Wilde's Fire (Darkness Falls #1) (15 page)

“What was life like for you? What did your parents do for work?”

“Compared to some, my life was simple. I was in a private school to learn our history, how to use magic, and how to fight. My parents were always summoned away to meetings with your mother and father, as well as our highest leader. When I was not in school, I spent a lot of time listening to them and wishing to be like other children. That is how I met your aunt; she kept me company when no one else had time.”

“Is that why you stayed in contact with her?”

“We remained in contact for personal reasons—she was like a second mother to me—but she would also give me reports on daemon activity in the surrounding areas. Daemons have mostly left The Meadows alone since they wiped out almost everyone when the war began, but our remaining people there have grown weary and are ready to join in the fight to end this war.”

“Why did they not fight before?”

“Fear. The people who survived the initial attacks went into hiding. My father brought me and Flanna here because we had prophecies to fulfill.”

“Do I have other family there?”

He nods. “You have relatives from your father’s side, though I have never met any of them.”

“And my mother’s?”

“The rest of your mother’s family was killed in the early days.”

The more I learn, the more I realize I truly don’t know anything about my life.

Arland switches the subject and asks me lots of other little quirky questions, like if I enjoy singing or dancing, or other ordinary things. I tell him about our family’s annual trip to the mountains, and how I’ve felt most at peace in the forest—with nature. I tell him how—starting from the time I was about four years old—I could always be found in the barn, talking to the horses and interacting as if they were my friends.

He falls silent.

“Why were you so eager to be in charge?” I ask.

“I see you have been talking to Flanna.” He smiles.

“She told me you took over here when you were fifteen and your dad left.”

“She told you the truth. I was eager because of my prophecy, Kate. I knew my being in charge was part of the end of the war. I want, more than anything, for it to be over—for my mother, that her death not be in vain, for my people, and for myself. This world will not survive much longer if the war continues.” He shakes his head.

“What else did your prophecy tell you about yourself?”

“Enough, but we can save that for another time,” Arland says.

I’ve made him uncomfortable. It worries me to know speaking of his prophecy makes him edgy. I wonder if he
is
going to die, and maybe he’s already aware of that? Pushing past my concerns, I continue to ask questions. Most of them are the same off-the-wall ones he asked me.

“What would life be like here if there wasn’t a war going on?” I have to know the answer to this.

He opens and closes his mouth a few times, pausing on what I expected to be an easy answer. “It has been so long since life was normal, I am no longer sure. When this is all over, I will have to show you.” Arland’s eyes smile at me, but his mouth doesn’t—like he’s hiding something.

I’m not going to have an answer for a long time … if ever.

Marcus and Anna were born into this world full of turmoil, and haven’t been able to enjoy a normal life, and I’m sorry for that. They’ve never experienced the full effects of sunshine, or even happiness, like what’s displayed on the walls outside my room. I’m sure they haven’t been able to explore the forest or caves, or go fishing in a river, or swim in a lake. It must be a sad life. Even if they are willing to go headfirst into battle to try to end the war, there must still be some fear in their hearts, some hesitation, some strong will to live that makes them want to run and hide to save themselves.

We’ve carried on our conversation for so long it feels as though I’m talking in my sleep. I cover my mouth and yawn.

Arland traces the outline of my face with his fingers; his touch so comforting it forces me to give in to the looming slumber.

Arland and I are swimming in a river, cleaning ourselves by the waterfall. The day is long, and we’re both ready to rest for our next journey. He kisses me before lifting me up out of the water. I keep my legs wrapped around his body as he carries me into our hidden cave behind the falls. He sets me down near the back so I can dress, and lights a fire with some timber we collected earlier in the day. I join him and we eat the rabbit we snared. Food is hard to come by in the wild, but Arland is a skilled hunter and we rarely go without. After our bellies are full, we move to the back of the cave and lie on our bed of animal furs, holding on to each other as though we never want to let go.

Arland stares into my eyes. “If I die, Kate, do not stop fighting.”

“You are not going to die,” I tell him.

“I pray you are correct, but if not, you must go on,” he says, more commanding.

I close my eyes. “I can’t think about it.”

He takes my face in his hand, pulling me into him. Our mouths meet and we make love behind the cover of the falls, but it feels more like a goodbye than anything else.

Tears stream across our faces while we rest in each other’s arms. This is the end, and somehow we both know it. Our time with one another has been too short. We want to give each other years, decades even, but the sound of rocks tumbling against the side of the cave tells us we are not going to be afforded that time.

“They have found us.” He grabs his sword and sits up, ready to protect my life. “You have to run.”

“I will not. I am going to fight,” I say, with more fervor.

He looks at me, and we share what for sure is our last goodbye kiss. We approach the opening of the cave, holding our swords. The falls block our view of what approaches, but we don’t need to see them to know the army of mangled creatures has found us.

“Please run, Kate,” Arland begs.

“Do not make me tell you again.”

The first line of daemons approaches along the side of the falls.

“Stad,” he mutters, waving his hand in front of us.

The waters stop flowing, and we find ourselves looking out onto thousands of daemons. It is as if Darkness sent the entire army after us. A rock falls from above and hits me on my head. Looking up, I realize we are both going to die. Daemons are everywhere. There is no time for either of us to run, hide, or even fight. They jump onto Arland from the rocks overhead. I scream for him, stab and slash my sword at the beasts, but there are too many.

I cannot see him.

“I love you, Katriona,” he chokes out. They are the last words he says before letting out bloodcurdling screams of pain.

I’ve never heard someone cry with so much anguish before. I call for Arland, but he doesn’t say anything.

He’s gone. My love is gone.

“Why don’t you just kill me?” I clench my fists and scream. “Why leave me here? Just do it!”

Trembling, I collapse beside Arland and wait for my own terrifying death, but it doesn’t come.

The daemons slink away, leaving me at the mouth of the cave next to Arland’s destroyed body.

“Now you no longer have protection, little girl. You could have prevented this, but now you are weak, and I will find and kill you myself.” An unfamiliar voice laughs as I mourn.

I cry myself awake; I always do, from this dream. It’s always been one of the worst I’ve had of Arland. Most start out more pleasant, but in this one, we know we have no future, no life to live, and no hope throughout the entire dream. I sit up, alone—seems to be the usual here.

The door opens. Candlelight illuminates Arland’s face as he walks in the room.

“Are you crying?” He sits down in the chair and sets the candle next to the bed.

“Yes.” The sheets make the perfect tissue to wipe the tears from my face.

“We will find a way to help your friend. I promise,” Arland says, misinterpreting my sadness.

“I’m not crying over Brad. I had a dream about your death.”

“Oh, I am sorry.” His voice and face soften a little.

I’m ridiculous. The dreams aren’t real. Arland is here, he’s alive, and yet I’m crying.

“I’ve seen these dreams replay so many different times, I guess I should be used to them, but each time the pain of your death seems to hurt me even more,” I say, telling him too much—once again.

He remains quiet for a moment, as though looking for the right words. “And some of these dreams make you cry over me?”

I cover my face with the sheet. “Yes.”

I’m embarrassed for saying anything at all. I keep sharing my deepest feelings with Arland, as if I
am
in one of my dreams.

“Get dressed.” Arland tugs the sheet away and offers me his hand.

“W-what are we going to do?” I take hold of him and he pulls me out of bed.

“I have something to show you.” He heads for the door. “Meet me in the dining room—and bring your sword.”

“My sword? Where is this
something
you want to show me?” I’m frozen in the middle of the room.

“Out.”

I break free of my cold panic and march toward him. “
Outside
out?”

“Yes.” He laughs.

“You have got to be kidding me!” I hug myself; trembles threaten to bring me to my knees.

“No, I want you to see the daemons the way I do. We are going to make rounds along the perimeter of Watchers Hall.” He smiles as he leaves the room.

Going outside this base to look for daemons seems foolish. I’ve seen the monsters up close and personal. I’m positive I don’t want to see them ever again. I also don’t want to be alone.

I grab my clothes from the dresser, lift the nightgown over my head, and pull on the tunic, pants, and boots. Before opening the door, I see my sword resting against the wall. I jog back over to pick it up.

I slide the weapon through my holster, and find Arland waiting by a table in the dining area. The way he holds himself, straight, calm—like he doesn’t have a care in the world—is comforting, but I’m still shaking.

My teeth chatter.

“Relax, Kate.”

I look up at Arland and fight against an urge, deep inside, to wrap my arms around him and beg to be taken back to my room. “You want me to relax when I’ve seen exactly what those things are capable of? And you’ve told me Brad is lucky—everyone else dies instantly. So why, exactly, should I relax?”

He puts his hand in the middle of my back—warmth spreads along my skin, rushing through me like fire—and pushes me toward the kitchen. “Because you will not come in direct contact with any daemons. I have plenty of my men in the forest, and most daemons should be asleep by now.”

“How can you know that for sure? If you have perimeter patrols, then some daemons try to get through, right?”

“If one makes its way through, I have plenty of guards to take care of it.” Arland pushes open the door leading to the stables and communications room. “Wait right here. I am going to inform Keith of our departure.”

I nod.

Rubbing the cold hilt of my sword, I look all around. No sounds of happy children or soldiers eating fill the dining room—everything is empty and quiet.

The door squeaks as it opens behind me. Turning around, I see Arland emerge from the dark hallway with a smile on his face and a lantern in his grip. “Keith will have the other guards on high alert.”

“So you told him you were taking this world’s supposed hero out?”

Reaching for my hand, Arland laughs and starts up the stairs. “Not exactly.”

“What did you tell him?” I ask, trying to keep up.

“Here, hold this,” Arland says, handing me the lantern, then lighting the wick.

“What’s this for?”

“I thought you might be more comfortable if you could see.” He unlocks the door and pushes it open.

I gasp for breath; the hairs on my arm stand straight. “W-Won’t the daemons be able to see this?”

“No, our perimeter and everything inside it are invisible to them.”

“What?”

“We have multiple layers of magic over the base, stables and perimeter. Daemons cannot see us. They can stand next to us, but will not know we are here—and Keith is under the impression I am taking a soldier out for training. It is not a lie. Are you coming?” He tugs at my hand, but my feet feel glued in place.

“Training?”

“Yes, training. Again, I want you to see the daemons as I do. I am not asking you to fight them, only observe how easily they can be killed.”

“We’re going to walk right up to one and kill it?”

“No, if it were that easy, we would have already won the war. You will be safe … .”

“Okay.” I follow him up the remaining steps and away from the safety of base.

I see my breath comes out in white clouds of steam. My heart races, but somehow not as fast as I think it should. Arland wraps his hand around mine, and I stay within inches of him. The lantern does little to illuminate the forest. I cannot see past the small radius of light floating on the ground next to me, and beyond it, everything appears even darker than before.