Dwellers of Darkness (35 page)

“You bitch,” I spat at her.

Aneira stepped up to me. “Be careful, Ember, the more you act out, the more I act out on him.” She patted my cheek harshly, igniting my bruised face.

She stopped, and a huge smirk broke over her lips. “Or maybe you would like to go in her stead, Lily?” The Queen kept her head in my direction, but her words were not for me.

Lily? Oh, no.

“You know I would, Aneira, but I know you too well. That option is not actually on the table.” Mom stepped from behind a massive stone. She also showed signs of a battle: her tank top ripped, her army pants torn, her clothes peppered with blood, and her face bruised and scraped.

My legs almost gave way.

The Queen pivoted, facing my mom. “Am I becoming so predictable?”

“Yes,” Mom retorted.

What was she thinking? She had gotten away. Why would she come back? I could barely stand the outcome from saving Eli’s life. What if Aneira hurt her, using her against me, too?

“Mom, w-what are you doing here?”

“I was wondering the same thing, Lily. What are you doing here? You afraid of what I might do
... or say?” Aneira asked.

My mom’s jaw tightened. “Ember is my daughter, and I will do everything in my power to protect her. Like I said, I know you, Aneira. I want to be here.”

The Queen howled with laughter. “Ohhh... so many things in what you said amuses me. This is going to be enormously entertaining.” The Queen swished her hand. “All right, if you want to tag along, who am I to deny you?”

It was all a show. She would never let Mom walk away. I fought between throwing up and being furious with her. Why would she go back so willingly? She couldn’t help me if she got locked up again. Why would she risk it?

Then it hit me.
Mark
.

Not that my mom didn’t want to protect me, but it was a stupid move. She was up to something, so this was intentional. Before I could make eye contact, guards surrounded her and blocked my chance to see any kind of answer in her eyes.

“Well, today has been an especially productive one.” The Queen nodded to her men. “And give him a robe. He is quite distracting.” She motioned at Eli. One of the guard took off his cape and flung it around Eli’s naked body. She began to walk towards the door. The guards took the non-verbal cue and pushed me and Eli forward. My head turned to where he walked next to me.

We will get through this.
His eyes were filled with strength and certainty.

My heart suddenly surged with emotion. After almost losing him, there was no question how I felt. Even in the middle of this mess, he could soothe me, cause me to feel stronger. I could take on the world if he were by my side. Whatever was ahead of us, we would get through it—together.

I love you,
my eyes said to his. My cheeks flushed and my stomach dropped. I had never told anyone that before, besides my family and close friends. This was different.

Eli’s pace faltered. He looked up at the sky, shaking his head. A strange, pained emotion flickered over his features. He eventually looked back at me.
You shouldn’t.
He gritted his teeth; his expression had become stiff and callous.
I’m not worth it.
He then turned away.

Embarrassment coated my face.
W-What?
That was not the response I expected. My humiliation converted to anger. Heated words simmered on my tongue. They were about to be dumped on him, but my mouth stayed shut.

I felt him again. Not merely sensed him as my Dark Dweller blood did, but I could experience his emotions. The last time it was this strong was right after he had given me his blood, after I almost died from Lorcan’s attack. I don’t know if it was because I consumed more of his blood as I was trying to save him, but it was there and his emotions were all over the place. Angry to euphoric, miserable to pissed off, with himself and me.

I swallowed my hurtful words. Judge a man by his actions, not his words
.
He had almost died for me, and he was still by my side.

The guards prodded us at a steady pace to the Otherworld door. My experiences with the Otherworld did not make it a happy place to go back to. The only good thing was it brought me closer to Mark, Ryan, and West, to help them escape. But how could I take Mark and West and leave Ryan behind? I couldn’t leave him. There had to be another way.

We neared the door. I was getting better at spotting the wavy air pockets now. While the guards’ attention was on the Queen getting safely through, a humming sound tickled my ear.

“I leave you for one moment and look what happens.” Cal landed on my shoulder. “Covered in blood again,” he tsked. My ponytail had completely fallen out of its hold, and he hid easily underneath my thick hair.

A small smile inched up my face.

“Simmons is staying back with the rest for now. Our dysfunctional family is all back together, figuring out how track the Druid girl. Figured you’d want Simmons to stay with them.”

I gave a small nod.

“I won’t leave your side, girlie. Not like you can function without me anyway.”

I loved Cal. He tucked tighter against my neck as guards tugged me through the door.

Here I go again.
It was no longer a rabbit hole, but a never-ending black void full of constant lies and secrets.

Kennedy was in the hands of Lorcan. The Queen now had Mark, Mom, Ryan, West, Eli, and me. Josh was Aneira’s brainwashed minion. Lars was either dead or had run off. At least Torin, Thara, and the rest of the Dark Dwellers were safe and, hopefully, on a plane heading back to the states.

Aneira now held the only weapon capable of destroying her. My destiny was to kill the Queen, which now was no longer a fate I could fulfill. But some way, somehow, I would destroy her. With or without the Sword of Nuada, I would take down the Queen of the Light, plunging her into the darkness—for good.

No one fucks with my family.

Thank you to all my readers. Your opinion really matters to me and helps others decide if they want to purchase my book. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving an honest review on the site where you purchased it. Thank you.

Want to find out about my next release in the Darkness Series? Sign up on my website and keep updated on the latest news.
www.staceymariebrown.com

Blood
Beyond Darkness

(Darkness Series Book #4)

Coming in Fall 2014

After months of searching, Ember and her friends finally locate the Sword of Light, the only weapon capable of destroying Queen Aneira and ending her rule. This is Ember’s destiny. Or so she thought. Now a pact to save the man she loves changes everything.

At the same time Lars, the Unseelie King, reminds
Em she is bound to him and has to turn over the Sword of Light to him after fulfilling the prophecy and killing the Queen.

Ember’s life is again turned upside down as the secrets of the past are finally revealed. Kennedy falls into the hands of Lorcan. The
Seelie Queen holds the sword, Mark, Lily, Ryan, West, Eli, and Ember. Josh is Aneira’s brainwashed minion, and Lars is either dead or run off. Em can only hope her other friends are safe.

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is her undeniable connection to Eli
Dragen, who is sexy, gorgeous, and even more frustrating. But her problems go way beyond him.

As the war mounts between the
Seelie and Unseelie (Light and Dark) and more truths come to light, Ember’s world is ripped even further apart.
She learns there may not be an end to the unrelenting abyss of lies and secrets that have been kept from her.

In this final installment in the
Darkness Series
, when the truth comes to light, Ember will learn some things are better left in the dark as her world is ripped even further apart.
It is no longer a rabbit hole, but a never-ending black void full of endless lies, betrayals, and secrets.

The fight for Earth has begun, and Ember will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save millions of innocent lives and those she loves.

But this price may be too high—even for her.

I would like to thank all the fans who have continued to support me so whole-heartily. Or at least support Eli! You have amazing. I hope you will continue to love these books and characters as much as I do. I can’t believe there is only one book left in the series!

Again, to my Mom. These books are just as much yours as mine. Your help has been so fundamental. There are still not enough thank
yous in the world to repay you. I love you!

Linne
, “L,” and Colleen for being my beta readers. You girls are amazing! Your input and advice has helped make my story even better. And your “extra” notes, L, always make me laugh. You really do get into Eli and Em scenes. I am so thankful to have you in my life.

Emily
Mork for your beautiful tattoo designs and always being inspiration to me. Love you!

Chase Nottingham, besides having such a cool name, I want to say how thankful I am for S.M. Boyce bringing you into my life?
Your editing and notes were so helpful. You have two new fans between me and my mom.
http://www.chaseediting.com
/ and
[email protected]

Jordan Rosenfeld. Thank you again for all the hours you put in to help shape and develop my book. I absolutely adore you!
http://jordanrosenfeld.net/

Dave at
Woulds & Shoulds. Your cover designs have been amazing. I think I’ve gained a lot of new fans just from them. Thank you for your continued help and talent.
http://editinganddesign.com
/

Judi at
http://formatting4u.com/
. Thank you! You have made the stress of getting my books out on time so much easier.

To my street team, Stacey’s Geek Squad. I love you girls so much: Jessa, Dee, Akilah, Shayna, Heather, Brandy, and Aarati. Your ‘above and beyond’ support is appreciated more than words can say.

S.M. Boyce and Jen
McConnel, you girls have been my lifeline and my support team. The instant we met I knew it would be a friendship forever. Sorry— you are stuck with me now!

As always a big thank you to my family and my friends around the world. Don’t think you’re in the clear! Your part in my stories will be told someday—soon. I love and miss you all so much.