Lady of Darkness (Lady of Darkness, #1)

by Melissa K. Roehrich

Without a word, Sorin reached over and pulled her hood back up over her hair. Then his arms came around her, and being careful of her abdomen, he stepped into her. He guided her head to his shoulder, and she slowly brought her own arms around his waist. They said nothing as he held her in the shadows of that side street until they could leave.

Black Syndicate Council runs the Syndicate,” she answered distractedly. “They are who you will answer to about bringing me there,” Sorin said. “Yes.” “Who are they?” “The Assassin Lord, the High Healer, the Crime Lord, the High Madame, and the Merchant Governor,” she replied, her fingers playing with a seam on the couch cushion. “So your mother used to be on this Council?” he asked. “Yes.”

Her eyes flickered to his, and he held them. I see the stars.

“I put a shield around us. No one can hear us.” She raised her brows. “You can do that?” “I can do more than that,” he crooned with a smirk, his gaze dipping to her mouth.

She moved to turn from him, but he lightly gripped her arm. She brought her eyes to his in question. “You are not alone in the darkness. Remember that,” he said. Her lips curved up in a partial smile before she stepped from beyond his shield.

That throne is still a cage. You are still light, while I am still dark.”

“My dear Prince, do not forget that I am Death’s Maiden.” Finn and Sloan swore viciously at the revelation. “Much of what made me what I am today was forged in darkness, and it is a darkness I do not entirely wish to leave.” “You would stay in the dark?” Callan challenged. “I would stay where I can see the stars,” she replied. And Sorin could have sworn that thing that stirred within his soul sat up at her words.

were allowed to remain among the humans, but let me finish this story first. I had not been worried about mortal assailants, but Night Children are a completely different enemy. Their strength and speed are equal to the Fae, and Night Children have an ability called entrancing. They can use the ability to compel others to do their bidding.” “But you cannot access magic in the mortal lands,” Scarlett argued. “There is always a work around, Scarlett. Always. Night Children survive by drinking blood, the life forces of others. It is ancient, powerful magic that has been outlawed for centuries, but the Night Children exist, nonetheless.

“We make bad calls, Scarlett, but we can’t change them. If this turns out to be a bad call, then you deal with it. You learn from it. You become humbled by it. But you do not let it define you. You let it shape you,”

“Will you come visit me? After you’ve returned home?” “If you wish,” he said, stroking a finger down her cheek. “You are incredibly demanding. I do not think I could say no to you.”

Kindly remember, Love, that I have never lied to you, and I did say earlier today that I enjoy kissing you.” “Good,” she said, her voice sultry and soft, as she leaned closer to him. “Because I enjoy kissing you too, Sorin Aditya.” She heard him suck in a breath as her lips met his, and she lost herself in the taste of him against her mouth and tongue. She relished the feel of his hands on her as one slipped into her hair, moving to cup the nape of her neck, holding her mouth to his.

“I cannot keep kissing you, not like this, if you are his,” he said, his voice guttural. “I am no one’s,” she whispered, bringing her lips back to his. His hands were on her hips as he gently pulled her into his lap, rotating her to face him, and a hand stroked up her back to her hair while the other gripped her waist. She slid a leg over, straddling him, and he deepened the kiss, taking control of it. She pulled back slightly. His golden eyes were nearly luminous as they took her in.

Then he was kissing along her jaw, down her neck. She arched into him, a breathy moan escaping her. She felt his teeth scrape along her neck, and for a brief moment, she wondered what his Fae canines would feel like scraping along that same area. His hands were gripping the outside of her thighs now, and she shifted her hips so she was lined up perfectly with him, feeling his hardness press against her center. He hissed at the movement, and she smiled as he pulled back to look into her eyes.

and a smile twitched on his mouth. “My touch does such interesting things to you, Love.” His hand had stilled on her ribs. Her breathing was rapid as he leaned down and pressed light kisses to her neck.

“I am cruelty and wickedness and darkness. Don’t start lying now.” “How have you not learned that I do not lie to you?” he replied. She could feel the slight frown against her neck as he said it. He pulled back to look into her eyes. “I watched you with those children today. I watched you tend to them. I watched you patiently teach them. I watched you love them. Then I watched you be physically hurt and bow before a cunt of a man to ensure my safety.” Anger flared in those golden eyes. “You are anything but cruelty and wickedness and darkness.”

“I will have you one way or another. You can decide how it shall come to pass.”

“Do you love him?” “I don’t know.” Finn’s mouth formed a thin line. “I care for him. I do. If that is love, then yes, I love him. But would it be unbearable to live without him? No. Would it hurt? Like hell, but I could do it. Would I risk everything to be with him? No.” Finn studied her. His dark brown eyes were hard. “For what it’s worth, you could do it.” “Do what?” “Be his queen. You make him different. Better.”

“Oh, Callan,” Scarlett sighed, new tears wetting her cheeks. “You are not made for the shadows. You are made for the light.” “You asked not to be pushed into a cage. Now I am asking you not to let me remain in one.” He gripped her elbows, her arms full of her belongings. “I am not your salvation,” Scarlett whispered, something in her chest cracking slightly. “No, Scarlett,” he replied, “you will be my greatest regret if I let you slip away.”

Find someone to help you shine, Callan, not someone to bring you into the dark.

“He shall rage when he wakes,” she whispered, her lip quivering. “He is not the only one who will miss you,” he answered with a deep bow to her. “Don’t let him wait for me,” she said, going to Finn. He drew her into an embrace and held her tight. “Encourage him to find someone else.” “I will do my best,” Finn answered as she stepped back from him.

“Need I remind you I’ve been watching you? I have had eyes on you for, well, years. Even when I did not know where you were.”

Scarlett let the blanket fall from her shoulders, and Drake flushed slightly at her nakedness. “Come, Lordling,” she said flatly. “You’re handsome enough. Surely you’ve seen your share of women?” Cassius huffed a dry laugh and motioned for Drake to lower her into the water. Cassius sat on the edge of the tub and gently began washing her back. Tava seemed as uncomfortable as Drake.

“Yes, but—” She chewed on her lower lip. “Cassius was not only assigned as my private tutor. He was assigned as my personal guard. His job is to put my safety above all else.” When it comes to her, I outrank everyone. “Why?” “Because of who I am, whose daughter I am. Who I am supposed to become to the Syndicate,” she whispered. “You are to eventually take her place on the Council?” “Yes. “But you are not a Healer.” “No. That was to be Juliette’s place. She was Sybil’s daughter.” She was still, hardly daring to breathe. “I outrank Nuri because she is not the Assassin Lord’s blood daughter. I am to take his place when he dies. Nuri shall only inherit his riches. Cassius outranks her because he is my personal guard, and my safety

“Some days I wish he would have just killed me instead.” The fear and panic and utter desperation that flooded over him was like being shoved under icy water and held there. “Don’t,” he whispered. “Do not ever say that again.”

As sleep finally claimed him, he let himself acknowledge something else he’d been pushing away. Something he’d refused to even entertain these last few months, not thinking it was a possibility. He let an old prophecy come to his mind made by an Oracle a few years prior. It was one he had thought he had run from but had ended up running right into.

“I feel like I’ve spent my entire life running. Not running from something, but running to something. I just can never figure out what.” His eyes came back to hers. “Maybe you just need to stand still long enough for it to catch up with you.” A smile tugged at her mouth. “Such sage words from an ancient immortal being.” He barked a laugh. “How old are you anyway?” “Age is irrelevant to us ancient immortal beings,” he answered with a wink.

Her whole body felt cold. She could see her breath in front of her, but it didn’t register as odd. She didn’t take note of the look of terror on Tava’s face, her lips turning blue. She didn’t notice the frost coating her own fingertips.

Scarlett. She jerked her head up. He had said her name, but he hadn’t. His lips hadn’t moved. “Scarlett.” This time, she saw his lips move as she stared at him. Heard her name across his tongue. She must have imagined it the first

“I wish I would have kissed you more,” she whispered.

“If you leave here, if you go to him, the stars will go out.” She kissed him, a gentle press of lips on lips. Fresh tears filled her eyes. “There was only one star left anyway.”

For not killing my target.” Sorin stilled against her, his fingers still in her hair. “Who?” he breathed. “Who were you assigned to kill?” “You,” she whispered. “I was ordered to kill you. The day after we spoke in the training quarters, but I didn’t know it was you until you told me your real name that day I saw you speaking with the Fae Queen. I do not know why. He refused to tell me, but I couldn’t do it, Sorin. I couldn’t kill you. I couldn’t, despite being threatened with this punishment months ago. I still can’t. Please. Go home. Where he cannot touch you.”

“We both know the Assassin Lord has given you to me,” Mikale said,

“My sweet pet, rest assured I could take it whenever I would like. That has already been proven, hasn’t it?” Scarlett’s eyes went wide as she stumbled back a step. He looked at her with pure amusement. His dark eyes were dancing in victory. “You do recall that night, don’t you, my pet? Can you still feel her blood on your hands?”

“How do you know of my magic?” she breathed. “The same way I know that Nuri desires to feast on blood and that sunlight weakens her over time,” he sneered. “The same way I know that the sister you killed was a Witch.” She was about to reach for the hilt of the dagger, but his words clanged through her. “What?” “You do not even know what you are, do you? Do you know what lurks beneath your skin?”

Finally Sorin. If you go to him, the stars will go out. And they did. The last star, the last light in the shadows, went out. Darkness enveloped her wholly, and she sighed as it caressed her soul, as it pulled her down, down, down, and sleep found her. And as she slipped into that dream state, the beautiful man stood before her entirely in black, his silver hair flowing around his shoulders. He smiled at her as she laid on that cold stone floor, even here, in her dreams. He looked regal in such finery. He crouched before her and that Darkness that had enveloped her reached for him, twisting around his arms in greeting. He reached for her arm. The same arm he had healed a few months ago. She didn’t move when he drew a shirastone dagger and once again sliced her palm and his own. He mixed their blood, swirling it in his palm. With his finger, he drew on her forearm. Three stars. “Get up, Lady of Darkness.” His voice was wicked delight and his silver eyes glimmered. “Get up and play.”

“You are truly hers, aren’t you?” A knowing smile spread across her lips. “What are you talking about?” Cassius said, now looking between him and Nuri. “A twin flame indeed,” Nuri whispered under her breath. “How do you know that term?” Sorin asked quietly, his brows rising in surprise. “All those things I’m privy to. Remember…General?” she said with a sly grin.

Sorin looked up. “Sorry. This is Amaré. He is a phoenix, and my spirit animal.”

I am one of the most powerful Fae in the Courts. As someone with my power, I have a kindred animal who can cross the spiritual planes. Amaré is that animal.” “The spiritual planes?” Tava asked, confusion written on her face. “Yes. He is the bird of Anala. He can cross the planes and the realms. I send messages back to the Fae lands by him.” “Does every Fae have one?” Tava asked. “No. Only the most powerful. They protect and guide their bonded Fae, and keep certain spirits and forces from this world.”

“To Briar, my Friend. Faster than the winds. Do not let them hear. Do not let Sefarina hear. Eliza shall be here when you return tomorrow.”

Her lips curled involuntarily into a cruel, twisted grin. “My dear Lordling,” she said, bringing her hand to his chest. Mikale froze, and she felt a sense of satisfaction deep within. Oh, he had no idea what he had allowed out when he threw her in here. She ran a finger along his throat and felt him swallow. Shadows wreathed her hands and fingers, and she saw him glance at them. She leaned down to him so she was right next to his ear as she whispered, “Do you not recognize what sits before you? After all, you released her.” She had woken that first morning with shadows indeed all around her. Laying on that stone cold floor, she had watched with curiosity as they gently swirled around her like a lazy fog. They flowed amongst her hair. They climbed along her body like ivy. They wove between her fingers. They kissed her cheek. They whispered in her ear.

She had studied the Darkness. She had watched it trail her footsteps as she moved about the room. At first, the shadows had terrified her until she realized they were studying her, too.

“No, your Highness. She is not celebrating. Your Wraith of Shadows is playing. That is not Scarlett as you know her. That is Death’s Maiden,” Cassius said. “She is playing a very dangerous game, likely to get us information. If you ever loved her, you will join the game and play tonight.”

I need one other thing from you,” Sorin replied. He held out the black ashwood scion and raised his left hand. Her eyes widened. “Absolutely not.” “This is not a request, Eliza,” he said quietly. “There is only one Mark that can adorn that hand, Sorin.”

“Speak the Claiming Rite.” Sorin spoke in the Old Language, and the Mark on his hand flared bright, then faded to white, disappearing in this land.

“She was fun. I liked her.” “Is she…your lover?” Callan asked tentatively from the end of the room. “No, Prince, she is available,” Sorin returned with a smirk. “Although, I do not think you would be able to handle any part of that female.” The prince’s cheeks flushed slightly as he bit back, “That is not why I was inquiring, seeing as I am unavailable.”

Prince. Do not let him kill me like he did my mother. Please.” Sorin closed his eyes briefly and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “If the Fire Prince kills you, Love, I will take his life with my own hands.”

“Ignore them. Ignore all of it,” Sorin whispered into her ear. “Focus on my breath, Love. Focus on me.” His voice caressed her soul. She could feel herself mentally reaching for him. Warmth was flooding through her. “Good. Good girl. Now think of the beach. Think of the cavern, right before we enter it to your sea star beach. Picture it, Scarlett.” She felt his other hand stroking her hair, her cheek. His breath was sensual against her ear. His lips brushed the area just under it. “Callan and Sloan and Finn are there,” he breathed. “Nuri is there. Your Cassius is there, Love. They are all waiting for you. Picture it. Feel the sun and the sand and hear the waves. People who love you are waiting for you. “Good. Now, this is going to sound strange, but I need you to trust me in this. I know you do not have much faith in me right now, but do you trust that I do not want to see you in Mikale’s hands?” She nodded her head, not daring to open her eyes. “Good. Picture the beach. All of it. Picture Nuri terrorizing Finn and Sloan. Picture Cassius there, waiting to wrap you in his arms. When I say go, you need to take a step. You need to hold tight to me, and take a step forward.” “Sorin—” “Do not think. Just do it,” he whispered. “Trust me and go.”

Then she was blinking against bright sunlight. She looked around and saw ocean waves licking at her bare feet. She could smell the salt in the air as she stood in it. They were on the beach. She looked to her right and saw the vine covered entrance to the cavern. She heard gasps and her head swiveled to the left. Callan was looking at them with his mouth gaping open. Finn and Sloan were before him with weapons drawn. Nuri was in black, her hood and gloves in place, protecting her from the sun. Cassius was rushing towards them.

“You did it, Love,” he said, kissing her brow and pulling her into him even more, relief stark in his tone. “You did it.” Scarlett shoved him back violently, dropped to her knees, and vomited into the rolling waves. The darkness engulfed her.

He’d prayed to Anala that he could get her to Travel. He didn’t know how similar it was to portaling, but it was all he had to go on.