Page 48 of Dark Bonds

I grit my teeth, determined to hold on just a little longer, but with each passing second, I feel my energy draining away. Theshield flickers more violently, its edges becoming unstable. My vision blurs, the world tilting dangerously.

“I… I can’t…” I gasp, my legs threatening to give out beneath me.

Bishop’s hand lands on my shoulder, steady and grounding. “Let it go, Frankie. We’ll cover your retreat. Your safety is paramount.”

Before I can make the decision, my body makes it for me. My knees buckle, and the shield shatters like glass. The sudden release of energy sends me stumbling backward, and I would have fallen if not for Leo’s quick reflexes.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, supporting my weight. “Though I have to say, this damsel in distress look isn’t really your style, Frankie.”

Despite everything, I manage a weak chuckle. The eredar beast lets out a low, rumbling sound that seems to vibrate through the ground beneath our feet. Without the shield between us, its presence feels even more overwhelming. Those piercing red eyes are still fixed on me, filled with an intensity that makes my breath catch in my throat.

“Move!” Dorian’s command snaps us all into action.

Tori grabs my other arm, and together with Leo, they half carry me as we sprint toward the evacuation point. I can hear the heavy footfalls of the beast behind us, each step sending tremors through the island.

“Why isn’t it attacking?” I ask between labored breaths. The beast’s restraint is almost more terrifying than an outright attack.

“Don’t question our luck,” Bishop replies grimly, bringing up the rear of our group. “Just keep moving. We need to get you to safety before we can analyze its behavior.”

As we run, I steal glances over my shoulder. The eredar beast is following us, but at a measured pace. It’s as if it’s content tokeep us in sight without overtaking us. The realization sends a chill down my spine. This isn’t a mindless creature acting on instinct. There’s intelligence behind those eyes and a purpose I can’t begin to fathom.

We reach the evacuation point where professors are ushering students onto boats. The air is thick with panic and the acrid smell of fear.

“Get her on the boat,” Bishop orders, scanning the chaos around us. “I’ll stay behind to help with the evacuation.”

“But—” I start to protest, but Dorian cuts me off.

“No arguments, Frankie. You’re in no condition to fight, and that thing is clearly after you. We need to get you off this island.”

Matteo, who’s been quietly assessing the situation, speaks up. “We need to split up. Leo, Tori, get Frankie to safety. Dorian, Bishop, help with evacuation. I’ll be right behind you on the next boat. We’ll rendezvous at the Grotto.”

“Watch your step,” Leo murmurs, his arm steady around my waist as we stumble onto the rocking boat. The wood creaks beneath our feet, and the scent of damp rot fills my nostrils. “Well, this beats opening week, huh? Next time, let’s just go to the beach.”

I grip the gunwale, my knuckles white, and turn back toward the island. My heart pounds against my ribs, each beat screaming that this is wrong. We shouldn’t be leaving. We shouldn’t be running. The mist swirling around us feels alive, caressing my skin with cold, damp fingers.

“Frankie, I know you’re conflicted, but we need to make a choice now,” Tori says, her voice firm but kind. She tugs at my sleeve. “Sit down before you fall over. We’re heading to the Grotto. We’ll be safe there. Trust me on this.”

I can’t look away from the shore. The eredar beast stands there, a dark silhouette against the swirling mist. Its eyes glow like red beacons, fixed on me. A low rumble carries across thewater, vibrating in my chest. It feels like a goodbye, or maybe a promise.

The boat’s engine sputters to life, and water churns around us as we begin to pull away.

“No,” I whisper, the word barely audible over the panic surrounding us. “We can’t… I need to…” What do I need? To stay? To understand? The certainty I felt earlier slips away like sand through my fingers.

“The Grotto’s warded,” Tori insists, her voice strained. “We need to regroup and figure out what’s happening. You’re in no shape for a showdown with that thing, Frankie.”

My legs wobble, and the world tilts sideways. Spots dance in my vision, little bursts of shadow that seem to pulse in time with my heartbeat. I blink hard, trying to focus, but the darkness creeps in from the edges. My shadow shifter, exhausted from the shield, retreats to a quiet corner of my being.

My vision narrows to a pinpoint, those haunting red eyes the last thing I see before darkness claims me entirely. As consciousness slips away, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m leaving a part of myself behind on that misty shore.

I drift in and out of awareness, catching snippets of conversation around me as I struggle to cling to consciousness.

Leo’s voice, tinged with worry. “Never seen anything like it…”

“Powers are growing too fast…” Bishop, his usual calm fraying at the edges.

“Need to protect her…” Tori sounds fierce and determined.

The gentle rocking of the boat lulls me back into the depths of unconsciousness. In my dreams, I’m running through a shadowy landscape, the eredar beast always just out of reach. Its eyes call to me, promising answers to questions I didn’t even know I had.

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