Fire in the Darkness (23 page)

“Good decision. A fight is coming. You need to be prepared.” Lars looked directly into my eyes, sauntered back to his desk, and pushed a button on the phone. Less than thirty seconds later, a firm knock sounded at the door. I pushed myself up, my legs shaking as I leaned against the wall.

“Come in,” Lars called out.

The door opened to a massive man who had to be at least 7 feet tall and 400 pounds of solid muscle. My Dark Dweller sense of smell perceived he was Fae. He ducked his head through the doorway as he walked in. Cuts and gashes covered his sour, harsh face. He was baldheaded, with coffee-colored skin, and his meaty hands, the size of baseball mitts, hung at his sides. My neck had to bend back to take in all of him. He was large and scary looking, not to mention the first ugly Otherworlder I’d seen. I immediately wanted to cower in his presence.

“Ember, this is Rimmon.”

“N-N-Nice to meet you, Rimmon,” my voice wobbled out. He nodded and grunted at me as he moved into the room. For his colossal size, I was shocked at his light steps.

“He is the muscle of our security here.”
Yeah, he looked like he’d be good at that.
“He is the one who found you last night when he was out patrolling.”

“Oh . . . thank you?” I didn’t mean it to come out like a question, but everything about him made me slink back in fright. His head jerked down in response. Not a talker.

“Rimmon, tell Goran we need to double security tonight.” Lars walked over to me, and without a word or warning, grabbed my arm, flipping it over. His fingers slapped against a vein.

“What are you doing?”

He responded by jabbing a needle into my arm before I could break loose from his grip, quickly extracting blood.

“Owwww!”

He sauntered over to Rimmon and handed him the vial of my blood. “And have Maya reset the wards and incantations to include Ember’s blood around the property. We need to ensure they are extremely tight and solid. We might receive some immensely unwanted visitors from now on.”

“What the hell? You can’t take my blood without asking,” I yelled, rubbing my arm.

“I take whatever I need,” he declared. “But you should not complain. This will allow you to come and go freely. Without these enchantments you would not be able to even step across the property line without forgetting where you were or what you were doing. We have many levels of wards and spells that deter people from finding this place.” This was like what the Dark Dwellers installed around their property. “Last night you set off every security alarm and only reached us because you were mostly unconscious, which was when Rimmon here found you.” His glanced over to Rimmon. “You are excused.”

Rimmon gave a swift nod, pivoted, and exited the room.

“He’s a chatty dude.” I turned back to Lars. “And frightening.”

“Yes, he is, but that is his purpose, to frighten, terrorize, and unnerve his opponent. For as big as he is, he’s also extremely quiet and quick in battle. He's an ideal guard; his presence alone stops most from even trying to attack here.”

“Are Demons’ looks based on what they do?”

“Not only Demons but most Fae use their shell for their needs. Most of the Dark prey on humans, mentally and/or physically. So, our human forms help us achieve this—whether to seduce, scare, or entice humans into our varying wants and vices.”

It suddenly clicked why all the guys in Eli’s group were take-me-against-the-wall hot. Their looks were part of their "hunting" equipment. I cocked my head at Lars. “Is this why you look like you do?”

“Yes, but I am a special case,” he replied, not elaborating.

“What about me? I’m part Demon.” I stepped back to the chair I had being sitting in before being flung across the room. “Do I feed off humans, too?” My voice went higher than I even thought it could. The idea I had to “absorb” human energies to live made me want to retch. What if it was worse than that? Would I eventually have to kill humans to live?

“Relax, Ember. You are also an unique case. You do not feed off humans. A Dae’s energy usually comes from earth or nature. There was a case where Daes took their powers from humans,” he said, then swiftly changed the subject. “As for our deal—you will stay here and train every day. I will decide when you have had enough or when you are ready. You will owe me one favor when asked and, in exchange, you have a home, food, and protection. You will be taught to use your skills and abilities for combat—learning to master them as easily as breathing. Do you grasp what is being offered to you?”

I could feel the manipulation winding around his words, but that didn’t stop me from wanting it. I nodded. “Yes.”

“You will not be able to back out of our deal once it has been agreed upon. Do you understand?”

I again nodded. “I want you to train me.” I looked up, determination set on my brow. “I want to learn how to control and use my powers. I’m getting my dad and friends back.”

His eyes watched me thoughtfully for a time. “So we have a deal? You live and train here until you are able to manage your skills to help me and to get your friends and father back. Agreed?”

I sucked in some air. “Agreed.” As the words came out of my mouth, I felt a pressure of energy swirl over my body. “What was that?” I held out my arms looking for the imaginary source.

“That is our bonding agreement. I do not take deals lightly, and if you sever our contract, repercussions will be severe. From now on you cannot leave when things get tough or you no longer think they are fun. You are committed.” I gulped, my head dipped in acknowledgment. “Good.” There was a slight gloating in his tone. He leaned over to his phone, pushing another red button. “Rez?”

There was a beat of silence before a woman’s silky voice came back over the intercom. “Yes?”

“Can you come in here, my dear?” Lars’ voice didn’t hint at any emotion, yet I couldn’t stop my eyebrows from popping up. He ignored my expression.

“You knew all along I’d agree to this.”

“There is very little that does not resolve in my favor. If I see a weakness, I go for it. Yours is the love for your family. They are your weakness, which is why you keep losing them.” My fists balled up against my side. Several expletives were about to roll off my tongue when there was a soft knock at the door as it opened. My mouth dropped open as the most beautiful, sexy women I had ever seen walked into the room. She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties and flawless. Long black hair hung to the middle of her back, framing perfectly proportionate features: strong cheek bones, an elegant swan-like neck, and big almond-shaped, dark chocolate brown eyes—maybe part Italian or Greek. She was thin, fine-boned, but curvy in all the right places. She was elegant, classy and sensual.

She made me feel about as pretty as a hairless cat.
Please say she’s a bitch, so I can hate her.

“Ember, this is Rez.” He motioned toward her. “If you need anything, go to her. She is in charge of running the house.”

She smiled and nodded. “I hope you are feeling better?”

“Yes, thank you.” I was getting used to the Dark being beautiful, but well-mannered and nice? This was a little too much to grasp.

“Rez, Ember is going to be staying with us while training. I would like you to help her get settled. Whatever she needs: clothes, shoes, personal items. Also, if you could introduce her to everyone so she feels at home.”

“Of course,” Rez replied.

Lars nodded and then moved toward his desk, signaling our dismissal. Rez motioned me to follow as she headed out the door. I had so many questions for Lars, but it was clear he was done with me for the moment. I got up, trailing after her. She wore a nice pair of black slacks with a creamy white, off-the-shoulder blouse. The outfit was simple but looked incredible on her and made my hot pink sweat suit look even tackier. She would have been a tiny bit shorter than I was without her heels; and like me, she was all legs, though she made having long legs look glamorous, not gawky. She was runway; I was alleyway.

“I’m glad you decided to stay with us, Ember,” her voice soothed me. “I think you will like it here. Our home is yours now.” She turned around to continue on with the tour. “There are a handful of us who live here. I guess you could say we are a family.” It was a strange prospect, the Unseelie King putting on his jammies before going to bed. Demons living in a house together like some reality show, watching movies, eating, joking around. It seemed so human. “We work for Lars, but he gives us flexibility to go out and do
our
thing
.” She said “our thing” in such a way I knew meant whatever they needed to do to live, which probably meant feeding off humans.

“Can I ask you what you are?”

“I’m aware you know next to nothing about the Otherworld, but it is considered rude and presumptuous to ask. Otherworlders in general are quite secretive and suspicious. Over the centuries humans have made us this way. If Otherworlders reveal themselves or you figure it out that is fine . . . but never ask. Ever,” she stated firmly, and then smiled gently. "Because you were unaware of this, I will answer you this time. I am a siren. You are aware of what that is?”

“Yes.” I briefly recounted what I knew about them. Sirens were dangerous mythological creatures, seductresses, who lured sailors to their deaths. Looking at her I had no doubt any man in a boat or in a bathtub would gladly follow her to a watery grave.

“Not everything you hear is true; the folklore was written by humans. They do not have the full truth, only the myths and legends they created.”

My mind was still trying to wrap around the fact that sirens were real when she led me into a gorgeous kitchen the size of a small house. It had top-of-the-line appliances, an oversized, double-door fridge, and a restaurant-size stove, all sleek and blending in nicely with the cabinetry. A huge island sat in the middle with its own double sink and built-in chopping block. Stools lined up on the other side. There was a curved breakfast nook with built-in benches on one side and a chandelier hanging over the round table and a walk-in pantry on the other side. It was a gourmet chef’s kitchen.

“Obviously, this is the kitchen,” Rez motioned around. “You met Marguerite earlier. She is the reason we function here at all and we could not live without her. She does the cooking and house duties. Sinnie, our house brownie, comes out mostly at night to clean. Marguerite always leaves a bowl of honey or porridge for her, so please don’t throw it out. Sinnie gets offended easily. Also a warning, brownies love shiny or sparkly objects. So unless you are willing to lose it, don’t leave anything out she will be attracted to. I’ve lost more jewelry that way,” Rez laughed lightly.

“Brownie?” I had heard of them but needed to be sure she was not referring to a baked good.

“Oh dear, you are a newbie. Brownies are a sub-category of Fairies, but they are one of the least magical species. They rank with gnomes and hobbits and have limited glamour powers. Humans usually mistake them for a large rat or something of that nature. Although their glamour is thin, humans will turn what they see into something their brains will accept. Being lower Fae, brownies can only turn into creatures their own size and can only use the most basic glamour.”

Rats. Always rats. Why not a fluffy kitten?

“Household brownies help clean houses at night while you sleep. They are quite shy and not social creatures. Because we are not human, Sinnie will venture out every once in a while in the day, but she usually prefers attending to our rooms when we are not there. She handles the most basic cleaning and tidying and is recently obsessed with making beds. I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and came back to a made bed. Drives us all a little batty.” Rez laughed.

She turned back to the room. “Marguerite does pretty much everything else; she is essential to this house. Lars would probably kick himself out before he’d get rid of Marguerite. She cooks breakfast and dinner, and sometimes lunch, though for most lunches you're on your own. The kitchen is yours to use as freely as you want—snacks, drinks, whatever. I only suggest staying out of Marguerite’s way when she’s cooking.” Rez shook her head, as though remembering a story. “She’ll chase you out with a steak knife if you get under her feet. She technically has Sundays and Mondays off, but she never really leaves. We are her family and she prefers to stay and take care of us, no matter how much we tell her to get out for the day.”

Rez walked through the kitchen into a huge dining room. A long, modern, oval table with velvet-covered chairs circling it sat in the center of the room, and another stunning chandelier hung from the ceiling. A curved, limestone archway opened up to the living area. A giant, deep grey, velvet sectional, a glass coffee table, and several large chairs sat in front of a glowing fireplace. Heat and energy flowed from it into me. Aware of my connection to fire now, it felt incredible. I couldn’t believe I never noticed the strong sensation before.

Rez pushed a button and a flat screen TV the size of a Cadillac came down from the ceiling. “Usually you’ll find the gang either here or downstairs in the family room where you can find tons of video games and DVD’s. There's also a pool table and a small bowling alley.”

She waved me forward, finishing the rest of the house tour. There were two different wings. One held the majority of the bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. The center of the house was the living space, and the other wing included Lars' office and his bedroom that was bigger than an Olympic-size swimming pool. As we walked past the closet, I also noticed it had women's clothes hanging in the closet, which looked like those Rez would wear.

Hmmm—a Demon and a siren playing house? Interesting.

As for an Olympic-size swimming pool, they had a real one in back—heated, of course. The pool was installed so naturally it looked like a lake instead of a pool. There was a gorgeous patio with a fireplace and an outdoor kitchen and barbeque grill, which would have made Mark cry. All this overlooked the creek where Rimmon found me, surrounded by the most beautiful, rolling, lush green grounds with flowers and oak trees. There were a few buildings that looked to be stables, more living spaces, and offices off to one side. On the other side was a densely rich forest. It took my breath away. This wasn’t a house; it was an expensive spa retreat.