Darkness Brutal (The Dark Cycle Book 1) (26 page)

Mom sits beside me on my bed, tucking me in. She brushes the hair from my forehead and touches her finger to the tip of my nose. There’s something different in her eyes tonight, something clearer. Like maybe she’s seeing me. Really seeing me.

“You’re such a strong boy,” she says, smiling down at me.

I grin, letting her glow warm me. “Like the Incredible Hulk?”

“Well, if you turned green, I’d probably have to take you to the doctor.”

I giggle and slip my hand into hers, squeezing tight. Her pulse is quick, the familiar ache in her skin still there. But there’s a determination in her that wasn’t there before. I see it, suddenly clicking into place.

“Can we have pizza tomorrow night?” I ask. Whenever we have pizza nights, Mom sits with me and we watch movies. I like the way she curls us up in the blanket together and then props the pizza box on our laps.

“Tomorrow night you’ll be putting Ava to bed early and having reading time.”

I frown at her, not liking that idea. Early reading time in bed means she’ll be in her circle. The glow I felt a second ago darkens.

She studies me, tears now glistening in her eyes. “I need you to be even stronger after tomorrow, Aidan.” A tear spills out and trails down her cheek. “Can you do that?”

“I can try,” I whisper.

“Don’t forget all the things I’ve shown you,” she says. She leans down and kisses my forehead. “God has you held tight.”

THIRTY-SIX

Something’s pecking. The sound lifts me from my dream into early morning light.

Tap tap tap
on the window.

I open my eyes. There’s an object moving above my head.

I squint at it, wondering if I’m still dreaming. Because it looks like a book. Hovering over me.

What?

A pencil flies past, and its sharp point hits the window repeatedly.
Tap tap tap
.

I sit up in a rush, whacking the book and the pencil away and sending them clattering to the floor. “Ava!” She’s lying in bed, and there are several tiny red, blue, and green orbs hovering over her. Then I see a wrapper still in her hand—Peanut M&M’s—like she fell asleep eating them.

I scramble over to her and shake her shoulder. “Ava, wake up.”

She grumbles for me to go away, and the M&M’s keep hovering a foot over her chest. Something slides against the outside of the door, and I imagine more objects floating all over the house. And someone seeing them.

I close my eyes, trying to feel for her energy. There’s a slight whirring and a sort of silver smoke just over her chest.

I shake her shoulder again. “Control it, Ava. Lock it down.”
Please don’t do this now
.

She jolts straight up, gasping, like she’s coming up for air after a long dive. The M&M’s
tink
to the floor, and in the distance I hear the sound of falling objects all over the house:
Thunk. Crash. Thud
.

Shit.

I wait for the sound of bedroom doors opening or the creak of feet on the landing, but nothing comes. After counting to ten I can almost breathe again.

“That was weird,” Ava says.

“No kidding. It’s never happened before?”

“How would I know? I’m asleep.”

“You can do that when you’re awake, though.”

“Only when I mean to. I’ve been focusing on controlling it. I thought I was doing better.”

“You are,” I say. The last thing I need is for her to start getting scared or upset—that’ll only make control harder. “It takes time, though. And things are getting closer.”

She looks at me. “I wonder if it’s the spell. Could that make it harder, you think?”

“The spell?” My pulse quickens. Did she do others that I don’t know about?

“Yeah. You know, the looking spell, or the one I did to bind the amulet.” She reaches out and touches my hand. “I know you’re still angry about it.”

So she’s only done the two. Good. “Mostly because I wanted you to have it, not me.”

“You need it more. Rebecca told me about her brother. Something evil is after her, and it’s probably going to try and hurt you for helping her.”

She has no idea.

“We only have three days till your birthday, Ava,” I say. “This amulet could’ve solved everything for you this year—maybe forever.”

She shakes her head, looking suddenly weighed down. “Hiding who I am won’t solve anything. There’s so much more to this than we know.”

Her words strike me as odd:
who I am
. Who does she think she is?

“You’re my sister. And I want you safe. With me.” I lean over and kiss her forehead, trying to get a sense of what’s going on in that mysterious mind of hers. “So quit running off. No more adventures until after your birthday passes. You
have
to stay on the property.”

She pecks me on the cheek before she pulls a book from her sheets and leans against the wall. Looks like a typical tween read:
The Baby-Sitters Club
. “Well, I won’t be sleeping any more tonight,” she says.

I go back to my bed and check my phone. “It’s six fifteen anyway—pretty much morning.”

She looks out the window, eyes distant. “It was fun last night, wasn’t it?”

I can’t help smiling at the memory of Holly shoving the Ho Ho up Lester’s nose. “Yeah.”

“You should stay here, Aidan. After my birthday. This could be your family.”

The air around me prickles. Even in the darkness of early morning her ratty hair seems to glow like a white halo, and with her tiny frame she looks like a glass doll washed ashore after a storm.

“Don’t think like that, Ava.”

She gives me a sad smile. “You’re right. Sorry.” But her words are empty. She doesn’t believe them.

I lie down again, wide awake. After a few seconds of staring, I sit back up.

“I’m going for a run,” I say and start to get dressed for the occasion.

Ava blinks at me from across the room. “You’re gonna
run
? When cops aren’t chasing you?”

“Very funny,” I say. “That was only once.”

She giggles, and my heart lightens a little.

“Okay, maybe twice,” I add, sticking my tongue out at her as I tie my new shoes.

THIRTY-SEVEN

I stand in the front yard stretching my legs post-run. The sun’s just over the horizon behind me, casting a warm glow onto crooked trees and weedy yards. Even the cracks in the sidewalk seem to add character to the neighborhood in this light. The cold morning air still stings in my lungs, but it’s a good sting. It feels like I ran several miles, but it was more like three times around the block. I obviously need to work out more.

Just as I’m about to walk up the pathway and into the house, something prickles at the back of my neck. My feet freeze. I glance slowly around me.

Then I spot it. Rebecca’s demon is across the street, about twenty yards away, under a tree, staring intently at the house.

It can’t see me
, I tell myself.
Or Rebecca.

The thing has to be seriously pissed that I’ve not followed instructions. It must know that Rebecca and I are together. I wonder what it’s thinking about its missing minion. Everyone knows a cornered beast is at its most dangerous.

I watch for several seconds, studying the curve of its broad shoulders, the way it huffs at the air like a bull. It shapes itself into the shadow of the tall bush behind it, keeping out of the light. It won’t be at full strength now, with the sunrise breaking over the horizon. But even at half strength, this thing could squish me like a bug if I tried anything.

Trapping it comes to mind—but even if it can’t see me, it will likely feel anything I try to do to lock it in place.

I breathe in deep and take a step toward it. I’m not sure exactly what I’m doing. I’m supposedly this amazing son of a prophet. Men have been sent through time to kill me. You’d think I’d have one power that could help me with this. But I’m coming up blank.

When I’m halfway across the street, someone calls from the house, “Aidan! Where you going?”

The beast’s head snaps to attention; its dark eyes scan the yard.

I freeze for a moment and then turn around.

It’s Jax—of course. “The meeting’s started. We’ve gotta get this thing talked through before Connor has to meet the gay guys at eleven.”

I wave my arms, trying to motion for him to shut up, but he just squints at me like an idiot.

“Are you having a seizure?” he asks. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I give up and walk back toward the house. “Seriously, dude. You suck.”

“What’d I do?”

I stop at the porch steps. “Go inside. Give me a second, for crap’s sake.”

“Whatever, Touchy.” He walks into the house, leaving the door open.

I turn back to look for the demon, but it’s not there anymore. I scan the street, the shadows of neighboring yards. Nothing.

It’s gone. For now.

I shut the door behind me, and someone—Jax, I think—calls from the office, “Meeting’s in here!”

I don’t answer, just head for the stairs. But then Sid comes from the kitchen, stopping me.

“You’re back for the meeting,” he says, looking pleased.

“Just finished a run. Shower.”

“I got something for you.” He pulls out a roll of papers from his back pocket and hands them to me. He beams like he’s waiting for me to unwrap a gift.

I take the roll without opening it.

“It’s papers,” he says before I can read it over. “A birth certificate, adoption papers, and a Social Security number. A driver’s license will be forthcoming once you take the test. And you now have a brand-new last name.”

Jax comes up behind me. “What name’d ya get?”

I open the papers, feeling a twinge of amazement. “What’s all this for?”

“Well, I’m your legal adopted guardian now,” Sid says.

I look up at him.

“If you would like me to be, that is.” He points at the top page. “These papers will allow you to have a clean slate and for me to protect you under the law.”

Jax snatches the papers from my hand. “What’s your name, dude?”

After skimming the papers a moment, he smiles. “Aidan O’Fallan. Okay, Irish boy.” He shoves the papers at me and walks back to the office, saying, “We’ve got an Irish Jew with demon-snatching powers. Did anyone have money on Ireland?”

Sid smiles. “I tried to keep it as close to O’Linn as I could.”

“Thanks.”

“I got some for your sister as well.” He holds out a second roll. “I wasn’t sure how old she was, so I guessed that she was twelve. Is that all right?”

I take them and have to swallow the panic that rises at the sudden reminder of what’s coming in three days. Those floating objects this morning were a clear sign of her powers coming alive. A warning of what’s to come. “Where is she?” I ask.

“In the office. She wanted to join the meeting.”

I can’t seem to move. A part of me wants to tell him what’s happening. But something stronger in me holds the words in.

“I may have more for you, Aidan. If you want it.”

Is it a bomb shelter to hide my sister in for the next few days so she doesn’t accidentally bring the house down around us? Or perhaps a parallel universe that demons can’t get to?

“What is it?” I ask.

“Your mother’s family. But I don’t want to tell you unless you’re sure.”

I glance toward the office—no sign of listening ears. I sit on a step and ready myself. “What did you find?”

He sits beside me and shows me a scrap of paper with an address on it. “Her name is Laura O’Linn, and she’s your great-grandmother.”

“My great-grandmother,” I echo. “What about my grandma?”

“She died when your mother was about three. Suicide. Your mother was raised by her grandparents. Your great-grandma is the only one left alive.”

I have a great-grandmother. I have family.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I had my connection mention LA Paranormal to her. Apparently she’s been having some trouble lately with a ghost in her TV or something—she could just be very old and not fully there. But I thought it would be a good way for you to connect with her. We could offer her our services, and you could meet her, if you wanted. I’d give her a discount, of course.”

I rise to my feet, the idea of meeting this woman making me want to run away for some reason.

“She doesn’t have to be aware of the tie,” he adds, standing with me. “You can visit her as Aidan O’Fallan. It may be interesting to see her.”

My mom said very little about her family. Nothing about who they were or how they treated her, or if she loved them or not. On the rare times she talked about her childhood, she talked about the beach. She took me to the ocean for picnics all the time as a kid. Usually we’d just sit and watch the waves in silence, like it was a holy place and we needed to be careful not to awaken the ghosts. But very rarely she’d tell me stories about learning to sail with her grandpa or how she used to love to chase the foam.

A warm hand touches mine. “Is everything all right?” Kara asks from beside me.

“We’re going to go see Aidan’s great-grandmother.”

The declaration startles me. “No, we’re not.”

Sid starts to argue. “But, Aidan, you need to—”

Kara cuts in. “No, he’s had enough for now, Sid.”

Sid turns to her. “Until he’s finished his awakening it won’t be enough, Kara. This needs to be completed. Now.”

“You’re pushing him away,” she bites back.

“He needs to know every part of this.” He points at me emphatically. “Then he can accept his fate with open arms. If this woman is a part of that, her truth needs to be heard. Isn’t it odd that she’d be having paranormal trouble at the same time her great-grandson is awakening to his power?”

And at the same time her great-granddaughter is set to turn twelve and be taken by demons.

“I’m not awakening anything,” I say, “if it means Kara has to have sex with me.”

I feel Kara start.

“You don’t understand, Aidan.” Panic surfaces in the pitch of Sid’s voice.

“You’re right—I don’t understand why I have to bone some girl for power! So explain it to me, for fuck’s sake.”

“You have to finish this. Your power
must
be awakened. It’s the most important thing—more important than even my life.” He rests a hand on my chest as if trying to calm me down. I smack it away, but he keeps talking. “You won’t be able to save them if you don’t follow this through. Everything will be lost—all the bright sparks in this world, the love, the thin connection humanity feels to the Creator. It’ll all slip away. So much depends on that link. Without it, life will disappear from this earth forever.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I’m so tired of all the riddles.

“You know now that you’re important, but you don’t know why.” He points behind us, to the office where the others are gathered, and whispers, “
They
are why, Aidan. There aren’t many of them left, souls that
see
. There are barely a hundred born in a generation. They’re Lights—beacons that shine the truth of things to the souls that are blind to it. And there are more out there, in the streets, huddled in dark corners, lost, young people who have spiritual talents—like Jax and Connor and Holly. These gifted souls allow humanity to peek into the worlds outside their own, keeping them linked to Life and Love in more ways, deeper ways, than what they can see and touch and taste alone. All the people in this house, all the ones out there that we haven’t found yet, they play a vital role. Their loss will be the destruction of humanity. Your birth changed the balance and put them in greater danger, but you also have the power to save them all.”

“Save them from
what
?” Humanity is going to be destroyed if I don’t play his game?

“Save them from the demons looking to destroy them. There’s a reason these young people’s lives were hell on earth before they got to me—they’ve been chased down like dogs by darkness their whole lives because the demon kings know they need to kill the Light if they want to win.”

He studies my face like he’s searching for some spark of understanding in me. He’s not going to find it.

“Aidan, the future has changed. The demons have seen the same thing Darius’s council saw in the prophecies. They know that you’ll cut their rule short and that the power center has shifted strongly against them. They will do everything they can to remedy that, even if it means killing every last young person in the city—in every city. Just in case they have the ability to
see
.”

“And I’m supposed to save them. Suddenly it’s all up to me?”

“It’s always been up to you! Why do you think I didn’t kill you when I found you? I realized there was more at stake than my fellow council members wanted to see. They only saw their own power waning with your arrival, but they didn’t see the cost that would have to be paid to regain it. I see that cost. I look it in the eye every time I take one of these young people under my wing, these Lights. And there are so few of them left.”

I shake my head. It’s all too much to take in right now. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. I have other things I’m responsible for.” This can’t be about saving anyone but Ava.

“You must believe me. They need you. We all do.” He pauses and says in a quiet voice, “Rebecca is one of the Lights as well.”

My skin prickles.

. . . The Light he found will lead him; its wings sit beneath the heart . . .

“Rebecca?” She’s the one my mom told Ava about? But Kara is a Light too by Sid’s definition—kids who can feel things beyond the physical world. And she has the violets and lilies; she’s the one I’m feeling led to. Rebecca is only a distraction, she—

But then I realize . . . wings beneath the heart. Rebecca has wings. She has a butterfly tattoo on her ribs. I saw it the morning I brought her home, after my shower.

How could I have missed the connection? Kara and her violets and lilies, Rebecca and her butterfly wings. Two girls, not one.
The Light he found will lead him; its wings sit beneath the heart. But he must touch the violets and lilies to find surrender, to find his hidden blood
.

Sid is oblivious to my revelation as he rambles on. “Yes, Rebecca is one of the strongest of the Lights that Fate brought before you. Then you came here and began bonding with these new Lights as well, although most of the kids in the house don’t have the strength of her gift. I didn’t believe it until I saw it. What she’ll soon be able to do is unique.”

I’m not sure what he means. I glance at Kara, who’s studying her shoes intently, wondering why Sid has left her out of the discussion.

Sid notices me looking at her and adds, “Kara is also a part of this. But she wasn’t born with her talents. Her gift was created with magic. It makes no real difference in the scheme of things; they will all eventually help you, each one completing you in one way or another. They are very important, Aidan, and it’s your job to protect them, to lead them. They have to be close to you if they’re going to stay safe.”

I frown at him. “But you acted like you didn’t want Rebecca to get mixed up in our lives. You said she was supposed to go home today. And now you’re telling me it’s vital that I stay close to her?”

“I was wrong when I said that. I wasn’t aware that she was a Light until I did the spell on her. I was going to tell you, but things became . . . unhinged. In any case, you could never have left her. Once you’re linked with a Light, they’ll likely remain with you out of innate loyalty. A handful of them may have dreamed of you for years.”