A Toiling Darkness Read online

  We walked in silence for a few minutes. I kept my eyes on our surroundings, taking in the small hotdog and ice-cream vendors, the families on their way towards some touristy attraction. I picked out each homeless man, assessing their risk and finding them lacking. Nothing dangerous stood out and I couldn’t sense anything.

  “She’s Darkness,” Tracy finally spoke as she stopped and turned around at some apartment complex. It was a small one, about three stories, newly built with a doorman and bushes planted around the front. “She showed up a couple of months ago and within three days, everyone knew to stay away from her. She keeps to herself so there isn’t much anyone knows about her. Some have tried to look into her past and found nothing. It’s as if she just came into existence three months ago.”

  “Why does everyone stay away from her?” I asked, my interest now peaked.

  “She made Vernon disappear. He’s a powerful bison-shifter. When she first went to Baron’s Tavern, he decided to pick on her and then the next day, no one could find him. Still can’t. We all know she did it.”

  “Did anyone actually ask her if she did it?”

  “No.” Tracy shook her head.

  “Then you can’t possible know she did, right?”

  Tracy looked at Chris and he frowned. She looked back at me, her eyes unblinking. She was so deeply rooted in her belief that Darkness did something to this Vernon she mentioned. “She did it.”

  I sighed and looked away, tired now.

  “Just stay away from her. It’s the best advice we can give you. She’s bad news, man. Bad news,” Chris spoke up, his voice going all dramatic.

  “I’m not going to condemn her just because of rumors.”

  “Just know that these rumors will keep you alive.”

  I nodded, not so much as in agreement, but more like an acknowledgement.

  They really didn’t believe I was agreeing with them, but they didn’t press the issue.

  Chris let go of Tracy’s hand and stepped forward.

  “Listen. How about we get Tracy settled into a hotel and then I’ll help you with something. I need to return the favor. You saved us back there.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. Besides, I’ve lived here for a few years. I’m sure there’s something I can help you with.”

  I nodded. This could work. He could probably point me in the right direction at least. I know a being was involved with that little girl’s death at the park. I just didn’t know how to start looking. My gut was telling me I was right with these thoughts.

  Now if it would just tell me where Akhlys was. Then I could be free from these shackles around my soul. I could feel their bite on my skin, their weight holding me down.

  Akhlys.

  Where are you? Who are you?

  Chapter 6:

  I needed information and what better person to go see than a being just as powerful as I am in my real form. He made it a business to always know what was going on in the world. Unfortunately, said powerful being was Kay and could be real jerk when he wanted to be. But he would know Kalen’s master. He knew everyone. Of course he only worked at night to cater to all beings for his little underground business, so today was as good as a time as any to visit.

  The hotel he owned was officially closed—no naïve little humans around. Or gluttonous little beings who Kay would never grace with his presence. Unofficially, Kay was meeting with some of his special guests, probably to plan for the annual tournament that was going to take place next week. I got an invitation for it over a month ago and sent it right back to him the second I got it.

  I tried to get excited about going to see him. I just couldn’t. Not when he was the reason I was branded. It was just a little grudge against him. I swear. Something I’ll get over…just not today or in the next thousand years or so.

  It really didn’t help that the Consort even had the nerve to banish me from parts of Europe in an attempt to stop the rumors that were spreading around. Since I have yet to be back to Norway since the banishment, I should only be a legend now, passed down through stories around the campfire or to make children behave. That was a bit of an insult. I never touched children and Kay was the one to make them sick in that village. I still resent him for the whole incident. I liked Norway.

  So yeah…just a little grudge.

  When night fell, I went directly to Lord Kay’s little business in the middle of the red light district. They called it Salacity Hotel. It was the place to go if you were a powerful being. And it was the perfect place for those that longed for anything and everything, from more power, to prestige, to passion, and hunger. The clients hang out, get the latest gossip and feast on whatever their hearts desired. The location made it rather easy for hookers, drug addicts, and homeless people to disappear for those who wanted some fine dining. The area was nearly forgotten by the police. They only ever swing by when they wanted information from one of their snitches. Even then, their visits were only minutes long and they turned a blind eye to everything they saw. They wouldn’t want to disappear like the other do-gooder cops.

  The building itself was dark and cold, and not for the weak. At least for beings, it wasn’t for the weak. Humans just didn’t know better to realize the risk they take every time they step into the building. The restaurant-slash-hotel acted as a cover for the underground tournaments Kay loves to put on. The underground arenas were available only for the chosen few to go and place bets on specially chosen fighters. I went down there once out of curiosity and hated it. The place reeked of death, blood and magic, and while there were shadows to play with in every corner, there was nothing fun down there for me.

  I get my kicks out of many things, but fighting for money was not one of them. If I was to hate a deadly sin the most, it would be greed, and the place was filled with nothing but it.

  Half the occupants that usually occupied the restaurant part of the hotel were greedy little shits hoping to get the invite to go beyond the door with the ‘No Admittance’ sign on it. The door led down to an entire underground area as big as a football stadium and set up with an arena in the middle, surrounded with seating for the clients, and lockers, and sparring rooms hidden in the back. Think coliseum underground.

  There were even living quarters down there for the teams when tournaments were going on and they had to stay in them for a couple of days. I stared at the door that led down to the dark arena stained with blood and thought how I never wanted to go back down there again. The upcoming tournament was going to start soon and I wanted to be out of the city before then. With the way things were going, that wasn’t going to happen. I had my priorities and life preservation triumphed avoiding annoying beings every time. I’ll just have to stay away.

  The other half of the clients who frequently visited were usually naïve humans making use of the dining experience before they take their companions up to one of the rooms. They really could not read the atmosphere in the place. It was dark and so they thought it was romantic, it was always busy and so they thought it was popular and good. They didn’t know the darkness hid the real purpose of the place or that the other half the occupants weren’t even human and just wanted to suck up to the most important person in the city—Lord Kay.

  Sadly, Kay was as greedy as they came and for some unknown creepy reason, he adored me. He was small, looking more like a college kid who hasn’t had time to grow into his frame, and yet also a man who should be modeling the clothes he always manages to make so sexy and enticing. He was the kind of man that attracted both young woman and the crazy teen fan girls, or the couple of cougars who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. He prided himself in making use of everyone, including those old kooks.

  There was always a light glaze of silver covering his entire body that acted as a barrier against any magic. Silver has always been a favorite when it came to magic manipulation and Kay would be considered the most talented in the entire east coast. I’ve seen him completely covered in the
silver glaze only a hand full of times, today was not one of them. They were more like swirls that moved along his body. Yes, they were moving. Soft waves rippling across his skin. Humans couldn’t see the markings, or if they somehow could, they would just think it was really intricate body art.

  Kay didn’t fear me like other beings—he was too powerful to feel the kind of fear I instilled in others. Tonight, his two lackeys of the month sat next to him, kissing his butt to stay in favor. I approached them slowly, taking in the surroundings. The place was empty except for them. They whispered to each other, Kay facing the entrance with the other two flanking him. They sat on an elevated stage, looking just like a real lord surrounded by his two favorite vassals. The only lighting was by the candelabra on the table in front of them and another in the corner of the stage. Kay was old fashioned, really old fashioned. You know: dungeons, torches, chains, whips, and horses.

  One of his lackeys was a Fae. Fae have two forms, their real form and the human one they used in this realm to blend in. Just like me in a way. If someone was powerful enough, they could see the Fae as they really were. The fact that his two forms were overlapping each other only showed that we were probably on par power-wise. I would have to try harder to see his true form clearly. From what I could see though, his skin was alabaster white with thin dark blue hair that shimmered with his human light brown curls. His eyes were big, blue and vast, and tiny blue lips hid behind his human lips that were still small, just longer. He reminded me of a frost giant and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a descendant.

  The other one was a plump warlock who tried to hide in the shadows. The man was short, his presence not important. He didn’t even leave an impression. He didn’t seem that powerful. The only thing interesting about him was the gleam in his dark eyes. He had some serious secrets and knowledge in them. It was tempting to try to dig inside of him and see what I could find. Lucky for him, I was more interested in the Fae Kay was keeping around.

  When they noticed my approach, Kay beamed with delight while the other two glanced around, making sure it really was me. Their expressions looked like I forced a lemon down their throat.

  “Ah, Darkness! Welcome back to my humble abode.” He stood up and I braced myself for his affections. He lifted me up like a parent would his child. I kept myself as relaxed as possible, refusing to let him know how much I didn’t like his touch. He knew I didn’t like it; which was why he did it. It was his way of showing his disapproval of my form.

  I don’t like this, Akhlys. You’re running away by doing this.

  Then let me. Just for a little while. I need this, Kay. Please, help me.

  Ugh. Every time I see him I’m reminded of memories I’m still not ready to unbury. I stared into those hazel eyes and wondered why he even helped me create this form. He was never really clear about it.

  Kay’s body dripped magic just like Kalen’s blade did. The affects of the excess magic turned his body into a furnace. His very touch could burn someone if they angered him enough. Right now his touch was similar to simmering water as he spun me around.

  He finally put me down, laughing and taking a good look at me. The other two were standing up respectfully. The Fae stood to his right, his eyes frosty blue. The impression his eyes gave me was the kind of ice that didn’t melt unless he wanted it too. It was a little enchanting. Usually people like to make references to warm summer skies when someone has blue eyes like his, but there was no warmth in them. It made me wonder if his eyes were always like that or was it just me.

  I stared at the fae curiously as Kay settled back into his chair. The being was taller than Kay but he stood in a submissive manner, his shoulders slumped and head tilted respectfully with his eyes downcast. The other lackey just kept himself in the background, definitely being shady and skittish, but still respectful to Kay.

  Everyone was respectful to him. Even after he killed hundreds simply for wanting to test out some kind of Fae-enchanted ring he took from a child. Humans took candy from children, Kay took heirlooms.

  “Lord Kay, care to introduce me to your companions?” I asked.

  “Of course, this is Frey.” He pointed to the Fae and I smiled. Frey winced, not looking happy at all at being introduced to me.

  Kay nodded towards the other man. I retracted the shadows he kept himself in and his eyes bugged out in response. “This shy little fellow is Devon. He just moved into the city.” Kay frowned at him before turning back to me.

  “Now that the pleasantries are over, why, my dear, are you here?” Kay asked, relaxing into his throne-like chair made of all kinds of minerals and gems. He once told me the chair helped him with his magic, and after watching it absorb an attack by a vicious witch and sending the spell back to her, I believed him. Everyone learned quickly not to mess with Kay when he sat in his chair.

  I looked at the three beings and wondered if one of them was the master of the slauve, and if so, who? Kay didn’t have the right kind of power, his was too based on using the magic around him and the spell required the use of the power within the being. The Fae could probably do it. Even the loc, he had the right kind of magic too.

  “Someone managed to make a slauve. I’m just wondering who.”

  Kay cocked his eyebrow and started tapping his armchair. “Ah, your curiosity at work again. Careful, you know it could get you killed someday.”

  He patted his knee and I grimaced.

  “You’re kidding right?” I asked.

  “No,” he replied. “You came to me in such an adorable form. Come here. Let me hold a form so precious.”

  I ignored him and pulled out a chair, setting it down a couple of feet from him, refusing to crawl into his lap. The chair was as close to the edge of the stage as I could get without falling off and making a fool out of myself. He hated that I made myself into a child and liked to treat me like one as a form of punishment. Sitting in his lap was a punishment meant to embarrass me. And it would too. He knew my reasons, even respected them. It didn’t mean he had to like it.

  He sighed. “When will you move on and stop holding yourself back. Your real human form is glorious.”

  “But not as glorious as my true form, right?”

  “Nothing can ever compare to your true form. When will you let me finally see it?” His words came out wishful, his eyes a little distant as he tried to picture it. Tried being the keyword. No one but El knew my true form and I was keeping it that way.

  This was becoming a pattern. I come to see him and he tries to get me to show my true form and I have to turn him down. My true form was up there with nuclear explosions. I came close once, but then El came and fixed it. He taught me ways to express myself, outlets to stay away from that spiraling madness. I like to think the Consort only sent him because they felt guilty for branding me and wanted to give me another chance before they were forced to kill me. I stubbornly accepted it, not wanting to look a gifted horse in the mouth.

  “How about when the world ends?”

  The delight in his expression melted away to a more serious expression.

  “Don’t you miss it? All that power available to you to use again. Don’t you miss being who you were meant to be?” His words were seductive, like one of those billboards trying to sell a new perfume. I could feel my mind wander off into who I used to be. My powers were something to be feared and it used to be exhilarating to use them. I couldn’t do half of what I did in my natural human form. Just using the shadows to transport around could be tiring. Let alone, whole armies like during the Viking Age.

  Ah, the good old ancient days. I smiled a little.

  “You know I miss being who I really am. But this is who I need to be right now.”

  “Someday, Darkness.” He raised his hand and a young man materialized with a tray of refreshments. After Kay got his drink, a thick blue slosh in a martini glass, the man disappeared. I had to wait patiently while he took a drink. If I showed any impatience, he would only drag out the motion.

 
When he finished, he leaned back with his eyes closed and minutes painfully ticked by before he opened them.

  “A slauve, huh? And his existence important enough to grab your attention and change your rather recent sloth-like state.” When I met Kay hundreds of years ago, we went on little expeditions, causing trouble everywhere we went. How I am now makes me look like a saint compared to what I was.

  “What would a slauve want with you?” Frey spoke up. Kay glared at him, not happy at being interrupted.

  “Did I say he wants me? He’s just something interesting. It takes a lot of juice to make one of him.”

  “Well you should probably avoid the slauve. Who knows what he will do.” Frey kept talking, ignoring Kay’s glare.

  “Doesn’t that make him all the more interesting? I mean, come on. A slauve, out killing beings to protect humans,” I grinned. I glanced at Devon. He looked like he wanted to say something. “Do you want to contribute something to this interesting conversation?” I asked, staring right at him. He stayed quiet, looking down at the ground. “What? He doesn’t have much to say, does he?”

  “Maybe he just has nothing to say to you,” Frey said, jumping in to protect the loc.

  “Unlike you, apparently,” I muttered.

  “I just like to make myself clear with others.”

  I snorted. “Oh, I’m aware you don’t like me much. But you also fear me, so your attitude is moot.”

  “There is no way a child like you will ever scare me,” he argued.

  “I’m well acquainted with fear…in all its forms.” I stared at him, my eyes narrowed as I scanned his body. “I can feel your heart pound against your chest. Bravado is attached to your fear. Maybe you should keep that in check before it gets you killed.”

  He snickered in disbelief. “You’re incapable of killing me.”

  “You want to bet on that?” I challenged, preparing myself. If he pounced, I was ready.