Page 61 of Shadow Bonds

“Are you okay?” the male Shadow that got rid of them asks, as his deep gray eyes scan me for injuries.

“I’m fine. Thank you,” I tell him while wondering what it is he wants.

But he just nods and shares a look with the others before heading out.

Shaking off the strange encounter, I wince when a thumping headache forms, shooting into my left eye. Seconds later, I immediately feel Knox’s bond. His energy slams into me, and the bond instantly opening between us.

“Sena! Stop blocking us out. Damn it!”Knox shouts.

It takes me a minute to answer him, still a little shocked that he just tore down my barrier like it was nothing.

“What the fuck was that?”I ask.

He drags out a sigh of frustration.“You weren’t answering me.”

“I was studying. I just needed some peace and quiet,”I say, feeling shitty for lying to him.

“Come back to the house,”he says with the hint of a demand.

“Why?”I ask wondering if the rumors have already reached him. And if we’re going to start playing their game of tricks once more.

“Cyrus misses you,”he says making me smile in relief.

“And you don’t?”I ask but wince when I realize that sounds like I’m flirting with him.

“Come back,”he says, his voice softer now.

I glance around at the library and see that most left are still sending glares at me. I ignore them and head into another aisle.“Give me an hour.”

“Sena—”

“Just an hour and I’ll be back.”

“An hour. Or I’ll come find you myself,”he promises.

I feel the bond weaken and slam it shut between us. Picking up as many books as I can find on dark energy and runes and shields, I glance around before heading to a hidden aisle near the back.

Sitting down, I start going through them, reading everything and anything I can. The words start blurring and joining together the more I read. And after an hour, I’m still no closer to figuring anything out about the Variants or the rune shields around the academy.

With the threat of Knox coming, I put the books back where I got them and then head out.

Walking into the forest, I think back to Arabella and the others. The video definitely looked real. But it could have been anytime last year with the other Sena.

I know the video is damning. But how could they believe that I’d kill Cora? The look of disbelief in Robin’s eyes constantly replays in my mind.

I don’t care what the other girls think. I know the truth. But I thought Robin was a friend. And if she believes them, then it’s only time before the guys do too.

A twig snaps, and I whip around too late to find three males surrounding me. All are dressed in black from head-to-toe with black masks concealing their faces completely.

Mentally kicking myself for not paying attention to my surroundings, I take a step back when long, dark shadows slash out and wrap around my legs and wrists. They yank me off my feet, and I hit the ground hard.

Pain explodes in my head, shooting down my side. I try to get to my feet as the world tilts and spins. Just as I crawl to my hands, an onslaught of kicks, digs and punches attack my body from every angle making me groan in agony.

As soon as they’ve started, the onslaught of hits and kicks suddenly stops. Seconds later the sound of screams and gurgles claw against my ears as I groan in pain.

I whimper and try to reach out to the guys, but darkness settles across my vision, quickly dragging me under.

Just before I pass out, I spot the blurry outline of a familiar white-haired male rush toward me.

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