Page 29 of Shadows Rising

But the truth is, I’m none of those things anymore. Not really. Not since I watched Kaia fall and felt something primal and ancient tear through the careful walls I’ve built around myself.

Not since I realized I might love her in ways I have no right to.

Chapter 15

Torric

I push off the railing, exhaling sharply. I shouldn’t leave him alone like this, not when he’s spiraling, but I don’t know how to pull him out of it this time. And I don’t think I can do it alone.

I take the stairs two at a time, my mind racing. Malrik. Out of everyone, he’s the only one who might be able to cut through Aspen’s walls. They don’t always get along, but Malrik sees things the rest of us don’t. He understands Kaia in ways I don’t even want to think about, and Aspen is losing himself because of her. Because of what we’ve become.

I find him near the sanctuary’s entrance, his silver eyes distant as he stares toward Kaia’s room. Even now, with everything going on, she’s still on his mind—I see it in the way his fingers twitch, restless. His gaze flicks to me the second I step into the room.

“Something wrong?”

“It’s Aspen,” I say, hesitating just long enough for Malrik’s expression to sharpen. “He’s… not handling things well.”

Malrik doesn’t blink. “You mean he’s falling apart.”

I grit my teeth. “Yeah.”

He exhales slowly, standing. “Where is he?”

“Upstairs. He—” I hesitate, rubbing a hand over my face. “He thinks he’s a monster.”

Malrik’s expression doesn’t change, but I see the flicker of something behind his eyes. Understanding.

“Of course he does,” he mutters. “Because he is.”

I stiffen, but before I can snap at him, he shakes his head. “Not in the way you think, Torric. Not in the way he thinks.” His silver gaze sharpens. “We’re all monsters in our own way. What matters is what we do with it.”

I huff out a breath, tension still coiling in my chest. “You gonna tell him that?”

Malrik smirks, but it’s sharp, edged in something dark. “I’ll make him listen.”

I almost feel sorry for Aspen. Almost.

We move through the halls in silence, the shadows flickering against the stone walls. I keep my gaze ahead, focused on the path toward the balcony, but Malrik doesn’t let it go.

“You think this is just about Aspen?”

I exhale sharply. “He’s the one who’s losing it.”

Malrik hums like he’s unconvinced. “And you’re not?”

I cut him a glare. “I’m fine.”

His silver eyes flick toward me, unimpressed, cutting straight through the lie. “Sure you are.”

I roll my shoulders, tension creeping up my spine. “Aspen’s the one who won’t talk to anyone. He’s the one pulling away.”

“And what are you doing, Torric?” Malrik’s voice is too even, too measured. “You think you’re handling this better just because you’re not standing on a balcony, looking like you might snap in half?”

My jaw tightens. “This isn’t about me.”

He scoffs. “If you say so.”

I grit my teeth, shoving a hand through my hair. “I didn’t come find you for a therapy session, Malrik.”