Page 2 of Touched By Darkness

“Please,” I sob, head bent. My long hair shields me from the world, protecting me behind its blonde curtain of wavy strands. “I don’t belong here anymore.”

Swiping at my wet cheeks, I sniff pitifully. I never thought I would feel this way. I’m a foreigner kneeling on the grass, which once softened the shriek of my baby cry and carried my toddler feet.

Anger surges within me, a feeling I didn’t know before I slipped through the gates the first time. “Fuck you!” I scream, glaring up at the golden gates. “Fuck you for keeping me prisoner here!” Banging my hands against the shimmering surface, I release a wracking sob. Everything is hopeless. I miss Daemon, Alaric, and Ronan. Even Dariana. Are they coming for me yet? Are they searching for me? Going out of their minds with worry?

Rising to my feet, I hurry over to the tall tree closest to the wall and begin to climb it, using my arm strength to heave myself higher. I can’t risk anyone seeing me fly, so this is the safest way to peer over the wall, hidden behind the green leaves.

When I finally reach the top, I’m sweaty and my heart is pounding against my ribcage. I swipe my hair out of my eyes and lean back against the trunk, gazing out over the wall. Storm clouds light up the darkness in the distance, rolling over the treetops like a sped-up recording. The silence is complete, despite the flash in the sky.

Aurelia…The forest rustles my name, rolling the soft vowels off its spindly branches.

Shifting onto my hands, I slowly crawl forward, careful not to slip. The soft bark peels away beneath my fingers, and the leaves rustle in the warm breeze. Somewhere out there beats the heart of three kings. Theonlyroyals in my kingdom. They claimed me, stole my innocence, and shackled it in the darkest corner of their castle. My soul calls out to them on the wind, carrying its song across the distance. Pleading for black-winged angels to scale these walls and rescue me from my torment—to steal me away from perfect love. I don’t want redemption. This Little Red Riding Hood pines for the wolves in the woods, their lethal bites, and fierce snarls. And the evil witch who leads the pack.

ChapterOne

AURELIA

Everyone around me is so serene, oozing light and happiness. It pours off their translucent skin in waves. I used to feel that way, too. But not anymore. Not since I got a taste of devilish sin.

The urge to scale the walls consumes my every waking hour. It’s all I can think about. Late at night, I sneak out when the other angels are asleep. The gates don’t open for me anymore. I’ve pleaded and begged, but they remain shut, silencing the call of the woods. I still hear it in the breeze and in the faint rustle of leaves overhead.

Aurelia…

Freya nudges me with her elbow, and I drop to my knees beside her. Up ahead on the podium, the elders chant the morning prayer. Three times a day, we walk to the village square to worship the light. In between prayers, we have classes on the field. Life here is predictable, for lack of a better word. It never used to bother me to this extent before. I was always curious about what lay on the other side of the gates, but I didn’t suffer like I do now. I’m restless.

“You’re not chanting,” Freya whispers next to me, tearing me from my thoughts.

All around us, the murmur of prayer fills the air. If I don’t join in, I could get into trouble. The elders always remind us how important prayer is.

When it’s over, we rise to our feet. As the crowd disperses, we make our way to the field, where the elders wait for us. The sun warms my skin, bringing out the freckles on my shoulders and nose. I miss the cold and the nip in the air. I miss my breath visible in front of me. But more than that, I miss the night sky.

“Paradise to Aurelia.” Freya clicks her fingers in my face. “What is up with you these days?”

Lowering myself to the grass, I sweep my long hair over my shoulder. “Nothing.”

“You’ve acted weird for weeks.”

My eyes trail down to her naked breasts and then back up again. I avert my gaze and swallow the lump in my throat. How did I not notice our nakedness before I left Eden? Now it’s all I can see everywhere I look.

Oliver has the biggest cock of all the angels, and I can’t say I’m surprised since he also has the most impressive wings. “Don’t you ever want… more?”

Shifting next to me, Freya frowns. “I’m not sure what you mean by more. We have everything.”

“Do we?” I ask her.

Oliver and two other male angels walk up to us. “You didn’t chant again,” he says to me. His blue eyes sparkle and his blonde curls move in the gentle breeze. Freya preens beside me, combing her fingers through her hair. She’s always starry-eyed around Oliver.

How she doesn’t notice his big cock is beyond me. It’s all I can stare at. It’s impossible not to when it’s in my face. It’s not erect, so it dangles there. My cheeks heat, and I move back.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks me.

“I’m not looking at you.”

Peering down at his own body, he says, “Do I have leaves stuck to me or something?”

It’s impossible not to snort a laugh—well, it is for me. Freya looks at me like I have lost the plot. I’m starting to think she’s on to something.

Leaning in close, she whispers, “Can you please act normal for once?”

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