Page 93 of Dark Bonds

Before Leo can respond, Matteo shows up, panting a bit. He must have seen us running and followed. His eyes dart between Leo and me, concern etched on his face. The shadow beast settles at my feet, its presence causing Matteo to raise an eyebrow.

He’s always so gentle with himand with me.

“Fascinating,” Matteo murmurs, his eyes lighting up with that familiar spark of curiosity. “This is a great chance for us to gather data and analyze it. Leo, your current struggle with harnessing your powers could be caused by multiple factors such as stress, external conditions, or a temporary loss of energy.”

Leo blinks, taken aback by Matteo’s enthusiasm. “You make it sound like a science experiment, not a total failure.”

“Because that’s exactly what it is,” Matteo insists, his voice gaining momentum. “Each obstacle is an opportunity for growth. With consistent training and attentive analysis, I am confident we can greatly enhance our mastery. My latest algorithm, designed to monitor power variations, may offer valuable insight from this situation.”

I can’t help but smile at Matteo’s unwavering belief in the power of data. It’s oddly comforting.

“See?” I say, squeezing Leo’s arm. “It’s not about being useless. It’s about learning.”

Leo’s expression softens, a hint of his usual playfulness returning. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess I could be your lab rat, Matteo, as long as you promise not to hook me up to any weird machines.”

“I make no such promises,” Matteo replies with a grin.

Matteo’s eyes light up with that mad scientist gleam. “Actually,” he says, already reaching for his ever-present notebook, “I’ve been developing a prototype that could quantify shadow energy output and?—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Leo interrupts, backing away with his hands up. “Time out, Professor Frankenstein. I take it back. No weird machines, no quantifying, and definitely no using me as your guinea pig.”

I can’t help but laugh at their banter. It’s so... them. Matteo with his endless curiosity, and Leo with his dramatic flair. How did I end up with these goofballs?

I laugh, feeling the tension dissipate. “How about we start with something simpler? We could practice together, all of us.”

Goddess knows I need all the practice I can get.

“That’s an excellent idea.” Matteo nods approvingly. “Collective training would allow us to observe and learn from each other’s techniques.”

Leo hesitates for a moment, then shrugs. “I guess it couldn’t hurt. As long as I’m not the only one making a fool of myself.”

“Trust me,” I say, grinning, “there’s plenty of foolishness to go around. You should see me try to control this guy.” I gesture to the shadow beast, which is now playfully chasing its own tail.

Damn it, I should name him.

A loud announcement crackles over the campus-wide speaker system, making us all jump. The shadow beast bristles, its form momentarily losing cohesion before solidifying again. “Attention, all students. Please make your way to the main building and proceed to the auditorium immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat, all students to the auditorium immediately.”

We exchange worried glances, the moment of comfort shattered like glass. “What now?” I mutter, the shadow beast pressing closer to my leg as if sensing my unease. Its fur, if you can call it that, feels cool and insubstantial against my skin, like trying to touch a cloud.

Just another day in the endless abyss of hell, right? Because apparently, existence at Shadow Locke wasn’t torturous enough already.

As we make our way toward the main building, the campus is a flurry of activity. Students hurry in groups, their voices a mix of confusion and fear, creating a racket that echoes off the old stone buildings. The shadow beast trails behind us, its smokyform rippling with each movement, causing a wake of startled exclamations and pointed fingers. The air feels charged, as if the atmosphere is aware of the impending change.

We run into Dorian and Tori near the entrance to the main building. Dorian’s face is a mask of concern, his usual confident demeanor replaced by tense alertness. His fog blue eyes scan the crowd, as if searching for hidden threats. Tori looks pale and shaken, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her shirt.

“Do you know what’s going on?” I ask them as we join the crowd of students streaming into the auditorium.

Tori shakes her head, her voice steady despite her obvious worry. “No idea, but after that shadow beast attack, it can’t be good.” Her eyes widen as she notices my new companion. “Speaking of...”

Dorian’s gaze fixes on the shadow beast, his eyes darkening like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. “Interesting company you’re keeping, Frankie,” he murmurs, his voice low and intense, a brow raised in question.

We find seats at the back of the auditorium, huddling close together. The room buzzes with nervous energy, whispers and theories flying back and forth like frantic birds. The shadow beast flops down at my feet. It’s weird, I can feel it against my ankles, but it’s like touching cold smoke.

The dean steps onto the stage, her heels clicking against the polished wood. The sound echoes through the auditorium, sharp and final, like the closing of a trap. The room falls silent, tension thick in the air.

“Students,” she begins, her voice carrying easily through the room, “in light of the increasing shadow beast attacks and other concerning incidents, we’ve decided to implement immediate changes for your safety.”

My stomach does this weird flip-flop thing. Oh crap, this can’t be good. I feel a strange tingling sensation spreadingthrough my body. It’s as if my newfound powers are responding to the nervousness in the room, making my skin hypersensitive.

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