Page 13 of Darkness Consuming
Chapter Six
Revolt
Violence
His every methodical move is watched as I wait for the syringe I know he’s preparing for me. Jeriko’s hulking frame lingers against Amandria’s just across the room. The way her fingers trail across the inky magic that scars half of his face almost deters my attention but not quite.
The couple’s disturbing affection can’t distract my determination.
My father’s thin fingers pull the mysterious liquid into the syringe. Slowly, it fills completely. My heart starts to pound as he studies his work. His eyes flicker excitedly to mine.
I have no idea what the concoction does when my consciousness leaves me.
But I’m about to find out.
Slow steps bring him across the room. The dim lighting shines against the gleam in his eyes while I stand in silence with nothing but false obedience.
Does he really think he’s broken me? I don’t know how many months would have to pass for me to become the submissive little girl he’s trying to create.
It’s more than just one though.
His steady hand rises, the silver needle tilts my way, and for just an instant, he’s distracted by his own alluring power. It’s as if by accident a heartfelt moment has somehow snuck into my father’s life.
“I know you don’t understand all of this, but when this infusion hits your bloodstream, you’re just like me, Violence. I’ve never been as proud of you as I have been for the last few days.” There’s a humming sort of approval in his tone.
I want to lash out at him. I want my magic to return in full effect so I can show him just how similar he and I really are.
Instead, I pass him a pleasant smile that’s held in place with great force. My lips hurt from how tightly my teeth are pressed against them.
“I think I am starting to understand, Father.”
The heartwarming moment is cut short as I grip the infusion from his hand. The smooth, blunt end of his other arm pushes me back but he’s not physically prepared for my actions.
In an instant, I’ve jammed the needle into the side of his neck. Strands of graying beard tangle through my fingers as I rush to push every ounce of the liquid in.
His height towers over me and his fingertips begin to tremble. He’s sedated, right now is my moment to use the information the book of Severed Souls has given me. If I’m able to use the resources in this lab to create the dark magic the book describes, his frail physical form will not be able to contain it no matter how powerful he is. It could destroy him from the inside out.
The humid air starts to turn with an unnatural current. It lifts the ends of my hair just lightly and the moment Jeriko feels it, his attention darts to my father. Amandria’s wide gaze collides with mine.
“What did you do?” Her voice is an unsteady shriek.
The floor itself starts to tremble beneath my feet. It feels like the building is seconds away from imploding. The vacant eyes of my father drift to me. His pupils are dilated so wide his eyes are just black orbs staring down on me.
He’s a terrifying and demonic sight to be seen.
Jeriko’s storming steps bring him to the table. He opens the top drawer and begins clattering through it. He sorts through it quickly, and I barely have time to realize there are dozens of little vials of my father’s creations in that drawer near the wall.
I’ve never seen those. But Jeriko has…
Quickly, he races toward me as the oxygen itself starts to burn. It stings down my throat with every breath I take and I have to force my magic to the surface. I force it out, and I feel the moment it tangles around my father’s oppressing magic. I halt the air just where it is. For several seconds, I push against the air, pushing the noxious oxygen away from us.
Jeriko is almost gentle as he pushes the syringe into my father’s forearm. The liquid disperses beneath my father’s skin.
The room becomes still around us. The stinging feel of that deadly magic fades away. The glasses on the tables stop clattering and silence settles in. Slowly, I release my tiring hold on my magic. Jeriko removes the needle. The vacancy in my father’s gaze remains in place; he stares out at the wall into complete nothingness.
Anger fumes through me.
My body collides with my father’s thin frame and I shove him to the floor. My fist slams into his boney features, hurting my knuckles with every blow I land. But I can’t seem to stop.
Big hands grip around my arms and I’m thrown to the floor. It’s warm against my back as I slide into the wall with a hard thud. Jeriko’s blazing gaze burns into mine and he gets right down into my face. He straddles my legs as he breathes hot fanning breaths across my skin. The strength of his body covers mine completely and it admittedly makes my heart pound with a trickling feel of fear.
“You’re a fucking reckless bitch. Linkin isn’t here to keep you in line, and I’m not about to let you get us all killed.”
My jaw clenches just as my knee comes up hard. It connects with his crotch and I barely have enough time to appreciate the agony in his face before a needle pushes cold, tingling fluid into my veins.
Amandria’s beautifully haunting smile beams down on me as she pulls the syringe away. Her every move is total grace. That serene persona she always has is right there on display.
“Daddy won’t be happy with you, Sister.”
Her taunting words circle my mind only once before the sedation overtakes my thoughts.
