The Darkest Touch

what could be hers. Power, money, fame. Everything she’d ever wanted. All she had to do was think about what she wanted, and it would materialize.

“Yes, Isabelle. It could all be yours. Just touch the diamond and let it empower you. You have a legacy to fulfill. It is only a matter of time.”

Tase turned and walked out, the stone door closing in place behind him.

Shaken, Isabelle was frozen to the ledge, unable to move. They were playing with her mind. They knew her weaknesses, tortured her with talk of her father.

Was her father really one of the Sons of Darkness? Did she have a legacy? Was it preordained that she would become one of them? Was it true that she and Angelique were different?

Didn’t she already know the answer to that? Hadn’t she always known?

She stared at the black diamond. It was just a hunk of rock. How could it be so powerful? What secrets did it hold? Did she dare touch it? Did she have the power that Tase mentioned, or was that all mindwash bullshit?

She wished Dalton were here. Of all people, he was the one to offer her comfort. She felt safe with him. She could crawl into his lap and his arms would wrap around her, shield her from this hurt, from the evil.

Dalton could protect her. She didn’t understand why, but she knew he could. He’d betrayed her, and yet she felt comforted whenever he was near. How fucked-up was that?

Still, there had been. . something between them. A spark, a connection. He seemed to understand the darkness. And he didn’t judge her for it.

She needed to talk to him. Why hadn’t she let him help her? Why had she let her pride and hurt get in the way of reaching out to him? Now she needed him and he wasn’t here.

“Help me,” she said to the empty room, clutching the sides of her head.

Find your way back to Dalton. He’s your salvation.

No. Look at the diamond. Touch it. See how close it is? Everything you’ve wanted can be yours. Think of Atlantis. You can have it all. Everyone who said you couldn’t-all you’ve been denied-will be yours. Fame, riches, all the dark delights you desire.

Don’t do it, Isabelle. Find Dalton. Dalton can save you.

“Stop it!” She cupped her ears, trying to drown out the voices.

Pain ripped inside her, tearing her in two. And still, the voices inside her head wouldn’t go away. Conflicting, they pulled at her, leading her down different roads.

She lifted her head, studied the black diamond. From an archaeological standpoint, it wasn’t at all remarkable. It looked like a huge chunk of coal, a disappointing lump in her stocking at Christmas, albeit a rather oversized one.

Why did everyone place such importance on it? It was just a rock. A dead, lifeless hunk of granite and sand. Void of life or any magic, it couldn’t do her any harm. They were wrong. Nothing was going to happen. She’d prove it.

Then they’d let her go.

She stood, tossed the blanket to the ledge, refusing to let fear rule her. She’d never been afraid-of anything- and refused to start now.

Okay, so she’d never been faced with demons before. Dear Lord in heaven, could they really be evil incarnate? Had she actually stood alone in a room with sons of the devil? And where was she, anyway?

Too many questions. Focus on one task at a time, Isabelle. Just like you’re working a dig. Back to the rock.

She took one step, waiting to see if it would. . come to life.

Nothing happened. It sat there on the table, lifeless.

What did she expect? For it to jump at her?

Honestly.

Approaching the table, she rested her hip against it.

There. Now she was inches from it, and felt no spark, no life emanating from the black diamond.

“This is ridiculous.” She reached out and placed her hands over the rock.

She could have sworn it moved, but that had to be her imagination.

But then she heard a distinctive hum, low at first, then gradually growing in intensity. And under her palms, a vibration.

She hadn’t imagined that. It was real.

Her hands were glued to the black diamond, her gaze mesmerized as the lifeless rock began to glow from within. First the tiny pinprick of a sapphire blue light, then as it spread throughout the stone, brightening to an ocean blue.

It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. And when she felt tiny electric sparks shooting out from the diamond into her hand, felt the power of it enter her, she sensed no fear.

It was giving her energy, empowering her, welcoming her. How could she be afraid of something like that?

And yet, something within it both compelled and repulsed her, as if there were a life force buried within this rock that wanted out.