Wilde's Fire (Darkness Falls #1) (22 page)

The three of them stare at me, their mouths gaping open. You would think I told them I’m Jesus Christ Himself. I haven’t mentioned the light to Arland before now. I didn’t know him well enough to entrust him with this information, nor did I know anything about being a Draíochta. The truth is, I didn’t want him to think I am crazy—especially after everything else I told him.

“I knew she was special, Arland, but for the magic to lead her here is something else entirely,” Flanna says.

“Had you ever seen the light prior to swimming?” Arland asks.

“Yes. I saw it a few times while we were in the forest. It’s the reason we were at the swimming hole in the first place. The night before we arrived here, I was sitting by myself next to the river, and followed the light to the hole. I wasn’t going swimming alone, in the middle of the night, so I went back to bed, but Brad and my sister woke up, so we all went. I didn’t mention the light to Brad, but he couldn’t see it after it slammed into the water. Just Brit and I could still see the light,” I admit.

After listening to Arland’s little history lesson, about the difference between our two kinds, Brad’s inability to see the light all makes sense now.

“Do you think the gods used the magic to summons her here, sir?” Cadman asks.

“It does appear that way.”

“Do you believe they will allow her to leave so easily, if they went to the trouble of sending magic into the human world to bring her home?”

Apparently, Arland shared quite a bit of my history when I was lamenting in the stables.

“Gods rarely involve themselves in our affairs, but if they did, I do not believe they wish for Kate to lose her friend, or never see her family again. Although, it is clear the portal is not going to open until Kate has satisfied them in some way.”

“Gods?” I ask.

“Yes, gods.” Arland stares at the sky. “If they are involved, I am sure it is Griandor. He is the god of sunlight, and his desire would be for you to fulfill your prophecy … for obvious reasons. There is nothing more we can do here.”

Arland seems more upset than I am. Out of concern for his people, he didn’t want to leave to meet his father until Brad was safe. Now that the portal is closed indefinitely, I’m sure Arland is even more worried about his people … because of me.

He drops my hand and turns away. “We should return.”

Giving up on getting through the portal, we mount our horses and ride back toward base. Our return pace is much slower than it was on our way to the clearing. I’m glad to have more time to think to myself.

First, I was their hope, but now, I have to make the gods happy, too? I want to get Brad home to safety, see my sister, my mom, and not fight in a war, or please the gods. I don’t even know what makes me special enough to bring light back into this world.

So many things keep disappointing me today. The connection I felt with Arland is not real, Brad is more than likely going to die, and my sister and mom are stuck on the other side of the portal, when I want—need—them here with me.

Entering the forest, we pass Gavin and Dunn. They both frown, seeming a tad too disappointed at our safe arrival. My suspicions of their boredom are confirmed. Maybe Arland should send them out to shoot stray daemons for a while.

Inside the cover of the trees, Cadman and Flanna stop riding ten paces in front of me and Arland, and hold up until we reach them.

“Why have you stopped?” he asks.

Flanna holds my gaze. “May I speak with Kate for a moment?”

Everyone looks at me, but I’m not focused on them or their conversation. I stare out into the black space in front of us.

“No,” Arland says, his voice firm. “We will wait here until you get ahead of us again.”

The silence between Arland and me is upsetting. Talking seemed so natural between us, but now I’m afraid to say anything to him. Arriving at the stables, we return the horses to their stalls, but still haven’t spoken a word to one another. The animals are the only ones who seem happy. At least, the ride did them good.

“Will you require anything else this morning, sir?” Cadman asks.

“No, Cadman, thank you for your service.”

Cadman and Flanna take off toward the stairs, leaving Arland and me alone.

He turns to me, but I cannot meet his eyes. “I am sorry we could not get through the portal today. There has to be some way around it. My father might understand the reasoning of the gods, but I would not wish to speak to him about such things unless we were in his presence.”

“So, we leave Brad here to die
and
risk all of your soldier’s lives?” I ask, upset that I haven’t been able to come through for my friend, and that Arland is worried about me unintentionally hurting his people.

“Kate—”

“Don’t. I need to be left alone for a while.” I storm off to spend some time with Brad. How selfish of me for thinking about my own personal love life, when he is ill, and so many others are being murdered every day. I have to make a point not to be so much like a drama queen.

don’t pass anyone on my way to Brad’s room. It’s a good thing too, because I hate when people see me cry. Wiping tears from my face with my shirtsleeve, I push through the door to Brad’s room.

Shay’s head snaps up when the door squeaks. “I am sorry, Kate. Your friend has not shown any signs of improvement.”

“May I spend some time alone with him?”

“Have Flanna come for me when you are finished,” she says, patting my shoulder on her way out.

When Shay closes the door, I move the chair closer to Brad’s bed, then take his hand in mine. “I’m sorry. We couldn’t get through the portal, Brad. I know you made me promise not to go, but I still had to try. We didn’t run into any daemons, but it didn’t matter. The stupid thing was closed tight. They think
gods
brought me here. I should’ve told you why Brit and I wanted to go to the swimming hole that night. I just … I didn’t think you would believe us. You deserve someone better than me. I’m not even human in the same way as you.” I ramble on, watching his chest as it rises and falls—the only thing he does that makes him seem alive.

Brad has to come out of this. If he hears me, maybe he will. I laugh. Talking to him is no use, considering they forced him into this coma. Blisters and swelling cover his skin. His body is so lifeless; it’s impossible to be near him—the pain of watching him die hurts too much. I need my friend to be here with me, to tell me everything is going to be okay. More than anything, I need to get him home, so he can be safe from this place.

Tears fall in a steady stream. Coming to spend time with Brad was not the best idea. I miss being able to talk to him, tell him what’s on my mind, have him tell
me
everything is going to be great. We haven’t spent this much time apart since we met. I never realized how much his friendship means. Finding his hand, I give a gentle squeeze. I stand, then leave the room.

Walking down the hall is unnerving. I don’t want anyone to see me, but I have to find Flanna. The dining area is empty. Chopping sounds come from the kitchen, so I follow them.

Flanna’s red hair bounces as she cuts through potatoes.

“Can you please tell Shay I’m finished visiting with Brad?” I ask the back of her head.

She turns and gives a nervous smile. “Yes, wait right here.”

Flanna heads toward the soldier’s quarters, but I don’t wait for her. Once she disappears, I go back to my room and shut the door. I sit on the edge of the bed in the dark room, refusing to light a candle, close my eyes, and try to think of nothing.

A few minutes pass, and I hear Flanna talking loudly about how wonderful Shay is, clearly wanting me to be aware of their presence. I will not come out of this room until I know for sure Flanna is gone; I don’t want to be around someone so happy.

I wait here in the dark, isolating myself from the rest of the world, for what feels like half an hour. It could be longer, could be less. I don’t know how anyone tells time around here. There are no clocks on the walls. No one wears watches. The sun doesn’t rise and set, so I can’t use nature to judge time.

To make sure no one is outside, I put my ear to the door. Cracking it open inch by inch, I look both ways.

The hall is empty.

Sneaking out, I tiptoe to Brad’s room then nudge open the door a bit.

Shay clambers from her chair.

“No, don’t get up. I wanted to make sure you were with him.”

“I will keep you updated, if his condition changes,” she says, easing herself back down.

“Thank you.” I close the door, then return to my room.

Throwing myself onto the bed, I grab the pillow and bury my head under it. There’s never been a time in my life where I’ve felt I don’t fit in. I know what I want, and have been working toward that future. College is the stepping-stone to my veterinary career. I hoped to one day take over our farm, but I guess that life isn’t ever going to be mine.

Now that I’m here, almost everyone looks at me like I have two heads, with the exception of Flanna and the children. I was beginning to feel like Arland was accepting me, maybe even liking me, but now I know that’s not the truth.

I miss my sister. Brit would know what to do now; she would tell me I could still have the world if I wanted it, she would tell me I deserve better than Arland, she would make me feel loved.

Now, I am alone.

My worst dream—the one of Arland and me inside the cave behind the falls—kindly replays for me. Of course, when he’s not here, the dreams invade, when I don’t know whether he’s alive or dead, and I refuse to walk out of this room to go check.

I sit up. How long have I been asleep? There isn’t even the faintest bit of light creeping under the door. It could be late, or early, who knows? Getting out of bed, I move quietly across the floor. Putting my ear up to the wooden slab between me and the rest of the world, I check to see if anyone is in the dining area or hall.

“Kate?” Arland whispers.

I ignore him. He knocks a few times, but I don’t answer. Instead, I return to bed and close my eyes again.

Another knock.

“Kate? Open the door, please? If you do not, I will open it myself,” Flanna threatens.

“Please, go away.”

“Fine.” Flanna’s voice resonates with irritation.