Page 414 of Axis of Fire

Serpents.

Of all creatures...

I'd been terrified of snakes for as long as I could remember.

Finding out that two serpent shifters were about to teach me felt dangerously close to triggering a panic attack.

"They're married," Aars continued.

"Both wield Shadow magic."

"They've entered one of those magical unions..."

He frowned.

"I forgot what it's called."

"I'm terrible with relationship terminology."

"Anyway, their bodies, souls, and magic gradually synchronize until they function almost as a single being."

I stared at them.

How could anyone willingly surrender part of themselves...

And accept someone else's in return?

It sounded...

completely insane.

"Since we have more gentlemen than ladies," Sabina said, "two of our female students will be left without dance partners."

"And it's rather difficult to dance a proper waltz alone."

Suar snapped his fingers.

Two life-sized silhouettes materialized beside them.

Pitch-black.

Featureless.

Like shadows that had somehow gained physical form.

"These are shadow constructs," Suar explained.

"They've mastered every style of dance."

"The two young ladies who are paired with them should consider themselves quite fortunate."

The sight was unsettling.

I sincerely hoped I wouldn't end up dancing with one.

"I'd love to be one of the lucky ones."

Loretta raised her hand, studying the shadow figures with open fascination.