Break the Darkness

By LM Preston

Rei was nosy. She’d been told it would always get her in trouble, but it never did. Until she met Megan, who promised her the job of a lifetime. Sure, the high school newspaper wasn’t the ideal job for most, but for Rei, it was a dream. She’d never considered putting her investigative nature to work, but what Megan was asking her to do was way beyond the requirements of a school newspaper. It was part of an underground news for favor service. Her partners, Asher and Eli, annoyed her by never trusting her to do a job alone. Maybe, this one time she should have listened, because being trapped with no one to bail her out may surely be the death of Rei. Not only hers but will spill the secrets about her family she’d been withholding, placing every one of them in grave and serious danger. The VIGILANT SERIES: Insatiable Darkness (Book 0)Caged Fire (Book 1)Unbreakable Darkness (Book 1.5)Scepter Of Fire (Book 2)Break The Darkness (Book 2.5)Rebel of Fire (Book 3)Sword of Darkness (Book 3.5)Blade Of Fire (Book 4)

• Language: English
• Publisher: LM Preston
• Release date: Jun 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781732924772

LM Preston

LM. Preston was born and raised in Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. With a thirst for knowledge she attended college at Bowie State University, and worked in the IT field as a Techie and Educator for over sixteen years. She started writing science fiction under the encouragement of her husband who was a Sci-Fi buff and her four kids. Her first published novel, Explorer X - Alpha was the beginning of her obsessive desire to write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rei knew this would get her into trouble. It didn’t stop her from leaning on the tree, eavesdropping on the couple having an argument at the large tan-colored car in front of the school parking lot. They’d kissed. Then the boy said something to the girl that must’ve made her angry. The girl went from hot to cold in seconds and punched the boy on his shoulder. He didn’t even budge from the blows.

They were in front of the pathway that led to the extra electives and activities fair at the high school. Rei hadn’t wanted to attend, but she had nothing else to do since moving here a month ago.

She couldn’t make out the face of the guy in the driver’s seat of the parked car. His back was to Rei, but the girl was facing her. The girl didn’t notice Rei watching their episode. She only had eyes for the guy. The girl was beautiful, though. Her dark hair and piercing blue eyes captured a person’s attention. It made Rei want to know what the boy looked like even more since beauty attracted beauty. Rei wondered at that since she never seemed to attract guys. They all thought she was still in middle school, even though, she had ample-sized boobs to prove differently. No matter how much makeup she put on to make her look older or how she dressed, she always had to defend her age.

Rei dipped her fingers into her small purse and pinched the lip gloss tube between her fingers. The parking lot was practically empty, except for the arguing couple. Rei was too early for the fair. She’d needed an excuse to leave the house. Unpacking wasn’t any fun, and her older sister was getting on her nerves by refusing to give her a ride to the school. Rei loved her sister, but they had nothing at all in common, much less spoke to each other unless there was something that needed to be said. It didn’t matter; walking was good exercise and gave her the chance to observe the people in this new town. What she saw while walking to the school still made her a bit uncomfortable; it was as though something in this town was a bit off. The place seemed unreal. Most of the people she’d spotted on the way seemed too perfect. The houses were neatly manicured, with the exception of a few that she considered had character. The people were nice looking, in a fake air-brushed way that was much different than her hometown in New York.

The girl in front of Rei screamed. Then she rushed out of the car. You never have time for me! Screw football.

I can’t deal with your drama right now! I’ve got to leave before my father gets home from a double shift and knows I’ve been out all night.

Rei moved closer; they didn’t notice her. She walked on her toes in between two cars. She leaned on one. Rei wiggled her ear. It was a weird habit she’d perfected while tuning in to more than enough secret conversations her siblings had thinking they were keeping something from her parents.

So, you spend the night at my house, and now you’re leaving me to be the only one working the football and cheer booth? You suck!

Rei agreed with the girl. The guy was obviously a man-whore, love and leave type. She pursed her lips and nodded at the girl’s words.

Yeah, well, whatever. I’m out.

Rei’s mouth dropped. The guy didn’t even bother to defend himself—the dog. The car sped off, making the girl stumble back. That was cruel. The girl stomped for several moments before her gaze clashed with Rei.

What are you looking at, runt? Her blue eyes narrowed.

Rei shrugged, no longer feeling sorry for her. Petty move, taking out anger on Rei just because she’d happened to be there for the girl’s walk of shame.

Nothing. Rei smirked.

The girl flipped her off, stomping away calling Rei every vulgar name in the book.

Rei shook her head and smoothed her thick straight hair back into a bun, tied it into a knot and snorted. Typical, the girl wanted to point blame at Rei instead of herself for spending the night with some stupid jerk. Maybe she deserved to be ditched by her boyfriend.

A girl laughed behind her. Rei jumped, and stepped to the side, lifting her eyebrow at the girl. Just great, someone always caught her being nosey. It’s like fate plays a joke on her that she gets caught up in the unfolding stories of the people she observed.

Hi, there, I’m Megan. Her bouncy orange curls, bright green eyes, and perked up nose would have been attractive if it weren’t for the predatory glaze in her eyes. Megan wore high water jeans that were folded at the bottom, white tennis shoes, and a flowing white blouse.

Rei stepped away from her, almost stumbling back when her sandal caught on her big toe. She steadied, not wanting to dislodge any of the jewels from around the ankle of her sandal. The grass was thick under her big toe that was sticking out at a weird angle from her open sandal. Rei lifted her foot to right the shoe. She cleared her throat as she straightened her back, hoping her full height would intimidate Megan.

Megan smirked, unfazed by Rei’s attempt at a cover-up. I have a booth at the fair and I am looking for people with your…uh—unique talents to work for the school newspaper.

No thanks. Rei waved a hand at the girl. I hate writing and reading the newspaper. I’m a picture-says-a-thousand-words kind of girl. She rubbed her hand down the sides of her mini-skirt, then placed one on her hip.

Well, if you don’t want to meet all the football, lacrosse, and track players—interview them, get close to the most gorgeous men at this High School, that’s your lost opportunity. Megan raised an eyebrow.

Rei stood on her tiptoes and bounced a bit. A nervous habit from being the shortest person in her family. Something that she’d never gotten over. Wait What?

I don’t know if you have noticed—since you are new here— Megan leaned down to look Rei in the eye—but our high school has the best male specimens in town. Only the top elite of every sport comes here to go to school—and to play. The school newspaper gets first interview and notice of the starting lineup before even the local paper and news channels do. It was as though she sang each word.

I— Rei folded her arms, hopping more on her toes—do write well. Uh, I don’t like to do it as much as I prefer dancing. But I can make an exception. You know, to meet new people at school and all.

I see. Megan’s smile widened like a cat that had a mouse cornered. Go to all the booths—I like healthy competition—then come to mine at the back of the fair. I won’t have a sign-up, just one yellow balloon. Megan lifted a finger. Oh, and I think we can put your dancing skills to good investigative use. Megan winked.

Rei widened her eyes and gulped. Something about the tone Megan used about her dancing made Rei feel uneasy. However, the possibility of meeting guys—popular ones—made a smile burst onto Rei’s face. She wouldn’t be the ignored runt anymore. Rei watched Megan walk away. She shook her head, trying to get what felt like a fog out of her brain. Did she just agree to sign-up for the school newspaper?

Chapter 2

Rei couldn’t believe how empty the event was; except for a few students at each table, it wasn’t like any of the High School events at her old school. New York was packed with people, and their schools were too. She liked the packed-in feeling at her school; she could disappear when she wanted and people watch. It was a way to pass time, get her imagination rolling and take her into dream-land. Daydream land. Her favorite place. She even had a habit of practicing voices. It all fell into place with her hope to one day be an actress.

The orientation fair was set up nice, even if for only about thirty students. It had over sixty different tables for clubs, events, and even classes to take. Rei’s eyes hopped from one guy to a girl to another. They all were tall, with good skin and no pimpled blemishes like she suffered once a month. She decided she’d go to tables with the best giveaway items. The first table was the Art Club. Not her taste at all, but her brother Dexter would love it—if he wasn’t trying out for the football team.

Hi! You like art?

Rei pursed her lips to the side while glancing at the bowl filled with blow pops. Well, my brother does.

The girl with dimples, brown eyes, and a pixie cut, giggled. I’m Yori. I can tell you really want a lollipop. Help yourself. They are my favorite. Take as many as you want.

Oh. Rei picked up a watermelon pop and then a sour grape. I shouldn’t—but I can’t help myself. She stuffed the two pops into her purse.

Take one for the road; it’s a lot of tables competing for new students to stop by.

Hey, a deep voice sounded behind her.

She was really getting sick of being talked over from behind. Rei skirted out of the way and grabbed another watermelon blow pop. Thanks, uh, Yori.

Wait, take one of the phone charms to put on your cellphone case. I made them myself. Yori gave her the decorative charm that was in the shape of a gold, black, and green key. The art club fund paid me for them to use for the event. It’s good for my business if people take them all.

Wow! This is nice. It’s the perfect color for my phone.

Let me help, said the deep voice laced with a chuckle.

Rei turned slightly to see the guy and had to step back to look up at him. His brown skin and deep-set eyes appeared kind. She couldn’t help but smile back at him.

S-sure. Thanks.

She gave me one of these when I first got here, but I told her I didn’t do charms on phones—not my thing.

Could he just keep talking? His voice was rich and deep, and she could listen to him talk all day long. My brothers wouldn’t put one on their phones, either.

I put mine on my key chain though. He gave Yori a half-smile. The artwork is unique and I want to keep it so when she becomes a famous artist, I’ll get paid, big time.

Yeah, that would be a… Rei didn’t have words. His brown hand bumped her fair skinned one.

He finished putting the chain on her cellphone. Rei grasped it and her hand touched his, causing a zing to travel up her arm.

When did you move here? he asked, grabbing a lollipop from the bowl.

Rei started to walk to the next booth. A month ago. Is it that obvious? she called over her shoulder.

A bit. My name’s Trey. What’s your name? He walked easily next to her, slowly since his legs were longer.

Rei. She fought against staring at him. Instead, she watched the girl she’d seen earlier in the car fight setting up a table that had balloons on it. Her moves were jerky as though she was still angry over the earlier incident. Rei was definitely skipping that table.

Where’d you move from? Trey’s rich voice persuaded her to look up at him.

Rei smiled, then skirted her gaze away. New York.

Ah! I knew it—the accent.

You have an accent too. You talk different than the other people I’ve met here.

We all come from somewhere else, so that might not be a good way to tell. But I’m from Atlanta, Georgia.

Do you like it here? Rei walked up to the baking club’s table. The cookies were decorated like fantasy characters. She picked up a faerie.

Trey grabbed a wizard. He bit into his. It’s okay.

The girl in an apron, with silver hair and blue lipstick, waved at Trey. Hi I’m Tangy! You like to bake?

Rei breathed deeply to stave off the temporary sting of jealousy at the girl’s flirting. Seriously, who names their child Tangy?

I bake, but I like eating more.

Trey put an arm around Rei and gently pulled her with him.

She was uh, nice. Rei tried to be nonchalant. Trey could be playing some prank-on-the-new-girl game. Besides, why would some guy who stood well over six feet want to date a girl who barely came up to his chest? Look, thanks for walking with me, but I think I can do the rest of these tables alone.

Someone called Trey’s name. He turned toward the voice and raised a hand at the guy calling. Tangy was being mean and I didn’t like that she ignored you. I want to get to know you.

Trey! C’mon! Warmups in five. The guy tossed a football.

Trey turned and caught the ball with one hand.

Okay. Rei started to grin; she couldn’t help herself. The first boy to pursue her, and he was so cute.

I put my phone number in your cellphone when I tied the charm on it.

Ah.