Page 132 of Dark Bonds

“All of us,” he adds, his voice barely above a whisper.

Bishop is right behind him, with his cold eyes that hold a thousand emotions, none of which I can even begin to pinpoint.

He gives me a partial smile as he steps closer, unsure if I’ll accept him. “Firefly,” he whispers shattering the dam to ash.

They showed up for me when I needed them.

They helped me find my brother, my twin.

The reality of the makeshift family we cobbled together in the chaos hits me then—Matteo’s steady presence, Leo’s unwavering loyalty, Bishop’s guidance, Dorian’s quiet strength, and now Finn, the missing piece I never knew I needed.

My sobs gradually subside, replaced by hiccupping breaths as I try to regain my composure. I’m acutely aware of the others around us—the freed captives, our allies—all looking to me for guidance. The weight of their expectations settles on my shoulders, but it feels different now… shared.

Their unwavering support washes over me like a warm wave, chasing away the chill of fear and doubt. I straighten my shoulders, the unshed tears giving way to a steely resolve.

The air crackles with energy as portals start opening around the clearing. Bishop’s mom steps through first, her face a mask of concern and determination. She’s followed by a stream of faculty members, including Dorian’s uncle, whose eyes widen as he takes in the scene.

“By the shadows,” Bishop’s mom murmurs, her gaze sweeping over the freed captives and the destruction. “What happened here?”

“A lot,” I say, feeling the weight of the night’s events. “We have wounded people who need attention, and... well, we uncovered a conspiracy that goes deeper than we thought.”

The faculty members spring into action, some tending to the injured while others secure the area. I catch snippets of their shocked whispers and realize just how much explaining we’ll have to do.

“Blackwood, a traitor?”

“The eredar beasts, here?”

Bishop takes charge as soon as his mother arrives with the faculty. His teacher’s assistant persona slips away, replaced by a natural leader.

“Mom, we need medical support for the freed captives,” he directs, his voice carrying across the clearing. “Professor Thorn, secure the perimeter. We can’t risk any of Blackwood’s allies showing up.”

He turns to me, his eyes softening slightly. “Frankie, you should rest. We can handle this for now.”

I’m oddly touched by his concern, even as I shake my head. There’s too much to do.

Finn drifts in and out of consciousness, his body struggling to adjust after years of suspended animation. During one of his lucid moments, he grabs my hand, his grip surprisingly strong.

“Frankie,” he whispers, his violet eyes meeting mine. “I... I remember bits and pieces.”

A ghost of a smile crosses his face before he drifts off again. The sight of him, so familiar yet so strange, sends a jolt through me. We have so much lost time to make up for.

It’s nearly dawn, the sky beginning to lighten with the first blush of pink, when a commotion at the edge of our makeshift camp draws my attention. To my shock, I see Valerie being led in by Cass, her hands bound behind her back. Her once immaculate appearance is in tatters, her hair wild and her clothes torn and dirty. Her eyes find mine, filled with a mix of defiance and something that might be regret.

“What should we do with her?” Bishop asks, his voice hard in the face of her betrayal. “We need to consider the implications for Shadow Locke and the council. Her knowledge could be valuable but dangerous in the wrong hands.”

I take a deep breath, the weight of leadership crushing down on me. Mercy or vengeance? The choice could shape our future. Part of me wants to lash out and make her pay for years of manipulation and abuse, but another part remembers her last-minute change of heart and how she fought against her own father to give us a chance. The taste of vengeance is ash in my mouth, bitter and unsatisfying.

I stare at Valerie, memories of her cruelty warring with her last-minute change of heart. Leo steps closer, his voice low. “Whatever you decide, we’ve got your back, Echo.”

I nod, grateful for his support. “We’ll take her back to Shadow Locke,” I decide, my voice steadier than I feel. “The council can decide her fate. She’s done terrible things, but... she also helped us in the end. It’s not our place to be judge and jury.”

Matteo nods approvingly. “A wise decision. It shows strength to choose justice over vengeance.”

Valerie’s shoulders slump, whether in relief or resignation, I can’t tell. As they lead her away, I’m struck by how small she looks, stripped of her power and pride. For a moment, I see the scared little girl she must have been, twisted by her father’s ambition and cruelty.

“You don’t understand, Frankie. None of you do. This is bigger than all of us.” Her voice wavers between defiance and desperation as she’s led away.

As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and golds, I find a quiet spot away from the others. The events of the night play on a loop in my mind, each revelation and twist leaving me more bewildered than before.

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