Page 32 of Shadow Seer (Scythe Grove Academy 1)

"It's okay," he promises. "We'll figure it out."

"They're not going to stop. If I don't go, I'll put other people in danger." What if they decide to force more people to go with them? I'm not sure if they would do that, but clearly I don't know much about the Association I've apparently been a part of since I was a baby.

"What else can you do? We could get the Supernatural Retrieval Agency involved, but I'm not sure how much they can do about it. Most people don't even believe the Shadow Association is real," he muses.

"I'd hope supernatural law enforcement knows it's real," I mutter. If they don't, then the world is in a much worse state than I thought.

"We can try? They'd probably be able to put you into protective custody or something."

"Which will take me away from learning about who I am." I sigh. "I'm going to have to go tomorrow."

"Syxe..."

"It's the only way to put an end to this. If I go and refuse to take the oath, they can't do anything about it. I'll have turned out like they say I have to. But I'll deny everything so I don't get trapped."

"You can't go on your own. We can't trust that they'll let you leave."

I bite my lip and try not to cry. I don't normally break down easily. I've learned to deal with my emotions without them to avoid drawing too much attention to myself. But this is the rest of my life. Everything about it is terrifying in a way I don't want to dwell on too much.

"I'll go with you," he says.

I pull back so I can see his face properly. One look tells me all I need to know about his determination levels. He isn't going to take no for an answer, even if it's the one I have to give.

"No, you can't. It's too dangerous. They don't know who you are..."

"They probably do. Especially if they've been looking into you at the academy."

"That's not the point. If you turn up to the oath with me, they'll think you want to take it too. If I'm trapped in a cult, you can't be too. Your family has already lost one person to the Shadow Association."

His lips purse, but I can tell it isn't me he's annoyed at. "Joining was Stephanie's choice. I may not agree with it, but she made her decision as an adult. You didn't. You don't even remember joining the Association."

"I suppose that's true."

"I'm going with you, Syxe. I'm going to make sure you walk out of the door a free woman."

"That might not be possible."

"It definitely isn't if we don't try," he points out. "And if you're going to go, then I'm going with you. If you decide not to go, that's okay too. We'll figure it out no matter what you want to decide."

A small sob escapes me before I can stop it. I cover my mouth with my hand, hoping to stop more from escaping. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair away from my face in a surprisingly intimate gesture. "You didn't ask for this."

"Neither did you."

"True. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to help you. We'll go tomorrow and we'll put a stop to this," he promises. "You have nothing to worry about."

A weak smile crosses over my face. I'm not sure if I believe him, but he'll help me try and that means the world to me. Hopefully, I won't get him too mixed up in my problems.

Though it might be too late for that.

Chapter Fifteen

I'm sick to my stomach as I approach the same door I've been going through for years. I don't want to go back inside, but I know I have to if I want to put an end to this.

Mathias reaches out and takes my hand in his, giving it a squeeze.

The contact helps me to relax, much to my own surprise. I'm not going to question why too much. For now, all that matters is that he's here and I don't have to do this alone.

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