Darkness within the Light

Rob was sat in sparks. Boredom was the only thing that seemed to fill his work hours. He was sick of it and was just about ready to stick the pen in his eye. He was truly, that bored and wanted a little more freedom. Lizzie would no doubt complain but he could have cared less about her protests. It wasn’t as if her opinion truly mattered. “Sod this,” he said, throwing his bullpoint pen down on the notebook he had out. “I quit.”

Lizzie, who was busy cutting carrots for a soup, turned on him and pointed an accusing finger at her employer. “What are you going to tell Khaat then!? You can’t just quit, Rob!” Rob scowled at her and grabbed his coat up from the back of his chair. “Watch me. I refuse to sit here all day looking at things you could be doing.” The way he said it made it sound as if Rob looked over paperwork a lot more than the average employer did. There was something more.

“Me!?” she all but screeched at him. “You haven’t lifted a sodding finger for a month and you’re telling me there are things that I could be doing? Rob there are many things that you could be doing but you don’t! When will you get off of your arse and stop acting like a spoilt little rich boy!?”

“Excuse me!?” Rob asked in utter disbelief. “I earn that money, thank you very much!”
“How; killing innocent people? Rob don’t actually think for one minute I don’t know what you get up to. The Illegal potions trade for example, how long have you and Jen been running that? I don’t doubt you own the bloody business! You kill people and let people die for money, for your own benefit! How can you live with yourself knowing that your wife and baby were nearly killed by your sordid little business?”

Something inside Rob snapped at that point. In a flash, Lizzie found herself pushed against the brick wall of the kitchen that had yet to be plastered. Her bones cracked and protested about the rough treatment and she looked up to see the full fury in Rob’s eyes. He was barely able to contain it and the grip on her arms probably was his little outlet before he really started to hurt her.

“Do you want to say that again?” He asked darkly, his expression changing and hardening. He was turning into a completely different person right before her very eyes. “Do you want to accuse me of this....this...”
“Truth?” she filled in for him. His grip on her turned vicelike and she cried out in obvious pain. A flash of sadistic pleasure flew across his features but quickly disappeared as compassion and empathy got in the way.

“You better thing of something to get back into my good graces because otherwise you’ll find yourself six feet under in less than a week’s time.” He threatened. His voice had an air to it, telling Lizzie that he wasn’t bluffing. He truly would dispose of her. She wanted the situation light – she needed to defuse it.
“They gonna find the body?” she asked, swallowing hard.
“Empty coffin.” He said without a hint of emotion betraying his words. She knew he was telling the truth.
“Monster.” She mumbled before raising her voice to him. “That’s what you are! You’re a f*cking MONSTER!”

Rob tightened his grip even further and Lizzie sucked in a breath of air. “What is it...you want to know?” he asked quietly. She coughed and looked at him with pity in her eyes.
“Why? Why did you do it? You inadvertently supplied Khaat the potions. Who brewed them?”
“I don’t think it matters.”
“Y-yes it does.” She asked, trying to keep the subject going.
“How so? How could it possibly matter....to you?”
“Khaat is my friend. She has a right to know it was her deranged husband that nearly killed her. Does she ever wonder where your never ending money supply comes from?”
“Like I said, Elizabeth, it doesn’t matter.”
“She needs to know. You’re the King of the Illegal potions trade and Jenifer your Queen – the parents of the illegal trade that cost many magical folk their lives. It’s been growing for years. You’ve been nuirturing it haven’t you? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was you two that set it up!”

Rob pulled Lizzie away from the wall and she saw the murderous look in his eyes. He wasn’t done yet. Her back collided with the wall again and she cried out in agony as the tears began to fall from her eyes. He didn’t want to hurt her but she was testing his patience and his explosive temper.

“You’ve got a strange mind, haven’t you?” he leered. “Illegal potions, huh? Does it stop there or go on?’ Enlighten me.”
“Muggle drugs.” She said quietly. “The Liquid Unforgivables that can be sold in the dingiest of apothecaries. Poisons for everything and everyone. New spells...dark spells. Dark potions to resurrect the dead. Dark everthing... just ... evil. You’re a dark wizard and you know it!”
“The list goes on, dear one but think, what have you missed?” his voice was like velvet, inviting her in.
“Death Eaters.” She whispered.

Rob threw his head back and laughed. It was a bark that reminded her of his Animagus but it had an evil undercurrent to it that made her shiver. He looked at her again. His eyes were black. It was if all of the evil inside of him was being communicated through those onyx orbs. They were beautiful all the same though. Enticing, just like his voice.

“No actually darling. We’re free lance – work for ourselves and others when it pays to. In a way, I own them but I shan’t go into that. It’s far too complicated. Anything else you wish to add?”
“W-werewolves....V-vampires and t-the Knockturn Alley whores.” She whispered, stumbling over her words. Rob’s smile was sadistic and cruel.
“Ours to manipulate....Jen doesn’t like them....she owns the little play things.”
“Why doesn’t she like them?” she asked.
“They’re the scum of the earth.” Rob said it as if he were talking about the weather. “Werewolves aren’t much better.”

“You married a Lupin though! You got her pregnant and you’re saying werewolves are the scum of the earth! Her uncle was one! Miseria is one!”
“And what a pretty creature she is.” Rob said, referring to Miseria.
“How can you talk about her like that!?” Lizzie raged. “She’s meant to be your daughter!”
“Still....she’s quite pretty for a dog!”
“Your Animagus is a dog!”
“Is it?” he questioned.

Lizzie whimpered. He was always good at winning their arguments; always quick to rebuttal and try to prove her wrong. He wasn’t this time though. He was just letting her play it out. She didn’t know who he was anymore. He wasn’t the weak little boy who looked as if he’d never lived in the real world and spent more time looking up ladies dresses than living life with his wife. He was man and a dangerous one at that. Lizzie wondered if Khaat knew that.

“I don’t know. I don’t know you anymore. You’ve changed...”
“Not really.” Rob shrugged. “Perhaps changed back but not really changed.”
“You are a dark wizard!” she hissed angrily. “You are the scum of the earth; you and the rest of them. Not the werewolves and vampires! You!”
“Filthy little half-breeds, the lot of them. You know, I’m thinking....what if I was to kill you and disappear for a while? Do you think you’d be missed, sweetheart?”
“I hope she betrays you.” Lizzie said in a low voice. “I really do. You’re a dictator, a dark wizard – everything she stands against!”

Rob smiled that sadistic smile and loosened his grip on her arms a fraction. It was looser but not enough to give her any relief as he still held her too tightly. He could feel his fingers making indents in her skin.
“Looks can be deceiving little Lizzie.”
“So you lied to her?” she questioned.
“I don’t owe you an explanation y’know...” he reminded her good naturedly.

“You’re a Ravenclaw and you’re acting like a f*cking Slytherin!”
“What a lovely, but crude, assessment Elizabeth.” He said coolly, referring to her blaspheming. “Do you honestly think for one minute Dents could get away with being Slytherin’s? Of course we would but we’re a light family. Even with all of the darkness that clouds the Whitlock name even they have pandered to the light side. Rethink your accusations dear because it may just cost you your life?”

“Why are you doing this?” she asked, defeated.
“You were the one that accused me of being the daddy of the illegal potions trade that nearly killed my wife. So, technically, this is your own fault.” He said with a smirk, his eyes lighting up in amusement.
“You didn’t deny it.” She said, not missing a beat. “So you are the King of the illegal potions trade.”

“I did not deny it but I did not say I was. Now, any questions or do I really have to kill you?”
“If werewolves are the scum of the earth why did you marry Khaat?” she asked, desperate to know.
Rob paused. “.....Connections.” he lied smoothly after a little bit of thought.
“I don’t believe you. Y-you’re stronger than anyone thought! I knew there was something there you weren’t telling us and you hid all of this...this strength, this power!”
“Your point?” he asked wryly.
“Why do it? Why lie? You love her, I know you do! You nearly killed her....I-”
“Elizabeth, darling, you’re not making much sense, love.”

“You are a secret within another secret which is within one of its very own. What layer have I pulled off? Who are you?” she asked quietly.
“Which one do you think?” he asked.
“You’re not bad; not really. You just have a side to you that’s dangerous.”
“You said it yourself though....I’m the King of an Illegal potions empire that is used daily by witches and wizards of all ages. I kill people for fun – I’m a monster.”
“So did Lord Voldemort – so was Lord Voldemort.”
“You’re likening me to him? How lovely. I’m flattered, Elizabeth, really.”
“Y-you....how many Horcruxes do you have?”
“I plan on making eight; just to spite him.”

Lizzie screamed in frustration and Rob raised an eyebrow at her. “What else do you do!?” she demanded, his eyebrow rose higher at this. “What else do you sell?”
“I sell the whores at an auction. We drain the vampires of their essence and sell it. We have the werewolves bite people for fun and skin them during the full moon. Etcetera, etcetera.”
“What else?” she probed.
“You know, you might just have to be donated to some of those who work for me. We’ll test the new escalated liquid Cruciatus on you. How does that sound?”
“Escalated?” she asked, her voice strained.
“Ten times more the pain.” He leered. “Although, pouring it into unsuspecting Muggles’ drinks is always fun.”

“You’re sadistic! You’re monster! You’re going to end up killing your wife and your child! How many wives do you already have? I bet you kill them off when you’re bored.”
He sighed dramatically. “I only wish that were true.”

Rob threw Lizzie at the wall where the pots were hung on the hooks and her back collided with them. She landed on the tiles and the pots fell off of the wall and landed on her. Rob walked over to her and grab bed her by the neck. He pushed her against the wall and looked at her with black eyes.

“Now, listen to me and listen good. Whether or not I am a Dark Wizard, King of the illegal potions trade and the one who was responsible for Khaat’s addiction while using my wares doesn’t matter. You tell a soul and I swear you’ll find yourself in a dungeon quicker than I can yell Avada Kedava in your general direction. Do we have an accord?”

“You sick bastard! You’ve got mental problems! You’re a bloody psycho! You admitted to it all! You are the king of the illegal potions trade and you are a dark wizard! You’re responsible for it all!”
“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for, love.”
“So you admit to it all?” she asked.
“No. I’m not. I’m implying without actually saying I am. I’m putting the words in your mouth, love.”
“What?”
Rob looked her up and down.
“How do you feel about working for me? I can make it worth your while....”
“I’d rather poke my eyes out with red hot pokers!”
“That can be arranged.”
“F*ck you!”
“Darling...you’re confusing me now. Yes or no...you’re stringing me along. It’s not fair on the male before you.”
“WHAT!? I don’t want to be your mistress!”
“What a shame.”
Lizzie screamed, loud enough to be heard from the dining area.

Khaat had been in the dining room, outside the kitchen, at the counter, drinking french roast. Unfortunately for Rob, Khaat had heard every single word. Her heart went numb inside. She felt nothing. She needed no numbing potions now. She felt not a damned thing. She did, however, care that he not kill Lizzie. When she heard her scream, she finally rose, left her coffee on the counter, and got up.

She went into the kitchen and positioned herself deliberately between Lizzie and Rob, facing his evil dark eyes, something she'd never seen in him before. The numbness inside her only deepened. "Take the day off, Lizzie," she said softly. She waved her hand and used it to transport her out of Rob's reach.

"You obviously have a much better paying job than what I can offer you," she said softly. She walked into the office and picked up the keys to Sparks. "I'm quite sure you'd be happier doing that. Just tell me one thing? Please? Did you ever, one time, genuinely love me? Just once?"

His dark orbs were burning into Lizzie’s and she was seriously afraid he’d make good on his threat. She knew he didn’t mean the last one but she didn’t doubt he’d send her off so the potioneers could test out liquid crucios on her. She didn’t know if he’d feel any remorse but she doubted it. His eyes were hard; she couldn’t see even a flicker of emotion. The person she had known was dead. Replaced instead, by something truly terrible. “Y-you don’t mean it.” She said defiantly.

Rob heard the kitchen door open and his shoulders tensed once Khaat came into his view. He looked at her; not really quite registering who it was that he was looking at. He watched Lizzie disappear and decided that it was best if he leave her for a while. He’d apologize eventually, just....not now. Rob shook his head once both women were out of his view and turned to see Khaat disappear into her office. He followed and leaned against the door frame. He didn’t know what he was supposed to say. Well, the obvious but he was no good for her. His... company had nearly destroyed her like it had destroyed hundreds of other lives. This was what he made a living doing – killing and destroying people. In his profession he made enemies by the truck load. This made Khaat a target. He wanted both Khaat and Abbey alive and well. Even if that meant he had to disappear.

“I don’t know.” He said quietly. Another half-truth. He hadn’t really known what he felt for her. It was all muddled. Most of the time he knew but then the bond f*cked things up and he had no idea. “I mean. I thought I did but now... I don’t know.” He just...needed to get her to get rid of him. It would be difficult but he could try and provoke her. She was pregnant after all said and done.

"You liar! You bloody f*cking liar! I KNOW what we had! You can be man enough to try to scare the life out of a little cockney woman, but you can't look me in the eye and tell me the f*cking truth??? What the hell is up with that?? NOBODY bonds to someone else if there isn't true love there. Do you really think I am that damned stupid not to know that? I am a healer, or did you forget? Why are you trying to throw away everything we have? Why am I not enough for you? What the hell is it? Am I not pretty enough? Am I not as desireable in bed now that I'm pregnant? Is it Abbey? It's a little late now to tell me that, oops, you can't keep the promises you made to be there for her. You want a news flash? There really are single moms in the world. I can do this, with or without you. I'd much rather it be with you. But not what I just heard and saw. You will never, ever be around Abbey like that. Ever. You hear me? I can disappear with her and you'll never see her again. She deserves a father who is going to be there for her and love her.

"Let's clear something up. Sparks makes you miserable. I never intended you to stay here permanently, and you know that. I want you to go find something you like to do. But this isn't it. And I am keeping Lizzie. I don't ever want you treating her like that again. Never. Trust me, I ran Sparks before you did, and I can do it again, pregnant or not.

"Stop telling me what you think will pacify me, and tell me the damned truth, Rob. I'm not one of your flunkies. I'm your wife," she said quietly.

When she started yelling, both of Rob’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. He had never seen Khaat swear so much. It was insane. He knew he wasn’t the poster boy for good language but she was really banging on. He wanted to ignore her but he couldn’t. Somehow he figured it was the fact that it was wife actually yelling at him that caught his attention but he couldn’t have been sure. He didn’t know how to answer her really. He didn’t know why he couldn’t tell her the truth – mostly because he wanted to protect her. The ‘little cockney woman’ deserved everything she got. He knew he could have probably deceive the bond if it wasn’t for the fact that he’d unintentionally made it out of his love for her. He didn’t know why he was trying to throw it all away. Maybe, to him, he could live life a little easier that way; knowing that Khaat and Abbey were better off without him instead of with him. He had a feeling he’d scared Khaat as well as Lizzie. Well, he didn’t really care if he scared Lizzie – she was far too intuitive.

He didn’t want to answer Khaat, not in the slightest. He didn’t owe her an explanation. Sure she deserved one but he didn’t see it that way. He didn’t have to give her an explanation that would surely mend their broken relationship. He knew both of his girls wanted him to but he couldn’t; he wouldn’t. He knew he had to answer though. He was sure of one thing: he couldn’t interfere with Abbey’s upbringing. No way. Khaat was the light and he was the dark; too dark. He brought darkness with him and it destroyed everything in its path. He figured that was how the so called ‘Whitlock Curse’ must work but he was no idiot; he knew this was his own doing. He had lied to her for his own selfish reasons. He wanted Khaat in the dark for as long as possible and he knew he’d screwed up. Chris probably would have told her about the money tree that seemed to grow in the backstreets of Knockturn Alley, winding its way right through the street. It was like a disease, one that couldn’t be rid of.

“Maybe I shouldn’t stick around then.” He said, backtracking to when Khaat said about what Abbey deserved. “I can’t give both.” He sighed and looked down at the tattoos on his hands. He knew he’d get another few eventually but perhaps a trip to his stock room and a bottle of wine would do him the trick once he got the hell out of Sparks. The shadows of Knockturn Alley definitely felt like home to him. He’d probably end up having a long talk with one of his girls as well. He wouldn’t want any favours, just some company and someone to make sure he made it to bed instead of passing out on the floor. “I’m not, Khaat. I am just....trying to keep you ignorant of this. It’s better that way.” He didn’t want to get angry with her but she’d probably explode again. Great.

"Let me cue you in on one little thing," she said with an eerie quietness that she had never even heard in her own voice before, "You cannot protect Abbey. Not yet. I'm the only one who can do that. And that all depends on what I do with my own life. Stop trying to protect me. I neither want or need protecting--just like you ran off from me because I loved you enough to want to protect you. If I recall, you quite rudely put me in my place.

" If I even decide to kill myself there will be precious little that you or anyone else could do about it. Not even my mighty father. You may not want to hear this, but its the only truth I know. I know I love you. I know I could accept almost anything you could say or do as long as it was the truth.

"And you don't want to hear this either but I don't want to be here without you. I don't want Abbey at all without you with me. All I want is for your to stop running from me and start working with me. " She paused, thinking of his words, "And you say you can't do that. Then why am I here? At all?"

It was clearly dawning on her, although, she wasn't going to tell him, that she was very capable of ridding Rob of his little problems so he could be single again, and without a second's remorse. She had successfully iced over her heart. She didn't want to feel the little pieces it was in, so icing the whole mess over inside made so much more sense at this point. The downside was that it might make her a tad irresponsible by some other person's standards. But what the hell did someone else's opinion's matter anyway. She walked out of the kitchen and warmed up her french roast, starting to think about Remus.

She left before Rob had a chance to open his mouth and give her a piece of his own mind. Although, he didn’t know what he wanted to say really. He just didn’t want her to be a part of the lifestyle he’d been living since he was what – twenty, twenty-two? It was too much. He didn’t doubt that once his daughter would be born she’d be accepted into the little ‘family unit’ the seemed to all have. Although, he really didn’t want any of his employees teaching her what type of potions to feed her enemies so he would have had to deal with that somehow. Threatening them would be a waste of time. It wasn’t as if many of the women took him seriously. He was positive they just thought him cute. The coherent Knockturn Alley whores liked him well enough but he was sure the incoherent ones had no idea who their boss was. This was probably best though.

There was a crack and a familiar woman appeared on the kitchen island. Then four more cracks came and four more women appeared. They were all related, wearing similar outfits with only the colours to distinguish the differences. He bit back a groan and saw the smirk on the face of the woman wearing red; lounging on the island. He walked over and put his elbows on the counter and his chin in his hands. He looked at her and she held up the fruit bowl with a large grin on her face. He took a grape from inside and dropped it in her mouth before stepping back and helping the other four onto the floor from their various places in the kitchen. “Robbie, baby, you will never guess what we perfected today!” the one in purple announced happily.

“Surprise me, love.” He said wryly. He didn’t really want to know what they’d perfected – he firstly wanted to know how they found him.
“We perfected both the escalated liquid Cruciatus and we also made four different versions of the unforgivable potions!” the one in yellow grinned.
“Wait, backtrack.” He said, suddenly getting interested. “What versions?”
“Okay, so when you’re in pain you want to be helped right?” the one in blue said excitedly. Rob nodded and she continued. “Well, we made it so it gets passed on. We changed up the liquid Cruciatus a bit, making it even more painful – like 50 times. We’ll hit a hundred one day but it’s pretty unstable right now. Anyway, we did that and made a version so it passes on by touch so those two and then we did the same, escalating both the killing and Imperius curse before making them contagious. Anyone who touches the dead; dies and anyone who touches those under the curse go under the spell as well.”

Rob was impressed. He kissed each woman on the cheek and the girls disappeared with a giggle from each one. He shook his head and smiled fondly. He’d given his potioneers that task on a whim but he didn’t think in a million years they’d hit it. But those girls were the best and there was no doubt about that. He definitely wouldn’t put those on sale though. It would be too dangerous. The unaltered Liquid Cruciatus would go on sale but not the accelerated ones or the one that pass on by touch. Perhaps he’d give the Imperius ones to a select few people but the Killing Curse ones weren’t leaving his private store cupboard and he thanked Merlin the girls knew that.

Maybe it was better he let Khaat in; let her see what he was doing instead of keeping her in the dark. Rob exhaled and walked out into the dining area. He spotted Khaat and leaned against the door frame. He bit his lip before opening his mouth to speak. “Maybe we should talk. Clear up a few things....” he suggested weakly. He loved her, of course he did, and he hated lying to her but it was necessary half of the time. He never wanted Khaat in Knockturn Alley unless she was with him or someone he trusted but he didn’t have many of those. The ladies, maybe, but few others. Jen, David and Pete definitely qualified but he wasn’t sure Chris was and thinking rationally Jen would probably lead her into trouble too.

"I'm all ears," she said quietly, emotionless, sipping on her coffee. She had a lot she wanted to say to him right now. She had a lot of wrath that had built up for months and months about things that Rob could never tolerate her saying. And now, the real truth of what he hid from her had been so much worse than what she ever imagined.

She didn't know what to say or feel. She wished she didn't love him. She wished she could just turn it off, but it wasn't that easy. And she knew full well what her father would do to him if he ever found out. Well, she wasn't going to tell him, because Rob might think he was all powerful, but he had no clue as to what her father could summon up if he were outraged. Now, she was in it with him, for better or for worse. And telling her father was one thing she just could not do. Ever.

She had a huge list of questions, but as angry as her voice would sound, it would come across as an accusation. She took in a deep breath, bracing herself, and she was refusing to let him see what she was thinking or feeling, at least as best as she could. "So, talk."

Now he thought about it, he didn’t know what he was supposed to say. If he said sorry and attempted to make a promise he couldn’t keep then he’d probably bore himself to sleep. He didn’t want to do that again. He owed her an explanation as well as an apology and he’d give it to her but he wasn’t sure where to begin. He owed her money and he knew he did. He didn’t think at the time though. He was focused on keeping from her who he was and what his real profession was. She didn’t need to know. He planned on giving it back with added interest and if it came to it; child support. Rob swallowed and ran a hand through his hair. He wasn’t good at this. He knew she wanted the truth but he didn’t know if he could supply that or not. “I, uh, don’t really know where to start.” He admitted sheepishly. “I don’t know how to explain it all. Maybe if would be better if you asked questions...” he shrugged and sighed. He had no idea what he was doing. Why didn’t he just turn tail and run with it between his legs?

Now that made Khaat feel lost. So many things that had been so important moments ago, the more her mind clouded, the more she didn't feel she had the questions at the front of her brain that she used to have. She stared at her coffee, unable to look at him. "Lets start with one thing. One critical point. Lets be honest about one simple little thing." Somehow she was trying to make something complex sound so very easy. "Can we agree that, beyond whatever else is there, that there still is love there? Don't lie to me to try to turn me away or protect me. Just tell me the truth. Do you or do you not love me?"