Page 48 of Veiled By Smoke (The Nature Hunters Academy #5)
Of course, Tara would find a way to be there for Shelly—she’d always known when to show up, always known when to pull Shelly back from the edge, even if she acted like she didn’t care.
The phantom hand squeezed, her grip strong, eyes fierce and steady. “I can see fear in your eyes,” Tara said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you afraid, not even when standing up to the evil, mean-girl bitches back in school.”
Shelly tried to laugh, but it came out shaky. “Don’t get used to it. I’m still scarier than you.” She didn’t give voice to the fact that she wasn’t just scared–Shelly was terrified. There was no point in giving that feeling any more control over her than it already had.
Tara arched a brow, lips quirking at the edges in a way that made Shelly ache with nostalgia. “You know, five years ago, you decided you were going to be my best friend, whether I liked it or not. I thought you were the most annoying person I’d ever met.”
Shelly snorted, the sound just a chuff in the loud storm. “You still think that.”
“Sometimes,” Tara admitted, her voice gentle, “but I also know you don’t quit. Not on me, not on anyone. Especially not on Ra. You’re the most relentless person I know, and I am so damn thankful that you never gave up on me.”
Shelly blinked hard, her throat tight. She remembered the day they met—her shoving her way into Tara’s life, refusing to let her be alone, refusing to let her drown.
She’d done it because she’d seen herself in Tara’s loneliness, in the way she tried so hard not to need anything from anyone. Kindred spirits, stubborn to the bone.
“I’m terrified, T,” Shelly whispered, voice cracking as she finally just gave in to the emotions. They’d only been standing there for a few minutes, but it already felt like an eternity. “What if we’re not enough? What if I’m not enough? What if I lose him?”
Tara’s phantom grip tightened, her own eyes fierce.
“You won’t lose him. Because you are enough.
You always have been. That’s what you do, Shelly.
You love so hard it scares people. Except for Ra, you’ve never scared him, thank goodness.
You’d probably have stalked his butt. And that’s because you fight for what’s yours.
You pulled me out of the dark waters when I didn’t even know I was drowning.
If anyone can pull Ra back from the edge, it’s you.
Even I can see in his eyes that this is doing a number on him, but you got this, and we’ve got your back. ”
The words landed deep, settling into the cracks Shelly tried so hard to patch with jokes and bravado.
She squeezed Tara’s phantom hand back, the connection anchoring her, reminding her of who she was.
Not just a fighter, not just a smart mouth, but someone who loved with her whole soul—even when it hurt.
Shelly let out a shaky breath, the fear still there, but muted now by something stronger. “Thanks, T. For never letting me stand alone—even when I was too stubborn to admit I needed you.”
Tara smiled, tears shining in her eyes. “You’re never alone. Not now, not ever.” Shelly felt as if a forehead was being pressed to her own and realized that it was Tara, using the powerful soul bond again. It lasted for only a heartbeat, but the gesture was as fierce as any battle cry.
Shelly closed her eyes for a second, letting the feeling sink into her, the strength of her grip settling her nerves.
She remembered when Tara had tried to keep everyone at a distance, how Shelly had barreled through every wall she’d put up, refusing to take no for an answer.
She’d claimed Tara as her best friend before Tara could even decide if she wanted one, and every trial since had only deepened that bond.
Now, standing at what felt like the edge of the world, waiting for evil itself to step out of the shadows, Shelly realized how much Tara’s friendship had saved her, too.
It had given her someone to fight for, someone who saw her not just as an annoying sidekick, but as a person—a person who could hurt, who could fear, who could love.
After another heartbeat, Tara’s presence receded, but the bond was still there.
Shelly gave her friend a subtle nod of thanks.
The wind gusted, carrying the scent of smoke and something sharp and unearthly.
The stones seemed to vibrate with the tension, the magic winding tighter, a net waiting to be drawn closed.
Shelly watched as Ra glanced her way, their eyes meeting across the circle.
In his dark gaze, she saw everything—fear, hope, love, and the desperate plea to hold on, just a little longer.
She straightened her shoulders, rolling out the tension, and forced herself to breathe deep.
She focused on the earth beneath her feet, the pulse of magic in her veins, the memory of every battle they’d won together.
She was Shelly. She was a fire elementalist by bond and a fifth soul elementalist by default.
She was Ra’s, and he was hers, and she would not let him feel for a second that he had any guilt to bear on his strong shoulders.
“Whatever happens,” Shelly said to him, loud enough for her voice to travel over the storm, “I’ve got your back.”
He didn’t smile, not her man. But she felt his gratitude and love through their bond.
He didn’t need to give her flowery words.
All Ra had to do was look at her and Shelly knew without a doubt that he would not only die for her, but he’d live for her as well.
For just a moment, the fear loosened its grip, and hope curled warm and bright in her chest.
A gale of air and magic swelled around them. She held Ra’s gaze and nodded—once, sharp, and certain. Whatever happened next, she would not break. Not for fear. Not for pain. Not for anything.
Because she was Shelly. Because she was loved. Because she had fought her way here, with Tara at her side and Ra at her heart. And because she would not let evil win.