Page 110 of Shadowed Whispers

There’s a loaded silence, the air thick with unspoken challenges. I meet Blackwood’s gaze head-on, refusing to back down. The faint ticking of a clock on the wall is the only sound, amplifying the tension in the room.

“Thank you for your concern, Professor. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Perfect.” His eyes gleam. “Now, do you have plans for the eclipse?”

Nerves rush over me, and I don’t know why, but it’s in that exact moment I realize how many people have asked me about this damn eclipse.

Everyone. Literally everyone.

My stomach clenches, and I give him a curt nod.

“What are they?” He leans forward on his desk, his eyes curious.

Is this an appropriate question?

“Just going to spend time with friends.” I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

“Oh, wonderful.” He looks at Dorian. “I am guessing you two are going to have a fabulous date.”

We both sit forward at the same time. “What?” I shriek.

“Yes, yes, enjoy yourselves.” He holds my gaze for a moment longer, then nods. “Very well. That will be all for now. You’re dismissed.”

I rise from my seat, feeling Dorian’s eyes on me as I gather my things. When I turn to leave, Blackwood’s voice stops me.

“Ms. Vale, remember what I said. Ambition is a double-edged sword. Don’t let it cut you.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak, and walk out of the office with Dorian close on my heels. As the door closes behind us, I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The tension in my shoulders eases slightly, but a residual tightness lingers.

“You don’t have to come with me,” I blurt as soon as the lock clicks into place.

He sighs, staring over my head. I turn around, but there’s nothing there. “It is what it is.” He looks down at me. “I assume you will be at the Grotto?”

“Yeah.” I chew on my cheek and adjust my shoulder strap.

“Fine, I’ll see you there at seven,” he says and pushes past me.

Wonderful. All I wanted was to sneak away, and now I have somehow entwined myself with multiple people. Frustration bubbles up inside me, but I suppress it, knowing that tonight is bound to be complicated.

Chapter 38

Frankie

Tonight is the lunar eclipse.

The moon hangs heavily in the sky, its light dimming as the shadow slowly creeps across its surface. I should be excited like everyone else, but instead, a sense of dread fills me. I’ve spent the entire day dodging people, avoiding their questions and prying eyes. Matteo, Dorian, Professor Blackwood—everyone wants something from me, and I just need a moment to breathe.

I slip out of my dorm, my footsteps silent on the cold floor. The halls are eerily empty, the storm outside having driven everyone indoors. My car is parked at the edge of campus, and I make my way there, grateful for the solitude. As I drive into town, the radio plays softly, but the music does little to soothe my nerves. The rain taps against the windshield, a rhythmic reminder of the storm brewing both outside and within me.

My mind keeps returning to the same thought—my shadows. They set me apart and make me unique. They are a burden and a gift that changed everything for me. I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. This power could ruin the relationships I’ve built. It goes against everything I want, everything I’ve worked for, but can I ignore it? Can I pretend it doesn’t exist?

I planned to walk away from it after graduation. I planned to live a life somewhere along the coast, quietly working for some unknown company and living my best hacker life. The image of a serene beach contrasts starkly with the turmoil inside me. Between the past sneaking up on me, and the fact that what makes me unique may not be so unique, I feel like I’m having an identity crisis.

Just get through the party, and then figure it out tomorrow.

The semester is over, the holidays approaching quickly. I’m thankful the school ends the semester before Thanksgiving. We are kicked out of the dorms for cleaning, and Tori already went home yesterday. The loneliness of the impending holidays weighs on me, adding to the sense of isolation.

The town is quiet, the streets nearly deserted. I park in front of the Grotto, music rolling out of the doors. Sitting there, I stare at the darkened sky, my heart heavy. This rare cosmic event feels like a ticking clock, and I can’t figure out why.

---