Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)(96)

“Will it be difficult this time? Like it was last week?” I ask meekly.

The ghost of a smile plays on Dorian’s delicious lips. “Not as bad; no,” he shakes his head. “I will miss you though and I hope you will miss me as well.”

“I will,” I respond too quickly. Gone are the days of playing it cool.

“Good,” he says, licking his lips.

“And my friends…they’ll be safe?” I doubted Dorian before, not knowing all that he’s capable of. After this weekend, I won’t doubt him again.

“Yes. I’ve already taken care of it. I told you not to worry about them. Just focus on keeping yourself out of trouble. I’d hate to have to come back and commit murder,” he says with a dark smirk. I laugh it off uncomfortably, his words gnawing at the back of my mind. He can’t be serious…right?

I finish my food in silence, stealing admiring glances at Dorian whenever I can. It’s happened; he’s opened my heart. The man in front of me has done the impossible. He’s gone to a place that I’ve withheld from the world, a place that even Jared has failed to penetrate. And while my heart still holds a place for him, there’s space for Dorian too. I know that we both have secrets that we will probably die trying to protect, but for right now, I can live with that. I don’t need to know everything about him. Because what I do know about him- his strength, his compassion, his incredible mind, his sense of humor- is enough for me. Dorian, shrouded in all his mystery, is enough for me. More than enough. I just pray that one day I can be enough for him. Or that I live long enough to get the chance to try.





Chapter Twenty Four





It’s hard enough trying to get through my classes without falling asleep or daydreaming, but it’s downright impossible without Jared. He’s avoided me all week- sitting across the room during classes we share, ignoring me in the atrium. It’s been days of this treatment and at this point, I can’t take it anymore. I sit at our usual small round table like I do every day, the hood of my sweatshirt hanging low over my brow. I haven’t been sleeping well, and I take the liberty of resting my eyes between classes.

“Hey,” a low voice murmurs.

I snap my head up to meet a familiar pair of green eyes. Jared. It’s already Thursday and he’s finally decided to speak to me.

“Jared.” I quickly drop my feet from the adjacent chair and sit up. Then I slide the hood off my long dark hair and try to plaster on a solemn grin.

Jared sits down cautiously and returns my remorseful look. Neither one of us knows what to say so we just sit in silence for a little while, enjoying each other’s proximity. How did it get like this? How did being friends become so complicated, such a change from our once seamless companionship? Jared used to be the one person I could bare my soul to. He’s seen me at my worst and he’s seen me at my best. I need him now. Things in my life are growing to be so difficult. I need him with me, not against me.

“I want you to know that I’m sorry for the way I reacted on Saturday. That was stupid of me. I had a few too many and I was just caught off guard when I saw you with that guy,” Jared finally says.

“No, I’m sorry for not telling you about him.” I’ve wanted to say that to him for days. I should’ve been honest with him from the beginning and avoided this whole mess.

“I want you to be happy. Really. And if this guy is what makes you happy, you should be with him. I’m sure he’s got to be a good guy for you to like him.” Jared tries to give me a reassuring smile but there is pain behind his fabricated guise. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you,” I grin warmly. “I think he and I just have a lot in common. Both kinda been through similar situations. Maybe it’s just a comfort thing for right now. I don’t know. But I do care about him. A lot. And I hope he feels the same about me.” It feels so good to talk to someone about my feelings for Dorian, even if it is Jared.

“Well, he better not step outta line or he’ll have me to deal with,” he chuckles.

I exhale, relieved at the sight of Jared’s boyish grin. “Thanks, but you know I am more than equipped to kick his ass if he does,” I laugh heartily.

**********

After work that evening, I stop in to talk to my parents before heading to my room. I’m exhausted. Being at odds with Jared has taken a lot out of me and not being able to talk to Dorian while he’s in Greece hasn’t made it any easier. I know Chris and Donna had grown weary with my ever changing moods so I wanted to make it a point to show them that all is well.