The Brighter Dark (Kylo Ren X Reader)

Ch. 18- Paint It Black (Part 3)

TW- This chapter contains scenes that depict domestic abuse situations.

AN- I apologize for how long it took for me to get this chapter out! I have several other projects I am working on, so unfortunately TBD has been taking a backseat. I fully intend to finish the story, but the gaps between updates will be significant a lot of the time. Thank you to all of you who have stuck with this story since the beginning, and to those of you who discovered my little tale recently- welcome to the Knights of Ren ❤️

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It's a funny feeling, being completely in control of your body but not your mind.

The Dark Side was not you, and yet it felt like a part of you. Like it was simply an extension of what you wanted to do, but unlike your conscious mind it had the courage and resolve to do exactly what you would spend too much time debating.

This very moment was a perfect example.

As you followed the councilwoman down the corridor, you were conscious of what you were about to do. Even so, you felt like a spectator behind your own eyes, watching imprisoned within a vengeful cage inside your head.

Shadow bathed the walls, golden light slowly fading as the two of you drew further and further from the ballroom. Soft rosy hues from ruby-encased sconces on the walls lit the corridor, turning everything and everyone in it a foreboding shade of red.

You narrowed your eyes and reached out with the Force, chest buzzing when you made contact with the signature of Mara Lora. You felt her heart beating- faster with each passing second- and a sense of fear. You sensed guilt and anger, embarrassment acting as a growing rain cloud that stretched across each emotion that fed your power.

From your place at the end of the hallway, you could see the councilwoman grow still, ears perking like prey catching a predator's scent. She turned, eyes searching frantically around the hallway.

"I know somebody is there..." She said, voice unsuccessfully trying to mask her own fear. "Show yourself!"

You stepped out from around the corner you had been hiding behind. Your expression betrayed no emotion, save for malice and disgust aimed at the councilwoman. Her eyes searched you for something she found familiar, but showed no recognition. There was only fear in her gaze, and you breathed it in like a drug.

When you said nothing, the councilwoman seemed to grow even more unnerved. "Don't come any closer!" You remained silent and still, the hatred on your face beginning to grow roots.

Mara Lora's fear became even more palpable, rolling off of her in waves of dark energy that coursed through your veins. Her eyes were wide as saucers, teeth clenching the way that a cornered animal might bare its fangs in defense. Reaching her bony hand into a hidden pocket of her dress, you watched as the councilwoman retrieved a tiny blaster and pointed it at you, hands shaking like wind-blown leaves.

You laughed- more like huffed- and with the slightest wave of your hand, the Force energy that had been building in you shot out in a blast so strong it not only knocked the blaster out of her hand but threw her backward into the wall as well.

Looking down at the pitiful woman on the floor, you slowly began walking forward and raised your hand into the air. Fingers splayed out, you called upon the Force within your body and mind. Then, in a voice calm and cold as freezing rain, you spoke.

"Show me what you did to the boy."

Confusion twisted her features for a moment, but was replaced just as quickly with anguish as you clawed your way into her mind.