Shadowbook

Chapter 16: Umbrateleportation

Karrine was making my life hard, again. The next night I once again ended up crying in my bed, where a certain handsome young man was waiting for me.

I had literally crawled off in school and begged for him to come, hoping desperately that he would come. Then when I got home, I found him in my bed and collapsed on top of him in tears. I felt so pathetic; I felt like I was becoming the little damsel in distress, dependent on her Prince Charming for everything.

Astor read my mind. "No, Nyx. You depend on me because you need me. You would only become the over-dependent damsel if you continued to rely on me when you no longer needed me. All through your life this has been happening. All through your life, you have made yourself walk whilst in pain. Lean on me."

His reply made me feel a bit better, but I was still unconvinced. I sighed. "I just feel so much weaker than I used to. I feel dependent on you, and I've never been dependent before..."

"That is because your stressful foster life has forced you not to be. Your Conscious self is a tough girl who can withstand anything. With me, your Shadow self is a princess who needs to be loved." He kissed my forehead. "Your challenge is to find the balance: Be strong when you need to be and dependent when you need to be. That is integration."

I rested my head against his chest, feeling the comforting thump of his heart. "Thank you... my Prince." I paused, and said, "What's your Conscious self like?"

"Oh, I do not like discussing my virtues!"

I laughed. "That sounds so wrong!"

"Well... I am very loving, and— generous, and sympathetic. I am very compassionate."

"Yes, you are."

"I protect people I care about. I do care about other people; I can just be selfish at times. And I can be wise, I suppose."

"Yes."

"I want to be a good person, but I am not afraid of the parts that are not good. I appreciate them, and integrate them, as all Shadows should." He sighed. "Except my anger. I am a little afraid of my anger." He gently stroked my back. "What happened? What did she do?"

"My hair... she keeps teasing me for my hair..."

"Your hair? Why?"

"Because it's red. It's not the first time I've gotten that. I don't know why that's a problem. She said I have red hair because I was conceived during my mother's menstruation."

"Ridiculous! You have red hair because you were born the day after Beltane! You have the balefires woven into your hair. I love your hair. 'Tis most beauteous."

"Oh! Thank you, Astor! But Astor, why has Karrine continued to be so cruel to me? You preyed on her, didn't you?"

"Oh, Nyx... such improvement only happens in the best of cases. Depending on a person's relationship with their Shadow, they can actually become worse. That is why I prefer to prey on innocent people."


"What?!"

Astor smiled wickedly. "Yes. I frighten them and drain them of energy. Oh prithee, Nyx. If they are innocent, psychological repercussions are far less likely. So, baby," He leaned back casually and got that fiendish look in his eyes. "How shall we get revenge?"

"I don't know, what do you have in mind?"

"Well, you were the one that came up with the brilliant Cherry Syrup Idea."

"Yeah... but I'm not good at hunting."

"I shall teach you how! You, and all your friends. It shall be your next Shadow lesson!"