Rise of the Darkness — chapter 26

Ethan and Andrew came back to Ashley's territory at night. They searched for the stalkers all day, they found a few newly turned vampires but they couldn't get to the person behind this all. Ethan tried to open the door of his bedroom but it was locked. He fished out the room keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. He stepped into the room and found Calla sleeping. Her eyes were puffy and her cheeks had dried tear marks. Ethan quickly sat beside her and stroked her cheek lightly with the back of his fingers. She slowly opened her eyes and found Ethan looking at her with a small smile on his face. He looked tired and Calla didn't want him to worry about her. She sat up on the bed and forced a smile on her face for him. "Why were you sleeping at this time?" Ethan asked.

"Nothing, I was just tired so I thought it's better to take a nap." Calla replied casually.

"Really and what about these tear marks? Ethan asked.

"Oh, that's nothing. I was missing Sophie." Calla lied.

"Calla, I will find her. I promise." Ethan promised her and pulled her to his chest. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back.

"I know…" she whispered and inhaled his masculine scent deeply. He got up and went to the bathroom. He took a quick shower and they both went downstairs for dinner. Calla was extremely quiet and Ethan noticed that. She wasn't even eating her food but playing with it. Ethan knew something was wrong with her and she wasn't telling him anything.

"Calla, you aren't eating anything. Are you alright?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine I was just thinking about Sophie, that's all." Calla replied and forced a small smile on her face. Ethan didn't push her and nodded his head.

"Did they tell you anything Ashley?" Andrew asked.

"Nothing at all. They are zipped like they know nothing." Ashley replied.

"That's the thing. They all are zipped. We can't read their minds as well. They are all protected by the witches." Ethan said.

"What are you planning to do next?" Ashley asked.

"We are still considering our options." Andrew replied as Ethan told him to keep his mouth zipped in front of Calla. They finished their dinner and they all went to their rooms. As soon as Ethan and Calla were inside the room, Ethan locked the door and caged Calla between his huge figure and the door. Calla gulped hard and her heart became wild in her ribcage.

"What's going on with you?" Ethan leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"Nothing." Calla whispered back.

"Liar…" Ethan whispered and nibbled her earlobe. She moaned softly. Ethan scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down carefully, then laid beside her. He pulled her close and she laid her head on his chest. He started rubbing her back soothingly and she snuggled closer to his chest. They both closed their eyes and drifted off.

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Ethan woke up the next day before the sun rose. Calla was still sleeping. Her arms and legs were wrapped around him, keeping herself close to him. He pecked her forehead and placed his pillow in her arms. She quickly snuggled closer to his pillow and inhaled his scent. A smile appeared on her face and Ethan chuckled softly. He went to the bathroom and hopped into the shower. He stepped out of the bathroom after ten minutes, he wore his clothes and went to meet Ashley. Ethan stepped into Ashley's study. Ashley was sitting on a couch and was reading a book. Ashley looked up as Ethan stepped into the study and smiled. Ethan sat on the other couch that was placed into the study. "Aren't you up too early?" Ashley asked when he noticed Ethan's uneasiness.

"I always wake up around sunrise." Ethan replied in a serious tone. Ashley closed the book, put it aside and looked at Ethan.

"What is it, Ethan? You are talking to me like you don't know me." Ashley complained.

"You tell me what's going on Ash? I left a happy Calla here, I came back and found her sad." Ethan asked.

"Did she say anything to you about me?" Ashley asked back.

"No she didn't, now will you answer my question?" Ethan replied.

"Ethan, I know she is my granddaughter and I do love her like one. But you are my brother and I can't stand seeing you hurt. Calla isn't good for you." Ashley replied.

"What does that suppose to mean? What had you told her Ashley?" Ethan asked angrily.

"Everything about our family curse. You'll die if you stay with her any longer. And now it's already too late." Ashley reasoned.

"So what if I die? I don't care if I die being around her." Ethan yelled.

"You are being crazy Ethan. I think Sophie will survive if she is away from Calla or she'll end up dead too. Can't you see you are losing your powers, your strength. Since when Brandon and Cammie are able to defeat you. Since when you started getting trapped inside a tiny spell, since when people like Brandon and Cammie started tricking you Ethan? This is all because of her. I know it was my fault but I can't let you die like that. First her parents, then Mara and Xavier and now you. She killed them all and now it's your turn." Ashley replied angrily. They both heard a soft sob. They turned around and found Calla standing at the door. Her eyes were filled with tears. She took a few steps backwards and ran away.

"Calla stop." Ethan yelled but she didn't listen. Ethan ran after her. In a flash he was in front of Calla. He grabbed her by her hand and pulled her back into their bedroom and shut the door.

"Talk to me Calla." Ethan said in a pleading tone.

Calla looked at him and started hitting his chest. "You knew it all. You knew about all of their deaths but you told me nothing. You lied to me. Leave me alone, you are nothing but a liar. Stay away from me." Calla said between her sobs she kept hitting him.

Ethan pulled her closer and cupped her face. "Are you done? I didn't tell you all this rubbish because you have nothing to do with it. Calla, your father died because of your mother not because of you. Sophie, your mother died because she was diagnosed with cancer and that wasn't because of you. She was using some unhealthy spells to call her husband's soul. Some witches played with her and she thought she would be able to call her husband's soul. Xavier warned her so many times but she never listened to him and in the end she got cancer. And Mara and Xavier were murdered. You see, you have nothing to do with their deaths, in fact there were so many times when they were saved because of you." Ethan said

"Then what about you? You can't read anyone's mind, you can't fight the way you used to fight, you can't even recognize spells." Calla asked between her sobs.

"Maybe I am losing my powers, but believe me Calla I won't die. You are my hope, you are my life. You are the one who pulled me out of my dark times. Because of you I'm not the monster I used to be, because of you I am breathing. Calla you gave us life. Yes, Ashley's blood is coursed but he himself doesn't know that, the curse never reached you. I am not losing my powers because of you but because I broke a promise that I had made to my mother. Don't ask me now about that promise, but Calla, Master Dalton bound me with you for a reason. He knew what I would become after him. So he bound us both together and I am glad he did that. So what if I lose my powers? I will be a mortal like you then, we will turn old and grey together. We'll live together and we will die together. Now don't you dare blame yourself for all of this." Ethan explained to her and hugged her tightly. She also wrapped her arms around him tightly and sobbed quietly.

"I love you Ethan." Calla confessed and Ethan smiled.

"I love you too and I promise you I will get Sophie back home safely." Ethan confessed back.