Page 6 of Lady of Darkness
All I have to do is survive and get through this, and then maybe one day, they’ll forgive me.
When I’m finished, I drink some water and stretch. The guys are all huddled in the corner, and I glance over to where they’re standing every few minutes as I cool down. I don’t like the hushed murmurs, so I try to ignore it–along with the hurt feeling of being left out. I think that’s why all of this sucks so much. They encouraged me to become a Lady of Darkness, told me that we’d all be close and there wouldn’t be any secrets between us. And yet, I still haven’t been privy to any sensitive information. I assume it’s because I’m not fully trained, but I know they’re also keeping things from me out of spite.
I didn’t just hurt myself the day I tried to kill them.
I hurtthem.
It’s like a giant, gaping chasm has formed between me and the guys, and now, things are cold and awkward. But hopefully not irreparable.
I regret what I did, but I’m ready to move on. Only they’re still licking their wounds.
Just as I’m about to stand up, Alaric walks over to me and reaches a hand out. I take it skeptically, knowing their whispers and this peace offering are somehow related. Still, feeling how easily he pulls me up with his large, warm hand makes me happy.
Maybe they’refinallyready to forgive me.
“Grab another water. We’re going on a walk.”
“A walk?”
“Sorry, I forgot you Americans call it something else. We’re going hiking.”
He frowns down at me and gives me a withering look before turning away and heading toward the front door.
Okay, maybe not.
CHAPTERTHREE
Harlow
Alaric drivesus all to the edge of town, near Blackwell Cemetery. I’m in the passenger seat. There’s been no attempt to position me on anyone’s lap. In fact, they’ve barely touched me since that day. Whatever they thought they desired in me is gone… extinguished.
It’s probably better this way.
It’s still raining, and I’m glad I thought of grabbing a rain jacket this morning. Alaric parks on the side of the road, and we all walk in single file for a few minutes, skirting the edge of Oxbridge Forest. I haven’t been over this way in years, but I know we’re on the southeast part of Blackwell, near Beauchamp House. When I look behind me at Sterling, I see he’s focused straight ahead. Pulling my hood up and my jacket tighter, I follow Alaric into the dark woods.
“Where are we going?” I ask, and none of them attempt to answer me.
Great.
We continue further and further, until we reach what looks like the beginning of an upwards path. There are hills in Blackwell, but the hills here are nothing compared to places like upstate New York. They’re softer, more rolling. Still, we wind upwards for what feels like hours, zigzagging up what looks like a bunny hill, but what feels like Mt. Everest. My legs begin to burn, and I empty the entire second water bottle before we reach the top. The guys trek on as if this is a piece of cake, and I’m nearly gasping for air trying to keep up.
“Are we almost there?” I ask between pants.
“Not even close,” Theo grumbles from the front of the group.
I resist the urge to whimper.
A few minutes later, they turn left, veering through the woods at a steep incline. I take back everything I ever thought I knew about the terrain in Blackwell. Maybe there is a mountain somewhere. I vow to look next time I’m in town.
“What about now?” I ask, trying really hard to keep the whine out of my voice.
I willnotbreak down because of a small mountain climb.
He says nothing.
No answer, no acknowledgment that they heard me.
I continue on, even after I begin to see stars, even as my mouth dries out completely and I’ve shed all clothes except my sports bra and leggings. The tiny hairs at the base of my neck are sticking to my skin, and my legs shake with every step. I refuse to show weakness, and even as they all slow down and we reach what I assume is the top, I can’t catch my breath.
