Shadows of the Night | BOOK 2 DRAFT

7

7.

Eric doesn't follow me. As I stomp through the forest, I'm glad; his words are haunting enough.

Sticks crunch beneath my feet as I whack through the foliage, heading back to the castle. The sun beats down on my back. Beads of sweat gather at the nape of my neck. My blood boils beneath my skin, but I feel bone achingly cold because Eric's words have only voiced my deepest insecurities.

I'm useless. I'm a burden. I didn't kill Charles when I could have. I let Cynthia get away. What happened with Elias is all my fault.

The thoughts were easily pushed to the depths of my mind where the only place they could plague me was within my dreams. But Eric's rant drags them to the forefront and forces me to face them. It wasn't paranoia. I'm not the only one who blames me.

I remember being in the kitchen shack that night everything happened. Elias lay unconscious on the table, Charles stood with his back to me, unthreatened. I had a knife in my hand but I didn't hurt him; I couldn't hurt him. And then he took Elias from us.

The wind blows my hair around my face, whispering taunting memories in my ears. The names Cynthia called me when I messed up a recipe because I couldn't read it; the stares of those who'd just come back from their first hunt; the looks of disappointment and disgust on Charles' face when I would disobey him or do something wrong. I'm not who they said I was, I know that now, but nineteen years of being told you're useless is hard to shake off in a matter of months.

I shove through the bush, foot tangling in a weed and sending me flying forward. An arm hooks around my shoulders before I can fall, tugging me upwards and remaining there as I regain my footing. My heart skips a beat as I step back and the arm falls away, raising my head to dark hair and light eyes.

Malik.

"You alright?" he asks.

"Fine." I subtly wipe at my cheeks. The last thing I need is for this stranger to see me crying. "Did Eric tell you to follow me?"

"No. But I thought I should come after you to make sure you're not trying to run away," he says, slightly teasing.

I frown. "Contrary to what he's led you to believe, I'm not completely brainless." Turning around, I continue through the bush.

He follows me, footsteps much more silent. I want him to leave me alone, but there's no way I could lose a shifter, so I just shove past branches and pretend he isn't there.

"Milena, wait." He puts a hand on my arm and forces me to face him. My heart picks up when our eyes meet. It's the way he looks at me, with those icy eyes, like he knows my darkest secrets—things I don't even know myself.

"What?"

"Eric was always rough around the edges, even as a kid," his tone is soft, like he's coaxing a child out of a hiding spot. "Don't let his words get to you."

"I don't."

He doesn't bother calling me out on my lie. Releasing my arm, he smiles. "I thought you should know that we're leaving tonight."

"Tonight?"

"We were on our way to let you know when... well, you know." He waves a hand. "We're taking the wisper with us and heading towards the spot they found her."

"And Eric is okay with me going?"

"I don't think Cassia let him have much of a choice in the matter," he says with a shrug. "Besides, don't listen to him. We need you."

"You don't even know me."

"Maybe not, but Elias did." He leans closer, eyes capturing mine. "And you're living up to every word that he said."

I can't look away from him, my cheeks warming. I know it's stupid, but there's something about Malik that makes Elias feel closer somehow. As if the remnants of their last meeting can stand in as a substitute for his absence; as if hearing the words he spoke about me could ease the guilt I feel for what happened.

I step away, clearing my throat. "What should I pack?"

He straightens his posture too, the kind smile slipping from his face. "Pack for warmer weather and bring any weapon you like. Cassia will take care of food and water. We leave at nightfall."

I nod in thanks and he starts to turn away, heading back the way we came. My heart thumps as I watch him. Three months we've sat here twiddling our thumbs, waiting for something, anything, to elude to where Elias is. And now, thanks to Malik, we've got something.

"Malik?" I call. He half turns. "We can never thank you enough."

"There's no need." A smile tugs at his lips, perfectly white teeth glinting beneath the sun. "Together, we can finally end all of this."

And he turns around and disappears into the foliage. I watch him go, chest tightening. I know he's talking about the shadow, a weapon he believes can end the threat of the immortal hollowers. And though it originates from a myth and Eric has no faith in it, there's determination in Malik's step and hope in his eyes. And for the first time since I heard about the shadow, I start to believe in it, too.

~

We're simply shadows in the night as we linger between the trees, packs slung over our shoulders and weapons at our belts. Cassia stands beside me, the unconscious hollower hanging limply over her shoulder as she watches the figures in the clearing before the castle. Darkness wraps around them like fog. They huddle together, confused and jittery as they peer at the unfamiliar soldiers standing guard around the perimeter.

"What's happening?" I whisper. "Are they happy with it?"

"He's put Aliyah in charge." She narrows her eyes toward Malik and Eric, standing at the front. "Told them we won't be gone longer than a month and that the soldiers will guard the village in the meantime." She pauses. "Harrison isn't happy. He doesn't think Aliyah should be in charge—shocker."

I remember when Harrison's anger was directed at me. It wasn't completely unwarranted at the time, but it burnt hot and fast. Even now, when he looks at me it's only with disgust.

Eric steps back and the villagers chat amongst themselves as Eric and Aliyah shake hands, finalising the decision. We're leaving. I swallow and look away, rubbing my hands against the insides of my thighs to generate warmth and ward off the fear. Three months I've been training for this, ready to face whatever the world chooses to throw at us. But what if it's not enough? What if, when faced with a hollower, I hesitate as I did in the kitchen shack?

"Ready?"

I open my eyes to meet Malik's. In the nighttime, they're even more beautiful, the icy blue like a lightning bolt. Eric stands behind him, but he won't look at me.

I look back at the villagers. They stand silently, watching us as we disappear into the shadows of the forest. The village hasn't been the same since Elias left, but there's something new in the air—hope. They want him back just as much as we do.

"Yes," I say. "I'm ready."

Hiking my backpack on my shoulder, I follow the others. Eric at the front, then Malik and me, with Cassia and the hollower bringing up the rear. A chill runs down my spine. Soon, they'll be wolves, paws thumping against the earth.

The five of us set off into the forest, packs on our backs, and determination in our strides. Because hope wavers on the horizon, and for the first time in three months, we're marching straight towards it.

~

DISCUSSION:

1. What you think might happen next chapter?

2. Do you think they'll find Elias or the weapon first?

3. What other book are you reading right now? Looking for recommendations!