Page 29 of Echoes From the Void

“Comprehensive visual guides,” Bishop corrects automatically, but his new oath marks pulse warmly. “Though the PowerPoint format does have certain organizational advantages?—”

“Please don’t encourage him,” Tori groans. “The last presentation had forty-seven slides about proper shadow etiquette.”

“Forty-eight,” Dorian says. “The appendix about correct ritualistic posture was vital.”

“And that’s Dorian,” I finish. “Immortal librarian with a color-coding obsession and definitely not secretly caring about all of us.”

“I simply maintain appropriate academic interest in unique metaphysical phenomena,” Dorian sniffs, but his temporal energy reaches tentatively toward Finn’s light like he can’t quite help himself.

“And you’re Tori,” Finn says softly, his attention shifting to where she tries to fade into the background. His light reaches for her shadow, gentle but insistent. “The one who reads to me when I’m sleeping.”

Tori flushes deep red. “I—that was just—I mean—someone had to make sure you didn’t miss any coursework and?—”

“Pride and Prejudice isn’t exactly required reading,” I point out, earning a glare.

“The classics are important for cultural context!”

“You read him the part about Mr. Darcy in the lake three times.”

“It’s a pivotal scene!”

Finn’s laugh is weak but genuine, his light dancing with amusement. “I liked the lake scene.”

Tori somehow blushes harder as her shadow reaches back toward his light. Through our twin bond, I feel his happiness at her reaction, pure and bright as sunrise.

The moment breaks as void energy pulses against the windows. My wolves tense, Matteo’s fangs descend, and Bishop’s oath marks flare. But before anyone can move, Finn’s light and my shadows merge instinctively, creating a barrier that makes the void recoil.

“Fascinating,” Dorian breathes, already scribbling notes. “The harmonic resonance between twin powers appears to naturally stabilize reality fractures. Perhaps if we could measure the frequency patterns?—”

“Dorian,” Leo interrupts gently. “Maybe save the science for when they’re not actively protecting us from void collapse?”

“The frequency measurements are vital for—” He stops as one of my wolves gives him the most judgmental look I’ve ever seen on an ethereal face. “Though I suppose they could wait until morning.”

“Speaking of morning,” Tori says pointedly, “someone needs actual rest. Not this power-napping while pretending to be alert thing.”

“I am alert,” I protest, then ruin it by yawing.

“Sure you are,” she says dryly. “Almost as alert as Leo during 8 AM classes.”

“Leo doesn’t take 8 AM classes.”

“Exactly my point.”

“Tori.” My voice stops her as she tries to slip away. “It’s okay, you know. What you’re feeling. The way your shadow reaches for him.”

She flushes deep red. “I don’t—I mean—he’s your brother! And I’m not—we barely—it’s not like?—”

“Now who sounds like Bishop in faculty meetings?” Leo grins, dodging the pen she throws at him. “Though he usually includes more references to proper shadow protocol.”

“The protocols exist for a reason,” Bishop mutters, but his eyes track between Tori’s nervous shadow and Finn’s welcoming light with tactical assessment.

“Some bonds strengthen others,” I say softly, remembering how my own pack formed—one connection leading naturally to another until we created something beautiful. “If we let them.”

“Besides,” Leo adds, “anyone who can quote Pride and Prejudice while fighting void corruption gets automatic pack approval. Right, Dorian?”

“I neither approve nor disapprove of potential emotional entanglements,” Dorian says primly. “Though I suppose her organizational skills are... adequate.”

From Dorian, that’s practically a marriage blessing.

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