Daniel Taylor and the Dark Legacy Read online

  Daniel pulled his fingers through his mussed-up hair. “That’s what I was afraid of.” He felt an unpleasant pressure from his bladder, but he suspected that the women wouldn’t even leave him alone to take a piss.

  “Big things await you, Silvan,” Marla told him, sitting down on his bed.

  Daniel knew he would probably have to endure a long speech. “Could I go to the bathroom before you start in on your tirade?” He slid off of the bed, squeezing between the two women, but kept the blanket wrapped around him. To his surprise, they both let him leave, although Sirina shot him a look that left him feeling completely exposed.

  Daniel locked himself in the bathroom, relieved himself, and splashed some water in his face. When he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror, he shook his head. Just a few weeks ago, his life had been completely normal, and now he was talking to demons. Demonesses, he corrected himself — he had yet to meet a male of the species. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the underworld is governed by women. The thought made him smile, but he immediately thought of Nessa and felt a little ashamed of himself. She’s so intelligent, she would certainly make a good president.

  Nessa … He had kissed her yesterday. No, actually, she kissed me. Had she kissed a lot of boys? Mike the pharaoh suddenly popped into his head, as well as all the other things that had happened the previous night. They had found Joe! Daniel would have liked to go next door to see Vanessa right away. He had to find out how she was doing. She had looked so terrified when they discovered old Mr. Adams in the freezer.

  But first he had to get rid of Marla and this Sirina.

  Daniel brushed his teeth and combed his hair before returning to his bedroom.

  Sirina was standing by his stereo, inserting a Beastie Boys CD. Daniel felt almost naked in his underwear, so he slipped quickly back into bed. He crossed his arms behind his head and said as coolly as possible, “So, girls, what is it that’s so important that you have to disrupt my beauty sleep so early on a Sunday morning?” Dear God, how could he stay so calm? Daniel was surprised at himself. He had probably gone completely crazy.

  But when Marla set about trying to convince him that he was the future ruler of the underworld — it was his by birthright — he could no longer maintain his composure. “What?!”

  The best was yet to come: Sirina, this red-haired witch, the one who was devouring him with her eyes, purred, “And I’ll be your wife.”

  Daniel sat up straight. “You can’t be serious!” He took this to be a bad joke, although he vaguely remembered Marla trying to tell him about something like this. “Why have you only just now appeared? If I’m really a demon, why don’t I live in the underworld? Are my parents also demons? This is ridiculous — I don’t believe a word of it!” Daniel pushed the revelation that he could see particularly well in the dark into the furthest corner of his mind. He also tried to ignore his catlike reflexes and telepathic abilities — but there was more than just that, and it frightened him.

  The earthquake in the classroom and Toby’s sudden coughing fit … No, those were just coincidences! He wasn’t a demon, and certainly no demon Overlord. These women are nuts; Marla’s just trying to pair me off with this red-haired hag!

  But deep within him, he knew that it was the truth. Daniel had always known he was different.

  After taking a deep breath, he pointed a finger at Sirina. “I’m certainly never going to marry her!”

  “We’ll see about that,” responded Sirina tartly, crossing her arms over her ample bosom and swaying to the rhythm of the music.

  Marla was about to launch into an explanation when he was again hit by one of his terrible headaches. He flung his arms upward and pressed the palms of his hands against his temples.

  Marla pulled his hands away while the other demon turned up the volume on the stereo. “They’re looking for you, Silvan. Let them into your head so that they can connect you to the network.”

  “I’m not a machine!” He resolutely fought back. It felt like someone was trying to drill into his skull, and the harsh noises coming from his stereo increased his agony.

  “I was speaking figuratively, so that you could understand what I mean. Normally, we’re all mentally connected to one another from birth — or rather, when our minds are ready for it, which can take a few years. However, in your case, this connection was cut after your demonic side was suppressed. Let them in, welcome them, and it won’t hurt anymore!”

  “You have to open your mind so that the transformation can take place, lover.” Sirina pushed him backward until he was lying flat on his back. “All our consciousnesses are connected; it’s something like your Internet. We can summon others of our kind or send them messages. As soon as you open yourself to us, we can teach you everything you need to know about being a demon and how to use your powers.”

  “But what if I don’t want to?” What powers was she talking about? That piqued his curiosity a little.

  Sirina’s eyes sparkled, and there was a sly smile on her lips. “You have to; this is your destiny.”

  No, this is a nightmare! Daniel tried to shut out the invaders, even though the pain was unbearable. He was afraid of what the demons might do to him if he allowed them access to his mind.

  Vanessa followed Daniel’s mother into the foyer, where cardboard boxes were everywhere. If she didn’t know better, Vanessa might think that the Taylors were moving out.

  They went into the kitchen, where the floor was covered in painter’s tarps. The room was completely empty except for the appliances, and one wall had just been painted a friendly sunflower yellow.

  “Don’t be shocked, I’m just turning my life upside down. I need this right now,” Anne explained as she took a glass out of the cupboard and offered Vanessa some lemonade. Anne didn’t need to say anything more; Nessa knew exactly what she meant. Anne needed a change of scenery after her husband had run off with a much younger woman. That was no secret in Little Peak. Peter and Anne Taylor had always been considered a perfect couple, so the divorce came as a real surprise to everyone.

  Anne was in her mid-forties and not very tall — Daniel was at least a head taller than his mother — but she had a very good figure for her age. Her honey-gold hair was tied back, and she was wearing a white shirt that was speckled with paint. Anne’s blue eyes no longer sparkled quite as merrily as they once did. Nessa suspected that Daniel’s mother was still suffering from the shock of the divorce. She had lost several pounds this year, that much was clear.

  “I’m worried about Danny,” Anne said suddenly.

  Vanessa liked that about Mrs. Taylor — she came right to the point.

  I’m worried, too, thought Nessa. She asked, “Is it about school? Daniel said something about needing a tutor. I’d be happy to help.”

  Anne’s face lit up immediately. “Would that be possible? That’d be great!” But then her expression darkened again. “I think the problem isn’t really school. It goes much deeper than that. He’s been behaving so oddly recently. He’s become so … dark.” She sighed. “It must be awful for Danny, his father not wanting anything to do with him. Peter took off with this new woman practically overnight. It’s been so hard on me, but what must it be doing to Danny?” Anne sniffled and went on bitterly, “Peter could at least contact his son now and then, but it seems like he’s lost all interest in him.” Anne wiped a tear away with the back of her hand. “Could you try to talk to Danny about it? He won’t let me near him. He holes up all day in his room or sneaks away to hide outside somewhere.”

  Vanessa didn’t know how to respond. It was terrible for her to see Danny’s mother so sad. “Of course I’ll talk to him,” she said hastily.

  Anne blew her nose noisily into a crumpled handkerchief. “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t burden you with these adult problems, but I just don’t know what I should do anymore.”

  “That’s okay.” Vanessa smiled gently. It was a little embarrassing to hear details about Anne’s private life. She changed th
e subject. “Is Daniel even awake?” Vanessa had stared intently through her window, but she hadn’t caught sight of him. Either he was lying in his bed, which she couldn’t see, or he wasn’t at home. It was more likely that he was still asleep. On Sundays, he usually emerged from bed around noon, since he stayed up so late playing his computer games. Perhaps after the party — after their kiss — he couldn’t fall asleep, either?

  Anne looked up at the ceiling. “Danny’s not made an appearance downstairs yet today. You’re welcome to wake him up if you want to tell him the good news.”

  “Oh, no, he threatened to do terrible things to me if I talked to you about tutoring,” Vanessa smirked conspiratorially, making Anne laugh.

  As Vanessa walked up the narrow staircase, she could hear music playing in Daniel’s room. So, he was awake! Her heart beat even faster than the pounding bass.

  How should she behave? Should she kiss him in greeting, or would he kiss her? But maybe he wouldn’t want to kiss her so early in the morning, if he hadn’t brushed his teeth. What did other couples do — did they have a glass of mouthwash by the bed? What if the kiss yesterday hadn’t meant anything to him, and Danny didn’t even want to be with her?

  Vanessa decided to stop driving herself crazy with hypothetical scenarios and just let things happen. She opened the door.

  The first thing she saw was the light-blue carpet that had been in the room since Daniel was a child, now somewhat threadbare, and the window that looked over her own. On the right side of the room, under the slope of the roof, there was a shelf crammed tight with a monitor, a stereo, and stacks of CDs and computer games. Only when she shut the door behind her did she see the other side of the room and the four-poster bed in which Daniel lay, writhing in pain. Oh, no, he’s having another attack! Vanessa turned off the nerve-racking music before hurrying over to him.

  “Danny!” He was lying on his back wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. His face was covered in sweat, and his body was shaking as though an electrical current was running through it. Daniel’s eyes were wide open and were almost completely black.

  “Nessa.” His voice was a hoarse whisper. He reached out a hand to her, but then let it fall back to his side.

  “I’m here, hold on!” She embraced him tightly, but he jerked up again and moaned in agony. His breathing was erratic, and every muscle in his body seemed to be tensed.

  Vanessa panicked. What was wrong with him? “Oh, God, I’m going to go get your mom!” she cried, about to let go of him, but it was clear that Danny couldn’t hear her. His body suddenly went limp in her arms; he simply lay there, motionless.

  “Daniel?” Nessa carefully shook him by the shoulder. Oh God, oh God, what do I do now? She quickly checked his pulse and his breathing, the way she had learned in her first-aid class; she was relieved to find that they were both weak but steady. Then she ran to the door, threw it open, and called out to Mrs. Taylor, almost in hysterics.

  James stared fixedly at Daniel, who was lying like a statue in his hospital bed. This was his son, his one and only, unconscious and pale. He was all that James had left of Kitana.

  Anne had called him, and Peter as well, since he still worked at Little Peak Hospital — fortunately for James. Peter knew everything about who, or rather, what Daniel was, as did the chief surgeon, Dr. Graham, a member of the Watchers’ Guild. Otherwise, none of this would have ever worked. Guild members were everywhere in this town, strategically positioned in the various institutions, businesses, and even in the town government. It was the only way the watchers could remain undetected.

  James glanced over at Anne, who was standing next to him at the side of the hospital bed while Peter and Dr. Graham, a senior physician with thinning grey hair, examined Daniel. James had heard that Peter and Anne had separated; his parents still lived in Little Peak, and they kept him updated on the latest news. Anne looked terrible, but even through all the signs of worry on her face, James could still see her innate good looks. Hers was a more mature beauty now, and just looking at her made his heart beat faster. She was still a blonde angel. How he would have liked to take her trembling hand in his, just to show her that he was there for her.

  Dr. Graham took a blood sample from Daniel and left the room, intending to check it himself in the laboratory. James knew that no information could leave this room. Peter and Dr. Graham would falsify the records.

  “Could you wait outside, please, Anne,” said Peter, not looking directly at his ex-wife. He ran a hand nervously through his light-brown hair, and his cheeks were flushed. James could sense the tension between the two.

  “When can I come back to be with Daniel?” she asked in a choked voice.

  “Soon,” Peter promised. “I have to prepare the blood transfusion. I need to concentrate, and …”

  James knew that Peter was just looking for an excuse to be alone with him. Anne had no idea of what was happening here. James would have liked to tell her everything, but the more that was known about the Guild, the worse it would be for the whole organization. Still, it must seem to Anne like her ex-husband was just trying to get away from her. James saw the pain in her eyes.

  “I see,” she whispered and left the room, head bowed.

  After Anne had closed the door behind her, Peter turned immediately to the other man. “What’s wrong with him, James?”

  “I don’t know exactly,” he admitted truthfully, unable to tear his eyes from his son. How tall he had grown, and how much he looked like his real father! Except for the black hair — that was from his mother. Over the years, James had secretly watched Daniel a few times, just to see how he was doing. He had been happy with Anne, that much was certain.

  James felt a pang in his heart. What would his life be like if Kitana were still at his side? They could have been a real family. He missed Kitana so much — and he missed having a normal life!

  James sat down in a chair next to Daniel’s bed, scarcely noticing when Peter inserted a needle into his elbow. He tried again to reach his son mentally. I’m here, nothing bad can happen to you, he thought desperately, in the hope that it might somehow help Daniel.

  As a watcher, James’ blood contained antibodies that could fight against demonic attributes. Since he and Daniel had the same blood type, a transfusion should be no problem.

  “You never really accepted him, did you?” asked James quietly as Peter adjusted the bed to its lowest setting to allow the blood to flow from father to son.

  Peter shook his head. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t. Knowing that there was someone living in my house who wasn’t actually human …”

  James lifted his head. “He is human, Peter. Just like you and me. Watchers are just … a little different.”

  “A little?” Peter ran his hand through his hair again, brown hair that was a shade lighter than James’ own. Otherwise, there were few similarities between the two men. Peter was shorter than he was, and also a bit stockier.

  Peter went about his work automatically as he spoke. “What’s going on here right now, it goes against everything I believe in!” He sighed loudly. “I just couldn’t stand the lies anymore; I never fully understood who Daniel really was, anyway. But I kept my promise never to say anything to Anne.”

  James lowered his voice, barely able to look Peter in the eyes. “I blame myself. I’m so sorry to be responsible for your divorce.”

  Peter shook his head emphatically. “We were never really a good match. There was always a certain distance between us. You don’t realize these things when you’re younger.” Peter took a deep breath and checked that the blood was flowing properly. “I don’t want Anne to suffer. Not because of us, and not because of Daniel, either. Part of me wishes I could tell her the truth, but I know that would just torment her even more. The truth could destroy her life, and she has no one to cling to right now. Daniel is the only thing that’s important to her — he always came before me. She loves him more than anything else in the world. I can’t take that away from her,
as well. That’s why I’ve been keeping myself completely out of their lives. Maybe she can make a fresh start. Like I did.” Peter scratched his head and looked James in the eye. “Do you have any idea of what might be happening to him? He’s lying here like a dead man, but I can’t find anything actually wrong with him.”

  “I think now that his body is almost mature and both his demonic powers and his watcher abilities are slowly emerging, the transformation is taking all his strength. His body has to decide what he will become: a watcher or a demon.”

  Peter stared at James. “Are you saying that he might become an actual demon?”

  “I’m not really sure,” James told him softly. “If that happens, I’ll do everything I can to bring him over to our side. Daniel’s a good person. He won’t slip over to the side of darkness so easily.” He pondered for a moment. “It could also be the case that the demons have tracked him down and penetrated his mind. I always hoped they wouldn’t find him, but if he possesses substantial demonic powers …” Then even the blood transfusion wouldn’t be able to help.

  Peter sat down on the edge of the bed and crossed his arms, his gaze shifting from James to Daniel and back again. “What would they want with him?”

  James shrugged, although he knew the answer perfectly well: The demons wanted the Scepter of Power, and only someone whose blood matched that contained within the artifact would be capable of exploiting the full force of the scepter. They might well try to kidnap Daniel to use him as a bargaining chip. Were the demons aware that he, James, was the only one who knew where the scepter was hidden?

  Of course, he had informed the Guild about the artifact. But because he had refused to reveal its hiding place to them, they had rejected him as a traitor. It was just lucky that Dr. Graham happened to be a close family friend. He had risked a great deal to help James. Like James, the doctor belonged to a secret watcher community. There were a number of watchers who had left the Guild for various reasons or had been cast out, and Dr. Graham was one of this community’s spies. The Guild had no idea that he had defected.