Dark Descent (Darkhaven Saga # 7) - Danielle Rose Page 0,2

that even though she disappoints me every time she opens her mouth, I am quite enjoying my time with Sofía. Ever since she arrived, I have had so many questions, and her answers have left a lot to be desired. Perhaps now we will get somewhere.

“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, Sofía,” I say. “You speak as though you may turn them against me at a moment’s notice. But if you were them, what would you deem more important? That they may not be privy to my capabilities, or that they are utterly unaware of the magic you have been using against them since you arrived?”

She doesn’t respond, but her silence speaks volumes.

“You have been using magic to subtly influence the others, manipulating their emotions,” I say. She stiffens in an attempt to argue with me, but I hold out my hand, silencing her. “I don’t need you to confirm what I already know.”

“But I haven’t—”

“Sofía,” I say. I tsk her, waving my index finger back and forth. My tongue smacks against the roof of my mouth, and the sound surrounds us.

“You could never prove it,” she says, grinding her teeth.

“I don’t need to prove it,” I say plainly. “Who do you think they will believe? You or me? A stranger or their friend? Once the accusation has been made, the damage is done.”

“They said you’re not acting right, Ava,” Sofía says. She breaks eye contact to glance down at the amulet that hangs from my neck. “It’s that thing, isn’t it? It’s influencing you, turning you evil. Holland told me about the amulet, about what you…protect.” She uses air quotes to emphasize her point.

Angered that she would dare to even glance at my power source, I reach forward, forcing Sofía’s head upright so that her eyes meet mine again. I keep my hand wrapped around her throat, but I fight the urge to squeeze so hard I break bones. Still, her eyes betray her fear. She reaches for my hand, scratching at my skin, but I do not relent. Instead, I step closer until our noses nearly touch.

“Don’t test me, Sofía,” I hiss. “You will never best me.”

“Ava?”

Holland’s shaky voice spills from the hallway. I glance at him as he steps closer, reaching an arm for Sofía as if to offer her comfort.

“Let her go,” he says. He speaks softly, never raising his voice, never ordering me what to do. He offers merely a suggestion, and I decide to appease him, releasing Sofía from my grasp and taking a single step backward.

Sofía takes in a quick breath, hacking dramatically and falling against the doorframe. I roll my eyes even as Holland reaches for the witch. She leans against him, but he keeps his eyes on me.

“You know what I find interesting?” I ask. “The vampire who supposedly killed your coven is gone, yet you remain. Why? Why stay?”

“Seriously, Ava?” Holland asks. “What’s wrong with you?”

I ignore him, keeping my focus on the witch who appears to have overcome her recent duress rather quickly. Sofía stands tall beside Holland, as if my simple suggestion that she may be lying offends her. I can’t possibly be the only one in this house who believes she has ulterior motives.

“I assume you’ll be leaving tomorrow,” I say. “After all, you came to kill a vampire. Plenty are dead.”

“But maybe not the right ones,” she says, seething.

I narrow my eyes at her, my anger washing over me. The amulet buzzes to life, catching the attention of both witches before me. Holland’s gaze doesn’t stray from the black onyx crystal, but Sofía’s does. She averts her vision back to me, challenging the monster she has awakened.

“Careful, girl,” I say. “Mercy is only granted by the weak.”

There is something different about the trees. They sway from side to side, leaves fluttering loudly, branches straining to remain erect by an invisible force, yet there is no wind. Clouds loom overhead, stagnant and true, an ominous threat of what is to come. The warning gleam of a storm on the horizon coats the air, the smell of incoming rain strong and heavy. The air is thick with promise, making it hard to breathe, to blink.

I don’t recall it being this foggy. The memory of that fateful night is burned into my mind, but tonight, it is changing, transforming into something menacing and foreboding.

The mist intensifies tenfold. I struggle to breathe, sucking in quick breaths that linger against the back of my throat even after I am desperate