Page 16 of The Shadow's Soulmate

I felt my mouth fall open. Both of us at the same time? Fate was working overtime. She didn’t look happy about it.

“So, what’s wrong?”

She shifted in her seat, awkwardly.

“What are we meant to do now? I know they sent us here to find our mates. Some of us anyway. But what’s the endgame? They’re in prison. This is a prison for long term serious crimes. How can that be an ideal place for a relationship? To grow together? We can’t see each other as we please. Let's be honest, a lot of the guards here are downright judgmental and would make it difficult.”

She gnawed at her lip. I could see her mind whirring.

“I don’t know. I honestly don’t. But I have to trust that there is a plan. Or at least enough wiggle room for us to make a plan.”

I paused, unsure whether to risk worrying Heather. She watched me intently.

“What is it, Ella?”

“My mate can see the future. And you are right. Some guards here are simply not to be trusted. They’re up to something.”

Heather nodded.

“Something hasn’t been right with Delaney for a while.”

“Something hasn’t been right with Delaney for his whole life,” I retorted.

Heather snorted, and her mind seemed to wander. I sat quietly.

“I need to know what he did. My mate.”

“To end up here?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded.

“Then don’t shy away from it. Ask him as soon as you can. If you need to know, then honor that feeling. He’s your mate, you’ll work through it together.”

Heather’s shoulders sagged as though a weight had been lifted from her.

“I will. I’ll do it tonight.”

“Tonight?”

She blushed.

“He can visit me in my dreams.”

I leaned forward.

“Tell me everything.”

Chapter 12

Descaris

Iawoke with a jolt from dreams of death and screaming. My mate was staring at me, terrified. Everything felt urgent. Imminent. It was happening soon. It felt like my heart was tearing in two, not knowing if I had moved all the pieces correctly. One thing had become clear to me after so many visions and a night of dreams that felt like truth. There were groups out there looking for an excuse to persecute monsters and I couldn’t give them any ammunition by killing casually. The world had to see that whatever happened here, we were the victims and everything we did was in defense of ourselves and the ones we love.

This was bigger than just me and my mate. And it was important that my mate survived. Not just for me, but for all of us. I wanted to care about that more than I did. But selfishly, I mainly just couldn’t bear to lose her. For her to lose all the opportunities she had ahead.

I felt a wave of anger and violence and rushed to it. The lich stood staring at one of the guards. The one at the center of this, and he looked murderous. I blipped to him and he froze, noticing my presence.

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