Page 42 of Secrets and Shadows

“Yeah, I remember wanting a little space and thinking you’d follow me. But when I turned around, you were... gone.”

“It all happened so fast,” he murmurs, his gaze distant. “One second, you were right there, and the next, you vanished. What happened?”

I shudder at the memory, and decide to tell him and see how much he knows. I clearly need the help. “There was darkness all around—not simply a lack of light, something way deeper. It’s tough to explain. I know the forest is dark, but this was different. It felt like some kind of presence that I couldn’t wrap my head around.” I swallow hard, pushing aside the nagging question that haunts me: why did it choose me?

Focusing on what happened next, I say, “So, whatever that thing was attacked me, I fell onto a branch, and then my fox showed up… with a deer? Honestly, though, the memory of the deer feels blurred, I might’ve imagined it. I think there was more but…” I trail off, unsure if I should keep going.

“You summoned a Prey, too,” Simon confirms. “Your fox was protecting you and the deer, it’s what saved you. It managed to heal you enough for me to get to you and take you to the academy. Our healer, Tanya, has been caring for you ever since.”

“What?” I gasp.

“You were on the brink of death, Lilith, there was black acid goo dripping out of your puncture wound,” he says, his voice strained. “I think your deer bought you enough time to makeit here. And Preys are notoriously hard to control, let alone tapping into their healing abilities which adds another layer of difficulty. But somehow, you did exactly that.”

My mind races and I struggle to process everything. When I first arrived here, my goal was simple—blend in and complete my education at the academy. Maybe be good enough to follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a Protector. The last thing I wanted was to stand out in any way.

Fuck. I’m messing it all up.

A lump forms in my throat and tears threaten to spill from my eyes. “I’m scared,” I admit, my voice shaking. “I still don’t understand what happened out there. But I know I never want to feel that helpless again.” I take a deep breath before continuing, more firmly this time, “I need you to train me properly. Every day, Simon. Something is wrong, and it seems like I’m the target. I can’t defend myself if I’m not properly trained. With both Shadows. And I trust you. I don’t think anyone else can help me.”

As soon as the words leave my lips, I realize they’re true. I’ve actually come to trust him. I just hope it doesn’t end up biting me in the ass later.

Simon’s eyes soften as he reaches out and takes my hand, and I try to ignore the weird tingle that spreads through me at his touch. I can’t really explain it. Maybe it’s just the comfort and security he brings when he’s around—I’m not totally sure.

“I’ll train you as much as you need,” he says gently. “But there’s nothing wrong with you. We’re still digging into what happened. It could be connected to the Rogues, but we don’t have all the details yet. Now that we know something’s off, we’ll keep a closer eye on you. I’ll protect you.”

“Rogues?” I repeat. “I know they usually attack the academies to thin out the number of Protectors each year, but do they really have enough power to pull off something like this?”

Simon’s silence says it all.

My breath catches in my throat, and I shift uncomfortably on the bed. “Why am I the target, though?”

“You have the ability to summon both a Predator and a Prey,” Simon explains.

“I get that’s a big deal, but I don’t see why they’d come after me when I can’t even control either of them yet.”

“Yet,” Simon emphasizes. “Just having that ability makes you really rare and super valuable.”

“But how could the Rogues even know? I only discovered this ability yesterday...” I trail off, my confusion clear in my voice.

“Three days,” he corrects me, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks. “You’ve been out for three days, Lilith. And I’m sure they had their ravens in the forest. They always do.”

Three days?

The realization slams into me, and I blink, searching his face for any sign that he’s messing with me. But his expression is serious and sincere. I’ve seriously been unconscious for three whole days.

“Has anyone contacted my parents?”

Simon shakes his head. “No, Headmistress Bennett thought it was better to keep everything quiet—for your safety and the academy’s. Especially considering your father’s... status.”

I remember the look Bennett gave me before I went into the forest. It wasn’t concern, not really. It was cold and calculated, like she was more interested in what I’d do than whether I’d be okay. It’s hard to believe she’s looking out for me.

Despite all the mystery surrounding my father and his work, one thing’s certain: he’d move heaven and earth to help me. He’d know exactly what to do. He always has.

“My parents have a right to know,” I say firmly. “I need to contact them.”

“I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t make any promises.”

I glance down at our hands, still clasped together. We both tighten our grip a little. It’s strange how in all this chaos, that small connection feels like the only thing I can rely on. I lean back into the pillows and take a deep breath.

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