Page 92 of Dark Bonds

Dorian steps forward, his expression unreadable. “We should be careful,” he warns, his voice low and intense. “Awakening dormant powers can have... unforeseen consequences.”

I shiver, remembering the pull of the shadows and how close I came to losing myself in them. “What do you mean, unforeseen consequences?”

Before Dorian can answer, Leo interjects, his voice tight with concern. “Frankie, are you okay? You look pale.”

I realize I’m swaying slightly on my feet, exhaustion hitting me like a wave. The shadow beast at my feet whines, pressing closer as if sensing my fatigue.

“I’m fine,” I insist, even as black spots dance at the edges of my vision. “I just need a minute.” I slump into a chair, the small beast lying down between my feet.

“Uncle,” Dorian calls to the professor.

“Uncle?” My eyebrows reach my hairline.

Professor Everett’s eyes widen slightly, darting between Dorian and me, then he clears his throat. “Ah, yes. I suppose the cat’s out of the bag now.” He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, looking suddenly more human than the enigmatic professor of moments before.

“Dorian is my brother’s son,” Professor Everett explains, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. “We thought it best to keep our relationship quiet, given the... sensitive nature of some of the topics we’ll discuss in class.”

“He isn’t even a shadow shifter.” Dorian continues to eye me like I might fall over, and I know they are all just standing around making small talk in case that happens.

“What—”

Dorian and Professor Everett look at each other then me. “It’s best to leave that story for another day.” Professor Everett kneels before me. “How do you feel?”

I shrug a shoulder. “Okay, just sleepy.” I yawn, proving my point, and a wave of dizziness washes over me.

“Whoa there,” Leo says, steadying me with a hand on my shoulder. His touch sends a jolt through me, momentarily clearing the fog in my head.

Dorian steps closer, his fog blue eyes intense. “Using new abilities can be draining, especially ones as powerful as what you just displayed. You need rest.”

As if to emphasize his point, the shadow beast at my feet lets out a small whine, nuzzling against my leg.

“I guess I have a new pet,” I mutter as the creature looks up at me.

I swear the creature smiles.

Chapter 29

Frankie

Leo’s facetwists with frustration and shame. Before I can say anything, he turns and bolts. I glance back at the classroom, still buzzing with shocked whispers and Professor Everett’s attempts to calm everyone down. Dorian catches my eye, nodding slightly as if to say,Go. I take off after Leo, my heart pounding. The shadow beast trots behind me, leaving a trail of gasps in our wake. Great, just what I need, more attention, but right now, all I can think about is Leo and that look on his face. I’ve never seen him like this before.

“Leo, wait!” I call out, chasing him down the hallway. The sound of my footsteps echoes off the walls, mingling with the whispers and gasps of onlookers. Leo doesn’t slow down, his shoulders tense and fists clenched at his sides, as if he’s trying to hold onto the last shred of his dignity.

I finally catch up to him in an empty courtyard. The afternoon sun casts long shadows across the neatly trimmed grass. Ancient stone benches line the perimeter, their surfaces worn smooth by countless students over the years. Leo stands with his back to me, his body trembling slightly, silhouetted against the walls of the surrounding buildings.

“Leo,” I say softly, reaching out to touch his shoulder. His skin is warm beneath my fingers, and I can feel the tension in his muscles, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap. He flinches but doesn’t pull away.

“I couldn’t help you,” he says, his voice cracking. The pain in his tone is palpable, a raw wound that makes my heart ache. “I couldn’t even summon a simple shadow. What kind of shadow shifter am I if I can’t protect the people I care about?”

I breathe in deeply. It smells like grass and... Leo. That cologne of his always gets me. “Hey,” I murmur, gently turning him to face me. His eyes, usually dancing with mischief, are now clouded with doubt. “You don’t have to protect me all the time, you know.”

Am I weird for liking that they all want to protect me? Even when I can kick ass myself? I wonder if other shadow shifter girls feel the same.

Leo’s lips quirk into a half smile, a ghost of his usual grin. “Yeah, well, fat lot of good I’m doing as part of the pack right now. Maybe I should just stick to being the pretty face.”

My heart does a little flip at his smile, even if it’s not his usual megawatt grin. God, how does he do that to me? Even when he’s down, there’s just something about Leo that pulls me in. I push the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand, but I can’t help wondering if this is what it’s like to be part of a pack—this intense need to protect and comfort

I chuckle, relief flooding through me at this glimpse of the Leo I know. “Well, you certainly have that covered, but you’re so much more than that, Leo. Your powers don’t define you.”

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