Damion

“As I’m sure you already know, I was born in early medieval England,” Damion started, smiling weakly.

I could tell this was going to be a heavy story.

“My mother’s name was Morgana Leroux. She was a truly marvelous sorceress. But it was also during a time when the umbra and luci were very quick to punish any spellcaster, simply for being powerful.”

“My mother wanted to free us from the oppression and let us all live free lives where we didn’t have to be afraid, and could express our creativity freely.”

He paused and rubbed his temples.

“Since she tried to keep me out of it, I don’t remember much of it. I was a teenager and too busy thinking about myself, and chasing after girls… But I do remember we had a lot of unknown spellcasters, and other supernaturals visit us.” He sighed, looking disappointed in himself.

He got out of his chair and folded his arms.

He was looking into the flames in the fireplace when he continued.

“One day when I got home, there were umbra surrounding our home. All had wings and horns, back then, that could be summoned and disposed of as you willed,” he said, and his gaze had grown very dark.

“I was about to run to the house and save my mother, but my father stopped me. They had not yet seen me. I watched as they lit our house on fire.”

“I never saw her body, but my father told me she was dead. Killed by the umbra, as part of a peace treaty with the luci, who wanted her dead,” he finished.

His voice was very soft, even though his eyes were still so dark.

“What do you want from me? Is it vengeance you’re after?” I asked, feeling a little scared of him after his tale, being an umbra.

Damion laughed at me, and all the darkness vanished.

“This happened over a thousand years ago. I’ve seen kingdoms rise and fall since. Besides, Aurora already punished the umbra in the UK, when she learned of my mother,” he explained.

“That’s why she did what she did.” I mumbled to myself.

“Aurora can be as sweet as she can be merciless. Especially when it comes to people she loves,” Damion said with love.

“What about you? Why didn’t you punish them?” I asked, frowning at him.

“When she died, I wasn’t strong enough. When I was strong enough, the purpose was gone. They had all died of age, and the new generation was weaker. What they were doing to themselves felt like punishment enough,” Damion explained, nodding at the book I’d read the day before.

“But on that point, I disagreed,” Aurora said from the doorway.

Damion sighed at her.

“I didn’t mean to intrude, Love. I just thought Bella might want to do something fun, like make a gingerbread house with me while we drink martinis,” she giggled.

“I would love to in a bit,” I said to Aurora.

It did sound fun.

“I’ll be in the kitchen,” she said before she left us.

I turned back to Damion. “But Marcus thinks your mother would want revenge if he resurrected her or what?” I asked, confused.

“Yes, I’ve tried to tell him he’s on a fool’s errand, but he didn’t believe me, and since I’m supposed to be neutral when it comes to magic, I’ve had to sit back,” Damion said with a sigh.

“Why did you take such a vow? It’s about your mother, it’s personal,” I said, frowning.

“It’s my duty as the guardian of magic to protect all magic, good as bad,” he said with a shrug.

“Besides, it’s not personal when I know he can’t succeed,” he added with a sad smile.

“Erik said you can oppose him now, that he broke a rule against your neutrality,” I said curiously.

“Yes, I sent him to confirm it. He should be back for dinner,” Damion answered thoughtfully.

“Do you have any more questions?” Damion asked, looking at the door, like he was in some kind of a hurry.

“Yes, I still want to know about my connection to the arcane though, because from what I read, we’re supposed to be connected to the darkness?” I asked, a little uncertain.

“The arcane can work as a gateway to the darkness, as I’m sure you’ve read. It doesn’t stop you from inheriting a strong arcane connection from a relative,” he said with a smile.

“I see,” I said, not sure I believed him.

“Just one more question then, do you think it’s a lie that we turn into monsters if we connect with the darkness again?” I wondered.

“Yes, I know it is. My guess is that your leader just really doesn’t want a war with the luci, and if everyone knew, I’m sure many umbra might want one,” he said. It looked like he believed it, but to me, it didn’t quite make sense.

He chuckled. “But don’t try it.”

“Are you being this nice to me because you could feel that I had a strong connection?” I dared to ask.

“Yes, and you could be a bridge to keep peace after this conflict,” Damion admitted, just as Erik had suspected.

I felt satisfied with that answer for now.

***

I had a fun day with Aurora after I’d done a little more reading.

It was literally magical to watch her build the gingerbread house and help her decorate it, but there was something burning in the back of my mind, something I couldn’t quite reach.

During dinner, I felt kind of odd. I knew I wanted to talk to Damion about something, but it didn’t come to me.

It slipped in and out of my mind.

“Did you cast a spell on me or something?” I eventually asked as I remembered I wanted to ask him about my dreams and the glimpses I’d gotten after touching his mother’s knife.

“I did, and you’re welcome,” he said, and chuckled when my mind wandered on, and I changed the subject.

We were just about to have dessert when Erik joined us.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said and sat down right next to me.

I was surprised not to get a kiss or even a hug.

“You’re just on time,” Aurora said while the chef came out with tiramisu.

“I understand the two of you already know each other quite well. No need to hide it, Erik, even though I disapprove,” Damion said with a mysterious smile.

So that was it? Damion didn’t like us dating?

Aurora tried to hide a giggle, like she thought it was funny.

“Black hair like that,” she mumbled, amused, but apologized after Damion glanced at her in a way that looked like a warning.

“Yes, but I figured ignoring your warning was disrespectful enough. I don’t have to shove it in your face,” Erik laughed, but also looked curiously at Aurora after her strange words.

It was true, though—I was weak for black curly hair.

“I’m thankful for that,” Damion answered, still glancing at Aurora.

“Anyway, did you find out where they got the blackthorn knife from?” he asked.

“The one I got stabbed by?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes, the very one,” Erik replied, still looking at Damion.

“Well, did you?” Damion asked again, ignoring our exchange.

“Yes, it was as you feared. It was stolen from the crypt of Idun,” Erik answered with a sigh, although he seemed somewhat relieved.

“How dare he,” Damion muttered, looking angry.

“I think we already established that my brother is a psychopath,” Erik answered with raised eyebrows.

I was about to ask about the crypt, but Aurora shook her head at me, warning me not to.

“It’s as I feared, but it lets me interfere,” Damion said, looking even angrier.

“Will you go as far as to stop him?” Erik asked, looking hopeful.

“No, I’ll let the umbra do the heavy work when it’s time. They will cut the whole infected branch. I’ll make sure they succeed,” Damion answered, his gaze very dark again.

“So, you will help us at the solar solstice?” I asked.

“I will. I’ll let you know their location. And I’ll make sure they won’t escape, and that it plays out just as we talked about yesterday,” he answered.

I realized he didn’t want to tell Erik that he wanted me to be the one to kill Marcus.

“I’m sorry for being so upfront, but what are you going to do about Bella’s situation with her headquarters?” Erik suddenly asked.

“I’ll include her when I offer to help them. I’ll reach out to their Dux Umbra tomorrow,” Damion answered.

“And you think they will forgive it just like that?” I asked skeptically.

“Don’t worry about it, they will,” Damion said confidently.

“In the meantime, you’re staying here. Ellie told me your eyes lost their light, even though your suspension was temporary,” Aurora said.

I was grateful for that. If I went back now, they might lock me up in the dungeon.

***

I went to sleep that night happily in Erik’s arms.

I felt oddly safe and accepted under Damion’s and Aurora’s roof, even though they had every reason to hate me.

Even so, it didn’t stop my nightmare.

~The body of the winged umbra before me was pale and cold, but I still checked that there were no pulls to be sure. I felt nauseous about what I was about to do, but it had to be done—it was the only way to protect my love.~

~I pulled my silver dagger from its sheath and cut right into the umbra’s chest.~

I flew out of bed in panic the moment I pulled the heart out. I was struggling to breathe.

“Bella, what’s wrong?” Erik asked sleepily, getting out of bed.

“Nightmare. I must have read too much about the war between umbra and spellcasters,” I said as my breathing got back to normal.

“That’s odd, I thought these rooms were enchanted to protect against nightmares. I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” Erik said, embracing me and stroking my hair.

“You think you can come back to bed and sleep?” he asked.

I nodded against his chest. I had started calming down the second I realized it was just a dream.