2. Frankie

Chapter 2

Frankie

My eyes fly open.

Water surrounds me, its icy embrace making my limbs feel heavy and sluggish. Little lights dance before my eyes, distorting the underwater world. I kick to the surface and gasp for breath, each inhale causing a sharp pain.

Memories flood back of Valerie’s cruel face, her cold hands, and the suffocating room she kept me in. I recall the sickly sweet perfume that masked the stench of mold and decay, and the way she smiled as she watched me suffer.

For more than a minute, I focus solely on my breathing, shoving my memories down into the black hole of my soul where I can forget them.

I close my eyes tight, trying to force the vision from my mind, but Valerie haunts me now more than ever. She promised to end my suffering countless times if I just obeyed her, dangling false hope in front of me like a carrot.

I thought I pushed her out of my life and out of my head, but she’s still alive somewhere, and the knowledge that she might still be watching and waiting makes my skin crawl. I remember the rumors whispered by other captives, stories of Valerie’s ongoing experiments and her insatiable hunger for power.

Could she still be plotting her next move?

I nearly vomit at the thought.

Five years of torture in that dim, damp room. Five years of her twisted games and promising myself that I’d kill her one day, that I’d play karma and make sure she got what she deserved, but I was too weak, too tired, and too run down.

I barely survived.

I remember the times she would sit beside me, whispering that no one was coming for me, and I believed her because no one ever came for me. In the end, I had to save myself.

When my eyes open again, I find Dorian kneeling on one knee at the edge of a very familiar spring. His fog blue eyes assess me with intensity and concern. There’s blood smeared on his once pristine white shirt, and his slacks aren’t just dirty, they appear torn and tattered, as if he’s been through a battle. He looks like he’s been through hell, and maybe he has. Seeing him here, in this state, reminds me of the day Valerie took me, and how I fought and bled and no one came to help me. The sight of him stirs a confusing mix of anger and gratitude within me.

The cave around us is dimly lit, the walls rough and uneven. Glowing symbols etched into the stone pulse faintly, casting eerie shadows that dance across Dorian’s face. The air is thick with the scent of minerals and ancient magic, a heady mixture that makes my head spin. The gentle lapping of the spring against the rocky cavern shore creates a soothing rhythm, so at odds with the strife in my mind.

A thousand thoughts rush to me all at once.

What happened?

How am I here?

Why is he here?

I remain silent. All I can do is watch him watching me.

Then… Then my memories return, and my eyes widen.

My breathing stutters as I glance at my chest to see my naked torso. The slashes from Chloe and Amanda are nothing more than scars, and yet I feel the ache they caused. Pain radiates through me, sharp and persistent, as if the wounds are freshly inflicted.

My fingertips shake as I press along the scars and wince. They aren’t healed, not yet, but they are on their way. The pain is excruciating, but something’s happening. It feels like I’m being stitched back together from the inside out. Is this what healing magic feels like, or is it just the spring? I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I can feel my flesh mending, the muscles re-forming beneath the surface.

As the pain subsides, a strange thought hits me. Is this spring somehow connected to the shadow realm? It would explain the weird energy I’ve always felt here, but how is that even possible?

Sinking low to preserve some modesty, I look up at Dorian. His eyes aren’t filled with the predatory hunger I’ve seen in others. Instead, they trace the scars on my body with clinical concern, as if he can see the pain they caused. Despite knowing he can’t actually see under the water, a shiver rushes through me. His gaze makes me feel exposed and vulnerable, but also strangely understood.

Looking at him, I can’t formulate words. Hell, I don’t know where to begin. There’s so much and yet not enough, and all I want to do is hide and lick my wounds as I heal, because the pain and the anguish of living around all of them while they harbored such a secret is almost too much to bear.

I told myself once upon a time that I’d never allow another person to hurt me, that I’d be the abuser, the user, and the manipulator, and then I came here, and I lived inside that hurt for two long years. And now what? Do I want to go back to the pain?

The devil you know.

Gritting my teeth, I hold Dorian’s gaze. “You told me to shift. I didn’t even know I could.”

Dorian’s jaw clenches, a flicker of guilt crossing his features before he masks it with his usual stern expression. “And yet you chose not to.” His reply is immediate and sharp, like a slap to the face. His words batter at my defenses, his tone dripping with frustration and disappointment.

“What do you mean? Why should I have shifted?” I ask him slowly, my heart pounding in my chest almost too fast for me to breathe.

Dorian’s jaw clenches, a muscle twitching near his temple. “You should have shifted,” he says, his voice low and tight. “Your wolf form—it heals faster.” He glances at my wounds, and for a moment, I catch a glimpse of something raw in his expression before he masks it with his usual scowl. It’s not just anger there, it’s fear. Fear for me?

My mouth parts, but again, no words form.

“You’re struggling. Let me explain. You’re in the shadow realm.” His cruel tone is somehow welcome, reminding me that our dynamic hasn’t changed even if I feel like my entire world just shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. “You can shift here.”

Why the fuck does he hate me so much?

I nod slowly as though that makes all the sense in the world.

It doesn’t.

“The shadow realm. That’s what you called it,” I say, my heart thundering in my chest.

“Yes, that’s right.”

His words right before I passed out roll over my senses. “You said, ‘Welcome home.’”

“Because, Frankie, the shadow realm is your home.” He pauses, his eyes searching mine for understanding. “You must have known on some level that you’re not entirely human.”

Did I?

I push back in the water as though his words are putting distance between us, and hell, maybe they are. “What’s the shadow realm? Why is it important?”

He tilts his head to the side and gives me a slow nod. “The shadow realm is a dimension that exists alongside the human world. It’s a place of magic and darkness, a realm where shadow shifters are born. The air here is thick with ancient power, power that flows through your veins, Frankie.”

“Shadow shifters?” The words echo in my mind, sending shockwaves through my body. Everything I thought I knew about myself shatters in an instant. Electricity dances across my skin, and I feel a strange stirring sensation within me, as if something long dormant is awakening. My eyes zero in on Dorian, searching for any sign that this is all some cruel joke, but his solemn expression tells me it’s all too real.

“Yes, Frankie. We’re shadow shifters. We were born here, and we are able to shift between human and shadow forms. This realm is our sanctuary, but it’s also fraught with challenges.” He says the last part while looking away, telling me he isn’t giving me the entire story. “The shadows here can consume you if you’re not careful. They can twist your mind and your very essence.”

I wrap my arms around myself, shivering as I absorb his words. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this? Why keep me in the dark?”

Dorian’s expression softens slightly, a flicker of regret crossing his features. “It’s complex. Shadow shifters are taken to the human realm for training, to blend in, and learn control. We return only when we’re ready. The magic of this realm… It’s sentient in a way. It protects itself and prevents us from speaking of it to those who aren’t ready.”

“But I wasn’t ready. No one prepared me.” My voice breaks. “I didn’t even know.”

He nods solemnly. “I know. You were supposed to be prepared, but circumstances… went awry. Valerie found you first, and she took advantage of your ignorance.”

Surprise flashes through me at the mention of her name.

He knew? Did they all know?

He has no idea what I went through at her hands.

I feel a surge of anger and betrayal that makes my vision blur. “So you kept me in the dark to protect me? That ignorance led me straight to her.” The accusation in my voice is a weapon, sharp and cutting, aimed directly at him.

No, there is no way they knew exactly what she did to me. If they did, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them.

Dorian takes a step closer, his gaze intense. “We failed you, Frankie. I failed you. Now you know the truth, though, and we can move forward. This realm is where you’ll discover your true potential.”

I shake my head, still reeling. It isn’t that easy. “What if I don’t want this? What if I just want a normal life?”

His eyes soften, and he reaches out, brushing a wet strand of hair from my face. “Normal isn’t an option for us. Embrace who you are and harness your power. The shadow realm is dangerous, but it’s home.”

All this time.

“No.” I shake my head, the hurt and betrayal bubbling to the surface, raw and unchecked. “How did you even know about Valerie?” The emotions I’ve buried for so long surge up, threatening to drown me. “No, I can’t accept that you couldn’t tell me. You let me live in fear, in ignorance, while she…” My voice cracks as the weight of it all crushes down on me. “You left me to suffer alone.”

“Frankie.” Dorian sighs, his voice heavy with the weight of secrets long kept. “The shadow realm’s magic prevented us from telling you. It’s a protective measure meant to keep our world hidden until you were ready to learn the truth. We could sense something was wrong, but we couldn’t… we couldn’t breach that magical barrier. It was like trying to speak through glass—we could see you struggling, but our words wouldn’t reach you.”

I grind my teeth, not ready to believe him. The explanation feels insufficient to justify years of secrecy and lies.

Panic begins to bubble within me. “Bishop, Matteo, and Leo?”

“We’re all shadow shifters at Shadow Locke,” he says slowly so I can grasp his words. “Frankie?—”

“No.” I shake my head, feeling tears burn behind my eyes. Betrayal simmers in my stomach.

“Valerie—”

“Don’t say her fucking name,” I snap, feeling everything I’ve kept buried for my entire life bubble to the surface and shoot out like a geyser. All the emotions that I couldn’t handle spill over and shatter me one breath at a time. “You have no idea what she did to me.”

Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I can’t look at Dorian. I don’t want him to see the pain inside me—the pain I kept buried for so long.

I sink into the water until it rushes over my head, and when I look up and open my eyes, the world is nothing but a blur of greens and blues.

I could die here.

I could inhale and allow the water to fill my lungs.

I hear it’s peaceful.

I sink lower.

How could they? How could they all allow me to exist beside them, keeping my home a secret?

I felt like an outcast, unwanted and unloved.

I’m still all those things because if anyone ever loved me, they would have told me.

I open my mouth, preparing to inhale, but I scream instead. Bubbles burst from my mouth, and I scream and scream until my lungs burn for air.

Just as I’m about to inhale, arms wrap around me and tug me to the surface. Before I can think, Dorian slams me against a rock, holding my wrists in one hand, and he wraps his other hand around my throat, shaking me.

“Breathe, you stubborn girl,” he demands, his voice raw with emotion. “Don’t you dare give up now. Not after everything you’ve survived.”

I gulp for breath, and I order my tears to stop.

For a long moment, we stare at each other, the tension crackling between us like a live wire. I expect him to choke me with his large hands and continue the cycle of pain and betrayal, but instead, his eyes soften, filled with a mix of regret, fear, and something else… something that makes my heart race for reasons I can’t quite understand.

The air around us seems to thicken, charged with an energy that makes my skin tingle. Dorian’s grip on my wrists loosens, and his thumb traces small circles on my skin. His other hand moves from my throat to cup my face, his touch gentler than I’ve ever felt from him.

“Frankie,” he whispers, his voice hoarse. “I’m sorry for everything. For not being there when you needed me. For keeping secrets. For… For not telling you how much you mean to me.”

The confession hangs in the air between us, heavy with implications. I search his face, looking for any sign of deception, but all I see is raw, honest emotion.

Without warning, his lips crash against mine. It’s not just a kiss—it’s an eruption, a release of all the anger, pain, and need we’ve both been drowning in. His kiss is desperate and raw, and I meet him with equal force. We’re not gentle, we’re two storms colliding, seeking solace in the destruction.

Every brush of his lips against mine is a question, a demand, and a plea. I grab his shirt, pulling him closer, needing to feel something, anything, other than the pain that’s been festering inside me for years. In this moment, we aren’t enemies or even friends—we’re two broken souls clinging to each other in the darkness.

As his lips devour mine, a tidal wave of emotions floods through me. Anger at the secrets kept, fear of this new reality, and a desperate need for connection all swirl together in a dizzying cocktail. Part of me wants to push him away and hold on to my rage and hurt, but another part, a part I’ve kept locked away for so long, craves this intimacy and raw honesty. We both need this release, an outlet for the pain and betrayal that has been festering within us for far too long. The years of secrets and lies are no longer contained, and we both find solace in each other’s arms.

I’ve been hurting for too long. Far too long.

The water laps against the rocks around us, creating a rhythm that matches the pounding of our hearts. Neither of us wants to be the first to break away, because we both know that when this moment ends, we’ll have to face the harsh reality surrounding us and the unknown future that lies before us. For now, though, under the rippling surface of the spring, we are safe from the world’s demands and scrutiny.

My tears mingle with the water as I cling to him, my grip on his shirt never loosening. His hands travel up my back and rest at the nape of my neck, holding me even closer to him.

As we continue our desperate kiss, the weight of the world disappears, if only for a fleeting moment. The churning emotions inside me, the betrayal and hurt, melt away as I lose myself in the heat between us. I crave the closeness, the connection that had been missing from my life for so long.

I moan into his mouth, only for him to swallow each sound as though they are a decadent dessert.

Dorian’s lips leave mine and trail hot kisses down my jawline, sending shivers down my spine despite the cool water around us. His large hands leave bruises on my hips as he pulls me tighter against him, as if he, too, is terrified of letting go. He seems just as lost in this as I am, his breathing ragged in my ear.

He gently pushes me back to face him, our noses centimeters apart. His eyes are stormy and full of unspoken words that mirror my own turmoil. “I’m sorry,” he whispers hoarsely. “I’m so damn sorry for everything you’ve been through. I wanted to tell you, to protect you, but the magic bound us all. That’s still no excuse. I should have found a way.”

For a moment, the anger in his eyes softens, and it’s replaced by a vulnerability I’ve never seen before. His hand gently cups my cheek as his thumb wipes away a tear. In that brief touch, I feel a connection that goes beyond the physical—it’s a promise of understanding and support, and it’s both terrifying and comforting all at once. I find myself leaning into his touch, just for a moment, before the reality of our situation crashes over me.

The word “home” echoes in my mind, hollow and mocking. Home. What is that? A place to sleep or feel safe? I haven’t had that in… I can’t even remember.

My throat constricts, and I choke on words I can’t voice. Dorian’s eyes search mine, and I see a flicker of understanding in their depths. He opens his mouth as if to speak then closes it, seemingly at a loss.

The silence stretches between us, thick and oppressive. I feel like I’m drowning in it, in the weight of all that’s been revealed. My mind races, grasping for anything familiar to cling to.

“Tori,” I whisper, the name a lifeline in this sea of uncertainty. “I need to see Tori.”

I hope like hell she has something better to say about all of this than Dorian, because I need her friendship. I need her and her home, because if I don’t have one, then maybe she will let me borrow hers to heal.

Dorian doesn’t say a word, only pulls me out of the healing spring and carries me out of the cave. As we emerge, the cool air of the shadow realm hits my skin, causing goosebumps to erupt along my arms. The world outside is a stark contrast to the cave—dark and misty with strange, twisting trees and an eerie, otherworldly beauty that both fascinates and terrifies me.

The sky above is a swirling mass of deep purples and blues, punctuated by stars that seem to pulse with their own inner light. The ground beneath Dorian’s feet shifts and changes, sometimes solid or seeming to ripple like water. In the distance, I hear haunting whispers carried on the wind, voices that seem to call my name.

I cling to Dorian, my face buried in his chest, as he navigates this alien landscape. His warmth is the only familiar thing in this strange new world, and despite my anger and confusion, I’m grateful for his presence—until he shifts into a giant black dragon.