Page 65 of Shadows of Change

"Start from the beginning," I say finally. "I want to know everything."

They exchange glances, having one of those silent conversations that should irritate me but instead makes something in my chest ache. It’s the kind of ache that comes from watching people care—because that’s what this is. And from realizing, despite all my efforts to push everyone away, they’ve stayed. It’s unfamiliar and raw, a strange mix of gratitude and fear.

Finally, Finn speaks up.

"It started with Bob, actually," he says, grinning when Malrik rolls his eyes at the name. "Your shadows have been trying to warn you for weeks. But only a few of us could see them."

"What do you mean, see them?" I look between him and Malrik.

"Most can see the effects," Malrik corrects. "The way they move things or create patterns with actual shadows. But the shadows themselves?" He gestures to where Bob is currently trying to steal another cookie. "Most people just see disturbances in the light."

"But you can see them clearly," I say slowly. "Both of you."

Finn nods. "In living color. Or, well, living darkness. Whatever. Point is, they've been putting on quite a show trying to get your attention."

"They were especially dramatic around Darian," Malrik adds dryly. "Though subtlety isn't exactly their strong suit."

As if to prove his point, my shadows start reenacting what looks like an interpretive dance of their dislike for Darian. Mouse watches with what I swear is amusement.

"Okay, but that doesn't explain why you were all at the ball tonight," I press. "Or what happened with the constellations."

"That was my fault," Malrik says, surprising me. "I caught Darian researching soul bonds in the library. He didn’t want me to know what he was looking at and seemed a little too calm for it to just be nothing.” He takes a breath, like this is hard for him to admit. “The things he was researching… it wasn’t just soul bonds, but honestly I’m not sure what to make of it yet.”

"Which is why we were watching tonight," Finn adds. "Though I still say my chaos distraction plan would have worked better."

"Your plan involved releasing enchanted origami birds into the punch bowl," Malrik reminds him.

"Exactly! Pure genius."

Despite everything, I feel my lips twitch. "You're all ridiculous," I mutter, but there's no heat in it. "So let me get this straight," I say, picking at a cookie. "You've all been secretly coordinating to protect me because my shadows told you Darian was suspicious?"

"Well, when you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous," Finn grins, then yelps as Bob swats him with a shadowy tendril. "But you have to admit, they’ve been acting weird.”

I look down, a little ashamed because I know he’s right and I chose to ignore it.

"It wasn't just the shadows," Malrik says quietly. His silver eyes catch mine, and something in his gaze makes my heart stutter. "There are... patterns, in shadow magic. Rules. The way Darian watched you—studied you—it felt wrong."

"And the way Thorne kept pushing you in training," Aspen adds. "Always testing your limits, but never explaining why."

Torric's rune flares briefly. "Plus, Darian's a creepy bastard."

"Very diplomatic, brother," Aspen sighs.

"What? Am I wrong?"

I almost smile, but then another thought hits me. "Wait. Is this why you've all been... you know..."

"Charming? Devastatingly handsome? Excellent dance partners?" Finn suggests innocently.

"Around," I finish, ignoring the way my cheeks heat. "Always showing up when I'm training or studying or—"

"No," Malrik cuts in, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "That was..." he pauses, looking almost uncomfortable.

"That was just us wanting to be around you," Finn finishes simply. "The protective stuff came later."

"Oh." I look down, watching my shadows swirl gently around everyone's feet. They seem completely at ease, especially with Finn and Malrik. Even Mouse has abandoned his usual alertness to sprawl across Finn's lap.

"We should have told you sooner," Aspen says again. "But we were worried—"

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