Page 4 of The Darkness Within

“There,” he says, handing her phone back. “Now you have my number. And I have yours.”

Rayne looks down at the screen, a small smile playing on her lips. She glances back up at him, a flicker of amusement and something else, something deeper, in her gaze. “So, does this mean I’ll see you again?”

“You will,” he replies, his voice carrying a certainty he hadn’t felt in a long time. He tucks his phone back into his pocket, letting his hand linger just long enough to brush against hers. “But I need to go for now.”

He takes a step back, the distance feeling like a sudden loss, a hollowing out that makes him realize just how much he doesn’t want to leave. But he has no choice. He has responsibilities, dangers to face before they can get any closer. He has to protect her, even if it means stepping away.

“Be careful,” he warns, his voice softer, almost a plea. “If you ever need anything, call me. I’ll be there.”

Rayne nods, a small crease appearing between her brows, as if she could sense the weight of his words, the layers of meaning beneath them. “I will.”

Blade holds her gaze for a moment longer, imprinting the sight of her on his mind before turning away. As he walks back toward Scar, who is waiting at the door with a knowing look, he felt the lingering warmth of her presence, the echo of her touch still thrumming through his veins.

It wasn’t over—not by a long shot. He’d find his way back to her. The bond they shared was too strong, too deep to ignore. As he slips into the shadows, Blade knows that now that he’d seen her, touched her, tasted her, there was no going back.

BLADE 2

Blade paces in the small, dark alley behind the bar, running a hand through his hair as he replays the moment in his mind—the moment he’d kissed Rayne. Her lips had been soft and warm, sending a jolt of electricity through him that felt like both salvation and damnation. He’d tried to keep control, to hold back the intensity of his emotions, but the taste of her had unleashed something primal within him.

Scar leans against the wall, watching him with a mixture of amusement and concern. “You know, you’re acting like a teenager. It’s a little embarrassing.”

Blade glares at him, but there is no real heat behind it. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Wouldn’t I?” Scar raises an eyebrow. “It’s not like you’re the first demon to find a mate. Though I’ll admit, it’s rare. Lucky you.”

“Lucky?” Blade scoffs. “I’ve just put a target on her back. Rake isn’t just any rogue. He’s an underboss. He has informants everywhere. If he catches wind of this, Rayne will be in danger.And I…” He trails off, the words sticking in his throat. He’d never thought he’d have someone to protect, someone he’d be willing to sacrifice everything for.

Scar’s expression turns serious. “Then we will have to find Rake before he finds out about her. It’s that simple.”

Blade nods. Scar is right. The hunt had become personal. It wasn’t just about fulfilling his duty anymore; it was about keeping Rayne safe, even if she didn’t know it yet.

They start moving through the city, using their senses to track any trace of demonic energy. Blade can feel the faint pulse of Rayne’s presence in the back of his mind—a new sensation that both reassures and unnerves him. He knows where she is, knows she is safe for the moment, but the thought of being away from her, of not being able to protect her if something happens, is enough to make him tense.

They reach an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town, one of the known haunts of rogue demons. Scar inclines his head, and they move in silent unison, their steps barely a whisper in the dark. Inside, the air is thick with the stench of rot and decay. Blade’s eyes narrow as he scans the room, his senses heightened, ready for anything.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement catches his attention. A rogue demon, lurking in the shadows, its eyes glowing with malice. Blade moves first, striking with a precision that leaves no room for escape. The demon snarls, lunging at him, but Blade isfaster. He dispatches it with a flick of his wrist, his blade slicing through the demon’s neck. The body dissolving into a puddle of dark goo, evaporating into nothingness.

“Not Rake,” Scar mutters, kicking at the remains.

“No, but he’s close,” Blade replies, his voice tight with anticipation. He can feel it, a faint trace of Rake’s energy lingering in the air, like a ghostly whisper. They were getting closer, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet.

The city streets were empty as Blade and Scar leave the abandoned warehouse, the remnants of the rogue demon still evaporating into a dark, foul-smelling mist. The encounter had been quick, but it confirmed what Blade already knew—they were getting closer to Rake. He could feel it in the air, a faint trace of Rake’s presence lingering like a ghostly trail. They walked in silence, the weight of their mission pressing down on them as they move through the dark alleys.

Scar breaks the silence first, his voice low. “Rake’s getting bolder. First, it’s the feeding off humans, then the whispers of him rallying other rogues. If he keeps this up, he’s going to tear a hole in the Veil.”

Blade nods, his mind already racing with the possibilities. “He’s trying to build an army. He thinks he can take on the Demon Council, bring chaos to both our world and the human one.”

Scar scoffs. “Arrogant bastard. He was always trouble, even before he went rogue. I heard he used to be part of a powerful clan, one that dabbled in blood magic. Rumour has it, he’s trying to resurrect some of the old ways, the ones that were outlawed centuries ago.”

“That would explain the disappearances,” Blade replies, his gaze darkening. “He’s not just feeding on humans—he’s harvesting them. He needs their blood and their souls to fuel whatever dark ritual he’s planning.”

Scar spat on the ground; disgust clear on his face. “Makes sense why the Council wants him taken down. If he manages to complete that ritual, he’ll gain enough power to threaten even the Elite.”

Blade’s grip tightens on his weapon as he processes Scar’s words. He’d heard whispers of demons practicing the old ways, but those were supposed to be legends, stories meant to scare young demons into submission. But now, with Rake leading the charge, those old nightmares were becoming real.

The two of them pause near a dimly lit street corner, hidden in the shadows as Blade considers their next move. “We need to find out where he’s holed up. If he’s really trying to complete a ritual, he’ll need a place of power, somewhere with ancient ties to the demon world.”

“Are you thinking the Crossroads?” Scar asks, raising an eyebrow. “I thought they were just a myth.”

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