Page 28 of Darkness Rising
Nollix’s hand clasps around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. The warm feel of his hand against mine makes me realize how cold I am. Goosebumps rise against my skin and I stare at them for several long seconds.
“Why?” Nollix’s gaze shifts around the darkness, seemingly trying to find something within it.
“Why what?” I cock my head to the side as I look up at his intense eyes.
“Why the fuck is your father in a graveyard, Violence?”
A pause drifts between us as I consider his question.
“He—I—I don’t know. He just always came here to think when I was a child. My mother called it his place of peace.”
“Place of peace.” Cameron echoes the words. “That sounds creepy as hell right now.”
Long, draping tree limbs blow in the breeze, sweeping over the cracking concrete with an eerie sound.
“What is it he does here in his place of peace?” Link also watches the darkness, his spine stiffening with tension.
“I have no idea.” Moments pass and I realize Nollix is still holding my wrist. His thumb is gently caressing my skin as we wait for our plan to fall into place. It’s as if he doesn’t realize he’s touching me at all, but I’m all too aware of it.
“Let’s tread carefully, Vi. Point the way.” Nollix peers down at me to find I’m staring at our hands between us.
Sometimes the emptiness of my mind sets in at the most inopportune times. I get lost in my thoughts and then my thoughts themselves get lost.
Maybe it’s just something that comes with being in the Hunt. It could be part of that wild magic wearing off on my quiet mind after too much time.
Or maybe it’s just me.
Nollix’s throat clears and he carefully pulls his hand away from mine. An awkward shifting provides space between us as if he needs room between him and me.
My hand rises slowly and I point to the dark bell tower.
Ivy threatens to overtake the structure. The vines are so thick against the old brick that the twisting green plant nearly consumes it.
“Perfect. The only thing that would make this better is if he was hanging out in a crypt itself.” Cameron shakes his head slowly.
My gaze is held on the arching wooden door in the side of the building. I take a single step and Nollix mirrors the action, keeping at my side. The cool air blows at my hair, twirling it into a chaotic swarm of tangled tresses. The soft ground sinks beneath my boots.
Hollow ground. Hallow ground.
The words echo through my mind with different meanings. I shake out a shivering breath. I’m not normally cold. The magic within me is an active and rampant thing that keeps my blood flowing. But right now, it isn’t enough. Something stronger is chilling the air.
Nollix steps forward when we’re close enough. His hand splays wide against the center of the door. With an announcing shriek, the door pushes open. Moonlight scatters along the walls. It flashes white against the wet brick, allowing only slices of light into the tunneling hallway.
The darkness is dense and not even the glimpses of light give us much sight. The four of us stand at the doorway, looking in on the shadowy and ominous hall.
A low and mocking voice shivers across my skin as he speaks.
“I bet you guys are wishing you’d have listened to me now.”
My nerves tense and I turn, coming face to face with Jeriko’s ugly mug.
“I thought you’d be cowering in a bunker by now.” I tilt my head at him, my lips pursing slightly.
“And miss the opportunity to eat your soul? Not a fucking chance.” His smile is a slash of crooked teeth. The dark words he just spoke cause my fingers to curl into my palm.
I don’t doubt him for a moment. He’d consume my soul the instant it left my body.
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” Nollix steps between us, his wide shoulders cutting off my view of the disgusting man. “If you fuck this up for us,” his jaw is tight, his words clipped, “I’ll rip your heart out myself.”
