Page 59 of Shadows of Change

But now? Everything's blurred, like looking through frosted glass and I don’t know what to do about it. There’s no more time to dwell about it now, I’m sure Darian is already waiting.

I make my way down to the shadow faction common room and just as I suspected. Darian is already there.

At the base of the stairs, Darian waits in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that makes his gray eyes gleam like polished silver. When he looks up, his expression shifts into something almost reverent.

"You're breathtaking," he says, offering his hand. "I don't know whether to call you a star or a storm."

I manage a smile, though my shadows twitch uneasily. "You might be laying it on a little thick."

"Can you blame me?" He steps closer, his hand warm as it settles on my waist. "Shall we?"

The walk to the ballroom is quick, we make casual conversation but I don’t really remember it. The beat of my heart pounding in my ears, my anxiety, it’s all about to boil over.

The ballroom takes my breath away. Enchanted constellations swirl overhead, casting ever-changing patterns across the crowd. Floating candles drift like stars, their light reflecting off the polished marble floor. The air tastes like magic—sharp and sweet and slightly dangerous.

Darian guides me through the crowd with perfect grace, but I can't shake the feeling that something's off. My shadows brush against my ankles insistently, like they're trying to pull me back.

"You're tense," Darian murmurs, his voice low and intimate.

"Just not used to this," I say, forcing another smile.

His hand tightens slightly at my waist. "You should let yourself enjoy it. After all, you deserve to shine, Kaia."

A shiver runs down my spine at his words, though I'm not sure why. Before I can respond, the music changes to a slower melody. Darian pulls me closer, and I catch a glimpse of Finn watching us from across the room. His usual grin is nowhere to be seen.

"They don't understand you," Darian says suddenly, his voice soft but weighted.

I blink, startled. "What?"

"Your friends," he clarifies. "They care about you, yes. But they don't see your true potential. Not like I do."

"That's not—" I start to protest, but he continues smoothly.

"They mean well. But they're afraid of what you might become. They want to keep you safe, controlled." His thumb traces small circles on my back. "But what if you don't need protecting? What if you need freedom?"

His words sink deep, finding purchase in doubts I've tried to ignore. My shadows twist sharply, and Darian glances down with the briefest frown before his expression smooths.

"Trust me," he whispers, leaning closer. "I can help you become everything you're meant to be."

The way he says it makes something cold settle in my chest, but before I can dwell on it, the music shifts and another voice cuts through the tension.

"Mind if I cut in?"

I turn to find Finn standing beside us, his usual mischievous grin firmly in place. But there's something different in his eyes—something almost fierce.

"Actually," Darian starts, but I'm already stepping away from him.

"Sure," I say, ignoring the way Darian's fingers tighten briefly before letting go. My shadows seem to sigh with relief, curling happily around Finn's ankles.

Finn's grin softens into something warmer as he pulls me into the dance. "You look incredible, by the way. Like some kind of shadow goddess."

I laugh despite myself. "Now who's laying it on thick?"

"Hey, I'm always honest about the important stuff." His hand is warm on my waist, steadying rather than controlling. "Like how Bob's been trying to trip Darian all night. He’s currently doing a victory dance around my feet."

I glance down and can't help smiling at the way my shadows seem to preen under his attention. "You're ridiculous."

"You like it," he says confidently, then spins me in a surprisingly graceful turn.

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