A Curse of Shadows

As I rub my hands together, they grow uncomfortably warm. Before I can process this odd sensation, a rustling noise comes from behind.

I whip around, my heart racing. Is this place getting darker, or is my mind playing tricks on me?

The leaves crunch louder, and I inch closer to the tree, wishing that I could disappear within its bark as I slink closer to the ground, attempting to make myself less visible.

What the hell was I thinking going into a forest that I know nothing about?

My mouth drops open, and I nearly scream out of frustration. I don’t know how I could have forgotten that I saw a large wolf out here my first night in the castle. Though that doesn’t mean whatever is nearby could be the same beast. Maybe they’re more nocturnal and whatever’s getting closer is just a squirrel or raccoon…with rabies that will want to tear my eyes out.

Yeah, that’s not helping.

It’s time to make a run for it.

Getting back up, I take a step away from the tree and a deep growl stops me cold as the rumble echoes around me, loud and menacing. You’ve got to be shitting me.

“Easy, boy,” I say calmly, remembering some random video about bear safety that I watched years ago. Not that I think this is a bear based on the sounds and what I’ve already seen, but maybe the same rules apply for all savage animals.

“I’m a human. You don’t want to hurt me.”

More branches break and the growl turns into a snarl. Great, so not a friendly animal. More like a rabid dog.

Golden eyes break through the shadows, leering right into my soul, and I do the next stupid thing I can recall.

My arms go up in the air, making myself as big as possible while screaming like a banshee. “You can bite me, but I won’t go down without a fight,” I feebly threaten, as if this beast can understand my words.

Holy shit, is this actually working? What I believe to be a wolf creeps back into the shadows and I start to walk backward, but my hope only lasts for so long.

I trip over an exposed root and the moment I’m down, a large shadow flies over me, something new and headed farther into the forest. There’s a beat of silence before I hear the clash of teeth and more growls.

Not wasting a moment, I scramble to my feet, smacking my cheek against a branch, and run like hell in the opposite direction. Only, I don’t think I’m heading back toward the castle. Great. Not even an hour on my own and I’ve nearly been eaten alive, I’m bleeding, and I’m likely about to get myself lost.

Still, I don’t stop running. At least not until I hear my name called.

“Isla!” Asher roars into the dark forest.

I pause, my chest heaving from the exertion, and my legs shaking with adrenaline. My head swivels around and it’s not even a minute later that Asher comes skidding to a stop in front of me.

There’s a cut on his forearm and his eyes are practically glowing, making me take a step back.

He holds his hands out in front of his body, reaching for me. “It’s okay, Isla. You’re safe.”

I shake my head and point toward his face, then his arm. “You just… How did…?”

Asher comes closer and lowers his head. “There’s something we haven’t told you yet and we probably should.”

Or maybe they shouldn’t because I have a feeling that whatever comes out of his mouth next is going to turn my entire world upside down for what feels like the hundredth time since appearing in that cave.

CHAPTER TEN

ASHER

This is not how I envisioned revealing my true self to Isla. My plan was for Isla to gently acclimate to our world, to unveil the magic at a pace she could absorb without losing her mind. Yet here I am, forced into this revelation by circumstances spiraling beyond my control. My mother’s preemptive disclosures already pushed the boundaries, and now, I find myself doing exactly what I didn’t want.

Though my primary goal remains unchanged: I cannot—and will not—lose Isla again.

“I didn’t think you’d venture this far out, but of course, you always defy expectations,” I admit with a reluctant grin, trying to inject a lighter tone into the unfolding drama.

“But that wolf and the other… How did you…make them go away?” Her stammering is only going to get worse the longer I wait. I know this, but it doesn’t make the words I say next any easier.