Page 10 of Shadowed Fate

Even in the situation I’m in, I find myself taking in a breath at how beautiful his face is. His eyes are the lightest shade of blue, with thick, dark eyelashes. And his lips are full and generous, contrasting against the sharpness of cheekbones that could cut glass.

I rub my eyes and try to stand. The silent guy—Loch, I assume—steps forward, his movements steady and precise. His eyes, a dark hazel, flick between me and the mass that is now dissolving into tendrils of charcoal shadows, his eyes narrowed and his mouth curled in an expression of distaste.

"She's tainted," he growls, his voice low and gravelly. "Shadow magic's latched onto her."

I bristle at his words. "I'm not—"

"Now, now," the other man interjects, his pale blue eyes glittering in the moonlight. "Let's not be hasty in our judgments, Lochan."

Lochan's jaw clenches. "Callen, this isn't a game. She's dangerous."

"Dangerous?" I spit out, anger flaring in my chest. "I was defending myself!"

Callen chuckles, a sound that unexpectedly makes me shiver. "Tell me, darling, have you always had such a flair for the dramatic?"

His words are light, playful even, but there's a sharp edge beneath them. I open my mouth to retort, but Lochan cuts me off.

"Enough," he snaps, his eyes never leaving the writhing darkness. "We need to contain this."

I watch, transfixed, as Lochan's hands begin to glow with a soft, golden light. The air around us frizzes with energy, and I feel my skin prickle.

The blob surges forward, strands reaching out like grasping fingers. My heart races, panic rising. But Lochan stands firm, his hands outstretched, golden light pulsing from his palms.

"Callen, now!" he barks.

The other man’s casual attitude vanishes in an instant. His eyes narrow, focused and intense. He raises his hands, and a shimmering silver mist swirls around his fingers.

"With pleasure," he replies, a smile playing on his lips.

The two men move with uncanny coordination, operating in unison. I stand frozen, rooted to the spot, mesmerized by the scene playing out in front of me.

A tendril of shadow lashes out, aiming for my throat. Without thinking, I thrust my hand forward. A burst of dark energy explodes from my palm, colliding with the tendril and disintegrating it.

Lochan's eyes widen, a mix of shock and wariness. "How did you—"

"Questions later," Callen interrupts, his voice strained. "Focus, Loch!"

They redouble their efforts. My newfound power pulses through me, dark and intoxicating. I push it outward, fascinated as it merges with their light, creating a swirling vortex that engulfs the shadowy mass.

With a final spiral, the blob retreats into nothing, leaving nothing but a faint wisp of smoke as it disappears.

Silence falls over the forest. The only sound is my heavy breathing. My legs feel weak, and I stumble backward, leaning against a tree for support.

"What...the hell was that?" I gasp, my heart still pounding against my ribs.

Lochan turns to me, his jaw clenched. "That's what I'd like to know," he says, voice low and dangerous. "What are you?"

I shake my head, my mind reeling. "I don't... I don't know. This has never happened before."

Callen steps closer, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Never? Not even a hint of shadow magic?"

"Magic?" I shake my head, then pause. My fingers twitch, and I feel the remnants of the dark energy coursing through me. It's terrifying, but also... exhilarating. "What's happening to me?"

Lochan and Callen exchange a loaded glance.

"We need to get out of here," Lochan says, his eyes scanning the forest. "This isn't over. That thing could come back."

I push off the tree, standing tall despite my shaking legs. "I'm not going anywhere with you. I don't even know who you are."

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