Enter the Shadows (1st Edition) [SAMPLE]

Choices Are - 3 | v

They got closer. Marx and his little exercises were doing more than just creating some hoodoo mind link between them. Penny wasn't even sure when she had stopped being mad at Lochlan, for what he had done to her. When she tried to rouse the anger again there was nothing there. She was where she wanted to be. Lochlan, Black, Marx and his scary pack of red-eyed wolves were starting to feel like family. She hadn't had one in such a long time the thought scared her. Even more so with the danger that was prowling in the woods to get them.

More and more she was starting to grow disconnected from the life she had before. Now she didn't feel like there was a gaping hole in her chest. This new life that was taking form around her was giving her something she never knew she desperately wanted, and that was a family. As weird as they were. Sometimes she felt guilty that maybe she was getting more out of this arrangement than they were. She had brought nothing but danger into their lives after all.

Penny sighed, framing Black's face with her hands. "Am I being selfish Black? It's not like I can leave now anyways but I feel – bad. I dragged you all into this mess. If something were to happen to you guys it would kill me." She sighed again, dropping her hands. "I'm useless to protect you guys. I'm scared all the time. One minute I want this, and the next I want something else. I can't seem to make up my mind." She stared deep into his eyes and felt as if Lochlan was staring back. It was an eerie feeling.

"And what is the little princess sulking about now?"

Marx stood over her, hands in the pockets of his jacket. He didn't glare at her as much anymore. An improvement? She stood up.

"Would you teach me how to defend myself?"

Penny could tell he had not been expecting that. Black bounced into her side, and she fanned him off. Marx smiled knowing that Lochlan was not pleased with her proposal.

"You'll never be able to kill a werewolf."

"But if I can make one bleed I can work with that."

For the first time, she heard him laugh. It was a deep throaty laugh that vibrated through his entire body. She found herself smiling.

"What about Lochlan?"

"He tied us together without my consent. I don't believe he's in any position to do anything, but sulk in a corner."

This had Marx laughing again before he sobered up giving her a stern look. "I won't go easy on you."

"Didn't think easy was in your vocabulary."

Lochlan, of course, gave her his thought on her training to fight werewolves. Penny listened, allowing him to get it all out before she said, "Do you intend to compel me not to?"

He couldn't answer.

"Then I guess it's my choice."

Marx taught her more than defense. He taught her about herbs; the ones that cured, and the ones that killed. Penny was a fast study and found that she liked it. She even liked Marx. Except for when he held her in his dark gaze, not saying a word. Then he would call her stupid girl, but it sounded more like a kind of endearment than an insult.

"You can't move."

Penny nodded, flexing and clutching her fingers. She felt a warmth seep into her mind, one she now knew came from Lochlan. Their minds were melding, slowly, but surely. They could be longer distances from each other, and that only made her want to practice more. The less she was a handicap to him, the better.

"Just go. I got this."

He hesitated, taking two steps back. Penny tensed, preparing for the tightening in her chest. The debilitating anxiety that would sweep over her. The aim, like every time they tried to widen the gap, was not to freak out. She needed to accept the anxiety, but not allow it to swallow her whole.