Duke of Darkness (Empire Of Storms #1)

Chapter 1

The strong, heavy scent of herbs infiltrated Alison's nose as it did every day. As if never letting out a single breath, Alison huffed a long exaggerated sigh as she placed a carton of exotic dust on top of a shelf. She wasn't exactly sure why people would need dust exported from Spain, maybe Spanish dust was more...romantic? She shrugged it off and stepped down the ladder. Alison had been working part-time in Madame T's herbal remedies shop for about a month now. It was a seasonal gig, perfect for keeping her busy through out the two month vacation of her junior year. How else was a sixteen year old going to keep busy? Well besides the parties and regular get together with friends. Sure Alison had friends, but they weren't exactly friends, just people she hung out with at school. Come her senior year of high school, she'll probably never see them again and she was fine with that.

The sudden chime of multiple bells grabbed her attention. With her long black hair tied back in a bun, Alison dusted her hands and put on her most welcoming smile "Welcome to Madame T's, how may I help you?"

Three figures walked, no strutted in. All three of them were armed in black from head to toe. A tall handsome delinquent stood in the middle, strutting his way up to the counter like he owned the place, followed by a girl with fire in her eyes and a dark man with a clean shaven head. Well mostly clean. Alison couldn't help but swallow the thought that someone was going to try and steal something. They did look the part with their matching tattoos and heavy boots. Another thought she had to swallow was the fact that they could have been mobsters. "Why hello there gorgeous, I believe you just made my day." The delinquent leaned over the counter, eyeing her with those sharp eyes of his.

He gave off such a dangerous air, an aura if you will. Alison took a faint step back wards, but kept up her smile. "Can I help you sir?"

"Yes I'm looking for the psychic Madame T, she is a psychic right?"

"Ah yes, but I'm afraid she's not here today..." Alison eyed the clock, her only life line. Ten more minutes till closing. Ten long, nerve-wracking minutes. "Did you...need something?"

"Nah just a reading really and your number would be great." He winked at Alison with a deadly smirk.

The fire eyed girl grunted. Her annoyance was clear as she kept twirling her hair around her gloved fingers. "Stop flirting and ask when she'll be back already" She demanded before turning her back at them, browsing threw the shelves of jard fruits or vegetables or whatever the hell was inside those things.

Alison was annoyed now. She really didn't need the sass especially when she was standing right there. "Madame T will be in shop tomorrow. Come back then."

Almost immediately did all three of them look at Alison. They were insyc like a true squad or extremely choreographed dance team. The dark skinned boy looked at them with the most baffled expression "You can see us?"

"Yeah..."

"Like REALLY see US" he repeated, gesturing to his chest.

"What kind of drugs are you on?" Alison squawked a laugh. She could see many things, a "gift" was what Madame T called it. She could see what most couldn't; auras, futures, pasts, even weird looking things you'd see in a Lord of the Rings movie. People were something everyone could see, though she prefered not too right now.

They were bickering, yelling in whispers. Alison was too done to try and translate what they were saying. She glanced at the clock, barely three minutes flew by. Alison cleared her throat three times before they looked at her. She smiled again "I'm sorry but we're closed now. Please do come again. Perhaps tomorrow or a weak or two from now?"