Page 37 of Above (Darkness Reigns #1)

What I expected were my parents, but instead I was shown a large crowd gathered in the courtyard that sat within the gates of the academy, the same place we had all gone after shadow walking to the island. Faces began to morph, changing until they were ones I recognized. Trainees.

That was when the cores stepped forward, the six of them surrounding me.

“This isn’t real,” I whispered to myself as they tightened their circle. If I could remember that, then I’d be fine.

“Isn’t it, akhata?” Otarn mocked, her voice just as harsh and sharp as it always was. My eyes flicked her way, catching the smile that seemed to crawl up her cheeks. She was small, but I had watched her take down people three times her size.

It was fake, but still, my heart raced at her approach.

“We’ve tried before, we’ll try again,” Zade said, her voice soft, like a lullaby.

Her words sliced through me though. Try again?

To kill me? I figured that much. She was far taller than Otarn, her lithe body not as curvy but just as strong.

Her black hair was long, the braid down to her hips and making the red tint of her eyes stand out in striking contrast. Beside her, Talon laughed, his deep tawny skin reddening on the apples of his cheeks.

Just an illusion.

“But this time, I won’t be there to help. I think I finally realized that you’re a waste of time, Supernova.” The nickname spilled like acid out of his lips. In my hand, something firm began to appear. I dared to look, watching a dagger form from wispy black shadows.

“A waste of life is more like it,” Elders cut in, his white teeth bared.

“A disease,” Dofrel added, his earthy chuckle vibrating beneath my boots as they stopped only a few feet away from me on all sides.

This is fake. Fake. Fake. Fake. Fake. Fake.

“Oh, Little Void, when will you finally learn to use that head of yours?” Altair whispered from behind me, his voice so close I felt my hair rustle beneath his breath. “I will bathe in your blood, worthless akhata. Then I will slaughter your family as I’m coated in their curse of a daughter.”

Instinct claimed me. Or maybe fury. I turned, grabbing Altair by the shoulder and shoving the blade into his gut. When he keeled over, I wasted no time, ripping out the dagger and pushing it into his forehead. His skull resisted, but I only pushed harder. Bone cracked. Altair slumped.

A hand was on my bicep. Someone had me. They were going to kill my family.

Slamming back my elbow, I wrapped my arm around my chest and sliced, blood smearing across me as what sounded like Otarn cried out.

But I couldn’t think about her as Dofrel and Zade charged at me.

I kicked Zade in her knee, the sickening snap almost as loud as her screams. Dofrel lifted his arm, exposing his side through the thick black leathers he wore.

I shoved my blade into the area, blood squirting across Zade as she cried.

Dofrel fell, freeing my blade in time to turn and pierce the neck of Elders.

Last was Talon, who raised his hands, acting as if he were giving up. But I wouldn’t fall for his tricks a second time. I tugged the blade out of Elders’ flesh, reared back my hand, and threw it. Relief consumed me as it landed right between his eyes, sending him falling backwards.

Breathing heavily, I allowed my eyes to once again focus on the crowd as they watched in silent bafflement.

I moved to Talon’s dead form, pulling the blade out and pointing it their way.

“Yes, be afraid. I am the beast in the night that you dream about in the safety of your warm beds and the comfort of your full bellies!”

My screams caused many to step back in terror, parting the crowd.

And there, with tears dripping down their faces, was my family.

Mama was behind Dad, her arms wrapped protectively around him as the two of them hiccuped from their sorrow.

Celeste did not cower in the same way, instead standing in front of them and holding out a thin butter knife from our kitchen, the blade so worn it no longer sliced through mushy beans.

“Celeste?” I asked, stepping over Altair’s lifeless body and making my way to them. Celeste flinched, but remained standing tall.

“Get away from us!” she screamed, tears trailing down her dark olive cheeks, the ones that matched mine. Her short curls shook, showing the fear she tried to hide. Who did she think I was?

“It’s me, Heavens. It’s Nova,” I soothed, reaching out for them as I grew closer. Celeste swiped the knife toward me, barely missing my hand before I moved it out of the way.

“You’re a monster, Starlight,” Dad croaked, his hand reaching up for Celeste’s free one.

“No,” I denied, shaking my head vehemently. They misunderstood. “I was defending myself from the real monsters. Those were core family members. Trust me, they’re better off dead.”

“I said, stay back!” Celeste screeched when I took another step toward them. I stilled, unsure of what to say. Celeste didn’t let the silence fester. “You’re all better off dead. Every last Shaytan.”

Without hesitating, Celeste took the knife and threw it toward me. While I knew it wouldn’t hit, nor would it hurt, for some reason I still reacted as if it would. I dove, rolling out of the way, then sat up on my heels and hurled the blade. Right before my eyes, it landed in my sister’s chest.

“No!” I wailed, slipping in blood as I tried to crawl toward her. Mama and Dad remained silent, even their tears ceasing. Finally, I had Celeste in my arms, her body suddenly far frailer than normal. She was gasping, choking on blood as it gurgled up her throat and filled her mouth.

“I always knew you’d be the death of us,” she mumbled, blood flicking at my face as she spoke. And then, abruptly, everyone fell to the ground, gore seeping into my clothes almost immediately.

Hyperventilating now, I tried to inch back from it all, but something stopped me. Someone.

“Little Void,” Altair hummed into my ear, his bloody hand reaching around me to cup my jaw and force my face to tilt up. His chest pressed into my back, the other hand holding a snake, hissing coming from its thrashing form. “Time to go now.”

I screamed as both the snake and Altair sunk their teeth into my throat, my body collapsing to the ground.

Hands encircled me, far gentler than the last, but still I resisted.

“Trainee Tershetta, it’s okay. I’m here to help,” came a soothing voice. My eyes shot open, reality finding me once more. A hand clasped around my mouth, the blazing magic stealing my consciousness.