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  I got off of her bed and lay back on mine, all out of tears. My phone beeped on my side table.

  I read his text: What the hell was that?

  Alec: Are you okay?

  Alec: Gabrielle, if you don’t answer me. I won’t have a choice but to come over there!!!!!

  Alec: GABBY!!

  That was his last text.

  I texted back: I’m fine. Don’t worry. I tried to heal Lilly. It didn’t work.

  Beep. His response came in right away.

  Alec: I’m so sorry. Do you want to talk about it?

  I responded that I was tired and that I would try to talk to him tomorrow.

  Alec: Okay. Goodnight, Gabrielle. Please take care of yourself. I love you.

  I texted back, I love you too. And then I closed my eyes and stayed in a half-awake, half-asleep state all night.

  ☈ ☇ ☈

  I woke up with a gasp. It felt like a dark cloud had enclosed me. I sat up straight and saw Lilly studying me. “Oh, my god. You’re awake.”

  I jumped out of bed and embraced her, but she stiffened up and didn’t return my embrace. I pulled away and watched her with apprehension.

  She sat in silence for a long time. Her aura pulsed darkly, just as strong as it was the first time.

  “Say something, Lil,” I begged, no longer able to stand her silence. Lilly was never silent. She was always loud and obnoxious.

  “What the fuck is going on, Gabby? Don’t even think about lying to me. I know you knocked me out.” She said this in a low and controlled voice. Her black eyes flashed, and for a moment, it was like staring at an endless pit.

  My heart sank. This was not Lilly. My sister was vibrant, animated, and filled with life. She had a bubbly personality. She was dramatic and over the top with everything. This dark person in front of me was not her. It was someone wearing Lilly’s face, and the black eyes were fucking creepy.

  She raised her brow impatiently. It was so like her that a tear escaped my eye. I brushed it off in anger.

  “When Alec took me from you that night, I had bumped into him a few times before. I had a very strong attraction towards him. The night we got separated, we had spent the whole night together at the party. We had a pull towards each other that I couldn’t explain—we even had a physical reaction when our skin touched.”

  She smirked at this. Her big, round eyes with killer lashes were dead, not expressive. They flashed blue, then black, then settled back to blue. They used to be a light shade of blue, now they were dark blue. She had an evil smirk on her face.

  “No, it wasn’t that. I mean, yes, but no. When our skin touched, I felt this electricity,” I continued and inhaled a deep, shaky breath. It was unnerving talking about this with Lilly. She had an unblinking stare, and it gave me the creeps.

  “The night Roger was attacked, and we were being chased, Alec stepped in to save us. I didn’t lie to you. I overreacted because I thought Alec had used me. He and I have a connection. It was how he found us so easily, and how he had followed me all summer. While I stayed with them, I learned a lot about all of this. I didn’t want you involved, so I stayed away—I thought I was protecting you.” I’d talked with my head bowed, but I peeked at her then. No emotion.

  “I was told that they brought me here to balance the fight between the Nephilims, which are half-human and half-angel, against the Fallen ones—who are the Fallen angels. Alec is my protector. The people after us that night, who hurt Roger, were the Fallen—The Brotherhood. Are you following me?”

  She nodded and gestured for me to go on as she stared at me with her dead eyes, which were yet to blink. They were unnatural. When she finally blinked, it was slow. She didn’t seem to need to blink as often as usual.

  Watching it caused shivers to tumble down my spine. I scooted back to my bed and leaned on the wall, looking out to the ocean to avoid her eyes. I inhaled the salty air and continued. “The short version is that God created humans and angels to watch over them. He told them that their only mandate was to maintain balance. A few of them thought that humans were too unruly and needed someone to rule them so they started interfering and tipping the balance. Once God found out, he cast the angels out of heaven. Hence the name the Fallen.”

  I paused at Lilly’s hungry expression. I kept my eye on her for a moment until she schooled her face.

  “The Archangel Michael went down to earth and gifted Abraham a son who started the first race of Nephilim. Their task was to maintain balance and fight the Fallen.”

  Lilly’s lips curled at this, and her eyes turned black. “Are you okay?” I asked, my heart pounding, alert that she might attack me.

  She jerked her head.

  I glanced at her before I continued. Her eyes were blue once again.

  “Once Michael realized that the Fallen had the upper hand, he went to God and was told that a savior would be sent down to tip the balance to the Nephilim. Once the dark side heard about this, they had asked to create a Dark one, and as God is all about balance, he agreed. That’s where you and I come in. I was told that I was the savior. Never in a million years did I think that you were the Dark one,” I said with a sigh.

  “Why? Did you think you were the only one that was special?” she snarled.

  Taken aback, I stared at this pseudo-Lilly. “No, I never said that. What I meant was, I didn’t think you would be dark because you were the sweetest person I knew,” I said with caution.

  She narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

  “I think it was cruel of them to place us as sisters first when we would be on opposite sides.” I looked up, hoping to see some kind of emotion.

  She shrugged and brushed it off. “So, this Dark one has powers?” Her eyes were alight with greed.

  Jesus, of all the things I had told her. She only cared about powers? This definitely wasn’t Lilly.

  “Yes,” I said with trepidation. “Although, don’t ask me, I have no idea how to wield your dark energy. Ask the Brotherhood. They stalked you for leverage, hoping to get to me. No one knew you were the Dark one. Everyone thought it was Daemon.”

  Her face lit up for the first time since she woke up. “You mean, the guys are with us, and they can teach me?”

  Wow, she’s still selfish but definitely more evil.

  I nodded.

  She bounced off her bed and left the room.

  I buried my head with a pillow as soon as I heard the door click shut and muffled a cry. I heard my phone vibrate on the nightstand, so I grasped for it blindly and answered.

  “Gabrielle.” Alec’s worried voice on the other line was a welcome reprieve from the hell I’d found myself in.

  “Hello, Gab. Are you there? Are you okay? Hello?”

  “Alec,” I sniffed.

  “What’s wrong, baby?” My stomach clenched. He had never called me baby before.

  “Lilly’s awake, and it’s not her. She’s dark. She wears Lilly’s skin, but she’s completely different. Even her eyes are a different color. It’s unnerving. It’s like staring at pure evil.” I shuddered.

  “I’m so sorry. What can I do?”

  “I don’t know… I don’t know if I can do this. What should I do? I don’t think I can save her. When I tried last night, I almost killed her. There is no good in her. If I attempt to drive away the dark void, then she dies,” I whispered.

  There was a long pause at the other end. “Listen to me. You are the strongest person I know. Whatever you decide, I will support you. Once you put your mind to it, I know you can do it. I am always here for you. All of us. Just call if you need us. Remember, you are not alone.”

  I nodded and wiped my tears. “Thank you. I needed that. I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby.”

  I smiled and hung up. I loved how that sounded. He was right; I could figure this out.

  I got a hold of my emotions, splashed my face with water, and followed Lilly out.

  ☈ ☇ ☈

  Daemon and the two brothers wer
e in the main living room. Lilly and Jake were not around. It got silent as soon as I walked into the room. I still didn’t know the two jackasses names! Jake’s clone sprawled out on the long couch like he was about to fall asleep. Is that a thing? No one sits like that all the damn time. The other, the nicely-dressed one, in a printed shirt with khaki shorts and slip-on Shoes, sat on the opposite side of Daemon, who wore skinny black jeans and a dark blue V-neck shirt.

  I walked over to the breakfast bar and faced them. The square kitchen had an open setup and divided up between the breakfast table, and kitchen where you can see the livingroom.

  “Where’s Lilly?” I asked no one in particular.

  The dressed-up one turned to me and smirked. “She’s with Jake. You can guess what they’re doing,” he said in a suggestive tone with a leer on his face.

  The other punk roared out an obnoxious laugh.

  I studied both of them for a moment, raised a brow, and captured his eyes in a cold stare as I pushed my energy outward. His smile wavered, but he caught himself and snickered. The other punk joined in.

  “Oh, I see,” I said arrogantly as I bombarded both of them with my energy, making them flinch. “You think that since you have the Dark one on your side that you’re a badass all of a sudden?” I pushed some more. The one sprawled out sat up straight as sweat beaded his forehead while the other clutched at the couch, his veins popping out on his forearms. The punk on the long couch flicked a nervous look towards his brother.

  Daemon watched impassively. I didn’t let my energy touch him.

  I showed my teeth and, in a superior tone, said, “Let me remind you of something—since you seem to forget your facts. Angel Gabriel created the Fallen, correct?” I paused for effect. “He even created your leader if I’m not mistaken. Guess what? He created my guardian, Alec, as well, so he’s not just a regular Nephilim—he’s so much more. That’s just a little side note for you two.” I walked closer and leaned towards the sofa.

  “Your leader created the Dark one, but the Angel Gabriel created your leader. Are you two following me so far?” I pointed at each of them as I flooded them with warm raw energy. They shook like a leaf, their faces as white as ghosts.

  I waited for a response.

  They nodded vigorously, and I continued.

  “Granted a lot of evil fuels her, so, therefore, she’s a lot more powerful than you lot,” I said to myself as I tapped on my chin, momentarily distracted by the memory of what I discovered about Lilly’s energy, then I looked at each of them and paused.

  “Where was I? Oh, yes, back to our history lesson. Angel Gabriel was one of the few beings created by God himself. You Fallen ones are just secondary creations.” I stood straight and sat on the coffee table in front of them with my elbows resting on my legs. I had the two locked in my energy so they were unable to move, but I could see the twitch of their muscles and the sweat dripping down their faces as their eyes grew wide in fear. Their balled up fists and arm veins were popping with tension.

  I whispered slowly. “You two seem to need reminding that as the savior created from God’s flesh and energy, even your leader can not rival me. I can unmake you if I chose to. So, next time you decide to get smug with me, I might not be so merciful,” I snarled as I blasted them off the couch. They both lay crumpled on the ground.

  I walked closer and squatted in between them as they groaned and looked dazed.

  “Do we understand each other, boys?”

  They both flinched, then nodded frantically.

  “Do you two have any questions or confusion about our history lesson?”

  They both shook their heads vigorously as they got up and eyed me warily, then inched away slowly before scampering out of the room.

  I chuckled, then halted when I found Daemon studying me. He sent his energy out, and I braced myself as I thought he would attack. He raised his hand and continued to coat the room to shield our conversation and not let anyone in.

  I turned to him with a curious expression and tilted my head in question.

  He got up, leaned on the back of one couch, crossed both his legs and arms, and said, “You know, your theory is not completely accurate?”

  Fuck. He was smarter than I gave him credit for.

  I raised my eyebrow.

  His eyes glinted. He knew that I knew what he was talking about.

  “Your secret is safe with me,” he said, then winked.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” I challenged.

  He hesitated. I’ve got him. I smiled. “Is it perhaps because what I said earlier was true?” I paused and waited for confirmation. I prowled on while I was ahead. “Regardless, even if Lilly is powered with the greatest evil, fed by millennia of hate and greed, and all human sins…”

  His eyes grew, surprised I had guessed this.

  I had felt Lilly when I tried to push the evil out. It was hard to explain, but I had a deeper understanding of what was inside of her. Her power scared me—strong, extremely dark, and pure evil. Her energy was more than a usual Fallen had; she was fueled by something unexplainable. A unique being whose core energy is fueled by humanity’s sins.

  I shrugged with an expression of false bravado. “Do you ever wonder how even a tiny wick of a candle can light up a pitch-dark room? I won’t deny that the darkness in Lilly will be difficult to defeat. It won’t be a matter of how much but how strong. However, in my case, I have both. I am confident that when the time comes, I can do it.” I looked away then. My chest constricted with the thought. My stomach was in knots.

  He voiced out the words I wouldn’t say out loud. “Question is, would you? I know you are powerful enough, once trained, but are you capable of killing your own sister?”

  It clicked in me then. “This is your side’s doing, isn’t it? Your safety net? You placed her as my sister, hoping that compassion would save her?” I clenched my fists in anger.

  He straightened up, composure gone. “Hey, are you forgetting that I’m unaware of this plan? I thought I was the Dark one? Now, since it turned out that Lilly is the one. I don’t even know where I belong,” he said bitterly.

  “Why don’t you take my offer then?”

  “What exactly are you offering?”

  “You help me by training me while I’m here, and in return, I’ll do my best to try and find out who you truly are.”

  His bushy eyebrows knitted, and he looked to be deep in thought. After a few heartbeats, he nodded.

  I smiled. “Excellent.”

  Four

  Chapter 3: Confusion

  I waited for Lilly all day, but she never showed up. By evening, I was beyond pissed. I searched the top floor. It was empty, as was the patio. No Lilly or anyone. The main floor was empty as well. Jesus, did they freaking leave me? I went around the wrap-around patio and peered inside each of their rooms, terrified I would see something I wasn’t ready for, but at the same time, determined to find my sister. Each of their rooms was empty and messy. The last door at the end slid open.

  “I sensed you get closer.” Daemon shrugged. He had on board shorts and no top.

  “Where’s Lilly?” I demanded.

  “They probably won’t be back until late. They’re out having fun.”

  “What?” My nostrils flared at his statement. I felt my rage simmer at the surface. I leaned over the rail and looked over the boardwalk. I watched the crowds walk by as I got my emotions under control. It wasn’t Daemon’s fault that Lilly had left.

  I watched a little boy tug at his mom’s hand and point to a vendor on the sidewalk. They stopped and looked at the display of light-up toys. I heard a whistle and looked past the vendor to a group of rowdy guys heckling at three girls wearing bikini tops and shorts. A guy over by the sand had his headphones on and was dancing to his own tune. I could smell the nearby restaurants fire up their grills for the dinner crowd. Something close by was serving barbecue. I looked up and had to squint since the sun was right on my eye line.

  “Are
you feeling better, or do you still feel like attacking me?”

  I looked at him sideways and smiled. “Are you my babysitter? Is that why you’re not out there having fun?”

  He shook his head. “I never partake.”

  I eyed him suspiciously, but he had no reason to lie. I hadn’t pegged Daemon as a homebody.

  “So, since we are all alone. Did you want to get started on my training?”

  He looked out to the ocean, and then with a shrug, he said, “I don’t see why not. Let’s go out and get some dinner and come back here and get started.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  We stepped outside, and people surrounded us going both ways. I lost Daemon for a second before I felt a now-familiar coldness seep into me as he grabbed my arm. It didn’t bother me as much as it used to since I constantly shielded myself against their darkness. His wasn’t as bad as Lilly’s.

  We walked past a bunch of bodybuilders who had crowds gathered around watching. The people were out and dressed for the night. Music blasting from the bars and restaurants—rowdy men and women were enjoying the late afternoon.

  Graffiti covered the walls while the sunset colored everything in a soft orange glow. The energy differed from this morning; it was primal rather than exuberant. Men and women were out to mingle, filled with vibrancy and life. The crowd had an energizing effect that had me smiling like an idiot—something I hadn’t done in days.

  We stopped outside a small, hole-in-the-wall cantina.

  “Wait here,” Daemon grunted. He had his hood back on and ducked between customers.

  Hmm… Didn’t he like being around people? I watched him for a few more seconds. He had both hands in his pockets, and his shoulders were hunched. Interesting—who would have thought that the previous Dark one wouldn’t like crowds? I smiled and turned around.

  I continued to people-watch, but I didn’t know where to look; there was too much going on. It was overwhelming, so I watched the sun sink lower and lower over the horizon instead. The sky turned pink, and a cold chill came in from the soft wind blowing from the ocean.