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

Chapter Seventeen

I gulped and looked back for Liam and Jacob, finding them still engaged in their conversation with Dane, Shanaya and Bella. If this guy was who I thought he was, trouble was going to be served.

"Ok, fine you have ten minutes," I said looking at him. He smiled.

"Your time is greatly appreciated," he purred.

He led me off the dancefloor to the back and up a flight of stairs that Liam and Jacob must've added.

We came to a small hallway and he led me to a pair of big double doors and opened them to reveal a balcony. I went forward with him following me behind.

"So, what do you need?" I asked, resting my hands on the balcony's rail ledge.

"Well, are you happy with the life, the moment you are living right now?" he asked. I scoffed.

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I'm happy. Liam is the only man I'd ever want to be with," I answered. He gave a small nod.

"What about his brother Jacob?" he asked taking a small step toward me.

"Jacob is a nice guy and I like him as much as I do Liam, but it's not the same," I said.

"Yes, but something tells me that you prefer Jacob over Liam. I mean, you're a vampire so everything for you is heightened. So, maybe your feelings for Liam have changed," he said gazing down at me. I didn't like what he was up to so I changed the subject.

"You never told me your name," I said.

"Erek Drakin," he answered. I raised a perfect eyebrow at him quizzically.

"That's...some name," I said finding it weird.

"Yeah, Erek is a combination of my parent's names, Rick was my father's name and Erica was my mother's," he answered.

I was thinking over the name. Erek was very similar to Erebus's name...and then I realized if I switched around Drakin, it became, in the dark. Erek in the dark. The answer hit me like a ton of bricks. Erebus.

I brought my head up, eyes flaring and fangs protruding from my mouth.

"I thought you said we were done!" I growled. He chuckled.

"Oh, I knew that, and I knew how easy I could trick you. You see, you have strong powers that can do so many things, but thus you aren't an experienced vampire yet. So you think that if you use your powers on someone it's like a switch. Poof! They're fixed, but no! Your little act wasn't enough. So we're starting over. You're coming with me, or you're going to have another war on your hands downstairs," he hissed. I narrowed my eyes.

"You and what army?" I asked stiffly.

"Oh, let's just say I rounded up a few buddies while you were enjoying your freedom," Erebus said. Then at that moment, dozens of shadows formed around us, morphing into men, their eyes glowing orange and fangs at the ready.

"You can't do this! It's my wedding day and I will not have it ruined by you!" I snarled before rushing from him and racing back downstairs to find Liam. I finally got back downstairs, without Erebus following me. As I began heading toward the bathroom to cry out my sorrows when Liam approached me.

"Where the hell did you go?" he growled.

"I needed to use the bathroom and get some air," I answered.

"You were gone for a whole fifteen minutes. Jacob and I couldn't find you anywhere," he said.

"I know, I'm sorry, but you and Jacob were visiting, so I didn't want to be rude and interrupt," I said. Liam stroked my cheek softly and I sighed.

"I was worried, we all were," he said gently. I nodded and managed a fake smile. I looked past Liam and saw one of Erebus's men stalking around and my eyes widened.

"Liam, you, me and Jacob need to go, like now," I said, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

"Why, what's wrong?" he asked, starting to turn around when I stopped him from doing so.

"Ok, I lied. Erebus is here. He took me upstairs and he has more demons made. He isn't going to leave me alone until he makes me his," I said in a rush. Liam swore, his eyes flashing red.

"Come with me, we gotta find Jacob," Liam said through clenched teeth as he took my hand and we pushed through the crowd of people to go find Jacob.

We found him flirting with a pretty girl at the bar with a drink in his hand.

"Jacob!" Liam called out and Jacob turned toward us. "We need to go. Erebus is here," Liam said looking around to spot signs of a threat.

"He's back?! How?! I thought he said he'd leave Anna alone," Jacob asked angered and surprised.

"Well, we were wrong. He still wants me," I said.

"Jacob, take Anna back to your car and get her out of here. I'm going to let Dane know what's going on," Liam said handing me over to Jacob.

"No Liam! Don't do this! Erebus has more power now, and he'll destroy you!" I wailed.

"Anna, I will get rid of him. I can't see him lay a hand on you. Besides, if he's stronger we'll need everyone here. Jacob get her out of here, now go!" Liam urged as he turned and went to find people to help destroy Erebus and his army.

Jacob took my hand and hurried us to the exit, guests stared at us as we pushed past them. We reached the door to the lobby and went through. I almost let out a scream as five of the demons came from either side, blocking our chance of escape. The demons smiled eerily as they approached us. The one in front was the first to speak.

"Oh, look at this, it's the runaways," he sneered. Jacob left my side to fight them. The leader and two others sidestepped him while the other two grabbed him. The leader and two others rushed forward toward me and caught me off guard. My hands were held behind me painfully in a death grip. "Ha! That was easy boys," the leader said jerking my arms up between my shoulder blades, making me cry out in pain.

"Let her go!" Jacob roared, trying his best to fight off the two demons that held him.

"Oh? And what if I don't?" he asked mockingly. Jacob said nothing as they led us back through the doors. What I saw was complete chaos. Vampires and werewolves were fighting demons left and right. I looked to Erebus's men who were distracted. I brought my magic to my hands. I shot it out where it hit the demon holding me and sent him flying into the wall. Before the others had a chance to grab me, I flitted from the place until I could no longer feel Jacob's or Liam's connection.

When I returned home, I heard a soft knock at the front door and watched as a small white envelope was slid beneath the door to me. I went to retrieve it and opened it with shaking hands. It was from Erebus.

"Dear Anna,

I found that you planned to escape from my hands with your lovers, and you got away, again. I am holding your friends captive until you decide to become mine truly. I would make up your mind soon love because your lovers are running out of time. See you soon"-Erebus

Anger and fear pulsed through me as I quickly tore the letter to shreds. Erebus was going to pay for all of this. I was about to make a deal with the devil.