Page 130 of Forging Darkness

Eloise nudges the guard over and steps into the hall.

“Yes, of course. Why haven’t you come sooner?”

I raise my eyebrows, feeling my forehead pleat. Seriously?

“The Council won’t let anyone else see her.”

Eloise blinks back at me, confusion darkening her features. “That’s silly. Come on in.”

She motions me forward, but the large angel-born raises his weapon and bars my entry. “Move aside, Adom.”

“Apologies, Mrs. Durand, but I can’t do that.” He doesn’t look apologetic at all.

Eloise’s eyes snap with irritation. “This girl has saved four out of my six children in the last several months alone. If that doesn’t make her an honorary member of my family, I don’t know what will. If I say she can see my daughter, she can see my daughter. And if you have a problem with that, you’ll have two of us to go up against.” Her tone doesn’t leave any room for argument. Even I’m a tad intimidated.

The guard shifts his weight, his gaze bouncing from Eloise to me and back again. Finally he lowers his weapon and steps back. “I’ll be reporting this to the Council.”

“You do that,” Eloise says as she motions me forward again. This time Adom’s large form sways out of the way so I can pass.

They’ve put Silver into one of the apartment guest quarters. We enter a dimly lit room with seating and a kitchenette in the corner. There’s a door on either side of the room, most likely leading to bedrooms and bathrooms.

“Is everything all right, Emberly?” Eloise asks.

It’s only then I realize I’m wringing my hands. I stop the motion, forcing my arms down at my sides. “I’m just worried . . .”

“About how you did what you did and how you’re going to do it again?”

I nod.

“I’m not surprised. There’s quite a buzz going around the compound. Let me get Silver for you. She’s . . .” Eloise takes a moment to search for the right words. “Still adjusting to the transformation. It may be good for both of you to talk, though.”

Eloise goes to one of the doors and knocks softly before letting herself in. After only a minute she emerges.

“You’re welcome to go in. She’s still awake.” Tipping her head in the direction of the door she says, “I’m going to head back to sleep. Feel free to let yourself out when you’re finished, dear.”

With a soft smile she pads to the other side of the room. I crack open the door to Silver’s room and there’s only darkness. I push it open farther, widening the gap enough so I can enter.

Silver sits in a chair and stares out her window. She doesn’t bother turning toward me, so I stand awkwardly for several moments before deciding to take a seat in front of the window as well. She still doesn’t acknowledge my presence, even after I’ve lowered myself into the chair next to her.

I’m the one who sought Silver out, but now that I’m right next to her, words escape me. I glance out the window, not seeing anything of interest that may be holding her attention.

“It’s different than I thought it would be.” Her voice isn’t loud, but it’s still jarring in the silence.

I swivel my gaze back to her. The moonlight brushes her face, creating a ghostly pallor against her now-golden skin. “I used to think my childhood memories were so clear, but now I wonder . . .”

I can’t exactly tell if that’s the end of her sentence, or if there is more she was about to say.

“How’s it different?”

“There are more . . .” She struggles for a moment to gather her thoughts into words. “More layers than I remember.”

“Layers to what?”

“People mostly. But also, myself. Life is simpler as a Forsaken. Desires run dark and focused. And now there’s just . . . more.”

I don’t fully grasp what she’s saying, but I suppose having never been a Forsaken myself, comparing the two states of being would be difficult. Expecting someone who lived as a monster for over ten years to adjust in a few days isn’t realistic.

Shifting, she finally turns her head to look at me. “I was wondering when you’d find your way here.”

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