Dark Destiny: The Savant Chronicles book 2

By Yazarah

Ray never expected being a sociopath would make her the perfect vessel for the one power that can destroy all, including its bearer. However, even after unleashing it upon her mental institution, Soteria did not end their hold on her.

Hiro is closer to finding answers to the mysterious sickness plaguing the Secret World, but the person who can piece it all together inevitably drags him into the past. Every new discovery Hiro makes is a threat to what little humanity he has clung onto.

When friends become enemies and bad blood spills between brothers, can Hiro and Ray battle their own mental demons before the real ones get them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398447066

Yazarah

Yazarah is a British Asian writer and counsellor who could never take ‘you can’t do that’ as a dead end but as a personal challenge. By day, she is an NHS mental health practitioner in schools. By night, she trains in karate (not giving up on her childhood dream to be a ninja). Yazarah’s passion for fantasy and dedication towards mental health is interwoven in her writing.

Book preview

About the Author

Yazarah is a British Asian writer and counsellor who could never take ‘you can’t do that’ as a dead end but as a personal challenge.

By day, she is an NHS mental health practitioner in schools. By night, she trains in karate (not giving up on her childhood dream to be a ninja).

Yazarah’s passion for fantasy and dedication towards mental health is interwoven in her writing.

Dedication

As always, this book is dedicated to my mother, who battles her own demons every day and has rekindled my faith in the darkest of days.

To anyone who has struggled with their own demons, in whatever form and capacity: never give up. You are never alone and will not be forgotten.

After hardship will always come ease.

Copyright Information ©

Yazarah 2022

The right of Yazarah to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398447059 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398447066 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Chapter One

Return of the Dead

Darkness drowned him, suffocating Dark power that threatened to tear him apart with one small flicker. Hiro stared down in shock at the Ash tree branch piercing his abdomen, deadlier than any sword, the poison leeching into his muscles. He would have preferred a real blade. The flood of cold Darkness clashed with the poison, each warring to destroy him first.

He had a moment to think he’d been completely wrong about Luke when the icy fingers of Darkness left him. With nothing to cancel out the fire, burning pain rammed through his body so fiercely, he thought this is what hell must feel like.

A sharp tug told him he was being dragged off the tree. Little explosions ignited inside him and blood spewed out of his mouth. His eyes swollen shut, a searing redness washed over his mind. He knew his system was shutting down. Ash wood was poisonous to vampires and his vampire was the only thing keeping him alive. It was killing his cells, drying up his blood and wearing away his muscles.

He could feel his body degenerating and that was the most frightening part—the knowledge, the awareness. It would have been more merciful if he’d been unconscious and ignorant of his slow, painful deterioration. He hoped it would end soon.

What seemed like an eternity later, he blacked out.

Hiro knew he was conscious again by how much it hurt just to think, but he was by no means lucid. He processed his surroundings in hazy fragments, as if filtered through shattered glass. Hiro felt spirits pull and tug at his very being, if he could peel his eyes open just for a second, he would be able to see them with his spirit sight. Liquid and life illuminated him; warmth spread softly as the spirits somehow stitched him up from the inside.

Would he really survive?

Or was this how it was after death? There was supposed to be no pain in heaven and eternal suffering in hell. But where do the damned go? Where would he end up? He’d been possessed by the vampire beast three years ago but he was still human—what would decide his fate? Would he finally be separated from the parasite? He just hoped when he died, the beast would die too and not jump bodies.

Hiro wasn’t the praying type, but he was scared and that’s all he had, all he could do. He prayed he wouldn’t go to hell. He prayed he would be able to see his mother one last time before he was sentenced.

His desperate prayers were answered. He saw his mother, briefly but that was enough and more than he’d hoped for. A man dying of thirst dreamt of a sip of water, not a river. He felt at peace as soon as he saw her softly smiling face, her long black hair, shinning eyes and high cheekbones, so like his own, that he sometimes couldn’t bear to look at his own reflection.

She sat beside him and scanned his features intently, as if burning the memory of him into her mind. What have you done to yourself, my fierce Tora? she whispered sadly, stroking his hair. ‘Fierce tiger’ was her pet name for him. She laid a hand over his heart and he felt warmth and heaviness where she touched, as if she were alive again.

Or was he just dead and cold?

He had time to whisper, "Gomennasai. I’m sorry, haha," before she faded away and he fell into a blissful sleep.

***

Hiro groaned and squeezed his eyes shut against the wretched sunlight. He felt as though a herd of elephants had stomped on him and then came back with their cousins to beat him with a stick. But at least he was alive.

He opened his eyes slowly, squinting against the weak light of the fading sun. Above him, a crystal chandelier gave off a subdued blue light but it felt as oppressive as a searchlight.

He had no idea where he was or what else was with him. He tried to move but thousands of needles stabbed inside his head. He was in a vulnerable position but he figured he’d still be decorating that tree if he wasn’t any place good. His dulled mind worked sluggishly, he couldn’t remember anything from the moment Luke had turned into his worst enemy—a Pyrocait and Ray had emerged like a phantom out of the Darkness. Her Darkness.

Ray! How had she gotten out of the coma? Raenik must have found a way. But what had she been doing at an A’richeils palace? Where were Ray and Luke now? Where was he?

The thought of them in danger had Hiro shooting right out of bed. It was too sudden, too soon and everything went dark.

***

Why have you come Raenik? The Master A’richeils’ words stung Raenik. A deep ache pulled at his heart.

I’m sorry, I had nowhere else to take her. She needed help and we were running out of time, he pleaded.

The A’richeil’s gaze bore into him, searching his heart and mind. He must have seen something that satisfied him because he replied, "You have caused me a lot of trouble, young one. And a great deal of distress—I thought you were slain but a vampire master? Their kind are the worst of beings and extremely dangerous. Do you understand what you are facing? They carry an automatic death sentence over their heads."

Raenik bowed his head in shame. I’m sorry. When the A’richeil didn’t answer, his heart dropped. He saved my life; in return I serve him. He frantically tried to explain himself. He needs me. I do not wish to imagine what he would be like if I hadn’t helped him out of the blood fever.

He nodded gravely. Yes, I know all about your vampire master’s struggles. You have saved something much more precious than his life; your debt is paid. Is it really necessary to continue serving him?

Yes, Raenik replied instantly. "He needs me," he repeated like a mantra, more forceful than previously.

I respect your decision child but be careful, Raenik. I’ve seen he has a good heart but his judgment is clouded.

We can trust him, Raenik was adamant.

I hope so, sighed the A’richeil, then he straightened with all the air of a king addressing his subject. Fate has brought you to me, Raenik. Hiro needs to know the truth if he is to fight this, he is most vulnerable right now.

Why Hiro? He doesn’t need to be involved in this anymore, it’s too dangerous.

The Master looked down on him, faintly disproving yet he replied, Unfortunately, he got himself involved when he saved Ray.

I still don’t understand why the sick creatures are after the Dark power?

I’m not entirely sure myself, it seems though that rather than want to possess the Dark power, they fear it.

Ray’s power is like no other, Raenik shivered thinking of the terrible cold that had gripped him when he’d glimpsed her heart. Does anyone know yet what’s causing the sickness?

We don’t know how they are doing it, but it can only be the D’jaal. His followers are growing in number and power. They are preparing for his return. The time is growing nearer.

Raenik swallowed fearfully. There’s still time—

Not enough time.

Can we stop it? asked Raenik, face going pale with dread.

The A’richeil shook his head. Until we can figure out how it is spreading, there is no hope of stopping it. Right now, the only thing we can do is minimise the damage caused, he paused, thinking about how much to reveal. It’s more than just this infection spreading, someone is controlling them.

He was afraid to ask, afraid to know. How—how many A’richeils have the sickness?

From my palace, there were eleven—three are now dead. I keep them contained so they cannot be controlled.

Raenik was about to speak but the A’richeil hushed him gently.

Your young master has awakened. You should go tend to him.

Raenik nodded and left. How was he going to explain all this to Hiro?

Chapter Two

Lucid Dreaming

Hiro must have been out of it for a while because when he opened his eyes to the same crystal chandelier blinking back at him, the sunlight was stronger. It must be around Zohar, Hiro observed automatically; living in the world of Jinns he had gotten used to following a lunar calendar and using the position of the sun to track time, so now it was second nature.

He didn’t make the same mistake twice and kept completely still, assessing how much damage was done. His body throbbed and buzzed but it was bearable now. He moved his head to the side slowly—no extra pain and it did exactly what he told it to. So far so good.

Hiro!

Hiro’s heart skipped a beat—so that’s still there. "Bikurishta. You scared me."

He must really be in a bad state if he hadn’t heard, or at least sensed, Raenik. Hiro was lucky it was only him and not an A’richeil.

I was afraid you would never wake up! he said too loudly and his voice rang in Hiro’s ears.

Yeah, same here.

He struggled to sit up. His head spun and his stomach roiled in rebellion. He waited, sitting perfectly still and taking quick shallow breaths until it passed. He couldn’t breathe any deeper even if he wanted to. When the dizziness subsided, Raenik’s concerned delicate face came into focus, his radiant white wings folded up behind him.

Raenik’s hands fluttered, resisting the urge to help him or worse, tell him he needed more rest. But his anxiousness was loud and clear in his expression and tense body and Hiro almost laughed, Raenik was always the easiest being to read.

Hiro looked down at himself, he was still wearing his black jeans but his shirt was torn and soaked with blood and sweat.

I was afraid to move you more than absolutely necessary, Raenik said apologetically, handing him a folded garment wrapped in paper. He opened it to find a fine tunic, cream white framed with gold patterns. He regretted having to put it on, not wanting to ruin it.

The leather jacket? he asked but he wasn’t optimistic.

Completely destroyed, Raenik answered in that misplaced jovial way of his.

Ah, Idris is gonna fry me.

Raenik looked wide-eyed.

Don’t tell me that was his jacket? Ooh, he’s gonna kill you.

I’ll replace it, okay. Just don’t tell him yet.

Raenik patted his shoulder pityingly, as if he had just doomed himself, yet he didn’t hide his pure joy at the mention of the young, powerful Jinn.

Told you, you can trust Idris. He’s so cool, isn’t he? And he gave you his jacket? He’s usually extremely possessive over his things.

Hiro lifted an eyebrow at his childish admiration but Raenik just smiled back affectionately.

Hiro looked around the dark room; the bay windows at the back concealed by thick embroidered curtains, so only a very weak sliver of light peeked through a gap. He winced, just the thought of sunlight burnt his mind, but he could barely see in this dark. His eyesight had always been bad for a vampire but even his human sight had never been this bad.

He licked his bloodless lips and worked up the strength to ask, What’s happening to me?

Raenik’s crystal blue eyes scanned the injuries over his body and there was plenty of it. You were poisoned. It’s going to take time for you to recover.

Hiro shook his head but stopped mid-motion when sparks of lightning shot through his skull. The light hurts, he croaked. It seems so strong, yet I can’t see a damn thing in this dark room. And I didn’t hear or sense you.

The way his senses were confused, both dulled and hypersensitive, was like being on drugs again and he really didn’t need the reminder of a pitiful past on top of the physical pain.

Your system shut down. You’ll be like this for a while until you’re fully healed.

There was something else wrong with him but he couldn’t pinpoint what. While he was trying to think, it hit him—his mind was blessedly silent. He couldn’t hear or feel the vampire beast inside him.

Hope surfaced and made him stop breathing again. Maybe, just maybe—

What about the vampire? I can’t feel it.

Raenik gave him such a commiserative look it was clear he knew what Hiro had been thinking.

Enjoy it while it lasts. The beast is severely weakened, it almost died and you with it. The poison of the wood only affects that kind of spirit and you only live because of your vampire. In a sense, the vampire is unconscious. It will heal itself eventually. I don’t know how long you’ll have your mind and body to yourself. But while you do, you’ll be like this.

Weak and vulnerable. He gritted his teeth—he had become this abomination to escape that very flaw. He tried not to let his anger and disappointment show. He knew better than to hope for the impossible in the first place—he knew there was no going back.

How am I still alive? he asked to distract himself from the dark thoughts forming.

Salih, of course.

Salih was one of his closest friends, brother and his full-time doctor lately.

Salih is awesome and all and I’m not doubting his skills but—even he can’t fix all of this by himself. Hiro waved his hand at the mess he had become.

Well, the Jinns in this territory are allies of the Silver Moon clan. They helped drain out the poison, while Salih treated your wounds and Mujtabah gave you a blood transfusion.

Hiro lived amongst the Silver Moon clan, one of the most powerful bands of Jinn, led by their chief Ibrahim. They had many allies so that was nothing unusual, except that Hiro was a vampire.

Hiro blinked back at him. Seriously? Strange Jinns were happy to save a vampire?

Vampires were hated creatures. So dangerous, so wild and uncontrollable that they were killed on sight.

They were very open minded, shrugged Raenik. I believe you’ve met some of them before, in London?

He nodded. The Blood Rose clan had helped them but he also remembered the air of hostility and disgust some of them had towards him, though they had made no move to attack him while his friends were around.

Ray? Talking was exhausting work so that’s all he could get out but Raenik knew what he was asking.

No need to worry, she’s safe…Just a little unconscious at the moment. Using the Darkness to that extent, for the first time, was too much for her body and she was already weakened from being in a coma so long.

Hiro slid carefully to the edge of the bed, cringing every inch of the way.

Where is she? Where are we?

He coughed then spluttered, it felt like his chest was being ripped out again but through his throat this time.

Raenik’s wings shifted, he looked as if he was going to fly off with the slightest breeze, he was so on edge.

Umm…Don’t you remember anything? he asked, moving forward to help Hiro clumsily peel off what was left of his shirt. He hissed when he saw the crude stitches that traced down his abdomen like a slanted smile. Buying time, Raenik got a damp cloth and cleaned the blood he had missed off Hiro’s skin.

I remember enough, stop stalling, he batted Raenik’s fussing hands away, finished cleaning himself off and tugged the tunic over his head. It was light and felt amazingly cool against his irritated skin. What happened afterwards, where did the Master A’richeil go? How did I get out? he looked around, expecting it to be lurking in ambush around a dark corner.

Raenik tensed, looking intently at the floor Hiro could barely see. His bare feet touched the floor, it took his senses time to register it but gradually he felt an incredibly thick, soft carpet under him. Hiro hesitated to run a hand over the lavish, silk sheets beside him. Soft fur blankets lay on top, the pillows were stuffed with feathers. Though he knew he’d regret it, he looked up to examine the chandelier – precision cut crystals.

This was not the type of home Jinns normally occupied. Or a human for that matter, unless he had been rescued by Her Majesty, the Queen. On second thought, he wouldn’t put it past the mafia Queen to know all about the Secret World and have a hand in it.

His suspicion turned to sickening dread when Raenik would not answer. Exhausted, his entire body on fire, Hiro couldn’t handle this right now. He clambered gracelessly off the bed but barbed wire lacerated his stomach.

Raenik was by his side instantly. Hiro pulled back from his touch. The sudden movement increased the pain, so he had no choice but to let Raenik help him sit back down. He took deep breaths to ease the pain while Raenik reached for a cup on the oak bedside table, the innocent wood mocking him.

Hiro took it gingerly and sniffed its contents. He could just about smell it now, like a faint perfume. Blood. Hiro just stared into the cup, shocked. Why hadn’t he smelt the blood before? His vampire beast should have gone crazy from deprivation.

Hiro wearily took a sip. The drop burned down his throat and awoke a terrible thirst in him. He devoured the rest messily. He closed his eyes and looked inside himself: Ah, there was his beast, lurking in the shadows but it was just as much of an invalid as Hiro.

The blood was not enough. The beast needed much more to recover but Hiro gained a masochistic sense of satisfaction from seeing the vampire like this, from denying it, even as it hurt him just as much as the spirit.

Hiro opened his eyes and stared at Raenik.

What the hell kind of blood is this?

Jinn blood—the power in it will help you recover faster. The same as you’ve had the last couple of times. Your senses are just down, that’s why you can’t tell.

Hiro didn’t reply, too focused on taking deep breaths. Once the tearing in his gut subsided enough, he asked the question Raenik continued to avoid.

Where am I, Raenik? Hiro wanted to be demanding but his voice shook too much for that effect.

Raenik swallowed hard and his wings batted nervously behind him. Hiro had rarely seen him like this, not with him anyway.

Hiro, will you come with me? I want to show you something. Something I hope will help you understand. It’ll answer a lot of your questions—Maybe.

Hiro’s scepticism must have shown on his face because Raenik looked crestfallen. Hiro felt guilty, his misgivings fading back, he nodded.

Fine, but I’m not happy about it, he grumbled.

Raenik brightened. He didn’t stand up exactly, more like fluttered to his feet, flitted to the wood and iron door to hold it open. Hiro considered Raenik’s honest eyes and saw what he always saw and what always got to him—complete, unwavering trust. Trust in Hiro. The kind of blind, assumed trust children have.

Raenik’s smile faltered when Hiro wavered. Feeling like an idiot for many reasons, he grabbed his boots he spotted at the foot of the bed and followed.

Chapter Three

Withering Soul

They went down so many corridors Hiro stopped counting to stare at the intricately carved doors and heavy, complex designs ensconced in the walls. They were flawless but charmingly rough, preserving that unique hand-made quality.

Raenik led him across an unyielding stone bridge that connected the two sections of what looked like a castle together. Hiro paused halfway, dread weighed in the pit of his stomach but he ignored it, telling himself it was the after effects of…of what? Of almost dying? Hiro wanted to run back but Raenik had already crossed.

At the other end of the bridge there was a large balcony and two sets of staircases, one directly in front of them and the other to the far left. They took the left and descended the narrow stone steps, lit only by mounted gas lamps. It was practically medieval. The fire sent sinister shadows slithering around them, despite their proximity, Hiro felt stabs of chill down his spine.

They ended up in a cold, dead circular hall, haunted by the grandeur it once was. Raenik hated being down here, the atmosphere in complete contrast to the glittering receiving hall he’d entered with Ray. Metal doors ran along the edges of the hall like gravestones, each barred by a lever, so whatever was on the other side couldn’t get out. They were so out of place Hiro couldn’t get his head around it, they looked more like the dungeons in a prison.

Raenik stopped at one of the doors, waiting for Hiro, who was still at the bottom of the staircase, taking it all in.

Hiro, Raenik prompted gently.

He hesitated, debating if this was a good idea, his instincts screaming this wasn’t right.

Raenik knew his master well, so could sense his misgivings. Do you trust me? The gravity in his tone so out of character for the gentle creature.

Hiro didn’t know the answer anymore. He may have saved him (on the spur of the moment) but in return Raenik had saved his humanity and had stayed loyal to him ever since, for that he’d see what he had to show.

Hiro stalked across the long courtroom. Raenik placed his hand on the door expectantly. Hiro nodded his approval and he pulled the lever up. It resisted with a nerve-scraping scream. Hiro ducked reflexively, expecting an insane A’richeil.

Raenik just stared at him. He pulled himself together and gave him an apologetic look in return. His nerves were scraped raw, so he was acting like a skittish rabbit.

Raenik opened the door just enough to