Page 104 of Dark Bonds

“Sorry to interrupt, boys,” she says smoothly, her voice light but with an undercurrent of steel, “but I’m going to have to steal my friend here for a sec. Girl emergency, you know how it is.”

Before anyone can protest, Tori’s steering me toward the back room. As soon as the door closes behind us, I let out a shaky breath. The shadows retreat, slinking back to their corners like chastised pets.

“That was close,” I whisper, leaning against the wall for support. The cool plaster against my back helps ground me in the moment.

Tori nods, her eyes scanning my face. “You okay? For a second there, I thought we were going to have a full-on shadow show in the middle of the Grotto.”

I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing. In for four, hold for four, out for four. I feel the shadows settle, retreating to their normal, innocuous state. “I’m okay now. Thanks for the save.”

Tori’s expression hardens, her decisiveness shining through. “Alright, here’s what we’re going to do. We need a game plan for situations like this, and we’re making one. Now.”

I nod, knowing she’s right. “I know. I just... I wasn’t prepared. I thought I could keep my two lives separate, you know? Normal Frankie and shadow shifter Frankie.”

Tori takes my hands in hers, her touch grounding me. “They are both you, Frankie. You don’t have to choose one or the other. We just need to find a way for you to balance them.”

“Tell me more, oh grand conductor,” I encourage with a flourish.

“Okay, so here’s what I’m thinking,” she says, ticking off points on her fingers. “First, we lean into the rumors and make it sound like some wild urban legend.”

I nod, catching on. “What, like I’m some kind of local Bigfoot or something?”

Tori grins. “Exactly. If someone brings it up, laugh it off. Say something like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve heard that one. Did you know they say she can turn into a shadow poodle too?’”

I can’t help but chuckle. “A shadow poodle? Really?”

She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Hey, the more ridiculous, the better. People will be less likely to believe it’s real.”

“Okay, that makes sense,” I agree. “But what if someone’s really persistent?”

Tori taps her chin thoughtfully. “In that case, deflect with humor or change the subject. Like, ‘Speaking of shadows, have you tried the new black magic cocktail? It’s to die for.’”

I raise an eyebrow. “We don’t have a black magic cocktail.”

“Then invent one,” Tori says with a wink. “You’re a badass bartender, remember?”

I roll my eyes but can’t suppress a smile. “Alright, smart-ass. What if none of that works?”

Tori’s expression turns serious. “That’s when we bring out the big guns. Use your mojo, but be sneaky about it. Mess withthe lights or knock stuff over. Make them think they are seeing things.”

I feel a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. “I don’t know, Tori. What if I lose control?”

She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “You won’t. I believe in you, Frankie, and I’ll be right there if you need me.”

I take a deep breath, feeling steadier. “Okay. I can do this.”

Tori grins, bumping her shoulder against mine. “Of course you can, and if all else fails, you can always sic your shadow wolves on them.”

I laugh, feeling some of the tension leave my body. “I’m pretty sure that would blow my cover.”

“Maybe,” Tori says with a shrug, “but it would be one hell of a party trick.”

We share a laugh, and for a moment, it feels like old times—just two friends joking around, no supernatural drama in sight—but as our laughter fades, reality settles back in. This is our new normal now, full of secrets and shadows.

When we emerge from the back room, I approach the group of guys with newfound confidence. The shadows around me are calm now, responding to my more settled state. “So, you guys were talking about the shadow wolf girl, huh?” I say, keeping my tone light and playful.

The lanky guy nods eagerly, his eyes bright with excitement. “Yeah! That was you, wasn’t it?”

I laugh, the sound only slightly forced. “Man, I wish! That would be so cool, but nah, I’m just your average, boring bartender, although I have heard those rumors too. Wild stuff, right?”

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