Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

DD Chapter 23 - Hell is Empty Tonight

Chapter 23

BLAKE WALKED her to the edge of the fairy lights, toward the forest. Hand-in-hand, Vivienne almost forgot that inside the forest there lurked untold dangers. It was so easy to believe this forest led not to a deadly trial but to the willow trees of River Way. Yes, Blake told her in the past that Black Waters flowed through River Way, but those waters never harmed her. It made one want to believe in the fairy tales about Orienne's grace. If there were any place on earth that was graced by a goddess, it was that place where they first formed their bond.

"You could come back with me to Manna City when the time comes," Blake offered as though he were reading her mind. "There are places that even Maglania can't reach."

"Like River Way."

"Yes." Blake paused. "But you don't have to waste your life away in the wilderness. You could stay in the city with me. I could have Renat protect you. You could still enjoy your freedom, at least some of it."

"Could Renat fight nine Princes?"

"He won't have to if I kill them all."

"Won't Maglania just make more?"

"I could kill her too," Blake mused, as if he were debating what to order for dinner.

"Is there no one you won't kill?" Vivienne joked.

"Not when it comes to you." Blake turned to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He drew her in for a kiss, but this time he placed it on her forehead. "These stories about apocalyptical rainstorms may be true, or they may be fairy tales. Believe them, don't believe them. I don't care. But believe this, there's nothing I won't do for you, Vivienne."

"Hey, are you two trying to sneak off before the party even started?" Ashlar demanded as he approached with Zissa in tow. "Claim your seats before some losers try to sit at our table."

"Nice dress," Zissa offered with a half-hearted wave. Vivienne forced a smile. "Ashlar says I should ask nicely for you to help out in the inner sanctum at the Trials."

Vivienne swallowed hard and nodded. She thought they had forgotten all about that night. Apparently not.

"Sure."

Vivienne glanced at Blake, but he didn't look at all concerned about the inner sanctum.

"Let's sit down," he said and led her back toward the tables. As they walked, he continued to speak quietly, "Think about what I said to you about Manna City. You don't have to decide right away. Even if I'm no longer in Remin, you know how to find me."

Vivienne forced a smile as Samantha, Nicole, and Lana came into view. Their secret conversation was over, but Vivienne had a million new questions swimming in her head.

He was leaving Remin? When?

It was customary for the Grand Master to give a speech at the fall dance, to kick off the beginning of the harvest season. Most of the students looked grateful when the school assembly portion of the dance started. For some reason, the party looked more dead than the demons in Satan's Hollow.

Despite the band happily playing away, most of the students were not in the mood to dance. Zissa was making a show of ignoring Ashlar by trying to make strained conversation with everyone else at the table except him. Lana was busy giving wardrobe commentary about every chubby girl who walked by.

Everyone was nervous. The Grand Master was late. When she finally arrived, she was greeted by nervous silence instead of applause.

"Children of Remin," the Grand Master began at the podium, her harsh, raspy voice cutting through the silence like a knife. She used a wheelchair with a green and black blanket over her lap. She looked far older than a woman in her twenties should. Every movement of her body suggested feebleness. Her hair was thinning, her wrists arthritic, with heavy wrinkles around her hazel eyes. "I know you are expecting a message of hope and encouragement. Unfortunately, that is not the message I am here to deliver tonight."