Page 106 of Radiant Shadows

“Get out there!” General Dracul’s voice barked across the campus. “Fend them off the best you can.”

I turned to see a fleet of the oldest mer students and graduates running toward the secret lake outlet to follow the general’s orders. They were dressed in thick, water-resistant Kevlar smart tops, strapped with weapons that I hadn’t seen before.

Fear tightened every muscle in my body—fear that the glass would shatter, that everyone I cared for would drown in the flood or be slaughtered by the bloodthirsty monsters that waited outside.

“Miss Walker,” the general’s voice boomed as he approached.

“I need to be out there,” I declared, lifting my foot to follow the other mer.

“The hell you do,” he barked, planting a firm hand on my shoulder and keeping me from moving. “You’re the reason they’re here.”

I turned to face him, my fear blistering into anger. “That’s exactly why I need to help. I won’t just stand idly by down here while people die for me out there.”

“Yes, you will. The future of all shifterkind depends on you staying safe from those monsters. You are duty-bound to let others make the sacrifices right now.”

“That’s bull—”

“Sir, let me take her out of the school.” The all-too-familiar voice sliced through my heart with a bittersweet sting.

Tobias stepped into view, looking his father straight in the eye with all the confidence of the prince he was. Apparently, his unruly pride had recovered from the staggering blow I dealt him earlier this evening.

The corner of General Dracul’s lip twitched with slight amusement. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down his nose at his son. “And why would I do that?”

“She’s not safe here,” Tobias argued. “If they keep blasting at the glass, the Dome will give, and she’ll be a sitting duck. Sneaking her off campus is our best option.”

“How do you know they’re not waiting for her at the end of the subway?” Ashlyn snapped, fiery as ever.

“Indeed they are,” the general said. “Our soldiers are fighting them as we speak.”

My heart thudded at that news. We really were trapped.

“But there’s another way out,” Tobias intimated, looking only at Ashlyn as he spoke and avoiding eye contact with me. “A secret tunnel along the subway line. For emergencies.” He turned back to his father. “And this is an emergency.”

The general’s stern expression seemed to sober slightly as something passed between them. Another boom shook the ground, deepening the general’s frown and prickling the thick black hair on the back of Tobias’s neck. But neither of them broke from the staring contest they were having.

“Very well,” the general conceded. “I’ll send the Candida boy and a few others with you.”

“No!” I shouted, cutting into the discussion they were having about my life like I wasn’t even here. “I’m not leaving. I’m not going to abandon everyone here just to save my own ass.”

Tobias cast pleading eyes in my direction, finally looking me in the eye. “Arya, please.” He lifted a hand toward me.

I stepped backward. “I said no, Tobias Dracul. I’m no longer your burden to carry. I freed you from that horrible obligation.”

“What is she talking about, Tobias?” the general asked.

“Oh, didn’t your son tell you the good news?” I quipped, ignoring the tears that began to sting my eyes over what I had done. “I used my siren voice to rid him of his imprint on me. He’s no longer my bound protector.”

“What?” the general gasped.

But Tobias didn’t acknowledge his father whatsoever. He just stared at me, biting his lip as if debating something.

“Well, you already hate me, so...” Then he swooped down, picked me up around the waist, and threw me over his shoulder.

“Put me down, asshole!” I yelled, slamming my fists against his back as he carried me toward the main building.

But he seemed completely unfazed by my assault. I sent a pleading glance at Ashlyn, but she only gave me a sad nod.What the fuck?She was just going to let him take me against my will without raising a finger?

I was so fucking sick of everyone else making decisions for me. Every single person at this goddamned school had either bullied me, lied to me, tried to control me, or betrayed me—a few of them had done all four. Well I’d had enough!

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