Page 99 of Shadows of Nightshade
What would this mean for our friendship?
But I couldn’t stop. With every beat of my heart, I knew this was right. “Leave him alone!”
“Bianca…” Instead of anger, Damen’s expression was shocked. But honestly, that was understandable, considering I couldn’t believe I was standing here either. “What are you—”
It happened quickly, yet the moment felt like a lifetime.
A rumble vibrated across the earth, and the wind roared as a tightening spiral of energy shook from behind me. I turned, catching eyes with the spirit as it stood and broke out of his bindings.
“This is all your fault,” he told me. There was a note in his voice that shook me to my core, and I stared.
My fault. My fault. Why did that accusation cause the dread to pool in my stomach?
“And now it’s too late.” But had he spoken that last bit out loud? I couldn’t tell, but I didn’t see his lips moving. Yet his words were a warning, or maybe a threat. It was hard to tell.
Yet there was no time to commiserate before the winding pressure exploded. My hair tangled around my shoulders as the blood-red marks on the ground dissipated, and a savage whirlwind burst outward as the trapped spirit escaped.
I saw it coming—not an attack, but the last remnants of the spirit’s violent departure. It caused the wind to bend into a cold, slicing force as it fought to return to its natural state.
And I was going to get hit with the force of it.
Someone shouted, but it was so far away that it didn’t matter.The only important thing was flight. A breath, a blink after the slightest whisper of a blade against my cheek, and then it was over.
I stumbled forward, grasping for balance over the mossy grass. It was disorientating to again, find myself someplace where I hadn’t been an instant before. Maybe I’d blacked out, because otherwise, how was it possible to be behind those that’d been at my back?
It was a moment suspended in time.
Four enthralled faces—and one dejected, pouty expression belonging to Finn—stared back at me. Shock ran heavy through the group, and the surrounding remorse that followed their unwavering attention threatened to press me into the ground.
What did I do? Were they really that angry?
“S-sorry.” I touched my lips as my voice broke from apprehension. “I-I didn’t mean to.”
Well, actually, I kind of did. The ghost running away, however, was not in my plan.
It was as if the floodgates had opened, and movement scattered across the area. It was Julian—who had been the closest—who reached me first.
“What are you…” he began, but his words trailed in stunned silence. His arms shook as he gripped my shoulders, and his unrestrained gaze was unleashed with a wild disbelief that frightened me. Cerulean blue shone brightly against his face, yet, strangely for someone who’d always been so careful about keeping eye contact with me throughout all our interactions thus far, his gaze did not meet my own.
Instead, his attention had become riveted to my chest. I grew light-headed as the cold night touched my now-exposed skin—because, in the events of the last few moments, I hadn’t entirely escaped the ghost’s attack without lingering side effects. Myfavorite button-down nightshirt had been sliced open from waist to neck, and my meager assets were on full display.
I wasn’t even wearing a bra. And everyone was staring at me.
Modesty took over, and I crossed my arms.
“Don’t look!” I fell back from Julian. My movements were harsh and uncontrolled. I stumbled, slipping onto the ground, as I fell to my knees and wrapped my hands around my elbows. This was, most possibly, one of the most embarrassing moments of my entire life.
They’d seen it, there was no doubt in my mind—and my promise had been broken. I was helpless once again, unable to protect my most closely guarded secret.
My skin crawled as shame caused my throat to choke.
“I’m sorry!” I apologized. “I’m so sorry.” I hid my face behind my hands, unable to stand their shocked expressions.
Something soft was draped over my shoulders, shielding my nakedness. A warmth drew near, and my stomach twisted as Damen’s presence brushed against mine. “Why are you…” he began, sounding entirely puzzled.
I peered at him through the cracks between my fingers, and his question dropped.
The backyard seemed smaller even though we were now missing one inhabitant. Because within the span of my short breakdown, Finn had vanished.
