A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

“Come now dear,” the dark god opened his arms to me and pulled me into his embrace. I sighed in relief the moment I made contact and relaxed into him as I felt the heaviness in my chest dissipating. I felt his stroke my back a few times before moving away from me once more.

“What do you want from me?” I asked desperately, looking up at him. “What more could you possibly want?” I felt numb.

“Is it not obvious?” he asked, his voice was warmer now.

“I know you need my help to fulfill this prophecy, but I don’t understand what I am supposed to do.”

“You don’t need to do anything…” he began to circle me slowly. I felt him run a finger from my shoulder down my arm. It sent chills down my spine. “All I need from you is your cooperation. Your power is something truly remarkable, dear girl, without it, I cannot hope to ascend to my full potential.”

“If I agree…” I started, in disbelief that I was even uttering such words, “what happens to me?”

He finished circling me and we stood face to face. “I shall return you to Aris in perfect health, if you still desire to be in his company that is. You will be free to carry on with your life until such a time comes that I call upon you.”

“And then?” I asked.

He grinned a sinister grin. “You will submit yourself to me mind, body, and soul.” I felt the blood in my veins turn to ice.

“Does this mean I’ll be a shadow walker?”

“No, you will be something much greater, child. Together, we will help each other achieve greatness.” His words only terrified me more.

“A-and if I refuse?” I felt like crying, but I steeled myself against his gaze.

“Then I am afraid this is where your story ends.”

I grabbed my chest and tried to steady my breath. So this was it. Serve the dark god or die.

“Come now,” he soothed, “have I not taken care of you these past few years? Have my children not seen to it that your every need has been met? I wiped a tear from my face.

“You only did that because you needed my power,” I asserted.

“And what of Aris? What did he need from you?”

I felt a pang in my chest as I thought about Aris. Yes, I was furious at him for lying to me. But I also knew what he would do if he were in my shoes.

Aris would do anything for you Rose. I heard a voice whisper in my head. Snapping my gaze back to the dark god I realized it was him.

“Listen, I do not want to harm you or any of my other children. All I want is what is rightfully mine. Help me and I will reward you with anything you desire.”

My ears perked up. Anything? My mind immediately flashed back to the wasteland that was Wren’s Glen.

“Yes, I can give it all to you, even that.”

I remembered Aris’ words from long ago, at least I was alive to try and make things better. Dead, I am useless. Alive I can still fight, even if I am in his service. Trembling I felt myself nod.

“Say the words.” He urged, taking a step towards me and taking my hands in his, “do you swear your allegiance to me?”

“I swear it,” I managed to choke out.

He leaned in even closer. “Mind, body, and soul?”

This was it.

“Mind, body, and soul.” I nodded anxiously.

His face lit up with what I could only guess was joy in its purest form. “Welcome home, love.” He held out his arms toward me and pulled me into him.

I couldn’t stop myself from shaking.

“Shh,” he soothed, “you have nothing to fear.”

Tilting my chin upward he leaned down and kissed me. I felt a flurry of life magic much like what I had felt in Wren’s Glen. It was almost enough to knock me off my feet. I felt a sudden sharp pain as he bit my lip. I tried to pull away, but he held me to my spot. I felt like a trapped animal, fear coursed through my body. But this all faded the moment his lips made contact with mine and was replaced by a pure ecstasy. I hardly noticed the blood running down my chin as he snaked his tongue around my own. I felt the anguish of grief washing from me and could think of nothing else but him. I not only wanted more, I was hungry for it. It felt unnatural, but then nothing about this situation was normal. I felt him run a hand slowly down my back and a sensation like pins and needles began jolting out down my shoulders and arms. I gasped in shock.

“You truly are something exquisite,” whether he whispered it in my ear or in my mind I do not know. He caressed my skin and the prickling sensation abated. I don’t know how long I remained intertwined with the dark god. A part of me didn’t want it to end. He licked what was left of the blood from my lips as well as his own before stepping back. His eyes shone with a new reverence as he spoke,

“Now, rise child. Rise and do what must be done!”

In the blink of an eye, I was back on the ground. Delirious and unsure which realm or plane of reality I currently existed on. I realized I was no longer in Aris’ arms. I also realized it was quiet. Sitting up I saw that I was back in the woods where I had been killed. Aris was only a few feet away from me.

“R-Rose?” he looked horrified at me, “is that r-really you?”

“What do you mean? Of course it’s me I-” I stopped cold as I realized who was around me. Dozens and dozens of shadow walkers circled the ground where I was sitting. They looked on at me expectantly.

“What’s happening?” I asked. As I moved to stand up the circle of shadow walkers moved in closer. Normally, I would’ve been frightened, in hindsight, I should’ve been terrified. But I could hardly feel anything. I was hollow.

“Stay away from her!” Aris shooed them off and gave me his hand.

I took it out of habit and gasped. I saw black symbols etched into my hand connected by a series of lines and geometric patterns snaking their way up my arm. I snapped my hand back and tried rubbing the marks off with my other hand and saw much to my horror that the other hand bore the same markings. I pulled up the sleeves on my shirt and saw the patterns trailing up my arms as far as I could see.

“Aris, what is this?” I held up my now trembling hands. I felt like I was no longer experiencing reality, I was but a spectator in my own life.

Aris took my hands in his. “It’s alright, Rose, it’s going to be alright.” His voice wavered and the words were not comforting.

“We have to check her back!” I heard someone call from behind me.

The shadow walker closest to me pulled out a knife and cut the back of the shirt I was wearing. I felt it fall away as the cool air hit my bare back, I clutched what remained of my shirt to my chest to protect what little was left of my modesty. I felt exposed. I looked desperately at Aris for any sign but got nothing.

“My gods,” I heard the voice of Stellan say under his breath, he must’ve been the one to cut away my clothes.

I looked over my shoulder and saw him turn to face the crowds. “MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IT IS DONE!”

I saw shadow walker after shadow walker falling to their knees. Even Aris knelt before me.

“Aris?” I whispered, “what’s happening?”

“All this time,” he muttered under his breath, eyes on the ground, “I thought I was helping you get stronger to fight…” he paused, “but all I did was make you stronger, for him.”

“For centuries we have waited for the one strong enough to come!” I heard Stellan announce. “The one who would allow our father to walk the earth among us once more!”

I felt my heart pounding as dread crept over me.

“The time has finally come! The chosen one is here!” he gestured grandly to me and was met with exuberant cheers. I wanted to cry, I wanted to run, surely this was not what the dark god had intended for me.

“Aris what’s on my back?” I muttered frantically under my breath. He looked up at me, tears still welled in his fear-filled eyes,

“A portal,” he whispered.

I felt my head spinning, what had I done?

“All hail Rose Rivyn! Your chosen one!” Stellan bellowed.

The shadow walkers all stood, Aris included, held up a hand and repeated,

“Hail Rose! Hail the chosen one!”