Dark Light (The Dark Light Series) (13 page)

“I know, and that’s still the plan. But I want to see what’s out there. This new salon only caters to the big spenders and VIPs. Even the grand opening is invite-only. My client is close with the owner and gave me tickets. She said she really thinks I have the talent to land a position there. This is the type of opportunity that veteran stylists dream about. Working in a place like that would really contribute to my future goals. Please Gabs! Pretty please!” Oh God, Morgan and her spoiled princess ways. But I love her and can never say no.

“Ok, ok. What time?” I ask, exasperated. If I don’t say yes now, I’ll have to endure an hour of her begging and whining.

“Great! I’ll pick you up at 8! And please, Gabs, wear something hot. I would dress you myself but I have to work. Love ya, babe!” And with that, she hangs up. That’s Morgan for you. Quick and to the point.

It then dawns on me that I’ve already made plans with Dorian for tomorrow.
Shit!
If I cancel on Morgan, she’ll be pissed, plus it is a good opportunity for her. I quickly text Dorian.

To Dorian, 9:04 P.M.

-What time did you want to meet tomorrow?

Oh, please say early in the day. I really don’t want to cancel our date. It’s the only thing I’ve been looking forward to all week!

Ding! Ding!

-Noon ok for you?

Whew, disaster averted.

-Noon is perfect :)

Damn me and those emoticons. But something about Dorian just makes me feel so flighty and giggly, I can’t help it. He’s so unexpected but oddly right on time. With all the crazy twists and turns my life has taken over the past week, he is a welcomed distraction. Hard to believe I only met him seven days ago. The chemistry we share is uncanny, unlike anything I’ve ever had with anyone else. Sure, there have been guys before. Even a couple guys I thought I could really like. But none of them measured up to Jared so they were more of a consolation prize. But now there’s Dorian. And frankly, there’s no comparison. 

Dorian is an enigma that I want to decipher. I want to get to know him but I relish the mystery. I like the excitement of not knowing everything about him, and I want to take that journey of discovery. I want to know his likes, his dislikes. I want to know his fantasies. I want to
be
his fantasy. And as improbable as that may be, I’m willing to take the risk in trying.
Why?
Because I have nothing else to lose. I could be struck down by the Dark tomorrow and the last thing I want to die with is regrets. And if I do survive the next year, I’ll be 21 forever. Time to start living for today.

I flick off my light and try to drift off to sleep, excited to meet the daylight and see Dorian again. Friday can’t come soon enough.

It’s too early when I wake up but I don’t mind at all as I leap out of bed. Today is going to be a good day, I can feel it. The sun is shining brightly, impervious by the threat of rain clouds. I stretch my limbs and head to the kitchen for breakfast. I’m not surprised at all when I see my mom there whipping up some oatmeal and my ritual smoothie.

“Good morning, Mom!” I beam. She looks at me with disbelief in her eyes.

“Good morning, sweetie,” she says cautiously. My good mood must be the calm before the storm judging by the sour face I had been wearing for the past few days. I give her a reassuring smile.

“Looks like a beautiful day,” I note. For some reason, my mood is always enhanced when the sun is shining. It had been rainy and gloomy all week, and I had the disposition to match.

“Yes it does,” she remarks, setting my glass in front of me. I get up to grab some cereal and milk and join her for breakfast. 

“So, I read some more of my mother’s, I mean Natalia’s, journal last night,” I say, taking a spoonful of Frosted Flakes into my mouth.

“Oh?” she asks, with a raised eyebrow. She takes a sip from her mug of tea.

“Yeah. It was about different things. Mainly my ascension.” Donna nods but doesn’t respond so I continue. “Is it really true that I was made to be unremarkable on purpose?”

Donna puts her cup down gently on the breakfast table and gazes at me lovingly. “Sweetheart, you are anything but unremarkable. You’re a wonderful young lady.”

“But you know what I mean,” I say, a bit exasperated. Sometimes I just want to say ‘
Cut the crap and tell me the truth!
’ but that would be rude. Seriously though, I really wish she’d quit trying to dance around the truth. It’s making me dizzy. “Was I spelled so it’d be easier for me to blend in?”

“Yes. It had to be done. If your true self was revealed, the Dark would have come for you a long time ago.” She resumes picking at her oatmeal, which looks extremely unappetizing to me.

“And there are other things? To keep me safe?” 

“Yes. The smoothies, of course.” She points to the glass and I take a large gulp in response. “There are wards around the house also. No one that wishes to harm you can get through.” Humph, that’s pretty smart. But what about when I leave the house? “You have a protection spell around you as well,” my mom says, answering my unspoken question. “Unfortunately, it’s superficial but it’s served you well thus far.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her about my ghostly assailant that night in the parking lot. I don’t want to worry her and it hasn’t happened since. Could I have been seeing things?

“Before I ascend, I have to choose. How?” I ask. Do I have to sign some paperwork or pledge my allegiance in blood? It all seems very sketchy.

“You just choose. In your heart. You have to be completely decisive though. You can’t waver.” 

Hmmm, but how will…
whoever
know? I think Natalia called it the Divine Power. I get a shiver up my spine.

“She wants me to choose the Light.” I look down at my empty bowl. “Natalia,” I clarify.

“Yes. It’s the logical choice,” my mom says. “She thought you could bring the Light and Dark together. Though she despised the Dark. After what they did to your father.”

“Why bring them together? If she hates them so much?” I just don’t understand why she’d want any dealings with the murderous Dark Ones.

“To bring peace. The Light did not have the influence and resources that the Dark had. The Dark have status, wealth. You on the side of the Light would even the playing field, so to speak.” Donna can’t hide her annoyance at the thought.

“You don’t agree,” I remark.

My mom thinks about her answer carefully before shaking her head. “I don’t. The Dark will never succumb to the Light. They are extremely powerful. It will only bring more violence. Violence I don’t want you a part of.” 

Donna wants to protect me, like a real mother does. Her love for me is genuine. Natalia may have loved me but she didn’t know me. She had no time invested in my future, though that wasn’t entirely her fault. As much as it pains me to admit, she had her own agenda.

“Will it hurt?” I whisper. It’s a trivial question and I am almost embarrassed at my concern. I’ve got a pretty high threshold for pain, but all things supernatural, quite frankly, scares the shit out of me.

Donna smiles her warm, loving smile. “I don’t think so, honey. It might be a bit of a jolt, but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t hurt.”
Whew
, thank God for that! Or is it the Divine Power? Or are they the same? God is the only divine power I’ve ever known of.

I put my bowl and spoon in the sink and give my mom a quick peck on the cheek before heading back to my room. She is genuinely worried for me and I hate to see her troubled. At least she knows I am handling this as well as can be expected. That’s one less worry. 

It’s only 9 A.M., too early to start getting ready so I decide to go to the garage to hit the heavy bag. I slip on the pink 12 oz. gloves Chris bought me and begin to pound into the hard sack. It sways and rocks from the assault and I unleash a flood of blows, letting my mind drift to the myriad of concerns plaguing my mind. 

My life is no longer mine. I was only brought into this world to save a race of Light Enchanters from conflicts with the Dark. Yet, they are nowhere to be found in my time of need. Do I really need them? I’ve actually done pretty well, considering I was set up to fail. If it weren’t for the spell cast on me to be insignificant, would I have been a great human? Would Jared have fallen for me years ago? Would I have gone off to a prestigious university? So many unanswered questions and no reset button to go back and do it all again now that I know the truth. But had I known, I would have possibly let it cripple me. I probably would have turned out even more screwed up than I am now. 

Before my tired arms break me from reverie, I am dripping sweat and exhausted. I maneuver my gloves off and toss them on the small work bench. I’m not going to let this crap ruin my day. The sun is shining and I get to see Dorian.
Live in the moment
. Maybe that should be my new mantra.

After taking a long hot shower and washing my hair, I step out into a steam filled bathroom. I take another 45 minutes to blow dry and straighten my long tresses until they are bone straight. I smile at the result in the mirror. Dorian has only seen me with curls and I think I look older and more sophisticated when it’s straight. After much deliberation, I decide on my favorite pair of tight jeans, a royal blue top and flat boots. The blue looks great against my milky skin and the boots are comfortable enough for walking yet dressy enough for a restaurant, since I have no clue what we’re doing. I’m carefully applying my eyeliner when I get a text message.

From Dorian, 11:16 P.M.

-Where would you like to meet?

Hmmm, good question. I’ve been so wrapped up in getting ready, I didn’t even think about that.

-You can come to my house if you want.

Donna has gone to the gym for one of her classes and Chris won’t be home until later this evening. I’m not quite ready to introduce Dorian to them yet and I don’t know how he’d feel about meeting the parents.

-Can you meet me at Jamba Juice off Woodmen Rd.?

Humph. Just as I suspected. Maybe I should’ve told him I’m home alone but no use in making a big deal out of it.

-Sounds good. See you in a bit.

I finish applying my makeup and triple check my outfit in the mirror. I don’t want to appear too eager but I want to look nice, which I think I’ve pulled off. After grabbing my jacket, I’m out the door. I put on some Maroon 5 and let Adam Levine fondle me with his sinful voice all the way to Woodmen Commons.

Dorian is sitting at a small table when I arrive, looking every bit as strikingly gorgeous and sexy as I remember. He looks up at me with hunger in his eyes and I nearly freeze where I stand. Thankfully, he’s dressed in jeans and a thin, form-fitting charcoal sweater so I don’t feel underdressed. The sweater hugs his physique in a way that should be outlawed; it should be a crime to look that damn good.

“Gabriella. I’ve missed you,” he breathes when I approach. His eyes scan the length of my body, flashing with approval with a hint of desire. I start to sit but he rises before I can. He extends his hand and I slowly take it, confused as to why we’re here. “Come,” he says, leading me out the glass doors.

“So I’m assuming we’re not here for juice,” I snicker. Ok, maybe I am a little hurt that he didn’t want to come to my house, but I know that it’s premature for such a step. I’m just having an irrational ‘
girl
' moment.

“No, we don’t need any juice. I have everything we need,” he states casually, choosing to ignore my snide tongue. He opens the passenger car door for me and I climb in as gracefully as I can. 

“So where are we going?” I smile, showing him that I’m in good spirits, despite our greeting.

He pulls the Mercedes out of the parking lot and into the flow of traffic. "You'll see."

I instantly recognize Memorial Park as we approach and a wide smile spreads across my face. It’s one of my favorite places to hang out in the summer, and this sunny day has brought out a crowd of families, pets, and skateboarders, though there’s still a chill in the air. 

“I thought we could have a picnic,” Dorian says. He opens his car door, and goes to the back to retrieve something from the trunk. Before I can collect my purse and sweater, he’s already at my door, holding it open so I may step out. Such a gentleman. He’s holding a large wicker basket and a blanket. I feel like I’m in a corny chick flick but my heart swells at the sentiment.

We walk down to a secluded grassy area, away from the prying eyes of teenagers and senior citizens. Dorian spreads the blanket out on the grass in one swift flail. After we sit, he begins to remove a feast from the basket. He’s thought of everything! Piles of delicate Italian meats, cheeses, a warm sliced baguette, fresh strawberries and grapes, stuffed olives, and wine. Everything looks mouthwatering and I’m thankful once again that Dorian has thought of food. He must know the way to my heart.

I distribute a bit of each delicacy onto small paper plates while Dorian pours the wine. It feels…nice.
Normal.
Like what real couples do. I smile at the romantic prospect, as ridiculous as it may seem.

“What?” Dorian asks, handing me my disposable glass.

I smile and shake my head. “It’s nothing, really.” 

Dorian gives me a knowing look, challenging me to speak my mind. I never back down from a challenge. “I was just thinking how nice this is. Like something you’d see in a movie. It feels good.” I know the blush on my cheeks could rival the red, juicy strawberry I bite into.

“Yes, it does feel good,” he says thoughtfully. It sounds more like a question though. “You’ve never come here for a picnic before?”

“No, not quite like this,” I respond then break into a tirade of chuckles. “Honestly, most guys I’ve dated would consider a soggy hot dog from the cart and a warm Coke a picnic!” 

Dorian laughs along with me. He gives me a long scan of his eyes and I squirm under his sensual gaze. “Your hair. You changed it.”

“Just straightened it. Why, you don’t like it?”

“It’s nice. But I like the other way too. Any way you wear it is beautiful, Gabriella.
You’re
beautiful.” I blush my gratitude and return my attention to my drink, taking a hearty sip.