Page 26 of A Touch of Darkness (Chronicles of the Cursed #1)

I slip my phone back into my pocket, feeling the flutter of nerves in my stomach. I texted Isabel a half hour ago and asked if she could meet me in the cafeteria at Blackthorne. She agreed immediately, no questions asked, which both relieves me and sets me on edge. Every conversation with her has been deeply unsettling, and I don’t expect this one to be any different.

I scan the rows of tables, bustling with students laughing, scrolling through phones, comparing notes. It’s easy to forget that Blackthorne is anything but normal when you see kids in hoodies sipping sodas or complaining about professors. But Nicole and Rebecca are seated at a table against the far wall, their postures rigid, eyes darting around. They’re more on guard than anyone else in this room.

I weave my way through the crowd and join them. They lean in, voices low enough that no one else can overhear.

“Well?” Nicole asks. “She’s coming?”

I nod. “Yeah. We have like”—I check my phone for the time—“five minutes or so and she should be here.”

Rebecca drums her fingers on the table. “You’re sure you want to do this here? In front of everyone?

“One hundred percent sure,” I reply with a nod. “I don’t want to meet with her anywhere secluded. I don’t want to chance it.”

Rebecca glances at the clock on the wall. “You’re right. The plan stays as is. We’ll stay a few tables away, but close enough to listen in… psychically.”

We met up earlier and decided we have to keep trying to figure out what Solstice is planning. Maybe I shouldn’t be going into their actual space, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use their own people against them. Nicole and Rebecca think they can listen in on her thoughts while I chat with her. Maybe we can figure out more about where Lara is, or what they are planning.

Nicole arches an eyebrow. “You’re okay with us listening in, right, Sylvie? We might catch bits of your thoughts, too.”

“I know,” I say, swallowing hard. “But we need answers. If we can figure out her motives, maybe we can figure out Solstice’s next move.”

Nicole nods, a resolute glint in her eyes. “All right. We’ll tune in gently. Just don’t be startled if you hear us in your head. Try to keep calm so we don’t pick up on all your panicky vibes.”

I attempt a smile. “I’ll do my best.” I give them a mock salute and head back to my table, in the area I told Isabelle would be, and not long after, maybe just a few moments, I spot her walking in. She weaves through the tables, her gaze scanning the crowd. She’s dressed casually—jeans, a fitted jacket—but her posture is so upright and confident it feels more formal than any uniform could. Our eyes meet, and she offers a slight nod in greeting.

I stand up and wave her over, glancing at the girls out the corner of my eye.

“Thanks for meeting me,” I say, gesturing to the empty chair across from me.

She sits, folding her hands neatly in her lap. “You’re the one who reached out. Figured you had something on your mind. Maybe I can help.”

I take a breath, searching Isabel’s face, her dark and mysterious eyes. There’s tension that wasn’t there during our first couple of interactions. “I do,” I begin carefully. “But first… can I ask about you? I realized I don’t really know anything about you. Do you go to Blackthorne, or…?”

She presses her lips together, as if momentarily debating, then sighs. “I’m enrolled here, but it’s complicated. My attendance is… sporadic. Solstice business keeps me busy.”

“Solstice.” I try to keep my tone neutral. “How long have you been part of them, anyway?”

Her gaze flicks down. “Well, my family’s been involved for generations. We… I was practically raised in the Society. It wasn’t much of a choice.”

“And you’re… you’re human?”

A flicker of something crosses her face—maybe shame. “Yes. Full-blooded human.”

I pause, letting her words sink in. I can’t read her mind like Nicole and Rebecca, but I can read her posture—stiff, uncomfortable. She’s not lying, at least as far as I can tell. “Is that why you’re with them?” I ask softly. “Because your family expected it?”

Her head dips in a nod. “Among other things.” She looks up, forcing a wry smile. “We’re not all monstrous, you know. Solstice thinks they’re doing what’s right—protecting humanity from vampires, witches, whatever. You of all people know how dangerous some of them can be.”

I think about Lucian, about my new classes, about the witches who have proven themselves more allies than threats. They aren’t all dangerous… “Yeah, but how can you be so sure Solstice’s approach is right?” I counter. “I mean, your group’s put me in its crosshairs. That can’t be good.”

She hesitates, glancing around. “Sylvie,” she says carefully, voice pitched low, “I like you. I really do. But Solstice sees your lineage as a threat—or an asset, depending on how they can use you.”

Before I can respond, I hear Nicole’s voice in my head.

Sylvie, can you hear me?

I stiffen, nearly jumping out of my seat. Isabel doesn’t seem to notice, her focus inward, as though she’s trying to choose her next words.

I nod, hoping Isabel just assumes I’m reacting to her words.

Relax , Nicole’s voice continues, echoing in my mind. We’re here, reading her thoughts. She’s… planning something. Sylvie, be careful—she’s thinking about how Solstice wants to capture you soon if you don’t join willingly.

My stomach flips. Suddenly, I’m hyper-aware of how alone I feel, even in the crowded cafeteria.

Capture me? I project the thought, hoping Nicole can pick it up.

Yes , she confirms. She’s worried. Feels guilty. She actually likes you, but she’s bound to the Society. She can’t get out.

I steady myself, forcing a calm facade. “Isabel,” I say, voice trembling only slightly, “You said they want to use me. I’ve heard the rumors… that Solstice might force me to join them whether I want to or not.” I watch her face closely for any signs or tells.

Her eyes flare with surprise. “Who told you that?” She leans in, voice taut with urgency. “I never mentioned that. How…?” Her eyes narrow before she glances round the cafeteria, and I worry she’ll realize Nicole and Rebecca are infiltrating her thoughts.

I press on before she can bolt. “I know things, Isabel. I’m not as powerless as you think. I am a witch, after all. Please…just tell me the truth—what’s Solstice planning for me?”

My pulse hammers in my ears, and I sense Nicole and Rebecca’s presence—like a gentle buzz at the edge of my awareness. They’re listening. They know. But I keep my gaze fixed on Isabel.

She sighs, shoulders sagging in surrender. “Like I said, I like you. I feel a strange pull to you, like I want to help you. I’ve never wanted to help a mark before.” She stops suddenly like she’s said something she shouldn’t. I assume by mark she means that they purposely go out and hunt people to join their cult. “I don’t know what that means, but I do know I don’t want you to get hurt. At the same time, Solstice can’t know that you heard this from me, okay?” I nod and she continues, much too trusting. “They’re discussing… measures. If you won’t come willingly, they might try to force your hand.” Her tone softens. “I’m sorry, Sylvie. I wish I could stop it, but I’m… stuck. My family has expectations. You don’t just walk away from Solstice. It’s unheard of.” She shakes her head. “Plus, even if I could walk away from them, I’d lose everything. But you do have a right to know.”

She’s being honest , I hear Rebecca’s voice come through.

“I appreciate you being honest with me. I haven’t got much of that from Solstice. I won’t say anything. I don’t want your safety at risk either.”

A pang of empathy surges in me, unexpected but intense. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, meaning it. “I get it—feeling trapped by expectations. But… maybe there’s another way.”

She gives me a shaky smile, almost pained. “I hope so,” she murmurs. “I really don’t want you to get hurt. I’ve seen what they can do. But I can’t go against everything I’ve been raised to believe—everything my parents dedicated their lives to.” She looks down at the table, twisting her fingers. “And if you’re truly as powerful as they say you are, Solstice won’t risk letting you roam free. Eventually they’ll stop asking and start demanding.”

My chest tightens. She’s basically confirming that they’re coming for me. My mind spins with possibilities—who else they might target, how I can protect myself. How I can protect Nicole and Rebecca, and even Lucian.

“Can you tell me about Lara? Is she safe?” I know I’m pushing my luck, but maybe if she won’t tell me, she’ll have thoughts about Lara that the girls will be able to decipher.

“You’re reading my thoughts anyway, aren’t you?” She gives me a small shrug. I’m surprised she thinks I’m strong enough to tap in myself, but I’m glad she hasn’t discovered it’s the girls. “Lara is safe. For now. She isn’t dead. Vampires didn’t hurt her.” Her expression looks almost pained. “I’m sorry I had to lie to you. Amara wants us to do anything we can to draw people in. But Lara will be safe if you do as they ask.”

She’s safe, Sylvie. Rebecca’s voice breaks back through. She’s telling the truth. Isabel had a vision like you did, of her suspended in air. They are keeping her in the in between right now. But she’s alive.

The spell breaks when Isabel pushes her chair back. “I… I should go,” she says, standing abruptly. “I’ve said too much already. Thought too much. Listen, Sylvie—if you don’t want to side with Solstice, just be careful. They won’t wait around forever.”

She spares me one last, sorrowful glance before weaving through the tables and disappearing out the door. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. My head’s spinning, my heart lodged in my throat. A moment later, Nicole and Rebecca sidle up to the table, concern etched on their faces.

“Well,” Nicole murmurs, chewing her lip. “That was… intense.”

Rebecca squeezes my shoulder gently. “You good, Sylv?”

I shake my head, trying to process it all. “I don’t know,” I say honestly, voice trembling. “At least now we know they might move sooner than we thought. We can figure out a way to be prepared.”

Nicole slides into the seat across from me, lowering her voice. “Were in the best spot right now. We just need to stay a step ahead. We know Lara isn’t dead, that’s the best news we’ve had in so long.”

I nod, tears brimming in my eyes as I finally allow myself a shred of hope. That my sister is still here, somewhere, and that I can continue fighting to get her back. She isn’t dead. She isn’t gone. And it’s possible. It’s really possible to save her.

“And, you’ve enrolled in classes to work on your abilities and powers. You’re getting stronger by the day. We’re going to knock Solstice on their asses,” Rebecca says with a grin.

I force myself to nod, refusing to crumble under the weight of this fresh revelation. Because now, we have a warning. Now, we know exactly how high the stakes are—and maybe, just maybe, that knowledge will help us fight back.