Page 47

I know I can’t hold Serena for long, but she doesn’t seem to realize just how easily she could break free. Her eyes are wide as she spins to face me, her shadows having pried her free with ease.

Serena has always been strong; she just didn’t know it, but this, this is so much more than just strength.

No, now Serena is powerful.

She blinks at me in sheer disbelief before she shakes herself and seems to remember she was in the middle of something.

Unfortunately for her, I won’t be letting her run off the way she wants to, no matter how strong she is. Thankfully, I’m pretty good at handling Serena. She’s been my best friend for so long now that being around her is like breathing, and calming her down is damn near second nature.

She charges toward the door, and I’m ready, letting her run into my chest instead of moving. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight to me.

She struggles, but unlike when I held her with my tail, she doesn’t use her shadows, though I’m not even sure she did that on purpose. I know she won’t call on them now; she’s still too unsure with them.

“I can’t let him go off on his own, Blair! He hates what he is, all because of his stupid-ass father and his desire for more power! I have to save them. I have to save both of them,” she cries, giving a halfhearted attempt to break free.

I don’t need to see her tears to know they’re there. After years of holding her while she cried herself back to sleep, I don’t think I could miss them.

“I’m not asking you to let him go, Little Rabbit. We just can’t run after him without some kind of plan. If we’re going to save them, we need to be smart about it.”

She goes still, her heavy breathing the only sound in the room. I feel it when she finally relaxes, trusting me.

There’s never been anyone like Serena for me. I’ve never felt a crush or minor attraction for anyone else—it’s always been her. Serena’s trust is precious to me in a way I can’t explain; I’ll never chance losing it, which is why we need to do this right.

With Serena still and calming down in my arms, I turn my gaze to Theo.

Her brows are knit together, and I don’t need to ask to know she’s confused; it’s written all over her face.

As if she can feel my eyes on her, she looks up, meeting my gaze.

She cocks her head to the side as if she’s never seen me before.

“Is there a way to free Ryker from Draven?” I ask, cutting to the chase.

Theo seems to know a lot more than the rest of us, so it only seems best to ask her.

For a second, she just continues to stare at me, and I worry she won’t answer. She blinks hard once and seems to get a grip before she nods with so much vigor it looks like it should hurt.

“Yes! Ryker is powerful, but if he can’t, then Serena can help him.” Theo smiles, her eyes going back down to Serena as she twists in my arms to face her.

“How can I help him?” Her voice shakes, and I know it’s taking everything in her to stay and have this conversation instead of trying to chase after him.

I can’t imagine how tough it must be for her. If it were me in her shoes, I would be losing it.

“With your magic,” Theo says with a smile, like that’s such a simple fix.

“Fuck!” Serena screams, and Theo’s smile melts off her face, a frown pulling at her lips instead. “Why is that always the answer?” Serena moves out of my arms, pacing the length of the soft pelt rug Theo was petting earlier.

“Everything is dependent on this stupid magic that I have no idea how to control! I didn’t even know I had magic.

For so long I thought I was broken, but now I’m suddenly something special?

” She throws her arms up, waving them around as she rants and yells to nobody in particular, all the while her shadows fill the space around her.

I don’t think she even notices. “Want to save Lyle? Cool, just learn to control your magic. Want to free Ryker from his asshole father? Your magic can do that. Want to stop Draven from killing innocents and free the kingdom from his bullshit? You’ll never guess how to do it!

” She stops abruptly, tossing her arms in the air, looking around the room at the rest of us where we stand watching her.

“Fucking magic, the same magic I can’t control no matter how much I train and try and hope!” Her legs give out, her knees hitting the ground hard enough that I grimace. I know it probably wasn’t enough to do any damage; she probably hardly felt it, but I hate when she’s hurt.

Her shadows fill the space behind her, going so high as to fill the rafters of the already small cabin. Once upon a time her shadows worried me, but now…

Now I can see the way they curve around her, ready to protect her, to do whatever she needs.

I know she’s been struggling with them, but as I watch them, I’m starting to see what Ryker means about trusting them.

Theo doesn’t seem to even notice the shadows as she walks forward, dropping to her knees in front of Serena.

“You have always been special,” she tells her, attempting to meet her gaze even as Serena stubbornly keeps her eyes on the ground.

“Do you not know that your shadows are an extension of yourself? They do not require thought, training, or anything like that. You simply have to trust them. They are a part of you.”

“That’s easier said than done, Theo. The only things I’ve ever trusted in my whole life are these guys.” She jerks her head in our direction, and I see Pike stand up taller, clearly proud of himself.

I know he was worried that Serena would never forgive him for everything that happened with Harlow and his pack, but I knew it was never really a concern. He did what he thought he had to for her and anyone with eyes could see that he was sorry.

“You trusted me,” Theo says, her voice quiet, and she sounds almost unsure.

Rena’s lips twitch, and I know she’s fighting a smile. I can see it in her eyes and the way they sparkle.

“I did.” Serena nods before she huffs and falls back on her ass. She’s still freaking out, but now she’s a little calmer. She needed to get that out so that we can figure this out, together.

“So what am I supposed to do? The only person who could help me with my powers just got called to do gods only knows what by his asshole father.”

Serena pushes to stand, walking back toward us, her shadows slowly disappearing as she gets control of her emotions again. She looks to each of us, and I know she’s hoping for some kind of answer, but we don’t have one, at least not right now.

“Back to square one, but like always, we’ll figure it out together.” All eyes are on me, but I only have eyes for Serena. She holds my gaze for a moment, and I see the determination as it settles over her.

“Together sounds good,” Sol says, stepping up beside her and lacing their fingers together. His touch seems to catch Serena off guard, but it only lasts a moment before she’s smiling at him. He relaxes under her gaze, even if it is only marginally.

“I think I might know someone who could help you,” Theo says, and that gets Serena’s attention.

“What? Who?” Serena all but shouts, whirling around to look at her.

“Your mother.”

An explosion rocks the house, so close that it damn near knocks us over. Theo does fall, but the rest of us manage to stay upright, even if just barely.

Glass bottles fall from the shelf in the dining room, shattering as they hit the ground.

Other things fall around the house, but I don't have time to figure out what they were as Serena once again bolts for the door.

This time it's Garrett who stops her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back into his chest despite the way she kicks and yells at him.

Garrett might not have been the best one to stop her, but beggars can't be choosers, and I'm just happy somebody got her. Whatever is out there isn't to be underestimated.

"Serena," Garrett hisses, as Serena flails like a child throwing a tantrum. She's not really fighting back, not a shadow to be seen, but she's upset with him even if she doesn't intend to hurt him. "Serena!" Garrett yells, his patience running thin, but Serena doesn't care.

Her foot finally makes contact that matters as she flops around, and Garrett releases her with a grunt. Serena is halfway across the room before she looks back, unable to stop herself from checking to see if he's okay, even if he did deserve the accidental kick to the balls.

"Damn it," Garrett groans, bracing his hands on his knees and letting his head drop while he pulls in deep, calming breaths.

"I didn't mean to kick you there," Serena tells him, her words clipped and still angry, but her eyes are full of concern she can't hide. He waves her off, knowing damn well that she didn't; none of us would ever believe she did that on purpose—that's just not who she is.

"Maybe next time you won't try to hold me against my will," Serena snaps, folding her arms over her chest, clearly still upset.

"Doubt it," Garrett gasps through his clenched teeth as he pushes to stand, slowly. "Fuck, Rena, you got me good." He rubs at his crotch, and I watch Serena's eyes dart down to follow the movement, her cheeks turning red.

"I didn't mean to!" she hisses, balling her fists at her sides and stomping her foot, but making no move to go near him again.

Garrett’s hand glows, and I bet he’s thankful for his healing powers now. He chuckles at Serena’s obvious embarrassment, and though it sounds strained, I know he doesn't actually hold it against her. No, it looks like he's trying to distract her, and it's working, for now.

As if she can hear my thoughts, Serena turns to look at one of the few windows, and I swear I can hear the wheels in her head as she contemplates what to do next.