The Dying Light (Bloodwitch #1)

The blisteringly hot water of the shower was a blissful experience. At first, Charlie loathed the idea of ever turning the water off. But by the time Jasmine started banging on the door to be let in, he felt as though he had at least managed to scrub some of the worst of his time at the Volya Facility off his skin.

He dressed before leaving the bathroom, dumping his bandages in the bin, and borrowed a towel to dry his hair. This caused Alya to smile fondly at him when she saw him with it draped over his head. He still felt dirty. Not once had he ever been able to wash away the feeling of contamination.

Afterwards, while Jasmine showed Alya up the rickety wooden staircase to the dormitories, Charlie was directed to a small room off one of the gloomy corridors. It was a simple space, clean and sparsely furnished. The walls were of the same exposed brickwork as the rest of the hideout. There was a round window opposite the door that let in the soft glow of the sunlight.

A thin mattress had been rolled out across the wooden floorboards, and Charlie was relieved to see a pillow and blankets again after so long without proper sleep. Just looking at the makeshift bed was enough to make him feel exhausted. But he knew he would have nightmares.

The thought of Vasco crossed his mind, and his stomach twisted painfully.

Witchkiller.

When he could no longer hear voices nearby, Charlie tested the door to ensure that it was properly closed. There was a key in the latch, but he did not use it. He never wanted to be inside a locked room ever again.

Charlie removed his shoes and socks before placing them beside the mattress. He debated for a moment whether he would need to wear all his clothes to sleep in or not. The blanket looked thin, and there was no source of heat in the room. However, once underneath, he was pleasantly surprised at how quickly he warmed up, so he opted to remove his jeans and sleep in his t-shirt and boxer shorts. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

‘Charlie?’

He opened his eyes blearily at the noise. ‘Ruby,’ he murmured, ‘go back to sleep.’

‘It’s me,’ said the voice, and Charlie realised that it was Jasmine. She must have sneaked down from the dormitories to visit him. A huge grin had spread across her face. ’I couldn’t wait until later to speak with you. I can’t believe your mother was a Darkwood coven witch … I knew there was something about you I recognised. It’s so exciting!’ When Charlie did not return her smile, she tilted her head to one side. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing.’ He yawned widely, the back of his palm resting against his forehead. ‘I just don’t see what’s so exciting about any of this.’

‘You could be like me,’ Jasmine suggested. ‘That’s exciting, isn’t it?’

‘How could I be? Witches are female.’

‘You heard what the High Witch said. Sons of witches are incredibly rare. Besides,’ she said, as she began to re-braid a section of her hair, ‘haven’t you heard of the Bloodwitch?’

‘No.’

‘Why are you being off with me?’

‘I’m not being anything. I’m trying to sleep.’ Charlie attempted to turn onto his side again, but she put one hand against his chest, stopping him from shifting over. He stiffened. ‘Get off me.’

‘Something’s going on with you.’ Jasmine narrowed her eyes, bringing her face closer to his. ’Why won’t you tell me? We are cousins, you know. I could help you.’

Charlie shook his head firmly, frowning. ‘I don’t need your help.’

’When has that ever been true?’ Jasmine demanded. ‘I suppose you didn’t need my help to get out of prison in the Volya Facility, just like you didn’t need my help to get away from Dragomir?’

Charlie sat up, the blanket falling off him. ‘I would have figured something out.’

‘Or how about when you were almost caught by your own brother? You definitely didn’t need my help then!’

‘Can you stop shouting at me? You’re making my head hurt.’

‘Apparently, your skull is so thick that I have to shout to get anywhere with you.’

‘I’m not a little kid, so stop treating me like one!’

‘Stop acting like one and I wouldn’t need to!’

Charlie ran his fingers through his hair and pressed his hands against his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to speak calmly. ‘You’re right. Without your help, none of us would be here right now. It’s at least partly thanks to you that we’re safe.’

’Thank you, I’m glad you noticed that, at least.’

‘But it didn’t come without a cost, did it?’

‘You’re talking about Seren. You blame yourself for what happened to her.’

‘Using her powers damages her – weakens her. I should never have contributed to that.’

‘How noble of you.’ Jasmine’s voice dripped sarcasm, and her lips had curled into a sneer. ’I suppose you expect me to be impressed because you care so much about her wellbeing. But I think you should mind your own business from now on. She can make her own choices.’

‘You’d prefer it if I didn’t care about her, then, would you?’ Charlie snapped.

‘If you’re going to be so sanctimonious about it, then yes, I would. You’re no hero.’

‘I don’t understand why you’re getting angry at me for caring that she might get hurt.’

‘Because we’re soldiers!’ Jasmine said hotly. ’This is our duty. We have to fight back. Kindness is a luxury we cannot afford.’

Charlie opened his mouth, paused, and closed it again. For some reason, his thoughts had found their way back to Vasco once more. There was a knock on the door, and Alya came in, looking between them anxiously as she hovered on the threshold.

‘May I join you?’

‘Be my guest,’ Jasmine answered, glaring at Charlie. ‘I was just leaving, anyway.’

She stormed out of the room. Alya waited until Jasmine had slammed the door behind her before coming to sit cross-legged beside Charlie, next to the edge of the mattress.

Wincing against the pain in his head, Charlie mirrored her pose. He steeled himself for what he was sure she would want to discuss with him next. He was starting to feel nauseous again.

‘We’re almost the same age, aren’t we, Charlie?’ she said softly, her eyes downcast.

‘I turned sixteen a few months ago, in the spring.’ It had been a bright, cold day.

‘It’s my birthday in a couple of days,’ she said. ‘Then I’ll be seventeen.’

‘It’s strange to think I’ve had a big sister,’ he said, ‘all … all this time …’

Alya looked up at him, nibbling her lower lip. ‘Do you have any others?’

‘Brothers or sisters, you mean?’ Charlie shook his head. ‘No, not anymore.’

‘I never dreamed that Doctor Ivanov could be involved in any of this,’ Alya said, her gaze rising towards the window, the sunlight reflected in her brown eyes. ‘Even when I read his notes, I thought he was – trying to stop them, or something. I thought he was my friend …’

Charlie watched her, choosing his words carefully. ‘Did you know him well?’

’I thought I did …’ Alya gathered her hair over one of her shoulders and began to braid it absentmindedly. ‘He was the first person I told. You know … about me being a – a witch. He said it was our secret.’

Charlie frowned. ‘Why would he keep that information to himself?’

Alya shrugged back, shaking her head. ‘He always seemed like such a good person,’ she said. ‘He always had time for me, no matter what else was going on. He listened to me.’ She glanced up at him, biting at a fingernail. ‘I’m sorry, I sound really stupid, don’t I?’

‘No, you don’t,’ Charlie said, his grip tightening around himself. ‘I’m listening.’

‘I think he knew that I wanted to get away from my father,’ Alya said. ’He made me feel … I don’t know … like I was important – does that sound weird? And he was always happy to answer my questions about medicine,’ she added, when Charlie shook his head. ‘I – I want to become a doctor,’ she continued, her voice wavering a little, ‘someday. If I can.’

‘That’s a good ambition,’ Charlie said, smiling when she flushed a little at his words.

‘The Doctor Ivanov I knew was always there for me,’ she said. ‘If I needed advice or support, or when it was all getting too much with Arron and my father …’

At the mention of Dragomir’s name, Charlie looked away, feeling physically sick, but Alya did not seem to notice.

‘When I think that he’s been a part of this – all along.’ She shivered. ‘I’m sorry … I honestly think I’m finding it a little bit difficult to process all this. I don’t know how I didn’t see it.’

‘It’s not your fault that you trusted him.’

‘It makes me feel …’ Alya seemed to be struggling to find the right words. ’Guilty by association, is that it? I mean, I let him take my blood and examine me and – what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing,’ Charlie muttered, his hand over his mouth as he forced himself not to vomit.

‘I know I was stupid, and it was wrong of me,’ Alya said, ‘but he said he was interested in what he could learn from studying me. I thought … I don’t know, I suppose I thought that I needed to repay him for – for being so kind to me.’ She was staring at the floor, a confused, anxious expression clouding her face. ’I feel … bad. Like all of this is my fault, somehow.’

‘Listen, you haven’t done anything wrong, Alya,’ Charlie said. ‘D’you believe me?’

Alya shook herself. ‘Oh, no! I’m so selfish, aren’t I?’ she said, her tone bright and forced. She was smiling at him, although her smile did not reach her eyes. ’I’ve been going on and on about myself and I haven’t even asked you how you’re feeling, Charlie.’

Charlie sighed, raking his fingernails across his throat. ‘Look, Alexandra, you don’t have to do this, all right? I don’t want anything from you. You don’t have to treat me like –’

‘I always wanted a brother.’ She was smiling at him. She looked almost hopeful.

He raised an eyebrow. ‘A little brother?’

She laughed. ‘Who’s little? You’re taller than I am …’ When she saw the first hint of his smile, hers grew a bit brighter. ‘I’m glad that it’s you.’

This took Charlie by surprise, and he knew it showed on his face. ‘Why? I’m not exactly someone you can be proud of. I –’ He broke off, coughing, and fought to catch his breath.

‘It’s getting worse, isn’t it?’ She frowned. ‘Charlie, we need to talk about this.’

‘Alexandra, I would really like to be left alone right now.’ It was a struggle to speak.

‘That’s the last thing you need,’ she replied, shifting closer to him, and cupping her chin in her hands as she rested her elbows on her knees. ‘Maybe that’s what you want, but you need to be around other people.’ She rubbed his back. ‘You need to realise that life goes on.’

Charlie’s eyes widened at her words, and he gripped his knees to stop his hands from shaking. ‘Did you really just say that to me?’ he asked, with a bitter laugh. ‘Are you for real?’

‘I’m trying to help,’ Alya said softly. ‘When are we going to talk about this?’

’What d’you want to talk about?’ Charlie said sourly, knowing the answer.

‘You’re getting worse.’ She was watching him closely, her face full of concern. ‘You may want to pretend otherwise, but it’s true.’

‘What’s your point?’

‘When are you going to talk about – about what’s wrong with you?’

’That’s my business, not yours,’ he answered. ’You said you’d let me deal with it.’

’But you’re not dealing with it, Charlie, you’re avoiding it.’

’This is me dealing with it. I’m sorry if it’s not the way you would choose to deal with it, but it’s not happening to you, it’s happening to me.’ Alya had sprung to her feet, but he was determined to give her no chance to interrupt what he had to say. ’I’m the one who’s dying, Alexandra, not you, so you don’t even have to waste your time thinking about this, if it’s getting you so concerned.’

‘Who in the nine hells do you think you’re talking to?’ Alya demanded. ‘I’m –’

’I know, I know,’ he said. ’You’re the First Daughter of Matya, and you’re the daughter of the High Witch of the Lilith coven. You’re the heir to the leader of the country and the leader of the resistance, and I’m just some orphan Penumbran criminal scum, right? How dare I –’

’Will you shut up for one second and listen to me?’ Tears had sprung to Alya’s eyes, but she blinked furiously to clear them. Sinking to her knees, she rounded on him with barely contained rage. ’I don’t care what you are or where you come from! It doesn’t matter who I am either – whether I’m your half-sister, or whatever else. Don’t treat me like I’m your enemy. I’m your friend, Charlie – that’s all I was going to say! I’m your friend …’

Charlie felt all the anger draining from him at her words, only for it to be replaced by a feeling that was far worse.

’I’m trying to help you. Why can’t you see that?’ Alya’s fists were clenched as she got to her feet and began to tap her foot against the floorboards in a staccato pattern. ’All I’ve tried to do from the very beginning is help you!’

‘I never asked you to,’ he said, his voice small and empty.

‘Do you want to die? Is that it? You want to punish yourself?’

He scowled and did not look at her. ‘You wouldn’t understand.’

‘Why do you insist on refusing everyone’s help?’ Alya’s voice had fallen almost to a whisper. ’Don’t you realise that if you tried relying on someone other than yourself for one single moment of your life you might actually find yourself better off for having done so?’

‘This is who I am,’ Charlie said flatly, dragging his fingers through his hair, a desperately empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. ‘I’m sorry. I wish I could be someone different, someone less –’ He gestured vaguely to himself. ‘But I can’t. I can’t change who I am.’

Alya shook her head and huffed out a sigh. ‘Then I can’t keep doing this with you,’ she said. ‘I’ve tried my best to help you, Charlie. But if you’ve decided you’re going to give up, then there’s nothing more I can do for you. Enjoy facing the end of your life alone, I guess.’

’Speaking of enjoying being alone,’ Charlie said suddenly, unable to stop himself, ‘are you planning to go down to the basement to pay a conjugal visit to Vasco any time soon?’

Alya, who had almost crossed the threshold on her way out of the room, turned back slowly. Her fingers were gripping the doorframe so tightly that they had gone white. There was an expression of such dangerous intensity on her face that Charlie almost quailed beneath it. Suddenly, he saw both the ferocity of Eva Brightheart, the High Witch of the Lilith coven, and the iron fist of Nikolai Ignatiev, the Great Protector of Matya, in every aspect of the young woman standing before him.

‘Say that again,’ she breathed, ‘if you dare.’

‘Forget it,’ Charlie said quickly, shocked at the cold rage burning in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that. It’s nothing to do with me, anyway.’

‘You’re absolutely right it’s not,’ Alya hissed in a furious whisper. ’I don’t care what snide comments you throw at me, but you had better keep your mouth off Vasco. You know nothing at all about – about either of us. If my mother found out that I –’ She broke off, running her teeth over her lower lip, the slightest trace of panic in her voice. ’Charlie, you can’t –’

‘I won’t say anything,’ he promised, holding his hands up in front of him in surrender. He hoped she knew that he was being sincere. ‘Come on, you know you can trust me.’

’Yeah, I can always trust that you’ll keep a secret,’ Alya said bitterly, turning on her heel and striding from the room. Her dark hair whipped across her shoulders as she slammed the door behind her.

When she was gone, Charlie lay back down on the thin mattress, only to find that he was no longer tired. He stared up at the exposed beams of the ceiling, his thoughts returning to Vasco at once. A horrible feeling was gnawing in his stomach, burning away at him like acid. He was not sure how much longer he could keep lying to himself like this.