The Bite of Darkness
3 8
“Are you all right?” Kora sits on the lounge beside Matthew, who is sipping on a cup of steaming tea.
He gives a low exhale, running his fingers through his dark hair. Alice is upstairs bathing, so Kora thought this would be the right time for them to speak together.
“No.” His voice sounds hollow. His face looks distant. Another salty tear forms in his inner corner.
“I’m so sorry, Matthew. You shouldn’t have gone through all of that alone. Why didn’t you tell me how bad it was getting?”
He stares down at his black tea. “How could I? He’s still my father, and I tried my hardest to help him. He wasn’t that bad when mother first passed. But over the last few years, it’s gotten worse.” His face pinches and he sniffs a sob. “I couldn’t help him anymore.”
Kora puts her arms around him and pulls his head into her neck, allowing him to cry into her skin. “Some people don’t want to be helped, as much as it destroys us.”
“I tried. I would try bringing him less, or tracking what he drank, but then it became too difficult. He became demanding and threatening.”
“It’s all right.”
“I wanted to tell you,” He breathes out, “I wanted to so many times, but I couldn’t. It’s embarrassing having your father act like that. Completely lost and out of control. ”
Kora shakes against his head. “That’s not embarrassing, Matthew. But you’re safe now. And so is Alice.”
He nods against her neck and continues crying until the door opens and Clarence enters with a solemn face. Shutting the door, he walks into the parlour, seeing Matthew in her arms, weeping.
“What happened?”
Matthew’s head lifts, his eyes are tear-stained. “Matthew and Alice will be staying here for a bit. I hope that is all right, Clarence.”
Her brother’s jaw tightens, but he nods to her. “All right. But what happened?”
“Lawrence.”
Clarence’s brow arches as Matthew wipes his face clean. “He told Alice and I to leave. I am sorry for us intruding.”
“Oh, no. You’re not intruding.” He flashes a half-smile, but it drops instantly.
Kora stiffens in her seat. “Clarence, what’s wrong?”
He exhales before shaking his head. “Levi was murdered.”
Both Matthew and Kora look at him in shock. “Levi. How?”
“Carved. The White Women said it’s sacrifices. Something to do with a seventh Dark Angel being formed. There’s to be seven sacrifices, and Levi was the third,” his unsettled gaze lands on hers, “we have to stop them before there’s a fourth, Kora. Colton has something to do with this. I can feel it...”
“Colton?” Matthew’s expression changing.
“You think he’s still alive as well?” Kora stands from her seat.
Her brother nods. “It would make sense. But Kora, she mentioned your blade. I think the Ascendancy want it to kill Colton. They don’t think you’re capable enough of holding onto it.”
“What? Of course I am!” She says defensively.
“I know. I am just relaying what they said.”
“They can’t have it!”
“They’re going to ask you for it, whether you want to hand it over or not. ”
“Not!” She shouts angrily.
His hands fall on her shoulders. “All right, just calm down.”
“We at least need it for tomorrow. You’re coming with me to speak with Uriel, right?”
“Hold up, Uriel?” Matthew stares at them like they’re delirious.
“We are going to call to him for more information. He might know something we don’t.”
Matthew rubs at his forehead, trying to keep up with the two of them. “Right.”
“I will try to come. If not, take someone with you, so you’re not alone.”
“Of course.”
“There’s going be a memorial next week for Levi. We should all go to that for him and Melody.”
“How is Melody dealing with the news?”
Clarence shakes his head. “Not well. Tobias and I stopped by her house this afternoon. She broke down understandably.”
Kora’s heart sinks. “We’ll be there for her.”
Her brother nods, running a hand down his face before mentioning, “I’ll be guarding again tonight.”
“Are you sure you have the energy for it? Clarence, you’re going through a lot right now.”
“They need more people, so I offered.” He blows out a low breath before reassuring her, “I’ll be all right, Kora. It’s only from nine until one. I’ll return home right after that. And now, with Matthew and Alice here with you, I won’t be constantly worrying about you being home without me while I’m guarding.”
She nods in understanding. “All right. As long as it’s not too much for you with Levi and Colton and-”
“I’ll be fine, Kora.” Clarence nears her, holding her delicate face in his warm hands. “I just can’t believe Levi is gone.” He hushes out.
She wraps her arms around him, pulling her brother closer in an effort to comfort him. “I’m so sorry, Clarence. ”
Clarence sniffs before disconnecting from Kora and smiling down at her. “On a happier note, though, it’s finally snowing outside.”
“Snowing!” Kora gushes, rushing up to the draping green curtains and pushing them apart. White fluffy snow drifts down lazily, covering the ground in at least a foot of icy flakes. “I adore snowfall.” Kora says quietly, her face perking up slightly.
Matthew hovers behind her, also peering out the window. She can feel his smile with her back to him. There’s something about the first snow that everyone loves.
* ? * ? *
Daisy sits in front of the fireplace of her quarters. Aureate flames flickering wildly, and orange embers bursting with life are the only noises sounding the space. Her gaze fixated on the sparks popping abruptly like monotonous fireworks. Her eyelids don’t even shutter with each crack. Every emotion she felt before seems to have drained from her soul now. Her heart feels empty and shrivelled like a walnut.
“Petal.” His voice startles her from over her shoulder.
Spinning, Daisy is on her feet within seconds as she sees Colton standing in her room with her. There’s no abyss or unnatural light shining over him. No sand for her toes to sink into. “You’re here.” She expires breathlessly.
He smiles, and it’s a gentle one. Nothing like the others she saw in her visions. He steps closer. “Come here.”
She rushes up to him, her hands holding the sides of his face as he groans lowly at her. Soft russet hair, fluffy and delicate under her touch. Their contact sends sparks through her veins like fire engulfing her body. “I can feel your face.”
“You can feel more than just my face if you want.” Winking at her .
Daisy feels her cheeks heat as he grins widely. “How did you get in?”
“I’m a dark being. I have my ways with magic.” His hand flickers and a spark of black shadow effortlessly wafts from his palm.
“But what if someone sees you in here with me?”
His chin rises, but his dark eyes remain trained on hers. “Your parents will be asleep for a while. I made sure of it.”
Normally, that would terrify her, but something about Colton makes her trust him with all of her heart. “I have missed you.”
“I know.” He says blankly.
“Did you miss me?” she purrs.
He blinks, “Petal, I need that blade.” Avoiding her question.
She nods, her fingers slipping down his face. His hands wrap around her wrists, keeping them attached to him. “I will get it for you.”
“You can’t fail me. I have all my faith in you. The Dark Angels are becoming restless, and they need this ritual completed. I can’t fail them. I won’t fail them.”
Daisy’s head tosses side to side hastily. “I won’t let you down.”
“You better not,” his hands slide up along her arms like vines, “you don’t want to see me mad.”
Daisy giggles at him. “You’re not a monster. You won’t hurt me.”
Colton’s face tilts. “Won’t I? I don’t like anyone failing me. It makes me angry, and when I’m angry, people die.” She swallows, staring at him, before he chuckles. “I won’t hurt you, Petal. You are special to me.”
Her cheeks relax as her body slides against his. “I promise I will retrieve it for you. I don’t want to let you down.”
“I know you don’t Petal.” His hands wrap around her neck and, for a moment, a flicker of fear spikes through her chest. His fingertips continue up into her dark hair, nudging her closer until they’re almost nose against nose. “I want you beside me when the balance is restored. My throne will have a queen, and I want that to be you. The Angel of Night and the Angel of Wrath. ”
She shutters from pure delight, each word hitting her ears like a melody. “I want that.”
His fingernails dig into the flesh under her hair. “Bring me the blade tomorrow then, and I won’t have you skinned alive.” His tone is murderous. She nods hurriedly and a warm smile returns to his lips. “Perfect, my Petal. Tonight, we shall make our fourth sacrifice.”
“Is this how you’re getting stronger? Your body feels more real, like I can touch your skin, although it’s still slightly blurred.”
“Why must you always ask questions?” He groans lowly.
She bites her bottom lip nervously, not wanting to upset him. “I am just curious.”
His jaw clenches as he considers her quietly. “Seraphim blood. I am half Seraphim and half Infernal. I need both to survive. Every sacrifice, the etchings are for the six Dark Angels that already exist. The seventh will allow me to have the power to become one of their brothers and rule over Earth. Wrath will be my deadly sin, and I’ll bring it over the world and burn this place to ashes where my throne will sit.”
“And mine.” Daisy adds excitedly.
His lips brush hers. They’re ice cold, sending a chill over her skin. “And yours.” He whispers tenderly.
A soft gasp escapes her throat as Colton’s lips press against hers. It’s not gentle like Clarence’s kiss, it’s more starving and rushed, like he wants to devour her, and taste every inch of her lips. His tongue tastes like copper as it plunges into her mouth, consuming her.
She’s never kissed anyone like this before, granted, the only other boy she’s kissed is Clarence. But he held her so gently and kindly, like she was delicate and precious to him. Colton is holding her as though he’s afraid she’ll disappear.
Daisy’s pulse thumps loudly through her bones as she pushes herself up against him. His cold front warms under the heat of her body as Colton ravenously kisses her. His fingers fist through her hair, nudging her head to the side slightly .
Icy lips find her neck, and Daisy moans lightly from the touch of his mouth on her skin. Climbing down her neck towards her collarbone, Colton’s teeth bite at her flesh, drawing a small amount of blood.
Another moan catches in her throat as he licks droplets of scarlet from her and grins ferally. “Even better than the pints I’ve been drinking. Fresh and warm.”
Her eyes roll to the back of her head as he continues kissing and biting his way down her body. His chilled fingers open the threads holding her dressing gown closed, dropping it on the floor to expose her naked body. He covers her flesh in kisses and nips until she’s bare and craving him.
Pushing her forcefully down onto the chaise, Colton removes his clothing, discarding every piece onto the floor along with hers before lying down on top of her, their skin touching. His flesh it cold all over, and not fully present, as he’s body is still forming.
Daisy’s beginning to enjoy the sensation of his contact with her. Liking when their bodies are connected. Her skin is fiery against his icy flesh.
Daisy’s heart rate rises as she feels him pressing against her. His body rests above hers, but it’s lighter than she expected since he’s still part phantom. His fingers lace through her hair as she stares up into his darkened irises. They’re deepening as she feels him between her.
She lets out a soft breath as he enters her slowly, pressing his fullness inside of her with ease. His teeth graze her shoulder as Daisy’s eyes flutter closed in pure pleasure.
“You’re mine, Petal.” He whispers into the shell of her ear before driving himself into her once more. The pressure build quickly inside of her, eliciting new sensations her body’s never felt before.
Heat floods her, and Daisy whimpers gently, allowing herself to melt against him. Her eyes flutter closed when the pain subsides, and pleasure saturates all of her senses. She writhes under him, digging her nails into his blurred flesh, as he kisses her collarbone hungrily .
Colton buries himself inside of her again, making Daisy pant in ecstasy. “I’m yours, Colton.” Her voice is hushed before she gasps out loudly, and his lips cover hers once more, bringing her closer to sweet oblivion.