Red Moon Secrets(25)

We all keep quiet, trying not to spook the predator he is right now.  Without warning, he throws his hand toward us, lashing out at Kane and knocking both of us back with a gust of power.  We're suddenly sprawled out against the wall.
"Night stalker, night stalker," he taunts, his eyes burning with menace.
"Drackus!" Mom gasps.  "Stop!"
My body is pinned against Kane's as Drackus continues toward us.  Defense mechanisms kick in, darkness stirs, and suddenly I feel almost as high as him.
"Fucking shit.  I'll get it," Gage growls, close to vaporizing himself and Drackus again.
"Actually, I think it's my turn," I murmur, the taste of power burning through my veins.
"Alyssa," Kane whispers, trying to break the spell I'm under.
An invisible string snaps, and Drackus's hold on me vanishes.  Kane thuds to the ground, refusing to use his own power.  Foolish night stalker.  He's too soft.  I'm not though.  I want to play.
Drackus's intrigue stirs as he circles me—his worthy opponent.
"Shall we dance, daughter?" he asks, mockery in his tone.
A sinister grin quirks up on my lips, and I give a small wink that blasts out enough power to blow him through the side of the house.  The sound pummels the ears of all as the roar of my power buzzes, creating a thunderous drumming.  It feels so good.
My hair falls darker under the trance, making me feel complete and whole.  An intoxicating rush flows through me, leaving me determined to never let it go this time.
"I'll lead," I murmur, taunting the man splayed on the ground.
Before I can do any further damage, I feel the tingling sensation of a vaporizing.  No!  No!
I swat at the arms around me, but it's too late.  I'm spiraling through the planes, cursing the interfering dark user for meddling in my fight.  I had him.  I could have taken him, damn it!
I stumble to the ground in a dark playground for twisted minds.  I'll rip him to pieces for this.
"What the fuck?" I blare, searching aimlessly for Gage, but I can't find him.
"You need to cool down.  This helps," he says, his voice nearly an echo from what sounds like miles away.
"I'll kill you, you slimy son of a—"
"Just calm down," he says, sounding closer.
A gust of air rushes by me, but nothing is visible in this endless pit of nothingness.  It's like a starless pocket in outer space has just swallowed us up.  Where are we?
"This is limbo—the place between purgatory and hell," Gage says, now standing behind me, answering my inner questions.
I swing my hand out, but no power follows.  "What the hell?"
"It won't work here.  Only those who've aligned themselves with the dark can use their powers here," he says, still invisible under the blanket of pitch-black.  "Now calm the hell down."
A small burn of candlelight finds the space, offering a flicker of light.  But I see no flame and no candle.
Slowly, I feel my anger filtering out, my high dissipating as quickly as it came.  I gasp as the last of it runs out, and then I nearly convulse from the sudden abandonment.
Gage grabs me, wraps me against him as he holds me steady, helping me through the unexpected withdrawal jerks.
"How did it happen?" I whimper, falling against him and letting him support all my weight.  "I didn't use any of my dark power."
"You're getting closer.  Something has triggered your secret powers, and now they're starting to creep out.  Drackus made you feel threatened, and your animal instincts took over.  It's the same way—were, lycans, night stalkers—all of them react."#p#分页标题#e#
"Kane didn't," I object, sniffling as I wipe away my escaped tears.
"Kane's had centuries to get it under control.  You didn't even know you needed to prepare."
"This can't...be...happening," I choke out through sobs, letting myself go so limp that he's forced to scoop me up.
He cradles me to his chest and sways me in a rocking motion.  I sob in the darkness, pretending that faint glow isn't shedding a glimmer of light on me.  This is real.  I'm a monster.
 
"Where the hell did you take her?" Kane yells, his fury coming out as soon as Gage materializes us back in Drackus's home.
Drackus, who's now sober and guilt-ridden, rips me free from Gage's grasp and pulls me to him, stumbling out an apology over and over as he hugs me.  This still feels awkward, and right now I'm anything but responsive.  My world just fell apart.
Mom joins us, stroking my hair affectionately and kissing my head through my hair, letting her sigh trickle down the back of my neck as she rests her head against mine.