Dark One: One for Sorrow... (The Khiara Banning Series Book 1) by Sydnie Beaupré Read Free Book Online

nod my head as tears come to my eyes. I thought I was over being sad about them working all of the time, but to hear my dad talk about it just makes it worse for me because I know they love me and would do anything for me, but it’s hard being alone all of the time.
    When I was younger, they were able to spend more time with me, but as I started to get older, they took longer shifts. I guess they figured I’d be okay by myself, since I wasn’t a little girl anymore, but the truth is it’s very lonely.
    My parents have always been pretty perceptive people, but it feels like they haven’t figured out yet how much it means to me when I get to spend time with them like I did when I was a kid.
    “Okay Dad. I’ll see you later.” I kiss him on the cheek. “Love you.”
    As I head up the stairs and then into my room I notice Pug in his usual spot curled up on my bed. “Hey Butt-face, how life treating ‘ya?” I say, smiling at him.
    Pug grumbles and lifts his head to see me, but won’t get up. He’s just too damn cute and I love him so much. Pug is the only pet I’ve ever had. He has always acted like a puppy, though now I guess you can tell he’s aged quite a bit since I first got him. He was already pretty old when we rescued him from the side of the road one day. 
    “Move over, pup.” I say as I plop onto my bed and push Pug aside.
    Smiling, I awkwardly slide out of my dress and kick off my high top shoes, which I forgot to take off at the door, and relax into the depth of my queen sized bed with six fluffy pillows, which may seem like too many pillows, but admit it; there’s never enough. I climb under the covers, having decided against putting any pyjamas on because I’m so exhausted, and fall asleep in just my bra and underwear in seconds.
     
    ~*~
     
    I hear a voice, a male’s voice, singing somewhere close by. I am walking down Valour Street and am getting closer to my destination, the voice.
    “The moon is bright and so are your eyes, in love I am with you. I see you smile and my heart skips a mile, in love I am with you.” I need to get there before he stops singing that lovely song.
    “Forever will my heart be true, it’s you that I hold you dear…”
    I begin to run until I get to apartment number 667. I walk in and it hits me; this is Cael’s house. The voice must be him! I run into his room and see that he’s sitting on his bed playing a beat up old guitar. He doesn’t even notice me at first but then he puts down the guitar and smiles his heartbreaking smile at me, and somehow, I know that the song was for me.
     
    ~*~
     
    I wake up with a start from the best dream I’ve had all night- where did Khiara go? I look around and try to get my bearings and look over at my dresser to find a note. I pick it up and read it, smiling at her awkward self-admission of being nervous and rambling on paper.
    God, it must be five in the morning or so, I should really go back to sleep. But I want to see her; I need to see her again. Even though it’s no longer my job, I must keep her safe. She’s all that I have left and I will not let her stumble into the Battle alone.
     
    ~*~
     
    I’m dreaming he’s outside my window. He looks tired and I can tell he thinks I can’t see him peering in. But wait- I’m awake…
    I leap out of bed and run to the window, but I’m too late. He’s gone. I must’ve been picturing it after all.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Six
     
    The doorbell is what wakes me up from a deep, deep sleep.
    “Who the hell is it at seven in the damn morning?”
    Ring.
    “Shut up!”
    Riiiiing.
    “Go away!”
    When Cara’s ringtone starts to play, I’ve had just about enough.
    What could Cara possibly want from me at this