Ever Darkening Read online

  Ever Darkening

  Janeal Falor

  Copyright 2015 Janeal Falor

  Smashwords Edition

  ISBN: TBA

  Copyright © 2015 Janeal Falor

  All Rights Reserved

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  To learn more about this author, please visit: www.janealfalor.com

  Cover by Alisha at Damonza

  Other Books By Janeal Falor:

  Mine to Tarnish (Mine #.5)

  You Are Mine (Mine #1)

  Mine to Spell (Mine #2)

  To Erik

  For loving me even when things are dark

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  I’m the one chosen to save the entire world from evil. Even at the age of ten, I know enough for that to give me knots of tension.

  “Are you still sure I’m the one?” I ask the Astra, our leader, as she prunes her struggling vine climbing the side of her cabin.

  She stops her clipping to give me her full attention instead of just part of it, as she has the rest of my lesson on good and evil. “More certain than when you were called. You are meant to destroy the last of the evil in this world, Kaylyn.”

  I rub the hilt of my sword—a burden from the moment I received it. Someday, when I’m grown, it will be full size, and I will have to slice into men and women. Not as an evil murderer but as a bringer of good and peace. “It just seems like such a big task.”

  She places a hand on my shoulder, strong despite her many wrinkles. “It is, my child. But you have it within you to accomplish great things.” She returns to cutting back the vine. “It’s like this plant. It was growing before, but after I cut it back, it will thrive. It needs conflict. You are just like it. The harder things get for you, the greater you will become.”

  The last thing I want is to be cut down. But the Astra smiles so sweetly, and I have learned a lot in the last four years. Somehow I’ll make it happen.

  “Besides, we’re giving you all the training and power we can to aid you.” She cuts off another long vine. “Now run along and play. Stars know you don’t have as much time for it as you should.”

  “Yes, Astra.”

  I hurry as fast as when I’m training, searching for Jorrin and Marsa, my two very best friends. It doesn’t take long to find them in the forest on the mountain. Marsa is sitting on a log, giggling, while Jorrin looks like he’s dancing around the grove of trees.

  “You’re just in time,” Marsa says, her blonde hair twirling as she looks toward me. “Jorrin’s going to catch a squirrel.”

  Thank the moon the Astra released me from lessons when she did! “What will you do after you catch it?”

  “Let it go, of course,” he replies, his smile wide.

  “Perfect. Why haven’t you caught one yet, then?”

  Even though he’s only a year older than me, he puffs out his chest like he’s one of the grown Zophas warriors. He waits a moment, and we’re all quiet until a squirrel comes near. It never takes long to find them in the forest that’s around our home.

  I laugh as Jorrin dives for the squirrel and misses by inches. He grins at me as if the whole point of his actions is to get me to laugh. Something warms in me then. Something strong and unfamiliar and not entirely just friendship.

  As he jumps to try and catch the squirrel again, Marsa leans over and whispers, “Someday, I’m going to marry him.”

  The new feeling within my heart clamps down with twisting pain that juts through me. It’s fine if she marries him. The new feeling was just our growing friendship anyway. I used some of her mother’s attention when she took me in. I can’t take her future husband’s attention as well.

  “I’ll help make it happen.” My vow is even more solemn than when I promised to do my all as the one chosen to defeat evil.

  “You’re not just my best friend,” Marsa says. “You’re like my sister. The best sister ever.”

  I grin at her, the last of the pain that clamped around my heart releasing. We’ll be together forever because of it.

  Jorrin strolls out from a group of trees, gently petting a squirrel held close to him. “Guess they like it better when you ask nicely instead of jumping after them.”

  “You did it,” I exclaim.

  He gives a sheepish grin. “I did offer him some nuts.”

  “That just means you’re smart,” Marsa says.

  As Jorrin comes closer, he holds the squirrel out to me. “Would you like to hold it?”

  The clamping in my chest is back, fiercer than ever, but I temper it with the knowledge that I’m helping my best friend. She did call me her sister. Sisters we will be. “After Marsa.”

  “Really?” Marsa is already reaching to pet the squirrel. “He’s such a cute little guy.”

  For a moment, Jorrin’s expression darkens into something hidden and wholly unfamiliar. But then the expression is gone, quicker than it came. Everything is good. Or as good as it’s supposed to be with evil still in the world. The Astra is right, however. I can do my job as the chosen one. I will defeat all evil and leave the world a perfectly good place for everyone, including Marsa and Jorrin. I will fulfill my duty as the chosen one.

  Chapter Two

  Seven Years Later

  Being the one chosen to kill the entire evil population is a burden heavier than sin. Not that I know what it’s like to sin, but I imagine this is worse. Killing is never taken lightly, even when sanctioned by our leaders, the same leaders who chose me to carry it out. I’ve lost count of how many Malryx I’ve executed for that exact reason. And now there is only one left. Only one evil being. My purpose of being is almost complete.

  As I sit alone on the mountain, daylight filtering through the trees, I’m not quite sure what to think about my task almost being accomplished. It’s one thing to know Malryx murder, kidnap, steal, and do numerous other things, and even to see them do so in person. But to be the one in charge of eliminating such people? It’s a lot to take in.

  They’ve been around as long as anyone can remember, until I finish them off. Even after all these years, the talk I had with the Astra still comes to me in perfect detail. Our talk doesn’t seem to make the pressure any easier to handle, no matter how hard I think on it.

  I’ve spent enough time wondering about it, though. It’s time to head back to the others and find out if there is any news on where the last Malryx is so I can track him down. He’s been cunning, giving us trouble finding him. Hopefully, that will end soon.

  I head toward the top of the mountain, wondering who will be there and what news they’ll have. I flex my power out as I go—a habit no longer needed since only one Malryx is left, and he wouldn’t dare show himself around so many of us. It would mean certain death for him. Still, I stretch out my Zophasken. Looking for danger has become such a habit, I can’t help it.

  It flows over the land, finding nothing but the plants and animals as usual, but at the top of the mountain where I’m headed are a good dozen sparks of light. The spots of goodness against my own power are soothing. I focus on them as I move closer, but as my power expands outward, something isn’t right. There’s a flicker of darkness. Of evil.

  How can that be? I thought no one knew where he was. Something must have happened in the few hours I took for myself—at Showna’s command. The leader of our band of fighters was insistent I needed the time. Now I’m not so sure it was the thing needed most. I move faster, legs straining, familiar as the hurried pace may be.

  Darkness draws nearer to the mountaintop, slinking closer to home where there's only light while I approach. Fallen branches crack beneath my feet as I race there. Maybe someone is bringing the last Malryx. The last evil man. Morphrac. But the thought is in vain even before I think it. The darkness is alone, trailing continually nearer. No light accompanies it. Everyone is gathering just outside the cave in a bright burst of light. They must know. They must feel it coming.

  Then why aren’t they doing anything?

  They must be waiting for me.

  But why is he coming to us after hiding for so long?

  The sound of my boots grows faint as I reach our clearing. From the amount of blood soaking Showna’s tunic and pooling on the ground, she has little time left, no matter what I do. The sight stops me, and I almost fall to the stones beneath me. I tilt forward but don’t le
t myself go. Those gathered around her part, making a place for me, but they don’t leave her side.

  They aren’t waiting for me. The bright spots are waiting for our leader, Showna, to die. My adoptive mother.

  Knowing it’s too late, that it won’t do any good, I kneel down and reach out to examine her injuries.

  “Leave it,” Showna croaks out.

  I grab her hand instead of checking her wounds. Next to me, her daughter, Marsa, calls out, “Momma, no.” Marsa sobs. “She can fix you.”

  “It’s my time.” Showna gasps for breath and looks straight at me. “And yours.”

  “Momma.” Marsa’s big eyes are filled with tears, and her usually laughing mouth is cinched with pain.

  My own pulse quickens, energy infusing me. And guilt. Even if the moment I’ve trained for my whole life has come, it’s wrong to be this eager for it as Showna lies dying. If I had been with her, if she hadn’t sent me away, if my moment had come sooner, she wouldn’t be leaving. “Don’t talk anymore. Save your strength. I’ll find him.”

  “Good. I know your final battle will be won.” Her breathing is wet.

  I don’t know which is worse, her dying or her words. That Morphrac, the last evil, the darkness coming to my home, killed her because of me.

  The others shift beside us, but I don’t let them distract me. I don’t let the pain and sadness scratching at me inside. Now is not the time for distractions.

  “Those of you—” Showna coughs, a hacking, pitiful sound. Someone offers a water skin, but she waves it away. “If you haven’t… given Kaylyn your power…”

  “Hush now,” I say. “I’ll be fine. I’ll defeat Morphrac for you as I am. The Aster and Astra said I can do this.”

  She doesn’t seem to hear me. At this point, I can’t tell if it’s intentional or delirium from blood loss. “Give Zophasken… to Kaylyn. She’s our best cha…” She draws out the word but never gets to finish it.

  My throat tightens as her life withdraws. I won’t cry. Not now.

  Marsa pulls Showna to her, heedless of the blood soaking her clothes. “No, Momma! Don’t leave me!”

  What does one do in this situation? I’ve seen much death but never my best friend’s mother. The woman who is in almost every respect my own mother. And evil is still coming. I can feel the darkness closing in on us. There’s not much time before it’s here.

  “Showna was right,” Jorrin says, his tall height empowering his words. “Kaylyn is our best chance.”

  I meet his eyes, the coolness of the stone floor finally registering. He reaches down for me, his grip firm and warm as he helps me up. Once I’m standing, he doesn’t let go. Instead, he closes his other hand around mine, tender and comforting. With something else hovering just on the edge.

  I’m grateful I’ve done this before so it’s a familiar process, though it doesn’t get any easier with repetition.

  “My Zophasken is yours.” Jorrin’s deep voice thrums through me.

  His power washes over me, his goodness flowing to me in vast waves. He’s strong. So much stronger than me. Why did the Aster and Astra not choose him for this? Not only is he one of our best fighters, but he’s also unfailingly good. Only last week, he stayed to practice with me when all the others had long since gone to bed. When we finished, he pulled out some food he’d set aside from dinner, knowing I hadn’t stopped practicing long enough to eat. And it’s not just his power that is strong but him as well. He’s tough from years of fighting.

  No wonder Marsa is in love with him.

  When his Zophasken grows low, I stop the flow. Still plenty of good left within him. The memory of having to defeat another Malryx after taking too much is still a powerful reminder. It’s not a mistake I’ll ever make again.

  He gives my hand a quick squeeze before moving away. His power hums within me, sunny and comforting, as it merges with mine. The others take turns coming to me as quickly as they can, relinquishing their powers to me so rapidly, it’s hard to keep track of them all. It only takes a moment to get through the last of those who haven’t already gifted their Zophasken.

  Not one of them hesitates to share what they know I’ll need. Perhaps if Showna would have also shared their powers, she’d still be with us. But the Aster and Astra insisted I am the one extra Zophasken should be given to. I am the one to finish the quest that began hundreds of years ago.

  I am the one to defeat the last evil person alive.

  I just don’t know why.

  By the time Azleco, another Zophas, steps to me, I’m tingling with an overabundance of power. I’m not used to getting so much at once. I’ve been getting it from just a person or two at a time for years. With Marsa’s grief, I didn’t expect her to even notice us. But when Azleco finishes, Marsa is waiting her turn. Though her eyes are red-rimmed, they’re dry. She takes my hand with hers, one of the few places not marred by her mother’s blood.

  “I can do this,” I say.

  “I know.” Her voice cracks with grief held at bay. “My Zophasken is yours.”

  And it is. Her strength rushes into me, merging with my own and all that many others have given me. Its warmth is a balm against the ache from Showna’s death, which I’ve been trying to ignore. I let the power soothe me as it slides into place. When I’ve taken some but left enough for her to stay strong, I don’t let go. Instead, I embrace her, not caring about Showna’s blood getting on me.

  “I can’t lose you too,” she whispers, voice desperate.

  I keep my words faint, for her ears alone as I hug her. “Nothing will happen to me, and your mother’s death won’t be in vain. I’ll defeat Morphrac. The planet will be rid of Malryx. Your mother’s dream to get rid of all evil will come true.”

  She sniffs and starts crying again. I motion for someone to take my place, hoping Jorrin will, but Tavo moves forward before Jorrin has a chance. As long as someone is here to help, it will be enough. There will be time for her and me to comfort each other later. After I kill Morphrac.

  I pull away, and Tavo puts an arm around her. She’ll be fine.

  Something breaks close by with a loud crash.

  Morphrac.

  “Come out to play, my little Zophaslings,” he calls from a distance, though too close to our sanctuary for comfort. “Or did slaughtering your leader leave you too scared to face me?”

  I don’t let anger rise within me, though it wants to. Instead, I channel everything I’ve been taught for the last seventeen years into what’s to come. It’s not for revenge over Showna that I’m doing this. It’s for the calling I’ve been given. It’s for her dream and the dream of those before her.

  Everyone stares at me. Not frowning but not smiling either. What’s the appropriate expression for this moment? With Showna’s death and our possible victory so close together, I’m not sure. I draw my sword and settle on giving them my most determined look.

  “Let us come with you and help,” Jorrin says.

  Without their power, they’re more likely to be a hindrance than a help. “Thank you, but I will do this,” I say. “Stay in the cave until I get back.”

  “Vitliruc,” Jorrin says.

  “Vitliruc, my friend,” Marsa says.

  “Vitliruc.” The others join in.

  I nod in acknowledgment of their good wishes and then leave as they carry Showna’s body into the cave.

  No Morphrac in sight. I stretch my Zophasken, readying it to feel the burn of his darkness as I move away from the cave. My power flows through me, dancing through every corner of my being. I stretch it away from me and to the mountain I’m on. It flows from me smoother and easier than ever, strong in its grandeur.

  There’s no Malryx in the immediate area. Did he give his taunt and then run like a coward?

  Something’s wrong.

  As I walk away from my home, I push my power out farther, searching the area for his stain. Nothing. He’s backtracked more than when I first arrived. Why is he so anxious to get away after invading our territory in the first place? I shove my Zophasken, rippling it from me down the slope, but there’s still no sign of his taint. Just the soothing hum of nature’s neutrality.