The Ties of Darkness (Book Two of the Hidden Secrets Trilogy)

Chapter Four

We all got in the car. I didn't say anything the way home since I was upset about this whole situation.

I gazed out my window watching everything outside pass by with a blur. I felt Liam slip his hand into mine and I turned to face him. He gave me a slight nod and kissed me on the cheek gingerly.

When we got back home, we all exited the car and headed inside not saying a word. I departed to my room, shutting the door behind me. I turned around and found Erebus sitting casually on my bed with a smug look on his face. My eyes widened in fear.

"It's not real, it's not real," I told myself. He advanced toward me causing me to stiffen. "He can't touch you, it's just a hallucination," I told myself again to keep me from freaking out. Erebus cupped my cheek in his hand, it was solid.

"Soon" he whispered leaning close to my face. I let out a scream and fell back against the wall. Liam and Jacob stormed into my room both huffing like angry bulls.

"What is it?" Jacob asked gazing around the room as Liam took me from the wall and held me against him.

"I...it was...oh god, he's coming back," I whimpered. Jacob growled in rage and his face constricted into his monster.

"What does he want from you?" Jacob asked in anger.

"I...I don't know, I just know he's coming back for me," I said quietly, resting my cheek against Liam's broad chest.

"He can't hurt you as long as you're with us," Jacob assured me. I nodded and wiped away my wet cheeks.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," Liam said leading me over to the bed. He laid me down, but I stopped him before he could leave.

"Can you stay with me just in case he finds me?" I asked.

"Yes love," Liam answered and laid down beside me. I cuddled up against him as his arm encircled me.

"Thank you," I murmured sleepily as Liam brought his head down and planted a soft kiss on my lips. I let my eyes drift close and I fell asleep. Liam awoke me the next morning.

"How'd you sleep last night?" he asked me brushing some hair out of my face.

"Ok, no nightmares and no Darkling," I said with a smile.

"Good," he answered taking my hand and leading me downstairs. Jacob was asleep on the couch and I motioned for Liam to be quiet.

I crept forward silent as a mouse ready to scare Jacob, although just as I started to Jacob pounced on me taking me down.

"Hey!" I said before bursting into giggles. He joined in and helped me up.

"Sorry about that," he said looking over at a very disgruntled Liam who was shooting him a nasty glare.

"What? I was just laying around brother," Jacob said nonchalantly.

"Now isn't the time to be messing around, unless you want her to get taken again by that savage," Liam growled.

"He is right Jacob, I don't want to be in Erebus's hands again so he can manipulate me," I said with a slight shiver.

"Fine...I'm not going to stand this any longer. He'll have to go through us to get to you," Jacob said angrily.

"Promise me that you guys won't let him take me this time," I said looking at them both.

"We promise," they said in unison.

"I just don't want-" I stopped to take a breath. " You guys or me to get hurt," I said.

"It'll be ok, I mean he didn't hurt us the first time, so what harm could he do the second time?" Jacob asked.