Alliance With Shadows

Chapter 4

            The only thing that ran through Lucern's mind was how disgusted he was with himself to even consider involving a whiteling. This was a sin to him, he didn’t like evolving humans and he really didn’t like getting whitelings evolved. Darklings and whitelings were not allowed to harm each other unless you were a Valkyrie. And even a Valkyrie had rules, you were only allowed to harm one another if they were uprising and breaking the laws of Light and Dark.

            Morgan was now in front of him and in a trance, not knowing where she was or who she was. She would do anything he wished her to do, she was under his spell. “I am so sorry my dear. I didn't want to do this at all.” The emotions in him were raging and were near uncontrollable. He did not wish to be dark; he did not like the demon inside of him. Darklings were not supposed to be so dark, but because of his father’s thirst for power, the darkness grew. It grew into something you thought came out of Pandora’s Box, and there was no hope left inside. As the darkness grew the darklings truly became demons themselves. You could not escape it; you were born with these demons and could not run away. Interrupting his thoughts Teague suddenly barked, that was the cue. She was here. “Again I am sorry.” Lucern then turned to find the woman that was the talk of the underworld he now called it. The Death Angel wasn’t known for giving mercy to darklings, yet this was not the Mercy he saw before, she now was a warrior. Her dark brown hair gracefully lay against her silver armor, almost like melted chocolate grazing the silver wrapper. Her now pure gold eyes popped against her perfect light caramel skin. Those eyes held the anger every Light Valkyrie had against the darklings. He couldn’t blame her, there were so many darklings killing the people she was charged to protect. The Light had always had a soft spot for the mortals, they did have rules against marriage but they always felt the need to protect them. Now with his father’s plans, it was a good reason.

            “What are you doing to her?” Mercy questioned with conviction. Lucern couldn't speak. Those beautiful lips held so much hate. He simply had no hope. Wait, why was he thinking about her lips he had a plan and he was blowing it. He needed her to save him to help him break this curse of having to be Dark. He looked up to find those gold eyes so angry and a bit impatient. “Again I ask what are you doing to her?”

            “She...She is fine. She is in a trance; I'll let her go now.” Lucern nodded. Then Morgan suddenly gasped then looked around.

            “Where the hell am I?” Morgan yelled, and then looked around again to find she was by her house. “Oh, I'm at home.” Then she looked to find Mercy and then the man across from her. “Um...I'll go inside. See you in a little bit Mercy!” As if in a trace herself Mercy's eyes returned to the luscious chocolate brown they were before. Staring at the man in front of her she was in a trance herself finding she couldn't look away from his eyes.

            “I am sorry I did that to your friend. It was the only way I could get your attention.” She could see the pain that raged through him with each word he said. “I am truly sorry.” She could see the silent tears he would not shed nor wanted her to see.

            Realizing the color of his eyes were light blue, just like the eyes of the man in Cadence's vision,

“You're....you're the darkling, the darkling that wishes to be Light. You have a different eye color than all the other darklings.” Mercy tried to make her voice as strong and unaffected as she could.

            “Yes I am a darkling, and I get my eye color from my darkling mother. She was a wood sprite, but she was a darkling that was closer to the light than to the dark. So she was gifted with blue eyes to show her lighter spirit.” Lucern did not move, he did not breathe; he did not want to waste this perfect opportunity by scaring her away.

            “What is your name?”

            “Lucern Notté.”

            “Is that dog yours?”

            “Yes, he is a hell hound, his name is Teague” Seeing the fear that suddenly appeared in her eyes, “He will not bite anyone, he is different than other hell hounds. We share this bond. We are darklings that are not entirely dark and fight the demonic nature.”

            “Why did you come here?”

            Understanding she still thought of him as a darkling that wished to take the life of her whiteling friend he explained, “I was supposed to come here and kill a whiteling.” He pointed at Morgan's house. “I was ordered to do this to prove that I am a darkling and have given into the demonic nature like all of the other darklings. But my problem is I don't want to kill humans or whitelings, and neither my demonic darkling side nor the underworld, or as you call it the Dark Realm, like that. So I came here to find you...” Lucern lowered his eyes, no longer able to look Mercy in the eyes. “I came here hoping you could kill me or help me in some way. I'm not exactly sure how you can help me, but...”

            Mercy interrupted, “How about I make you a deal. I'll try to help you with your demonic darkling side if you don't let it get out of hand. If you ever let it get out of hand I will kill you.” She put a little emphasis on the “will” making sure he understood she wasn't afraid to do it, even if she was afraid of him. When he looked back up at her it sort of surprised her what she saw, she jumped back a little bit. His eyes glowed with hope, but there was still the slightest glimmer of pain that glowed through also. She adjusted herself and cleared her throat, “So do we have a deal?”

            “If you will truly help me then yes we have a deal.” Lucern smiled.

            “Okay...Lucern. How about you go in with me to see Morgan? I think you should apologize.”

            “Lady he apologized to her like a trillion times when he took her and a trillion times when she was under the trance.” A voice said beside them.

            “Wow, you actually talk?”

            “Yes lady I talk. And Lucern you shouldn't apologize again you did it too many times already.” Teague poked his nose into Lucern's hand.

            “Her name is Mercy, Teague.” Lucern smiled at Mercy, and Mercy couldn't help but smile back. It was a very thoughtful gesture to correct his dog. Although it was sort of weird that he would need to, dogs aren't supposed to talk. “Mercy is right Teague I should apologize to Morgan. She did not deserve what I did to her.” There was a growl that was muffled from Teague's muzzle being in Lucern's hand. Lucern smiled over at Mercy, and she returned the smile.

            “I didn't know you already apologized...and I'm sure she doesn't even remember what you did. It's okay.” Why the heck was she spearing his feelings! Why did she hate that he's in pain! This is so stupid. Mercy mumbled to herself. Knowing what she was thinking Lucern let out a laugh. “Oh never mind I'll just tell her I'll hang with her tomorrow. I have a lot of questions to ask you.” Mercy challenged him, thinking he wouldn't want to answer her questions.

            “I will answer any questions you have if I can.” Lucern smiled down at her. For some reason, he just couldn't stop smiling. Mercy gave a nod. Why does he have a freakin English accent? Man, that is her weakness. God, are you trying to test me?

            Lucern cleared his throat, “If you would like to know my special power is reading minds...and well you are seriously broadcasting your thoughts like crazy. I couldn't read you till you started thinking outside of that little box in your brain.” Mercy turned and gave him one of those if-looks-could-kill-you-would-be-dead looks. “I'm sorry I can't help it.”

            Mercy sighed ringing the doorbell of Morgan's house, not even realizing she had been there for five minutes. A patter of feet came towards the door, and then the door swished open relieving a blue-eyed, face framed by caramel bobbed hair, long-legged, fit beauty. Every guy on the block wanted to date her, but she had a boy in mind...Xander... “Hey, Morgan...um I'm going to come by tomorrow okay. I sort of have to deal with some stuff.” Morgan eyed Mercy then moved to Lucern, and then she gave one of her famous smiles. “Morgan that’s okay right?”

            “Yeah, girl it's totally fine.” Then she eyed both Mercy and Lucern together. “You have things to do. I'm fine with that.” Then she leaned close to Mercy and whispered, “Girl you better tell me everything.” Mercy blushed and Lucern hid a laugh with a cough.

            “Um yeah sure tell you everything later.” Mercy turned around so fast she thought she gave herself whip-lash. Then she heard Lucern snickering behind her, and the dog was letting out barks that sounded more like bursts of laughter. Mercy turned, “What!”

            “Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.” Lucern laughed and then composed himself before he spoke again. “So what were the questions you wanted to ask me?”

            Surprised that he reminded her, “Oh, um well do you mind if we go get something to eat? It's almost dinner time and my stomach is begging for some food.” As if on cue her stomach growled and she blushed. Why did she keep blushing? Her stomach growled that’s normal! Everyone’s stomach growled it wasn’t like it was something to be embarrassed about. What in the world was this man doing to her? He is a darkling, she is a whiteling. That was that her body could do all the weird stuff it wanted to but nothing was going to happen. It was forbidden. And why was she so worried about it being forbidden anyways it wasn’t like she liked the guy they just met only seconds ago.

            Lucern smiled, “Sure food would be great.” Then he knelt closer and whispered in her ear, “I don't mind the blushing, it's quite cute. And a stomach asking for food is normal, I do not mind it. Now you must stop thinking so loudly, I do not want to intrude in your thinking process.” Then he gently grabbed her hand and placed it through his arm, like a real gentleman would do, which sort of unnerved her even more. Keep it together Mercy it’s not like a guy hasn’t done this before. Then she thought about it, great no guy has ever done this. As they walked, it didn’t seem so bad; it actually started to feel right. Great, she just met the man and she was going all goo-goo gah gah over him. Oh damn, her dad was going to kill her if she falls in love with a darkling. It was forbidden. There she went again talking about love and she only just met the guy, she should really just stop thinking altogether.

            Lucern cleared his throat beside her, “Please put your thoughts in that little box I told you about. I do not wish to intrude. Please.” But that didn’t help the fact that he had already heard everything that she thought. And she was right, love was forbidden. And he also vowed to never fall in love, it would just give his father something to dangle in front of him and turn him into the demon he feared he would become. Although this woman was making it hard not to feel anything, just being around her made his body hum with satisfaction. And he knew that would lead to something they both would regret. He just needed to ignore his body and put up a wall; he would have to fight it.

            Mercy thought about something and looked at him to see if he would respond. “I did not hear anything; you placed it in the box well.” Mercy sighed in relief because she never wanted him to hear what she thought just then. It would ruin her forever. If he heard that she thought she was falling for him, falling for a man she had just met because her body seemed to sing with a zing of blissfulness with the thought of being with him. She would be ruined. She would no longer be able to be the Valkyrie that she was. Either way, she was not falling for a darkling, falling in love with a darkling would mean the downfall of Death Angel....of Mercy DeAngél...who would she be...never...she would not fall in love with a darkling. At least that was what she was going to tell herself until her body stopped singing with him beside her, and her heart stopped aching at the thought of being with anyone else.

                                                                        ***

            “How does Charlie's sound?” Lucern cut through Mercy's thoughts. Mercy nodded, not knowing if she could trust her voice. She was truly nervous, not knowing if it was because she was talking with a darkling so causally or because she didn't understand why she was having feelings for a man she just met. Lucern laughed, “Would that be a yes or a no?”

            “Yes,” Mercy squeaked out. Damn voice. Looking up to find concern on the man's face, why was he concerned about her? Mercy quickly lowered her eyes back down to the ground.

            “If it helps any, I can no longer hear what you are thinking. I think you completely covered your mind with walls.” He really hoped that helped with her nerves, it was truly written all over her face.            Mercy looked back up at him and smiled, “It helps a little.”

            “Good.” Lucern smiled back. Entering Charlie's Diner he found a perfect table where they would have privacy to talk. Gently escorting her to the table, he pulled the chair out for her to sit.

            “You are quite the gentleman.” Mercy laughed.

            “I may be a darkling but that doesn’t mean I can’t be a gentleman. I may have a dark and demonic side but I make sure he never comes out.” Lucern nodded, he never wanted to let the demon out again. He would never let it happen again. Mercy saw the sudden sadness that touched his eyes.

            “Um...well thank you. Go ahead and have a seat.” Lucern glided into the chair that was right across from her and found that she watched him the entire time. Maybe she still didn’t truly trust him. He sighed at the thought.

            “So the questions I have...”

            “You should eat first. I have a feeling you have many questions.” He raised his menu and offered the other one to her. She took it cautiously and began to look over it. The server soon came by and took their orders, but before the server left he gave a wink and a smile in Mercy's direction. Mercy rolled her eyes; he was just like all the other guys in this small town. “I see you have quite the attraction to the men around here.” Lucern covered his growl with a laugh. Why in hells bells was he growling, it’s not like she’s his girlfriend? Cool it, Luc. His actions made him look like a jealous boyfriend, they were not a couple they were just two people with the same goal. That was all they were ever going to be, he would never let it be more.

            “He's just a boy no more than eighteen.” She laughed, was he getting jealous over a young boy.

            “Well you’re...let's see...twenty is my guess.”

            Mercy laughed, “I look twenty, doesn't mean I am. Whitelings just like darklings don’t age like mortals.”

            Lucern smiled, “Yes I suppose you are right about that. So what is your age anyways?”

            “Yes, I am right and you should never as a girl her age” Mercy laughed, “Hey I'm supposed to be asking the questions here.”

            “Sorry, milady I was truly curious.” Then the server returned with their orders as if a checkered flag to begin the twenty million questions. “I guess this means you can begin to ask the questions that are burning a hole in your mind.”

            “Why do you have an English accent?”

            Lucern swallowed and smiled, “That’s not the question you wanted to ask me.”

            “I thought I would start with something easy and simple.”

            Lucern pushed his plate away, “My mother was from England, and I liked to visit her when I was younger.”

            “What do you mean 'liked'?”

            “Well like you, I am older than I appear. She died many years ago, I go back once in a while to visit her grave. She never treated me like I was an evil darkling like most of the darklings are now. I was able to visit more often because my eyes were the color of hers instead of red like my father's. So the mortals were not scared of me.” He loved his mother; she was the only one he allowed himself to love and care about. The only one he allowed into his dark heart. He remembered his father’s laugh when he told him the news. Halcyon had laughed at him as he begged him to be wrong. His father laughed at the tears that fell from his eyes for days. Mercy noticed that his voice spoke of love and joy addressing his mother, and then quickly turned to sadness and hate about his father.

            “I'm sorry she died.”

            “I would like to think that her soul was allowed to go to the light instead of the dark. You are very blessed I must say. You are blessed to have two loving parents who love you. You are blessed to be a member of the Light.

            “Well thank you. I do think of myself as blessed when it comes to my parents. My father knew the previous Lord of the Dark and the darklings were not the demons they are now. My father said that one of his best friends was a darkling, and they worked together to create peace and watch over the Mortals. Although I suppose that doesn’t help you considering your father is the Dark Lord.”

            Lucern smiled, “I have no illusions about my father. I know he is hungry with power and greed. I know he is the one that has turned all darklings into the demons we are now. But we are not here to talk about that, you have other questions you want to ask correct?”

            “Oh yes, um, why do you want to be a whiteling so much? I've never met a darkling who wished to be a whiteling.” She quickly noticed the pain came back to his beautiful blue eyes. No matter if she refused to take part in forming any sort of relationship with this man she couldn’t help the zing of pain that passed through her heart when she saw the pain in his eyes. She only wished she could take away his pain.

            “I have never truly liked being a darkling at all, even if it was what my soul chose. When I was younger I just accepted that I was a darkling, when you’re young you don’t think much of who you are. As I got older I soon realized what my father expected of me because I was a darkling. My father never accepted me because I didn't like killing, even though I am my father’s best Valkyrie I never wanted to be one. The thought of killing people, no matter who they were never sat well with me, my views of being a darkling became concrete when I was eighteen. In the underworld, the Dark realm, there is now a sort of rite of passage into the darkling world; you must kill a mortal or any pure-hearted creature. What I didn't know was that they had already picked a mortal for me to kill. They gave me what the mortal vaguely looked like and where the mortal would be. They said that the mortal was a man that was pure of heart. He would be the one that would give me a reason to exist in the underworld. So I let my demon take over my body and entered the mortal world.” He cringed at the memory flooding back. Then he looked up to find intrigued chocolate brown eyes staring at him, and quickly looked at the floor again.

            “Go on I want to hear what happens.” Mercy urged him to continue.

            “I truly just wanted to be accepted by my father, I suppose at any age all a child wants is to be accepted and loved by their father. I forgot that my father wasn’t capable of love. Anyways when I let the demon take over, logic never enters the mind again. The urge to kill and the need for blood takes over. I found the mortal and killed him without a thought.” His eyes began to burn of tears that wanted to fall. “After the urge died I looked at the body of the man I killed, it was an automatic reaction after your kill. You want to remember the person you kill...I truly wish I didn't. The man I killed was one of my mortal friends I had through the years. His name was Teague Notté. I met him in England when I went to visit my mother's grave. He was one of those guys you couldn't help but get along with, and I considered him a very close friend.” He looked up to find tear-filled chocolaty eyes. Why was she crying for him? She hated the darklings...or maybe he just hated the thought of her crying at all. He gently brushed his thumb over her cheek, and suddenly felt his own tears fall. “After that, I never forgave myself for letting the demon take over. I have never worried about fitting in and never wanted to. I accepted that my father is now a demon and now infects every single darkling with the curse of having his or her own demon they must fight or accept. That’s why darklings are no longer the creatures they were when your father knew them. They are all truly evil.” He pulled away from her and lifted up his shirt to reveal bronze skin, yet there were pink lines that covered his abdomen. Then he returned his gaze to Mercy, finding horror-filled eyes and a mouth wide open in shock. “This is what you receive when you fail to kill a mortal. Because I am a darkling the wounds healed fast...but just because you are a darkling it doesn’t mean the wounds do not leave a mark. It leaves a reminder of any mortals and good-hearted creatures I refused to kill. I am proud to wear these, and my father is ashamed to see them. It only reminds him that his son is a disappointment.” He winced when cool fingers whisked themselves over the scars. Mercy stared at the scars as if mesmerized, feeling each dip and bump.

She didn't want to care...but she couldn’t stand the thought of someone hurting him like this. The pain he went through to not kill a mortal. She could never understand how a father could raise a hand like this to his child. No one should ever go through this whether they were a whiteling, darkling or a mortal. Wasn’t this what she fought to prevent? Lowering his shirt Mercy looked up to find his face still calm, and eyes still full of pain, then she found a scar by his left eye that she left unnoticed before.

            “Where did you get that one from?” Her voice quivered. She was afraid of the answer.

            Smiling, “I fell down some stairs at my mother's house. I was chasing the dog my mom had got me for Christmas and tripped.” Then Lucern let out a laugh, “Who knew the dog would soon be the loyal companion I have now.” Then a loud bark came from the outside of the diner. Mercy smiled, this scar was a happy memory. Lucern kissed the palm of her had, “Were there any other questions you wished to ask me?”

            Removing her hand from his face she gently placed it in her lap then looked down at them, “Why...why me? Why did you choose me to help you?”

            Lucern sighed, “Would you mind if we walked outside for a while. I think Teague is getting impatient since we have been in here for two hours.” He smiled, “I promise I will answer your question so don't worry.” Mercy nodded. Lucern came by her and pulled out her chair so she could get up then whispered, “Would you mind keeping Teague some company while I pay?”

            “I don't mind, as long as he doesn't bite me.”

            Lucern laughed, “He doesn't bite at all, and he’s different like me. It's why we get along so well, he likes acting like a mortal dog, the same way I like to act as a mortal.” Mercy nodded and headed for the diner door. “Oh, Mercy?”

            Quickly turning around, “Yeah?”

            Smiling, “Be careful he likes to lick people when he likes them.”

            “Okay. I'll try not to get licked to death.” Mercy laughed as she pushed open the door to stand beside Teague. Lucern turned to go to pay for the meal smiling as he went. Those two are going to get along way too well. Then frowning, he supposed if he ended up getting killed in the end he’ll just have to hope she will take the poor dog in.

***

            Knocking on the door, “Lord Halcyon I have news about your son.”

            “Come in Bane.”

            Bane opened to doors to find Halcyon smiling; bowing his head, “Yes your highness.”

            “What is your news?”

            “Um. Yes, the news. Your son did not kill the whiteling you assigned him; he even spoke of being sorry for his actions when the Death Angel arrived.”

            Smiling, “He has already made contact with Captain DeAngél of the Light?” His plans were moving along faster than he had even hoped. This was good news.

            “Yes, your highness. He is currently in the process of; I believe the term is taking her out to dinner, sir.”

            “So does it seem he has taken a liking to the woman?”

            “I am not sure what you mean sir?” Bane was confused, what did liking mean?

            “Of course you are, do not worry. You have done great on giving me the information. Keep watch and keep informing me of my sons’ whereabouts.”

            “Yes, sir.” Bowing his head he dismissed himself.

            Again Halcyon waited for the doors to close, once they did he laughed. His plan was working perfectly. If what the Dark Oracle said was true, their previous thoughts about the original proclamation had changed. He was now going to use what the Oracle was saying to his advantage, he was sure the Light would catch on to his plan but it would be too late by then. Halcyon smiled as a petite woman entered his chamber. My rebellious son will be my best pawn in this war, and my plans are going perfectly.

            “I am here for your pleasure my lord.” The petite woman bowed before him.

            Trying to hide his smile, “Of course you are my dear.”