Disclaimer: I do not own any of Stephenie Meyer's characters – only my own.
Chapter One: Piercing the Shadows
Dusk Malveya's POV
10th of January
His voice was gentle against my senses as he whispered, "Dusk, do you want something to eat?" He asked hesitantly, as if those few syllables would make me snap like a twig.
His grip on my feeble state was tight and it seemed like his strong arms were the only chains keeping me from collapsing. "I...I just need s-something to dr-drink...I th-think," I murmured absentmindedly, staring blankly ahead. My surroundings had blurred entirely and all I could hear was the buzz of distant, cheerful voices. Only but one said my name; and none mentioned my mother or her state of health.
Jacob's fingers traced my wrist, following the visible veins beneath my chocolate complexion, and leaving a trail of warmth over my skin. It was as if I were a fragile, porcelain doll that needed to be mended after smashing irrevocably. He was so delicate with me, holding me close and protectively. "Do you want me to ask the stewardess for some water?"
I didn't respond for at least a minute, keeping my words at a minimum in fear of bursting into tears. However, the gravelly dryness in my throat wouldn't subside and I'd need to have a clear voice if I was to talk my stubborn and suicidal mother into surviving cancer of the lungs with a baby on the way. "Yes, please."
A weary silence filled the small alcove Jacob and I were sitting in on the airplane. Across from us, my little sister, Aria, was perched and sleeping soundly with her head relaxed on her best friend, Zachery Swan's shoulder. Zach was wide awake, however, holding Aria close and cautiously watching Jacob from the corner of his eye.
Zachary was reading A Picture of Dorian Grey, though his eyes always seemed to trail back to my slumbering sister. Her tranquil, petite frame seemed to fit into his perfectly and he'd gaze at Aria lovingly for a few moments before returning to the pages of his novel.
It was obvious that the boy was in love with my little sister–unsurprisingly, many were–but I was unsure whether Aria returned his hidden feelings. Even saying so little, it was clear Zachery was a kind and respectful boy, who meant no real harm in sneaking away from Forks with Aria. I understood then that he merely wanted to help his dear friend retrieve her sister. If he was anything like his half-sister, Sienna Swan, I would surely grow to like him soon enough.
Jacob's fingers drew soothing patterns into my clammy palm. Every now and then, his thumb cascaded down my cheek to rid my skin of any excess tears that I could not fight. We'd barely spoken since we boarded the plane, though neither of us seemed bothered by that. We were used to the harshness of each other's cold shoulders, so civil silence was easy to handle.
Jacob's heat was warm, strangely supportive, and it reminded me that I wasn't alone.
With that thought drifting from my mind, I was left staring into the distance again. I felt Jacob shift slightly, civilly motioning for an airline assistant to come. When the stewardess approached us with a white-toothed grin, she asked politely, "How can I help you, sir?"
For a moment, I felt Jacob's dark eyes observing me vigilantly. His hot hands clutched my still ones and I felt an intense worry radiating from him. He glanced up at the stewardess and nodded curtly. "A bottle for water for my partner, please," He responded.
The word slightly jolted me from my miserable trance.
Partner? Oh...that is what I guess I am now, I thought. I liked the sound of it: partner. I preferred it to friend or girlfriend. Partner was more intimate – more finalised of where we stood in each other's lives. I glanced down at our clasped hands and, for a moment, I enjoyed the contrast our skin tones made: his russet copper and mine chocolate brown.
I looked up towards Jacob's face and studied his refined, Quileute features. I was still astounded that he had just sacrificed his daughter's safety by choosing to return to Forks with me. Sarah-Isabelle Rebecca Rachel Black was presently being taken care of by Joanne–BlackSwan's housekeeper–and her daughter, Kallista Smith, in Colorado while Jacob and I travelled to Washington.
If there was one person I trusted more than myself, it was Joanne Smith. She was a mother at heart and had lived putting people first. She had secrets, as we all did, but hers were hard to fight. Benjamin Harris, our previous chauffer, was also a person with lies beneath his skin. Both Jo and Ben strangely entwined into the enigma of Sarah's biological mother and her supernatural ancestry.
On the last day of 2020, it was revealed that Sarah not only had a shape-shifting father, but her mother–Lira Orion–was the Queen of a very old and very dangerous empire known as the Children on the Moon. Children of the Moon were authentic werewolves – the ones who'd morph under the glow of a full moon with an uncontrollable thirst for blood.
Last New Year's Eve, Henry Carter–an evil vampire who'd wreaked havoc between my families–informed us that he was sent by Queen Lira to reclaim Sarah for her kingdom and bring her back to Persia, a realm far below the surface of the present Middle East.
Thoughts of Sarah and her safety worried me, shocking me into a restless and more protective state, though I knew I needed to see my mother urgently. However, I was glad Jacob had allowed her to go back to school yesterday. I was somewhat proud that he let her attend when there were so many threats surrounding us. I think Jacob realised that Sarah currently needed the distraction of academic learning and the social, less supernatural, aspects of humans.
"Dusk?" Jacob's eyes were careful, as if his words were treading on dangerous grounds. "How do you feel?"
I licked my dry, cracking lips and heaved a tired sigh. "I don't feel anything."
Jacob nodded in a strange, mournful understanding. "That's normal."
I smiled weakly, forcing a laugh from my lips. "Is it?"
Jacob sighed, glancing towards our clasped hands sorrowfully. "Dusk, what do you want me to say?" His voice sounded absolutely miserable and I felt a bizarre gratitude for the bond we shared. At least I'd have someone to picture the anguish I was encasing. "I don't know how to make things better. I...I don't know how to heal the wounds of losing a parent. I was nine when I lost my mother in a car accident...and I didn't feel anything until the funeral. It hit me hardest when my father told me it was time to say goodbye."
"My mother's not dead yet, you know. I don't have to say goodbye right now," I replied expressionlessly. "We still have time to figure this out. Being pregnant while suffering cancer is always a loose/loose situation, especially if the mother isn't taking treatment. I can't even imagine what my father is going through. Grandma Aisha must be devastated and I'm sure my brothers are confused about everything. I need to go back and fix things."
"Dusk, you can't fix everything," Jacob stated gravely. "Some things just happen-"
"I need to see my parents and find out what's really going on," I interrupted with a wilful manner.
He frowned at my ominous words. "What do you mean?"
I bit my lip, contemplating my thoughts warily and admitting, "As soon as my sister declared that my mother had cancer...I couldn't help thinking of my grandfather and how Imogene killed him with her dark magic."
"You think this has something to do with what happened on New Year's Eve?" He asked with raised eyebrows.
Distant memories of Imogene Brooklyn and her supposed father, Henry Carter, returned to my battered and fatigued memory. "She's probably holding a grudge, her pride is tattered and maybe she wanted to get back at us is the most wretched way possible. Cursing my mother with the sickness my grandfather has just died from is the perfect way to have her revenge."
Jacob gazed into my teary eyes and clasped my cheek with his warm hand, sending strokes of electricity down my face. "What will you do if Imogene does have something to do with this?" He whispered gentle as his thumb cleared the fragile skin beneath my eyes of cascading tears.
I breathed deeply and my eyes flickered from his face to my hands. "I don't know," I cried, feeling sobs build within my raspy throat. I hated crying in public – it left me feeling vulnerable and defenceless. Though, I realised it wouldn't matter if we were alone in a pitch-black room, I'd feel additionally uncomfortable for shedding tears in front of the man I loved. Falling in love was still a new world to me and I hadn't totally let down my guard, as much as I thought I had.
"I don't know how to contact her...to persuade her not to do something that seems justified in the eyes of an evil! I don't know what she might want in exchange for my mother's life. I just know I can't let my mum die...I just c-can't. I will use my magic if it comes to those extremes. No matter how much I'm terrified of untamed magic and my powers, I'll heal Mum somehow. I'll even try to seek out the Gypsies of Treya in Nepal."
"Gypsies of Treya in Nepal?" Jacob repeated in surprise.
"Oh, they are a clan of immortal Dovebloods," I explained. "Some call the three highest priestesses of Treya the Goddesses of Doveblood, but I unsure of their three exact names. They are similar to that of royalty in our perspectives. They're a very strong, very almighty group of witches who live in the Nepalese Mountains...where Treya poses as a sought of haven for endangered or immortal, solitary Dovebloods. They all study magic and the protection of mortals from our enemies, such as vampires and Dragon-bloods. My grandmother once told me that if I was in dire need of magic advice, I was to go to them and they'd help me indefinitely."
"Aria told me that you were different," An unfamiliar voice startled me and my eyes shot across to meet Zach's curious ones, their creamy brown irises darkening secretively. He pronounced his words unusually, as if he didn't converse regularly, but they were understandable. "But she never told me that you were a witch."
Jacob narrowed his eyes at the young, deaf boy. "I thought you were deaf," He snapped with the voice of an Alpha. "Why are you eavesdropping?"
"I am deaf," Zachary replied with the same cold, threatened expression. "But I've been able to lip read since I was nine. That's why I don't have to attend different classes at school. I prefer to sign, though. I wasn't eavesdropping; I was merely observing and reading your lips."
"It's the same thing," Jacob hissed irritably. "And I'd appreciate if you stayed out of private conversations. The supernatural world is not for your concern."
Zachery laughed humourlessly. "I have two siblings who are vampires and two others who are werewolves! I'm stuck as the youngest and the most normal out of five children...and that's surprising coming from a deaf teenager who can play the drums. I've known about my supernatural and immortal family since the day I could talk...which was five years ago."
Panic flooded my system as his confronting words sunk into my mind. "Does Aria know?" I demanded, leaning forward in my seat and shooting my slumbering sister an apprehensive glance. "Have you told her?"
"She's my best friend; I don't want her caught in the crossfire of a supernatural occurrence and not knowing what to brace herself for. Yes, I told Aria about vampires and shape-shifters," He mumbled and regret weakened his steel expression. I could only imagine Aria's terror at observing the paranormal realm roar to life and a shiver ran through my body. I wanted to shield my family from this chaos, so of course destiny planted a human boy with immortal connections into the mix. "And then her grandmother filled in the missing spaces of things I didn't know yet. One being Dragon and Doveblood, which Mrs McNamara never told me you were."
My thoughts were somewhat racing, yet slightly calmed by the knowledge of having someone else is the Malveya family being able to recognize and accept the mystical world. "Do my parents know about-" I instantly leaned back in my seat once the stewardess reappeared with that bright, red lipstick smile and a bottle of water in hand.
Without a word, she handed it to me gladly. "Thank-you," I responded after feeling the cool bottle in my clammy palms. Her grin merely widened before she left my seat and answered another passenger's call. I relaxed again; my pleasant gaze becoming interrogative once Zach was in my view. "Do my parents know?" I snapped.
Zachary wordlessly shook his head, tearing his eyes from mine and gazing out the window of the plane expressionlessly. It was dark and gloomy outside, with clouds covering every inch of horizon. It was nearly 5:00pm and we'd arrive in Washington at 8:15.
I took a nervous gulp of my bottled water and Jacob's watchful eyes were on me as soon as my hand began violently trembling. I took long mouthfuls of liquid, madly swallowing down the soothing water, even though I was far from thirsty.
As my raised hand shook, I realised I was only trying to fight the overwhelming sense of needing to weep. Jacob pulled me into his chest, placing a warm kiss upon my forehead once the trembling in my hand spread throughout my body and I started crying uncontrollably.
"Shhh, shhh, shhh," He'd whisper softly, my inner anguish ricocheting from my soul and into Jacob's voice.
"Where to, guys?" The driver asked as the four of us piled into a waiting, white cab that sat by the exit of William Fairchild International Airport.
Zachary gingerly sat in the front, wary to leave Aria's side, and I sat between Jacob and my sister in the back seat.
"Forks General Hospital, please," Aria requested politely. Leaning her head against my shoulder, her delicate, Spanish curls fell across her forehead and her baby-blue eyes fluttered closed once more. Aria was still so very exhausted, even after hours of sleep, and I urged her continual slumber by putting my arm around her shoulders in a motherly nature. Aria tiredly snuggled into my side, breathing a sigh of relaxation as I tenderly stroked her cheeks.
"Sure thing, Miss," The cabbie replied with a nod as the car's engine revved up feverishly and we sped off into the distance, following a road I'd been down a thousand times. My surroundings were a blur of grey snow and bare trees as the taxi glided down the highway.
Jacob's warmth radiated into my side and my unease slightly subsided with him so close. His fingers almost immediately entwined with mine and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze, a silent thank-you in return for his unconditional support. I found it wasn't as cold in Washington and the fresh, exhilarating air was similar to Colorado's.
My gaze shifted to Jacob when Aria's breathing made its decent into a deeper, sleepier state. His head was rotated towards the window, concentrating whilst he looked deep into the wilderness passing us by. Jacob's expression was intense, shielding a hurt I strangely picked up on from him. My head relaxed onto his shoulder and my affectionate gesture caught his attention. He gave me a weak smile, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"Are you alright, Jacob?" I quietly murmured in concern.
He let out a low chuckle. "You just had half an hour's breakdown of sobbing...and you're asking me if I'm alright?"
"That was nearly two hours ago. I'm all cried out now, which is good because I have to be strong when I get to the hospital," I defended, gazing into his eyes with a small frown. "And now you seem troubled. You're worrying."
Jacob smirked, shifting slightly so I was closer than before. "I'm fine," He whispered in a deep, husky tone that didn't convince me whatsoever.
"No, you're not," I countered sternly.
Jacob heaved a sigh, rolling his eyes at my stubborn expression, something he'd grown used to. He peered out of the window again, casting his gaze over the harsh woodlands. "I enjoy how you decide how I'm feeling so often, Dusk. Look, I...I just haven't been to Forks since my father died, which was five years ago. Nothing's changed, though."
"That bothers you?" I remarked curiously.
"No," He shrugged. "I think not. I don't know what's wrong with me. I guess, I just never imagined returning to Forks for anyone other than myself. Now, here I am, following my imprint back home because...because I love her too much to let her do this alone. I'm...I'm not as self-centred when you're around."
The bright, loving smile that shattered my sombre features was hard to fight. "Jacob, the day you gained a daughter was the day you weren't selfish anymore. If you are a worthy, responsible parent...you don't feel that need to do things for yourself. I know I don't feel like I'm constantly doing things for myself now that Sarah's in my life. I've been worrying about her so much, haven't you?"
He nodded and smirked. "Dusk, you never do things for yourself...and that's your problem. One day, I'm taking you out and we are doing whatever you want," A chaste smile and blush grazed my expression and I diverted my gaze. "Yet, you do seem to know more about parenting than half of the parents out there."
I shrugged and my eyes fell upon my little, sleeping sister. "When I was little, my sister would always crawl into bed with me after a bad dream and I'd rock her to sleep. Usually, my dad was out working late and my mum would be up waiting for him. So, I'd generally be the one Aria, Matthew and Nathanael would go to whenever they'd trip over and need a bandaid, whenever they'd need their hair combed, whenever they'd need advice on which clothes to wear at their friend's party." I chuckled to myself at the numerous memories of big sisterhood. "It turns out–even after moving states away–they do still come to me for things"
Jacob smiled broadly and opened his mouth to respond, only to have an inquisitive voice interrupt him, "Hey...are you Jacob Black?" The taxi driver asked with a newfound enthusiasm, looking at us via the rear-view mirror. The middle-aged man's eyes appeared hopeful as he carefully observed Jacob's features.
Jacob cleared his throat uncomfortably before replying, "Yes, I am."
The cabbie looked like he'd just seen the Lord and I chuckled to myself. "Oh, man!" The driver exclaimed excitedly. "You're that car inventor, right? Jeez, you're a legend! My kids think you're awesome; my oldest son is doing a four year college degree in car engineering because of you. The pay is great, he loves it and he's not going to end up a bum like me...so thank-you for inspiring him, Mr. Black."
Jacob gave the cabbie a forced smile. "I wouldn't call myself a legend..." He trailed off and I smiled at his modest embarrassment. "But I'm glad your son is doing something he enjoys. I never got a degree in mechanics or car designing, though. I wouldn't really too much about studying or college."
"Are you kidding? You never went to college? You must be a natural! Whenever you're on TV, you're talked about for at least a week. So many people here are proud of you. Your cars are amazing, man! Everyone thinks you're gonna be the guy to make cars fly. Hey, is that your next goal?"
"To make flying cars?" Jacob raised his eyebrow with a chuckle. "Well, that's classified information."
"Oh...well, it's a shame what happened at your New Year's Eve party," The cabbie remarked sympathetically and I saw pain flash across Jacob's features. "Who'd have thought, ay? That was just horrible. The FBI cleared it as an animal attack...but the guys at my work are calling it some kind of devil's cult bloodbath. Was it really just a mass animal attack, sir?"
Jacob nodded, restraining his expression from leaking out any emotional details. "Yes, it was. I saw it myself."
"So there really were rapid, mutant wolves attacking civilians? Reporters say it might've had something to do with the moon's position which sent them feral."
"Well," Jacob chuckled coolly, as if making a sarcastic joke to lighten the suffocating atmosphere. "They weren't werewolves," I tensed at the reference to the supernatural. "So, I doubt the moon truly makes a difference. Perhaps it spurred them on a bit, though."
"I guess," The taxi driver agreed nonchalantly. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Who'd have thought a guy from La Push would make it this far? Your cars are unbelievable, man, just awesome. Even those environmentalist badgers can't pester you about global warming with the newest BlackWolf model."
Apart from the derogatory comment he'd thrown towards greenies, the cabbie seemed to really admire Jacob and his work. I'd always thought he was just a gifted mechanic, like many other car designers, though it seemed he was a highly respected inventor. It suddenly hit me how humble, yet so cocky, Jacob could constantly be. He'd never tried to shove his wealth into my face and that was something I'd placed in high regard. Jacob didn't come from a rich, upper-class hometown and I think the value of financial privacy had stuck with his habits.
"Thank-you," Jacob replied rigidly and licked his lips, drawing his eyes away from the rear-view mirror.
Unsure of how to react, I sighed and kept my head on Jacob's shoulder, which was now tense.
"Oh, yes, the maternity ward. Well, that's on the top floor, Miss," The Forks General's receptionist responded when Aria requested my mother's spot in the hospital. "The computer says that Mrs. Malveya has been moved to 21-C."
"Why has she been moved?" Aria asked with raised eyebrows.
"Mrs. McNamara has asked to move your mother into her own room with a view of the garden. She paid extra for a room change, as well as requesting a doctor from another hospital to treat her daughter, who she thinks may be of higher skill than surgeons here."
"Has she found another doctor yet?" Jacob asked suddenly and an unreadable expression flashed through his eyes.
The receptionist shook her head. "No, sir. But Mrs. McNamara is seeking out a doctor that left Forks General nearly a decade ago. Dr. Carlisle Cullen."
"How does she know Dr. Cullen?" Zachary queried with a frown. "I never told Aria that my in-law was a doctor."
"Excuse me?" I turned around with wide-eyes. "Your in-laws are the Cullens?" I only knew them as a vegetarian vampire family who Jacob's estranged friend, Bella Swan, married into. It made sense once I thought of it clearly. Zachary's half-sister was Bella Swan, as well as Sienna Swan and Leah Clearwater Mahora, so obviously he conversed with the Cullens regularly. Though, it still startled me that he considered a coven of vampires family. Vampire interaction was not something I considered healthy.
"Of course they are," Zachary replied with a nod. "Bella married Edward Cullen a while ago. Seth lives with them in Alaska now. He moved after he started going out with Renesmee a few years ago."
Jacob's face twisted into an agonised expression. "How can he stand the stench of them all?" He asked rhetorically. "It makes me sick."
"Hey, show some respect, Black!" Aria snapped defensively, shooting Jacob an angry glare. "That's my best friend's family you're offending when you say crap like that. If you're going to stick with my sister, you better get used to the fact that the Cullens are in your life as well now."
"Dusk hasn't even met the Cullens," Jacob rolled his eyes. "And she won't ever if I decide."
"But you don't decide," Zachary countered sharply. "So you'll have to deal with the fact that Sienna is coming back."
"Sienna has nothing to do with this," Jacob snarled whilst I cringed. "And who told you about that?"
"Bells told me why Si never talks of you and always turns off the TV whenever there's something on about you," Zachary remarked bluntly and hurt flashed across Jacob's eyes. "What you did wasn't very honourable, Mr. Black. You left when all of them were in dire need."
"Sienna was dead in my eyes," Jacob replied stiffly. "They all were...and I couldn't handle it. I was seventeen, what did you expect? Besides, I'm not that little boy anymore. If I could change the past...I would've stood by Si, no matter the consequences."
I gave the receptionist a wary look, noticing her baffled and absorbed expression. Alarm shot into my voice as I cleared up the mess our frank conversation had just caused, "My partner's ex-girlfriend has...caused some issues over the years," I lightly chuckled and the receptionist met my two-faced eyes. "My little's sister new friend is Sienna's half-brother, so it begins a few family feuds. I apologise."
The receptionist nodded understandingly. "What a drama," She remarked.
I laughed half-heartedly, a fake smile brightening the mood. "And that's only half of it! Well, thank-you anyway," With that, I steered the four of us away from the desk and shot Zachary and Jacob threatening glances once we neared the elevator. "You two better stop this arguing!" I ordered through clenched teeth. "People are going to start asking questions and what are we going to say then?"
"You're right," Jacob admitted gently.
"I'm sorry, too," Zachary mumbled regretfully, casting his gaze over the floor. "I promised my family that I wouldn't say anything to endanger them...and I'm breaking that promise because of my pride."
"Fine," I sighed. "Just, come on...let's get to Mum and forget this for now."
"Oh..." Aria trailed off, shooting me a wary glance as the elevator doors slid open. "Well, Zach and I will take the stairs."
I nodded and Jacob merely frowned at our nonverbal exchange of understanding. "Are you sure?" I whispered with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, I just...I've been a little more jumpy lately. Forcing myself to cram into something I'm terrified of isn't a good idea. Zachary doesn't mind using the stairs with me," She took Zach's hand and his attention immediately shifted to my sister adoringly. His arm swept around her waist with a sense of protection in his eyes. "We'll be up there soon, Dusk."
I nodded with a small smile and entered the elevator with Jacob. "I'll see you soon," I replied just before the doors closed and my sister's anxious face disappeared.
It was then very silent – very silent and still. Jacob's arms laced around my waist and I leaned against the elevator wall. "Are you ready for this?" He asked in a deep voice that changed the intimate atmosphere around us. The soft flutter in my stomach was hard to ignore.
I nodded. "I think so."
"I'm going to be right there beside you, you know?" He remarked and his protective arms tightened around my waist. His lips slightly grazed upon my own and the flutter in my stomach rose into my beating heart. "I'm right here, Dusk."
"I know. Thank-you, Jacob," I responded with a warm smile, snaking my arms around his neck. I was trapped between Jacob's heaving chest and the elevator's wall. Running my fingers through his cropped, black hair whilst I breathed in his musky scent and ran my lips over his again, I whispered: "I love you."
He chuckled, cascading his fingers down my jaw and leaving chills engulfing my entire body. Following the trail his fingers ran, his lips replaced the hot path he made down my neck. They parted slightly under my neck, as if to feel my pulse beneath his lips and enjoying the thrashing rhythm it made. "I love you, too."
I swallowed nervously and shuddered when he placed a long, chased kiss upon my collarbone. I felt his smirk against my skin and his hands grasped my waist tightly, keeping my body grounded from floating away and running his hands down the curves I'd never truly took notice to in my figure. I sucked in a sharp breath as he set his tender lips upon mine, working slowly and without urgency.
This was a moment I'd call a piece of heaven in hell.
However, the blissful moment vanished when we were jolted by the elevator indicator, which buzzed to signify we'd reached the Maternity Ward. Jacob laughed in amusement as a crimson blush flooded my cheeks after an elderly nurse, who was tapping her foot impatiently by the opened elevator doors, cleared her throat in disapproval.
"Sorry," Jacob apologised impishly and gave the nurse a blinding, white-toothed smile. "Uh, could you direct us to 21-C in this ward, please?"
The nurse blinked rapidly–as if lost in a dreamy trance–and nodded mutely, seeming flustered by Jacob's attractive confidence. "Down the hall and to your left, sir," She replied expressionlessly. "It will be to towards the end of that corridor."
"Thank-you," I smiled graciously and the nurse merely nodded, entering the elevator as we exited.
I rolled my eyes once we moved passed the nurse and Jacob gave me a knowing grin. "I can smile myself out of any situation," He stated arrogantly, snaking his arm comfortably around my waist.
"I bet you can," I muttered sarcastically, shooting him a contradicting glance as we followed the nurse's instructions and turned left. Walking down the long corridor, my eyes passed many pregnant women who shuffled along the carpeted floor in their robes and slippers – either entering their rooms or greeting another doting family member.
"Hey, why didn't your sister take the elevator with us?" Jacob asked curiously.
"Oh..." I bit my lip as the memory of my little sister's screaming flooded my thoughts and I winced. "Aria dislocated her elbow by getting her arm jammed between the closing doors of an elevator when she was ten. She was trying to stop our little brother, Matt, from wondering away when he was a toddler. She's had a mild case of claustrophobia ever since and tries to avoid elevators whenever she can...since she now associates crammed spaces with pain."
Jacob nodded thoughtfully and smiled. "Another Malveya mystery uncovered."
I chuckled at his resolve. "There are many secrets beneath my skin, you know."
He raised his eyebrow. "Should I be worried by th-?"
Jacob was cut off by the loud and frustrated words: "Boys, would you please stop riding those safety hazards down the hallways? You're going to injure somebody soon!" The angry woman's voice was then followed by the clustered noise of wheels screeching along a floor and the booming, yet easily expected, crash. My eyes widened when I saw two familiarly clumsy boys collide into a wall after balancing on their mini skateboards.
Matthew and Nathanael had both rammed themselves into a wall – something incredibly typical of my tweedle dee & tweedle dum brothers. Though, seeing their playful faces under those self-made crash helmets still made a grin brighten my features. Jacob watched my expression transform in a sort of wonder and I felt my heart flutter at the sight of my baby brothers. "Matt, Nate!" I called from across the hall and their heads immediately shot up to find the source of my voice.
Suddenly, my bewildered brothers looked absolutely ecstatic and they scrambled to their feet. "Dusk!" They exclaimed with light, joyful smiles. They sprinted down the lobby in lightning speed, charging towards my outstretched arms. I felt Jacob shift away with a chuckle as Nate and Matt collided into my body and I fell to my knees, enveloping them in a massive hug, kissing each of them on the head numerous times.
"Oh, I've missed you guys so much," I breathed, holding them close as they buried their faces into the crook of my neck. Tears of bliss built up in my closed eyes and my hold on my little brothers tightened. "You've grown so much since I've been gone."
While I held them, I felt Matthew's tears soak into my skin. He softly cried in my protective hold and clutched me with all of his strength, clinging to me as if I were about to disappear again. "You're coming home...right, Dusk?" Matt whispered with a croaking voice.
"Stop crying, you baby!" Nate ordered his twin as they pulled back and stared at me. Though, I also saw tears building within Nate's dark chocolate eyes and he sniffled stubbornly. "You're gonna make Mum upset again, stupid. Do you want her to cry, too...and then we'll get in trouble?"
"You're not allowed to cry anymore?" I whispered astoundingly.
"Dad doesn't like it when Mum gets upset. So...he says we have to be really strong and act like nothing's wrong...even though, whenever Mum hugs us, she feels really cold and she doesn't look normal anymore. Her skin looks white, Dusk, even though she's supposed to be brown," Matthew replied, rubbing away the tears with the back of his hands.
My heartbeat sped up. "Where...where is Dad?" I murmured nervously.
Nate and Matt both pointed to the closed door at the end of the corridor, where their small skateboards had been left. "We were practising the tricks Zach taught us on our skateboards to show Mum when she gets out of bed for a while. The nurse keeps on yelling at us for crashing into walls, but at least we haven't crashed into anyone. Mum usually goes for a walk outside in the afternoon...but Dad thought it'd be better if we showed her some tricks inside instead."
Matt nodded and added, "But we think Dad just doesn't want Mum going outside anymore 'cause its cold and she's already...you know, sick. Hey, how do you know Mum was sick? Did Grandma call you?"
"No," I hesitated for a moment, licking my lips. "Uh, Aria came to Colorado with Zach and told me. We came back to Washington together."
"Really?" My brothers exclaimed in unison.
"Well, uh...I'm happy Aria's come back, but don't tell her that. Dad was freaking out and Mum was getting even sicker because she was worrying all the time. She thought Aria ran off with Zach to get married or something stupid like that," Nate tsked with a roll of his eyes.
"Where is Aria, Dusk?" Matt asked quietly.
"She'll be up in a second," I stated with a forced smile. "She took the stairs with Zach. You can go and wait for her if you want. I'm going to be talk to Dad for a while."
My brothers nodded reluctantly. "He's acting weird," Nate blurted out suddenly. "He's not speaking English anymore."
"What do you mean?" I frowned, a nervous laugh bursting from my lips. "Is Dad talking gibberish now?"
"No...Nate means that he's not talking English as much, but Spanish instead. He's always mumbling in Spanish and you're the only one who can understand what he's saying, apart from Grandpa Vincent. But...he's not here, you know, anymore."
It was true: I was fluent in Spanish and I'd always felt like it was me and my father's secret language that bonded us in a way no one else could. "How is Grandma?" I whispered sadly.
"She was sad that you didn't come to Grandpa Vincent's funeral," Nate murmured, casting his eyes over the ground. "And she blames Aria for you not calling so often. Ever since Aria sent you that mean letter, you've been hardly phoning us. When Aria ran away...Dad blamed Grandma for it because she was angry with her."
"Oh, that wasn't the reason!" I panicked, anxious for the divide in my family. "I just...had a lot to do. Things were coming up a lot. I know Aria was angry at me for leaving in the middle of the night at Christmas time...but that wasn't the reason I didn't call as much. I'll have to tell Grandma. Where is she?"
My brothers then pointed to 21-C again and I nodded solemnly, gulping. "Okay," I breathed determinedly and stretched up from my crouch position. My brothers were nearly seven inches shorter than me now and it seemed they really had grown in height.
Though, when I glanced down again, my brothers were staring up at a looming figure behind me in astonishment. "What's wrong?" I frowned, rotating my body towards their line of vision. Jacob stood behind me, casually leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and his head turned the other way, politely providing privacy for my reunion with Nathanael and Matthew.
I smiled at Jacob's civil gesture of manners. "Jacob..." His eyes met mine as soon as the name fell from my lips. Jacob gave me a smile and then my brothers a nod of friendly acknowledgment. "Do want to come and meet my brothers?"
My brothers backed away slightly, nestling behind my waist as Jacob strode towards me with a bright, forthcoming smile. "I thought you'd never ask," He nodded courteously and glanced behind my waist, giving my brothers his hand to shake.
I chuckled at his respectful manner: smiling as if he were addressing the president instead of my goofy, baby brothers and offering his hand like a true gentleman. My brothers were wary but, of course, Nate was the first to poke his head out from behind me. "That's Nathanael," I introduced softly, pointing to the brother with the buzz-cut.
Jacob shook his hand firmly and grinned. "It's nice to meet you."
Soon enough, Matt stepped out and shook Jacob's hand, too. I placed my hand on Matt's shoulder while I said with an equally cheerful tone, "And this is Matthew."
Matthew had black, shaggy hair that fell across his forehand in curls he'd inherited from our father. Nate had black hair, too, but he'd had it cut a while ago and preferred it short to differentiate himself from his identical brother. Both my brothers were very striking boys and, even with matching features, there was still something everyone could tell apart in them.
Nathanael was a blabber-mouth, who was constantly asking for trouble and tried to dominate every competition he played. He was also determined to join the army when he grew up, which hinted why he'd had a buzz-cut since he was eight.
However, Matthew was calmer – less crazed with sports and challenges that made you sweat and break bones. He, too, was a mischievous rascal...but he'd always been able to really contemplate every side of a prank or hoax before he threw it towards you unexpectedly. Matt had secrets talents–such as writing and music–that he'd only share with Mum and me.
Matthew and Nathanael were a good duo and they balanced each other out well. But, I didn't love them for the two of a kind they made, I adored them for their individuality and their ambitions to be different – just like everybody else in the world. I was so proud of my little brothers, as well as my sister, because they knew who they were and I never wanted them to lose that knowledge.
"You're that guy who builds those cool cars, aren't you?" Matt raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, I am that guy who builds those cool cars," Jacob smiled.
Nathanael gasped, looking between Jacob and me. "Hey, how did you make the supercharged & turbocharged engine of 2019? My dad said it was the most expensive car of the decade."
Jacob chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, well...that's a bit of a long story...and I told my managers that it was way too overpriced. Though, I guess, I just make the cars and they advertise them."
"Um, speaking of Dad, I think I may visit him quickly and see Mum for a while. I miss her and Aria should be here any second. I'll be right back, okay?" I took a step away from my brothers and Jacob with a gentle smile. All eyes followed me frantically, as if I were the only buffer to an uncomfortable situation. Gosh, why were they all acting as if Jacob was my future husband and I'd just announced the bombshell engagement? "Jacob, why don't you continue telling my brothers about the story of the turbo engine?"
"Uh...sure, Dusk. We'll be right out here," Jacob gave me an encouraging smile as I took a few more steps back. However, my brothers still seemed unsure and huddled together, gaping at Jacob's gigantic frame. Jacob was nearly two ft. taller than them, so I could understand their apprehensiveness. Though, I was sure they'd grow to like him – it was easy to enjoy Jacob's company when he was being sarcastically amusing and a tad chivalrous.
"I'll be right back," I reassured them, waving casually as I turned and made my short way down the maternity ward corridor.
The quietness had shifted my surroundings into a solemn and more focused atmosphere. By the time I reached 21-C's door, my heart was fluttering nervously. I took a deep breath, feeling Jacob's wary eyes on me from down the hallway. I kept my eyes on the beige painted door, fisting my hand and lightly knocking it against the hospital room's entrance.
"Come in," A soft, familiar voice called from the other side of the door.
My hand fell from the wood to the brass doorknob and my fingers slowly curled around the knob. My fingers twisted, pushing it open a crack to find a dim light being cast out of the parting I'd made. My heart raced as I widened the crack and slid my body through the crack, immediately closing the door behind me.
I stood entirely still, keeping my back glued to the door as I peered around the room.
Grey light streamed from a window opposite me, casting shadows over the few pieces of furniture in the bare room. A single bed sat in the corner, a polished bedside table perched beside it with books and a pair of glasses clustered upon it. A wooden wardrobe sat across from the bed and next to it was a leather armchair. Beside the bedside table was a little sofa and in the middle of the room was a small coffee table, holding several empty mugs and a miniature television.
My vigilant eyes fell upon a frail figure sitting on the bed, gazing out of the foggy window with an absentminded expression. In the armchair was a man with an unshaved face, messy hair and a rigid posture. If I didn't recognise those eyes that I, myself, had inherited from him, I wouldn't have called that miserable man my father.
In the sofa was a woman, elderly and exhausted, her glassy eyes glued onto the television screen. Grandma Aisha hated TV, yet there she sat–as still as stone–staring at the screen with an absorbed appearance. My eyes shifted back to my mother again, frail and skinny, who sat stroking her stomach. Her beautiful, vibrant curls had been pulled from her face and exposed her unusually slim face, purple hued lips and chalky skin tone.
My father was the first to look up slowly and his eyes widened immediately when our chocolate brown orbs met. He shot up like a bullet, causing my grandmother to startle at the sound. My mother, too, turned and the most blissful expression broke the mask of nothingness on her face. "Dusk!" She cried and, before I could even run into her arms, tears were falling from her eyes.
Grandma Aisha and Dad both stood back as I rushed to my mother's side, sitting on the bed and falling into her awaiting arms. "Mum," I sobbed as she held me close, kissing me on the forehead as I snuggled into her chest. "I...I thought I-I'd be t-too late."
"Oh, baby girl," She whispered, her voice raspy yet melodic as she sobbed, squeezing me tight. "We will always have time," Something was wrong with her hold on me, though. It was weak and, as close as she tried to hold me, my mother felt fragile. Her embrace didn't make me feel safe; as I'd payed it would on the plane to Washington. Her hug reminded me that she was ill – her body was producing a baby while fighting a disease that was devouring her strength.
"No, we won't always have time, Saffron," I heard Dad mutter darkly from behind us.
"Please, Maurice," My mother pleaded as tears cascaded from her baby-blue eyes. She looked up from our seat on her bed and gazed upon my father wearily. "Just let me hug my little girl before we argue again...and you are removed by the doctor because you are allegedly causing more stress and weakening my immune system. I am really sick of this. Our eldest chick has returned to the nest and you can't even acknowledge her!"
"Saffron, dear, please don't get worked up," Grandma Aisha begged hopelessly from her seat on the sofa, raising her hands in a calming gesture. "More stress will weaken your immune system...and that will hurt the b-baby."
"So it's true?" I breathed out in astonishment. "You are going to have another baby?"
My mother grinned broadly, swiftly taking my hand and placing it over her lower abdomen joyfully.
All I felt was a flat stomach, nothing out of the ordinary, though I realised there was something forming and flourishing in the shell of my mother's womb. My hand was rigid over Mum's stomach but it relaxed once I imagined a small newborn, wailing for affection in my mother's awaiting arms. I pictured him staring up at his big sisters and brothers – blessed with our mother's beautiful, baby-blue eyes and our father's thick, Spanish locks.
A warm feeling swelled in my heart and a small smile graced my face at the feel of my little, budding sibling. "If she weren't, she would've started treatment by now," Dad growled through gritted teeth and my pleasant thoughts were crushed by his harsh tone. "But, no...she insists on protecting that six week old foetus."
My mother shot her husband a threatened glare. "You're acting as if you didn't create this baby, too!" She shouted, continuing to closely hold me in her arms. "I am doing what any mother would do for her baby. The doctor said that proper treatment for this stage of illness can possibly deform him or even terminate him. I'm not taking that risk, Maurice! I will not risk my baby like that."
"He is been in there six weeks," My father exclaimed desperately. "Six weeks, Saffron! He's a bean, barely a sprout. We have to do what's best for the living!"
"He is living!" Mum, jabbing a furious finger at him. "He has a spirit, a name and a destiny! How dare you suggest disintegrating his future like a feather and a flame? You are not the man I married more than twenty years ago."
Dad rolled his eyes angrily, snapping his head away from my mother's angry eyes. "Why can't you see clearly, Saffron? Don't you see what you're sacrificing by rejecting treatment? The sickness will get poorer. Soon, your breathing will worsen and you will be suffering, fighting for oxygen that our baby needs to survive."
Grandma's eyes welled up with the tears and she shrunk away from the conversation, attaching her attention to the television to stop the tears from streaming. My mother only clutched me tighter. "I'm not doing it, Maurice," My mother declared stubbornly.
"Saffron, what if you die?" He demanded severely, looking towards Mum again with a distressed urgency.
"Father, please," I said at last and his expectant eyes met mine. My word was absolute, as if I were finalising the peace between my own parents. Dad's urgency and Mum's frustration faded as soon as the word fell from my lips in gentle tone. My grandmother sent me a grateful glance as I divided the stalemate couple. "Enough."
A/N: Well, I hoped you enjoyed the first chapter of Chased by the Shadows. I'm thinking of making this story at least thirty-five chapters or less, so I do have a ballpark about where I'm headed. That's good, by the way, because I was blind when I came up with the idea of DITD nearly ten months ago.
You can obviously see the transition Jacob & Dusk's relationship has made. But it's not just going to be roses & romance for the werewolf & witch couple. There will be tests and some are already threatening in the shadows. I try to be as realistic with my characters as possible...so there will be some heated moments – good and bad *wink!*
Anyway, reaching my second book is huge milestone for me...and I'll try to write as much as I can this year. You see, next year is going to pretty huge for my schooling and I don't want to mess it up. So, I'm either going to write heaps to relieve myself of stress or I'm going to write nothing because I'm going to be so obsessed in doing well next year.
Anyway, I'll write as soon as possible! Thank-you to any who've taken the time to read this:D