Lanca nodded.
Yes, Im sure. They need to kill me in order to truly possess Vampire Locke. As long as I have no children, whoever kills me will inherit the throne.
I gulped. And all the powers that go with it?
Lanca gave us the ghost of a smile. Yes. But as you see, they didnt kill me. Vital realized something was wrong immediately, and stepped in front of the shot that was meant for me. It went clear through his shoulder, but he never faltered. She smiled. He gave me just enough time to call to Vampire Lockes core.
Public has something like that, said Lough wisely. Her name is Martha. I like her cookies, although her att.i.tude leaves something to be desired.
Dacer raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow at the dream giver, but didnt comment. Lanca smiled. Lough, I have no idea what youre talking about, but I missed you.
We missed you too, Lanca, he said, but without his usual cheer.
Anyway, she whispered, I was able to call enough power to destroy all the demons around me, but unfortunately, I never saw any of the other vampires. There was old Tictoc, who should have been there to greet us at the door. Im afraid hes dead. I tried to go to my fathers study to get the Fang First, but Vital wouldnt let me. Its really infuriating that even when he has a hole in his shoulder hes still ordering me around.
You came straight here? Dacer asked sharply. No detours for silly objects you dont need?
We need the objects on the Wheel, Lanca protested. Its the best way to keep Charlotte safe and fight the Nocturns.
Not at the cost of your life, said Dacer, his eyes steely.
Lanca shrugged. Dacer, I was charged with ruling the Rapier vampires. I wanted us to prosper. Instead we were overrun and killed. Im not a very good queen. I deserved to die with my subjects.
Dacer shook his head. Youre wrong about that, he said. This is unprecedented. Most royalty dont have to deal with Nocturns, especially not when they first take the Blood Throne. And Im sorry to point this out to you, but youre also very young.
Lanca looked away. Nothing any of us said could console her at this point.
We came straight here. Vital wouldnt go anywhere else. It was the only place left that I trusted, she finished with a whisper.
You could always go back to Caid, Dacer offered.
I couldnt help it. I scoffed, and Dacer glanced over at me. What? Caids summer house is a fortress. The demons presented themselves there, but they never would have attacked.
I couldnt be quiet any longer. I had resisted telling Dacer about seeing Caid meeting with Cynthia Malle, but with all my friends gone I wasnt going to resist anymore. Now I told him, and everyone there, what had happened.
In the end, I was the one who was shocked - because they werent. Dacer merely shrugged. Even Lanca didnt look surprised.
Of course he knows Malle, she said. Malle is still straddling the paranormal world, as Kellers charming parents have proven so ridiculously. Caid would meet with Malle just to try and convince her to stop killing paranormals.
Thats not what they were doing, I said hotly, flabbergasted that no one agreed with me. He has to be helping the Nocturns.
Caid is completely trustworthy, said Dacer, his voice cold. He would never let the Nocturns boss him around.
If Caid is so strong and good, how did we get into this mess? I said, shooting to my feet, my blood hot with anger. Hes done nothing. The demons are overrunning paranormals in hordes, and hes still doing nothing. Sip wouldnt have had to start the Sign of Six if Caid had been protecting us properly. The demons would never have taken her if she hadnt been forced to act.
The demons were aiming to kill all of us either way, said Dacer. Caid has been working against bloodshed.
Hes not doing a very good job, I said bitterly.
Dacer gave me a dark look but said nothing more. President Caid, Mound, none of them had believed in the threat the demons posed, and now Lisabelle was gone. Keller was gone. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to move. I knew for a fact that if they didnt come back I was never going to recover. I might have Ricky, but even Ricky . . . I didnt yet have the courage to ask Dacer about my little brother. I knew he was fine; I would know if he wasnt. But what to do about Ricky, how to keep him safe, was an urgent problem, and I hadnt even begun to address it.
There were just so many urgent problems.
What now? Lough asked, reading my thoughts.
Now, I said, pausing, I have no idea. I looked at Dacer, hoping hed have some sort of suggestion.
Charlotte, he said, you cannot blame Caid for what has happened. He is arriving in the morning, hopefully, and we will discuss our next steps.
Is he somewhere safe? I asked dully. Even if I didnt like Caid, I knew it would be awful if the demons killed him. Then the paranormals would really not know where to turn.
Yes, said Dacer. He is safe with the rest of the government and the resistance.