Page 34 of Wings of Shadow
Nik’s laughter echoes through the phone, and I’m instantly satisfied. Mission accomplished—big brother cheered up, homesickness temporarily abated.
“Keep it up, sis,” he says affectionately. “And I might just extend my stay to avoid your merciless teasing.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I counter, grinning. “Who else would remind you that normal people don’t consider protein powder a food group?”
He chuckles.
For a moment, it’s only me and Nik, trading quips and laughter, our responsibilities temporarily forgotten. It’s a welcome respite from the chaos of the day, and I savor every second of it.
“We miss you too,” I say quietly, emotion thick in my throat. In the fading light, I see it—how every choice, even our separation, ties into something larger.
I almost ask about Samara. About the tension in her voice. The bruises. The haunted stare in her eyes. But the words stall on my tongue. It’s not the time. Not like this. I’ll ask him in person, when there’s nowhere to hide—when I can look him in the eye and demand answers he can’t sidestep.
Instead, I say gently, “Sam loves you, you know. Fiercely. Even when things are hard.” I let the words hang, their meaning clear.
Nik goes quiet. But I don’t fill the silence. I let it settle.
Some truths don’t need to be spoken aloud to be heard.
“I understand now, why you had to go,” I continue. “And don’t worry. I’m holding down the fort here, guarding the threshold between what is and what must be.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, a moment of quiet that stretches just long enough to make me wonder if the call has dropped. Then Nik’s voice comes through, thoughtful and slightly puzzled.
“You sound different.”
My breathing hitches. “Different? What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure exactly,” Nik says slowly, as if he’s trying to piece together his thoughts. “There’s just something in your voice, in the way you’re talking. You seem... older, somehow. More assured.” There’s a note of pride in him as he adds, “Has something happened recently?”
I’m tempted to spill everything—the visions, Kaisner, the fae library. But instead, I force a light laugh. “Oh, you know, just the usual gallery drama. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Hmm,” Nik muses, and I can picture him nodding thoughtfully. “Well, whatever it is, it suits you. I never doubted you for a second, Clarissa. You’re a natural leader. The gallery is lucky to have you… I am lucky to have you.”
His words warm me, even as guilt gnaws at my insides for the secrets I’m keeping. “When are you coming home?” I manage to ask, unable to keep a hint of longing from my voice.
Silence stretches between us, and I can almost picture Nik’s face, the way his brow furrows when he’s deep in thought. “Soon,” he says finally, warm but vague. “There are still some things I need to take care of here. But I promise, I’ll be back the minute this tour is over.”
Disappointment flickers through me, but I set it aside. “I understand,” I say, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. “Just... don’t stay away too long, okay? Paris isn’t the same without you.”
We talk for a few more minutes. But all too quickly, Nik has to go, pulled away by another meeting or conference call.
“Take care of yourself, Rissy,” he says, gentle and sincere. “And remember, you’re stronger than you know. You’ve got this.”
I smirk. “I won’t let you down.”
As the phone call ends, the smile slowly fades from my face. The unspoken truths lodge in my throat like shards of glass, threatening to draw blood if I dare give them voice.
I couldn’t bring myself to speak a word about my visions getting worse, each one more vivid and terrifying than the last. The sudden interest of the fae and vampires in our family’s affairs remains locked behind my lips, information too dangerous to share over a phone line. And Kaisner... just thinking his name sends a shiver down my spine. How could I even begin to explain the jumble of emotions he stirs in me?
These secrets press against my chest, begging to be released. But I push them down, swallowing the words that threaten to spill out. It would only cause Nik grief and worry, and I can’t do that to him. Not when he’s miles away, focused on his journey of self-discovery and the weighty responsibilities of leading our clan.
No, these are my burdens to bear. At least for the time being.
I stare out at the city, now cloaked in velvet dark, lights twinkling like fallen stars. There’s still so much to do, so many challenges to overcome—the forthcoming gala, the opera tomorrow, the ominous visions and prophecies…
But for the first time, I feel it. Not peace, exactly. But purpose.
Yes, the storm is coming.
