Chasing Darkness

Acknowledgements

Since this is the second book of the Stealing Light trilogy, I have a few people to thank and just a few words to say to tide you folks over until the final installment of this saga is released.

First, I’d like to thank all of the people who have supported me in my writing endeavors. If you’ve read my acknowledgments in the past, you probably know who they are. I’m so thankful for all of my family, especially my kids, Jane, Grace, and Adrian, and my amazing circle of friends.

Special shout outs, in no particular order (sorry all you OCD people, I’m not going to alphabetize them) to the following individuals, who drive me, inspire me, push me to work harder, and are all-around kick-ass, cool people to have in your corner:

JD Kachnowski – My first beta reader and critique partner, you make me a stronger writer every day.

Leslie Kachnowski – Amazing big sister and Editor. Thank you for your line-by-line red pen edits. You make my manuscripts bleed.

Desiree DeOrto – A very talented artist and the cover designer for this trilogy. Thank you, luv!

Beth Cruz – My brain sharer and oldest, dearest friend. I love you to the moon and back.

Danielle Bannister – Brilliant author, friend, and my ‘twin,’ who knows all of my deep, dark secrets and pulls me back into the realm of sanity when I need it. Best cross-country Outlander/movie-watcher buddy EVER! You’re one of my most favorite people in the world!

Derek Justice – Screenwriter, full of passion, critique partner, trusted friend, and gets my brand of crazy. I never seem to scare you off with my incessant rambling. You inspire me and I adore you!

Angie Reams – Gym partner/workout buddy and friend. You kick ass, push me, and know exactly what I’m going through. I’m so grateful for our friendship! (Maybe you’ll actually read this book…)

My Fans and Readers – Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for reading, sharing and loving my books. You are the reason I continue to write all the words.

DEDICATION

This one is for my Dad.

Thanks for raising me to be a tough cookie

with a sense of humor and a thick skin.

Be Good. Behave.

Love you.

CHASING DARKNESS

"It was in those fleeting moments of utter honesty,

when they revealed themselves to be just the slightest bit vulnerable.

In those scant seconds, bits of their soul seeped out

and I captured it. Embraced it. And truly fell."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Epilogue

About the Author

Chasing Darkness

PROLOGUE

Cassius

I stood in the room of white, but could not bring myself to look at the throne where He would soon be sitting. I hung my head in shame and waited for my judgment.

Seconds felt like hours.

Hour felt like days.

I stood and waited.

And in that time, that very long stretch of time, I relived the last moments I had with her.

She and Ben were in the back seat of the car. The sky was covered in thick grey clouds that matched the heavy fog that rolled over the field near the tree-lined road. We felt the disturbance in their threads of fate almost simultaneously, and Aaron and I arrived in the car at almost the same moment. The overwhelming sense of fear gripped my chest like a vise. My skin anxiously crawled with a shivering unease. Was it just the fear of losing her, or was it something more?

Aaron and I braced our bodies over Ben and Cecelia, forming a cage to help protect their fragile human bodies from being crushed by steel. We would engage, even if the seatbelts failed to do their job. I still remember the screams. Dear Lord, the screams! Horrified, shrieking screams echoing through my skull and filling my entire essence with their blood-curdling fear. Their screams of terror drowned out the sound of the horrific crash. All at once, everything stopped. Smoke filled the car, flames were coming.

Aaron and I breathed air into Ben and Cecelia. I was too concerned with the lives in the backseat to be worried about what was going on in the front.

Cecelia’s parents.

Her parents.

Their Guardians were there, too. But I had a bad feeling. I felt the Angel of Death upon us. Souls were preparing to leave.

Please, God! No! Not hers. Don’t let it be hers.

Aaron! What’s taking so long for help to arrive? I pleaded in a strained voice.

Galldoggone pissant back roads! he muttered with exasperation. I’ll go put a buzz in their ears and light a fire under their noses to get them to the scene faster. Can you keep them both alive while I’m gone? Aaron looked at me, and I saw the doubt in his eyes.

Yes. Absolutely I can, I faithfully answered. I will not let anything happen to either of them. Aaron gave a quick nod and flew from the car at the speed of light. I breathed air into the two of them, keeping one palm on each of their chests, making sure their hearts kept beating and their lungs kept breathing.

Weak pulses and shallow breaths, but both were alive, and I intended to keep them that way until help arrived. Where was Aaron? My chest felt heavy, and coldness prickled my skin, inching its way inwards. I felt a wave of anxiety crash through me, stronger than I had ever felt before. The rush of emotions bombarding me were chaotic. What was this strange sensation? It felt as if the seconds stretched into an eternity. I was frozen in my own personal purgatory as I painfully watched the girl whom I loved drift farther away from me. What if she died today? What if I couldn’t find her again? Would she be lost to me forever? The pain in my chest gripped me. What was this overwhelming chill that consumed me with such dread? Fear.

I was afraid. Truly afraid.

The thought of losing this pure soul, whom I had grown to love with such intensity before I even had the chance to actually explore the depths of my feelings and the potential of hers, was crippling to me. I felt pieces of her soul slip through my fingers, like grains of sand. No! Please don’t leave me yet, Cecelia! I silently begged.

Where was Aaron? When would help arrive?

I checked Ben’s vital signs. They were holding their own so I turned my attention to Cecelia. I gave her another breath and kept her heart beating. Tears fell from my eyes as I cradled her sweet, soft porcelain face in my hands. Don’t go, Cecelia. Please. I prayed. If she left, I feared I might never find her again.

Overwhelmed with grief, I made a rash decision.

I glanced once more at her heavenly face. Her eyes were closed, and she looked as if she were sleeping. But I knew better; she was near death. Stay with me, Cecelia, I whispered and then I leaned down and placed a slow, gentle kiss upon her almost blue, soft, unmoving lips. They tasted of sunlight and bubblegum. As soon as my lips touched hers, I felt the threads of our destinies wind together. I could find her now. If the worst happened, I would always be able to find her. I felt a tear run off my cheek and saw it moisten her bottom lip as I slowly pulled away.

Suddenly, Aaron appeared next to me, gasping. Cassius! What have you done?!

Startled, I sucked in a breath and jerked backwards. I stuttered out some incoherent words and heard the sounds of sirens growing near.

But I wasn’t in the car anymore. I was in the white room of light.

Cassius. My son. The voice rang out.

I looked up and saw Him. It wasn’t often that I had a direct audience with Himself.

His eyes were kind. Sympathetic. All knowing. Compassionate. And … fearless.

I gulped and took a breath, Father, I have sinned. Of course, he knew this already. He knows all. He simply looked at me, nodded, and waited for me to continue. There was no sign of anger. No hint of bitterness. He simply … was.

He was listening. Not judging.

This surprised me. I expected annoyance. Disappointment. Perhaps anger.

Bowing my head in shame, I told him of the recent events. I am sorry that my deed broke a rule of the Guardians, I apologized. I do sincerely wish to obey your need for me to protect and guide human souls. Raising my head to meet his gaze, I continued, But … I do not regret kissing her. I love her.

Nodding, He replied. I see. I also see that you do love her.

I do, my Lord, I replied, bowing my head again.

You have told me of your sin. You have accepted responsibility. You have stated your apology, and I see that your heart is sincere so that grace may be restored to you. What, my son, do you feel is right and just for the choice you have made?

I looked at Him with wide eyes. What was this? He didn’t pass down a judgment as I thought he would. Did he actually want me to determine my own penance? My own punishment? I was astounded.

He waited.

I stood, befuddled, looking into his compassionate, yet unwavering, eyes.

Still, he waited.

I swallowed and did what I thought would be the honorable thing to do.

I think … I mean … I feel I should be reassigned. Obviously, there would be a conflict of interest if I stayed on as Ben’s Guardian. I think Cecelia should have the right to grow and mature, and experience love in her own way, in her own time, without my influence. If … If she is to ever come into my life, then so be it. But … I think it is only right and fair that I be relieved of my duties as her brother’s Guardian.

He nodded, but his expression didn’t change. Was he happy with what I had suggested? Was he disappointed? I couldn’t tell.

He spoke, So then it shall be. You will be reassigned tomorrow. Go, my son. Rest. A new soul will await your protection.

I bowed my head and was suddenly enveloped in His arms. His embrace was warm, and His Light penetrated into my core. A calming sensation washed over me and His voice echoed in my head. Be at peace.

I turned to leave the room of white, but I knew I wouldn’t truly be at peace until I was with her again.

Chapter 1

Cecilia

The happy warmth I felt with Cassius, didn’t last very long at all.

In fact, it lasted about 6 hours – the time it took for us to drive home from Sharon Hollow, make our way upstairs into my bedroom, and have our way with each other.

It was now late that afternoon, and I sat behind the counter in the coffee shop. I held my mug of coffee with two hands, grateful for the warmth spreading through my chilled fingers. I stole a glance at the smug, slender, young man sitting in what I had come to know as Aaron’s chair. Aaron, my Guardian Angel, had perished at the hands of Zacharael, a Fallen Angel who wanted to steal my light. My eyes welled up with tears as I realized Aaron would no longer sit in that chair. The man who occupied it now was completely different. He wore his thick, brownish-coppery hair longer, but it was styled and cut in layers so it seemed to lay and move just right with his expressive habit of gesturing. Dressed impeccably in khaki slacks, a crisp white shirt, and a stylish checkered sport coat, he sat with one leg leisurely crossed over the other at the knee, dangling his foot. It drew attention to his obviously over-priced, super-expensive shoes. Those shoes must have cost more than the total of every pair of running sneakers I owned. He was talking loudly on his cell phone while holding his espresso. It was obnoxious. He caught my glance and flashed me a cocky grin. I rolled my eyes and quickly looked away.

How suddenly things could change … Yeah, CeeCee, you’ve learned this lesson a thousand times you idiot. Things are ever-changing. Aaron’s gone. I know! I sadly told myself. My heart ached when I remembered those final moments of the sword fight between Aaron and Zacharael. Quickly shutting off the dark memories, I let my mind wander to what occurred after and I thought back to how blissful the last six hours were…

************

Cassius was gripping my hand in the car as we drove away from Sharon’s Hollow. His firm, comforting hold on me began to warm my cold hands. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and then lifted it to his mouth, placing a gentle, cherished kiss on my knuckles. I gave him a weak smile in return. I felt like the fog, like I was floating in the mist. I was a bit lost, knowing that Aaron was no longer with me. But, somehow, it was different from when my parents died. Back then, I felt broken and shattered; pieces were missing.

Now? Now … I was just sad. But this time, I felt grounded somehow.

I had a stabilizing force, like gravity pulling me to the center of the earth, to the center of myself … of my very soul.

Cassius.

Cash was here with me this time. I knew I would be okay. Somehow.

I would be okay.

************

We arrived at my apartment above the coffee shop, and Cash pulled me up the stairs. I barely glanced at the shadows crawling the wall as the early morning sun shined through the window at the top of the stairs.

The shadows didn’t scare me anymore.

The Darkness didn’t scare me anymore. I had His Light.

I had Cassius. And, I knew he would always come for me. We barely made it through the door when I pulled him back towards me, gripped the sides of his