“You can’t be serious about not closing the portals,” I whisper to him. He looks back at me and smirks.
“I am serious because I’m not the ones who will be closing them, gringhan. I’m not a mage.” I smile at his response. He made sure we’re getting these poor girls out of here, and he didn’t go back on his word. We’re still going to get these damn portals closed, one way or another.
“Girls, hold onto one another and stick close to Haven or I. If you get lost, head to Norvka. This is where you will be safe. Tell them Haven and Jett sent you. Only if you get lost or split up from us.” A couple of them nod while the rest simply stare, but that’s good enough for us.
Darkness holds on to me firmly, and through the portal we go.
Chapter 29
You don’t have to be perfect in order to be loved. -The Goddess Rebellion
Darkness
We exit the portal and upon walking through I can tell that it’s not in the same location that we entered. I look around and nothing is familiar, we had come in through Soraya’s cottage and we should have exited there.
I did everything I was supposed to; I thought of our location and we should have exited through the same portal we came in through.
It doesn’t make sense, and then my eyes land on her.
The one person who has been on both Jett’s and my shit-list for quite some time. Soraya.
She’s wears an ominous smile, while her arms are crossed over her chest. She looks like a woman does when they prove a point, radiating with confidence, almost as if she thinks she’s won.
No fucking wonder Ragnor let us go so easily, he knew exactly where this portal would lead, right into the hands of this vile woman.
I look down at Haven as she stares daggers at Soraya. I can tell she has no idea who this woman is but my protective stance in front of her should give her the inclination that Soraya is in no way, shape or form, a friend of mine.
“Haven I need you to run, get as far away from here as possible,” I whisper it to her lowly, needing her to listen, needing her to get away from here. I know Soraya all too well, I know every twisted thing she could do to Haven, and my god, this little girl better listen to me.
“You are out of your goddamn mind if you think I am leaving you alone.” Her words rush out of her mouth in the haste of our moment. I turn around, facing her completely as I burn with seriousness. She should not try to play with me right now.
“This is no time for your games, gringhan. Stop being selfish. You have more than just yourself to think about. ” I place my hand on her stomach, breathing in quickly and finally can smell them. Fuck. “You will take those girls and get out of here; do you understand me?”
She looks up at me and I can tell she wants to argue, to stand her ground, but she nods. “I’ll be in Norvka.” I hand her my satchel and watch as she darts off with the girls. I can only pray to the Gods that she gets back safely. I know that she can handle her own, though.
As soon as Haven is out of my sight, I direct my gaze to Soraya. She walks towards me with that same sickening confidence. I watch her lips move, showing me the signs that she is casting a spell.
Haven’s screams echo around me, and suddenly the spikes from my full form come breaking through my flesh. I need to protect my gringhan.
I attempt to rush in the direction of Haven, but I can’t. My body is stuck, unable to move from my stance. Out of nowhere my body is pulled forward and lifted into the air by some unknown force. It’s a slow pace but as soon as I am within a few feet of Soraya I see a circular pattern littered on the ground in front of her. My heart starts to speed up. I know that symbol all too well. Never did I think that I would see it ever again. I know what will to happen and I try to fight to get out of her clutches. Fuck. I’m fucking trapped. Dammit!
Jett, Soraya is going to - I try to warn him, giving him access to the mind that we both share...but it is no use. Soraya has put a block up. I should have known better.
She lifts her arms into the air squeezing her fingers together and pulls them within her chest and my body follows her commands. I’m pulled into the circle and everything goes black. I am officially controlled by Soraya and clearly, she would rather face Jett instead of facing off with a demon.
***
Jett
I open my eyes and I have full control over my body again. For the past few hours, everything both Darkness and Haven have gone through has been blank. It was like as soon as they entered Xeha, I didn’t exist. It sucked not knowing what happened, if they were okay but I trusted Darkness more than anything to protect the woman we both loved.
I take in my surroundings, turning my head in all directions when I notice that I’m standing within arm’s reach of Soraya, the wicked witch herself. Oh, now this is going to be fun.
Thank you, Darkness. I say inside my head sarcastically, but he doesn’t respond which is out of the norm. Normally the smartass always has something to say. Weird.
“Hello, my dear, I’ve been waiting so long for this little reunion.” Soraya purrs while she bites her lip and bats her lashes.
“It hasn’t been long enough, but now that you mentioned it… I think it might be time for that revenge I promised you hundreds of years ago.”
“Ha! Ha, ha ha.” Her laughter is filled with sarcasm. “I was weak back then, my love. So very weak, I have learned so much during our time apart.” She grabs ahold of the locket that lays around her neck. “Now I am stronger than I ever imagined, nothing you do can stop me,” she affirms boldly, while raising her arms in the air.
Lighting strikes all around us and the trees that surround us engulf in flames. I want to yawn, bored by Soraya’s usual tricks. They’re nothing new, nothing special. Little party tricks to make her seem more powerful than she is. She isn’t fooling me, she’s as weak as she’s ever been, if not more.
“From the look on your face, it seems like you don’t believe me. Fine, question my magic but there’s one thing you can’t question.”
From my peripheral I see two men approach, between them is my Fira, being dragged like an unconscious ragdoll. Anger spreads through my body like an erupting volcano and I can’t help but to lash out. I grab the atrocious witch by her neck, fingers digging into her throat before she even sees it coming. Her eyes bulge as she tries to fight me off.
“Let her go, Soraya! I’m not going to ask you again,” I hiss out through clenched teeth. In all my years, I have never been this furious. I can see her face turning purple before my eyes, but the look she gives me is full of defiance, hatred like I’ve never seen from her.
Too focused on my Fira, I don’t notice Soraya even going for a knife. The only thing I notice is the stinging sensation deep within my chest; when it’s too late. The dagger remains in my chest as Soraya slips out of my grip and I fall to my knees on the ground below us.
I’ve been stabbed before... mortally wounded in combat by sword, knife, lance, halberd, so on and so forth. Many other weapons have pierced my flesh...but this, this wound burns. It feels like my insides are melting from within.
I glimpse up in the direction of Haven, and see her eyes are directed right at me. I see as her mouth moves in what I can imagine are screams, but I cannot hear them. All I can do is watch as her mouth moves, and the tears start to stream down her face. My body begins to shake, my vision distorting into a deep haze filled blur.
“I’m.... so... so sorry... Fira,” I get out before I fall to my side and the darkness comes to consume me.
Chapter 30
It’s hard to wake up from a nightmare when you aren’t even asleep. -j.s.
Darkness
I come forth again and immediately know that something’s not right. My body is in a prone position on the ground and I can feel a sharp pain radiate through my chest. Haven is screaming out for Jett in the background and I can’t feel him. I can’t fucking feel Jett’s presence at all. I have his body all to myself and it feels wrong, so very wrong. It’s like
he’s gone.
“Hello, boy,” Soraya takes the palm of her hand and rubs my chin. “I know how much you’ve hated having to share, so I’ve simply given you what you’ve always wanted.” I try to inch away from her, needing to be away from her presence but I can’t move. I’m frozen like a perfect chess piece. I look down to the symbols that surround me, dammit.
Soraya snickers, “Oh, that will wear off in a little bit. I had to be sure that you wouldn’t be a little angry, after all, I can’t be too careful these days.”
I glare at Soraya, trying not to look in Haven’s direction. The last thing I want is for Soraya to redirect her attention at my gringhan.
“Don’t think you’re going to get away with this, Soraya. I’m going to find you, and I’m going to kill you.” Every word that passes through my lips is nothing but a promise. Curse this woman for everything she has done to not only me, but everyone she has hurt. I can’t wait to burn her body, reveling in the fact her soul will never pass on. She doesn’t deserve it, and she never will.
A sinister smirk breaks across her face as she looks in the one direction that I don’t want her to.
Haven, your ass better not be there, I silently tell myself.
Soraya closes her eyes, moving her lips rapidly which only means one thing; she’s up to no good. She rolls her wrist back and forth before using her index finger like she is drawing something, as if she is making symbols. Just as I figure out what she is doing, a mark appears in the form of smoke in front of her. Her mumbles become louder, more agitated and suddenly the symbol is gone.
Haven screams and I don’t know what comes over me. I break through the confines of the power that keeps me trapped and rush over to my gringhan. She’s on the ground, holding her stomach and fear rolls through me like it never has before. I inhale deeply, needing to know they are okay. I open my senses, searching for them, having to know.
I am terrified beyond measure, not only for my children, but for my mate as well. I close my eyes, inhaling deeply and catch a whiff. Three distinct scents.
I had assumed there were two, I hadn’t ever thought that there could be more than that. One smells just like me, full blooded demon, the other smells so much like Haven it is uncanny, and the third...I can’t pinpoint what she is. I don’t know how I know the gender, I just somehow do. I have heard rumors that ojri have always been able to detect their offspring’s sex, but never did I believe it, not until today that is.
“I hope you enjoy the gift I have given her,” Soraya laughs devilishly, and just as I turn to face her I see her open a portal and disappear inside it.
No. It can’t be.
The only person who can open portals is Veirks, her father. Soraya has never had such powers...unless…
She must be manifesting his powers in some way. I don’t know how, but it all makes sense. Finally, all of the pieces are falling together. The key to closing these portals lies with Soraya and finding her father.
Shit.
“Darkness...she did something to me. I can feel it.” I turn back to Haven, looking her up and down, assessing for any physical changes. It’s no matter, though. I know what Soraya meant by her.
She wasn’t talking about my gringhan, she was talking about one of my daughters. There’s no way in hell I’d tell Haven that. No fucking way. This is just the beginning...and I know that chaos has yet to ensue. First things first, I need to figure out what happened to Jett and I’m going to need the High Order’s help on this. Everything has become much more complicated...and we can’t do this alone.
Soraya may have won this battle, but she hasn’t won the war.
To be continued….
Don’t freak out, dolls. More from the Darkest Nightmares series will be here in just a few short months! Until then, be sure to add Arctic King (Darkest Nightmares #2) to your TBR here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41061481-arctic-king
Coming Soon
Switched
by Linny Lawless
and
Elizabeth Knox
Add to your TBR here.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40524557-switched
Candace
Sin City is home, the one place where sinners come to play. I guess that's why I fit so well. I've sinned many times and will continue to do so until my very last breath.
My life's work is sin, at least, that's what those conservative bitches would call it.
I call it something different. Release. The look in the face of my submissive after a scene is the only confirmation that I need that I'm in the right job. Getting paid hourly to bring the most powerful men and women to their knees.
Kneeling before the one person who holds all the control.
Me.
Drake
She walks into my club every Friday night, every single person in here knows just exactly who she is. Candace. One of the most well-known Domme's in Vegas.
Everything about her is a mystery. The woman is as closed off as they come. Her walls are high, and dammit if they don't make me want to break them down. I've wanted her for ages. Who wouldn't?
There's only one problem. I'm a Dom, and she's made it very clear she's not a switch.
How much do you want to bet that she won't be switched when I'm done with her?
Freya
by Brynn Burke
Add to your TBR here.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40820307-freya
The life I live is anything but normal.
I wish I had friends or someone to talk to, but I’m alone, and that's the way father wants it to be. He wants me all for himself; confined, imprisoned.
I wish I could just dress up and get out of this musty castle. Even if it was something as small as dancing or laughing under the moonlight. All I've ever wanted is a little freedom and to have a good time, but I know it's just not in the cards for me.
Constantly I am undergoing procedure after procedure. Every surgery I have doesn’t stick. Or should I say, the body parts don’t. My father tells me that all this pain and suffering will make me stronger, indestructible, and more beautiful than any woman that has ever existed
Something just isn't right. Something is missing.
I resent him for all of this. The loathing and constant agony I go through. To sum it up, I hate fact that I even exist. I'm nothing but an experiment to him.
I want to escape, to run far away and never look back, but if I do my body will fall apart, piece by piece. Maybe it will be worth it. Maybe death will be my saving grace. I won’t know unless I try.
My name is Freya and I'm the daughter of Doctor Victor Frankenstein.
Elizabeth Knox, Darkness (Darkest Nightmares Book 1)
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