VANESSA BLACK

 

 

Prologue

 

 

The first vital piece had finally fallen into place. Darkness reveled in what was ultimately the beginning of the end…at least for the human race. For Darkness it was the fulfillment of a century-old promise.

     Darkness would thrive…it would finally be able to relish the taste of destruction and despair that would fill the billions of souls of the dying. It would feast off of them…and the destruction of earth’s light would strengthen its power.

     And it had only her to thank. Without her, the darkest and most powerful of them all, he never could have accomplished any of it. Centuries ago, she had let him in…now she had done so again.

     That was all Darkness needed.

Its seed had been planted inside of her long ago, but now she had accepted it…now she had let it become a part of her, and it would grow and manipulate her…twist her into a creature so dark that she would not hesitate to do its most terrible bidding.

     Darkness would have destroyed the world long ago. But it hadn’t been in complete control of Morrigan. Somehow, even though she had done Darkness’s bidding, she had, nonetheless, managed to delay the destruction of humanity for hundreds of years.

     But Darkness hadn’t minded the deferral…it had already waited for so long to find the perfect creature to possess…it hadn’t minded waiting a few centuries longer ― it was naught but the blink of an eye for an entity whose existence traversed the dawn of time.

     But now it had finally started…and soon…Darkness would reign…

 

 

Remaining hours spun from glass

Shatter before dark

A power borne within a lass

Shall leave its horrid mark

 

Minutes, seconds counting down

The world shall be undone

For the fiend who steals the crown

Cannot be overcome

 

Hence cast away thy pride

Surrender to thy fate

For that which lingers deep inside

No light can penetrate

 

The written word shall come to pass

For fate must play her part

Yet there lies promise in the past

For all ye brave at heart

 

 

 

Chapter 1 *Numb

 

 

I sat on the window ledge of my bedroom at the Haven’s ancestral castle in Ireland, gazing out at the landscape. Somewhere in the very back of my mind, so far removed it seemed as though in another life, I dimly recalled hours upon hours sitting in a similar manner in the home I had grown up in. The only difference was: then, I’d seen and felt so much.

     Now, I saw nothing ― felt nothing.

     I was empty and cold inside.

Back then, everything had seemed so simple. My life had been a succession of choices I was about to make ― choices that would determine the rest of my life.

     My  life…My  choices.

So much had changed since then. My life was no longer mine, my choices no longer voluntary… my path already determined. Destiny had taken my freedom, every course of action leading me further down the road to destruction. That’s how I felt.

     Gone was the optimism I might once have possessed. The hope of an actual future had gone up in smoke as darkness and ice had encased my heart…

     When Aidan’s life had been at stake, I’d done the only thing I could to save him. I’d sold my soul to Darkness. And Darkness had kept its end of the bargain. It had brought him back. That had been two days ago, and I hadn’t seen him since.

     Dimly I recalled the moments after Aidan’s body had once again shown signs of life. Back then, I’d still been able to feel…the numbness had crept over me gradually ― stealthily ― until it completely filled me out from the inside.

     I remembered Malcolm’s outcry at what I had done ― he’d known immediately. I remembered the thoughts that had raced through my mind at seeing Malcolm and Aaron standing in the great hall, looking down at me and the image I presented.

     Allegedly Malcolm and Aaron had managed to fight off their attackers and get away without being tracked. As soon as they’d escaped, they’d decided to meet up with Aidan and me, heading for the manor…

 

     Just in time to witness my fall from grace.

 

I’d thought we’d be staying at the mansion in Scotland, but given Aidan’s situation Malcolm had decided to return to the castle. It seemed some of the members of the guard were already headed toward the castle, so that it would be safer for us there now ― though Malcolm had instructed the rest of his family and staff to stay away for the time being.

     Malcolm had opened a portal and brought all of us back to the castle. Aidan ― still unconscious at the time ― had needed to be carried. The return to the castle was fine with me. It didn’t matter where I was.

 

     I no longer cared.

 

Everywhere seemed the same…one place as dull as the next. In a remote corner of my mind, I realized all I had lost…but I just couldn’t get myself to care. My gaze stuck to no particular spot…staring unseeingly into nothingness as I sat unmoving…

 

     …numb.

 

Aaron silently watched Malcolm taking care of Aidan. His twin brother had not yet regained consciousness. They were at the castle’s own infirmary where Malcolm seemed to have every possible concoction at his disposal. The Haven seemed to have extensive knowledge of herbs and their use in making remedies for nearly every illness.

    Aaron sat in the back watching and waiting. He didn’t want to be in Malcolm’s way while he tried to find out why Aidan was still unconscious. Other than that, Aaron mused, Malcolm might want to find out more about Aidan’s general condition…if he was still the son he knew and had raised…or changed somehow ― having been dead.

     Malcolm and Aaron had only just arrived at the manor and walked into the grand reception hall to find Persephone leaning over Aidan’s body, sobbing and immersed in waves of power. Aaron had been able to feel ripples of pure energy rolling off her. Before he or his father had even come to grasp the seriousness of the situation, her fiery red mane had suddenly started to fan out around her through a surge of power so strong it had nearly knocked Aaron off his feet.

     At the same time as a glowing light had enveloped Aidan’s body, Aaron had watched a strand of Persephone’s hair slowly turning black from the root onward. He’d had a split moment to wonder about what she had just done, why she’d been crying, and why his brother hadn’t been stirring, when the sharp tone of Malcolm’s voice asking her what she’d done and the fact that Aidan’s lips were slightly blue in his deathly pale face suddenly made everything click into place.

     Aidan must have died…and she’d brought him back.

But how had she even known how to do that? And what had happened to them? It was a complete mystery to him…especially the black lock of hair ― what did it mean?

     He would have liked to ask Malcolm to explain, but there was no way he would get any answers out of him at the moment. Malcolm was too occupied with his son to engage in conversation. So Aaron sat…and kept silent…and waited.

     While he passed the time, his thoughts turned back to his brother and Malcolm. How strange it was to watch two men he hardly knew yet who had the same blood as his running through their veins.

     All his life Aaron had wished he’d known his parents, had felt an acute sense of loss at never having been part of a family. Adam had cared for him, had loved him…and Aaron would always be grateful to him, would always see and love him as a father. But despite that, he’d always wanted to know who his real parents were…where he came from…if he was at all like them.

     When Aaron had learned of his parents’ demise, he had acted as though it did not touch him. But in reality he had been devastated, had wanted more than anything to get to know them.

     No matter that they had abandoned him.

     No matter that they hadn’t felt the same way about him.

He had craved their acquaintance…their acceptance…their…love. And when he’d thought they were dead and he would never get to meet them, it had torn another gigantic hole in his heart.

     Now, he suddenly had a father…his real father…and a brother.

And he wanted nothing more than to get to know them. But it hadn’t been easy for him to admit it or show that he actually cared. It had all happened so fast, the truth had been more or less thrown in his face, and he just hadn’t been ready for it. He hadn’t known how to act.

     Then, Aidan had insulted Persephone. Furthermore he had learned that his brother was connected to her as well. An intense wave of jealousy had rolled over him at the thought of Aidan getting close to Persephone.

     And from that moment on, it seemed he would never have a good ― or any kind of ― relationship with his brother.

     But abruptly everything had changed.

In the space of a heartbeat, realizing that Aidan had nearly died ― actually had died ― he’d understood the value of the second chance he’d been given. He could not live in peace if he forewent the chance to get to know his only brother…his flesh and blood. And the same went for Malcolm.

     His father might have made choices that kept Aaron from his family for a long time, but he could understand why Malcolm had done it. And Aaron hoped, somewhere inside, he would be able to find the strength to forgive him.

     As for his mother, nothing could bring her back. He would never meet her. But maybe she would live on a bit in the memories Malcolm could share with him. Aaron longed to know more about her, to hear stories of their life together…as a family…before their idyll had so cruelly been shattered.

     The only bit Malcolm had told Aaron about his mother so far, was that she had died in a desperate attempt to save him…she had died for him. One thing Aaron already knew about his mother: she had loved him! Knowing he’d been loved made a profound difference. He’d always assumed his parents hadn’t cared for him. He’d been wrong.

     “Well, I have done everything I can do for now. I think he will be conscious before too long,” Malcolm said, putting away several vials with herbs in them as he spoke.

     “So, is he okay?” Aaron asked.

     “Yes, he should be fine,” Malcolm replied.

     “Malcolm…,” Aaron addressed his father, hesitating slightly because he was unsure if the topic he was about to bring up was something Malcolm would feel comfortable discussing with him, “…what exactly happened at the manor in Scotland?”

     It looked like his instincts had been right. Malcolm appeared extremely uncomfortable with the subject at hand. After keeping silent for a long moment, he finally seemed decided on talking about it, after all. He could probably tell that Aaron would not give up easily and would continue to pry.

     “It looks like I would have lost one of my sons…if it hadn’t been for Persephone. She brought him back from the dead.”

     “I’d gathered as much,” Aaron replied, “What I don’t understand is…how?”

When Malcolm wouldn’t answer, Aaron knew he’d grazed the actual issue responsible for Malcom’s initial hesitancy. This was what he hadn’t wanted to talk about.

     “Please…,” Aaron said quietly, “…help me understand…all of this,” he finished, his tone of voice revealing his confusion and helplessness confronted with things he had no way of understanding as an ‘outsider’ to his own family’s way. Malcolm seemed to take pity on his son and finally answered.

     “The ‘how’ I think I can understand. Morrigan was the greatest witch to ever walk among men. Her magic went beyond anything I’ve ever beheld. And it seems that Persephone has at last managed to tap into that great power. And though the speed in which she was able to harness that enormous force after never having used it before in this lifetime surprised me, I must say, I’m not really that astonished that she managed to bring him back.” Malcolm hesitated for a moment.

     “But what has  me amazed, I must admit…,” Malcolm said, “…is the ‘why’ of it.”

     “What do you mean?” Aaron asked, confused. “If she had the means to bring him back, why would she not have done it? I mean, I get that they don’t get along all too well, but it’s not like Persephone would just let someone die if she can do something about it. She’s not that kind of person. She will try to help if she can.”

     “Yes, I do not doubt it. But there is something you do not know,” Malcolm said softly.

It seemed he was about to tell Aaron something of a very serious nature… something he needed to tell him gently. Whatever it was, it was clear to Aaron that Malcolm thought he would not like what he would hear. Aaron waited for him to continue, stealing himself.

     “The only way Persephone was able to get Aidan back was by using a considerable amount of the most powerful magic in existence.”

     “Yes, but you did  say that she has that kind of magic inside of her. You said she’s always been the most powerful witch,” Aaron countered, not understanding what Malcolm was getting at.

     “Exactly. But the most powerful magic has always and will always be rooted in Darkness. The amount of magic necessary to bring a person back from the dead, can only be found by tapping into the darkest place within one’s soul. By bringing Aidan back, Persephone sacrificed her soul’s light and surrendered to Darkness.”

     “Oh my God, that’s why her hair turned black,” Aaron mumbled, suddenly understanding.

     “But what exactly  does this mean?” Aaron asked Malcolm, the tone of his voice indicating the feeling of foreboding that had suddenly crept over him.

     “It means that Persephone is now touched by Darkness…and it has changed her.”

     “Changed her how?” Aaron wondered.

     “She will no longer be the Persephone you have known. I am not sure how much of her old self could have survived, but it could well be that she is no more than an empty shell…and that her heart has gone stone cold. I am so sorry…son,” Malcolm said, obviously feeling for Aaron, whose acute sense of loss at Malcolm’s words appeared to be written all over his face.

     “No, that can’t be. You’ve got it wrong,” Aaron said, gripping at straws, “I know she’s in there…she has to be…has to…”

     Malcolm just hung his head in regret, saying nothing.

     “Why did you show her how to find her power without warning her about what could happen?” Aaron accused his father, lashing out at the only miscreant he could find in all this. “You knew about the risk and didn’t utter a word. You showed her the way and let her run into her doom knowing that her eyes were closed. How could you?” Aaron cried out furiously.

     “You’ve got it all wrong, my boy,” Malcolm said softly, “Persephone knew about the risk involved. She had gotten lost in the darkness inside of her before, and Aidan had pulled her back out. She had known full well what it would mean to let Darkness enter her heart.”

     “But then, how could she have done it…how could she have chanced losing herself?” Aaron asked, trying to understand why she would have risked herself for Aidan, whom she couldn’t even stand. “She mustn’t have known exactly what would happen. Maybe she’d thought she could come back from using dark magic, that it wouldn’t change her.”

     “Aaron,” Malcolm said softly, “Persephone knew precisely  what she was doing and what it would mean.”

     “That’s bullshit…,” Aaron said heatedly, “…how could you possibly know that?”

     “Because that’s what it means to sell your soul to Darkness. You know you will not come back from it…it’s a bargain…an act of sacrifice…that you need to agree to completely willingly. Darkness cannot take you over without your consent. It might have planted a seed inside of you, but it cannot become a part of you unless you let it.”

     “Does that mean…she…sacrificed herself…for him?” Aaron asked, shaken. He could not believe it! “Why would she do…why?” Aaron whispered, looking at Malcolm for answers.

     “You must brace yourself for the possibility that…she was…in love with him,” Malcolm said cautiously, as though holding a potentially dangerous bomb that could go off at any second.

     “How could she have been in love with him?” Aaron asked, his tone agitated, “She only just met him…she and I…we are…we were…it can’t be,” he uttered in a strangled voice as realization hit him, the truth behind Malcolm’s words starting to sink in.

     Oh God, his father was right. She’d been in love with his brother. Why else would she have made such a sacrifice…There could be no other reason!

     Aaron felt shaken. As for the second chance he’d been given to finally get to know his brother…he no longer desired it. He could not get past the fact that Aidan had taken her away from him. Not only had he gotten her to fall in love with him…his  life had cost Persephone her soul.

     Persephone, Aaron’s thoughts wandered to the girl he had known…the one that was no more.

How could you?

     They’d…meant something to each other…he’d opened up to her…for the very first time in his life he’d become vulnerable…for her. And now she’d thrown away any future they might have had. Even if they found a way to destroy the curse, and destiny no longer stood between them, they would not be together. Not because they would destroy the world…but because there was nothing left to love inside the hollow shell that wore Persephone’s face.

     The woman he had fallen in love with was no longer there. She had thrown away everything…for the life of his brother. She had betrayed him in more ways than one!

     As Aaron’s eyes started to water, he swiftly turned away from his father. He wasn’t the type prone to tears. He usually was tough as nails and had only cried a few times throughout his life, mostly when he was a kid…and when he had found Adam lying lifeless on the floor of his study.

     This was the very first time he felt like crying because of a woman. And he never would have thought it possible that he could ever feel this way about anyone, but he’d been wrong. He’d torn down his walls, ready to commit to the woman he loved…and she’d thrown his love in his face…before she left him forever.

     He could not even grieve for her loss.

     Because he could not forgive her…

 

 

Aidan’s eyes might have been closed, but he’d been conscious throughout Malcolm and Aaron’s talk…and he’d heard every single word!

     Moments before he’d overheard them talking, he’d come to and wondered where he was and what had happened. He’d been unable to remember anything after his failed attempt at saving them both from drowning. He and Persephone had been completely surrounded by water. There’d been no way out…and he hadn’t been able to open the portal. He’d been at a loss to explain how he was even alive.

     Then, he’d suddenly heard his brother and father talking about what had happened and decided not to let on that he was conscious. He’d been certain they wouldn’t have spoken so openly had they known he was awake. And he really needed answers, needed to know what kind of miracle had saved his life.

     Had he known what he was about to hear, he would have done anything to keep himself in the dark. The truth was excruciatingly hard to bear. She had sacrificed herself…the purity of her soul…for him.

     How could she have done that? It made no sense! Though his father thought Persephone must have been in love with him, Aidan could not believe it. Sure, there had been moments when he’d thought there was some kind of understanding between them…moments when they’d

been really close…emotionally. But he’d thought she was in love with his brother and, therefore, couldn’t care about him in such a way. He’d thought she was merely glad to have him around because she felt safer in his presence.

     He’d saved her life more than once, after all. It hadn’t been that far-fetched to come to the conclusion that she might first and foremost seek his company to

ensure her own protection.

     But not once had she let on that she felt more for him, well, other than being physically attracted to him. Could he have somehow missed it? Had she given any indication of actually having feelings for him? Aidan didn’t know what to believe anymore.

     The fact of the matter was: despite her earlier allusions to the blackness within her tainted soul ― which had obviously been a considerable source of distress to her ― she’d willingly let herself be overcome by darkness…to save his life. Those were the irrefutable facts. Who sacrificed their soul for someone they didn’t care about?

     Would he sacrifice something as valuable as his soul for someone he didn’t truly love, Aidan asked himself.

     The answer was very simple: he would not. But for someone he loved? In a heartbeat…and without the slightest regret! That was the power of love.

     Was that what she’d done? Had she loved him without his realizing it? Could she even have fallen in love with him in the brief time they had known each other?

     Hadn’t he done exactly the same?

They might have only met a short while ago, but they’d gotten closer in a small amount of time than other people did throughout half a lifetime. They’d seen into each other’s souls. With all barriers down ― their essences naked and stripped of protection ― there had been nothing either of them could have held back. Each of them had been able to see with perfect clarity exactly  who the other was. That was more than normal couples ever got to experience.

     Aidan’s heart ached for Persephone…for the beautiful soul she had lost to save his life. The weight of her sacrifice seemed to suggest that she had indeed loved him…did she still feel that way?      Or was her heart forever frozen now?

If so, Aidan would never forgive himself. She had relied on him. It had been his duty to protect her…not the other way around. And when she had needed him the most, he’d failed her…and now she might be lost forever.

     And it was entirely his fault!

     Had he only been stronger…

     Had he practiced magic more often…

Aidan couldn’t accept that she was lost. She must still be in there somewhere. The woman he cared about…had fallen in love with…must still exist.

     Aidan had no choice but to believe that the beautiful light he’d beheld was somewhere inside her waiting to be reunited with the rest of her now darkened soul…that he could chase the darkness away and restore her essence.

     If it cost him his very last breath, Aidan would do anything within his power to get her back…to redeem the woman who had given him everything…had given him life! Not for one second would he believe she was truly gone.

     Because if he did…if he gave up on her…he might as well have died in that tunnel!