Feral Shadow

Epilogue

I stumbled backward as I took in my surroundings. I was stranded in the middle of a circle of trees with leafless branches that gnarled up the sky, silhouetted against the moonlight. 

What I was doing in the woods at night?

A glint of light caught my eye. I looked down to see the amulet around my neck, It's black stone shimmering with the reflection of the moon. 

It's glint suddenly flickered. A shadow moved among the trees, making me stagger. I finally spotted a tall dark figure among the trees.

He stepped into the light.

Shadow.

He was still wearing the clothes I had given him, and on barefoot. Tousled hair fell over his bright violet eyes.

Wolf in Sheep Clothing. I reminded myself. I had to resist his charm. That was all it was. Charm.

"Stay away from me." I demanded, taking a step back.

Shadow didn't move, "Mabel." He said with a crooked smile, "You promised me you wouldn't tell anyone. I trusted you." His smile receded and his brows furrowed.

He was disappointed.

So was I.

"You lied to me!" I countered in rising rage.

I had replayed my encounter with the mages this morning, in mind over and over again. I didn't know what I was dealing with then, I do know what I'm dealing with now. He was an evil deception.

Stepping into uncharted waters never felt stranger.

"I omitted certain truths," He said firmly taking a step forward, "...to protect you"

I scoffed doubtfully, but part of me wanted to believe it. I knew I was gullible then. I wanted to believe him again. I couldn't.
Not after I learned what he is.

"So it's true?" I asked gulping," Are you what they say you are? Mauvius Esparius?"

His name came out as an unholy chant. I  flinched.

Shadow's face hardened, his eyes darkening. "That's what they call me. I don't care anymore. I'm your Shadow now" He answered vaguely.

"No! Answer me." I seethed, "Who are you?"

He let out a prolonged sigh. "Mabel. Mabel. Mabel" He said softly, walking towards me.

I moved backwards till I hit a tree from behind. Shadow stepped closer.

My hand went to grab hold of the amulet but to my horror,
it was not around my neck.

"Looking for this?" Shadow held his hand high with my amulet dangling from his fist. A snide smile danced on his face.

I gulped. It didn't keep him at bay. How did he get that?

Proving the amulet's impotent even further, he leaned in and whispered against my ear, "This doesn't keep me away from you... " His warm breath tickled my skin, making me tense.

"It keeps them closer. " He said pulling back, to meet my gaze.

His bright violet eyes darkened by the shadows around us. "They're using it to track you. to watch your every move."

He coiled the amulet in his fist in one swift motion, and crushed it .The Obsidian stone trickled on to the floor as crumbs from his fist.

If they can track me down- "They'll find you here." Part of me was triumphant for I'd finally be free of him. The other was worried for his fate.