Page 9 of Darkness Rising
The relentless tapping stops at once.
My father’s brooding attention falls on the thief. The King’s fork is poised against his lips but he hasn’t stopped glaring at Cameron since we sat down.
The man seated across from me fills me with just as much anxiety as the other four men I’m being held responsible for tonight.
Seated directly before me is Trill Loss. His gaze shifts quietly across my features. The heavy weight pressing on my chest demands that I look anywhere but at him.
“I’m glad to hear you’re doing so well, Vi.” His words pull at my attention until I’m forced to pass him a small smile.
Even my smile makes my stomach turn in a sickly manner. The false happiness makes everything so much worse.
“Thanks.” It’s a breath of a word, barely a sound at all.
“Who’s that?” Cameron asks me in a low whisper.
I pause before stabbing harshly at the leafy salad on my plate.
When he realizes I’m not going to answer, he straightens in his chair. His attention remains on the man seated across from me.
“That’s Trill,” Link says from the other side of Cameron. “He was engaged to Violence before she joined the Hunt.”
My spine stiffens, my eyes closing slowly.
Why would he share my history with a stranger?
“He kept showing up every time we reaped for almost a year. His magic is interesting, I’ll give him that. I’ve never seen someone track like that.” Link’s quiet tone is buzzing in my ears. “No one’s seen more death than that guy. All because he loved a Huntress. Poor bastard.”
“Shut up,” I seethe through clenched teeth. My eyes open slowly and Trill’s sorrow-filled gaze holds mine for so long I want to scream. I want to throw this fucking food at the wall just to feel something more.
The heavy weight of my father’s attention is on me. The fork in my hand bends as my fists shake against the glossy tabletop.
Trill was the first man I ever loved. The man I was supposed to grow old with in a simple life. Instead, I chase down death every night.
I’ll never feel love again.
“This has been a really nice evening, Mom. Really great.” A trembling breath filters through my words. “We have to go though.”
Jeriko stands abruptly on the other side of the table, his chair raking across the polished tile like he can’t take another mundane second of this lifestyle.
“Darling, don’t go.” My mother’s deep red lips press together and her regret filled gaze swallows me alive.
A strong wind sweeps around the room, tugging at my mother’s long crimson hair. Glittering magic pulls from my fingertips, dissolving my existence and tearing at me slowly.
My eyes lock onto the sad look in Trill’s eyes. I memorize the unhappiness in his features. With another shaking breath, I grip Cameron’s hand and hope my magic pulls him away as well.
Within seconds, I leave that life behind, swirling out into the night air as fast as the wind will take me.
Because that isn’t my life at all anymore.
Chapter Six
Trust
The campfire blazes warm embers into the night sky.
A sense of calm pushes into me at the simple sight of it. Link started the fire. I know he did. He always has one ready to make me feel better. It does help. It takes my mind off of life in general.
I hate the way my mind works. I hate the dark thoughts that slip in when I’m not paying attention.
