Darkening Haze
3 7
Clarence rubs at his temples before he knocks on the door of the Edevane manor. He’s stood in this position numerous times before, but never felt this upset. His palms are clammy. His leg shakes with tension as he waits for an answer. He just needs Daisy’s consolation right now.
There’s no movement inside.
Knocking again, he waits until Daisy opens it slowly, smiling at him gently. Her face sends a jolt of tranquillity through his blood. “Levi’s dead.” His voice is hoarse.
He cried to himself on the walk over, and he’s hoping his eyes aren’t still watery.
Daisy’s face flattens, but not as much as he expected. “Oh,” she expires. “How?”
“A sacrifice. He was carved like the others.”
“Oh.” She repeats softly.
Clarence’s gaze narrows on hers as she stands awkwardly in the doorway. “Oh?” He echoes angrily. “Levi was my friend, and all you have to say is oh .”
“Sorry. I think I’m just in shock from hearing the news.” Her face creasing some more.
Clarence blinks at her. “The White Women told us it’s part of the Sacrificial Seven. Something to do with the Dark Angels coming to power and balancing the world. I suspect Colton is a part of this, and I think he’s planning something destructive.”
“Why would you blame Colton?” her body stiffening suddenly.
“Because he’s demonic. He wants to complete this ritual to become the next Dark Angel and ruin Earth.” Clarence’s voice becoming sterner by the second. “The Blade of Uriel seems to be something else he’s after as well.”
“How do you know about the blade?” Daisy bristles.
His face frowns in confusion, “Lavina told me. What’s gotten into you, Daisy?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying to process what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying that Colton is trying to destroy everything. He’s made three sacrifices now. There’s only four more to go!” his voice rises in anger. “Why are you not more upset about this?”
Daisy shuffles on her feet. “I didn’t realise I needed to be upset.”
Clarence runs his fingers through his hair, trying to collect himself. “Of course you should be upset. If he gets enough power, then he will take over. Are you not listening to me?”
“I am. And I don’t appreciate your tone right now.” Her jaw tightening.
Clarence’s mouth gapes open. “Are you all right, Daisy?”
“Yes.” She answers shortly. “Why wouldn’t I be fine?”
“You’re acting really unusual.”
“I’m fine.” And she gives him a faux grin.
He studies her further as she stands, still holding the door open. Her emotions seem to have been cut off when Colton spoke with her. The moment his skin touched her face, she was completely enthralled by him and him alone. Nothing else seems to matter to her anymore–except for this blade.
“All right.”
Her smile falters as she licks her lips. “I am sorry about Levi.”
Clarence nods his head. He wants her comfort. To kiss her again and hold her. But there’s something about her that’s different .
The amulet sits perfectly in the crook of her collarbone, staring at him and glinting in the evening light. “Have you had any more visions?” he asks curiously.
She frowns slightly, “No.” Lying right to his face.
It’s a simple answer, but Clarence can tell by the flare of her nostrils that she’s being dishonest with him. He’s known her for too long not to notice the little tendencies she has when she’s not telling the truth.
“So, the amulet works, then?”
Her fingers reach up to touch the small golden pendant and she smiles again. “Yes. It seems to have worked. Thank you, Clarence.”
His tongue licks his teeth as he considers her. He’s not sure why she’s lying to him, but it hurts him. The amulet was spelled to protect her, and if it’s not working, then what’s the point of her wearing it?
“Daisy, why are you lying to me?” Clarence asks in a tired tone.
“I’m not. I’m tired and I wish to sleep now. Goodbye Clarence.”
Clarence continues to stare at the dark stained door once it’s slammed shut in his face, as if he can see through it and see the expression on her face. She’s acting strange.
Tightening his lips, he walks off, hoping that tomorrow she will be back to her usual self.
* ? * ? *
“Come on, Charles.” Robert grumbles at his son as he holds his blade out in front of him.
Charles glares at him. His father’s forehead is caked in sweat. “Can we not have a break? You look as though you need one, and possibly some water.”
“No. We’ll keep training until your fighting is unmatched. Again.” Robert orders Charles .
His son nods, preparing himself once again for his father to strike. Robert lunges at him, his blade comes down in an arch. It catches in the light, throwing off gleams and shines.
Charles grunts loudly, the sound recoiling off the empty walls as he pushes his weight against his father’s weapon. Metal scratching between them, gazes locked on each other, waiting for the other to let up.
Robert finally does. His body is pushed backwards, and he loses his footing. Charles is advancing on him quickly, bringing his dagger up behind him. The older man’s face wrinkles as he defends his son’s movement.
Slice. Swipe. Twirl. Stab.
Charles continues advancing until his father is pressed against the stone wall, his murky eyes flaring as he pins his dagger against this father’s throat. “Your strength and precision has most definitely improved.” Robert says, sounding impressed.
His son flashes a half-smile before stepping back and allowing his father to catch his breath once again.
“And you’re becoming faster with your movements.” Robert places his blade back in its spot on the wall. “How is courting coming along?”
Charles groans softly, “Just drop it, father. I haven’t had time yet.”
His father slices him a glare. “All leaders need a wife. For support, and you’ll be busy with work, so she will need to take care of your home. Why not Miss Hamilton?”
“She dismissed me when I first offered. Despite the fact that they’re running dry with money, and I offered to help her out.”
“Did you offer money to Clarence in exchange for his sister’s marriage?”
Charles shakes his head slowly. “She turned me down. I don’t think going to her brother will help.”
“You don’t let her walk all over you, Charles. If you want to take her as your wife, then you tell her. Men run this country, not women. ”
He stares at his dad. “She’ll just despise me more than she already does.”
“So?”
Charles gawks, “I don’t want my wife to despise me. What is the point of the marriage then?”
“It’s a partnership. A business move. It doesn’t need feelings or love attached to it. That doesn’t exist. It’s a lie people say to make themselves feel better.”
Charles swallows, not believing what’s coming out of his father’s mouth right now.
“Think about it, Charles. With the rise of this Dark Angel coming, the Ascendancy will be watching your every move. We have your abilities heightened. Now all that’s left is your marital situation.” Robert scratches his face. “Come on, we need to finish up so we can begin collecting some more pints for Emmett.”
“No.” Lucy’s harsh voice floats through the doorway.
Both their faces snap up to hers, but she’s entirely focused on her husband. Arms crossed in front and jaw locked, she stalks towards them in her simple, mundane outfit.
“I cannot believe you, Robert. That’s our son! You cannot tell him how to run his life.” Lucy’s tone sharp, like a knife.
“I am teaching him how to become a leader. That’s more than what you’ve done.”
Lucy rears back slightly. Eyes simmering with rage. “I know about your deal with the blood.” Robert scowls and Charles winces. “You aren’t very secretive. I heard you at the manor. How dare you do this just to have our son chosen? Do you know how ridiculous your plan is? Someone will find out and then you will both be in trouble.”
Robert glowers at her. “You will not breathe a word of this, Lucy.”
“I won’t because I care for our son, and I don’t want him shunned by the whole Ascendancy. But you, Robert. I thought you would have been smarter about this. Selling off Seraphim blood in the market? ”
Robert chuckles loudly, “You don’t know me, Lucy.” He saunters up to her until they’re face to face. He can tell by the terseness of her features that she’s fuming. “I care about getting our son that role. I want him to replace me, and I won’t give anyone a reason not to choose him!”
“That doesn’t make this right! The power has gone to your head. You’re going to ruin everything just for your son to be chosen to replace you…”
“Shut up!” Robert yells at her.
Charles sees Lucy’s face slacken, her throat bobbing anxiously. He’s never seen them fight before, but he’s heard them through the walls of his quarters late at night when they thought he was sleeping.
Robert shifts his position on his feet. “I don’t care what you think about this situation. It’s men’s business. Your job is to stay at the manor and make sure everything is clean and tidy and in order. Stay out of this, Lucy, or I swear on the Angels, I will leave you to rot in the gutter.”
She gulps again, words caught in her burning throat.
“My father didn’t let me wait to wed someone I love. I wedded you instead, and that’s a mistake I’ll always live with.”
“And you’re doing the same thing to our son!” Lucy shouts back at him.
Robert’s jaw feathers and he storms out of the room without giving Lucy a second look. As soon as he leaves, she bites on her lip and looks at her son, who is just as shocked as she is. “Please don’t let him ruin your life, Charles. I will never forgive myself if he manages to.”
Charles shakes his head at her. His beautiful, kind mother, who he’s always wanted to fight for but never has.
Does that make him a coward?
He rushes up, holding her as she stiffly puts her arms around him. If she wanted to cry, she doesn’t. Not a sound escapes her. “How can you let him treat you like this, mother? ”
She lets go of him, her sharp eyes like granite avoiding his. “Sometimes people don’t wed for love. Sometimes they are forced into it for their family’s gain.” A long sigh escapes her. “I’ve learnt to live with that. I can’t change anything now, but for you Charles, I want you to wed for love. I want you to be happy. I might not be able to stand up to him, but you can.”