Shadows of Darkness

8. Darken

His hand trembled when he thought of her raspberry-flavored lips, but it wasn't just her kiss that he missed. Something else in her was irresistible, and he desperately needed it—her power, her extraordinary ability. He had tasted it in a glimpse of Hector's memory. Thinking about it, he was high. Although the only way he could absorb her essence was to murder her, it got easier every minute to think that, perhaps, by killing her, he could have all of her inside him, and they would be together forever.

Everett snapped himself out of the madness. The hunger for the huldreke power intensified every waking hour of his life. People wouldn't hurt someone they absolutely loved because love didn't include blood sacrifice. Love couldn't be selfish.

"When the time comes, and you have to lead the ritual." Austin's voice broke the static serenity. "You're going to cry, aren't you? You know your Honorary Gentleman Degree will do us no good."

Everett shunned away from the reminiscence and opened his eyes. The bruises on Austin's face, the early Christmas presents from the real Everett, weren't even faded, but the pig already solicited another trouble. The next gift would be branded on Austin's face by Hector's fist, and Everett hoped a scar would be apparent on either side of that filthy lips.

"Not when you're the one on the altar." Everett crossed his legs and raised his glass for another whiskey. A four-hour flight to Connecticut with Austin was testing how well Everett portrayed the role of the Watts Prince. If Austin weren't dead when they touched the ground, Everett would be very proud of himself.

"All Bill Watts's sons are arrogant nutjobs." Austin sneered and snatched a glass of whiskey away from a flight attendant, causing her to bustle to get another one. "Everett— he was always such a pain in the ass. Thanks for killing him." He gulped down the whole glass. "But it doesn't change anything. Prime Branch boys are the same."

Everett turned and caught Austin's throat. The flight attendant fumbled back with another whiskey, gasped, and froze. Everett scoffed at the fainted scratches on Austin's jaw. He clenched his grip harder around the pig's neck, for he saw from where the marks came. Cyan handled the pig well.

"That's funny because I often heard him said he wanted to bury you alive in horse shit, and that idea has just crossed my mind right now." Everett's hand remained on Austin's neck and the blue electric streaks scorching Austin's skin. The flight attendant trailed back, shuddering. Austin groaned, and Everett hurled him out of the seat. Pete and Matt, the cousins in a divan, laughed. "If you can't keep your mouth shut during this whole flight, I'll throw you in a baggage compartment," Everett added, his fierce eyes causing Austin to struggle for air.

Everett leaned back and took a vial of black liquid from his pant pocket, rolling it in his hand and letting guilt engulf him. The flight attendant returned with the glass of whiskey in her shaky hands. Matt stood up and took it from her before she spilled the whole thing. She retreated quickly, tripping on her heels. Everett had turned Hector into someone people wanted to stay away from—Everett Watts.

"Here you go, Prince!" Matt passed the glass of whiskey to Everett. "And you should take that now." He eyed the vial attentively. "It's the deal."

"That's right," Everett mumbled, clenching his jaws. It was the deal, the contract, the curse... and the evidence that Hector didn't deserve to be shot in the heart. Everett murdered the prince and stole his body. He wished he could tell his brother that he knew the truth now. Everett wished Hector knew how much he loved his beloved oldest brother. He poured the dark potion inside his throat and washed it down with whiskey.

Where the hell are you, David?