Dark Deception Novels & Stories

Cannis had just dropped a bombshell, revealing every sordid detail, every hidden truth, and every lie that had been festering in the shadows. Cannis's words had ripped away the facade, exposing the truth about her - every deceitful word, every manipulative action, and every hidden agenda. Cannis's words had ripped away the facade, exposing the truth about her - every deceitful word, every manipulative action, and every hidden agenda. I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine as I realized the true extent of her depravity - the depth of her manipulation, the calculation of her lies, and the malevolence that lurked beneath her innocent facade.

We delved into the shadows, following leads, interrogating informants, and piecing together the puzzle that would expose the threat within. As we unraveled the web of deception, a disturbing truth emerged. The clandestine group, known as the Shadow Order, comprised individuals from various nations who sought to exploit the vulnerabilities in our alliance. Their motives remained shrouded in secrecy, but it was clear that they aimed to create divisions, exploit grievances, and weaken our united front.

More aligned with the First Dark’s original beliefs. “I am Doubt,” it said. Its voice was heavy. Resigned. Certain of failure. “I am the piece that believes nothing is better. That believes existence is suffering. That believes erasure is mercy. And I will prove it. I will experience your precious existence. I will feel your claimed connection. I will understand your supposed meaning. And then I will report that everything you said was lies. Everything you promised was false. Everything you believe is wrong. And the First Dark will erase all existence. Will return everything to perfect peaceful nothing. Will end this failed experiment forever.”

He had no idea where I was taking him or what was coming next. The doors opened straight into my private floor. I walked through the hidden door at the back of the main living area that most people would never notice. My secret base. Soundproof, secure, and stocked with everything I needed to handle disobedient boys like Aiden. I laid him down on the wide bed in the middle of the room and locked the door behind me with a soft click. First thing I did was grab a clean black blindfold from the drawer. I slipped it over his eyes even though he was out cold. Better safe than sorry. He did not need to see the place yet or worse of all see me. Not until I decided he could.

“But eventually you have to decide what you’re surviving for.” I thought about Liam. The pharmacy. The man asking us to kill him before he turned. Ethan asking whether we had cookies. “I don’t want to become someone who can hear a child crying outside and leave him there,” I admitted. “Neither do I.” “What if Blake’s right?” “He will be eventually.” I stared at her. Elise gave me a sad smile. “Someone will betray us, Violet.” A chill moved through me. “That’s a terrible way to look at it.”

When he started to climb in, I followed, and was led into a maze of darkness that involved following a pathway that brought me into a room that had the same sort of light as the basement—a single, illuminating presence, hanging above all. “We Blackwoods own a dark secret, you see. By day we are businessmen in so many businesses that no one can actually say what it is we do. People hear of the Blackwood chain of companies and think of one of the biggest businesses ever known to them. But at night, like now…” Suddenly, more lights shone in the room, and I was surprised by what I saw in the room.

My nails dig in, and the marks are more real than I want, more real than I want them to be, more real than I am ready for. I find the final confirmation I’ve been waiting for. It comes in the shape of a hidden file, a false-bottomed drawer, a false life. Derek’s private study is full of shadows, of secrets, of quiet deceit. The storm drums against the windows like a warning, like an omen, like the edges of what I know to be true. I begin my search with a hunter’s patience, with a hunter’s eye, with a hunter’s instincts. The shadows of the room cannot hide what he’s done, what they’ve done, what they’ve planned, what I can see, what I can finally see.

“I suppose I’m more direct.” She nodded. “Yes, Mr. Demetri, I’ve noticed that about you.” I took a deep breath. “Deloris told you that Demetri Enterprises is connected to some less than savory dealings. Mostly I can blame Oren.” “Mostly?” she asked. “Mostly,” I confirmed. “But Infidelity, for example, that was me. I learned about the company. I’m the one who made the investment. Some of the people we do business with very well could be involved in straight-up prostitution. I don’t know. I don’t want to know. So whether that letter was referring to Infidelity or a less organized business, the fact is that Demetri Enterprises could more than likely be connected to prostitution. As for the accu

Still, the way he said it, like the words made me feel small. “Tell me, Snow,” he pressed, voice dipping lower. “What kind of books do you read?” My stomach dropped and panic fluttered in my chest. If he knew, if he even suspected. The facade I’d built so carefully for my parents would crumble to dust. He couldn’t know that behind closed doors, I consumed more dark romance and filth than any good girl should. The sound of the front door swinging open snapped the moment in half. I blinked, tearing my gaze away just in time to see my dad stride in. Relief flooded me so fast my knees almost buckled.

Marion pressed. "I killed them all," Drake said. "It's illegal, and I don't leave loose ends. If I can't profit off it, no one else will." Debra stepped in. "But it's on the Illuminati's dark web for sale. You say it's fake?" Drake glanced at her. "Gotta be fake. Or you could bring me a bag to check." "You want me to swipe one for you?" Debra snorted. "Just open your mouth and ask, huh?"