Dark Angel: The Light Within the Dark

Chapter 16

Ash eventually left me so I could take a shower. I scrub the remaining dry blood off my skin and out of my hair. It helps me feel a little better. Right now, I don't want to think. I put on spandex shorts and a sports bra. The best distraction for me has always been training.

The throbbing in my head worsens causing me to wince. What the hell is going on?

A soft knock on my door disrupts me. I open it to reveal Zach. He looks like he wants to say something but doesn't. His eyes look so sad. I wonder why.

"Spar with me." He nods in agreement and follows me down to the basement. The lights automatically turn on when we enter. Gym equipment fills the entire space as well as a bathroom with a shower and sauna area in the back corner. The walls are a grey concrete bare of decorations and windows. I lead us to the matted area and we begin. No weapons just hand to hand combat.

After the third time of knocking Zach down, he finally talks. "Do you want to tell me what happened?" I jab with my right hand but he dodges.

"I fought off a group of rogues. Nothing eventful."

"Don't lie to me. We all know that something happened."

"Fine, something happened and I'm not telling you. I came down here to forget about it so stop making me remember it."

"It's not good to bottle things up." He advises.

"What are you? My counselor?"

"No, I'm a friend."

"No, you're a soldier who is here to protect the prince and follow my orders. Nothing more. Now shut up and fight." I swipe his leg and connect making him fall to the floor. He recovers fast and gets back on his feet.

"I'm more than that. We are connected now. Don't you feel it? I've felt it since the night I was marked. That's why I was so worried about you. I could feel your pain. That something was wrong." He's standing in front of me panting softly and has his guard dropped. I do feel it. Now that I'm by his side but it's the slightest nudge trying to get inside my head. With this headache, it's hard to feel much of anything.

"No, I don't."

"You will. Once you start feeling better." He moves the damp hair stuck to my forehead off my face and keeps his hand on the side of my head. The other he rests gently on the bare skin of my side. "It's your head." He says and gently places his forehead on mine. Slowly the pain subsides.

"How'd you do that?" I ask whispering softly.

"That night we were bonded. I was told that I was to protect you at all costs and to help you through this journey. I'm not sure how I was able to do this. Or how I could use the angel fire that night. This is all new to me as it is to you but we'll figure it out together."

"If you stay with me you die," I tell him as I remember my vision.

"I would gladly die for you. Without you, we all die." I open my eyes surprised at what he says and I meet his hypnotizing green eyes.

"What?"

"Am I interrupting something?" Constantine asks from the doorway of the gym. He's leaning against the doorframe glaring at the both of us.

"Yes," I tell him keeping my voice emotionless. Zach takes his hands off me and takes a step back. What perfect fucking timing he has. What did Zach mean? Without me we all die, he said but who told him that. First, I'm hearing I'm going to lead the world to darkness and now I'm it's only hope. Both I hear from people I don't even know. How do I know what they're saying is true? Someone is lying but who?