Page 54 of The Stone Secret
Yarrow chewed on his cheeks. “I’ve never had a sentient shield as a pupil before. This will be…interesting.”
His golden eyes flashed, and for a moment, it felt as if an age of wisdom was looking out at me, but then he blinked, and the impression was gone.
“I’ll speak to Carter,” Flora said.
“It’s settled then,” Yarrow said. “Derek’s training can start next week. It’s important he not only understand his connection to you but also grow as an independent entity if he is to maintain control of his abilities.”
My tulpa was my shield. He was a part of me. And now I needed to explain that to him.
CHAPTER22
Derek was sat on the bed in my old room, his large shadowy form hunched over, head bowed. He looked up slowly as I entered.
“My Cam, I can’t fit.” He pointed at the wardrobe, which now looked tiny in comparison to his form. “I can’t…”—he patted his chest—“shrink.”
Sharniza entered the room, and Derek’s gleaming diamond eyes settled on her.
“Hello, Derek,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you. Again.”
He smiled tentatively, flashing the edge of fangs. “To meet you nice also.” He looked back at the wardrobe mournfully. “I sorry, Cam. I think I broken.”
My heart squeezed painfully in my chest with love. “Hey.” I crossed the room to stand in front of him and block his view of that goddamn wooden prison he’d been confined to for all these years. “You’re not broken. You’re perfect. You’re my best friend, and I’m sorry, so sorry for not understanding what…who you were.”
He peered at me quizzically. “What you mean?”
“Derek, you’re not a boogeyman.”
He blinked slowly. “I’m not?”
“No. You’re my shield. I somehow gave you form, and now you’re a person.” I cupped his cheek. His shadow skin was warm against my palm. “You didn’t want to hurt anyone or scare anyone because that isn’t who you are. You’re a protector.”
“Like you?”
“Yes. Like me. You and I are connected.”
“Best friends.”
I hadn’t been a good friend. In fact, I’d been a terrible friend to him all these years. Guilt gnawed at me. “You’ve been an amazing friend, Derek, butIhaven’t. I grew up and neglected you. I thought I didn’t need you anymore. But you werealwaysthere. Waiting. You deserve better. You deserve to be free.”
His eyes widened. “My Cam, you telling me to leave you?” His panic stained the air, palpable and real. “You want me to go?”
“No!” I clutched his huge hands. “No, Derek. I want you to have a life. Here. With me.” I looked over at Shar. “With us.”
“You don’t have to hide anymore,” Sharniza said.
“I don’t?”
“No.” I squeezed his hands. “We may be connected, but that doesn’t mean you have to live for me. You can have your own life.”
“But…you my Cam. I protect you.”
“Yes, I am, and I’d love you to protect me when I need it, but other than that, you can do what you want.”
“And also train,” Shar added quickly. “Mr. Yarrow can help you become even stronger.”
“So I protect my Cam?”
“Yes.”
