Page 49 of Secrets and Shadows

Lilith’s eyes fly open as she gazes down at the bright mass forming before her. It struggles but persists, a luminous glow illuminating the space around us. My bear separates from me, charging toward the light with a fierce roar. Sensing the added strength, the light reacts and transforms, revealing her Predator and Prey—a fox and a deer.

“Good. Now I want you to use your Shadows on me, not your body,” I say firmly.

“I can’t—” she protests.

“You can,” I insist, my tone unwavering. “You can trust me, Lilith.”

“Simon…” Her voice wavers. I recognize the fear radiating off her. It’s the same as my own when I first manifested my bear Shadow, the buildup of magic and the buzzing of it under your skin… It can be terrifying.

“Attack me, Lilith. Don’t you want to feel safe and in control if something happens?” I urge.

She nods, but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes. I really wish there was an easier way to help her, but aside from heading back into the forest, this is our best shot. Honestly, I’d much rather be right here with her than let her go in that forest ever again.

“But—”

“Do you really want to feel powerless and helpless again?” I push, my voice rising a notch and using the words she said to convince me to train her. “Do you want to die?” Those last words hit hard, and I can barely get them out, but I stand by them. It’s the reality we’re dealing with, no sugarcoating it.

Lilith nearly died in the forest. And I nearly let it happen. I don’t think I could handle it if—

Then I see it—a spark lights up in her, and something clicks. Her fox leaps into action, launching itself at my bear with a surprising ferocity for something so small. It taps into its power and tears into my Shadow like it means business.

At the same time, her deer gets in on the action too. Normally, Preys are all about healing, but right now it’s charging in with its massive antlers like it’s ready to throw down.

Wow, that’s… new. Normally, Preys shy away from a fight, letting the Predators handle the heavy lifting. But I guess these are some pretty wild circumstances we’re dealing with.

Lilith’s whole vibe shifts dramatically. Not only are her Shadows coming at me, but she’s diving in with everything she’s got. It’s like she’s flipped a switch and transformed into someone completely different.

Her once soft gaze turns icy and strategic as she throws punches my way. I dodge them easily enough, but I can feel the raw power behind each strike. Her movements are fluid and instinctive, her strength supercharged by her Shadows.

I notice her forehead glistening with sweat as she lunges at me, and a wave of concern hits me. She might be pushing herself way too hard, way too soon.

Instead of hitting back, I stay in a defensive position, keeping a close eye on her movements. I take mental notes on what we can work on together in the coming weeks to help her improve.

Rather than slowing down as I expect, she ramps up the intensity, unleashing a flurry of punches fueled by sheer tenacity. The fight is getting more intense, and it’s clear she has no plans to back off.

What started as a warm-up is now an all-out assault. She zeroes in on my weak spots—like my ribs—pushing me back with the force of her strikes. And even though I could easily defend myself, I hold back, not wanting to hurt her. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my bear mirroring my actions, staying observant but not engaging. Good.

Sweat drips down my face as I struggle to catch my breath while she continues her relentless onslaught, showing no signs of fatigue. When I lock eyes with her, I don’t see the Lilith I know anymore; it’s as if all her rational thought has been replaced by raw aggression. It’s like her attack is led by her Shadows.

“Lilith,” I call out, hoping to cut through the fog. She’s driving me toward the edge of the beach, and I continue not to fight back—not now, not when her well-being and safety are my top priority.

Her name gets swallowed up by the heat of our struggle. She lunges at me, quick and graceful, and we both tumble onto the sand. We grapple for a few seconds, but I manage to flip her underneath me, pinning her hands firmly above her while I push my weight down to keep her restrained.

“Lilith!” I shout again, right in her face, my voice sharper this time, desperate to snap her out of whatever trance she’s in. “Renegade!”

She shakes her head, confused. “What just happened?”

Finally, I see a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. I quickly glance over my shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief when I see my bear still nearby. But Lilith’s Shadows are gone.

When I turn back to her, she shifts her weight to straighten her legs under me, and that’s when I realize just how much of my own body is touching hers. Every delicious inch of her chest down to her hips is pressed down into the ground by mine and her slight movement causes friction that leaves zero room for interpretation. Not when there are certain… body parts that are rapidly getting harder the longer I lay on top of her.

I see the moment she realizes what’s really happening, when her beautiful eyes, now clear and focused, widen and her hips roll, threatening to make me lose my mind.

“Your Shadows might be a bit overwhelming right now,” I explain, my voice thick and strained. “They can take control of your body and consciousness sometimes. And you have not one, but two to master.”

I slowly let go of her hands, but my touch lingers a little longer than necessary. “It’s a good sign—they’re powerful, and that strength can really help you. But it also means you’ll need to work harder to master them, especially if you want to summon them when you need them.”

A heavy silence settles between us, thick with unspoken words and so much tension, neither of us willing to break the spell. But we have to—no matter how much I long to lean down and taste her, to close that last inch between us.

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