Page 13 of The Darkness Within

Blade clenches his jaw, clearly unhappy but slowly coming to terms with the idea. “Fine,” he says, his tone reluctantly yielding. “But you don’t leave my sight. Not for a second.”

Rayne gives him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you. I promise I’ll be careful.”

When the night of the party arrives, Rayne emerges from their room in her costume, and Blade’s eyes darken the moment he sees her. She’d chosen to dress as a demon—a nod to her new world—with a fitted black dress that clings to her curves, complete with crimson horns and a faux tail that adds a playful touch. The look is as sexy as fuck, and bold, she felt empowered by it, even as Blade’s expression turns from surprise to a barely restrained hunger.

“Rayne,” he grunts, his voice low and rough, “you can’t wear that.”

She arches an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Why not?”

He takes a step closer, his eyes raking over her with a possessive intensity. “Because every man in that room is going to be staring at you.”

Rayne can’t help but smile, a bit of mischief sparkling in her eyes. “I think I can handle it.”

Scar chuckles from behind them, giving Rayne a thumb-up. “Looking good, Rayne. You’re going to knock ’em dead.”

Talon smirks, nudging Blade. “Lighten up, man. She looks great. Besides, you’ll be there to fend off any admirers, won’t you?”

Blade shoots him a glare but says nothing, clearly not happy but resigned to the fact that there is no changing her mind. He knows she is stubborn, and he admires her strength, even if it drives him crazy at times.

The school gymnasium is packed with students and teachers, all dressed in colourful costumes, the room decorated with paper pumpkins, fake spider webs, and hanging ghosts. Rayne throws herself into the festivities, helping her students set up their game booths and making sure everyone is having a good time. She can feel Blade’s presence nearby, his eyes constantly on her, a steady reassurance amid the chaos.

As the night wore on, Blade pulled her aside, his tone serious as he explains, “Halloween isn’t just a holiday for us. It’s a nexus, a time when the veil between worlds is thin. It gives demons like Rake more power; more access to things they wouldn’t usually be able to reach.”

Rayne frowns, the weight of his words sinking in. “So tonight... we’re more vulnerable?”

He nods, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Yes, which is why we’re all here. Rake might see this as an opportunity, but we’re not going to let him get anywhere near you.”

She swallows, glancing around at her friends and students, the laughter and chatter filling the room. The idea of something dark lurking in the background is chilling, but she takes comfort in Blade’s steady presence, in the quiet strength he exuded.

As the party begins to wind down, the team is on high alert, covering every exit as the students and teachers start to leave. Rayne lingers near the entrance, saying goodbye to her students as they filed out, her heart full from the joy of the evening.

But then she felt it—a sudden, cold surge of dread through her bond with Blade. She turns, instinctively reaching for him, but before she can react, chaos erupts around them. The air crackles with dark energy, and Rake appears at the far end of the hallway, his eyes lock onto her with a predatory gleam.

“Rayne!” Blade calls, his voice sharp as he steps between her and Rake, his weapon drawn.

The other Elite members move swiftly, surrounding Rake in an instant, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. But Rake is faster than they anticipated, his movements a blur as he strikes out, a vicious grin on his face. Rayne’s heart races as she watches the battle unfold, her breath caught in her throat.

Scar and Kade lunge at Rake from either side, their blades flashing, but Rake twists out of reach, his body moving with an unnatural fluidity that makes him seem almost ethereal. Talon and Gage block the exits, their eyes blazing as they prepare to cut off any escape.

But then, in a split second, Rake turns, his gaze settling on Rayne’s friend Rita, who had been lingering nearby, oblivious to the danger. Rayne’s heart lurches as she sees Rake raise his hand, a dark tendril of energy wrapping around Rita’s body, freezing her in place.

“Rita!” Rayne screams, but before she can move, the tendril tightens, and Rita collapses to the ground, her body limp and motionless.

Blade and the others surge forward, their weapons cutting through the air as they close in on Rake, but he is already moving, his form dissolving into shadow as he slips through their grasp, disappearing into the night.

Rayne falls to her knees beside Rita, her hands shaking as she reaches out, desperate to find a sign of life. But there is nothing—Rita is gone. Rayne sobs rise in her throat, the pain of the loss hitting her with a force that takes her breath away.

Blade kneels beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders as he pulls her close. She can feel his anger, his grief, radiating through their bond, but all she can focus on is theemptiness, the horrible, suffocating void that Rita’s death has left behind.

“We have to go,” Gage orders, his voice grim as he looks around, the shadows seeming to close in around them. “It’s not safe here. Rake won’t be far.”

Rayne nods, numb as she allows Blade to lift her to her feet. She clings to him, her heart shattered, as they make their way back to the safety of headquarters, the weight of Rita’s loss settling over them like a dark cloud.

Back at headquarters, Rayne sits in silence, her eyes unfocused as she tries to process what had happened. She feels hollow, as if a part of her had been ripped away, leaving a wound that she didn’t know how to heal. Blade is beside her, his hand resting on her back, a silent comfort that she barely registers.

“Rayne,” he calls softly, his voice breaking through the haze of her grief. “I’m so sorry. I should have protected her.”

She looks up at him, her eyes filled with a sorrow that cuts through him like a knife. “It wasn’t your fault. Rake... he did this. He took her from me.”

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