Healing Hands, Hidden Burdens

Daria Gresham, a young supernatural healer, travels with her caretakers Cecile and Mike, using her rare light magic to cure the sick. Each session drains her, and the responsibility weighs heavily—her family's legacy depends on her. Daria's touch is dangerous; her power reacts painfully to most people, isolating her emotionally. She's haunted by her mother's warnings about doubt and sacrifice, and the knowledge that if she doesn't continue the Gresham line, their healing gift will die. Despite her success, Daria feels the cost: loneliness, exhaustion, and a growing uncertainty about her path. Her longing for a normal life and love is complicated by her supernatural obligations and the knowledge that her gift is both a blessing and a curse.

Warnings and Werewolf Territory

Daria's boyfriend, Logan—a werewolf and member of the Supernatural Forces (SF)—warns her about traveling through werewolf territory. He explains the dangers of rogues, werewolves who have left their packs and become violent, and reveals that Daria's magic has a scent that attracts other supernaturals. Logan's possessiveness is clear, but so is his concern for her safety. He explains the strict laws forbidding relationships between supernaturals and humans, and the risks of being "ripe for the picking" among unmated wolves. Daria is both amused and unsettled, realizing how little she knows about the supernatural society and hierarchy and the dangers that lurk just beyond her awareness.

Unexpected Connections

While running errands, Daria collides with Jayden, a charming, muscular stranger who seems oddly familiar. Their interaction is playful, but Daria is on edge, recalling Logan's warnings about werewolves. When Jayden's touch doesn't trigger her painful magic, she's shocked—only Logan has ever had that effect. The encounter leaves her reeling, questioning the nature of her gift and the possibility of multiple potential mates. Daria's body reacts instinctively, but her heart remains loyal to Logan. The experience unsettles her, hinting at deeper mysteries within her magic and the supernatural society and hierarchy's rules about mating and power.

The Mate Dilemma

Daria confides in Logan about meeting another potential mate, Jayden. Logan's jealousy and anxiety flare, revealing the intensity of werewolf possessiveness and the complexities of supernatural relationships. Daria is torn between her body's instinctive response to Jayden and her emotional attachment to Logan. The situation is further complicated when Jayden and his werewolf friends join Daria and her caretakers for dinner, their interest in her palpable. Daria struggles to navigate the attention, her own desires, and the unspoken rules of the supernatural world, all while longing for a sense of normalcy and control over her life.

Rogues in the Shadows

After a seemingly friendly evening, Jayden lures Daria into a trap by impersonating Logan through text. Jayden and his friends reveal their true nature as rogues, attacking Daria with the intent to harm or kill her. The betrayal and trust is devastating—Daria had begun to trust Jayden, only to discover his monstrous side. The rogues' violence and the threat of death trigger a primal fear in Daria, pushing her to the brink. The attack exposes the brutal reality of rogue werewolves and the vulnerability that comes with being a powerful but isolated supernatural.

Power Unleashed

In the face of mortal danger, something inside Daria breaks open. A dark, cold power—distinct from her healing light—erupts from within her, annihilating Jayden and another rogue in a burst of red energy. The experience is both horrifying and exhilarating; Daria feels the power crush and destroy, leaving her shaken and guilt-ridden. She is no longer just a healer—she is now a killer, wielding a force she cannot understand or control. The aftermath leaves her traumatized, her sense of self shattered, and her relationships with those around her forever altered. This marks the emergence of her duality of power.

Aftermath and Uncertainty

Logan, Cecile, and Mike find Daria in the aftermath of the attack. Logan is both relieved and disturbed by the carnage, while Daria is consumed by guilt and fear of her new power. She refuses to let Logan touch her, terrified she might harm him. The group returns to the bus, where Daria's wound is treated and the reality of her situation sinks in. The SF arrives to investigate, and Daria is forced to recount the events, her trauma deepening as she realizes the community will scrutinize her every move. The question of what she has become—and what she might do next—looms large.

Seeking Sanctuary

Daria and Logan travel to the SF headquarters in Boise, seeking safety and answers. The facility is a hidden, magically protected hub for supernaturals, filled with advanced technology and powerful beings. Daria is processed and tagged as a witch, but her unique abilities and the recent killings make her a subject of fascination and suspicion. She meets Logan's friends and other SF members, but an accident in a training room—where her dark power nearly kills an innocent—escalates tensions. Daria's presence is controversial, and her inability to control her power makes her both a liability and a potential weapon.

The Dark Within

Daria's failed attempt to heal a client without triggering her dark power leaves her devastated. She realizes she can no longer safely use her gift, and Cecile cancels her remaining healing sessions. The weight of her family's legacy and her own sense of purpose threaten to crush her. Daria is isolated, unable to touch or help others, and haunted by the fear that she will never regain control. Logan tries to comfort her, but his own secrets and the pressures of his role as a dominant werewolf add to the strain. Daria's search for answers becomes desperate, driving her to seek help beyond the SF.

Supernatural Headquarters

Life at headquarters exposes Daria to the complexities of supernatural society and hierarchy: dominance hierarchies, interspecies politics, and the hidden histories of magical beings. She learns more about Logan's background as an alpha's son and the expectations placed on him. The SF's interest in her power grows, with some seeing her as a potential weapon against rogues. Daria's relationships with Logan's friends deepen, but she also makes enemies, particularly among those who fear or resent her abilities. The pressure to find a solution to her dark power intensifies, and Daria is forced to confront the reality that she may never be "normal" again.

Accidents and Accusations

An accident in the SF training center—where Daria's uncontrolled power nearly kills a team member—leads to accusations, hostility, and a public display of Logan's dominance. The incident exposes the fragility of Daria's position and the dangers of her power. Logan's alpha instincts erupt, causing tension with his superiors and peers. Daria is labeled a "freak" by some, while others defend her. The social fallout is intense, and Daria's sense of belonging is further eroded. The need for answers becomes urgent, and the search for the origins of her power takes on new significance.

Dominance and Secrets

Daria and Logan's relationship is tested by jealousy, secrets, and the ever-present threat of her dark power. Their physical attraction is intense but fraught with danger, as even the smallest touch could be lethal. Logan's past—including his connection to Crystal, a woman from his pack—casts a shadow over their future. Daria's own insecurities and the pressures of supernatural society and hierarchy complicate their bond. The couple navigates intimacy through creative means, but the unresolved questions about Logan's obligations and Daria's heritage threaten to tear them apart.

Angelic Heritage Revealed

Guided by the psychic's cryptic message, Daria seeks out Daniel, a mysterious being who reveals her true nature: she is part angel, not just a witch. In a surreal, otherworldly realm, Daniel explains that her dark and light powers are both aspects of angelic magic—one to heal, one to destroy evil. Daria learns that her family's legacy is rooted in this duality of power, and that her struggle is not unique among angels. The revelation is both liberating and daunting; Daria must now learn to control her powers, accept her heritage, and decide what kind of being she wants to be.

The Psychic's Clue

After a chance encounter with the psychic who once predicted her fate, Daria receives a clue: "Daniel. Vendor 109." The message propels her into the supernatural marketplace, a hidden world teeming with magical beings and secrets. As she searches for Daniel, Daria is pursued by Logan, who is desperate to explain himself after a devastating betrayal. The marketplace is a crossroads of fate, where Daria's past, present, and future collide. The psychic's guidance is both a lifeline and a test, forcing Daria to confront her deepest fears and desires. This represents the use of foreshadowing and prophecy as a plot device.

Marketplace Revelations

The supernatural marketplace is a microcosm of the magical world: vibrant, dangerous, and full of temptations. Daria navigates its wonders and perils, encountering vampires, fairies, and other beings. Her relationship with Logan reaches a breaking point when Crystal, his fiancée, confronts her publicly, shattering Daria's trust. Heartbroken and furious, Daria flees, clutching the psychic's clue as her only hope. The marketplace becomes a place of both loss and possibility, where Daria must choose between running from her pain or facing her destiny. This moment exemplifies betrayal and trust as a central theme.

Betrayal in the Open

Crystal's revelation of her engagement to Logan devastates Daria, who feels betrayed and humiliated. The public confrontation exposes the limits of trust and the complexities of supernatural relationships. Daria's pain is raw and overwhelming, but it also propels her toward action. She follows the psychic's instructions, seeking out Daniel and stepping through a mysterious portal. The act is both an escape and a leap of faith, as Daria chooses to pursue answers and agency over remaining trapped in heartbreak. This chapter demonstrates the power of betrayal and trust as a catalyst for transformation.

Through the Portal

The portal transports Daria to a realm beyond earth, a place of clouds, mist, and ethereal beauty. There, she meets Daniel, who reveals himself as an angel and recognizes Daria's own angelic nature. The experience is disorienting but transformative; Daria's powers feel different, more natural, in this place. She learns that her dual powers are not a curse but a birthright, and that her struggle is part of a larger cosmic order. The encounter with Daniel marks the beginning of a new chapter in Daria's journey—a quest for mastery, understanding, and self-acceptance. This chapter utilizes portal journeys and otherworldly realms as a key plot device.

The Land of Lost Angels

In Emunda, the land of lost angels, Daria confronts the truth of her heritage and the nature of her powers. Daniel offers to train her, explaining that angels are meant to wield both light and dark—to heal and to destroy evil. Daria's fear of her own power is met with compassion and guidance, as Daniel promises to help her learn control. When a vision reveals that her absence is causing turmoil on earth, Daniel agrees to return with her, setting the stage for Daria's next challenge: to master her gifts, reclaim her purpose, and face the threats looming over the supernatural world. This resolution embraces the duality of power as essential to her identity.

Characters

Daria Gresham

Daria is a young woman born into a lineage of supernatural healers, carrying the weight of her family's expectations and the responsibility to continue their work. Her gift is both a blessing and a curse: she can heal any illness, but touch is painful and isolating, and her powers are dangerous when uncontrolled. Daria is compassionate, self-sacrificing, and deeply conflicted about her role. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with the emergence of a dark, destructive power within her and the revelation of her angelic heritage. Daria's relationships—with Logan, her caretakers, and the supernatural community—are shaped by her longing for connection, her fear of hurting others, and her struggle to accept her true nature.

Logan Smith

Logan is a powerful werewolf, the son of an alpha, and a member of the Supernatural Forces. He is fiercely protective of Daria, driven by both love and possessive instinct. Logan's dominance is both a strength and a source of tension, especially as he navigates the expectations of his pack, his role in the SF, and his unresolved ties to Crystal, his fiancée. He is loyal, brave, and deeply affected by Daria's struggles, but his secrets and obligations threaten to undermine their relationship. Logan's journey is one of balancing duty, desire, and the need to let Daria make her own choices.

Cecile

Cecile has been with Daria since childhood, serving as a surrogate mother and manager. She is practical, nurturing, and fiercely protective, often acting as the voice of reason. Cecile's human perspective grounds Daria, but also highlights the divide between the supernatural and mortal worlds. Her support is unwavering, even as she struggles to understand the dangers and complexities of Daria's life.

Mike

Mike is Daria's other caretaker, providing stability, humor, and practical support. He is loyal and unflappable, often lightening tense situations with jokes or down-to-earth advice. Mike's presence is a reminder of the normalcy Daria craves, and his acceptance of her powers is a source of comfort.

Jayden

Jayden initially appears as a potential mate for Daria, his touch uniquely compatible with her magic. He is charismatic, flirtatious, and seemingly kind, but ultimately reveals himself as a rogue werewolf with sinister intentions. Jayden's betrayal is a catalyst for Daria's transformation, forcing her to confront the darkness within herself and the dangers of misplaced trust.

Wes McCloy

Wes is Logan's boss and the leader of the Supernatural Forces. He is disciplined, experienced, and focused on the greater good, often making difficult decisions for the safety of the community. Wes is intrigued by Daria's power, seeing both its potential and its risks. He represents the institutional pressures and expectations placed on supernaturals, as well as the complexities of leadership in a hidden world.

Brodie, Jake, and Alexander

These three werewolves provide camaraderie, support, and occasional comic relief. Each has a distinct personality—Brodie is the joker, Jake the steady hand, and Alexander the intellectual. Their loyalty to Logan and growing friendship with Daria help her navigate the challenges of supernatural society, but they also reflect the pack dynamics and hierarchies that shape Logan's world.

Crystal

Crystal is a beautiful, assertive woman from Logan's pack, promised to him since childhood. Her presence is a source of jealousy, pain, and conflict for Daria, embodying the expectations and traditions that constrain Logan. Crystal's public confrontation with Daria exposes the limits of trust and the complexities of supernatural relationships.

Daniel

Daniel is an ethereal being who reveals Daria's true heritage as part angel. He is wise, patient, and slightly amused by Daria's ignorance of her own nature. Daniel offers guidance, promising to train Daria in the use of her dual powers. His presence marks a turning point in Daria's journey, offering hope for mastery and self-acceptance.

The Psychic

The unnamed psychic appears at key moments in Daria's life, offering cryptic advice and nudging her toward her destiny. She is enigmatic, powerful, and seemingly omniscient, serving as a bridge between the mortal and supernatural worlds. Her clues propel Daria toward self-discovery and the revelation of her angelic nature.

Plot Devices

Duality of Power

The central plot device is Daria's possession of both healing (light) and destructive (dark) powers, symbolizing the struggle between creation and destruction, compassion and violence. This duality drives the narrative, shaping Daria's relationships, her sense of self, and the stakes of her journey. The emergence of the dark power is foreshadowed by her family's history and the psychic's prophecy, culminating in moments of crisis that force Daria to confront her true nature.

Supernatural Society and Hierarchy

The supernatural community is depicted as a complex, hierarchical society with its own laws, customs, and power structures. Werewolf pack dynamics, SF authority, and interspecies politics create tension and conflict, influencing character motivations and relationships. The rules about mating, secrecy, and dominance are plot engines that both constrain and propel the characters.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The psychic's early warning about "dark and light" foreshadows Daria's transformation and the challenges she will face. Ancestral secrets, hidden histories, and cryptic clues drive the search for answers, creating a sense of destiny and inevitability. The use of prophecy and lost knowledge adds layers of mystery and suspense.

Betrayal and Trust

Betrayals—by Jayden, by Logan (through omission), and by the supernatural community—serve as turning points, forcing Daria to reevaluate her relationships and her own agency. Trust is a recurring theme, tested by secrets, obligations, and the dangers of the supernatural world.

Portal Journeys and Otherworldly Realms

The use of portals and magical barriers allows for movement between worlds—earth, supernatural headquarters, the marketplace, and Emunda. These transitions symbolize Daria's internal journey, marking stages of transformation and self-discovery. The otherworldly realms are both literal and metaphorical spaces for growth, revelation, and the confrontation of fears.

Analysis

Power in Darkness is a coming-of-age tale that uses the framework of paranormal romance and urban fantasy to explore themes of identity, agency, and the duality of human (and supernatural) nature. Daria's journey is both external—navigating the dangers and politics of a hidden magical world—and internal, as she grapples with the legacy of her family, the burden of her powers, and the longing for connection. The novel interrogates the costs of power, the meaning of destiny, and the struggle to reconcile conflicting aspects of the self. Through Daria's relationships—with Logan, her caretakers, her enemies, and her angelic mentor—the story examines the complexities of love, trust, and obligation in a world where rules are both protective and oppressive. The revelation of Daria's angelic heritage reframes her struggle as universal: the need to accept and master all parts of oneself, even those that are frightening or destructive. Ultimately, Power in Darkness suggests that true strength lies not in denying one's darkness, but in learning to wield it with compassion, purpose, and self-knowledge. The story employs key plot devices including the duality of power, supernatural society and hierarchy, foreshadowing and prophecy, betrayal and trust, and portal journeys and otherworldly realms to create a rich, layered narrative that explores the complexities of power, identity, and belonging.

Last updated: September 27, 2025