When Darkness Falls

Chapter 41: Shadows in the night

Darius held me tightly to him, the sweet smell of his cologne wafting into my nose, and I inhaled deeply, his scent providing me with the comfort I needed.

He stared at me with hooded eyes as we glided across the dance floor, moving with poise to the gentle music. My dress billowed around my feet when Darius spun me around, and I couldn't help but smile.

I turned my gaze to the crowd, no longer able to ignore the stare of a thousand eyes, and as I looked upon them, my chest tightened with worry. Darius gripped my chin and turned my attention back to his. "Focus on me, not them." He told me, and I did just that, staring into his eyes endlessly.

As we continued dancing, the lights twinkled around us, and Darius picked up his pace. My smile grew, and I couldn't contain the happiness I felt when I was with him. Then, a roar of laughter burst forth, and for the briefest of moments, I wished this night would never end.

A devious smirk placated his lips, and Darius gripped my waist tightly, the tips of his fingers digging into my hips. Finally, he spun me around, the train of my dress wrapping around my legs before coming undone around my feet. Darius then leaned me backwards, my head nearly touching the ground and kissed me with such desire that my heart nearly stopped beating.

He stood me back up, and my cheeks burned from the smile only Darius could produce. The music stopped, and our dance had come to an end. He bowed before me and kissed my hand, causing me to snicker. Darius raised a curious brow, then shook his head incredulously, and I shrugged my shoulders.

Darius took my hand and led me off the floor. We walked into the crowd of people gathered around us, and they cheered for Darius, patting him on the back as we continued past them. However, when their eyes met mine, a venomous scowl crossed everyone's features, and my throat dipped in fear.

We casually made our way through the crowd, Darius greeting his guests and welcoming them. He introduced me to a few people, but each one was less than friendly, glowering at me with nothing but hatred in their eyes.

I understood their hostility and knew deep down that their kind would be treated the same by humans, but it didn't change the fact that I felt utterly out of place. Darius assured me everything was fine and they would come around as he did, but I found that hard to believe.

I asked Darius to use the washroom, needing a break away from everything and everyone. I walked into the bathroom, closed the door behind me, and leaned my head against the door. I finally had a moment to breathe, and my chest ached with anxiety.

I approached the sink and splashed some water on my face, cooling my heated skin. I slowed my breathing, and the tremble in my hands began to ease. The beat of my heart no longer thumped in my ears, and the dread that consumed my every muscle was no more.

I took a few more minutes to relax in the bathroom, in no rush to get back to the party. Finally, I sucked in a deep breath and walked back into the ballroom hesitantly. I looked around for Darius and saw him sitting at one of the tables. I lifted the skirt of my dress and stepped towards him but abruptly stopped when I saw an older woman approaching Darius.

He stood from his chair and greeted the woman with a smile. She was about the same height as him and held a long black cane in her hands for support. Flowing silver curls cascaded down her back, complimenting the black ballgown she wore. The woman's soft brown eyes and rosy cheeks gave her a gentle demeanour, but her aura gave off a different feeling.

I stood out of sight and watched the encounter with interest. The woman stepped closer to Darius, a cheeky smile on her face. "Darius, my darling." She said in a sweet tone and leaned in, the pair of them kissing each other's cheeks.

The woman reared back and looked into his eyes frivolously. "I thought you were smarter than that." She told him and his brows furrowed.

Bewilderment crossed his face, and he tilted his head, staring into her eyes. "What are you talking about, nana?" He asked her, and I wondered the same.

She narrowed her eyes. "For bringing that delicate treat into the pit of vipers." The woman said, nodding her head in the direction of the washrooms.

Darius straightened his shoulders, his gaze hardening. "She is not a treat, and no one will touch her." He told her firmly, and she chuckled.

The woman snorted with disbelief. "I know that, you fool, but they don't." She said, glancing around the room at all the other vampires. "Anyone with half a brain could tell that you are in love with her just from the way you look at the girl, but Darius, my sweet boy, bringing her here was not a wise decision, and neither is having her stay inside this house." She told him with regret, and his upper lip twitched with anger.

Darius stepped closer to his grandmother. "I will protect her at all costs," Darius said through gritted teeth, and she shook her head at him.

The woman smiled at Darius with admiration. "You truly are a fool if you think she needs you to protect her." So she told him, and he was clearly taken aback by her curious words.

His grandmother smiled, a mysterious look crossing her features. "There is something about that girl that's familiar, and I can tell you this much, she isn't human. The woman you love, Darius, is far more powerful than all those who stand in this room. Mark my words Darius, she will either be your triumph or your demise." The woman told him with certainty in her voice before leaning forward to kiss his cheek goodbye.

She patted him on the shoulder, a cheeky smile broadening her face as she walked away from Darius, leaving him to stand there looking like the fool she perceived him to be.

I looked at the ground, chewing the tip of my finger as his grandmother's words repeated in my head over and over again. I couldn't understand why she said that or what would make her think I was not human. I don't have powers, and I'm not like Darius or any other supernatural creature, so what did she mean by that?

I needed some air, and I slipped out of the ballroom, making my way toward the exit. I walked outside into the warm night air, and the fog rested heavily atop the trees, engulfing their green essence within its misty path.

I sucked in a deep breath, taking in the different scents of nature and letting it fills my lungs. I took my shoes off and tossed them aside before stepping into the yard. My feet sunk into the lush grass, and I wiggled my toes around, enjoying the feeling. I looked up at the sky, my eyes grazing over the thousands of glittering stars, and I felt peace for a brief moment.

I walked through the yard, listening to the sound of the night critters and continued staring up at the night sky, looking for different constellations.

Suddenly, I heard the snap of a branch come from behind, and I whipped around, startled by the unexpected sound. My eyes roamed around the yard, and standing in the dark was the figure of another person.

They stepped closer, and I raised a hand. "Stop! Who are you?" I said aloud, but my pleas were ignored and they continued advancing toward me.

The mysterious person was cloaked in darkness, and their face was masked in shadowy plains, making it difficult for me to make out who it was. I stepped back, feeling uneasy by their presence.

"Hello, Ramona." A male voice said sweetly, and the way he said my name rang familiar in my head.

Without warning, the figure was abruptly standing in front of me, and before I had the chance to say or do anything, everything went black, the darkness consuming me as a whole.