The Dark [2]

shadowvapor

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I'M MEANER THAN MY DEMONS

I'M BIGGER THAN THESE BONES

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AND I'VE GROWN FAMILIAR WITH VILLAINS THAT LIVE IN MY HEAD

THEY BEG ME TO WRITE THEM SO I'LL NEVER DIE WHEN I'M DEAD

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SOPHIE gulped as Alden led her to the throne room. Fitz was at her side, and even though his presence normally was the only thing she'd ever needed to calm down, her heart was still racing. Biana and Keefe were following closely behind, soft whispers echoing throughout the halls. 

What was she even worried about? She'd had her shadowvapor read before, and it was fine. Strange, but not bad. 

Yeah, yeah. She'll be fine, nothing to worry about.

Her mind flashed to the dreams and the urges she'd been having. Dreams of dark figures and flames, and strange urges to become something she didn't even know was real. Then there were the migraines. She still hadn't told anyone, and she wasn't planning to. She could fix it her on own. She could fix everything on her own.

The guards opened the door as they approached, and Fitz laced their fingers together. She looked up and tried to smile, but her stomach was tumbling so hard she couldn't even manage it.

Emery and Bronte stood off towards a window, looking up when the group walked in. Emery's eyes narrowed in on Sophie and Fitz's hands, Sophie dropping them almost immediately. Fitz looked over with a hurt glance, but Sophie stared ahead, not sparing anyone a second glance.

"Tam, come out please," Alden said, his cape flowing behind him.

The boy sunk out of the shadows, looking out of place amongst all the luxury. His eyes landed on Sophie and he stared her down. He'd never been one for normal greetings like a smile or a nod. His stare sent shivers down her back.

"We thought you'd be more comfortable with a Shade you knew," Emery explained with a tight smile.

Sophie nodded. "Can we get this over with?" she asked weakly, trying and failing to convey a confident exterior.

Tam's shadow passed over hers. "You ready for this?" 

His voice seemed different, warier, anxious. Almost as if he was just as nervous for the results as she was. 

I'll be fine, she transmitted. 

"I've found that every time you say that, it never comes true," he mused.

Sophie looked away and Tam sighed. He looked towards the king who nodded. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Fitz's hands clench, and Biana grabbed Keefe's arm, looking away.  Tam closed his eyes, his shadow stretching over her body and Sophie's teeth ground together. A rush of coldness passed through her, freezing her body from the inside out. Vaguely she remembered a time when she'd been burning from the inside out. Pain shot through her head and it took everything in her not to crumple to the floor. Tam's brow furrowed before he gasped.