What Happens in the Dark

Chapter 32

Monroe dropped me off and I kissed him goodbye before walking inside. My aunt was already asleep but Raymond was sitting at the dining table as if he was waiting on me. It is 12:09 AM.

"You're still up." I smiled faintly walking in.

"I was worried about you, I wanted to make sure you were okay." He said running a hand through his curly hair.

"I am okay, just overwhelmed." I sighed.

"Well, what did they tell you?" He asked.

"Im going to need a cig before we have this conversation." I said looking down at my hands. I was thankful that Esther was able to clear everything up, however a part of me wished I never went.

"Let's go then." He said getting up from the table. We walked back out of the garage and sat in the rocking chairs on the front porch.

I grabbed my cigarettes and lit one up handing Raymond my lighter next knowing he was going to ask for it. He lit one up as well, as I looked out at the night sky, illuminated with stars and a few clouds.

"You are making me anxious," he laughed. I smiled at his eagerness.

"Basically, I am the one who is supposed to mend the relationship of wolves and vampires." I let out a sigh and looked at Raymond who was looking back at me stunned.

"I know." I said, "And your sister is going to be a big help; somehow, That's why my pendant changed color around her."

"Mya?" he asked confused, "Why her? She hates vampires." I guess Mya hasn't told him about her pregnancy, and I knew if I had any chance of building a relationship with her, I couldn't either.

"I don't know, but I need to talk with her soon." I said.

"Oh Seven." He sighed putting his head in his hands.

"Trust me, she's more involved than you think. She will help me. Berenice, Monroes Egyptian grandmother who was a great leader said so."

"I know of Berenice. She spoke to you?" He asked. I looked back out into the night sky.

"She has been leading me and Monroe together. She is the one who set this purpose for me along with my ancestors." I answered.

"Wow. So this is legit." Raymond sighed.

"I wish it weren't but it is, and I need you to be honest with me. Who set you up to make Monroe think you knew his mother would be kidnapped. The record was cleared by the witches, but you and Monroe will never resolve this until you're honest with him." I said sternly. His face was serious and then his eyes softened.

"I've tried to tell him so many times, I never knew his mom would be kidnapped. I knew Leonardo wanted to bring harm onto their clan due to Monroe's grandmother who mended the relationship between the witches and vampires, he wants to be an Elite but has no authority to the throne like Monroe's dad does. I didn't say anything at first because I was afraid. Leonardo and my brother, were great friends, I didn't know he was capable of such a thing. You can't just insinuate that kind of information without solid proof, which I didn't have. Wolves and Vampires were at war, It was so ugly and my family kept begging me to end my friendship with Monore, but I didn't listen, only for him to accuse me of withholding such unspeakable information from him." Raymond looked like he was close to tears. I felt his pain and could hear it in his voice.

"You and Monroe need to talk this out Raymond. The witches explained to him you were set up to divide a deeper wedge between your families."

"It's no use Seven. Monroe wants nothing to do with me or wolves in general. Our families can't even be civil. The only time he has ever tolerated me in the same room, was when he started seeing you." He said hopelessly.

"Raymond. Do not tell him I said this, but he was in tears earlier talking about your friendship. He has so much pride and has been through so much pain-"

"What about my pain?" He said fighting back the tears, "His dad killed my brother with no remorse. Monroe acts like it never happened." I shook my head in disbelief at the pain they've both carried.

"Raymond I didn't know, im so sorry" I muttered trying to find better words, I am horrible at comforting people. I was always left to cry and sort things out on my own.

"I know you didn't know. This war has gone on too long and you are our only hope. If that means getting my sister involved then so be it, but I cannot lose anyone else." He said sternly before looking back at the ground. "I remember Monroe's mother. She loved him and she loved their family. The people who killed her were vampires Seven, this was an inside job. It was not the wolves. My family has been penalized and held responsible for things we had no control over. My grandfather is a Head Wolf. He has been around since the witch and vampire truce was made. He knew Berenice when she traveled across this land to talk to numerous witch counsels. I would never want to bring harm to his family Seven."

I placed my hand on his back, "I know. I believe you, and I promise I will do what I can to fix this. I don't know how, but I promise I will fix this. " Raymond didn't say anything as he gathered himself. "I need your help though Raymond. I need you and your sister to hold up your end of the bargain."

he nodded signaling he understood.

"I have school tomorrow so I am going to head to bed. When I get home, I really want to see Mya." I said. He shook his head and I walked back inside. I went up to my bedroom and laid flat on my bed, still in the clothes I was wearing.

"Berenice if you can hear me, please guide me. I'm not you, and im so lost." I sighed waiting for her to actually respond before reminding myself I can't communicate with the dead.