Page 19 of A Hint of Darkness

I wasn’t opposed to new leadership of the Conventicle. I had a problem with them wanting me dead. But I was no longer the reason the prisoners were loose, so I was indifferent about who led the Conventicle. I was team anti-Awakeners.

“Which is why I need the Book of Umbra. I need to weigh all possible options. At this point it’s harm reduction. I realize spells from that book come at a cost—an irreparable imbalance. Although I’m not in a rush to compromise my magic, I will if it is necessary.”

The lord nodded, easing the pinched frown. “And you shall have it.”

Anand took that as the end of the discussion and as an indicator that dinner was complete. Placing his napkin on the plate, he stood to leave. Areleus tracked his progress until he disappeared through the double doors, then he let his disappointment peek through.

“At least he joined us. That is the most we can ask for.”

The moment I completed my dinner, Dominic offered a rushed goodbye and rose to leave as well. I was reluctant to do so when the chef mentioned dessert. But no promise of a delectable cake was enough to make me stay alone with them. Despite Areleus’s stiff smile he gave whenever I looked in his direction, Helena only offered me glares. Dominic’s rush to leave showed his exhausted tolerance of his father. The forced amicability was obvious in every strained word they spoke when they attempted conversation.

As we departed, Areleus called Dominic’s name. As he turned to respond, an illuminated ball hit him in the chest with a thud, sending him crashing into the door and ripping it from the hinges. Splintered wood scattered. Pulled back against a hard chest, I was secured by Areleus’s hand around my throat, his claws held steady at my stomach. Dominic recovered, glaring at his father’s hand that with a swipe could do unspeakable damage. Fear made tears brim in my eyes. I tried not to blink because they’d spill. I wouldn’t give Helena, who I could see out of my peripheral, the satisfaction of that. Despite my intentions, I did blink, and tears slid down my face. Fire ignited in Dominic’s hand and narrowed eyes studied his father. Behind the glare were calculations and defiance.

“Release Luna,” Dominic demanded. He inched toward his father. I released a sharp gasp when Areleus’s hold tightened.

“My commands are not to be ignored, Dominicus,” Areleus told him. “You will release your sister’s magic as I requested.”

Dominic’s response was to take slow steps toward us, his eyes sliding in the direction of his sister, who must have been gleeful at the magic and violence unfolding in front of her, and even more so that I was the recipient.

Dominic’s insolence had taken full control. This battle extended beyond just me and seemed deeply rooted in something I knew nothing of.

“Have you grown so confident that you no longer understand your position? So foolish as to mistake my commands as suggestions?” Areleus bit out.

Energy peeled from the air, along with what felt like the removal of oxygen, making it even more difficult to breathe.

“Do I need to show you the penalty for your disobedience?” Areleus growled through clenched teeth. “You want her alive for an ill-conceived notion of preventing it happening again. I’ve granted that to you. You realize I don’t care. One swipe and I free us.”

“You’ve always been short-sighted. An ill-fated quality that Helena shares.”

“Yet, despite your efforts, I still rule.”

Dominic’s jaw clenched so hard he could make diamonds from coal. If there was ever a debate over the existence of animosity between them, which Dominic had suppressed into amused disdain, there was no question now. A fiery rage was in his eyes. A thirst for violence that he planned to sate.

Areleus’s cruel laugh broke the silence. “I can see the plans, son. Shall your second attempt to dethrone me be as ineffective as your first? It’s been a century, perhaps the years have dulled your memory.”

Dominic glared at him. “I forgot nothing, including what led me to do it. Release her, now.”

The claws pressed into my skin, to let me know of their presence and what they could do, and the control he possessed with them. My head filled with ways to break his hold. How close was I to his sensitive crotch? If I clawed at his hand, would he retaliate? His hold tightened, blocking all my breath when I touched his hand. His hold was powerful, clipping my last breath.

“It’s my son who values your life, not me,” he pronounced in a breathy whisper near my ear. And then to Dominic, “Remove Helena’s restriction, now.”

Dominic didn’t move, his chin tilted in an unspoken challenge. Anger flared in me at him using me to make a point. My heart pounded. How long would Areleus tolerate Dominic’s insolence? His eyes were locked on his father, the restraint of fury a tendril nearly at its breaking point.

“You failed before. What skills have you acquired that you believe will lead to your success this time? I’m not as trusting of you as your sister is. And I would never put myself in a position to allow you to suppress my magic. You are aware that use of the magic in the Book of Umbra comes at a cost. Weakness of your magic. That will challenge your delusions of besting me, won’t it? This is my final warning.”

“Helena,” Dominic called softly. She quickly made her way to him, her expression a sheet of innocence as if she wasn’t the source of this altercation. Turning to face his sister, Dominic took hold of her arms. His mouth moved, but he spoke so low his words were inaudible. The marks on her arms became gilded before illuminating. They unraveled slowly from her arms before disappearing. She studied her brother during the spell, her lips twisted, seeing something in him that registered as concern in her face. Once the markings had disappeared, he pulled Helena to him and whispered something that made her face go pallid.

The second I was released I dashed out of the destroyed doorway, heading toward the bedroom but stopping in front of the library. I didn’t want to be around Dominic, and Anand was clearly at his limit with peopling. Absently, I stood in the hallway, without a clear direction to go.

“You look like you could use some tea,” said a melodic deep voice from the library entrance.

I turned to find the man who’d judged my clothes earlier leaning against the frame of the opened door, offering me a sympathetic half smile.

Nodding, I followed as he led me through the library, around the stacks, and down another hallway to a door. He opened it to reveal an oasis. A vibrant tall fiddleleaf plant in the corner offered the dose of greenery I hadn’t realized I’d missed so much. On one of the shelves and on the corner of the desk were smaller verdant plants. The one with a hint of pale orange reminded me of a plant that Cameron, the owner of Books and Brew, had in her office. I sighed. I missed her, too. I could use her infectious optimism and vitality now.

“The only one that’s real is that one.” He pointed to the plant on a table next to a chaise at the opposite end of the room. “It doesn’t require a lot of light so it can thrive with the light from the greenhouse. I take it out there occasionally for a dose. It’s not the real sun, but it’s serviceable.”

I got the impression that the fake sun was as much for him as it was for the plants. The sage-gray walls… I exhaled at the peace they invoked. It felt like I had been holding my breath since I left the spectacle between Dominic—or rather, Dominicus—Areleus, their drama, and the threat of death. Pushing all thoughts of that from my head, I took in the oversized curved boucle sofa and the combination of traditional and deco art and furniture. It was a surprising design style for a man who wore a vest and speckle-rim glasses.