Kingdom of Darkness (Kingdom Journals Book 2) Read online

  “Seems like you both come from homes that are more unstable than you realized.” Dr. Antos’s gaze fixed on the wall beyond Jude for a moment.

  After the soup, we were given a chicken breast and broccoli, followed by a pasta serving, and finally a salad. The group was silent, save the clinking of utensils on plates. My nerves on edge, I forced a couple of bites of each item down.

  “I’m going to be as big as a house,” Jude commented as he set his fork down.

  “You’re going to be using lots of energy. You’ll need plenty of fuel.” Dr. Antos set his napkin on the table and stood. “We should get to the tour.”

  Trailed again by Carmen and Alex, we followed the psychiatrist to the main elevators and the study rooms, training gyms, pool, spa, and library.

  “Where is everyone?” Jude asked as we re-entered the central gathering room outside the dining area.

  “Your schedule is a bit off today. Others are in their personal areas or education rooms. Breakfast is at six thirty, lunch at noon, and dinner at seven. There’s a snack bar at the end of the dining room if you’re hungry in between.”

  “Can we go to the technology center now?” I asked, anxious to start the search for my dad.

  “Oh yes.” Dr. Antos tapped his temple as if he’d forgotten.

  Two floors down, the technology center seemed to double as the security hub as rows of computers and monitors lined the walls. Each one was operated by a uniformed man rivaling Carmen’s and Alex’s sizes. The hum in my head increased as we moved into the room, and I guessed they were powerful witches.

  Wondering if any women lived there, I trailed Dr. Antos to the far side of the space. He motioned to a man sitting at a desk in front of us. “Give Mario the details, and he’ll work on the case.”

  “You took my phone.”

  “Oh, right.” He pulled the device from his breast pocket.

  I brought up my dad’s last location and gave it to the technician, along with his phone number, picture, full name, date of birth, and citizenship. I even had a picture of his passport the technician scanned.

  “I will work on it, madam.” Mario’s gaze shifted from me to Dr. Antos.

  “Wonderful, let us continue with the tour.” Dr. Antos placed a hand on my back, guiding me to the exit. Jude lagged behind, studying the monitors as he went. In hindsight, I wished I’d come up with some excuse to spend more time in the room. Jude looked like he was sizing up their security, and we needed all the intel we could get. Of course, if they did have a secret dungeon, I guessed that wouldn’t be on the tour.

  “Okay.” Dr. Antos clapped his hands together as we got in the elevator. “You may have some free time before dinner. Let Carmen or Alex know where you’d like to go, for a swim or run in the gym maybe, and they will escort you. You’ll find all the clothing you need in your room.” He exited the elevator as it opened on the main floor. “I will see you at seven.” He waved and spun away from us.

  Inside my chambers, my brain rattled through the choices. I found some running clothes and shoes in my closet. Back in the hall, I realized Jude had the same idea.

  “Oh.” I stopped short, seeing him in running attire.

  “We can run in opposite directions,” he said, rolling his eyes.

  “Works for me,” I snapped and turned to Carmen. “Can you help me find the gym again?”

  “Of course.” He motioned for me to proceed down the hall.

  In the elevator, it was uncomfortable not talking to Jude. I guessed he decided we should use our communication trick sparingly, but it was torture not to hear his voice. We rode to basement level one and followed our guides to the second level of the gym. The running track circled and overlooked basketball, tennis, and racquetball courts.

  Jude stretched out beside me. It was hard to focus on my warm-up with his tan, muscled body only feet from mine. The layers we’d needed in Iceland hid his chiseled features. He looked to be one hundred percent muscle.

  “You want clockwise or counter clockwise?” he asked.

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “Okay, I’m going this way.” He pointed to the left and took off in a slow jog.

  I started my run in the opposite direction. Over the next few laps, I increased my pace to my normal speed, glad Carmen didn’t feel the need to follow me.

  This is cool. Jude communicated to me. I can see you across the gym. I glanced over to see him on the opposite side. Don’t look at me. They might think you like me or at least have realized I’m kind on the eyes.

  Confident much?

  You’re not so bad on the eyes either.

  I felt my face flush and checked my watch to distract myself. I miss you. I hate being here.

  Let’s focus on the goal, get the sword, figure out where our dads are, and get the heck out of this place.

  I second that. This building gives me the creeps. I’m sorry I got you into this.

  Hey, I got to Iceland all by myself. This was set in motion before I met you. I’m glad I know to be wary of Dr. Antos.

  Do you think they sense us using magic? I asked him.

  Probably, but with the low-level hum throughout this whole place, I think we’re good.

  Fingers crossed. I sneaked a sideways glance as he passed me.

  It was hard not to smile when I looked at him, and I focused on my fear to keep my features in check. That thought was a slippery slope, and I distracted myself with the bits of information we’d picked up. We were descended from angels. I knew from my ten-year-old obsession with them that Michael and Uriel were two of the highest-ranking archangels, along with Gabriel and Raphael. I wondered which line I belonged to, and if it was the same as Alena’s, Hunter’s, or Jude’s. I prayed I wasn’t related to Dr. Antos, but I guessed if I completed my coven training and joined his coven, then I would be even if I hadn’t started out that way. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that. I’d find my dad, we’d get the sword, and I’d have time to join the coven I was born to belong to.

  My watch beeped, and I slowed to a walk, sweat pouring down my forehead.

  “My lady.” I jumped at the sound of Carmen’s voice beside me. But he held out a towel for me.

  “Thank you,” I managed.

  “Dinner is in an hour, and you’re expected to be dressed in formal attire.”

  “I did notice the dresses in my closet. I should get another shower then.”

  “Yes, madam.”

  “You can call me Camille.”

  “Of course, Miss Camille.”

  I rolled my eyes, wondering if he was capable of relaxing. He’d need sleep at night, right? He couldn’t be awake twenty-four-seven forever. Would they have a guard outside our chambers all night? Someone would have to relieve him.

  My thoughts strayed to wondering if everyone in the compound knew what was going on or if it was just Dr. Antos. Where did they have the sword? Were Sonia, Thanatos, and Theron there? Did they have another compound as well guarded as this one? Yes, I’d gotten myself in a pretty pickle, as my grandmother would say.

  Back in the room, I showered and washed my hair again. I found a blow dryer in a drawer and brushed my hair out straight. As Jude had, I found my wardrobe stocked with clothes in the correct sizes, including shoes and underwear. Feeling bold, I chose a red dress.

  A rap on my door indicated it was time for dinner. “You look lovely, Miss Camille,” Carmen said as he extended his elbow to me.

  I fit my hand around his bicep, noting my finger barely covered a fourth of its circumference.

  “This is a far cry from the camp in Iceland,” Jude commented. Frida would freak if she saw us now. He continued just to me.

  “I could never live in Iceland,” Alex noted. “At least here we have beautiful warm summers.”

  “It gets green in the summer there,” I defended. “Actually, very green.”

  “I guess that’s why Icelanders have such a high depression rate,” Jude put in.

  I knew he’d said it to k
eep up our ruse, but it still hurt. Refocusing on our path, I tried to memorize how we’d gotten to the dining area. Carmen and Alex led us past the room we’d eaten in at lunch and through a set of wooden doors that stretched to the ceiling.

  A wave of electric hum hit me, and I grabbed my stomach thinking I might be sick. Let it flow through you. Jude reminded me, and I took a deep breath. Carmen’s arm moved to my waist, and I righted myself. I couldn’t seem weak. I had to get my reactions under control.

  “I haven’t worn heels in a long time. These are getting the best of me.” I forced a nervous laugh.

  “You’ll have plenty of time to practice here, madam,” Carmen noted.

  I didn’t normally wear red and felt self-conscious about my light skin. Still, the simple A-line of the skirt and V-neck looked elegant on the hanger. Carmen slid in front of me and wove through the crowd. I wondered if there was an occasion or dinner was like this every night. It was a large room with ten tables and eight places set on each. We reached a table in front of a stage, and Carmen pulled a chair out for me. The place cards indicated Jude and I were to be seated next to each other, with Carmen and Alex flanking us.

  “Dr. Antos will join us soon.” Carmen passed a carafe of water to me.

  Filling my glass, I passed it to Jude, who grimaced and forced a thank you. I wondered how long we needed to keep up the charade that he bore malice towards me. It seemed that perhaps he could warm his reaction to me over time. His eyes were so beautiful when he smiled, and I longed for his sparkling gaze.

  “Here we are, the guests of honor.” Dr. Antos squeezed my shoulders and shook Jude’s hand. “I want you to meet Marcus. He holds a seat on the high council.”

  Dr. Antos turned to the gentleman. “Are you the highest-ranking member here tonight?”

  Marcus’s eyes scanned the room. “I believe I am, Miguel.”

  Dr. Antos cleared his throat. “And now that they know my first name, my authority is forever ruined.”

  “Sorry, witch culture is too engrained.” Marcus slapped Dr. Antos on the back. “You younglings call him Miguel whenever you want.” He winked at Jude and me.

  They took their seats at the table. Soon after, a woman approached. Her hair was dark as night and reached down her back nearly to her knees. “Miguel, you and Marcus aren’t causing trouble yet, are you?”

  Dr. Antos stood and kissed her on the cheek. “Not too much. Camille, Jude, this is my wife, Maria.”

  Maria’s eyes landed on me. “Oh heavens, look at you dear, sandwiched over there between those brutes. Would you like to sit beside me?”

  Jude’s hand squeezed my thigh. “I’m okay, thank you,” I told her, wrapping my hand around his.

  “You two must be exhausted.” She continued some polite conversation about Iceland and Los Angeles until wine was poured and bread brought to the table.

  Mom didn’t let me drink, so I let my glass sit. Jude sipped at his. “Kinda takes the edge off,” he noted holding up the dark liquid.

  I forced a smile at him, keeping up our ruse. The meal was uncomfortable as Carmen and Alex talked over us, and Marcus, Maria, and Dr. Antos held their own conversation. At the end of the meal, Dr. Antos, or Miguel, I guessed, walked up the steps to the podium on the stage. He introduced Jude and me as new initiates, and we stood and waved as the crowd clapped for us. My face burned with embarrassment, and I wished I were anywhere but there.

  As the desserts were brought in, I scanned the room for anyone who resembled Theron, Thanatos, or Sonia. Seeing only slight feature similarities, I refocused on my tablemates noting Miguel’s and Jude’s resemblances to Thanatos and Theron, respectively, trumped any I’d noted at the other tables. The thought had me second guessing my relationship with Jude.

  Walking to our rooms, Jude re-started our secret conversation. Are you scared?

  Petrified, you?

  Warily mindful of my surroundings. Practice your magic as much as you can. We need to be as strong as possible.

  Noted. We reached our doors. Goodnight. I longed to look at him but didn’t dare.

  “Miss.” Carmen spoke as I turned the key in my lock.

  “You will have another guard, Nicole, here for the night. Anything you need, just ask her.”

  “Thank you.” I opened my door and locked it behind me, relaxing my back on the soft wood.

  Finding my pajamas, I washed up and brushed my teeth. I was exhausted, and magic had to wait for another day. The books on the desk caught my eye, and I examined the one on top. Early Earth History, the title read.

  The huge bed with the lavish down comforter felt odd after a month at the camp. Still, I wasn’t one to waste resources, and I snuggled in the middle, propping my head up on three pillows. The cover of the book was worn, as if it was very old, and I opened to the first page. A crude illustration of the Earth and sky held labels of Heaven, above the sky, and Sheol, below the Earth.

  The text began with the story of creation of the light and the dark, earth, and the sky, animals, and then Adam. I didn’t get much beyond the story of Lilith being cast out of the Garden of Eden and Eve’s creation before my eyes grew heavy. The last picture I viewed was of an angel reaching down from heaven to touch a woman’s hand. Michael and Lilith, the caption read.

  Images of angels danced through my dreams, waking me more than once. It was dark and cold, and I curled up under my covers till I fell back asleep each time. The alarm beside my bed woke me at five. With heavy eyes, I felt no less rested than the previous night. Thinking the traveling and odd atmosphere weighed on me, I stretched out, performed some yoga poses, and worked on my core exercises. I knew one thing for certain: I had to be as strong as possible, mentally, physically, and metaphysically.

  Deciding there was no time like the present to stretch my powers, I tried to turn the water on. When nothing happened, I gave up and twisted the knob. In the shower, I levitated the bar of soap to my hand. At least I’ll have clean enemies, I thought. As I tested my powers on each task, I realized all I could do was lift things. Thinking about the battle scene in my visions and Jude’s powers, I realized those witches were using air to manipulate other things. I focused on my hairbrush, thinking of air twirling it in a circle. My head throbbed from the strain, but the handle started to move and turn in a counter clockwise direction. After one, slow revolution, I couldn’t bear the pain between my temples any longer.

  When there was a thud on the door, I opened it to see Carmen. “Breakfast, madam.”

  Beyond him, I ignored Jude’s figure. Good morning. He communicated to me without turning his head.

  Good morning.

  You look horrible.

  Thanks. Practicing magic.

  Good for you. But don’t push yourself too hard.

  I’m not sure there’s time for anything else. How are we supposed to find out anything being guarded twenty-four-seven?

  We just have to wait for an opportunity.

  We met Dr. Antos and his wife Maria for breakfast in the smaller dining room.

  “Any word on my dad?” I asked right away.

  “No. I’ll let you know when there is.” Dr. Antos brought his coffee cup to his lips.

  Although he instructed us to call him Miguel, as it was witch custom to greet each other with given names, my mind kept reverting back. As an attendant delivered tea, Dr, Antos, or Miguel, I guessed, handed us printed schedules. In the mornings, we had three hours for schoolwork followed by athletic activity. The afternoons were dedicated to witch studies and magic practice. In the evenings, we had time for additional workouts and reading.

  “There are four parts to coven initiation representing each line of our people: earth for the line of Uriel, air for the line of Raphael, water for the line of Gabriel, and fire for the line of Michael,” Miguel told us once we’d finished reading the page.

  “The archangels?” I asked. “Did the archangels create witches?”

  “The archangels are our oldest living ancestors. They w
anted a people of their own here on Earth and sired children with humans. We will have one of Uriel’s lines lay hands on you and discover which line you belong to. Michael’s serves as leaders, Gabriel’s children are messengers, Raphael’s healers, and Uriel’s are keepers of wisdom.”

  My head spinning, I picked up the teacup in front of me. It had a strong flavor, and I set it down.

  “You must drink the entire cup, child,” Maria instructed. “I blended it myself. It’s Miguel’s job to train you. It’s my job to keep you well. The tea contains essential oils of clove bud, cinnamon bark, lemon, and Eucalyptus to strengthen your immunity.”

  I sipped the tea sparingly eating bits of bread and eggs in between. It was hard not to wish I were back home with my bowl of cereal and Tyler harassing me about boys.

  When we finished our meal, we were instructed to freshen up and meet Miguel at the library in half an hour. As we snaked through the maze of halls to our room, I wondered which line I was descended from. I guessed Hunter must be of Michael’s line since Hunter’s father was high priest. But which line did Alena belong to? Who created Jude’s?

  Worrying about lineage? came Jude’s voice in my head.

  It took all my muster not to jump. Can you read my thoughts now?

  No, I just guessed. I’m concerned this fortune teller will know I may be part vampire. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. My mom has the same allergies as me. She was adrift for a long time until she joined this holistic community. She must be part vampire.

  Did you ever meet her parents?

  Just her mom. I believe she was normal.

  What about your dad’s parents? They must be witches. Have you tried to contact them?

  I didn’t want to talk to them about this. I thought it might put them in danger. Plus, our conversations could be monitored. I’ll keep my thoughts away from my mom when the seer reads me.

  Good idea.

  We reached our rooms, and I picked up where I’d left off in the text from the night before. The next section relayed how the angels sired children with humans, creating lines of people with heavenly powers. Engrossed in the story, my alarm startled me. I opened the door to find Carmen’s balled fist held up as if he were about to knock.