Cate Farren [Farren - Darkness Rising

Chapter 1

T hree months ago

King Lachlan of the Fey surveyed his court with disdain. It was somewhat smaller than it used to be. Over the past nine months his allies had begun to abandon him. Some of them he couldnt care less about. They were beneath him. Some of them he needed. They bolstered his ego and made him feel he was good enough to be their king. Some days he thought it just wasnt worth the hassle.

You may go, he called.

He was bored. He needed to be with Daniel. Daniel always made him feel like he was the most important person who ever lived.

The court surveyed him with contempt before bowing and leaving quickly, almost tripping over themselves in their haste to escape. Lachlan banged his fists on the armrests of his throne. How dare they look at him like he was nothing! He was their king and he was worthy of their respect!

Are you okay? Daniel asked.

His lover sported the bruises on his face from last nights altercation. Daniel knew better than to anger the king when he was already feeling fragile. It was his own fault really.

Service me, the king ordered.

Daniel hesitated. In the throne room?

I am your king and I... Lachlan sighed. He didnt want to dirty his throne. Besides, Daniel looked a little scared of him. Just go.

Daniel nodded and left almost as quickly as the rest of the court.

Sire, can I have a word? someone asked.

The king sighed. He shouldnt be angry. Daniel loved him, and he put up with a lot. Lachlan knew that his temper sometimes got the better of him, but he couldnt control it. The world was out to get him.

Lachlan looked up. He didnt recognize the male servant in front of him, though he did seem familiar. He was attractive, tall, with very pronounced ears. Sharper ears signified greater sexual prowess in a Fey.

What is it? Lachlan demanded. Im busy.

Not too busy to discuss an alliance that could benefit you greatly, said the servant.

The king was intrigued. He needed a distraction, especially after he beat Daniel the previous night. Sometimes he couldnt help it. Daniel just didnt understand the pressure he was under. How could he? He was just a lowly vampire. Daniel should be honored that hed been chosen as the lover of a king and just accept what came with it.

And yet...

He refused to feel guilty. He was King. He could do whatever he wanted.

Youre not with one of the Toren factions, are you? Lachlan asked wearily.

His allies were leaving him one by one. They thought him feckless, arrogant and a waste of space. They didnt think much of Toren, but they now preferred her over him, despite denouncing the princess once upon a time.

Toren committed regicide! How can they prefer her?

Your staff have abandoned you, said the servant. Your allies would rather have the murderous princess as their queen, despite their earlier support. You need my help, and I need yours.

Im confused, Lachlan admitted.

The servant laughed cruelly and shifted into Loki. Lachlan didnt move. He knew he was no match against the Lord of Chaos.

You want me to work for you? Lachlan scoffed.

I want you to work with me, Loki stated. I need you. I need your magic.

You have magic.

I need lots of magic.

He still had his loyal guards, and he still had Daniel. All he had to do was call them and theyd protect him in an instant. Theyd die for him.

Lachlan nodded. What can you do for me?

I can protect you in the war to come. You will come out of it unscathed, with a willing population of Fey who will adore you for shielding them. You will be the king they always wanted.

Lachlan didnt need time to think. He said yes.

Excellent, Loki declared. When can you get me what I need?

What do you need exactly? Lachlan asked.

Loki paced, seemingly lost in thought. Lachlan felt his ire rise. How dare he procrastinate in front of him!

There is a rumor going around that the previous king decided to lock up any Fey who became addicted to blood magic after the atrocities Toren committed during the shapeshifter war. Loki stopped pacing and turned to stare at him. Lachlan flinched. Fey blood magic users are powerful and I need them.

Lachlan knew about this. The blood magic users were locked up in a magical prison in another dimension. Even the thought of them made him nervous. They were corrupt and evil and would do just about anything to perform the most malevolent magic.

You cant control them, said Lachlan.

Im going to give them a task that will let them use their blood magic.

The king shivered. He didnt want to know.

Thank you, said Loki.

Lachlan was surprised. What for?

The Lord of Chaos smiled and walked away.

Chapter 2

" Clover!"

Jared heard her shrieks of anguish as he snapped awake. The room he was in was sunlit, though his vision was blurred. He could hear water trickling. His body was vibrating, trembling, like he was sitting on top of a washing machine. He could taste dead blood on his tongue. An unidentifiable darkness was at the corner of his vision, whispering, taunting. Something was wrong. Clover was in danger and she was crying for him.

I have to get to her.

"It's okay," someone said. Their voice was quiet, soft. He instinctively knew they meant him no harm. "You're alive now."

He moved the thin, threadbare covers from him. They felt like sandpaper on his skin, which tingled and itched. He started to make out things in the room, though there wasnt much by way of furniture. There was a wooden door that had seen better days, and a closet that had its front missing. The curtains on the windows were raggedy and wisp like. Even his bed felt it was made of pure, cold stone.

There was someone sitting by his bed. A woman.

"Mom?" he asked, his voice scratchy. It felt like there was something razor sharp stuck in his throat. "Mom?"

"I'm here my sweet boy," she said. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

He shook his head, trying to clear his vision and the vivid tastes in his mouth. All his senses were in overdrive. He felt insane.

"Clover's in danger!" he cried. "Her mother tried to kill me and... Wait." He shook his head, trying to access the memories. All he saw was red. "She did kill me. He shook his head again, as if denying the reality of what had happened. I died. I felt the stake go through my heart. He looked up into his moms eyes and said, Mom, did I die?"