Dark King Rising Read online

  "Compliments of the house, Ms. Coren, don't you worry about it. You made us a lot of money tonight."

  "Thanks Tonya."

  "You're welcome. Come back any time."

  "And buy the lovely coffee and the fabulous pastries and the various horror knickknacks that you put out."

  Tonya smirked and bobbed her head, yes. Marie picked up the cup and took an experimental sip. It was definitely warm, but not so hot she couldn't drink it. The creamer would make it more than palatable. Leaving the group, she went over to the floating island that looked like a gurney from a bloody medical drama to put some cream and sugar in her coffee. It was then that her coat started vibrating.

  The cell phone had been on the entire time, but on silent so that it wouldn't disturb the festivities. Besides, there were very few people she even talked to on it, so there was little chance she would miss a call. She grabbed out the phone with one hand while pouring milk with the other. Looking at the screen, she suppressed a groan. Today had been such a good day. Finding a stir stick, she considered whether or not to answer it. He might be in a good mood. Finally, on the third round of manic buzzing, she pressed the green button and then speaker.

  "Good evening, Kev," she said before taking another test sip of her coffee. Was the milk enough or did it need sugar?

  "Moll, darling." His voice sounded sweet, but that was sometimes a trap. She'd learned. "I was wondering when you were coming home?"

  "I'll be there in about twenty minutes. The book signing just ended. I just have to get a cab." If he had been paying attention to her schedule, he would have known that much, but there was always the chance he'd sort of forgotten about it, the way he did most things that weren't immediately related to him.

  The coffee was sweet enough. She popped a lid on it and stood there waiting for Kevin to say something else.

  "I was hoping we could spend some time together."

  "I was hoping to get in the shower and go to bed, I'm really tired."

  "Oh."

  "Yeah."

  "Right. I guess I can take a rain check."

  "Okay." Marie heard the words coming out of her mouth and while she didn't necessarily regret them, she did feel some measure of sadness over what they expressed. Kevin loved her, at least so she thought. It was just too much to be around him.

  "Goodbye."

  "Good night."

  Maybe he would be asleep by the time she made it in. Or have gone out. Either way, she would rather have the bed to herself after her long day instead of trying to avoid the topic of making love to a man she still loved but could barely tolerate.

  As she pressed the red button on her phone, she sighed. When she looked up, Naomie was watching her, but her friend didn't say anything. They just shared a silent moment before Naomie turned back to Ray grabbing him by the arm. Ray looked at her affectionately and kissed her on the cheek.

  "Do you need a ride home," Ray asked a few minutes later as the three stood outside of the Bazaar with the rain falling in thick waves.

  "No, I'll take a cab."

  "No really, we could drop you at home," Naomie insisted. "It's not out of the way."

  "I need to clear my head. I'm sorry. It's just been a long day."

  "And it didn't' help that Kevin just called."

  "That too."

  Ray shook his head and held out his arm to Naomie who opened her umbrella over them both.

  "You should probably go back inside and have Tonya call you a cab," he suggested. "It's kind of a mess out here."

  "There will be one a block over. If I run, I won't get too wet." Marie held her bag over her head and started out into the rain. The other two caught up with her before she made it across the parking lot.

  "Are you sure you don't just want a ride home?"

  "I'm sure. You two enjoy your night." Marie trudged off, leaving them behind. A block away she found an empty cab and collapsed into the backseat. It would be a short ride to get home and she would need every minute to compose herself.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Marie raced down the front walk of the house to the waiting car. Rebecca was in the driver's seat, her long red hair plaited back from her forehead. Marie had put her dreads up in a curly up do for the evening. It was just drinks with the girls, but it helped to be presentable.

  "So are you ready?" Rebecca asked. The counselor looked very different from her usual workday self. In her fitted jeans and flowing blouse, she looked casually chic. Marie had gone for a similar look in her blue tunic over a modest white peasant skirt. They were meeting Naomie at The Reach, a small bar well known among those who were sort of executive but sort of not. A little eclectic, but still mainstream enough that they made a great Manhattan. The three women were going to have a few drinks, listen to the band, and, in Rebecca's case, scope out eligible bachelors. It was going to be a low key night of good fun. That was all that mattered.

  "I'm ready."

  "How's Kevin?" Rebecca asked as she threw the car into drive. They turned right at a red light before Marie answered.

  "I guess he's fine."

  "Are you two still having a hard time talking?"

  "Rebecca, I'm really not interested in talking about it."

  "You could always come to my office."

  "I could, but I won't. And Kevin definitely won't, so let's just drop it."

  "Right. I'm sorry. I just want to help."

  "This is helping. It's getting me out of the house and out of moping."

  They made a few more turns in silence. Then Marie tried the radio, hoping for something worthwhile to play. It would be nice to have some music, something, anything to detract from the silence that seemed to have grown between her and a friend over something that didn't even have anything to do with her. She scanned the stations until she came to something pop radio that was playing a sort of peppy tune where she stopped. Good enough. They rode the rest of the way to The Reach with the radio providing all the conversation they needed.

  Pulling into the parking lot, Rebecca said,

  "You don't necessarily have to see me, but someone in the office?"

  "No, Rebecca, and that's final. You and I can see each other, but I'm not turning to you as a marriage counselor even though you're qualified. You're just going to have to drum up business another way."

  With the car parked, Marie got out. She waited for Rebecca, who took a moment to fix her hair in the mirror, and then they both headed inside. Naomie was already holding a table for the three of them.

  "There's three gentlemen who have already attempted to hit on me," Naomie said as the two settled themselves. "I'd say they're pretty hard up for some company."

  "Oh," Rebecca said. "And are they worth the time?"

  "One of them is and he's the quiet one, but you might be able to coax a little conversation out of him."

  "Let's order a round of drinks before Rebecca goes off on her weekly man hunt."

  Marie let the opportunity to make a joke slid. It felt wrong to say anything. Rebecca had every right to have someone in her life just like she and Naomie did. Even if it did come off as a little desperate with her approaching men.

  Kevin had approached her in a laundromat, years ago. The two of them were washing clothes at the same time in the middle of the night. She because of finals, him because of it being his night for laundry between shows. They hung out over whites in the washer and dark clothes in the dryer. It had been a fabulous night.

  The first round of drinks came and went before Rebecca got up to go see the three men who were drinking together at the end of the bar. Naomie excused herself to go to the bathroom leaving Marie to her thoughts and her phone. She checked it and wrote and rewrote a text message to Kevin. He would be preparing for his show at the Trubeau. Before she wouldn't have thought twice about sending him something encouraging him to do his best. Not that he wouldn't do his best without it, but it was part of their connection.

  [I hope tonight is wonderful.] The words mocked her. What
did she really feel? Thinking about him made her want to go back to bed. She deleted the text again and put her phone away as Naomie came back, but couldn't hide the action from Naomie. Her friend looked at her with concern, but kept her piece.

  Marie twirled a finger around the top of her drink.

  "So do you want to talk about it?" Naomie brushed the back of Marie's neck and Marie pushed her hand away. "It's hard to watch you go through this."

  "Thanks Naomie, but I'm just too caught up."

  "Marie," Naomie rested her head on her friend's shoulder which got an odd look from a few patrons, including a rather bright eyed stare from one young man. "You'll be okay."

  "I know I'll be okay, but." She cut herself off. There were words, she worked her mouth but none of them came out. Then she just shook her head.

  The bright eyed young man came toward them and put his drink down on their table.

  "Hello ladies."

  Naomie looked at him with a hard eye then flicked her gaze toward the wall. He didn't take the hint.

  "I was wondering if you two were looking for a little company."

  "No," Naomie said.

  Marie turned her eyes away and almost put her head down.

  "Sorry, but we really want is for you to go away." When he didn't immediately move away, Naomie walked over, took his drink, moved it to the bar, and said,

  "Now why don't you go where your drink is?"

  He stared at her dumbfounded. Naomie shook her head.

  "Go away." There was no way Naomie could have made herself clearer. Reaching out, she gently took him by the shoulder and led him to his drink. "Good, now stay right there."

  She stalked away after that as he turned to watch her leave. However, he didn't follow. That was a small blessing.

  They didn't have another encounter like that until a rather drunk gentleman followed them out of the bar and into the parking lot exclaiming that he was in love with Rebecca. The not-quite drunk enough Rebecca was hurrying the other two women along. Naomie, who got her car first, slipped into the driver seat and watched as he continued to pursue the redheaded doctor.

  Rebecca and Marie made it to the car and slammed the doors. He beat on the hood as he continued to cry. Rebecca put the car in reverse and pulled it away from him. He landed in a heap in front of her headlights.

  "Rebecca," he moaned as she drove away. Marie looked back as Rebecca drove away.

  Putting one hand to her chest, Rebecca let out a whistling breath. "That was close," she said. Marie just nodded. They were speeding a bit, but Marie didn't say anything. Rebecca was making her get away. Marie was just along for the ride.

  They had made the turn onto Caprese Drive when Marie thought she saw something at the edge of the road, but even when she focused on it, it wasn't really there.

  "Rebecca, did you see that?"

  "See what?"

  Going as fast as they were, pointing wouldn't work, but then there it was again, ahead of them. And in the road.

  "REBECCA!"

  The doctor swerved hard, jumping the curb and the car smashed grill first into a light post that flickered above them and went out.

  It took a few long moments before Marie could sit back. She'd been wearing her seatbelt but the passenger side airbag had still managed to knock her nearly senseless.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Kevin threw his book bag over his shoulder and headed for the backdoor. He was nearly there when someone called his name. He cringed, shoulders shifting forward to hide his neck. He closed his eyes, took a meditative breath, and turned around.

  He could at least be glad that Sylvia wasn't touching him. She even took a step back from him as he turned around. The air between them was heavy with things they could have said, but neither seemed willing to break the silence. She pursed her stark red lips and fiddled with her buttons. Her eyes darted from him to the door and back.

  "What do you want, Sylvia?" Kevin didn't reach out to her, but rubbed one hand up and down the strap of his bag.

  The words broke the spell like snipping a string. Kevin turned around again when she didn't answer immediately. He put his hand on the door and was not surprised when her hand landed on his.

  "Give me a minute, would you, please?"

  "What do you want?"

  "I just," she paused. "You and me."

  "There is no you and me, Sylvia." Kevin pushed down on the door handle and the night air pressed its way in. It was humid as breath. "There's really nothing to say."

  "You don't mean that."

  She slipped through the doorway to be ahead of him. Staring into his eyes, she leaned in for a kiss. He stepped back and put one hand on her shoulder to hold her away.

  "Kevin."

  "You don't want to do this and neither do I." With a shake of his head, he squeezed her shoulder and then let her go. The parking lot crunched under his feet as he moved away from her. Without turning back, he listened for her to say something else. The night must have swallowed her words because he heard nothing else as he made his way across the asphalt toward the front of the building.

  A gray two door truck on a lift kit was sitting in the front parking lot with the engine running. Kevin walked up to the passenger door and tried it. Inside something clicked and the door squealed open. He crawled inside and slammed the door behind him.

  A ubiquitous country song was playing as he lay back against the seat.

  "So how was it?" Ray asked reaching over to turn the song down.

  "It was fine," Kevin said. He huffed and closed his eyes.

  "You okay?" Ray worked them out of the parking lot and onto the road.

  "Sylvia."

  The name was enough to bring the conversation to a halt. The country song changed from something upbeat to sorrow. It fit Kevin's mood a little better so he wasn't complaining. The two men rode in silence until they hit the interstate.

  "Where you want to go?" Ray asked, the engine roaring along.

  "I need a beer." Kevin absently rubbed behind his ear and came back with a bit of his stage makeup on his fingers. He'd have to shower again when he got home. "So somewhere the beer is cold and cheap."

  "Lennox it is."

  The Lennox sounded classier than it actually was. It was a dive bar where the blue collar boys hung out. Kevin stood out considering he was wearing a full suit, but the boys didn't bother him. He didn't wear the entitled attitude of someone who wore a suit to work every day. Granted Kevin wore a suit not because he was an investment banker and didn't make gobs of money. Besides, he was traveling with a man who was more than a little blue collar himself.

  The interstate slid by under the headlights as they made it back to the city. The city lights flashed up on the horizon and then they began to pass them. The Lennox wasn't far into town. The gravel parking lot crunched under the wheels. Ray cut the engine. It flat lined with a grumble.

  Before them the building crouched. The windows were full of neon beer signs. The most prominent was a Coors Light open sign.

  Kevin dropped his bag in the foot well and opened the door to climb out. He was one foot on the ground when Ray's phone began to ring. The two men were standing in front of the grill when Ray answered it.

  "Naomie."

  Kevin wasn't trying to eavesdrop but it was hard not to when they were that close. There in the muggy night, Ray listened without saying another word for several minutes. Then he pushed the off button on his phone.

  "Get in the truck," he said.

  "What, why?"

  "Marie and Rebecca were in an accident. They're being taken to the hospital."

  With a high chirp, the doors unlocked and the two men swung back in. The engine fluttered then began to growl. Then they were headed for the Lady of Grace Medical Center.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Lady of Grace Medical Center was lit up despite the hour, the tinted blue lights ushering people to the emergency room. Ray followed them unerringly. Kevin just sat in the passenger seat and tried not to ch
ew on his nails. It was an old habit he thought he'd kicked, but it always came back in the stressful moments. Thinking your wife might have been in a near fatal wreck was enough to be considered stressful. He fought to keep his hands away from his mouth as Ray found a parking space and cut the engine. Together they were both out in seconds and hurrying across the parking lot. The glass double doors greeted them with a puff of cool air as they entered the waiting room. A large wooden desk sat immediately across from them with a commanding view of the doorway and the entire long room. As they stepped inside they were greeted with,

  "Welcome to Lady of Grace, state your ailment." It came from a young man in Bugs Bunny scrubs behind the counter. Kevin found himself counting the number of faces Bugs was making in order to keep from thinking about how Marie might have possibly been injured. They were saved from saying anything at all by Naomie who came flying out of a hydraulic door to burrow into Ray's willing arms.

  "Ray," she said. He just held her. Kevin stood there wishing it was Marie, but wondering if she would have had the same reaction.

  "What happened?"

  "We left The Reach ahead of some noise about a guy falling for Rebecca and they were headed back to Moll's but something happened. Rebecca must have swerved to miss a cat or something and jumped the curb."

  "Are they okay?" Kevin said they to be polite. His concern for Rebecca was fleeting at best, but Marie. Well, Marie was his everything. One day she would even believe that again.

  "I was just back there with Rebecca; she's got a concussion and is mildly incoherent. Moll has been asleep the whole time; they can't seem to get her to wake up."

  The worry that had previously only been a cooing dove, annoying but not substantial, became a boa constrictor around his heart and he couldn't make it disappear. Kevin shoved his hands in his pockets and fingered the deck of cards he kept there. Reflexively, he pulled them out and pulled a simple card swap. Naomie watched him from her place in Ray's arms.