Page 58 of Shaped By Darkness

How much was lost here?

And not just books, but people?

This was probably someone’s home…

Turning on the spot, I look around, feeling the weight of loss heavy in my chest. I don’t know how I know it, but this isn’t just a dream.

Through the darkness, a shadow winds its way toward me. I don’t move, instead choosing to watch it. I’m invisible, after all; what’s the worst that could happen?

As if alive, the shadow stops only a few inches from my face, and I narrow my eyes as I watch it.

Does it know I’m here?

Shit, that can’t be good! Should I run? No, it will catch me.

I need to wake up!

Before I can figure out how to go about that, the shadow moves again, and the only thing I can do is stand still and hope it doesn’t hurt me. Scrunching my eyes closed, I hold my breath, hoping and praying it will just go through me the same way I did Draven.

Warmth against my cheek has my eyes flying open once again, and I find the shadow pressed to my skin, almost as if caressing me.

Something about it feels familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“Do not fear the darkness, my child.”

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I wake with a start, my mind foggy as the dream begins to fade. Something woke me, though I have no idea what it is. I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep, but it can’t have been long. My eyes refuse to open, feeling like my eyelids are laced with lead, and I swear this bed is more comfortable than it’s ever been, which is crazy because it was pretty comfortable before.

Sol’s arm tightens around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. I sigh, melting into the bed just barely on the edge of consciousness.

Ew, no thanks. I’d much rather sleep.

Just before I can slip back under, something stops me, like an itch in the back of my brain.

With a groan of annoyance, I crack my eye open the tiniest bit and almost scream.

Storm is here, sitting on the opposite end of the bed, watching me.

“What’s wrong?” Sol asks, his voice rough with sleep. I don’t answer; I don’t really feel like I need to as he blinks open his eyes and finds his brother watching us.

Sol groans, flopping back on the bed. “That’s not freaking creepy at all,” he mumbles, throwing his arm back over his eyes, and I’m pretty sure he’s asleep again.

Huh. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one suffering from a lack of sleep. Sol’s breathing evens out again, and I shake my head at him. Apparently, it wasn’t too creepy.

“What do you need?” I manage to get the question out without stumbling over the words, and I almost pat myself on the back.

I’m not mad at Storm the way he seems to think I am, but I am hurt. His staying away has left yet another hole in my chest, but he chose this one. In the beginning, I thought he was just trying to sort through his worries and grief. He almost lost his twin,and he did lose his best friend. The guys have always all been close, but Lyle and Storm were like two peas in a mean-ass pod.

Storm isn’t great about sharing emotions, never has been. I didn’t want to push him. I thought he would come to me if he needed me.

I was wrong, though.

He clearly doesn’t need me the way I do him, and while that stung, it hurt even more to know the only reason he stopped avoiding me completely was because of the bond.

I’d been so happy to have him back that night when he showed up here, but he quickly squashed that. I’ve been carefully avoiding him and any thought of him since.

I don’t have time to have my feelings hurt, not with Lyle still out there, alone, a pawn to whatever Draven wants.

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