Shadows Of The Dark
Chapter Seven: Shadows of the Dark
Malachai held Aiden in the air, suspended by coils of dark power.
Aldrich let out a guttural roar, his body half-shifting as he lunged forward. But Malachai struck him midair, slamming him into the stone wall with a sickening crunch.
Fiona fired arrows in rapid succession...missing. Grant swung his blade, but it was deflected by an unseen force. A shield of writhing black energy pulsed around Malachai, protecting him.
Aiden’s crescent mark burned bright, glowing gold through the shadows that wrapped around him. His vision blurred, then flickered.
That woman.
The one from his dreams.
She was there again. Reaching. Just like before. Still faceless. Still fading.
“You keep failing, Aldrich,” Malachai sneered, his voice layered with something ancient. “You can’t protect them forever.” He laughed, loud and hollow.
In Aiden’s vision, the woman was yanked away once more.
Something snapped…
Golden light cracked through the dark magic holding him. The power inside him exploded outward.
Aiden dropped to the ground, rolling into a crouch as golden light danced across his skin. He sprinted to Aldrich’s side.
Malachai froze. “Impossible.”
Grant slammed his palms into the ground. A wall of earth rose, crashing into Malachai and knocking him back.
Fiona fought off the shadow beasts, blades flashing. But then….her eyes turned black. Her movements jerky, wrong. For a moment, she froze. Then blinked. She was back.
Aldrich, bloodied and gasping, pulled Aiden close and kissed him fiercely,like it could be the last time.
He shifted fully, beast form towering and battle-scarred. Aiden climbed on his back. The castle trembled around them. Cracks in the walls. Dust in the air. They had to go.
They rode through the gates as they collapsed behind them.
Grant hurled jagged spikes into the earth, trying to slow down the assassins chasing through the forest.
Aiden clung tightly, feeling Aldrich’s strength falter with each stride.
They reached a clearing. Grant had prepared a temporary shield there just in case.
But something was wrong.
Fiona turned slowly. Her eyes were black again. No flicker this time. Just…empty.
She pulled out a dagger. Her voice trembling, “I’m sorry.”
Then she drove it into Aldrich’s side.
“Fiona, what are you doing?!” Aiden screamed.
She pulled the blade back, raised it again—
Grant tackled her midair, cuffing her wrists with magical suppressants. She collapsed unconscious.
Aldrich hit the ground hard. Blood soaked through his clothes in seconds.
“No—no no no, stay with me.” Aiden dropped to his knees, grabbing his face. “Aldrich, look at me. Please.”
Aldrich’s eyes fluttered. “You’re safe… That’s all that matters…” His eyes slipped shut.
“Help him! Someone do something!” Aiden’s voice broke.
Grant knelt beside them. “The blade was poisoned. We need to move..now!”
Merrick shifted, lifting Aldrich onto his back. Grant opened a glowing portal, and they vanished into it….
Back to the mansion.
They burst into Aldrich’s room. Aiden never let go of his hand,not even as blood smeared across his own fingers.
Grant worked fast. “This is going to hurt,” he warned.
Aiden nodded, eyes locked on Aldrich’s pale face.
Grant’s hands hovered over the wound. He chanted. A golden light pulsed. Aldrich groaned, gripping Aiden’s hand tightly—like it was the only thing anchoring him to this world.
He trembled, biting back cries of pain. Every breath was a war.
Aiden closed his eyes. Prayed. Pleaded.
Finally, Grant exhaled. “Got it.”
Aldrich gave one last breath…then passed out.
“Is he going to be okay?” Aiden whispered, voice cracking.
Grant nodded. “He’s strong. That’s the one thing I’ve never doubted. He’s lived through worse.”
He turned to leave. “I’ll give you both space.” Then paused.
“Your friend. Prince. You should call him. He’s been worried.”
Aiden blinked. “…How do you know about Prince?”
Grant just smiled faintly and walked out.
Aiden stayed all night. His presence helped keep Aldrich’s fever low, kept his body calm….Grant had said that.
By morning, Aldrich’s eyes opened.
“Aiden?” His voice was rough. “Are you okay?”
Aiden laughed softly, wiping at his eyes. “I should be the one asking you that. You nearly died, idiot.”
“I’m fine. As long as you’re safe, I’m fine.”
“You’re ridiculous.” He smacked his arm…Aldrich winced. “Oh…damn, I’m sorry.”
“I thought I was going to lose you,” Aiden whispered.
“Stop saying weird shit,” he muttered. “You sound like an old man.”
Aldrich smiled. That smile, the one that only existed when he looked at Aiden.
Aiden brushed the hair from his face. Then kissed him,soft at first.
Aldrich grabbed his neck, deepening it.
Aiden moaned softly into the kiss. “Stop… You’re literally bleeding out.”
“Stay. Sleep beside me.” Aldrich shifted slightly, patting the empty side of the bed.
Aiden scoffed…but obeyed.
Their bodies tangled, lips brushing again and again until sleep finally claimed them.
Aiden woke up before sunrise. The bed was warm…but empty.
He sat up. Sniffed. Yeah. Aldrich was still nearby.
He followed the scent.
Aldrich stood on the balcony, shirtless, the early morning wind brushing against his scarred skin.
Aiden paused, eyes trailing the ancient wounds etched into his body. War. Loss. Time. All written on his back.
“…Suspicious thoughts. Suspend them. Now,” Aiden muttered to himself.
Aldrich turned. “You’re awake. Did you sleep well?”
“Stop asking me that. You’re the one that got stabbed.”
A smirk tugged at Aldrich’s lips.
Aiden stepped closer. “Why are you out here? You need rest.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Too much in my head.”
A shadow passed over his face. “There’s more coming, Aiden. And you… you need to know who you really are.”
