Page 49 of Taming Darkness

All of these lies, death, and destruction started with her, and I am determined to make sure they end with her as well. Under no circumstances will she escape this time. I will use all my power to ensure she doesn’t slink off into the shadows to continue plotting our downfall, all for the sake of her insatiable greed and relentless pursuit of power.

This ends today.

The hunters fall to my razor-sharp wings, the feathers slicing through their bodies as easily as a hot knife through butter, causing devastating damage. I clear a path in the direction I see my mother retreating. Reaching the stairs, I hurry to the next level, finally having enough room to move with ease.

Turning a corner, I freeze when I come across an area full of science labs. Porter lies on the ground in a lab coat, surrounded by vials, trying to stem his bleeding. At first glance, I assumed he was dead since he didn't move quickly. His sharp exhalation stops me in my tracks as I step around him. Looking down, his hand reaches for my foot. Blood spills from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

“Wait,” he gasps, his voice trembling. “I know I don’t deserve your kindness or your pity, but what I’ve done…” He trails off and shudders, coughing up a dark red, almost black blood clot that reeks of chemicals. “You were right. It was all Lydia. She started the virus and mutated it into a plague. She created the first plague with your father. Here, take these. It’s all the proof you’ll need for the council.”

I drop my gaze to see what he’s clutching so tightly—two vials in his shaking hand. Crouching down next to him, I gently take them and turn them around to examine them. My brows furrowed in disbelief. This… can’t be real. But there, in bold writing, one is labeled with the name of the first plague, and the second one has… my name on it? It’s evident that this isn’t from the spinal fluid sample.

Chapter36

~Aleera~

My hand flies to my lips as I gasp in disbelief. Could it be? Am I the cure? I am the key to stopping these plagues all along. Darius may have created the first plague, but I created the cure.

Porter snatches my wrist, his touch weak and cold. “Please, take care of Lycus. Tell him I’m sorry,” he whispers through blackened, cracked lips. “I was never the husband his mother deserved or the father I should have been to him.” He takes in a pained breath, wincing. More blood spews from his mouth and runs down his chin, and he groans in agony. It’s obvious that whatever my mother had done was causing immense suffering. So much blood surrounds him that I can’t fathom how he’s still alive. Has he clung to life just to give me these vials?

I stare down at the man who has caused so much pain and suffering. But instead of the hatred that usually scorches my insides, I find pity. I hold my hand near his head, offering him comfort.

“I’ll take care of him,” I promise. Porter lets out a breath and nods his head weakly, closing his eyes.

“I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m sorry,” Porter mumbles, his hands twitching as his muscles spasm. “He would never forgive me, though,” he chokes out, tears mingling with blood.

“Maybe in another lifetime, you can make it up to him,” I whisper, acknowledging the fear I see in his eyes as he faces death.

“I don’t want Lycus to do it… I don’t want it on his soul. I have caused him enough pain. He will feel obligated. I know my son…” he rasps, spraying me with blood as he speaks. I understand his unspoken request; if I walk away and leave him to suffer, Lycus will feel compelled to end his father’s agony.

“I understand if you won’t. You owe me nothing,” Porter continues, his voice barely audible.

I cup his cold, clammy cheek with my hand. “I don’t think I can heal you without bonding you to me,” I say softly.

“I’m not asking that. I am asking you to kill me,” he replies, opening his bloodshot eyes to look at me. “Don’t make him do it. He hates me, but I know deep inside, he still loves me. Why else would he come running every time I summoned him?”

He coughs, and I nod. I know Lycus has his reasons, but part of him still longs for his father, despite everything that’s happened.

I let out a shaky breath and nod again. “I don’t like you, but I forgive you,” I tell him, holding up the vials to show him that I have them safely.

“Do you think Lycus may one day forgive me?” he asks with a heaving sigh, the way a condemned man whispers right before their sentence is carried out.

I tilt my head to the side, watching him. “Maybe; perhaps when he forgives himself for not saving her,” I whisper, and his tears send blood streaking down his cheek.

“Thank you,” he chokes out before closing his eyes.

Before I know what I’m doing, I summon my magic. Despite how much I think he deserves it, I can't let him suffer any longer. But he’s Lycus' father, and his remorse is enough for me to end him quickly. Fire spirals from my hand and consumes him, turning him into ash on the spot. I sigh, glancing down at the black spot his body left.

Tucking the vials away into my pocket, I straighten and look away from the charred remains of Lycus' father. Nothing will sway me from my mission to find my mother and put an end to the chaos surrounding me.

On the floor below, the power hunters’ screams are being cut off one-by-one. I almost wish I were downstairs to watch the Harmony-Fae taking their revenge on those who have tormented them. From the sound of it, none of the hunters will be making it up the stairs.

Yet, as I take in my surroundings just to be safe, eyes searching, I finally spot her. There is their queen, darting out of another room far down the hall. She is running with a suitcase clutched for dear life in her hand—something I won’t allow her to keep. I tear off after her, my footsteps echoing down the hall.

“Lydia!” I scream, almost roaring at her with all the anger and hatred compressed inside.

She freezes in place, and her head jerks as she sees me. “Aleera! Come with me,” she offers with a wide grin. “We can rule together!”

She is undoubtedly more insane than I’d ever imagined if she thinks I would fall for this. Me, join her? Never. Even if she somehow brainwashed me, I would end myself before falling prey to her.

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