Page 55 of Secrets and Shadows

A smile spreads across my face. Tony is one of the few people that makes all of this… tolerable. I never thought I’d find another best friend as important to me as Natalie, but somehow Tony has become exactly that without me even realizing it. I’m not sure what I would do without his friendship.

“I appreciate that, but I can’t expect you to always be by my side. Even if you did suggest watching over me while I sleep, which is both endearing and slightly creepy.” I nudge him playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

“Well, itwouldmess with my sleep schedule,butlike I said, I’m willing to do it for you.” He leans in closer. “So, what are you writing?”

I glance down at the letter to Natalie. “I’m writing to my other best friend. Actually, I think you’d really like her.”

Tony arches an eyebrow. “Is she anything like you?”

I pause to think about it. While Natalie and I have our differences, we also share some surprising similarities.

“Yes and no. She’s a non-practitioner, but you’d never guess it. She’s much bolder than I am. Fearless. Unstoppable.”

Tony’s face lights up with curiosity and he leans his elbow on the massive wooden desk, resting his chin on his palm. “Well, if you’re writing her a letter, you should mention that your other best friend says hi. I should meet her at some point, don’t you think?”

A small silence stretches between us. Is he suggesting what I think he is?

“Are you… trying to get me to set you up with my other best friend? What happened with that blonde girl you’ve been hanging out with?”

“No, not exactly ‘set us up’—just a friendly introduction. We’ll take it from there.” He grins, but the smile quickly fades. “It’s not working out with her, and I thought it was best if we went our separate ways.”

I can tell he’s hiding something by the way he avoids eye contact. I know him too well.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, trying to coax the truth out of him.

“It’s nothing,” he replies, fidgeting with his glasses nervously. That only confirms my suspicions; he always fiddles with his glasses when he’s hiding something.

“Tony… don’t make me pry it out of you.”

He sighs, glancing away before finally giving in. “Okay, um, well… with this whole Dual situation, she made some comments that I couldn’t overlook…”

My heart sinks. I clench my jaw, guilt immediately flooding through me. “Fucking hell, Tony. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want this to spill over into your life like that. I—”

“Hey,” he interrupts, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “This isn’t on you, Lilith. There’s no way I’d ever stay with someone who talks about my best friend like that. Please. If they can’t appreciate you, then I can’t be interested in them. It’s as simple as that. Her choices say a lot about her—not you.”

“But it’s my fault,” I murmur, staring down at our joined hands. “I have two Shadows, and I know it’s complicated. It’s not fair to you, and now you’ve had to deal with her… with people like her because of me.”

Tony gives my hand a gentle shake, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. “You don’t have to carry this guilt. You didn’task for any of this, and it doesn’t change the fact that you’re my friend. I’m damn glad to be by your side.”

I look up, my eyes stinging a little. “I hate that you feel like you have to justify our friendship. You shouldn’t have to.”

He shakes his head, his expression softening. “I don’t have to justify anything, especially not when it comes to you. The people that care about you know you’re not some psychopath hell-bent on bringing nothing but darkness and chaos to the realm, and that’s all that matters.”

A small smile tugs at my lips, mirroring his, though the heaviness in my chest doesn’t really go away. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise,” he adds like he can sense what I’m feeling.

I nod, the ache of guilt still there, but his words bring a bit of comfort. Glancing down at the half-finished letter to Natalie, I grab my quill and finish it, feeling a little less alone.

Don’t worry, though. I’ve made a good friend here who looks after me just like you. His name is Tony, and he says hi. I think you’d like him—I hope you’ll get the chance to meet him soon.

Please make sure to check in on Mom and Dad from time to time. I’ll write them letters, too, but I know they might not always be completely honest. They won’t want me to worry, so I’m counting on you to keep an eye on them.

Love you always,

Lilith

The door swings open again, and Savina strides in. Her gaze sweeps over the room before landing on us. Tony’s cheeks turn pink, and it’s obvious to me that he finds her attractive, though I doubt he’d never admit it. And who can blame him? She walks everywhere like she owns the place, her hair and makeup flawless.

Being alone with me in the Predator’s library was one thing, but Savina’s presence shifts everything. Tony clears his throat awkwardly while Savina tilts her head, her sharp eyes taking him in.

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