The Darkest One

The Darkest One Prologue

I had never imagined that I could be a part of this. I knew from the start... what anyone of us could cause. I just... I just never thought it would actually happen. I had lived in denial. If only I hadn't, I would have realized it sooner. I could have stopped it. I could have been more prepared.

If I had I wouldn't be sitting here right now. The damp grass soaked into my clothes and I watched as everything unfolded in front of my eyes. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Damien. He was chatting with a few witches and putting on a great show. Nobody was fooled though; we all knew what he was. What he and I have caused. He was just biding his time until the main event arrived.

"Emilia!" I snapped my head up. The little voice carried across the clearing. I spotted Kole instantly. He was with the others. All bound, tied, and suspended in the air with an unbelievable force of magic, just like I. They couldn't move nor talk. How had this happen? How long had I been out? How had Damien accomplished all of this in the time we last talked and now?

"Emilia!" He yelled out again. Even with the distance between us I saw the pained etched on his face as he struggled against the magic, "Help us!" He panted and his wings quivered before he gave in to the magic. All movement ceased. He was stared at me with what I was sure was hope brightly shining in his eyes.

My gaze left Kole to sweep across the others meeting each of their encouraging yet worried eyes. Savannah, Kendra, Thomas, Jet, Mabel, Felix, and Eli. They were all here. Nearly all of them had their wings, except Kendra.

I searched for Vincent next. If he had my family and Emma already, he must of had the others. It wasn't hard to find him and his dark blue eyes met my own. He was angry and scared. But he was angrier and it was directed at me. As if it was my fault, and I guess a lot of it was. It was surprising that he was the only to stare at me like that. Next to him were Emma and Tyler. Emma had a crazy glint in her eyes. Tyler looked confused and still half asleep. He was leaning against Vincent, who held him up.

I narrowed my eyes and focused solely on Damien, letting every emotion bubble to the surface, the anger, the hatred, the betrayal and then an eerie calm. I thought I had gotten through to him. But I hadn't and I knew that now. He was going to go through with this. My chest heaved as pain replaced the calm. I felt the skin on my back stretching and tearing as my wings tried to show their presence. I let out an inhuman scream and the pain took control and wings erupted from my back.

It hurt more every time I used them. It made sense, I had tried to reject it. Damien had focused on me, hatred burning in his eyes. He stepped away from the witches and towards me, his own wings fluttering behind him. We both knew how this was going to end. I guess, no matter how hard I had tried, it was always going to end like this. When Grimshaw stepped out from behind him I knew.

It was time.