Page 10 of The Darkness

Chapter Five

It took Darius all of about one second to realize he’d behaved like a complete shit.

He hadn’t meant it. He could no more go to another’s bed than he could physically hurt Gina. No, he’d said it to cause her pain, and he’d succeeded. The shock had been clear in her face, and he’d wished immediately that he could take back his words. Instead, he’d walked away.

If he’d believed causing her pain would lessen the anguish that ripped through him, he’d been way off course.

The truth was, he’d seen the love in her face, knew she wanted him, and he could still feel her, soft and willing beneath him. For a brief moment, he’d allowed himself to believe there could be a happy ending, and because of that, her rejection had been the bitterest of blows.

Still, the knowledge that she hadn’t betrayed him, hadn’t betrayed their daughter, was like a huge pressure lifting from his mind. He realized the Darkness had retreated; he no longer felt as though he was balancing on the edge of a precipice. The hatred had drained from him, leaving him empty.

He wanted to go back, say he was sorry for hurting her, but the hunger still gnawed at his stomach. He couldn’t confront her again until he had himself under control, but time was running out. How much did she have? She’d told him not long. A day? A few hours?

He walked through the city streets, the crimson lightning flashing overhead, mocking him, reminding him at every step of all he had lost.

Finally, he entered an all-night bar and sat down, oblivious to the stares of the humans. The bartender placed a whiskey in front of him and Darius sipped the drink, wondering where to go next. What to do.

Above the bar, a TV flickered to life, showing a news report and a picture of the night sky, rent by flashes of deep red lightning.

“Scientists have been unable to determine the origin of the current weather phenomena.”

Darius could have told them.

He wanted Gina with every part of him, and he knew she wanted him. But if she could be strong enough to do her duty, then perhaps he should learn from her.

For a long time he sat drinking, staring into space, working out how to pick up the pieces of his life and move on.

Maybe it was time to stop wallowing in self-pity, as Kael had told him, and get back to work. There were always fire-demons to kill, if the Council would take him back. Darius would fill his time waiting for her return.

First, he had to see her one more time.

∞∞∞

When the knock came, Gina almost didn’t open the door. She didn’t believe for one minute that Darius would be back. He’d made his feelings clear. Only after the third round of knocking, when it turned into hammering, did she rise to her feet.

She opened the door slowly, her eyes widening as she took in the tall figure on the other side. He’d changed his clothes, and her eyes widened further at the sight of him. She’d never seen him in anything other than casual dress. Now he was wearing a dark gray suit that fit his tall frame to perfection, and a white silk shirt open at the neck, contrasting with his golden skin. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, emphasizing the high cheekbones. His sensual lips curled into a slight smile.

He looked alert and shifty, as though he was hiding something, and he kept his hands behind his back. As she stared at him, openmouthed, he brought them forward and offered her a single red rose.

She blinked in bewilderment, then shifted her gaze from the flower to the man holding it, unable to look away.

“May I come in?” he asked when she continued to stare.

“Can I stop you?”

“All you have to do is say no.”

She considered it for a millisecond. She glanced again at the flower. No one had ever brought her flowers before. She opened her mouth again, but couldn’t think of a thing to say, so moved to the side and gestured for him to enter.

He nodded once, then stepped past her. She shut the door behind them and turned to face him. He held out the rose. “This is to say I’m sorry.”

“You are?” She blinked again, in confusion. “For what?”

He shrugged. “Take your pick, but mostly for the way I left earlier. I was…” he paused as if searching for the right word “…disappointed. You can blame my oafish behavior on that.”

She looked at him suspiciously. “I won’t change my mind.”

“I don’t expect you to. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give, for however long you’re willing to give it.”

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