Page 27 of Dark Bonds

As we make our way to the lazy river, I can’t help but marvel at the Shadow Shifter Spa. Hidden from the human world, it’s a paradise of shadow and light, where shifters can relax without hiding their true nature. Darkness dances at the edges of my vision, and the air itself seems to shimmer with barely contained power.

We settle into our tubes, the cool rubber a stark contrast to the warm water. For a while, we float in comfortable silence, the gentle current carrying us along. The only sounds are the softlapping of water against the sides of the river and the distant murmur of other spa-goers.

I trail my fingers through the water, and shadows follow like curious fish. They swirl and dart, sometimes obeying my thoughts, and sometimes taking shapes of their own. It’s beautiful and terrifying, and I still can’t quite believe I’m doing this.

“I miss them,” I finally admit, my voice barely above a whisper. The words feel like they are being torn from my chest, a truth I’ve been trying to deny. “Even though I’m still mad, I miss them. Is that crazy?”

Tori reaches out, her hand finding mine in the water. Her grip is firm and grounding. “Not crazy at all. They are your friends, Frankie. Your future pack” —she waggles her brows at that— “even if you haven’t made it official yet. It’s okay to miss them and be angry at the same time.”

I’m not sure about this whole pack thing either, but that’s a problem for future Frankie.

I nod, grateful for her understanding. The anger is still there, a hot coal in my gut, but it’s tempered by longing and the ache of absence. “It’s just… they kept this whole world from me, Tori. This amazing, terrifying world that I was always a part of, and they never said a word. How am I supposed to forgive that?”

Let alone knowing about Valerie. That is what I’m truly struggling with, knowing that they knew… It makes my chest ache with a phantom pain I can’t ease.

As I speak, the shadows in the water around us darken and churn, responding to my agitation. Tori eyes them warily but doesn’t let go of my hand.

That’s another thing that makes me stand out—my shadows. No one else has the power I have, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Not one single shadow shifter in this spa can manipulate them like me.

Good thing I’m keeping the wolves in my pack pocket.

“One day at a time,” she says softly, her thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin. “They thought they were protecting you. It doesn’t make it right, but it makes it understandable.”

I’m about to respond when a burst of laughter catches my attention. Ahead of us, floating in their own tubes, are Andy and Abbi, who are deep in conversation with hefty drinks in their hands. The sounds of their voices, familiar and comforting, momentarily drowns out the turmoil in my head.

“Did you hear about the high council’s latest decision?” Andy’s voice drifts back to us, clear despite the gentle rush of water. “They are talking about changing the laws around human-shifter interactions. It’s about time, if you ask me.”

“Oh, come on, Andy,” Abbi interrupts with a chuckle. “You know the council moves slower than a shadow on a cloudy day. Remember the Great Catnip Debate of ‘98?”

Andy snorts into her drink. “Don’t remind me. But seriously…”

My ears perk up at the mention of the high council. I’ve heard whispers about them since arriving at the spa, but nobody’s really explained who they are or what they do.

Abbi nods, her expression sobering. “It’s a start, but we have a long way to go. The regional councils are in chaos with two of the elders missing. No one knows if it’s connected to the shadow realm’s decay or something worse.”

Andy’s voice drops lower, but I can still make out her words. “I heard the eastern elder vanished right in the middle of a council meeting. Just… poof. Gone. The guardian commander is pushing for stricter measures, but with the high council down to five members…”

Their voices fade as they round a bend, leaving Tori and me to exchange wide-eyed glances. The peaceful atmosphere of thespa suddenly feels fragile, like a bubble that could burst at any moment.

“Tori,” I whisper, leaning in close, “what’s this high council they are talking about? And regional councils? Guardians? What’s this about missing elders?”

Tori’s eyes widen in surprise. “You don’t know? I thought… Well, I guess with everything that happened, nobody’s really had a chance to explain the political structure to you.”

I shake my head, feeling that familiar frustration rise again. It’s yet another thing everyone seems to know but me.

“Well,” Tori begins, her voice low, “you know how humans have governments?” She waits for my nod before continuing, “We have something similar. It’s called the High Council of Shadows.”

“High council?” I repeat, raising an eyebrow. “Sounds pretty fancy.”

Tori chuckles. “Yeah, they like their dramatic names. Anyway, it’s made up of seven elders—or at least, it used to be.”

The way her voice drops at the end makes me lean closer. “Used to be? What happened?”

Tori glances around,as if checking for eavesdroppers. “Two of the elders disappeared in the past few months. No one knows why or how, but some think it’s connected to the shadow realm’s decay. It has everyone on edge.”

“And the regional councils?” I prompt, fascinated and frightened in equal measure.

“They are like local governments. Each region has its own council to handle day-to-day stuff, but with some of the elders missing, things are in disarray. And the guardians? They are our protectors, elite shadow shifters who keep us safe and enforcethe laws. They are working overtime, trying to figure out what’s happening.”

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