Page 20 of The Darkness

“Well, that’s good. But beyond that?”

“Beyond that, I believe she would risk anything.” He shrugged, then gritted his teeth. “Goddamn it, tell me what to do.”

She sighed, as if impatient with his slowness. “You are a vampire?”

His eyes narrowed in frustration. “You know that.”

“And what must one do to become a vampire?”

He closed his eyes. At last, he understood. “You have to die.”

Darius stood on the clifftop, high above the sea. The tang of salt filled his nostrils; the crash of the waves sounded in his ears. The stone circle loomed stark before him. It lay in ruins, many of the great stones fallen and overgrown, but the hum of magic still radiated from the place. The Morrigan had told him Gina would come here tonight. She’d take her own life here, among the stones, in payment for saving their daughter.

He leaned against one of the rough stones, shoved his hands in his pockets. All he could do now was wait, but panic clawed at his insides. What if she wouldn’t agree? What if he was wrong and she didn’t love him enough to risk her soul? What if she would rather die than become a vampire?

Then again, what if she agreed, and he failed? The transition didn’t always go smoothly. Many died and were not reborn if the vampire’s blood was not strong or the recipient was too weak. Darius gritted his teeth. He would make it work.

He caught a glimpse of movement beyond the rim of the stones. He straightened. Gina was here.

∞∞∞

The night was warm, but Gina shivered as she followed the narrow track up the steep hillside. Fear gripped her mind, and only force of will kept her feet moving forward, one step at a time.

The stones came into view, and she paused. She was nearly there now. It was almost time. She closed her eyes and tried to picture Darius, but fear clouded her mind. Some part of her wished he had fed from her one last time and strengthened the bond between them. It would have been good to feel him now, as the end drew near, but that wouldn’t have been fair. This way, he would eventually forget, move on with his life.

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. The lightning was almost constant now, illuminating the ring of stones that stood on the crest of the hill.

She walked on, finally stepping between two huge fallen rocks to stand within the circle. The flat altar stone lay before her, and the air throbbed with magic. Gina’s hand slipped down, her fingers stroking over the ceremonial dagger at her waist. She would use it to open her wrists. The blade was sharp, it would be painless, and her life would simply drain away.

And she would never see Darius again.

Her whole being screamed against that thought, and in her mind, she sensed a faint flicker of response. She whirled around.

Darius?

A tall figure separated from the dark shadows of the standing stones. He walked toward her. She could sense his fear and, beneath the fear, an eagerness she did not understand. Had he come to try and stop her? He couldn’t know what she was about to do.

He halted a foot away, so close she could reach out and touch him. Her hands clenched at her sides. “What are you doing here?” He looked at her for long moments, and she saw the pain in his eyes. “Oh God,” she said. “You know?”

“Regan told me.”

“She had no right.”

He shrugged. “I asked her what I could do. She told me to pray.” Gina frowned, but he continued. “I didn’t believe I would be heard, but your mother came.”

Gina started in shock. “I—”

He put up a hand. “Hear me out,” he said. “She told me there was nothing I could do to prevent it. You must die. But…” He paused, ran his fingers through his hair. He appeared unsure about how to go on.

“Tell me,” Gina urged.

“There is a way for us to be together.”

She searched his face. He’d said she had to die. Did he mean to die with her, then? Her whole being rejected the idea. “I will not allow you to take your own life.”

He stared at her intently, searching her face. “Then will you allow me to take yours?” He looked deep into her eyes. “Are you willing to become a vampire to stay with me?”

Gina’s brain stopped. Then she was flooded with thoughts, all clamoring in her head. To be a vampire. She would lose her soul but gain Darius for all eternity. Was it possible?

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