Page 35 of Echoes From the Void (Shadow Locke Shifters #3)
Chapter 34
Frankie
I wake in the deepest part of night, my pack asleep around me in a protective circle. Their essence mingles even in sleep—Matteo’s shadows curled possessively around my waist, Leo’s warmth reaching for me unconsciously, Bishop’s Guardian marks pulsing softly, Dorian’s frost painting delicate patterns across the ceiling as he dreams.
The void pulses beneath us, its hunger impossible to ignore now. My shadows reach for each mate one final time—memorizing how Matteo’s power feels like steel wrapped in silk, how Leo’s essence burns like captured sunlight, how Bishop’s energy hums with ancient purpose, how Dorian’s frost creates perfect balance with my darkness.
I slip from their embrace with shadow-stealth. None stir—a mercy that makes my heart crack. No goodbyes. No last kisses. No chances to stop what must be done.
Finn’s restless energy echoes through our twin bond as he leaves Tori’s sleeping form. His light reaches for my shadows across campus, our shared purpose pulling us together like magnets. We’re bound by more than blood now—bound by the weight of necessary sacrifice.
The void whispers beneath my feet as I move silently toward the door. My wolves materialize without being called, their ethereal forms casting strange patterns over my sleeping mates. One wolf lingers behind, watchful and protective.
Keep them safe, I tell it silently. Keep them warm.
The campus feels dreamlike as I cross it—every shadow holding memories I might never make again. The cafeteria looms ahead, its windows dark except for the approaching glow of Finn’s light.
We meet at the entrance, mirror images in shadow and light. No words needed. We both know why we’re here. Both know what must be done.
“Ready?” I ask softly, extending my hand.
His light twines with my shadows as our fingers lock together. “Together,” he whispers.
Behind us, Shadow Locke sleeps peacefully. Above us, stars wheel indifferently. And beneath us, the void pulses—patient, hungry, eternal.
We step forward, twins in power and purpose, to make our final choice. To save everything we love.
Even if it means sacrificing ourselves to do it.
The cafeteria door creaks open, our combined power making the wards shimmer and fade. Inside, moonlight streams through windows, turning empty tables into abstract shadows. I find myself drawn to my old corner spot, where I used to watch Leo pretending not to watch Matteo during team breakfasts.
“So,” I say as we settle, keeping my tone light despite the void’s pulse beneath us. “You and Tori.”
Even in darkness, I catch Finn’s blush, his light flickering like a stuttering flame. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Really? Because those shadows of hers seem pretty attached to your light.” My wolves circle lazily around us as I lean forward. “Not to mention how she keeps finding reasons to touch you.”
“Says the one with four mates,” he counters, but his smile mirrors mine. His light dances playfully with my shadows. “How exactly did that happen? I mean, I get Bishop—the whole forbidden professor thing is classic. But all four?”
Heat rises in my cheeks as my shadows swirl with remembered pleasure. “It just... happened. Like pieces falling into place.”
“Pieces that apparently involve making out in the library.” His eyes gleam with mischief. “Tori told me about walking in on you and Dorian.”
“Oh, we’re talking about walking in on people?” My shadows dance with amusement. “Because I distinctly remember finding you and Tori in quite the position behind the Guardian archives.”
Finn ducks his head, but not before I catch his pleased smile. Through our bond, I feel how his light brightens at just the mention of her. “She makes everything feel... clearer somehow. Warmer.”
“I know what you mean.” My shadows curl thoughtfully as I think of how differently they react to each of my mates. “It’s like they complete something you didn’t even know was missing.”
We sit in comfortable silence, twins sharing an understanding that goes beyond words. The void pulses beneath us, but for just a moment, we’re just a brother and sister sharing secrets in the dark.
“So...” His light flickers playfully. “Who’s the best kisser?”
“I am not answering that.”
“Come on,” he wheedles. “For science. For twin bonding.”
“For blackmail material, you mean.” But laughter bubbles up despite everything. “They’re all... different. Special in their own ways.”
“Diplomatic.” His light pulses with amusement. “Very political of you.”
“Says the one who turns into a stammering mess whenever Tori smiles at you.”
“I do not stammer!” A pause as his light flickers. “Much.”
Our laughter echoes in the empty cafeteria—normal siblings teasing about crushes for just a moment. My shadows dance with his light, creating patterns that remind me of what could have been in another life.
“You know,” I say, deliberately casual as my wolves circle lazily, “as future alpha of her own pack, Tori can choose as many mates as she wants. It’s tradition, actually.”
Finn chokes, his light flickering wildly. “What?”
“Oh yes. Multiple mates is quite common for strong shadow shifters.” I examine my nails, fighting a grin. “I’m sure she has plenty of options. All those Guardian trainees always hanging around the archives...”
“They what?” His voice cracks as his light flares with possessive panic before he catches my expression. “You’re messing with me.”
“Only mostly.” My shadows curl with amusement. “She really can choose multiple mates. Though from how her shadows reach for your light, I’d say her choice is pretty clear.”
“You’re evil,” he mutters, but his light pulses with pleased warmth. “Absolute evil.”
“It’s the shadow shifter in me.” I bump his shoulder, our essence merging briefly. “Better get used to it, brother dear.”
His response comes softer, serious despite his lingering embarrassment. “Good.”
But beneath us, the void’s hunger grows stronger. Reality settling back in like a physical weight.
Finn’s hand finds mine across the table, light and shadow merging seamlessly. The void’s pulse grows stronger, impossible to ignore now.
“I wish...” he starts softly, his light dimming.
“I know,” I whisper, feeling his regret echo through our bond. “Me too.”
We stand together, our combined power making the air shimmer with possibility. One last look at each other—mirror images of what could have been in a gentler world. One without prophecies or sacrifices or realms to save.
“Ready?” His light reaches for my shadows.
I squeeze his hand. “Together.”
The void beckons below, hungry and ancient. My wolves circle us as his foxes materialize, their ethereal forms creating a ring of merged power. For the first time since finding each other, we face our destiny not as separate halves, but as a whole.
“One last thing,” I say, turning to my twin. My voice stays steady despite everything. “If by some miracle we survive this...”
“Ask Tori out properly?” His smile is soft, sad. Understanding.
“And tell her how you feel. No more stammering, blushing nonsense.”
“Only if you promise to let them take care of you,” he counters quietly. “All of them. No more carrying everything alone.”
Through our bond, memories flow unbidden—his years isolated in Blackwood’s lab, my desperate attempts to protect everyone by staying distant. Both of us, always so afraid to truly belong.
“Deal,” I whisper, though we both know these are promises we’ll likely never keep.
The void beckons, its darkness deeper than any natural shadow. Our ethereal guardians—wolves and foxes—tighten their protective circle as corrupted essence rises to meet us. The air shimmers where our powers merge, light and shadow in perfect balance.
No more words needed. We face the abyss hand in hand, my shadows twining with his light. Below us, corruption writhes with ancient hunger. Above us, everyone we love sleeps unknowing.
We step forward.
We fall.
We choose.
Together.
As we were always meant to be.
Even at the end.
Especially at the end.
The void rises to claim us, but for the first time, we’re not afraid. We have each other. We have purpose. We have love worth sacrificing everything to protect.
My shadows merge with his light as we descend into darkness.
Together.
Complete.
Whole at last.