Page 48 of Secrets and Shadows

“It’s nowhere near the forest. It’s safe,” I assure her. As safe as it can be, anyway. The academy’s rocky foundation creates a natural barrier between the beach and the forest, plus the clear view of our surroundings, I feel confident bringing her there.

I’ll keep you safe.I don’t say the words but plead with my eyes and hope she understands my message.Trust me.

She finally nods and lets me guide her outside. Some time away from everyone else will do her good. The other students have singled her out, and I can see the weight of their scrutiny pressing down on her shoulders. I don’t want to outright mention anything about it and risk causing her to shut down, but this past week has been tough on her. Vaughn and Kai have said the same thing.

We reach the shore of the beach, and here the sounds of the rolling of the waves makes it feel like we are miles away from the forest. A perfect setting to change things up.

“Are you ready?” I ask as we take our positions opposite one another. She already appears eager to start, a spark of determination in her gray eyes. Tanya suggested she take it easy for a while, and I plan to follow that advice while still providing effective training to help boost her sense of security.

The weather is perfect—sunlight dapples our skin, wrapping us in a comforting warmth. When the light catches her eyes, thelavender flecks within them seem to shimmer, making it almost impossible to look away.

“Definitely,” she replies. “You were right. It’s nice to get away from the academy for a bit.”

I force myself to tear my gaze from her, crossing my arms over my chest. It’s time to start training, but I’ll be damned if she ends up hurt again on my watch.

“I don’t want you to push yourself too hard while you’re still healing from the attack,” I say gently. “But I do want you to regain some control and confidence. So, why don’t you tell me what you’d like to focus on today?”

Lilith pauses to consider my question, the soft breeze teasing a few stray strands of her hair as she gazes into the distance, watching the waves. After a moment, her gray eyes meet mine again. “I think I’d like to learn how to summon my Shadows,” she admits, her voice slightly hesitant. “I want to do it without needing to defend myself or getting injured for them to come forward.”

“No matter how hard I tried to summon my fox in the forest, it wouldn’t appear until I was in danger.” Her gaze drops to the sand, revealing the turmoil beneath her calm exterior. “I just think I’d feel a lot safer if I could call on it whenever I needed to.”

I nod in understanding, fully aware of the effort and dedication it takes to master such a skill. Typically, it starts with group classes, but if anyone deserves to learn on her own terms, it’s Lilith. Especially if she becomes the target of students too.

“Okay, we’ll start there,” I say softly, trying to sound encouraging. “But you have to be patient with yourself. Remember, it’s easy to lose hope when frustration sets in.”

“Yeah, see, patience isn’t really my strong suit,” she admits sheepishly.

“It’ll have to be,” I reply. “Close your eyes.” She hesitates, uncertainty flickering in her expression.Come on, trust me.

Eventually, she complies. I move behind her, lightly placing my hands on her shoulders. “Breathe. I’m right here with you. You can let your guard down—nothing will harm you here. I’ll try to guide your Shadow with mine.”

“You can do that?”

Honestly, it’s something I’ve never attempted with anyone else. But I believe it’s possible. It has to be if I want to help her. There are various ways to bond Shadows, but trust is the key ingredient.

“It can happen when two practitioners trust each other completely,” I explain. “And that’s what I need from you. Trust me.”

This time I do say the words out loud and hope she decides to believe them. Ineedher to believe them. So I can keep her safe.

Ever so slowly, I notice her shoulders beginning to relax under my touch. Her breathing evens out, and the tension that had coiled tightly within her seems to melt away. She’s letting go of her defenses, trusting me with something deeply personal, and I’m determined not to let her down.

“Where do you feel your Shadows when you think about them?” I ask. I keep my voice calm and steady, not wanting to break her focus.

She takes a moment, searching for the right words. “In my chest...”

I tilt my head in curiosity. Most Predators experience their Shadows in their minds or muscles, so her answer is… unexpected.

I step in front of her and hesitate. I need to put my hand where she feels her Shadows, so I can help draw them out, but as I’m standing there watching her chest move up and down steadily, her eyes closed and her posture relaxed, my thoughts are less about training and more about… other things.Forbidden things. Definitely dangerous things that match her equally dangerous attire today.

Shit, Simon. Not the time.

I take one last long, lingering look to satisfy my craving and then place my hand on her chest. Beneath my touch, I sense a foreign energy anchored in her heart, drawing from her chest.

My own magic tingles in response, and I feel my bear’s presence stabilizing around me. Our Shadows are manifestations of our inner energies, and by connecting hers with mine, I hope to coax hers into the light.

“Focus on your chest. Let the power flow through you,” I instruct.

Her breathing quickens, a telltale sign that something is stirring within her. “I can feel your energy too,” she whispers, her expression twisting with concentration. “It’s—oh.”

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