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The Dark Prince (The Dark Light Series)(20)

By:S.L. Jennings


Morgan looks at me disbelievingly. “What makes you say that? It’s not in the forecast; I checked.”

I smile and shrug at my little secret. “Hey, I’m gonna go find Jared. I’ll let you get back to your guests.”

I scout out the crowd of people gathered around tables of food and drinks. The roar of laughter, conversation and music echoes through the crisp mountain air. I spot Jared positioned near the pool by himself, constructing a text message on his cell phone.

“Hey you,” I smile as I approach.

Jared’s head snaps up as if he’s been caught red handed. “Hey Gabs!” He pulls me into his arms for one of his famous bear hugs. Wow, that was unexpected, especially since things have been pretty hot and cold with us. “You look nice,” he says, taking in my knee-length floral sundress.

“Thanks, you too.”

Jared always looks nice, even in jeans and a t-shirt. Today he sports a fitted polo shirt, designer wash jeans and his favorite baseball cap. Almost something the old Jared would wear. My Jared.

“Aurora didn’t come?”

“Nah, something came up. But I’m supposed to go over to her place after I leave here.”

“So you guys are still going strong, huh?” I would normally know the answer to this question but it seems as if Jared and I hardly speak outside of classes.

Jared nods nonchalantly. “Yeah, we are. I really like her. Like, really like her. I never thought I’d feel that way about someone…other than you of course. But hey, I guess everything happens for a reason, right?”

I smile at my old friend and former object of my desire. “Right.”

Part of me wants to warn Jared, tell him that his entire relationship was orchestrated so Aurora could infiltrate our group. But the other part of me, the rational part of me, knows that I have to let this play out for all our sakes. Because no matter what I feel for Aurora, her secrets are my secrets. We are in this together. Though we feel nothing but disdain for each other, we both have a common goal, a common love: Dorian. And if tolerating her is what I have to do to keep him alive and make it to my ascension, then I’ll do just that.

“Hey, I was thinking, Gabs. I really want you and Aurora to get along. Not just that, but actually be friends. I know she irks you; I can tell. But outside of my mom, you two are the most important women in my life. I want to be able to hang out with both of you without feeling like I’m cheating. So maybe you guys could get together and just talk?”

I scrunch up my nose as if the thought of having a conversation with Aurora pains me. In all honesty, it very well could. “Geez, Jared, I don’t know. Things are fine how they are now.”

“Just think about it, Gabs. It’d mean a lot to me.” Again, he gives me a hearty embrace. “Hey, I’m about to get outta here. If you see Morgan, tell her I said bye and congrats, ok?”

“Sure,” I reply, a little disappointed, though I have no right to be. I haven’t actually been Friend of the Year.

Hours later, after copious amounts of food and drink have been consumed by all, a frightening clap of thunder rips through the sky, signaling the end of the party and the beginning of a violent storm. As the first drops of rain kiss my face, I look up at the sky and smile. My Dorian is at work. I feel close to him in this moment, knowing that he too is standing out in the rain, replenishing his strength. I want to be where he is; I want the rain to wash away my fear and restore my confidence that everything will be alright.

“What the hell are you doing, Gabs?” Morgan yells scampering to shelter.

I look around at all the scurrying partygoers, completely oblivious to their aversions. A day ago, I would have been one of them. I would have run straight for cover as soon as I felt the first drop. But now as I stand in the rain, sopping wet, I realize that I am growing closer to the paranormal side of me. I am becoming what I was intended to be. Even as lightning flashes across the deathly dark skies, I feel contented. Dorian’s magic courses through my body. I have nothing to fear.





“So I see Dorian didn’t bother to show up,” Chris sneers as we make our way back home.

I wring my wet hair back into a ponytail and roll my eyes from the back seat. “He didn’t think it would be a good idea just yet.”

“Humph,” he scoffs, earning a stern sideways glance from Donna. “Don’t tell me he’s afraid.”

“He was actually,” I say flatly, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror. “For you two. At what I would do if things became heated. See, he actually cares enough about you guys to want to keep you safe. From me.”