Tempting Darkness

Every night, I had spent the night in their room, unable to return to mine. Darius still believed wholeheartedly that I was trying to escape. I wasn't willing to tell him differently for the sake of Ryze, who now lived in the attic. Tobias was right, however. Even healed, Ryze never left. I noticed, though, with each passing day when Tobias would sneak me up to see him and feed him, that he grew larger, which was concerning because he would soon not fit through the hole in the roof.

I still couldn't bring myself to feed him the mice. I tried to give him frozen ones, even thawed-out ones, but he liked them alive. So I was thankful that Tobias had no issues sacrificing the mice for me. Ryze even let him pat him. He nearly lost a finger, and Ryze only tolerated his touch for a few seconds before snapping at him. Tobias was thrilled that he had touched a live phoenix, like it was some sort of acceptance, and he was suddenly a phoenix whisperer.

Tobias opened a portal back to the room, and the moment I stepped through it, Darius was there, waiting, his arms folded across his chest. His temper had gotten worse over the last few days. The more time Tobias and Kalen spent with me, the more furious he seemed to get.

"Where have you both been?" he demanded, and Tobias quickly closed the portal behind us before he could see into the dark attic.

"The library," I said.

"I checked the library," Darius said, and I knew we would have to come up with a better lie.

"Must have just missed us then." Tobias shrugged before pulling a book from his pocket. He tossed it to Kalen, who caught it and smiled. I had no idea when Tobias got time to grab it unless he got it before he went up, but it seemed to placate Darius for now. He muttered under his breath before storming out.

Kalen looked the cover over before flipping it and reading the back. I realized Kalen spent most of his time reading because Darius had pulled him from the classes he taught so that I wouldn't spend more time than necessary with him. Moving toward the couch, I sat next to him when Lycus came over and rolled his eyes before walking off.

"I'm going for a run," Lycus growled.

Tobias sighed before sitting at my feet on the floor. "They're just jealous," Tobias said, resting his head on my knees.

"Of what?" I asked incredulously. What could they possibly have to be jealous of? They weren't the ones held prisoner? "That Tobias and I don't hate you, and we spend more time with you than them?" Kalen said while opening the book. I sighed. "And why do they hate me, exactly?"

Neither answered, and I knew it was to do with Darius forbidding them from telling me.

"Okay then, why did you hate me?" I asked Tobias.

He shifted uncomfortably, leaning forward before also getting up and leaving. Was I a repellent? What was up with them all today? Tobias had been fine all week, and I asked one question, and he, too, stormed off and into the bathroom. "Well, can you tell me?" I asked Kalen, and he sighed.

"Nope, because unless Darius agrees for you to know, we are bound by his stupid bond," Kalen growled.

"Huh?" First I heard of them being sworn to secrecy.

"He has been our replacement keeper for years. We are bonded to him most, even Lycus and I."

"I still don't understand," I told him.

"The keeper is the glue. Darius is our glue. We draw off him the most, so our bond to him is stronger. He controls the bonds and, therefore, us, in a sense, like a blood tie or another way to put it is, we can't betray him even if we wanted to." "So, you have no say at all?" I asked, wondering how that worked.

"We do, but only when powerful emotion is behind it. Like the few times we have gone against him."

"What do you mean?"

"Lycus's guilt, when he healed you. Tobias giving you magic the other day."

I looked at him, wondering how he knew.

"Don't tell me. In case you haven't noticed, I am the weakest link. If Darius asks, I will tell him why. I won't be able to lie to him. Therefore, some things are best for me not knowing," Kalen told me, and I nodded. I'd have to remember that. "Wait, how did you know?" I asked.

"Your aura changed. It glowed for a few hours, like you were recharged."

"And now?"

He glanced at me. "Same as ours, though fainter since you have no magic."

I nodded, relieved. "What can you tell me, then?"

"Ask, and we will find out. See what I can say," Kalen told me.

I thought for a second, choosing my questions. "Why does Lycus hate me?"

"He doesn't. He just hates what you did to me."

"What did I do to you?"

"Can't answer, but you already know," he said, and I nodded, saving that for later to ponder.

"What about Darius?"

He opened his mouth and started humming. "Interesting, that is one I think I can speak about. He killed his father for you, for all of us." "Can you elaborate?"

"Ah..." He tried to speak when his mouth shut. "I guess that is all I can say on that one."

"Fine, um... Tobias then?" I ask, slightly annoyed.

"His brother, and again all I can say," he said, frustrated.

"Was that the man I saw in the picture on the bedside table?"

"Yes, it was his twin."

"Was?"

"He is dead now."

"Let me guess, because of me?"

Kalen's brows furrowed, but he said nothing else.

"Okay, well, can you tell me why everyone calls me a traitor?"

"Because of conspiracy theories surrounding the plague."

"Conspiracy theories?"

"I can't. That is all you get," Kalen growled, resting his head back on the couch. "This is so stupid. Believe me, if I could, I would tell you everything." "I know," I told him, gripping his knee.

"Okay, your turn. How about you answer some of my questions?" Kalen asked, and I chewed my lip. "Might help get you some answers," he continued.

"You're going to see if I can answer my own questions?" I asked, and he nodded.

I shrugged. What could it hurt if it meant learning more about them? Why not? The door opened, and I almost sighed when Darius entered the room, knowing how this strange game would be over.