32. Atticus

32

ATTICUS

I jolted out of my deep sleep. Aria’s panic was like a siren in my head. I bolted upright, instinct overriding thought. Not a second to waste. My bones cracked, skin stretched, and fur sprouted. Paws hit the ground, and I was out the door, racing through the night.

The forest rushed past me, the branches whipping and tugging at my fur as I navigated over fallen logs, veering off the path to take the straightest route. Her distress yanked me toward her. I pushed harder, faster, to my max endurance.

The world around me went black. No stars, no moon, nothing. Terror clawed at my insides. What was this? An attack? My gut twisted with a sharp, pulling sensation, like there was a hook behind my belly button. Prepared for a pain that never came, the metallic taste of nausea filled my mouth and sent my senses reeling.

The darkness receded as quickly as it had enveloped me. Rain hammered down and the rumble of thunder filled the sky. I glanced around, trying to find my bearings. I was still in the forest, but much further along the path from when the darkness descended.

Aria’s wolf form, her silver coat contrasting against the dark night sky, was suddenly just in sight. Our paths intersected, and I felt the fear wash over her as she met my gaze. As soon as she recognized my wolf, relief coursed through our shared bond, but her underlying dread urged us on, quickening our pace.

“Keep going, ” I projected into her mind. She acknowledged me with a brief bob of her wolf’s muzzle and pushed on, her muscles rippling as she pushed her lithe body to the limit. We didn’t dare slow down.

We blazed a trail through the dense forest until the imposing structure of Aria’s manor came into view—the only safe haven we had. My mind raced faster than my heart. What the fuck was going on? What had frightened her so badly? Had the Crimson Fang made a move? Larkin?

Also, how the fuck did I get to Aria so quickly? One second, I was racing through the woods near my den, the next I was by her side. How had I crossed the distance so instantaneously? Had the shadows somehow defied the laws of nature and bent themselves to my will, transporting me to her side? Was it any different to the shack that had appeared in the forest, equipped with everything we needed at the exact moment we were in need?

“ Safe ,” I told her. Talking could wait. Something had changed tonight, something big.

We burst across the manor’s threshold, gasping as we transformed back into our human skin. Her chest heaved, her breaths sharp and uneven. Body tensed like a bowstring, she fought to take in air.

“Hey,” I said softly, rubbing her upper arms. “Breathe with me.”

She stared at me and slowly matched my rhythm. In. Hold. Out. The terror in her eyes ebbed away, and the rigidity of her muscles gave way. The anxiety and fear hadn’t left her, but they’d dulled to a more manageable amount.

“I’m okay,” she said, though her ashen complexion and the quiver in her voice betrayed her somewhat.

I slid one hand down to intertwine our fingers as we walked to her rooms together. She promptly closed the door behind us and darted across to shut the windows and draw the drapes. The dim light of the small carriage lamps on the walls made a feeble attempt to cast a warm glow in the room.

Giving her a moment to collect herself, I went into her bathing chamber and turned on the water to fill her tub. I glanced at the array of bottles lining the tub and silently expressed gratitude to Mia for the wisdom she had imparted over the years. I knew what combination of salts and oils to use to soothe any aches Aria might have. The scent of chamomile, lavender, and something wild like the forest after a rainstorm rose in the stream.

I returned to the bedroom. On a table beside the door sat a pitcher of water and a few glasses. I filled two, then moved across the room and handed one to her Aria. Her hands shook as she took the glass from me. Keeping my eyes on her, I gulped my water down, its coolness soothing my parched throat.

I waited for her to finish drinking. “Tell me what happened,” I said once she was a bit steadier.

She swallowed hard, then whispered, “There were these… masked figures in the woods. Masked figures. They said I’d outlived my usefulness...” She paused, shuddering. “That I had to die. I couldn’t fight. I was outnumbered and they surrounded me too fast. I don’t really know how to explain it. They were chanting, then moved in to attack. My magic tried to respond to the threat. I could sense it brewing inside me, but I don’t really know what it does or how to use it. How do I let loose what I don’t comprehend?”

I scanned her face, looking for injuries. “Did they hurt you?”

Aria shook her head but winced when she moved her arm. “Just some scrapes,” she said, trying to downplay it, but the blood on her skin ignited a fury within me. Her arms were scratched. This bond held a deeper significance than mere empathetic connection; it was a vital tool, allowing me to protect and ensure her safety.

“How the hell did you get away?”

“Some woman just appeared out of nowhere and told me to run. She was so incredibly powerful.”

She was still shaking. I gathered her in my arms, providing the same comfort she had given me during my nightmare. I trailed my fingers along her spine to ease her trembling.

“Good. I’m glad you listened to her.” I tilted her chin up, so she had no choice but to look me in the eye. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

“Trying to use my power... it might not have been very effective, but it felt right. This is going to sound crazy,” she whispered, shaking her head. “When I tapped into my magic, I felt like my true self for the first time since the ritual.”

“Focus on that feeling,” I told her. “Remember it. We’ll figure this out.”

“Okay,” she whispered. We stood there, the world momentarily narrowed down to just us two.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I said, scooping her up and carrying her to the bathroom. The dried mud on her skin and clothes flaked and disintegrated, leaving behind a trail of dust.

“I can manage,” Aria protested even as she rested her head against my chest.

“Trust me, it’s okay.” I kissed the top of her head before setting her down beside the tub and turning off the water. Her eyes were clouded.

“You sure Eldan won’t mind this?” I asked, motioning around the bathroom.

Her eyes cleared, and she looked at me in bewilderment. “Mind? Why would he?”

“Thought maybe you two...” I trailed off, not sure how to put it.

“Me and Eldan?” She shook her head emphatically. “He’s like a brother to me, Atticus. Nothing more.”

“All right,” I said, turning my gaze away so she could undress in private. I focused on fortifying my shields, determined to conceal my relief. Still, I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my lips. She and Eldan weren’t together.

“Can you stand?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“Let me help.” I peeled the final layers of clothing from her skin, careful not to touch the scrapes. The water lapped at the edges as I helped her into the tub. Aria let out a relieved sigh as she leaned back, resting her head on the edge so her hair trailed down over the side.

She was a stunning woman, and it would be dishonest to deny my attraction to her. The sight of her lying there, completely nude, was both alluring and distracting. Despite my attempts to remain composed, my cock had a mind of its own, creating an uncomfortable tightness in my pants. I didn’t want her to misinterpret my intentions, so I began mentally reciting multiplications and percentages until my obvious dilemma was no longer visible.

As much as I wanted to join her in the water, now was not the time. We’d only just started to talk again. Instead, I settled on the edge of the tub, found a clean cloth on the decorative shelf and began to wash the grime from her skin as gently as I could.

“Does it hurt?” I asked as I lathered the cloth with the soap.

“Less now,” she admitted. I gently massaged the soap into her skin, methodically working my way from her fingers to her shoulder, careful to avoid the scratches. Once finished, I moved on to her other arm, repeating the process. Her muscles relaxed slowly with each stroke, tension seeping out of her. It was both blissful and torture to be so close to her.

Her eyelids drooped, and her nodded. “Let’s get you out of the water before it gets too cold.” I grabbed a towel from the shelves. With a quick flick of my wrist, I unfurled it and held it open. Urging her to stand, I wrapped it around Aria, patting her skin dry with as much gentleness as I could muster. I wanted to worship her body. My hands shook a little from the effort of holding back the rush of feelings that threatened to overwhelm me. I didn’t want it to flow through our bond and overwhelm her.

Her hair had stayed dry, so I wrapped a dry towel around her body and guided her to sit on a stool to brush her hair. With each stroke of the brush, the knots in her hair unraveled, the rhythmic movements creating a relaxing flow.

“I felt your fear,” I admitted. “In the same way you experienced my nightmare. It echoed down our bond, a distress call I had to answer.”

“I’m glad you did,” she murmured, leaning into the brush strokes. “I was running low on energy, but when you appeared, I knew I had the strength to go on.”

“It was the weirdest thing, though,” I said, and she twisted her head to look at me. “I left my bed and shifted, all my focus on reaching you. I was running in the forest close to the den. Then, it was as if the shadows swallowed me. For a fraction of a second, there was nothing. Just as quickly as they had engulfed me, they expelled me and I was suddenly sprinting alongside you.”

Aria’s fear vanished, replaced with the same wonder I felt. “That’s… Gods, Atticus, that’s incredible. How did you do it? Do you think you can do it on command?”

I laughed, relieved that the last remnants of fear had dissipated from the bond. “It was. I don’t know, and I have no idea.”

Silence fell between us as I continued brushing her hair, watching as it transformed into a stunning silvery cascade that shimmered in the light.

“Let’s get you into something warm.”

She nodded, and we moved through to her bedroom. She pointed to a chest of drawers, and I opened them to reveal a collection of neatly folded clothes. I found a soft shirt and pants that would be comfortable enough to sleep in. I helped her dress. It was an intimate act of devotion, though I kept my touch business-like, purposeful, and mastered the multiplication tables in a way I never had as a child.

“Atticus—” she began, but I cut her off.

“You need food in you. Then we’ll talk.”

I scooped her up, carrying her effortlessly as if she were made of the same shadows that had once cloaked me. We made our way through the silent manor and into the kitchen. The cooks had long since extinguished the fires, so the kitchen was colder than the rest of the house. When I turned the corner, a strange woman sat at the small table, her feet propped up on it. A large platter of meat, cheese, and bread was on the table in front of her.

She turned her head when we entered. “Finally,” she said. “I thought y’all were never coming out of there.”

I set Aria down and stepped in front of her, shielding her from the woman. I had no idea if she was a threat, but I didn’t want Aria in harm’s way after what she had endured. I’d made a promise to protect her. “Who are you?”

“Philesia,” she responded as if it should have been obvious, her eyes playful yet unreadable.

My shifter eyesight compensated for the dim lighting from the lamps, allowing me to get a clear view of her. The woman was a timeless beauty. A small, pointed chin and a slightly upturned nose gave her face a distinct and enchanting charm. Her eyes were the striking color of molten gold, shining brightly and commanding attention. The fine lines around them and her full mouth suggested she smiled often.

She wore armor that glimmered the same gold as her eyes, its polished surface engraved with elaborate runes. A chest plate offered crucial defense to her vital organs, while bracers and greaves protected her forearms and legs from attacks. Beneath the metal, she wore a delicate white tunic with ornate golden trim. Her long white hair cascaded over one shoulder.

Her weapon, a formidable broadsword, lay on the floor, a clear sign that our presence did not concern her. My attempts to gauge her intentions with my gifts proved ineffectual, and I found myself unable to gain any meaningful information.

She wagged her finger at me. “Boy, I’m on your side. I’ll let you off this once, as I’ve surprised you in Aria’s home, but don’t try that shit on me again, please. You won’t like the outcome.”

Aria put her hand on my back and stepped out from behind me.

“So, Philesia, why are you here?” I pressed.

“Well, to save your asses, of course.” Her flippant tone contrasted with the fierce expression on her face.

“Okay,” Aria said, drawing the word out. “I was outnumbered back there. Your help was appreciated. But people don’t normally just show up out of the goodness of their hearts to help in a fight. We need answers. Who were those attackers? Why did they say I have to die? What do you want from us?”

“Questions, questions,” Philesia mused, finally sitting up straight. “So many questions.”

“Answer as many as you can, then, please,” I said.

Philesia leaned back, eyeing us both. “I’m limited in what I can reveal without disturbing the fates.” She paused, her attention settling on Aria. “It’s complicated. However, I can tell you this. I hail from the realm of the gods.”

She paused, as if expecting a response. When none came, she shrugged nonchalantly. “Tough crowd. From the first moment you stepped through the seer’s door, I’ve been following your journey. And what a trip that’s been.”

“ Have you seen her before tonight? ” I asked Aria through our link, trying to think if I’d encountered this strange woman before.

“ Never ,” came the quick reply. “I think I’d remember, she’s pretty unforgettable.”

“Tut tut,” Philesia scolded playfully, wagging her finger between us, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You both know better than to talk about people behind their backs, or in your case, telepathically in front of their faces.”

“How can you have helped us if we’ve never met you before?” I asked, refusing to let embarrassment take over.

“Do you have to see everything in order for it to exist, Atticus? Your shadows, for example. When you step into their embrace, do you cease to be? Do you have to observe each oxygen molecule to engage in the act of breathing? Just because I haven’t been holding your hand and leading the charge doesn’t mean I have been absent. Sometimes when a quest is particularly demanding, a little guidance can go a long way, don’t you think? I provided this for you. The answers may not always have been as obvious as you both would have liked, but I acted within the limitations placed upon me.”

Guidance? What was she talking about? Unless you counted the cryptic crap from the seer, we hadn’t received any guidance…

“The shack in the forest,” I muttered. “That was you?”

Philesia nodded. “Finally, you put it together. I was starting to think I’d put my eggs in the wrong people.”

“Basket,” I corrected absently as I thought about the cabin that had materialized in the clearing after our initial encounter with the seer. We had assumed its appearance was linked to the forest, but if Philesia’s claims were true, then she really had guided us.

Philesia stood and positioned herself in front of me, allowing her power to bleed through. There was something otherworldly about her now. I could sense the ancient magic that ran through her veins. She might be small in stature, but the aura she kept contained was immense.

Her intense gaze locked with mine as she questioned, “Do you seriously think the forest has the power to provide you with a hut containing answers? Books, lost to your people over time? A cozy love nest in the middle of a rainstorm? It doesn’t, not without my power.”

Aria took my hand, and through our bond she sent a quiet but firm message to proceed with caution. Philesia was clearly a powerful being who, for her own reasons, had lent us her aid. She’d saved Aria from the attackers in the forest. I didn’t want to do anything to make her reconsider.

“How do you know anything about us? Surely, Aria and I aren’t the hot gossip in the halls of the gods?”

“Patches is a good sort, isn’t he?” Philesia said, smiling slyly as she mentioned the seer’s cat.

Aria’s eyes widened, a mix of skepticism and awe running across her face. “ Patches told you?”

“Hmm,” she said vaguely. “You’d be surprised what the gods speak of. They’ve nothing to do but gossip. Anyway, what was I saying?” She tapped a finger on her chin. “Oh, yes, your journey has to be yours. I have these vexing limitations on what I can or can’t say, but something changed tonight. An upset in the delicate equilibrium, and it is imperative that we prevent their success.”

“Are you talking about those men in the forest?” Aria interjected.

Philesia nodded. “They are attempting to take fate into their own hands,” Philesia explained with an unsettling calm. “It’s unacceptable.”

“They were calling on some kind of magic before you arrived. It felt… wrong.” Aria’s whole body trembled slightly. “They were adamant that I must die. They’ll come for me again.”

“Over my dead body,” I growled, pulling Aria close to me. The very thought set my blood on fire.

“Death is not always set in stone, dear ones. Choices lead the dance of fate,” Philesia said, a cryptic smile tugging at her lips.

“How do I stop them when I don’t even know who they are?” Aria asked desperately.

“Your enemy has not changed, only their weapon. Look beyond the masks, beyond the theater,” Philesia said. “Embrace the magic that has been building inside you. Embrace it, master it. It is the only way.”

Aria shook her head. “I don’t even understand my magic. It’s too much, too fast. Too intense.”

Laughter bubbled from Philesia’s lips. “Oh darling, open your eyes, really open them. Great power courses through you. The elements await your command. Learn to befriend them.” She brushed off her clothes. “Meet me by the old battlegrounds an hour before sunset in two days’ time. I’ll teach you. Don’t be late.” She squinted at me. “Just you, girl. No boys allowed.”

“Wait—” I called out as Philesia turned to leave. “What about me? Today, I... It was like I moved through shadows to reach her.”

Philesia giggled, a light, eerie sound. “How many hints must the universe drop, Atticus? You wield the shadows. They are far more than just camouflage and parlor tricks, dear boy.”

Confusion twisted inside me, and I searched my memories, the spirit, the words, the shadows.

“Well, I hope you get brighter when the times get tougher. I can’t spell everything out,” she said, almost sing-song, “You, Atticus, are a shadow walker.” With that, she disappeared from the room as if she were part of the shadows herself.

“Shadow walker,” I whispered, the term foreign yet familiar.