18. Frankie

Chapter 18

Frankie

My alarm goes off, yanking me out of sleep like a bucket of cold water. I jolt awake, my heart racing as phantom images of glowing red eyes fade into the dim morning light. I fumble for Tori’s phone, nearly knocking it off the nightstand before I manage to silence it.

The memory of the evacuation still haunts me as well—the blaring alarms, the panicked screams, and the crush of bodies all desperate to escape. I remember Tori’s hand in mine, her knuckles white with fear as we ran. The eredar beast’s roar echoed across the campus, a sound that sent primal terror coursing through my veins.

As we filed back onto campus, that same fear lingered in the air. Students huddled in small groups, their eyes darting nervously to the shadows. The familiar buildings seemed different somehow, as if the stones remembered the terror of that night.

“Mmph… Five more minutes,” Tori mumbles across the room, burrowing deeper into her cocoon of blankets. Then, surprisingly alert, she adds, “Frankie, whatever you need today, I’ve got your back. No questions asked.”

Her words, muffled by the blankets, still manage to warm me. “Thanks, Tori,” I whisper, grateful for her existence. She’s usually a morning person, but we didn’t get in until late.

I didn’t sleep much, and when I did, all I saw were glowing red eyes.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed. The freezing floor makes me jump. Well, I’m definitely awake now. It’s the first day of the new term, and I have a meeting with Professor Blackwood.

Normal stuff, except nothing feels normal anymore, not since the eredar beast tore through our campus last night, leaving destruction and terror in its wake. The sound of its terrifying roar still echoes in my mind, a constant reminder that our world will never be the same again.

As I stumble through my morning routine, I can’t help but wonder how we’re supposed to just… go back to classes, assignments, and worrying about grades when there are monsters lurking in the shadows. The hot water of the shower does little to wash away the lingering fear and adrenaline from last night’s events.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the steamy mirror. There are dark circles under my eyes, and my hair is a tangled mess. I look like I’ve been through hell, which, come to think of it, isn’t far from the truth. The girl staring back at me seems older somehow, her eyes holding secrets and fears that weren’t there just days ago.

It reminds me of who I was with Valerie, and that isn’t someone I can ever go back to.

I’m halfway through wrestling my hair into submission when a soft knock at the door makes me freeze. It’s too early for visitors. My pulse quickens as I approach the door, shadows instinctively gathering at my fingertips. Even in the safety of my dorm, I can’t shake the feeling of being hunted.

I crack the door open, ready for… well, I’m not sure what, but it’s certainly not Bishop, standing in the hallway looking like he hasn’t slept a wink either.

“Bishop?” His name comes out as a surprised whisper. The scent of coffee wafts from the travel mug in his hand, making my stomach growl traitorously. “What are you doing here?”

He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting around before settling somewhere over my left shoulder. “I thought… after last night… maybe you shouldn’t walk alone.” He holds out the coffee like a peace offering, reminding me of Leo. “Brought you this. Two sugars, splash of cream, and hazelnut syrup, right?”

I blink, surprised. It’s weird how normal this feels, like just a friend bringing coffee.

Bishop isn’t a friend. Not now, brain.

I accept the mug, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers. “Thanks,” I say, taking a sip. The rich, bitter taste floods my mouth, instantly perking me up. “But you didn’t have to come all this way. I can take care of myself, you know.” The words come out more defensive than I intended, a reflex born from years of self-reliance.

A shadow passes over Bishop’s face. “I know. It’s just…” He runs a hand through his hair, mussing it up in a way that’s annoyingly endearing. “Can we talk while we walk?”

I glance at my phone. I have time before my meeting with Blackwood, and despite everything, a part of me is curious about what Bishop has to say. Another part, the one that’s still angry about all the secrets he kept, wants to slam the door in his face.

“Fine,” I concede, stepping out into the hallway, “but this isn’t going to be a regular thing, got it?”

The ghost of a smile tugs at his lips. “Got it.”

As we make our way across campus, the frigid morning air nips at my exposed skin. I pull my jacket tighter around me, stealing a glance at Bishop. He looks annoyingly unaffected by the cold, his composure a stark contrast to the chaos I feel inside.

“So,” I start, breaking the silence, “is this your new thing now? Coffee delivery and escort service? Taking notes from Leo?”

Bishop’s lips twitch into a small smile. “Only for my favorite shadow shifter.”

“Oh? And how many of those do you have?”

“Just one,” he says, his tone light but his eyes serious. “Though she’s a handful enough for four.”

Oh, he is smooth.

I roll my eyes but can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. “Cute. Did you practice that line in the mirror this morning?”

“Ouch.” Bishop clutches his chest in mock hurt. “And here I thought I was being charming.”

“Keep dreaming, Bishop.” I laugh, surprised at how easy this feels, given everything that happened. For a moment, it’s almost like we’re just two normal students, bantering on our way to class, but the illusion shatters as quickly as it forms.

My amusement fades as I remember last night’s events and the rushed return to campus this morning. The laughter dies in my throat as I recall the destruction we left behind at the Grotto, the fear in Andy’s eyes as she ushered us out. Bishop must notice the change in my mood, because his expression turns concerned.

“Hey,” he says softly, “are you okay?”

I nod then shake my head. “It’s just… everything’s so normal here, like last night never happened, but I can’t stop thinking about it. The beast, the evacuation, the way the shadows seemed to come alive…” My words falter as I struggle to convey the sheer thrill and terror of everything.

Bishop’s expression grows serious. “I know what you mean. How did you and Tori get back so early? Last I heard, the campus was still on lockdown.”

I think back to the early hours of the morning. The sky was still dark when Tori and I huddled in the back of her mom’s car. Abbi had driven us back as soon as the all-clear was given, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. The memory of her fear, so at odds with her usually calm demeanor, sends a fresh wave of unease through me.

“They say it’s safe now,” Abbi said, her voice tight with worry, “but you girls be careful, you hear? Any sign of trouble, call me immediately.” She handed us each a small bag. “I’ve packed you both some emergency supplies just in case.”

It was such a mom thing to do that it momentarily shocked me. I kept wondering if this was what it felt like to have a mom before I buried that thought in hell.

The campus had been eerily quiet when we arrived. A few security guards patrolled with watchful eyes, their tense postures and darting glances indicating they were just as on edge as we were. Tori and I hurried to our dorm, the weight of the night’s events heavy on our shoulders.

“Tori’s mom drove us back,” I tell Bishop. “As soon as they lifted the lockdown. It was… weird, like coming back to a ghost town. Everything looked the same, but it felt… different. Dangerous, somehow.”

Bishop nods, understanding in his eyes. “Yeah, it was like that when I got back too, but hey, at least we’re here, right? Together and in one piece.”

I’m about to respond when a sharp voice cuts through the air like a whip.

“Bishop!”

We both jump, coffee sloshing dangerously close to the rim of my mug. A woman strides toward us, her heels clicking against the pavement with military precision. Everything about her screams authority, from her perfectly coiffed hair to her razor-sharp pantsuit. Even the air around her seems to crackle with power and purpose.

Bishop tenses beside me, his entire demeanor changing in an instant. Gone is the easygoing guy from moments ago, and in his place is someone more guarded, more formal. “Mother,” he says, his voice carefully neutral. “Good morning.”

The dean—Bishop’s adoptive mother, I realize with a start—comes to a stop before us. Her eyes, the same shade of brown as Bishop’s even though he is adopted, glance between us with laser-like focus. The faint scent of expensive perfume tickles my nose, underlaid with something else… a hint of ozone perhaps? It’s a reminder of the power she wields, both as dean and a shadow shifter.

“I wasn’t aware you were acquainted with Miss Vale, Bishop,” she says, her tone making it clear this is more than a casual observation. There’s an edge to her voice that makes me wonder if she still hates me. Considering we dated the summer before I ever stepped foot on this campus, she should know me, and yet, she chooses not to.

“We have some classes together,” Bishop replies smoothly. I try to keep my face neutral, even as my heart races at the lie. The shadows at my feet quiver, responding to my anxiety, and I force them to still.

The dean’s perfectly manicured eyebrow arches slightly. “I see. Well, in light of recent events, I wanted to inform you that the board is considering implementing pack pairings for all students. We’re also instituting a buddy system. It’s not just about safety, it’s about building stronger pack bonds.”

I feel Bishop go rigid beside me, his coffee mug creaking slightly in his grip. “Is that really necessary?” he asks, a thread of tension in his voice.

“We must take every precaution,” the dean says firmly. Her gaze swings to me, and I resist the urge to step back. Her eyes seem to see right through me, past the fa?ade of normalcy I’m desperately trying to maintain. “Miss Vale, I trust you’ll comply with any new safety measures we put in place?”

Pack pairings? Buddy systems? Great, just what we need—more ways for them to watch us twenty-four seven, but I can’t exactly voice that concern to the dean.

Well, I could…

“Of course,” I manage to say, proud of how steady my voice sounds. Then, surprising myself, I add, “Actually, I was thinking about organizing a student safety committee. Maybe we could work with the faculty to implement these measures effectively?” The words tumble out before I can stop them, born from a sudden desire to have some control over the situation.

The dean’s eyes widen slightly, clearly not expecting this. “That’s… not a bad idea, Miss Vale. We’ll discuss it further at a later time.” There’s a hint of something in her voice—respect or wariness, I’m not sure. “Very well. Carry on.” With that, she turns and strides away, the click of her heels fading into the morning bustle.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “So,” I say after a moment, “that was…”

“Yeah.” Bishop sighs, his shoulders slumping. He glances around then leans closer, his voice taking on a more urgent tone. “Look, there’s something I need you to do. It’s important. It’s about the library—the one Dorian oversees.”

I raise an eyebrow, wariness creeping back in. “More secrets, Bishop?”

He shakes his head emphatically. “No more secrets, I promise. Frankie, I need you to focus on Dorian’s section of the library. It’s crucial we find information about the eredar beast as soon as possible. There’s an old text called Shadows of the Ancients that might have answers about its origins and weaknesses, but I need you to ask Dorian about it.”

“Why me?” I ask, confusion and curiosity warring inside me. “And why can’t you just ask Dorian yourself?”

Bishop’s expression turns grim, his voice barely above a whisper. “The dragon won’t tell me. There’s… history there, but you… He likes you, Frankie, when he hates everyone, and right now, we need all the help we can get. The eredar beast isn’t just some random monster. I think it’s connected to the decay of the shadow realm, and maybe even to the missing elders. We need to understand what we’re dealing with before it’s too late.”

We’re approaching the building where my meeting with Blackwood is scheduled. The building looms over us, and I swear the dark windows are staring right at me. Creepy. A shiver runs down my spine that has nothing to do with the morning chill.

“Okay,” I say, then an idea strikes me. “Maybe we could use my shadow powers to search the library without being detected. It might be faster and safer that way.”

Bishop looks surprised then impressed. “That’s… actually a really good idea. We’ll need to plan it carefully though. Your powers are still new, and we don’t know what kind of protections Dorian might have in place.”

“Agreed.” I nod, my mind already racing with possibilities. “But Bishop? No more lies or half-truths. If we’re going to figure this out, I need to be able to trust you completely.”

Relief washes over his face, softening the worry lines around his eyes. “I understand. And Frankie? Thank you. I know I don’t deserve your trust, but I promise, I’m trying to make things right.”

I watch him disappear into the sea of students, my heart racing with uncertainty. What have I gotten myself into?

I turn to head toward the building, but I pause when I see people grouped together, all looking at their phones.

As I pass, I catch snippets of a news report. “Unexplained shadows spotted in downtown areas… Residents report strange noises and sudden temperature drops…”

The students exchange worried glances. “You think it’s connected to what happened here?” one whispers, and another nods grimly.

“Has to be. First the eredar on campus, now this? Something big is coming.”

I hurry past, my mind racing. If eredar beasts are appearing in the city, nowhere is safe.

I take a deep breath to calm myself and turn toward the daunting building towering before me. The coffee in my hand has long gone cold, but I chug it down anyway, needing all the caffeine I can get.

As I push open the heavy doors, a nagging thought tugs at the back of my mind. What if the answers we find in Shadows of the Ancients are worse than the questions? What secrets are hidden in the depths of Dorian’s library, and am I ready to face them?

It doesn’t much matter right now, because I have to meet with my advisor, and I’m already late.