Page 16 of Shadows of Change

I glance down to see my shadows reaching mischievously for Aspen's water flask. I quickly pull my focus back, trying to ignore Finn's knowing grin. "Sorry, I'm just having trouble concentrating."

Aspen's expression softens. "The magic will come. You just need to find your center."

"That's the problem," Torric says, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "You're fighting your instincts instead of working with them. Watch." He drops into a fighting stance. "Try to defend yourself."

"Wait, what—"

He launches forward, flame wreathing his fist. This time, instead of my personal shadows reacting, I manage to pull darkness from the air itself, forming a visible black barrier. The fire crashes against it with a hiss.

"See?" Torric's grin is wild and bright. "When you stop overthinking, you know exactly what to do."

"Great," I pant, letting the construct dissolve. "So I just need to be attacked to use magic properly. Really sustainable training method there."

"I mean, I volunteer to keep attacking you," Torric offers with a wink that makes my stomach flutter traitorously.

"Or," Aspen cuts in smoothly, "we could try something less likely to end in injury."

Finn, now sprawled on the ground, flashes a grin as chaotic as his commentary. “Let them fight. Ten coins on Kaia dumping him in the fountain.”

I groan, fighting the smile threatening to form. “Don’t encourage anyone,” I mutter, though my shadows ripple eagerly, feeding off the energy of the moment.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Aspen watching me, his expression unreadable. For a split second, it feels like he seessomething in me that I don’t understand. It’s unsettling—but I don’t have time to dwell on it, not with Torric about to charge again.

"Let's take five," Aspen says, tossing me a water bottle. "Before Torric actually does burn something down."

I catch it gratefully, but before I can drink, one of my shadows knocks it sideways, spilling water down my shirt.

"Hey!" I sputter, glaring at the invisible culprit. "What was that for?"

"That one's definitely Patricia," Finn announces, materializing beside me with his usual impossible grace. "She's got attitude."

I stare at him. "You're... naming my shadows?" Then it hits me again. "You can actually see them?"

"Obviously." He points at my largest shadow, currently trying to look dignified. "That's Bob. Very serious fellow. Takes his job very seriously." The shadow actually straightens up at this, and I swear it preens.

"You can't just—" I start, but Finn's already pointing at another one.

"And that troublemaker over there? That's clearly Finnick."

"Finnick?" I repeat incredulously.

"Named after yours truly," Finn says with a dramatic bow. "A true agent of chaos."

As if to prove his point, Finnick tries to trip Torric, who stumbles and swears.

"Stop naming the shadows," I hiss, though I notice Bob is now actually responding when Finn addresses him. "They're not pets!"

"Tell that to Bob," Finn grins. "He's already practicing his guard dog routine."

Indeed, Bob has positioned himself between me and where Malrik lurks in the distance, looking distinctly protective. I hadn't even noticed when the brooding man arrived.

“And that overachiever?" Finn grins, pointing at the shadow looping endlessly around my ankles. "As I said, definitely a Patricia. Type A vibes, for sure.”

Patricia bristles, clearly offended by the nickname, while Bob gives an approving nod like he’d been waiting for a second-in-command.

I drop my head into my hands with a groan. "This isn't happening."

"I still can't believe you can see them," I say, watching Finn interact with my shadows like it's the most natural thing in the world. Bob hovers near him attentively while Finnick seems determined to live up to his namesake by creating as much chaos as possible.

---