Page 47 of Dark Bonds

Tori scoffs, but there’s a hint of fondness in her exasperation. “Since when has anything about our lives been safe? We’ve got her back, though, right?”

I’m about to respond when a piercing wail suddenly cuts through the air. The sound is so loud and unexpected that I instinctively cover my ears. It reverberates through my body, setting my teeth on edge.

“What the hell is that?” I shout over the noise, my heart racing.

Bishop’s face pales, but his voice remains steady. “Remain calm. The alarm indicates a threat, but panic will only exacerbate the situation. Follow my lead.”

Dorian is already moving toward the door, his body tense and ready for action. “We need to go. Now.”

As we scramble to our feet, the reality of the situation hits me. This isn’t just about my training anymore. Whatever’s happening out there, it’s big enough to trigger the school’s alarm system. My heart races as I follow the others out of the room, the shrill cry of the alarm echoing through the halls.

The relative safety of Bishop’s warded room falls away as we step into a corridor filled with panicked students. The air thrumswith tension, and I can feel my shadow shifter stirring restlessly within me, responding to the chaos around us.

As we navigate through the pandemonium, I catch snippets of frightened conversations.

“Did you see it?”

“Never seen anything like it…”

“In the courtyard…”

I exchange a worried glance with Leo. His usual easygoing demeanor is replaced by a focused determination that makes him look older. Whatever’s happening, it’s clear that our lives are about to change dramatically. The quiet discussion about my training seems like a distant memory now, replaced by an immediate and unknown threat.

Bishop grabs my arm, his voice urgent but controlled. “Stay close. We need to assess the situation and ensure your safety.”

The crowd’s tension is palpable as I navigate through it, drawn to the epicenter of chaos. An unsettling realization creeps over me. This is merely the opening act. My gut tells me my strange new abilities will soon face a trial by fire. I inhale slowly, centering myself. This power, equal parts gift and curse, has become as much of a part of me as my own shadow. The alarm continues to blare as we burst through the doors into the courtyard. The scene before us is chaos incarnate. Students are running in every direction, their faces etched with terror. Professors struggle to maintain order, shouting instructions that are lost in the cacophony. The air is thick with fear, an almost tangible miasma that clings to everything, but all that fades into the background when I see it.

At the edge of Shadow Locke Island, looming over the misty waters in the early morning light, is a creature straight out of nightmares. It’s massive, easily the size of a building, with a body that seems to shift between solid and shadow. Multiple eyes, glowing an eerie red, scan the courtyard. When they land onme, I feel a jolt of… something. Recognition? Fear? I can’t quite place it. My shadow shifter surges within me, responding to the creature’s presence.

“By the shadows,” Bishop murmurs beside me, his composure slipping for a moment. “It’s an eredar beast. But that’s impossible…”

“Clearly, the impossible has become our new reality,” Dorian snaps, his body tense and ready for action. “We need to evacuate the island. Now.”

I can’t move. The beast’s eyes are still fixed on me, and I feel a strange pull. It’s as if it’s trying to communicate despite the distance between us. My shadow shifter stirs restlessly within me, a tide of power threatening to overwhelm me.

“Frankie!” Leo’s voice breaks through my trance, a lifeline of normalcy in this surreal moment. “We need to go! This isn’t the time for a staring contest with the giant shadow monster!”

I shake my head, trying to clear it. “No, wait. I think… I think it’s here for me.” The words sound crazy even as I say them, but I can’t shake the certainty.

“What?” Tori grabs my arm, her grip firm but reassuring. “Frankie, that thing is dangerous. We can’t stay here! I know you probably feel a connection or something, but now is not the time to explore it!”

As she speaks, the beast moves. It takes a step onto the island, its massive form sending tremors through the ground. Students scream and scatter, but I stand my ground. The pull is stronger now, almost overpowering. It’s like a song only I can hear, calling to something deep inside me.

“Frankie.” Bishop’s voice is urgent but controlled. “Whatever you’re feeling, we need to get you to safety. Your powers are unpredictable right now. If that thing is after you, we can’t risk a confrontation.”

I know he’s right, but something deep inside me rebels against the idea of running. The beast takes another step, and I feel my power surge in response. Without thinking, I raise my hand, and a shadow shield shimmers into existence between us and the creature. The effort is instinctive, drawn from a well of power I didn’t know I possessed, but one I feel now with every fiber of my being.

Gasps erupt around me. The beast pauses and tilts its head as if it’s curious. For a moment, everything is still. The shield is an extension of me, pulsing with each beat of my heart.

Then chaos erupts again, and professors start ushering students toward the evacuation points. I hear Bishop and Dorian arguing about the best course of action. Leo and Tori tug at my arms, trying to pull me away.

All I can focus on, though, is the eredar beast. As our eyes meet again, I’m struck by a certainty I can’t explain. This is just the beginning. I don’t know what’s going on with me, my powers, and this monster, but I have a feeling nothing’s going to be the same after this. The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating.

“Come on,” I finally say, tearing my gaze away from the beast. “We need to go, but this isn’t over.” My voice is stronger than I feel, fueled by a determination I didn’t know I had.

As we back away, my arm outstretched to maintain the shield, I feel the strain of the effort coursing through my body. It’s like trying to hold back a tidal wave with my bare hands. Sweat beads on my forehead, and my arm begins to tremble. The shield flickers, and shadows writhe at its edges.

“Frankie.” Leo’s voice is tight with concern. “You can’t keep this up. We need to go. I’d rather not become monster chow today, if it’s all the same to you.”

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