Page 73 of Darkness and Deceit
She turns her eyes back to me. “I’m serious about what I said earlier,” she says quietly.
I nod once. “I know.”
“I’m done waiting around to be rescued,” she continues, voice firmer now. “I came here to become a Protector like my father and it’s damn time I use my abilities to help those I care about.”
I know that feeling too.
For a moment, neither of us speaks. Finally, I say, “Then we’ll continue where we left off. See where your power pushes back.”
I reach across the space between us, brushing my fingers against hers. She grips my hand once then she pushes up from her chair, her muscles obviously stiff.
She pauses, hovering near the door like she’s not quite ready to go. I rise to meet her, and lean in, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Shower. Sleep. Whatever you need. I’ll see you this afternoon on the training grounds.”
She nods. “Thank you. For… everything.”
I watch her leave, sensing a change in my heart. There's a calm, unwavering certainty that I'd go wherever she leads—even if it ends up breaking me.
Lilith’salready waiting when I arrive at the training grounds, pacing along the far edge of the field. The fading light casts long streaks across the stone, catching the purple streaks in her braid as it swings behind her.
She looks… better. Not completely rested, but enough to dull the sharp edges of exhaustion she’s been carrying for days.
“You look like you finally slept,” I say as I approach.
She glances over, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Yeah. Got in a few hours. Showered, too. Vaughn threatened to sedate me if I didn’t.”
I snort. “Sounds like him.”
“I knew if I went back to my room, I’d crash too hard,” she says. “So I found a bench outside the library. Close enough to run if something happened with Kai.”
My chest tightens. “He’s okay,” I say softly, even though we both know that’s not a guarantee. “Still holding on.”
She swallows hard. “I just… I can’t sit still anymore, Simon.”
“Then don’t,” I say, motioning to the center of the field. “Let’s get to work.”
Lilith rolls her shoulders back and steps into the open, wind tugging at the hem of her black t-shirt. There’s weight in her posture now. Purpose.
“We’ve coaxed your fox and deer out before,” I remind her. “Last semester with my bear. Do you remember what it felt like?” I ask, meeting her eyes.
She nods, lips parting. “I do.”
“We’re going to do that again.”
I extend my hand, palm open. My bear stirs beneath my skin, a low ripple of heat that pulses through my core. A shimmer of golden smoke threads between my fingers as my Shadow begins to take shape. It snarls into form beside me, massive and watchful. Its amber eyes fix on her like it remembers her, too.
My bear pads forward and lowers its head toward Lilith in greeting.
She doesn’t back away.
“Breathe,” I say gently. “Let the bond settle. Then reach for them.”
She hesitates. “What if they don’t come?”
“They will.”
“They didn’t before.”
“You weren’t ready before.”
