Page 18 of The Darkness Within

Talon chuckles, nudging Reed with his elbow. “Remember when Blade used to swear he’d never get tied down? Said relationships were distractions, remember that?”

Reed grins, nodding. “Oh, I remember. Back in Vienna, he was all about the ‘no strings attached’ mantra. Said he couldn’t afford any distractions in his line of work.”

Blade rolls his eyes, but Rayne can feel the tension in his grip ease as he shoots his brothers a playful glare. “You lot think you’re funny, don’t you?” He smirks, his tone filled with mock annoyance. “I don’t recall any of you being all that different.”

Kade joins in, a rare smile on his usually stoic face. “We’re just glad to see you like this, Blade. She’s good for you. We never thought we’d see the day you’d go from lone wolf to... whatever this is.” He gestures at the two of them, his grin widening. “Honestly, it’s a relief. Means there’s hope for the rest of us.”

Rayne laughs, feeling the warmth of their acceptance wash over her. She leans into Blade, wrapping her arms around his waist. “You never told me about Vienna,” she teases, looking up at him with a mischievous smile. “Or about this no-strings-attached phase of yours.”

Blade looks down at her, his expression softening. “That was a long time ago. Back when I thought being alone was the only way to stay focused. I thought I didn’t need anyone. But that was before you.” He pauses, his gaze steady, his eyes reflecting a hint of vulnerability. “Back then, I kept everyone atarm’s length. I figured I could protect people better if I wasn’t attached.”

Rayne can see the shadows of his past in his eyes, the years he had spent fighting alone, believing that solitude was his only option. She reaches up, brushing her fingers along his jaw. “You don’t have to protect everyone by yourself anymore, Blade. We’re in this together.”

The room falls quiet, the others giving them a moment of privacy, their teasing smiles fading as they listen. Blade pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to put you in harm’s way. I can’t lose you, Rayne. I won’t.”

She looks up at him, her own resolve hardening. “I can’t just sit back and watch you go into danger alone. I need to fight too, Blade. I want to stand beside you.”

He sighs, his hands resting on her shoulders as he meets her gaze. “Rayne, I admire your strength, and I know you want to help. But if you’re out there in the line of fire, none of us will be able to focus. We’ll all be too worried about keeping you safe. It’s not that I don’t think you’re capable, but the risk is too great.”

Rayne opens her mouth to protest, but he shakes his head, cutting her off gently. “Please, Rayne. I need to know you’re safe. If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. None of us would.”

Scar steps forward, his expression serious. “He’s right, Rayne. It’s not just about protecting you—it’s about making sure we can do what needs to be done. If we’re constantly worried about you, it could cost us our lives.”

She looks around at the others, their faces earnest, their eyes reflecting the weight of their words. She knew they were right, knew that her presence would be a distraction, a vulnerability they couldn’t afford. She takes a deep breath, the fight in her fading as she nods, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Alright. I’ll stay back. But you have to promise me you’ll be careful.”

Blade pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly. “I promise,” he whispers, his voice filled with a fierce determination. “I’ll come back to you. No matter what.”

Rayne rests her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, allowing herself to be comforted by his warmth, by the strength of his embrace. She knew the battle ahead would be dangerous, that they would all be tested in ways they had never been before. But she also knew that they would face it together, bound by a love and a loyalty that nothing could break.

The others give them a moment before Reed speaks up, his tone lightening as he tries to lift the mood. “Don’t worry, Rayne. We’ll keep an eye on him for you. And if he starts acting too heroic, we’ll remind him he’s got someone waiting for him back here.”

Talon grins, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Besides, Blade has a reputation to maintain. Can’t have him getting too soft on us, can we?”

Blade shoots him a look, but the tension in his face eases, and a small smile plays on his lips. “You’re all a bunch of clowns,” he says, his tone affectionate. “But you’re my clowns. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

They all laugh, the sound filling the room and easing the weight of the moment. As they stand together, the bonds between them stronger than ever, Rayne felt a spark of hope igniting within her. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but she also knew that with Blade and the others by her side, they would face whatever came with courage, with love, and with the unbreakable bond of family.

RAYNE 10

Rayne watches as the men gather in the briefing room, the air thick with a tension she hadn’t felt before. The weight of what was to come seems to press down on them, each man carrying a look of determination that spoke volumes about the battle ahead. She had known they were powerful, but the true extent of that power is something she had yet to fully understand.

Blade stands at the centre, his arms crossed as he addresses the group. “This is it. We’ve tracked Rake to his last known location. He’s been hiding in plain sight, but he’s not getting away this time. We’re going to end this.”

Scar, Gage, Talon, Reed, and Soren each nod in agreement, their expressions grim. Rayne felt a surge of pride for these men, but also a gnawing worry. She had seen them fight, but she’d never seen them use the powers that lurked beneath their skin, powers that seem to be whispered about but never shown.

Soren glances over at her, catching her gaze. “Rayne, I don’t know how much Blade has told you about our powers, but we’re not just fighters. Each of us has abilities that comes from the darkness inside us. It’s not something we usually talk about.”

Rayne blinks, a mix of curiosity and concern bubbling up. “I know you’re demons, but… powers? I guess I never thought about what that really means.”

Blade steps forward, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that takes her breath away. “It’s true. We have powers—abilities that give us an edge in battle, but they come with a price. When we use them, it’s like opening a door to a darkness that can consume us if we’re not careful.”

Talon leans against the wall, his face sombre. “That’s why we usually rely on our combat skills. The powers can be… addictive. They pull you down into places you don’t want to go.”

Rayne looks around at each of them, feeling a new wave of understanding. These weren’t just warriors; they were beings of immense power, battling not just the threats around them, but the darkness within.

Scar explains, his voice steady as he explains. “I have the ability to manipulate shadows, to cloak myself and move unseen. It’s useful for getting close to a target, but the shadows have a way of whispering things to you, pulling you toward the darkness.”

He turns his gaze to Reed, who continues. “My gift is speed. I can move faster than the eye can see, but it comes at a cost. Thefaster I go, the more I lose touch with myself, like I’m slipping away.”

---