Frailty: The Darkshine Read online

  “When my kind finds their mate—the one being they want to be with for eternity—they connect with them on a very primal level. Other males will feel uneasy around you, will be able to sense that you are claimed. They can smell me inside of you and know that you are already taken.”

  She turned around and crinkled her brow, raising her arm and smelling it. “I don’t smell anything. What do I smell like to them?”

  “Like me.”

  She remembered Gaijryc’s dark, delicious smell. “What does that all mean?” He had explained everything, but her mind was twisted, everything mixing together into a ball of confusion. She felt his arms land on her shoulders, and his lips kiss the back of her neck.

  “It means I want you for as long as I breathe, for as long as my heart beats, and for as long as you’ll have me.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at his words. Clearing her throat, she held back the tears that threatened to escape. “If we’re not going to do anything, then I suggest a no touching rule.”

  “I just don’t want to move too fast with you.”

  “A little late for that, don’t you think?” The way he kissed her neck was causing coils of ecstasy to travel through her. “I’d say we’re way past the point of moving too fast.” He chuckled against her neck as he gave it one last kiss before pulling away.

  They sat across from each other at the small marble-topped table. The time seemed to go so fast when she was with Gaijryc. She was pleased and surprised when Gaijryc polished off three helpings of the spaghetti.

  They ended the evening lying in bed together, reading passages out of Romeo and Juliet before she finally drifted off to sleep, perfectly content, and utterly happy.

  The others

  Gaijryc sat behind his desk, which was situated in front of the picture window. There were only a few days left before the ball and he was beating himself up about a way to tell his family about Helina. Worry for her protection filled him. He was now debating whether he should even tell them about Helina before the ball. He knew even if Helina wasn’t in the picture, no one would expect him to choose a mate right away. They would expect him to weigh his options and give his decision at a later date.

  He stared out the window at the rolling green hills that seemed to kiss the forest. The bright blue skies were clear with clouds scattered around as if they had all the space in the world. Ryce hadn’t showed up since he had spoken with Helina, and it was making him on edge. Ryce had never done anything like this before. He had considered the warrior a brother, and the fact that he had disappeared without a word infuriated Gaijryc.

  He knew it must hurt Ryce to see him mating a human, and he no doubt remembered the human female he had loved so long ago. It was inexcusable that Ryce had even gone near Helina—had even spoken with her with without the presence of Gaijryc there. He hadn’t smelled any kind of lust in the air that Ryce might have put off, just a thick confusion and a despair that had coated the air like tar on your skin. Even hours after he had left, that despair and sadness had lingered, making itself known. Maybe it was because of that, that Gaijryc hadn’t hunted him down and skinned him alive.

  Gaijryc turned away from the window and stared at the papers laid out before him. His mother had given him numerous profiles of the DarkShine females that would be attending the ball. He looked at the females with disinterest as their faces smiled up at him from their glossy homes. All of them were exotically beautiful, as was every DarkShine female. Each photo had a paragraph of their talents, likes and dislikes, and why they would be a good Queen for their kind. All were basically the same, the females stating how they would be a good and loyal Queen.

  He tossed each picture aside, growing more and more agitated looking at them. He sat down and leaned back, breathing out deeply and wanting nothing more than to go to Helina. He looked at his watch and grimaced at the time. Today he was supposed to speak with the fledglings. He still hadn’t found a suitable place for Helina to stay, but he had been watching the cabin, guarding it with his life.

  He left his office and made his way downstairs. He got into his car and sped off, wanting to get to the school quickly and get it over with. Sagewood was the private academy that held the DarkShine students, a place that had his patience on a thin wire. He hated speaking with them about their transition, telling them about how their bodies wouldn’t be theirs anymore, how they would be a slave to their basic instincts and become fiends for sex. Even though they were essentially adolescents, children, physically they were at the adult stage in their lives.

  He stepped on the gas and let the trees flash by him as if they were no more than air gliding over his body. He looked in the passenger seat and checked to make sure he had brought the slides to show the fledglings. Every time he spoke with the graduating class, the slides had always been their favorite because of the nature of the images.

  As he raced toward the school he passed the dirt road that would lead him to Helina. He was oh so tempted to make a detour and see her, but knew the sooner he arrived at the school, the sooner he could leave. He pressed on the gas even harder and turned on the stereo as the car sped away from what he wanted most.

  Aires and Adais stared at the classroom filled with young DarkShine. The males were at their peak physically and the females were glowing with youth and vitality. Aires looked upon them and inhaled deeply. He could smell their transition in the air, coating each of their skins. They had just arrived, ordered by their mother to speak with them about the DarkShine league and how each male would have the choice to join in the protection of their race.

  He looked at Adais, who was smiling and winking at one of the female students. Even though Aires would have never attempted sexual relations with a female so young, they were fair game for Adais. Aires looked back at the students before him, the big males hunched over their small desks, their eyes scanning each female in the room. The males would go through their transition first, their bodies becoming machines in need of fuel for the change. That fuel of course was a female willing to share her bed as well as her blood. He clapped his hands and began talking of the old wars their race had fought in. Each male became interested immediately, the females looking shocked.

  Gaijryc pulled into the dark, paved driveway, driving past pristine landscaping and rolling green hills. He pulled into the lot filled with expensive cars all shining under the sun and reeking of wealth. He got out and looked at the picnic tables that sat under large oak trees to his left. Each table was filled with students, all of them silent as they watched him. They all stood in unison and bowed their heads, the traditional greeting a DarkShine gave a member of the royal family.

  He walked toward the entrance, his attention going back in front of him as he pulled open the double doors and let the cool air waft over him. The foyer was wide and open, the ceiling going twenty feet above him. The dome top arched into a skylight and let the bright sun penetrate the marble and wood. The black marble flooring shone bright, a medieval war scene etched into the stone and situated in the center of the room.

  Gaijryc walked past the empty secretary’s desk and stared down at the scene. Humans in silver armor rode high atop enormous horses that had coats as white as the snow. Swords hung from their hands, blood dripping off the blades’ tips as the warriors’ heads hung. It was a scene of defeat, a scene of loss for the warriors that had fought hard for their lives. Whether it was a scene from the humans’ past, Gaijryc didn’t know. What he did know was that it reminded him of the battles fought with his own species. Of battles won and lost, of family and friends gone and in the past.

  “Can I help you?”

  Gaijryc turned toward the soft voice. He turned and stared at the small DarkShine female and watched her eyes grow wide. She stood quickly and bowed her head. “Be at ease, female.” Her head rose and she cleared her throat and fixed her tiny glasses atop her nose. She wore a dark suit, the skirt hitting her knees, her black loafers flat and unremarkable.

  “Yes, my lord. It is
an honor.”

  He smiled and walked toward her, the soles of his shoes making a light thudding sound against the marble. Her eyes grew wide again and she sat down. She fixed her glasses once again before typing on the computer and clearing her throat.

  “I’m sorry, high prince. I just need to see which class you are to be speaking with today.”

  “It’s quite all right.”

  She stared at him with her mouth slightly open, an almost confused look on her face.

  “What is your name?”

  “My name? Oh, yes, my name.” She let out a laugh that sounded strained before fixing her glasses once again. “Deetta, my lord. Thank you for inquiring.”

  “Well, Detta, where shall I be lecturing this morning?”

  She smiled at him before looking at the screen and jotting down something on a small slip of paper. “Room six, my lord. It is the last door on the right once you get to the top of the stairs.” She handed him the slip of paper and pointed to the stairs.

  He nodded and headed up the white carpeted staircase. The wrought iron railing spiraled around itself as it wound its way up before curving into a gargoyle’s head. He ran his hands along the head of the monster once he was at the top. He turned right and walked down the eerily silent hallway. Several closed doors lined each side of him, along with open arched entrances that held a dining hall as well as a library. He stopped in front of room six and knocked on the smooth oak. The only noise that came from the other side was the light tapping of heels across the tile. The door swung silently open. The instructor bowed her head and moved to the side to allow him entrance. Fifteen bodies stood and lowered their heads in unison as he walked in. “Be at ease.”

  All of them sat and the instructor left. He watched the class, their bodies looking like grown adults, honed to perfection and reeking of youth. This was the first maturing class that would be graduating into their transition since they had taken control. “I’m here to speak with you about the transition you will soon be experiencing and what it means for me to be future king of the race. Are there any questions before we start?” Ten hands raised at once, all males with broad smiles on their faces. “Not pertaining to the sexual aspect of the transition?” All hands dropped. “We will get to all of that later, and all of your questions will be answered.”

  He walked behind the teacher’s desk and sat into the butter soft leather chair. “Now, I am aware that you have all had some kind of class dealing with the nature of the transition, but really haven’t gone into depth about it. I am going to start off by explaining why a DarkShine goes through the change.” He leaned back in the chair as he stared at the faces before him. They all seemed eager to hear what he had to say, empty slates for him to educate. “When a DarkShine reaches the age of adulthood, as you all are going through, our bodies must go through a change in order to fully mature. Physically you all appear as if you are adults, but what you don’t know is that soon a chemical change will happen within your body that will make you stronger, faster, and essentially the most powerful being on this planet.”

  They stared at him intently, their postures straight and their faces reflecting excitement. He was impressed that they were able to keep their composure when he knew they were like live grenades inside. Their hands were folded properly, their navy and white uniforms crisp and pressed to perfection. An embroidered gargoyle’s head graced the corner of their jackets, the white stitching standing out against the dark blue.

  “You will know when the change comes. It is different for each of us. The females will let off a strong pheromone that lets the males know she is nearing her transition and will soon be fertile. The males will smell the pheromones and hear the calling for sexual relief. You will be powerless to stop the change, or the need to be with someone sexually. It is all part of the transition and is essential that you take their vein as well as find release with them.”

  A young male in the front row raised his hand. “What would happen if we did resist it?”

  “I have heard of some cases where young DarkShines have tried to resist the transition, going so far as to chain themselves to something so that they were alone. I will not go into detail as to the aftermath of these situations, but I assure you they are not pleasant and are not recommended. Now, any other questions?”

  He saw several arms go up, and already knew what they were going to ask because it was always the same. “You, in the far back corner, stand please and state what you are called.” A large male stood, his towering height and muscular build seeming to dwarf even fully matured DarkShine. His ash blond hair swept across his forehead and his bright blue eyes looked back at him with pent-up excitement.

  “It is an honor, my lord. I am called Collan. I have heard that when the change hits you, you are more like an animal. You crave only blood and sex. Is this true, and if so, how long does it last?”

  “This is true to an extent. When the change happens, you will know it instantly. Like I said before, it is different for everyone, but what is the same is the impossible urge to be with someone sexually as well as take a vein. As in regards to how long it last, well, that is different for everyone as well. For some it is only a day, for others it can be as long as a month.” Gaijryc spoke directly to Collan and could see how uncomfortable the student was. It was strange to see a fully grown DarkShine male uncomfortable talking about sex, but he needed to remind himself that they were also young. He would have to keep his eye on Collan, because given how powerful he was before his change, he would be a very useful asset to the league.

  “You, in the center, rise please and state what you are called.”

  The small female stood and greeted him the same way Collan had. “I am called Kallina, my lord. I was wondering if, well, when the change happens, we will have enough sense to choose our mates. I mean, will we be so crazed with lust that whoever walks by will be the lucky one?”

  Students laughed, becoming more at ease with the discussion. “Some will be stronger than others, I’m afraid. Some will have no control, just craving what they need. I’m sorry I can’t give you more, but everyone is different. Any other questions?”

  One by one they asked him their questions, the room seeming to grow more at ease. It always ended that way, though, the students realizing that just because he was their future king didn’t mean he was the all-mighty. He was about to say his goodbyes when a tiny hand rose in the farthest corner of the room. “Do you have a question?”

  All the students turned their heads, some whispering to themselves and then giggling. A tiny female rose in the back, her height nothing compared to the other females in the room. Little glasses sat on the bridge of her nose, her auburn hair streaming in thick waves down her shoulders.

  “My lord.” She bowed her head before looking around at the class and clearing her throat. “I am called Claudia. My question is…” She became quiet and looked around the room again.

  “Please ask. Everyone is happy to hear what you have to say. Isn’t that correct, class.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. He could tell she was the runt of the litter so to speak, and it irritated him to know that stronger beings picked on something much smaller than they were.

  “Well, I was wondering if you have to have sex. I mean, well, what if you don’t want to, what if you’re saving yourself?”

  Snickers sounded from the class and Gaijryc bounded off of his seat. He slammed his hand on the table until it made a resounding crack against the wood. The students’ eyes became like saucers and he was glad for their fear, could smell it thick in the air. He didn’t bother saying anything to them, just made sure to make eye contact with each and every one of them until they knew exactly how he felt. “Continue, Claudia.” He didn’t look at her when he spoke, just continued to stare at each student.

  “Are you able to control yourself and resist having sex?”

  Gaijryc sat down again and finally looked at Claudia. Her face was flushed red with embarrassment and he curled his han
ds, pissed that she would even feel like that.

  “I have known some DarkShines who have not wanted to have sexual relations during their transition and have resisted. They were very strong willed, though. If an individual really wants to wait, then they will be able to resist the urge.”

  The girl nodded before looking around at the class again and sitting back down. Her auburn waves fell across her face, obscuring her features and hiding her from everyone.

  Gaijryc left the classroom and walked down the spiraled staircase and headed outside. His smile was broad as he got into his car. He would soon see Helina.

  He watched her from the shadows, the thick branches obscuring him even though the sun shone brightly above. He could see her through the window, her slight frame walking back and forth, her nose buried in a book. Her long black hair curled at the ends and brushed against her back, her thin finger twisting around a strand. She looked so much like the one he’d lost, the one he thought about each day, the one that took up his every waking moment.

  He knew how much Gaijryc cared for her and still he couldn’t stop looking at her, still he couldn’t stop thinking about how much she reminded him of her. He should just go, just leave and never come back, yet he felt he needed to watch over her when she was alone. He looked to his left and sensed Gaijryc’s return. He looked through the window one last time before leaving. He couldn’t keep doing this, hiding from his leader and watching a human that wasn’t his, could never be his.

  Gaijryc pulled in front of the small cabin and sensed Helina inside. He could hear her heart pounding and knew she had heard his arrival. He turned the car off and got out. The wind blew fiercely, and inhaled deeply, but couldn’t sense anything unusual. The wind blew from the south and concealed everything in its path. He didn’t like the fact that anyone could be lurking in the trees and he wouldn’t be able to sense them. He scanned around him, his body ready and alert for anything. He took the steps quickly and knocked on the door. “It’s me, Helina.”