Page 65 of Dark Bonds

Dorian’s hand finds mine, his touch grounding me. “Francesca,” he says, “this could be the key to understanding your abilities and why the eredar are so drawn to you. We’re standing on the precipice of a paradigm shift in shadow society.”

A knot forms in my stomach as I observe the interaction between Dorian and Bishop, feeling the building tension. The conflicts that once divided us now seem insignificant compared to what we just unearthed. We stand at the edge of a monumental discovery, one that could reshape our entire world

“We need to keep digging,” I say, my voice filled with determination. “There has to be more here, more about Nyx and the original matriarchs. If we can uncover the truth, then maybe we can find a way to balance the shadow realm and stop the decay. We can’t let this knowledge slip away again.”

At least it allows me to focus on something other than my own tortured life for a little while.

Bishop nods, his cool exterior now fueled by determination. “I’m on board, but we have to be cautious. If this was hidden before, then there’s probably someone who doesn’t want it revealed. We have to dig deep and compare it to all the underground knowledge out there.”

As we lean in, studying the aged manuscript, a sense of purpose fills me. Despite the hardships we’ve faced, this feels like a fresh start. Though we initially joined forces out of necessity, our bond has grown stronger with this newfound revelation. Even the shadows around us seem to hum with excitement, as if they, too, are becoming aware of a long-buried secret.

I close the book gently, my mind still reeling from the revelations. The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Dorian breaks it first, his intense gaze softening slightly. “This reminds me of something my uncle once told me,” he says, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.

Bishop and I exchange a glance, surprised by this personal admission from the usually guarded Dorian.

“Your uncle?” I prompt, curiosity getting the better of me.

Dorian nods, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Uncle Everett. He’s… unconventional, to say the least. He always insisted that my mother’s family history was more complex than what I’ve been taught. I never took him seriously, but now… it seems his eccentricity may have been a guise for deeper truths.”

“Now you’re wondering what else he might know,” Bishop surmises, understanding dawning in his eyes. “It’s fascinating how these truths can persist, even when officially suppressed. From an academic standpoint, it’s a testament to the resilience of oral traditions.”

“Exactly,” Dorian agrees, his intensity focused inward now. “He used to tell me stories about powerful women in my lineage, but I always assumed they were just tales to entertain a child. Perhaps there was more truth to them than I realized. The layers of deception we’ve been living under… It’s both infuriating and intriguing.”

I lean forward, intrigued by this glimpse into Dorian’s past. “What kind of stories?”

Dorian’s brow furrows as he recalls, his voice taking on a storyteller’s cadence. “He spoke of a great-great-grandmother who could bend shadows to her will earthside, who had a group of devoted protectors. At the time, I thought he was just romanticizing my family history, but now…”

“Now it sounds like he might have been describing a matriarch and her pack,” I finish, a shiver running down my spine. “It’s like we’re uncovering a hidden world that’s been right under our noses this whole time.”

Bishop nods thoughtfully, his calm demeanor a counterpoint to the electric atmosphere. “It makes me wonder about the professors at the university, the ones who’ve been like family to me. Some of them have been around for decades. They might have heard whispers of the old ways passed down through generations.”

“Because of your mom being the dean?” I ask, remembering our earlier conversations.

“Yes,” Bishop says with excitement. “Their academic pursuits might have led them closer to the truth than we realized. We should consider interviewing them, carefully of course, to see what other pieces of the puzzle they might hold.”

I can’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. It’s a side of both of them I rarely see—Dorian’s intensity softened by curiosity, and Bishop’s composure energized by discovery.

“This could explain why your mother insisted on the pack system for safety,” I muse, connecting the dots. “Even if she doesn’t know the full history, some instinct about pack dynamics must have survived. It’s like we’re all players in a game we didn’t even know we were part of.”

Bishop’s eyes light up. “You’re right. The way she emphasized the importance of groups, of having a close-knit circle for protection, aligns perfectly with what we just learned about matriarchs and their packs. It’s as if our society has been unconsciously preserving these structures without understanding their true significance.”

“Speaking of packs,” Dorian interjects, his gaze intense as it locks with mine, “perhaps it’s time we revisited the idea of forming one ourselves. In light of this new information, it seems more crucial than ever.”

I feel a flutter in my stomach at his words, a mix of excitement and apprehension. “I… I don’t know,” I hedge,thinking of Tori. “I can’t just leave Tori behind. She’s been with me through thick and thin.”

“Who says you have to?” Bishop asks gently, his voice carrying its usual calm authority. “From what we just learned, it seems the matriarch chooses her pack. There’s no reason Tori couldn’t be part of it. In fact, diversity in the pack structure might be key to unlocking its full potential.”

I blink, surprised by the suggestion. “But I thought… I mean, aren’t packs usually…”

“Usually what?” Dorian challenges, a hint of a smirk on his face. “Comprised solely of males protecting a female? Ones they fuck? It seems we’ve all been operating under some false assumptions, Francesca. Perhaps it’s time we forged our own path and created our own rules based on the truth we’re uncovering.”

The use of my full name, usually an irritation, now sends a warm shiver through me. I look between them, these two men who’ve become so important to me despite our rocky start.

“You’re right,” I admit, a smile tugging at my lips. “We have been.” I pause, not entirely sure. “Tori won’t want to bond.” I chew my lip.

Am I really thinking about this?

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