Page 25 of Dark Bonds

“Well, I was thinking we take a girls’ trip,” she blurts out. “Mom and Aunt Andy are on board, and Aunt Andy said she’s even willing to close the bar.”

“She can’t do that!” I screech, thinking about how many shadow shifters rely on that bar as a safe haven.

Tori waves a hand dismissively. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Aunt Andy never chose a pack, but she has plenty of suitors always willing to keep things running. She will only really close the bar for like a week.”

I frown. “Your mom and Andy don’t have packs?” I ask, realizing how little I know about shadow shifter social structures.

“Nope.”

“May I ask why?”

“Don’t you want to hear my devious plans first?” She looks affronted. “Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “They are twins,” she says it like that explains it all. When she sees the confusedexpression on my face, she continues, “Autonomy mostly, but also because of twin telepathy. When you bond with a pack, then you are in each other’s heads, and they didn’t want to lose their connection.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

It is. My mind reels at the implications. I lived for a long time without autonomy, so having another person in my head is a hard no—at least for now. The idea of bonding with a pack suddenly seems more daunting than ever.

“You’re taking everything so well, you know,” Tori comments, her voice gentle. She fidgets with her mug, a hint of vulnerability breaking through her usual confidence. “When I first learned, I threw a full-on tantrum and broke half the dishes in the house.” She laughs, but there’s a tinge of embarrassment in it. “Sometimes I still feel like I’m fumbling in the dark, trying to figure all this out.”

“Wait, you didn’t always just know?”

She shakes her head, her eyes softening with empathy. “No, Frankie. It took me a while to understand and accept everything too, but look at us now, navigating through all this together. We’ll be alright.”

I sip my coffee, savoring the connection. For the first time in a long while, I feel a spark of hope, although I’m not ruling out the option to run for the hills and hide on a goat farm. “Huh, so you had to learn all of this? But you had your mom and aunt to help you navigate everything.”

“I mean, yes, but when you first cross the veil, it’s disorienting as fuck.” Tori shudders. “It’s like falling into a puddle that just keeps on going, you know?”

No, I don’t, because Dorian pulled me through the veil—another reminder of how different my experience has been.

“What plans do you have?” I ask, eager to change the subject.

She gets excited. “Okay, so I was thinking since everything is like really fresh, like last night fresh” —she gives me a look Ican’t quite translate— “I was thinking of a spa retreat. You know, relaxing, drinks, and doing absolutely nothing but just existing for a whole six weeks.”

I chew on my cheek. I’ve never had a spa week with friends. The idea is both appealing and terrifying.

“You can take the time to digest all this shadow shifter stuff, and I can fill in all those teeny tiny, pesky little details, catch you up to speed, and let you digest the information in little bite-sized pieces,” she says, and I admit it sounds really appealing. “Plus, the spa I’m thinking of is all-inclusive, so we can sip mint juleps in a lounge chair by the pool while having some hot zaddies rub our feet.”

What the hell is a zaddy?I make a mental note to look that up later. Tori looks so excited, as though she was up all night planning this trip.

I gaze out the window at the early morning light. In the distance, I can just make out the island, which looks like nothing but a smudge. Something in my gut tugs at me to run to the university, and I know without a shadow of a doubt why—it has everything to do with four men—but then I remember everything they withheld from me, and hurt pierces my chest. I swing my gaze back to Tori. For some reason, when I look at Tori, I don’t feel the same resentment I hold against the guys. What I really need to discover is whether or not I can forgive them and move forward.

“I need this,” I whisper. Part of me aches to run back to the university, to confront the guys and demand answers, but another part, the survivor in me, knows I need time to process, heal, and figure out who I am in this new world of shadows and secrets. The conflict tears at me, a constant push and pull between desire and self-preservation.

With a deep breath, I nod my assent.

Her squeal of excitement makes me worry I’m going to regret this.

Tori immediately starts listing all the amenities of the spa, her words tumbling out in an enthusiastic rush. “They have these amazing mineral baths, personalized massage sessions, and even meditation classes. It’s the perfect place to unwind and just… be.”

The idea of soaking in a mineral bath and letting the warmth and minerals ease away the tension sounds like heaven. “It does sound amazing,” I admit, beginning to imagine the tranquility.

She leans in closer, her eyes sparkling. “And think about it, Frankie. No distractions, no responsibilities, just you and me and all the time in the world to figure things out.”

I nod, feeling a little of her excitement rubbing off on me. The idea of having a break from the constant stress, nightmares, and fear is incredibly tempting. “Alright, I’m in.”

Tori’s grin widens. “You won’t regret it, I promise. We’ll come back refreshed and ready to take on all the pack possibilities.”

I hope she’s right. As I take another sip of coffee, I let the warmth of the cup seep into my hands, grounding me. “Okay, tell me more about this place. What else can we do there?”

She launches into a detailed description of the spa’s offerings, from yoga classes at sunrise to gourmet meals prepared by renowned chefs. The more she talks, the more I start to believe that this might be exactly what I need—a chance to breathe, think, and heal.

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