#atoning

To recap... besides a few references to the group in Kelley’s Otherworld stories, the last we saw of the Darkest Powers gang was in Atoning. The novella came out in 2015, but was only set a year after the DP series left off. (Chloe was 16, Derek was 17.)  In the last book of the Darkness Rising series, the two groups merged and, tired of being hunted down and on the run, decided to negotiate with one of the Cabals - the Nasts. They live under their jurisdiction, in a hidden camp in Ontario. The kids receive their protection and even get to have their families with them, but there’s an unspoken expectation that they will grow up to work for the Cabal. Atoning checks in on the gang a year into them living there. Rae makes an appearance and eventually joins the group, too. The kids are not totally free, and don’t fully trust everyone around them, but are ultimately comfortable with their circumstances.

Flash-forward to now...

Kelley has two books that are written from the POV of Elena and Clay’s children, Kate and Logan Danvers. (Wolf’s Bane and Wolf’s Curse) Wolf’s Curse - that’s the one where Chloe and Derek show up. Kate and Logan are teenagers, which means Chloe and Derek are much older now. I thought they’d be 25-ish, but the dialogue implies that they are still in college, possibly their final year... so 22, maybe?  I haven’t read much in the Otherworld series so I’m unsure how that timeline correlates with the Darkest Powers one.

ANYWAY I’ll try not to be too spoilerish, but Chloe and Derek were supposed to be advisors at this teen supernatural camp, but when they show up, things have gone horribly wrong. (Of course.) They talk with Kate about their circumstances (side-note: the Edison Group kids are like legends to Kate). I don’t want to give much away, but Chloe and Derek are on their own now (well, they do reference teaming up with Maya and Daniel). They independently investigate supernatural happenings, which is why they showed up to the camp. (Supernatural teens being monitored in one place?! Oof, brings back memories.)  They make reference to the other Project Genesis and Project Phoenix kids, but ultimately we don’t know what happened to the majority of them.  (We do hear about Simon and Tori! And Liz is still with Chloe!)  But... when Chloe and Derek are asked about them, they seem very despondent.  In fact, they make reference to there being a fall-out with some of the group joining darker, antagonistic organizations... and maybe some of them have DIED?!  WHAT?!

Despite what one might have expected of her, knowing of her past conduct, there weren't many regrets Elizabeth had in her life. Most involved James Norrington.

As awkward as things were between them, it was somehow easier to speak to him once he had abandoned all formalities, clearly not fearing to offend her anymore, and she could be equally blunt, and bold, and bring him his small meal so he could dine while she took the rag and began to clean the table.  "I don't often apologize, my actions are normally ones I stand by," she began before he could speak, if he wished to, "So I'm afraid this won't be a particularly eloquent or refined example of it, but my actions, no matter how well-intentioned, my loyalty to Jack over saving my life, is what I feel brought you here. And I will always carry that regret, the guilt of causing you to lose your rank, the life you wanted..." Swallowing thickly, she dared a look in his direction, "I am truly sorry, James, and if there is anything I can do, to atone or to make things better, I will."

I miss the feel of your skin My sin is yours to steal Unreal how this became home Atoning has never been easy Dizzy I fall into your arms You disarm my defenses so well Quell this feeling inside me

#poetry, #poem, #sin, #eater, #skin, #steal, #home, #atoning, #easy, #dizzy, #arms, #defenses, #quell, #feeling