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Finn’s words hollow out my chest. Pain tears at his voice and sinks into me in kind.
“Finn… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know?—”
“It’s fine. But I’m not training with him.” Finn turns his back to Frederick and as he does, bloodlust laces the air.
Blood spurts from the corners of Frederick’s mouth and it rips open like a snake’s. The skin tears and hangs loosely like uneven cloth. His teeth are razor sharp.
He lunges for Finn. It happens so fast that I’m not sure what else to do other than shove Finn out of the way, so that’s what I do.
Frederick narrows his eyes and lets out a loud growl of frustration as he closes his mouth and crashes into me. Was he really intending to bite Finn?!
Cold snow stings my back but I’m otherwise unharmed.
Finn shouts as Frederick grabs me by the arm, dragging me up in a bruising grip. Amser perks up from where Kai, Aervin, and Raine are standing. My Shadow charges straight toward us and fear slips into my veins. For once I wish that we weren’t separated.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I tear my arm from Frederick’s grasp but he doubles down by fisting my hair. I cry out as he shoves me down to my knees. He’s strong—really fucking strong.
“Let her go. Right. Now.” Finn’s words are heavy in the air and his eyes burn brighter than a moment ago. I was right—fire, actual fire, burns through his gaze and steam spreads in the air around him as if his skin is hot to the touch.
“Make me, you little bitch,” Frederick says coolly, his breath coiling in the air as his elongated tongue slides down my cheek. I shiver and try to fight him off but his grip is too tight; my scalp burns the more I struggle.
Kai, Aervin, and Raine run to us, just behind my Shadow. I’m not sure what Amser is going to do to Frederick but it won’t be good. Before they can reach us, Finn shuts his eyes and something magical happens.
Unlike the rest, Finn’s erupts from his chest. It’s not dark and smoky like the other Shadows. No, as Laphia emerges from beneath his cloak, it casts a warm, blinding light, chasing away the shadows of the trees and the night around us. The snow turns a lovely shade of orange, like a sunrise, or fire that scorches the earth.
Finn’s eyes flash with flames as enormous wings spread before him. I have to shield my face from the heat that sheds off the creature. Frederick releases me as he does the same. I fall to the ground and look up between my fingers, gasping as I fully take Laphia in.
It’s an enormous bird made of brilliant fire, wings long and thin with orange and yellows lashing together. Its tail is drawn out, beautiful and whimsical, flowing through the air like an iridescent ribbon twirling in the night sky.
His Shadow is a phoenix.
But that is no Shadow—it’s anything but. How is this possible? I watch in awe as Finn’s lips draw up into a malicious smile. His intent to kill spills from him and places a heavy weight inside me.
There he is. Finn. My heart aches as old emotions resurface inside me.
Amser grows increasingly curious and prowls toward him. I’m sure my Shadow can feel the ache in my soul yearning for him.
Frederick cowers on the ground before the phoenix and pisses his pants as the flames of the bird’s wings lick at his feet.
Finn’s going to kill him.
Kai shakes Finn’s shoulders but to no avail—he’s in a trance of sorts, or maybe this is him giving into his Shadow. Or perhaps it’s what he truly wants. For some reason, I can only hear Raine’s words about Elias earlier: “His hands are too red.” If Finn does this I’m not sure he’ll be able to forgive himself.
The fire crashes down around Frederick and the screaming that ensues is bone-chilling. Raine leaves my side and snaps his fingers in Finn’s face. Instantly, Finn twitches and looks at me with horror. His phoenix stops the assault and releases Frederick.
The smell of burning flesh surrounds us. I shiver as Frederick gets to his feet and flees, completely covered in burns. His tactical gear is almost completely seared off. I can’t help but wonder how long those will take to heal.
Aervin chases after Frederick, cursing at him. Finn takes a step to pursue them, but Raine blocks his way.
The phoenix flies high into the air, circling the lake and drawing people inside Alkrose to the windows. They gather and stare in awe at the great creature.
Finn trudges over to me and thoroughly inspects me, gently tilting my chin to either side with his soft hands.
“I’m okay,” I reassure him, and he stops searching me.
His eyes soften and vulnerability flickers across his face. “I was so scared he was going to kill you like he did Martin… Godsdamn it, I’m glad he didn’t,” he chokes out and slowly sets his head down on my shoulder. I brush my hand through his hair and pull him in close. “No more of us are going to die. I can’t take it,” he whispers. It’s evident, all the death he’s seen thus far. All the heartache that I’m without.
“Then will you help me save Raine from his blight?” I say weakly, too ashamed to give it any more voice. Guilt tries to seep up from within, but my Shadow guards it well.
