Page 13 of Fated for Dawn

My hand reached out in my mind, the handle cool to the touch.

“Turn it slowly and let the door open.”

The handle turned, and the door swung open. A rush of cold air and swirling darkness greeted me. I took an imaginary step forward.

“Step through,” Rafe said, his voice distant but clear.

I pulled Rafe with me as we crossed the threshold. The ghostly landscape of the Shadow Realm surrounded us. Wisps of darkness floated like fog, and a bone-chilling cold seeped into my skin. Rafe’s hand in mine was the only warmth.

The towering motherfucker from before loomed ahead, its form shifting like smoke.

Its eyes, like shadows, fixed on us, and it hesitated momentarily as if recognizing something. Hope flared in my chest; maybe it would let us pass this time.

Without warning, the shadow swung its sword with terrifying speed. I screamed as the blade arced towards us, a gust of freezing wind preceding it.

The world spun, and a violent force yanked us back.

The gym snapped into focus, and we tumbled onto the mat, disoriented and breathless. My heart raced, and I clung to Rafe, who looked as shaken as I felt.

“That was the sentinel of the Shadow Realm,” Rafe said, his eyes wide. “It’s guarding the entrance.”

I sat up slowly, the enormity of what we’d just faced sinking in. “We’re not just dealing with shadows? They have protectors? This is going to be even harder than we thought.”

Rafe nodded, his expression grim. “But now we know what we’re up against. This isn’t the end, Evelyn. We’ll get Alister back. Trust me. None of us are giving up on him.”

I closed my eyes, tears threatening to spill over. “I hope you’re right.”

“It’s not about hope,” Rafe said softly but with conviction. “It’s about action. We’ll keep trying.”

So we did.

Again and again.

Each time, the large shadow kicked us out.

After what felt like hours, I collapsed onto a workout mat.

That’s when the others showed up.

Chad bounded over, his usual energy clashing with my drained state. “How’s it going, shadow girl?”

I looked at him, utterly spent. “How do you think?”

Lucien frowned, his gaze sweeping over me. “You look terrible.”

“Gee, thanks,” I muttered.

“I meant,” he said, his sharp gaze softening, “you’re overexerting yourself.”

Ryker, silent as always, leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His intense gaze never left me, and despite his usual stoicism, the tight line of his mouth gave him away.

I pushed myself up on unsteady arms, my body protesting every movement. A wave of dizziness hit me, and I swayed.

Ryker was there instantly—moving before I even registered—his strong arms wrapping around me. The warmth of his embrace made me feel safe like I wasn’t an utter failure.

Rafe explained our lack of progress, and the room fell quiet as its weight settled over us.

“Maybe you need a break,” Rafe suggested after a moment. “Clear your head, reset. Sometimes pushing too hard just makes it worse.”

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