The Darkness

By Tia Ross

Mica had discovered who she really was. After being utterly alone for so long, she'd found Skylar and Argenta, two of the best friends anyone could ask for. Mica was strong, but not even she fully knew the true depth of her powers. All she knew was that a prophecy claimed that she, Skylar and Argenta were destined to save the world. Prophecy or not, everything she knew and loved was now being threatened. Skylar was gone! Someone had taken her right from under them. Mica was devastated. Her world was shattering. If it was the last thing she did - she would find Skylar and fulfill their destiny. The world depended on it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tia Ross
• Release date: May 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781370964833

Tia Ross

Tia Ross is an avid reader. She loves sci-fy, horror, mystery and adventure novels. Also a movie lover - you might catch her with one of her children, husband or friends checking out the latest movie. Art and culture thrill her. She enjoys traveling when time allows and drawing the things she sees. She loves her readers and wants to thank each and every one of you for giving her book a chance.

Book preview

Preface

Skylar was gone. Someone took her right out from under them and they had been helpless to stop it. One minute they’d all been celebrating and the next minute she was gone. Taken by that person…. thing? Mica didn’t know. The only thing she knew for sure was that Skylar was gone. She sighed. Skylar was still alive though, Mica could feel her. Her fury grew with each breath she took. Mica vowed to do whatever it took to find Skylar. May the Goddess help whoever took her.

Chapter 1. Broken Pieces

Mica was on the floor screaming. Waves of her power were ricocheting throughout the room. Leilani grabbed her head as she fell to the floor. The power ricocheting across the room from the power of Mica’s screaming was killing her. Reya dropped to the floor beside her, throwing up a shield around them both. Tristan stepped in front of them, adding some of his power to Reya’s. Reya was strong, but their daughter was in so much pain, he didn’t know how long Mica’s bombardment would continue or how long Reya’s shield would last. He considered going to Mica, but Greyson had her in his arms, it was up to him now. But Mica wasn’t calming down, if anything; Greyson’s power seemed to amplify Mica’s. If Greyson couldn’t calm her down soon, he would be forced to step in.

Greyson wrapped his arms around Mica. She was so strong, her pain was tearing at his soul, ripping it apart. The more she screamed the angrier he became. Not being able to get through to her was killing him. He could feel the waves of power in the room. Looking around he noticed Leilani on the ground, curled up like a baby, holding her head, Mica was killing her. He had to stop her before she did anything she would regret. He knew if Mica hurt Leilani it would be the last straw – it would break her.

Enough! Chantelle boomed. Stop her now Greyson, or I will! Everyone in the room turned towards Chantelle. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Tristan watched his son’s face turn from panic and concern to sheer rage. Greyson stood up, pulling Mica with him. He moved forward, positioning her behind him, protectively. After he was sure that Mica was safely behind him, he leveled his eyes squarely on Chantelle.

Greyson was breathing heavily – gasping for air almost. He didn’t even blink, he just stood in front of Mica with his hands down by his sides, opening and closing them, over and over again. His body started to shake; seeming to make a decision he took a deep breath and stood to his full height. Mica moved from behind him and reached out and clasped his hand in hers. Greyson looked down at her, she nodded at him; they then turned in unison and looked at Chantelle. The rage coming from Greyson was even more staggering than the power that had come from Mica only moments before.

You dare threaten my sister old one? Greyson’s voice boomed through the room, echoing loudly. Old one? Did he just call me old one? Chantelle laughed. Indigo raised an eyebrow. Seemingly amused at the threat to his wife. Uh-oh, wrong move, Tristan thought to himself, he’d seen that expression on his son’s face only once before. It was when someone had hurt his best friend Lucas. Greyson had almost lost control – the others were lucky to survive.

Lucas had been on his way to see Greyson. On the way over, some kids had picked a fight with Lucas. Lucas was small, but he was powerful and quick too. At first, Lucas had been holding his own, but it wasn’t a fair fight, there were five of them and only one of him. While the two boys in front of him were casting spells at him, another boy snuck up behind him and hit him over the head. They’d known they couldn’t win in a fair fight, so they’d done the only thing bullies ever do, they cheated.

Other boys were always challenging Lucas and Greyson, but the fights had always been fair. People always seem to seek out those who have more power then them and challenge them. With boys, it happens ever more, it’s as if they have to prove who the alpha is in the pack. In this equation Greyson was the alpha and Lucas was his beta.

For some reason, seeing Lucas alone made these particular boys feel that it was the perfect time to teach him a lesson. Big mistake. Lucas had known they were tracking him from the beginning. They were clumsy and so obvious in their intentions. Lucas was furious. Greyson had asked him over to tell him something important, so today wasn’t the day for this crap.

Trying to ditch them without seeming too obvious, he took various short cuts and sped up a bit. It didn’t help though. At some point they caught up to him. He’d been turning a corner when a blast from behind hit him seconds before another from the side sent him flying. Lucas had fallen to the ground holding his head. He’d been about to lose consciousness, but he was pissed. He wouldn’t give them the dignity of going down without a fight. He’d placed his hands on the ground and sent out a shockwave. Just before he passed out he’d mentally called out to Greyson for help.

Lucas was never late, so when he hadn’t shown up on time Greyson had gone out looking for him. Lucas and Greyson were inseparable, they’d been best friends for as long as Tristan could remember. It was rare to see one without the other. Greyson had gone out looking for him, but couldn’t find him and had returned home, hoping their paths had crossed somehow.

Greyson had been at the window when his whole demeanor had changed. His body language went from concern to outrage and then fear. Tristan remembered walking over to him. Greyson had turned to him and slowly said, something’s happened to Lucas, he’s in trouble, I’ve got to go. Tristan had nodded and stepped out of the way.

When Greyson found Lucas he was on the ground trying to ward off the attacks as best he could. The kids had been literally kicking and hitting him while he was curled up in a ball on the ground. Greyson moved faster than lightening, they never even saw him coming. Before they had a chance to utter a single word, Greyson yelled and threw his arms out towards them. They all froze in place. Arm and leg bones snapped, bruises appeared all over their bodies, he’d even severely burnt all of their hands. By the time he was done, they were all laying in unmoving heaps on the ground.

To say Greyson had not taken it well would be an understatement; the boys who’d hurt Lucas had been lucky they survived. He’d dared them to touch his friend again; promising them that he would more than happily finish the job he started. He’d lifted Lucas up and carried him back to the house. They were only eight when it had happened. Tristan hadn’t thought Greyson was capable of such power. No one ever challenged of confronted Lucas or Greyson again after that incident.

The look on Greyson’s’ face right now reminded Tristan of the same look he’d had that day. Now that same anger was aimed at Chantelle, but it was amplified 100x by Mica’s power. By the look on Greyson’s face they might be about to find out if Chantelle truly was immortal.

Chantelle took a step forward. She clearly did not think she was in any danger. Oh damn, Nefari reached out and grabbed her old friend by the arm. Chantelle, stop, you go too far my old friend. Chantelle whipped around to look at her. She was about to let loose on her friend, but the look on Nefari’s face silenced her. Nefari was scared for her. Before she could say anything else, the air around her grew very still. The waves of power had stopped. She turned her head back to where Mica and Greyson stood. There was a purple aura emanating from them.

Mica and Greyson spoke as one. Old one, hear us now, to you alone we make this vow. Stars burn bright until their light subsides, you think you are immortal, but we assure you, you can die. Two become one, in the blink of an eye, threaten us again and we will show you how you die. The color drained from Tristan’s face. He looked to Indigo and then to Nefari. Indigo shook his head in affirmation. Nefari nodded once. Just as Chantelle opened her mouth How dare you she began, but that was all she got out. Tristan appeared in front of Chantelle and held out his hands to Nefari as she stepped in behind her. Together they blinked Chantelle out of the living room. Just to be safe they traveled sideways, into a pocket parallel universe. One no one knew about but them.

Releasing her they both took a step back and away from her. Wait, wait, wait, before you say a word stop and listen to what we have to say. Nefari said. Listen to what you have to say?! Are you out of your mind? Those two little insolent brats just threatened my life and you want me to listen to what you have to say?! Are you insane?! Chantelle boomed. That’s exactly what we want. Tristan said calmly. If you were paying attention then you would have realized what was happening. Tristan stated even more matter of factly. Did you not recognize what they were saying? Nefari asked. Did they not just threaten my life? Yeah, I think I caught that part. Chantelle replied. No, no, no. It’s not that they threatened your life, but that they have figured out that you can die and how. Nefari answered.

Shock and realization finally set in. Chantelle tilted her head to the right. She looked from Tristan to Nefari. But how? I can’t really die. Not in the same way that you two can. I didn’t even know that you could die, but when I looked at Nefari, I knew it to be true. Tristan looked down dejected. I thought you were immortal. He continued.

Walking over and cupping his face in her right hand, Chantelle said, I am little one, but it is also true that I can die. Like a star, my light shines for 1000’s of years, then it burns out and I die. After a while, I am reborn and the cycle begins again. But how in the world did they figure that out? Tristan lifted his head, looking her in the eyes he said, they are strong alone, but together their strength is immeasurable.

Yes and now it appears as if their bond has solidified. Not only are they able to draw on each others power, but they can pull from the other two girls as well. Nefari sighed. How else would they know? Unless they pulled it from Argenta’s mind through their bond? Well, this changes everything. We might just be able to stop the coming darkness. But first we have to get Skylar back. Come on you two. Let’s go. Chantelle grabbed their hands. Time to go home! Before either of them could protest, she had blinked them away.

Chapter 2. The Twins

As soon as Chantelle was gone, the twins relaxed. The energy in the room lightened. You are quite strong younglings. Good, you are going to need every ounce of that strength. The darkness that is coming will have no mercy. It will be cunning and ruthless. It will not care of your love or your friendships. But you are still untrained. You MUST learn to work together. This demonstration of your power – here today – it was wondrous. However, it wasn’t intentional was it? Indigo shook his head, no waiting for a response, he continued. No. Greyson reacted to the threat to you Mica. Mica’s power reacted to her brothers. The twin bond they share solidified and their reaction was pure ole instinct. Yes, it worked this time because it was Chantelle. She would never hurt you. You are as Argenta to her, she sees you as her grandchildren. The power that is coming will show you no such mercy. He turned to the left. They are returning, do try to contain yourselves. Unlike my wife, I will not hesitate to knock you around a bit if your threaten her again. Indigo smiled and stepped back.

Mica and Greyson looked at him in unison. Reya and Leilani looked at him as if he had two heads. Reya helped Leilani stand up. Are you ok Lei? Reya’s voice was laced with concern. Leilani tried to smile. Her head was killing her. The hammer that had been beating her to death had finally stopped. Unsure of what to really say, Leilani nodded her head. Reya hugged her. Leilani buried her face in Reya’s shoulder and cried.

The sound of Leilani crying drew Mica’s attention. The moment she saw Leilani crying her anger disappeared. She let go of Greyson and ran to her. Oh my God, Auntie Leilani, are you ok? I’m so sorry, did I do this? Is this my fault? I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know I was hurting you. Mica was distraught. She felt awful. First she lost Skylar, than she hurt Leilani, she didn’t know how much more she could take.

Argenta walked over to her and hugged her from behind. We’ll find her Mica. She’s still alive and she’s fighting, I can feel it. I know, I can feel her too. I just don’t understand how this could have happened. Mica said. We were all having such a good time. We had finally figured out how to join our power, Greyson was almost synced with us, then this. Why now? Why? Mica lowered her head into her hands. Leilani reached out and touched Mica’s shoulder.

Mica jumped. Lost in her own thoughts. She looked up when Leilani touched her. Smiling, weakly, she placed her hand over Leilani’s. I’m so sorry Auntie, I never meant to hurt you. Leilani smiled. I know Mica, I’m ok. Just one hell of a headache. Mica squeezed Leilani’s hand. Greyson kneeled down beside them. "I’m sorry too Leilani. I was going to tell her she was hurting people she cared about, but then Chantelle interfered.

When she threatened us something in me snapped. I couldn’t allow her to hurt my sister. Especially when I had just found her. Mica and Leilani both smiled. It wasn’t just you. Something in me responded to her threat too. Mica reached out for Greyson’s hand. Look at us, the dynamic duo. I prefer the wonder twins, myself. Reya chimed in. Laughing, Mica said of course you would. The wonder twins it is then."

Leilani looked at Reya. The wonder twins, really? They shared a laugh. Greyson looked from Leilani and Reya to Mica, Why do I feel like I’m missing something? Mica laughed. Because you are. So, listen, the wonder twins were a male and female set of twins that had super powers. They were part of a group called the Justice League. They had the ability to transform into any different creatures they wanted. They usually transformed into some sort of creature to fight a villain or some sort of evil creature. Oh ok. Greyson made an umm- hmm sort of face as he nodded. Oh and they always said Wonder Twins Activate before they transformed. Mica chimed in laughing.

Changing the subject, Argenta turned to Greyson and asked ….."So how exactly did you do that? There was so much power in the room. And I’m sorry, but did