Page 28 of Shaped By Darkness

Ryker releases me, leaving me to stand at the edge of the clearing as he walks backwards toward the center, his eyes holding me hostage.

“Every shifter in the realm is born with the ability to control the four basic elements. Some are strong in their elements and are able to use a more concentrated, magic-heavy version, or at least they used to be able to. With the gods’ disappearance, it seems the magic has weakened, leaving everyone to the basics. All but those blessed by the light and the darkness.”

His words carry around the clearing, rolling over my body like a physical caress, causing goosebumps to raise on my arms and legs as I bite back the urge to shiver.

Ryker would be fantastic at telling spooky stories over a fire. He’s captivating, and I’m not just saying that because I like him.

Wait, what? Pay attention, Serena!

“Light and darkness are only for those of royal blood, hand-chosen by the gods.” He stops walking, somehow landing himself right in the center of the clearing, but even so far away, I still see the way his lips pull down at the corners. “Nobody has been born with the gift of shadows since Salona fell.”

Somehow I know what he’s going to say before he says it, and for a moment in the silence I hope to the gods that I’m wrong.

I never wanted this, never wanted more than a place to belong, a family who loved me…

My thought is cut short as I meet Ryker’s gaze across the clearing and see the same thing reflected in his eyes.

That’s all he ever wanted. I don’t need him to tell me because I can see it; I know the signs. I’ve lived with that loneliness, but not anymore, and I haven’t for a long time.

I don’t want him to either.

I’m stepping forward without really thinking about it, wanting to go to him and tell him he’s not alone anymore, to assure him we will figure this out together, but his next words stop me dead.

“Nobody but you.”

His eyes shine, and I know he thinks I’m important, some great piece to the puzzle and a way to stop his father. I want to be. For him, I really do hope we can stop Draven, and free him from his command.

But right now I’m not even sure I’d be able to save myself, let alone anyone else. If Ryker wants me to save him, he better hope he’s a damn good teacher.

“Don’t go thinking you're too special, though. I might not have been born with the powers, but I still have them, so you’re not the only one.”

His face is tight, his jaw set, and I know he hates what he is; I can see it. But still he tries to comfort me, and I’ll be damned if it didn’t work, if I don’t feel just the tiniest bit better.

“I can teach you from what I’ve read. I can train you from what I know about Draven, but I need you to understand that my powers and yours are not the same. Being born with the shadows is different than having them forced on you…” He trails off, his gaze falling to the ground, and my heart clenches in my chest seeing him like this.

I might not be great with these powers from the gods, but standing here with him—knowing what I do about him, Draven, and the kingdoms—there’s no going back now.

I will kill Draven, even if I have to do it without my shadows, without my beast.

I promise it to the gods.

Ryker finally lifts his head, and I see the determination in his eyes as he lifts a hand and aims at the tree farthest from me. Purple lightning, the color of his eyes, erupts from his hand, and the tree explodes.

We don’t meet every night despite me wanting to. I’m already pushing my luck, and at this point it’s honestly just a matter of time before one of the guys catches me.

I just hope it isn’t Garrett.

Which is terrible, I know.

I shouldn’t be hiding things from him, especially after we’ve been through so much and he’s been so damn understanding… But I just can’t help it.

Iknowhe won’t like this. There’s no way around that, but maybe if I can learn how to save Lyle before he finds out, he won’t be as mad?

Who am I kidding? I’m not even sure I’ll be able to save Lyle, not if it’s determined by my control over my powers.

“Your shadows are a part of you. Being afraid of them isn’t going to help you. You control them, not the other way around.”

Ryker lets his shadows free, and they strike the tree across the clearing. His shadows aren’t the same as mine; where mine are like liquid in the air, his are more like lightning—quick and sharp, the same color as his eyes.

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