The Calling

TWELVE

Silus

The darkness enveloped me like an old friend, wrapping around my body in a comforting embrace. I could feel its tendrils brushing against my skin, soothing the chaos within as I sank deeper into its depths. For the first time in a long while, I let go of the facade I wore around my family. Here, in the shadows, I was just Silus, free from expectations and the weight of my actions.

As I sat on my bed, the memories of my mother’s visit replayed in my mind. Kadasha’s eyes, black as midnight, haunted me, and her presence lingered like a bitter aftertaste. She had always been a tempest in my life—a reminder of what I was and what I could become. The thought of her pursuing Elara sent chills down my spine. I had barely touched her, yet the connection was unmistakable. Was my mother aware of the bond? Would she use it to manipulate me further?

I pulled my knees to my chest, my thoughts spiraling like the shadows around me. I had spent years grappling with my identity, trying to balance the monster I was becoming and the remnants of humanity I desperately clung to. My brothers—Rolland, Merrick, and Dexter—were all living reminders of the life I wished to embrace, yet I felt like a ghost hovering on the outskirts of their warmth.

The weight of the darkness pressing down on me reminded me of the power I wielded. I could summon it at will, commanding the shadows to obey my every whim. But with that power came the danger—the temptation to succumb to the darkness completely. I had witnessed what it could do to my brothers, the toll it had taken on each of them. The struggle to remain tethered to our humanity was exhausting.

With a deep breath, I summoned the shadows closer, letting them swirl around me like a protective shroud. I needed to keep my distance from the light, to remain hidden in my own darkness. I thought about how I had escaped to the shadows after my mother’s visit, how the thrill of power coursed through me, mixing with the remnants of pain. The darkness was alluring, whispering promises of strength and control, but I knew better than to heed its call.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the swirling shadows. I needed to find a way to dispel the thoughts of Elara that kept intruding upon my mind. She had made me feel something I had long forgotten, a fleeting moment of warmth and connection that now felt painfully distant. But I couldn’t afford to dwell on that. I needed to protect my family, even if it meant burying my own desires deep within.

The buzz of my phone on the bedside table pulled me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes, startled, and glanced at the screen. It was a message from Rolland:

“You good?” I sighed, knowing my brother had a sixth sense for when I was spiraling.

He always seemed to know when I was on the edge of losing control.

I typed a quick reply: “Yeah, just dealing with some stuff.”

After hitting send, I stood up, feeling the pull of the shadows behind me. I could sense their restlessness, the dark entities lurking just beneath the surface, waiting for a moment of weakness to consume me. I didn’t want to give in to that urge, but the darkness whispered sweet promises, seducing me with thoughts of power and control.

As I wandered through the small space of my apartment, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. The walls seemed to close in around me, suffocating me with the weight of my own thoughts. I paced back and forth, contemplating whether I should reach out to one of my brothers. Rolland would probably barge in, demanding to know what was wrong. I could picture his worried expression, the way he would scrutinize me for any sign of weakness.

Eventually, I pulled my phone from my pocket, contemplating calling Merrick. But I knew he was busy—probably buried in some business matter that required his undivided attention. Dexter might be a better choice, but I feared he would worry too much. My brothers were strong, but I had seen how the darkness affected them, how it chipped away at their resolve. I didn’t want to burden them with my struggles, especially not now.

I settled back onto my bed, leaning against the headboard. I felt the shadows swirling around me, an embrace that felt both comforting and suffocating. I closed my eyes, hoping to find some semblance of peace, but the images of my mother’s visit crept back into my mind, relentless.

Just then, a loud crash echoed from the hallway, jolting me back to the present. I opened my eyes, heart racing as I glanced toward the door. Who could it be? My brothers? My father? Or perhaps something darker?

I rose from the bed cautiously, feeling a mixture of dread and anticipation. As I approached the door, another crash followed, accompanied by loud voices—my brothers, no doubt. I opened the door and peeked around the frame to look down the hallway. There was a girl with rose-gold hair stumbling to collect what appeared to be shopping bags and boxes at the elevator.

My brothers had emerged from their rooms as well and were staring at the girl. She looked up with icy blue eyes that were filled with fear. Dexter ran over to her and began helping her up.

I thought I caught a name that sounded like Penelope. When Dexter reached her, she looked up at him as if he held the whole world. I could see her blushing and shaking her head. He reached out, cupped her cheek, and kissed her forehead. She giggled.

Disgusting.

There was no danger, it seemed, so I closed my door and went back into my apartment. I looked around, assessing the damage from my mother’s earlier visit. I sighed and went to my fridge to grab another beer. I pulled out my phone and began looking through the Vorra warehouses for replacement furniture. I sipped my beer, trying to dull my mind so I could ignore the tears in reality forming all around me. I got up to grab my headphones and turned on some music to help even more. Then I sat at my kitchen bar, drinking my beer, just trying to be normal for a moment.