The Lightest Dark (The Dark series Book 1) (3 page)

We both stood there looking at the ceiling, though I wasn’t sure why. I felt like we should have been doing something to get away from the creature, not closer to it. It seemed smart to me anyway. I’m sure Tristan had other ideas as usual. Stubborn. I have no other word for it except maybe determined, but I don’t think that covers it entirely. 

He was more of a ‘destroy now ask questions later’ type of guy. Always has been, and I'm sure that probably won't be changing any time soon. Not that I couldn’t wish for it, but I was a bit more realistic than that. That saying ‘if wishes were fishes’ comes to mind.

In all honesty, that kind of mentality was probably the reason he was still standing here, but I couldn’t figure out why I was. I was more of a flight than fight kind of person. If something is scaring me I’m out of there as fast as my feet will take me. Probably why I was questioning my own actions.

Maybe it was a misguided sense of loyalty, but I felt compelled to stay and make sure we both got out of this in one piece. It may be a first for me when it came to Tristan, but then I’d never really been in this kind of situation with him. Thinking on our options, I knew I was seriously crippled in the physical department, but that didn’t mean I was completely useless.

Especially since I didn't have to protect Ryan at moment. With any luck, he'd be in the safe house munching out on whatever kind of food was there. It was actually really likely seeing as how he was a lot faster than us. Even more so since we were standing in one spot instead of trying to get to safety like any sane person would.

After a few minutes Tristan shook his head in confusion. “Who would want you badly enough to unleash a seeker on the compound? You’re nobody.”

I guess I’m not the only one to come to that kind of conclusion, though I wasn’t too sure that comment hadn’t been an insult in disguise. If it was, I’m choosing to ignore it. Bigger fish and all. “Your guess is as good as mine. I've never been seen out of bounds and unless you count today, I've been keeping to myself lately.” I shivered, “Too many visions.”

He nodded like he understood, but we both knew he didn't. It was better to ignore that elephant in the interest of not starting a fight at the moment. That would be all we needed.

Us arguing and screaming at the top of our lungs making it easier to find us. May as well wave a blazing sign that says we’re right here, though even being relatively quiet, it seems this thing can still pinpoint us somehow.

I shook my head trying to focus on the question that Tristan just asked me. He gave me an annoyed look, but repeated himself. "Was it just the right arm, or did both have markings? I need to know what kind of attack I should be planning."

I hesitated.

While I knew something like that had to be going through his head, I wasn't sure I wanted to let him know how bad this could get. Granted, his knowing would be beneficial seeing as how he'd dealt with seekers and similar demons before, but at the same time he'd end up more focused on trying to destroy it than getting out of here in one piece.

I’d seen him do it in training, and heard about him doing it on numerous occasions. I wasn’t about to have that happen with something like this. Like I said. I was interested in getting the two of us out of this alive. In one piece preferably, though I had a feeling I might only be able to pull that one off by the skin of my teeth, if at all.

Instead of answering, I crouch down and pick up a medium size rock then grab his hand placing it there, my hand still covering it. After a second I take mine away and light floods the tunnel. That should distract him. I wasn’t so sure if it would be good or bad for me in the long run, but it was a distraction all the same.

It takes him a minute to adjust to the change in lighting, but he's soon giving me a look of disbelief. "After all the times we've been down here and I had to hold your belt loop to get around, you could have just turned a rock into a light? Seriously?"

Rather than answer, I scoffed and gave him an indignant look hoping to turn it around on him. "What exactly do you think transmutation is? I mean I know you've never seen me do anything on a large scale before today, but I thought you'd at least have grasped the concept of it by now. I've told you enough about it and you saw all that I did in our house."

"Not really getting it I guess. I mean I know you've told me about it, but it seemed like a lot of science. Not my strongest subject. I’m more of a tactics kind of guy. Give me a game of chess and the ability to out maneuver my opponent any day. I just get confused with the atoms and chemicals and all that nonsense. Too complicated."

"Seriously?" He shrugged. I shook my head but said for what felt like the hundredth time, "As long as I know the basics on what it's made of and what I want it to be, I can change it." I shook my head knowing that the statement was going to be forgotten as soon as it left my lips. “For the record, I find science a lot less complicated than chess. At least with science there’s usually the same answer to a problem every time. Same with math.”

“Say what you will. It’s still all just gibberish to me.”

Suddenly the scratching above us stopped and I was on the receiving end of a seriously scathing look. "Now that you've distracted me and put both our lives in danger, you mind finally answering the question of how big his marks were."

I closed my eyes, peeking through one slightly, as I awaited the explosion of curses that were about to fly my way. "Both arms and most of his chest." One second my feet are firm on the ground, the next I'm over Tristan's shoulder and he's running faster than I've ever seen him move. Not one word came out of his mouth. "I'm going to assume this is worse than I thought."

"That wasn't a seeker."

Okay, color me confused. That was the only thing I knew of with marks like that. "Then what was he?"

"Hunter. They don't tell the newbies about them because of how rarely they travel to the surface. They're about ten times more powerful than a Seeker and they're twice as cunning. That also explains the wings."

My eyes opened in surprise, "What the hell does it want with me?"

"I'm not sure. From what I understand, they only come to the surface for a few reasons. A mission from Belial, or one from Lucifer himself are two. There’s a few others I know of, but they’re not really relevant to why it would be after you. Our knowledge on them is kind of limited. You don't normally survive an encounter with a Hunter."

I went quiet. Instead of my usual smart comments, I listened to Tristan’s footsteps as he ran. My mind became a cacophony of thought, blocking out all other sound. It wasn't until Tristan came to a full stop that I realized he'd been trying to ask me something.

I shook my head, but that only made me dizzy seeing as how I was still upside down. "What?"

"I asked if you knew which way we're going." I felt myself being lifted off his shoulder and placed on my feet. His arms holding me steady as I sway from the shift of blood in my head, and if I was being honest, I was starting to feel a bit of the weirdness from earlier though not as badly. "You okay?"

I looked up at him. He looked concerned and I couldn't blame him. This was the second time I'd almost passed out in as many hours. I shrugged.

“Honestly Tristan, I have no idea. This is a lot to process for me on top of what happened earlier. I'm not like you where strange creatures are after me on a daily. And before you start jumping off to conclusions, no that was not a stab at your choice of career. It was an observation."

"Well, I have to admit, even I'm a bit worried here. Not every day you see a  and live to tell the tale. They normally don’t leave any witnesses. They only reason I know of them is because of Alex."

"I'm scared to ask, but do you know what it wants me for?"

He sighed, "I wish I had an answer, but I don't. The only thing I can think is maybe you somehow ended up on the Devil's radar as far-fetched as that is. Now before that thing catches up to us, do you know where we are? I'm usually following so I haven't paid as much attention as I probably should have. I can't remember which tunnels we take after this point."

I had a feeling he was lying, but now wasn’t exactly the time to call him on it. Instead I turned out of his hold and walked toward the three tunnels that branched out from this one, studying them. "How many have we passed through? I couldn't tell from how you were carrying me."

"This is the sixth tunnel. I went left, right, left, right, right and now we're here."

I nodded, seeing the underground layout in my head. "We've got three more to go after this one." I started forward. "The sixth is a middle tunnel, seventh is middle to last, eighth is right and ninth is third from the left. If we were going to the beach rather than the safe house you'd take the second from the right. Not that that’s any kind of relevant at the moment."

"Good to know." A shiver went down my spine as all the hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention for the second time today.

That definitely wasn't Tristan’s voice. Not even close.

"Tristan?"

I started to turn when a set of powerful arms covered in intricate black vines with a metallic silver undertone were suddenly wrapped around me. One covering my mouth, the other wrapping around my middle like a steel band.

Instinct kicked in and I started to struggle, my arms hitting every available surface it could reach to no avail. I may as well be trying to hit a brick wall for all the damage I was doing. It might be more effective.

"You may as well calm yourself. You're not getting loose anytime soon.  Not unless I want you to and after that stunt with the wall your wonder boy pulled, I'm really not feeling any kind of generosity toward anyone. He’s lucky to be breathing at this point."

Something about what he said struck a chord with me, however I couldn’t figure out why. Instead I let out a miffed breath, but stopped struggling. I knew he was right about me getting free and if I wanted to get out of this with as little damage possible, I knew I had better cooperate... at least for now. The second I knew I could get away without consequence; I was gone like a fish in a shark tank.

"Good girl. Now I'm going to take my hand off your mouth. You scream, or yell and I kill your friend. Nod if you understand me." It took a second of debate, but I nodded. I had no way of knowing if Tristan was okay to begin with, but something told me if I didn’t cooperate I might never find out.

After a second he took his hand away. I didn't say anything at first, but I had to know. "Is he okay, or are you messing with my head?" It was a legitimate question. One I could end up regretting, but I wanted an answer all the same. Lucky for me he took it for what it was.

"He fine just knocked out. See for yourself." He turned me around and sure enough I could see the steady movements of his chest as he lay unconscious. I went to move toward Tristan, but he stopped me. “Not happening. He’s fine, as you can see. No need to get any closer to him. I’d hate to have to knock you out too.”

I shook my head. “I don’t get it. What the heck do you want from me? I’m no one.” He laughed, but didn’t answer. Instead I felt him shifting. His free hand went under my legs as he shifted me as well, and I was suddenly in a bride carry with my hands tied and in my lap as he took off into the tunnels.

A thought was trying to make its way to the forefront as I turned my head to look behind us, watching as the small light I'd created faded into a pin prick, then nothing. Instead of listening to it, I wondered at Tristan’s fate as well as mine in this unexpected turn of events.

A sudden ominous feeling came over me and I had a feeling my life was about to change. I wasn’t sure if that was going to be a good, or a bad thing. What I did know is that I wasn’t looking forward to it. After all, change had a tendency to bring heartbreak along for the ride as far as my life was concerned.

I just hope I made it through it with my sanity intact.

As he made his way through I tried to make out where we were. Try as I might it was impossible seeing as how he was moving too fast for me to see, let alone recognize anything around me. It wasn’t something I was used to and it was starting to grate at me a bit.

It felt a bit like losing a part of yourself. You can function normally, but it’s not the same as when you had all your abilities operational and it gave you that edge. Or maybe it was more like when you have an itch on your nose and arms filled with important papers. Normally you can scratch that itch, but if you try and then lose all those papers...

Surprisingly though, the wind wasn't biting into my skin the way it did when Tristan carried me. I had to wonder at why that was. Maybe it was a special ability, or something this guy had. Weird, but it made being carried this way a lot more pleasant, even if it was a demon carrying me.

At least I was pretty sure a Hunter was a demon. Tristan had never actually said that it was. If it wasn’t that, it was going to raise a whole other pile of questions that I wasn’t sure I was ever going to get an answer to, especially with how this guy was responding. I pushed it out of my head bringing more important matters to the forefront, like what the heck was going on and where was he taking me?

I debated speaking for a minute, or two and decided to just go for it. I needed to be bold for once, at least when it came to my own personal safety and not Ryan’s. That not to mention he said I couldn't scream, not that I couldn't speak.

Not that it would do me any good at this point, but maybe he would actually answer this time. "Can I ask where you're taking me now, or maybe even
why
you're taking me?" My voice was surprisingly clear despite how fast we were going.

I started to look up, when his deep voice stopped me again. "I wouldn't if I were you.” A shiver went down my spine at the taunt.

No demon should sound so… appealing. Then again they
were
supposed to be able to tempt you to the dark side. I guess this was how some of them did that. By speaking with a voice that had you wanting to drop your panties, regardless of what he was saying, or even what he looks like, though I had a feeling he had a face to match if his body was anything to judge by.

I shook my head to clear the thought, instead trying to get what he said to actually register with my brain. It took a second, but I got it and all it did was make me even more curious. "Why?" He didn't answer, instead I felt him shifting. He pulled me tighter to him, maneuvering me so that my face pressed into the crook of his neck.

I shifted so that I could at least look behind us, even if I couldn’t make it out, when I suddenly felt my stomach jumping into my throat as I saw the world drop out from under me in reverse. Sounds as weird as it felt.

I let out a strangled scream that was lost in the crook of the Hunter's throat as I hid my face, hoping he wasn't about to drop me into oblivion. I felt the wind catch his wings and suddenly we were soaring into the sky. Somehow I’d forgotten about those, but I was happy they were there now.

Demon or not, he didn’t let me drop into the abyss so he couldn’t be all bad… at least I hoped not, otherwise I was in for a good deal more hell later and with how this morning was starting out, I wasn’t sure I could handle it to be honest. My bravado ended at standing up to idiots bothering Ryan and that wasn’t all too often if I’m honest.

He let out a chuckle, "I warned you.” I stayed silent. My face stayed pressed into the crook of his neck though he didn't seem to mind. My pride left with that fall and as scared as I'd been, I wasn't sure actual words would come out of my mouth at this point anyway. Maybe he'd take it like I'm giving him the silent treatment now. If you’re going to dream you should dream big… or was it good?

Anyway, we'd flown at a steady rate for what felt like twenty minutes when I finally gathered enough courage to look at my surroundings. A strangled gasp escaped my mouth as my eyes took in all that they could. The view from this height was terrifyingly beautiful.

There were different shades of greens and other splashes of color from plant life as far as the eyes could see. It was a bit muted by the shadow of night, yet no less beautiful. They'd told me it was all like a desolate wasteland in most places... it had me starting to wonder.

As I took in as much as my eyes would let me, I noticed dotted here and there were the grays, browns, and reds of buildings that had long since been overrun by nature, the moonlight giving the land of ruins an ethereal glow. "It is a sight to behold. I've never gotten tired of the view up here. It’s always consistently changing and yet it always remains beautiful."

Startled, I wanted to kick myself for having been distracted, however momentarily it was. I turned to face my captor and was astounded. My eyes widened and a small gasp left my mouth, but I wasn't aware of either as my mind focused on the creature.

He was gorgeous with clear amethyst eyes, a strong jaw covered in stubble, olive skin, and inky black hair that's length would rival my own. He was awe inspiring to be sure, but that wasn't what had me ready to throw my arms around him in exhilaration and punch him in the face at the same time.

I know him… or judging by the new set of wings and the black vines, I guess I should say knew. "Dark?" My voice was barely a whisper as his name fell from my lips like a forbidden thought, but I knew he'd hear me all the same. He used to be able to hear the tiniest whisper from a mile off and if earlier was any indication I don’t think that’s changed.

Judging from the fact that he was still the fastest being I knew and he was able to hear Tristan and I almost five feet below ground, I was incline to believe he'd only gained abilities since I'd seen him last rather than losing them.

Then again I could be wrong. I hadn't seen him since my mother's passing two years ago. Things change even when you don't want them to… or maybe because we wish they'd stay the same, though I’m sure life wouldn't be the same without change. It would probably end up boring and monotonous.

Anyway, the elders in the council had assumed he'd been killed in the run as well, though they'd never found any evidence to support that theory. I have to wonder if maybe it was to cover up what really happened to him seeing as how he was very much alive, albeit a bit different…

Okay a lot different, but I wasn’t about to start pointing that out. I was pretty sure he already knew that.

Those captivating eyes- familiar yet somehow different- turned to me, his signature smirk playing on his lips, "Took you long enough, Candy. Did you miss me?"

I made a face, "You? Yes, but that nickname can go back into the hole it crawled out of. No one but you ever called me that." He gave me a curious look, but didn't say anything else.

The reminder of that name gave me the slap in the face that I needed. He may have been my boyfriend two years ago, but he'd still just kidnapped me and did who knows what to Tristan. That's not even mentioning the fact that my hands are tied.

I could more than likely change the rope into something that could help me get away, but I decided to keep the ability to myself for now. I needed to keep my guard up, not to mention we were really high up and there was a chance I'd fall from the sky if I attempted something now.

No, it was best to wait until he took me where ever we were going and he left me to my own devices. Dark hadn't known about my ability back then so chances were good that was why he assumed it was Tristan who'd created the wall earlier.

They never had gotten along.

It was at least another hour if not longer, when he finally started to descend into a field of wildflowers that made their home in front of a –surprisingly- well preserved mansion. In all honesty I know that’s what it is, but in my opinion it looks more like a fortress.

It was three stories, made of a variation of grey brown and yellow stone with beautiful archways, qua-trefoil and clover shaped windows, and parapets. It was beautifully intimidating and would have been at home among the castles of days long past.

At least from what I’d gathered from pictures in books of them. Made me wonder at its existence in the first place, but I didn’t think I was in a position to ask about it. That and I was starting to question exactly how much of what I'd been told my whole life was true and what was a lie. More so than I'd ever done before after seeing how much life was still thriving as we flew overhead.

He landed just inside the entrance where the doors opened of their own accord into a foyer. There was a spiral staircase to the right of us that he ignored, instead heading further into the home. If I were by myself I would have went straight up there to snoop, but I wasn’t so I couldn’t. Maybe I’d have a chance in the future, but I didn’t foresee that happening anytime soon. Not with me being freshly kidnapped and all.

My eyes absorbed every detail as usual. The main floor seemed to be one large open space encompassing the great room, dining area and kitchen. What seems to be the study is tucked into an alcove. I guess to provide some kind of privacy however small it may be.

There's an open door to the left of us that seems to lead to a small hall and more rooms. I can't help but feel curious about what I would find. I shake my head slightly hoping it will help clear it. I have to keep reminding myself that I could be in some serious trouble.

The fact that Dark still hasn't placed me on my feet, or set me down somewhere to untie my hands is just reinforcing the idea. I turn to look up at him. His face has become a blank mask. Not a trace of his playful side he’d shown me in the sky was remaining.

"Calista, I'm sorry I left you. It wasn't my intention, but after watching what happened to your mother and then...” he sighed, a sound filled with the remorse he was conveying. “I just wasn’t able to stay. I wanted to come back for you, but I couldn’t. Not then."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about Dark?"

"Calista, what do you know about what happened to her on the day your mother died?"

"They said she was killed by scavenger demons. They told me the same about you, but without a body I never was too sure about that one. I'd always hoped you'd somehow survived, but I never really believed it." At least not until now.

He nodded as if he'd thought as much. His eyes had a faraway look in them as he started to move toward the open door on the left. “The lying snake would say something like that. The council is about as corrupt as the pre-apocalyptic government was.”

He moved forward past two doors to the end of the hall. The door once again flew open at his approach and I had to wonder if maybe telekinesis was on that growing list of his new abilities, or if they had been rigged to do that.

It wouldn't have been impossible, but with how little technology was used these days, it would be hard to find someone who could do it. Then again, thinking on how secluded this house was, there was always the possibility that Dark had done it himself. He did have a knack for that type of thing when he was still in the compound.

Either way, I still wasn't about to start asking questions. Satisfaction may have brought the cat back to life, but I wasn’t so lucky as to have nine lives. At least I was pretty sure I didn't. I wasn't about to test it.

He walked in to what I assumed was some kind of in-home bar. At least from the pictures I’d seen of them from the old world. There was a pool table off to the far right, a full service bar straight ahead of us complete with stools, and along the wall to our left was an impossibly large couch set. The room was filled with soft lighting that was strategically placed along the walls giving a laid back feel throughout the room.

From what I'd seen so far, it looked like you could have pull the inside of this home from before the apocalypse. I hope that isn't the case, but with the way everything looked brand-new, I wouldn't be ruling it out.

Just because I'd never heard of anyone with that ability didn't mean it was impossible. In all likeliness it probably did exist. If all these other abilities like mine have popped up through the years I don’t see why that wouldn’t at some point.

I shook my head trying to bring my thoughts back into focus and see if there were any kind of exits in this room should I need one. He moved and placed me gently on the end of the couch. "Feel free move around, or take a nap if you'd like. The door over to the right of the couch is the facilities if you need them. I have a few things I need to take care of before I move you to a room. Should you want anything else just speak my name." 

Without waiting for me to respond, he was out the door.

He'd neglected to untie me so I figure that wouldn't be an option for me. The fact that he said all I had to do was speak his name made trying to somehow sneak out impossible. Not that I had intended on it. Quite the opposite actually.

After that comment about the council I was more incline to stick around and find out what he'd meant. If there was some kind of conspiracy going on I had a feeling that I’d need to know about it. Especially since it may have involved my mother. At least I was assuming. I could have read that wrong, but I didn’t think so.

There was that and I'd really like to find out why I'd reacted how I did to him, or if it even was him that caused my weird blackout. There was a chance that it had been a coincidence, but somehow I didn't think so on that note either. I just hoped with all the assumptions I was making I didn’t make an ass out of myself.