Page 13 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“I thought we weren’t talking about him anymore,” he shoots back.

“We’re not. This will be the last time, so answer me.” I start chewing anxiously on my bottom lip. I dread hearing the confirmation and don’t want Nyx to have known about this. But I already know the truth. Nyx told me he was supposed to kill me before I inherited my dark magic. I had almost forgotten everything he said after Samael’s death, being too overwhelmed with emotions. But because Nyx and his crazy father believe I am going to be dark doesn’t mean it’s true. I pull my knees to my chest, burying my face in my lap. I don’t want to, but I need to start accepting all of this. I may be a dark Sorceress, but I don’t know what that truly means yet. I need to find my mother’s grimoire. Fuck, I am so overwhelmed. Everything keeps mounting up.

Lyra, get a grip. You’re unlocking the bridge to Zomea, one thing at a time, I remind myself again.

“Yes, Onyx knew about it,” he admits reluctantly. “Callum was obsessed with that prophecy, harped on about it for years before his demise. It’s why he exiled Euric from Nighthold and Nyx… Nyx was his perfect son, feeding into everything daddy told him. I’m sure he’s had plans for you long before you were born. Whether those plans changed after he met you, well, that I don’t know, to be honest. But as much as I can’t stand the asshole, I will say he does always try to do the right thing, what he thinks is the right thing at least.” He pauses, sighing. “I gave you that journal not because I wanted to break you two up. I gave it to you to wake you up, but here you are still in denial.” He ruffles his hair absentmindedly, and I watch as the unruly locks fall back onto his face.

“He told me he was supposed to kill me before I inherited my dark magic, but he said he couldn’t do it. He said he loved me,” I admit.

“That piece of shit—”

I’m not sure if Colton’s mad about the idea of Nyx killing me or loving me.

“Stop.” I cut him off before he can say anything else bad about Nyx. I can’t bare it, no matter how much he hurt me.

“You stop. Stop defending him,” Colton spits back.

“Let’s go back to not talking about him,” I say, quickly trying to ease the tension.

“Thank the gods. Going the rest of my life without hearing about that prick wouldn’t be long enough.” Colton relaxes against the tree again. I want to ask him why they seem to hate each other so much, but I think it’s best for both of us if we don’t talk about him anymore.

I pull Chepi into my lap and start scratching behind his ears when Colton says, “Have you ever heard of the Luminary Council?”

“Not until recently. Drew gave me some books to read, and one of them details the history of the Luminary Council and how they killed the last dark Sorcerer and eradicated dark magic from Eguina,” I admit, my voice heavy.

“She would slip that in without an explanation. Drew is on that council, or at least she was. Who knows when they last convened. It’s probably been over a century. Callum was also on the council, when he was alive.”

“Do you think Drew believes I am going to be this dark Sorceress after my nineteenth birthday? Is that what Bella was talking about at dinner last night when she said they all knew what I was?” I want to ask if Nyx took his father’s place on the council, but I decide it’s better I don’t ask. It doesn’t matter anyways.

“Bella is a lunatic, and no one will listen to a godsdamn thing that comes out of her mouth. She shouldn’t have made you uncomfortable like that. As far as what Drew believes, I can’t be sure, but I do trust her. She is only trying to help you.”

“Why do you ask if I know about the council then?”

“I thought it was something you should be aware of, given you are going to be the great shadowmancer.” He holds his hands up, making his best effort at a scary face, but he only looks foolish.

“You’re not funny.” I look away, not feeling much in a joking mood, especially not about this. I close my eyes, and a flash of myself with those swirling black eyes makes me shiver.

“Do you think this council is good? Even though they killed the last dark Sorcerer? I mean, from what I’ve read, he did do some pretty bad stuff, but did they even give him a chance? I can’t believe that dark magic inherently makes everyone evil—I won’t.” My voice trails off. I worry that dark magic does exactly that, but I have to maintain hope that it can’t truly change me if I am to inherit it.

“No, I don’t think the council is good,” Colton says with a laugh that doesn’t suggest amusement. “I think the Luminary Council is just like any other council or collection of leaders. They’re all power-hungry and out to achieve their own agendas by any means possible. Drew is the only exception, and that’s why I trust her,” he continues.

“Then why is Drew on this council, if it even still exists? If she’s not corrupt and power-hungry like the rest, then why associate with them?” I ask.

“I imagine it’s because she thinks she can change them, perhaps make up for the past,” he replies.

“What do you mean by ‘make up for the past?’” I press.

“Drew gave you those books. You’ve read it yourself—they killed the last dark Sorcerer and then proceeded to eradicate all dark magic. I’m sure innocents were killed, and I think Drew still carries guilt from those days. They were dark times,” he says, staring off as if recalling a memory, and I wish I could see into his mind. “Drew is a good person to have on your side, and if the council is convening again, and you are to be the great dark enchantress, then she will try to sway the others. She will try to prevent history from repeating itself. You can trust her,” he says, and I look down into my lap, absorbing the information.

“Cheer up, Princess. Come on, it’s late. I’ll walk you back, and we can train some more tomorrow.” He gets to his feet, and I take the hand he offers to help me up. That strange feeling happens again when our skin meets, but he doesn’t seem to notice, so I ignore it.

Chapter

Six

The entirety of the following day, Colton and I immerse in relentless training. Over and over, he barrages me with a series of attacks until I manage to summon my fire on command, each successful draw pulsing confidence through my veins. We dabble a bit with the other elements, but Colton insists that my focus remains undivided — all on fire, for now.

The ceremony is set to occur tonight. Or more precisely at three in the morning, the hour often branded as the peak of magic, the apex of supernatural activity, when magical powers surge with unparalleled strength and rituals yield their most potent outcomes. Drew, insists it’s the perfect time for our ceremony. I, for one, am not inclined to disagree with her. I’ll need every possible advantage aligning in my favor to ensure this works.