Shadow (a Graceling fan-fiction)

Chapter 5

Here's another chapter :) 

Shadow had just closed the door, when it reopened.  Suddenly the mystery boy had crashed into her and had caused them both to fall to the ground.  He landed on top of her; she was pinned to the ground.  She wiggled under him in a feeble attempt to get free.  There was a low growl that came from above.  Aiden looked up and he was face to muzzle with Nox.  Nox looked down at her and licked her nose.  She giggled slightly.  Then she noticed that her hood had uncovered her face slightly, she quickly recovered her face.  “Uh, you wouldn’t mind to let me up would you?”

“Oh, right!”  He stood up and offered her his hand.  She took it and stood with swift grace.  “Sorry about that.”

“Are you sorry about your companion or the fact that you knocked me down?”

“Both.  Look, I followed you out here because I need to ask you a question.  There’s something about you that’s off and I have to know what it is.”  He looked up at her and tried to find exactly what it was that interested him about her.  He reached his hand up to her face and she backed up immediately.  Nox bared his teeth and stepped between them.  He grinned .  “I knew it.”

An almost uncontrollable urge to run filled her, but she stayed put.  “Knew what?”

“You’re Graced, aren’t you?  That’s why your face is covered.  That’s why you mess with my grace.” 

Shadow stepped back, prepared to run.  “What is your grace?”

“Like I’m gonna tell you.  Besides, I asked first.”

“What a childish thing to say.”

“I’m not a child.”  He made a face that made Shadow laugh.  He took a step toward her, his face now serious.  “Please, tell me your grace.  I may go mad if you don’t.”

“You won’t remember, regardless if I tell you or not.  I’m sorry, but I can’t.”  She turned toward the street and walked away.  She felt him behind her.  “Don’t follow me.”

“You can’t stop me.  I work for the king, and as how you should be his property I can……”  Shadow grabbed a small dagger she kept in her boot and pressed in against Aiden’s throat; he was taken by surprise and had no time to react.  “Don’t you ever say that to me again.”  She snarled.  “I am no one’s property.  No one owns me.  No one.”

“Hey now, easy with the blade there.  Little ladies like yourself should be careful with something like that.”

She rolled her eyes, “Oh please, I can use this much better than you ever could.  I’m done with this conversation.”  She lowered her blade. 

“I’ll just follow you.”

“Nox, guard.”  Nox stood in between them. 

Aiden tried to walk past him, Nox proceeded to flash his fangs and Aiden stopped.  He looked after her.  “I’m going to forget you right?”  She nodded.  “Then could you at least let me know your name?  For five seconds?”  She looked him in the eyes for a few moments and turned.

“Shadow.”  And then, she walked away into the night.