Something Darker; Chapter 4

Frowin plods gently down one the street. Zanthus, now in crow form, watches from overhead. Every now and then, a curious bystander glances my way. I have my hood pulled up so they can't see my face, which causes them to watch me a little longer than they would if my hood was down.

But I don't mind. I don't want them to see my face. Especially not the guards. One of them might recognize me. Not that they could do anything without orders, I was the princess after all, but word would get back to my brother and he would give orders or send Gaitan.

I know neither of them would ever hurt me, but I don't want them around right now. I had to figure this out on my own. They would want to help, but I didn't want them to.

I had started pushing them away when the Shadow Marks had begun appearing on my arms. I hadn't done the ritual, hadn't said any of the incantations either, but they had appeared, nonetheless.

My eyes turning gold ad been the last straw. I had run away. I needed answers, none of which I could get at the castle. So, I had sought ulterior help. That's how I had met Zanthus.

He was the one that convinced me to take my time in finding the answers. After all, he had told me, Your eyes turned gold, not black, so you're not a Shadow Slave.

He still hadn't told me what my eyes turning gold meant, but after a few months of being with him, I found out that if he didn't tell me something, it was for a reason. And the reason was for my own good. He would tell me when I was ready to know.

He had also insisted on teaching me basic Shadow magic. I had been against it, but after a few magic mishaps, Zanthus had put his foot down, insisting that it was necessary, for both our sakes, that I learned basic Shadow magic.

As usual, he had been right. In return for learning the basics, he had led me to the Chaser. It was supposed to help me find answers, but so far all it has done was burn my hand and lead me to this town. How this town in the middle of nowhere was supposed to help me find answers, I had no idea.

So far, the only good thing to come out of this trip into this city was Zanthus teaching me how to hide my Shadow Marks and gold eyes. Unfortunately, still being a beginner learning how to use Shadow magic, I could only hold it for so long; hence, the long sleeves, gloves, and hood.

Up ahead, Zanthus is perched on the overhang out front of a shop. I don't know how far we've come from the inn or where we're going, I'm just following bird Zanthus.

Zanthus, I call to him mentally. Where are we going?

Instead of responding, he caws at me and takes off. Flying away, he disappears from sight. Before I can yell at him, I hear him in my mind. The woods, is all he says.

Rolling my eyes and sighing, I allow Frowin to continue his casual plod down the street.

xXxXx

When I finally reach the edge of the forest, the first thing I notice is the black cat sunbathing at the tree line. I know it's Zanthus.

Dismounting Frowin, I lead him over to Zanthus. Zanthus doesn't even bother to look up.

Took you long enough, he says, in way of greeting.

Confident no one is around, I speak aloud. "Well, not all of us can turn into birds and fly over cities."

At this, Zanthus lifts his head. I could teach you how to turn into a bird.

I decide to change the subject. "Why did you bring me here?"

Zanthus stands and leisurely stretches. Because there are too many prying eyes in the city. He strides into the trees. Come along now.

I give Frowin's bridle a gentle tug to get his attention and lead him after Zanthus.

After a few minutes of walking, Zanthus stops and sits down. This area will do. Put up a shield.

"Why don't you put up the shield?" I ask.

Zanthus turns his head so I can see his narrowed eyes. Because it is you, not I who needs the practice. Not to mention, it will give you a certain amount of protection.

"Protection from what?"

Any Shadow Slaves or other members of the Shadow World that happen to be in the area.

"Other members of the Shadow World?" It doesn't sound too promising.

Those above Shadow Slaves. Now put up the shield.

He's clearly uninterested in elaborating, so, I add this topic to the list of things I don't need to know for my own good according to Zanthus. It's becoming quite the list.

Placing my hands on the ground, I begin to picture the shield. It's a basic power shield, that will keep the energy in. Unlike last night, there's no tug. The power simply surges up. This is usually how a mishap starts. I try to backtrack, but it's too late- the power is already out and acting.

I collapse into the fetal position waiting to be blown back in a wave of power, and for Zanthus to yell at me.

Neither happens. Instead, when I look up, I see an annoyed Zanthus.

What, exactly, are you doing now, Violet? he asks.

I look around. Zanthus, Frowin, and I are inside a dome of dancing light. The shield. "The Shadow magic. It just surged up- like before a mishap."

Zanthus is wearing an expression of worry, amazement, and puzzlement. I feel my concern growing. Zanthus shakes his head.

Your control is improving. He lifts his head to reveal the Chaser. Take it. Reluctantly, I obey. Holding the chain, I allow the Chaser to dangle in front of me. Zanthus begins to give me instructions.

Focus on the Chaser. I look at it and follow its gentle, slowing swing. Allow it to come to the center of your thoughts.

With the light bouncing off its many faces, giving it a hypnotic quality, it's easy to obey. The Chaser continues to swing. Shouldn't it have stopped by now? I don't know. I've lost track of time. The Chaser continues to swing back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

What is it that you want to know?

"Why do I have Shadow Marks?" I ask. My voice sound miles away.

The Chaser seems to dissolve into light. The light shimmers and a new image forms.

I see a room. A bed with a red overhang is at the center of one wall. The wall beside it contains a grand fireplace. I recognize the room. It's my parents'. As if to prove my point, my mother walks in. Her stomach is round, and she holds a sleeping child in her arms. Micah. The child is Micah. She's pregnant with me.

She walks over to the bed and gently sets Micah down. He rolls over and curls into a ball. Mother smiles gently for a few seconds.

The smile fades as she turns and walks to the desk. Pulling out a piece of paper, she dips the quill in the ink jar and begins to write.

The Chaser doesn't show what she writes, but rather phrases she writes. I see things such as 'Lord Devon', 'this deal', 'protect her', and 'the Courts'.

I feel more lost than before. The Chaser had shown me probably, the most helpful thing yet in the most unhelpful way. Mother had written to someone she called brother, about some Lord Devon. Mother had never mentioned any siblings, and I didn't know any Lord Devon.

The image begins to dissolve into light.

No. Not yet. I need answers. I want answers. The power surges in response. Before the image can completely fade, I've grabbed it. My powers are pulling it back, preventing it from fading.

I focus on the letter. I have to know what she wrote.

I can feel the power shift, it's getting out of hand, but my focus is on the letter. I have to know.

I can hear Zanthus yelling at me to let it go, but I can't.

My power pulls on the letter and the Chaser pulls back. I feel a dull pain at the back of my skull.

A new power joins the struggle. Only it isn't helping either side. It takes bats at both sides, trying to get either to release their hold.

It comes at me again and I attack back. As I do, I lose my grip on the image and the Chaser pulls it back. I can see it receding. I lung at it, but I'm stopped by the other power. I go to attack when I hear Zanthus.

LET GO OF IT VIOLET! BEFORE YOU SERIOUSLY INJURE YOURSELF!

The dull pain I felt earlier suddenly increases and becomes overwhelming. I scream in pain and release the magic. The image is gone, the Chaser once more is at the center of my vision.

Its also surrounded by a ball of blue-green light. Excess magic. It explodes and I fly backward. I never feel the impact, blacking out before it happens.