DANIEL (The Starlight Gods Series Book 6) by Yumoyori Wilson (7)

"I’M FUCKING DONE!" Michael yelled.

I rushed downstairs, still half asleep and entered the lounging room right as Michael stormed out. He had tears in his eyes and his face was red with anger. Michael rarely cried so I knew Claire must have said something that really hurt him.

I bit my lip, wondering if Father was awake. He was home and should have heard the loud commotion from his room just as I had.

I looked back to see Claire fuming, pacing back and forth and muttering under her breath. I entered the room cautiously, my instinct telling me I needed to be here for some reason. Claire always destroyed things when she was this mad, so often I was shocked she hadn't destroyed anything yet this morning. Maybe because Father would see the true side of her?

"Why do I have to continue this babysitting nonsense? They aren't even my children. Why aren’t the gods giving me a bloody child? If I had a child with Eric, he'd have no choice but to stay with me. He'd abandon these useless children from that woman. She's dead, yet everyone shows her respect! Why can't I get the same treatment?"

I grimaced, trying to put her words together, but even with my intelligence, it felt like she was speaking in riddles. She stopped in her tracks and turned her head to stare at the glass table next to the sofa.

I followed her gaze and my eyes landed on Michael's pocket watch Mother had given us before her disappearance. In each royal family, everybody had a family heirloom given to them. 

When I was born, Mother had instructed Father to give ours to us when we understood the value of it. I had mine stored away in my room, but Michael normally carried his around with him. He must have been really upset to have forgotten it.

My gut did a flip when I noticed the glint in Claire's eyes as a small wicked smile formed on her lips. 

"Look what we have here," she whispered and I shivered.

I immediately walked up to the table and snatched the watch, placing it in my back pocket before she could make a grab for it.

Claire blinked out of whatever daze she was in, meeting my eyes with a glare. "What are you doing? Give it to me!" she demanded.

I took a step back. "No. It's Michael's. Not yours." I returned her glare with one of my own.

"You will do as I say! I'm YOUR mother now! Give me the watch!" Claire snarled as she began to approach me.

I bit my lip and slowly backed away, my eyes darting around the room. I wanted to run back into the house, but then the air began to grow thick with magic and it became hard to breathe.

Fear coursed through me as I noticed Claire's eyes glow gold. I didn't know what spell she was going to cast and I didn't know what I could do to defend myself. I darted to my left and pressed my body against the wall.

"I'll ask you this once more, Daniel! Give. Me. The. Watch! I'm your mommy, and you WILL obey me," she declared.

I knew without a doubt that she was using magic to try and manipulate my actions.

If she really was my mommy, why would she want to hurt me? Why would she beat Michael for years? Why would she want to destroy the one thing we had left of my real mother, Isabelle? WHY!

“I hate you, Mommy! I wish you’d disappear!” I screamed, closing my eyes when she moved to tower over me.

“DANIEL!” she screamed.

*SLAP*

I slowly opened my eyes and stood there speechless, my hand slowly covering my stinging, red cheek. It was the first time I'd be hit in the face by Claire and it hurt. Tears began to form as the pain pulsed continuously.

“You can’t go saying things like that, Daniel! How many times have I warned you of your gift? You know what? I’m done. That stupid wench should come and take her pathetic children! But of course, she’s DEAD! Why do I have to be burdened with such things?”

I hadn't realized I'd used my gift. I'd learned how to control it and Michael had been testing me every day. There's no way I could have used it without realizing. Why was she accusing me of such things? I didn't use my gift...

"Daniel! Get out of the room!" Azriel shouted in my mind but in that moment, I couldn't move and my train of thought felt altered, as if I didn’t know who was before me.

My mind was telling me she was my mother, but my instincts told me otherwise. My internal battle between Claire as an evil woman versus her being my mommy continued and the more I tried to resist, the clearer the thought of her being my mother was. She was my mommy; I couldn't leave after I'd said such a horrible thing to her.

“You’re my mommy... I’m sorry. Don’t go.” I tried to reach for her hand, but she pulled away like I was a poisonous insect.

“Don’t you dare touch me! You should just die!” she roared. She lifted her hand up, and something black began to form at her fingertips.

"DANIEL!" Azriel screamed.

My head hurt as he tried to take over, but I wouldn't let him. I was horrified by Mommy's words.

Die…? Why do I have to die? I didn’t do anything! Why does Mommy say such mean things to me? I want Michael. Michael loves me. I hate Mommy. Mommy doesn’t love me. I wish Mommy would disappear. GO AWAY!

I clenched my small fists as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I noticed Claire began to stagger before she turned and walked toward the balcony. I was confused as to where she was going. The exit wasn’t that way. Why would she be going out there?

“Mommy, wait. Don’t go.” I looked at her figure as she shuffled to the balcony. Panic burned through me and I began to breathe rapidly, my chest constricting.

“MICHAEL!” I called out at the top of my lungs. I was afraid to be left alone like I just had been. I was scared I'd fade away and die. I began to cry uncontrollably.

Father and Michael both rushed into the room and Michael was by my side in seconds. I was hyperventilating and trembling as tears continued to roll down my flushed cheeks.

“Daniel? Wha –" Michael began but was cut off.

“CLAIRE!” Father's voice boomed through the room. Our heads whipped over to see Father looking over the edge of the balcony; Claire was nowhere to be seen.

Marissa dashed into the room. Her wide eyes focused on the King first before they darted around the room and landed on us. She took one look at me and came immediately to my side.

"Ma-Marissa. I... I didn't..." I tried to explain through pants, but couldn't get the words out. I didn't know where Claire went. What had I done? Marissa pulled me into her arms and picked me up.

"Michael! Get the other maids and guards outside now! Call the medical team and say it’s an emergency," she ordered.

Michael was out the door in seconds and Marissa carried me upstairs to my room.

She sat me on the bed and shut the door with her magic, locking it. I sobbed and continued to try and breathe. The air in this room felt clean compared to where I was with Claire.

"Marissa!" I cried.

She removed my glasses and wiped away my tears, giving me a sweet smile. "Listen to me, Daniel. We’ll figure everything out, but I need you to breathe for me." Her voice was soft and helped me focus.

I took one breath after another and Marissa rubbed my back soothingly. There was a knock at the door and I tensed up, fearing it was Claire.

"Daniel! It's me!" Michael yelled.

Marissa extended her hand and unlocked the door with magic. Michael opened it and quickly shut it behind him. Marissa closed her hand into a fist, locking it once more.

"Michael. I didn't…she was going to destroy your watch!" I cried.

Michael looked stunned at first and then quickly checked his pockets. His eyes grew wide with panic as he stared back at us. "Did she..." he began but trailed off; fear flickered in his gold eyes.

I quickly shook my head from side to side and pulled the watch from my back pocket. Michael sighed in relief and came up to me, taking the gold pocket watch from my hand. He pressed it to his lips as he closed his eyes.

"Thank you, Daniel," he whispered, blinking back tears.

"But... I did something wrong. I used my gift. I... Claire... she...I don't know what happened. Azriel told me to run, but I couldn't move. I was scared," I whimpered and used my hands to rub my eyes. I could barely see Michael or Marissa at this point, my tears nearly blinding me.

"We'll figure it out, Daniel. Let me go see what's going on. You two do NOT leave this room until I come and get you, understood?" Marissa ordered.

"She tried to kill you."

Marissa and I both glanced at Michael, whose eyes seemed dazed and glowed a light gold. I tilted my head at him, unsure if Michael's spirit, Ezriel was taking over.

"Ezriel?" I asked.

"Ezriel isn't in control," Azriel spoke as he entered my mind. I felt a wave a calm pass through me and my gasping breaths began to calm.

"Foresight? You both took after Isabelle," Marissa whispered.

I looked into her wide eyes and then at Michael on whom her gaze was focused. He blinked a few times then lifted his hand to pinch his nose.

"Michael? What did you see?" Marissa questioned.

"Claire was going to kill Daniel! She used magic and her hands were turning black!" Michael exclaimed looking angry.

Marissa looked to me. "Daniel, you need to tell me what happened."

"I...entered the room when I heard Michael shout. Claire was saying something about how she wanted to have a child, but the gods wouldn't give her one. She said she needed one so Father would pay attention to her and give up on us...‘cause we’re useless children. And she's tired of babysitting? She saw Michael's pocket watch and she looked like she was going to break it. I ran to grab it, putting it in my pocket, which made her mad. The room grew stuffy and it was hard to breathe. I wanted to run, but for some reason I couldn't. Claire said she was my mommy and I had to obey her...and she said I used my gift, but I didn't! Then she slapped me and said I should die," I explained and the acknowledgment of her striking me returned my focus to the stinging pain that was still present on my left cheek.

Marissa's eyes darkened and for the first time in a long time, she looked truly angry. She rose from the bed. "I'll deal with it. Just stay here until I can find out what's going on."

"Am I in trouble?" I asked with wide eyes.

Michael came to sit next to me, pulling me into a side hug.

"You're not in trouble. I won't let your father be upset with you until we figure everything out. Just stay here and try to relax. Michael, watch over your brother," Marissa ordered.

"Okay," Michael agreed.

Marissa left the room, locking the door behind her. I began to cry again and Michael pulled me into his lap and let me sob into his shirt.

"Did I...did I kill her?" I asked in choked voice.

Michael stroked my hair. "No. Whatever happened, it's her fault. Not yours. Just relax. I'll protect you, even from Father," Michael vowed.

I nodded and relaxed. It wasn't long before my eyes grew heavy; I felt exhausted.

"You should sleep, Daniel," Michael suggested.

"I'm scared to," I admitted quietly. What if I didn't wake up? I deserved to die.

"Nothing will happen. Remember I'll be here to fight off the nightmares. Just relax," Michael whispered into my ear.

I suddenly felt extremely calm. I let out a weak moan and closed my eyes, feeling my body go limp. My consciousness began to drift and I felt myself being lifted and placed onto soft warm sheets.

"Everything will be fine, Daniel. Ezriel and I won't let anyone hurt you. I swear it," I heard Michael declare, but it sounded so far away.

"Don’t... leave..." I tried to finish, but couldn't stay awake any longer. I'm sorry for being a burden. I'm sorry you always have to protect me. I'm sorry...

"I'll never leave you, brother. Never."

I bit my lip and felt Marissa squeeze my hand as the people continued to whisper amongst themselves as we watched the gold casket slowly descend.

The sky was filled with grey clouds and I knew it wouldn't be long until it began to rain. We stood in front of Claire's grave. Father was standing opposite of us, wearing a blank expression on his face.

It had been a chaotic week and neither Michael nor I had seen Father, aside from that fateful night when Claire went over the balcony and died.

Marissa made sure she was in the room when Father asked us what happened. I explained the best I could and Michael described his vision. Marissa supported our claim and confirmed Michael had experienced foresight since she was there to witness it. My father merely nodded and quickly inspected the bruise on my cheek, healing it before I could ask him not to. I felt horrible and I needed the pain to remind me of my bad actions.

Other than that instance, he'd been ignoring us, focusing instead on the funeral arrangements. I couldn't tell if he was truly hurt by Claire's death.

Rumors were already beginning to spread and our people were pointing the blame at me. Marissa told me to ignore it all, but it was hard.

After the funeral ended, the people came in groups to give their condolences to the King. Marissa stood in front of me and Michael protectively; I could see the permanent glare on her face as she stared down each guest that tried to glance our way.

The stream of people reached the final family and a girl with curly blonde locks walked up to us with a snide smirk on her face.

"Hey, murderer. How does it feel to be the talk of the realm? Must be nice to be famous." She laughed and I could hear a few chuckles from a group of kids not too far from us.

"Cecelia! Come back here this instant. Do not insult the royal children!" a woman who looked similar to the girl in front of us called out.

Father frowned and looked at the little girl.

"I suggest you listen, Cecelia," Michael warned and his eyes deepened to a dark copper. She frowned and her eyes darkened as well; they glared at one another.

"Cecelia? It would be wise for you to listen. I will not stop anything that occurs if you tick off either of King Moore's sons. You've been warned," Marissa declared; her voice so cold I bet it would send shivers down anyone’s spine.

Cecelia's eyes went wide and she huffed before going back to her mother. They both bowed to the King and walked away. We waited for all of the shifters to leave before we finally relaxed.

I moved away from Marissa and Michael, wanting to get away.

"Daniel?" Michael called out but I ignored him.

I didn't want to be near the grave anymore. If it was my choice, I'd listen to everyone's comments and just disappear. If I was gone, I couldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

It sounded rather tempting and I actually began to consider it. Claire said I should die. Mother left me when I was born. I'm a murderer and only bring disaster to everyone near me. I'm forbidden and should be killed. Maybe it would be for the best?

"Daniel. You don't deserve to die. We didn't do anything wrong," Azriel whispered. His sadness made my heart sink and I let the tears I had been holding back fall.

Father doesn't believe me. No one but Michael and Marissa do. I'll never have friends. I'll never find someone to love and marry. Michael will eventually move on and so will Marissa. Then I’ll truly be alone.

Something tugged at my hand, stopping me in my tracks. I blinked and slowly turned to see Michael's wide eyes. 

"Don't you dare think about it!" he shouted at me.

I merely stared at him and clenched my jaw. I tugged my arm out of his grasp and pulled away. Father and Marissa were both watching with shocked expressions. 

Michael and I had never fought with one another, but today marked the first time. 

"Why?" I demanded as my hands tightened into fists. 

"You shouldn't be listening to them, Daniel. They don't kno—"

"THEY SAID I SHOULD DIE! CLAIRE SAID I SHOULD DIE! EVERYONE IS TELLING ME TO DIE! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO STOP ME?!" I shouted.

Michael stared at me speechless, Father and Marissa approached, both looking worried.

"Daniel, listen to me. You don't deserve to die," Marissa tried to explain, but I shook my head and stomped my foot; rain began to fall.

"No one believes me. Father won't even look at me. Everyone says I killed Claire. I didn't! I just wanted her to leave me alone. She was gonna hurt me, but no one cares about that. If I die, it’s better for everyone! Everyone will be happier!" I exclaimed.

I saw Father open his mouth to speak, but I turned away and ran before he had the chance. I knew he would agree. He'd tell me how ashamed he was of me and what a disgrace I was to the family. It was my fault he was working so much. It was my fault Claire was now gone. I should have just run or let her kill me. Maybe then, people would have seen the real her.

I darted into the woods behind the cemetery; thunder roared through the sky. The rain began to come down quickly, which only made it harder for me to see with my blurry vision.

I wished I'd brought my glasses with me, but I couldn't afford more ridicule today by turning back so I ran blind. I could hear my name being called from far away, but I didn't care. I'd disappear and eventually everyone would move on.

Father would finally be happy if I was gone from his life. Maybe that would be a worthy enough punishment for me.

"DANIEL! STOP!" Azriel shouted and he pushed for control. 

His warning didn’t come fast enough and our body tripped over something hard. Instead of falling straight to the ground, we began to tumble and roll; our head hit something hard.

Azriel retreated from my mind and I groaned as my head throbbed with pain. I felt something warm begin to drip down the side of my face, so different from the cold rain that hit my skin.

I tried to get up but everything began to spin and I fell to the ground again. I opened my eyes but everything was a blur; black spots began to appear before me. I began to cry as I got on my hands and knees, trying to crawl through the muddy ground. I stopped when my right hand didn't land on solid ground, which left me confused.

I opened my eyes again and my blurry vision was no help in figuring out where I was. I looked up and stared in front of me, my vision clearing enough for me to see what looked to be an angel. She had long flowing hair and her white wings were spread, holding her up in the air with ease.

She reminded me of the woman from my dreams and I reached out to her. "Mom?" I questioned, wishing I could be closer to her. She'd take the pain away and love me. Even if she abandoned me when I was born, maybe she would feel bad that everyone hated me and in return, she’d finally love me?

All I wanted was to be loved. Was that too much to ask? I reached out to her again, leaning forward to try and touch her glowing form.

Even as the world spun and the black spots in my vision grew larger, I felt calm. It didn't matter if I disappeared. Everyone would move on.

"DANIEL!"

Michael? What about my brother? Would he miss me? He said he wouldn't leave me. Does that mean I can't leave him either? He'd be okay without me...right? I hope...he will be. Please Starlight gods...let Michael be okay without me.

I tried to keep my eyes open, but my eyelids were too heavy from exhaustion. They finally lost the battle and closed as I slowly fell forward. It felt like I was falling in slow motion. I heard a high pitch scream and my name echoed in the air, but the sound faded with each passing second. 

Something grasped my hand and I stopped falling. It took everything within me to open my eyes. Even with my blurry vision, I could hear something that sounded like running water below me. I had to squint my eyes to get a clear image of the crashing water and sharp rocks mere inches away from me.

I had enough strength to lift my head and my tired eyes glanced upwards. Father's eyes were fearful as he tried to catch his breath. His large white wings held us both in the air and his gold eyes glowed with power, Father’s spirit in control.

He pulled me high enough so he could hold me against his chest, squeezing me tightly.

"Father? But Mommy’s there," I resisted.

"You can't go there, Daniel," Father whispered; his voice trembled and I knew from the tone his spirit had retreated.

"But...you hate me."

"I don't hate you, Daniel. I'm sorry. Your father is so very sorry," he confessed and I thought I was hearing things.

"I'm sorry, Father."

"Don't ever think you deserve to die. Promise me, Daniel," Father requested urgently.

"Okay... I promise," I whispered. Father squeezed me harder and I could hear the beat of his heart that was racing like he'd been running.

"I'm sorry," Father apologized over and over again as he began to cry.

I wanted to comfort him and tell him I didn't mean to make him cry, but I couldn't fight off sleep anymore.

I relaxed; it was the first time I'd been hugged by Father in a long time. It made me realize how much I missed his affection. How much I felt his absence in my life. If only things could always be like this, with him hugging me.

I'm sorry, Mommy. I guess I can't keep you company after all. I love you.

That was the last thought I had before the world went black.