And Shadow Novels & Stories

(gesturing to the room) “—this is war. And in war, there are no second chances.” Before Sienna could respond, the sound of shattering glass filled the room. Both of them turned toward the window just as a shadow moved in the darkness. Enzo grabbed Sienna, his voice sharp. “Get down!” The crack of gunfire echoed through the room as chaos erupted around them.

The water passed straight through the shadow and turned black. Morrow floated closer. Her white light touched the edge of the darkness. The two forces clashed violently. Light and shadow pushed against each other. The shadow figure trembled slightly. But did not fall. You are bright, it said softly to Morrow. But not bright enough. With one smooth motion, it lifted its hand. Morrow was thrown backward into a building. Maria screamed. “No!” The shadow turned slowly toward the city. Toward the people. Toward everything. Helios moved to block it.

She closed her eyes, reciting words that seemed to resonate with an ancient power: "When the forest weeps and darkness nears, Two souls shall meet across the years. One born of shadow, one of light, Together they'll set the future right. The Shadow's strength, the Flame's bright light, United they'll stand against the night. In balance found, new hope takes flight, As dusk and dawn at last unite." Asha's eyes opened, fixing me with an intense stare. "You, my dear, are the Light spoken of in the prophecy. And Kai," she said, turning to him, "you are the Shadow." My mind reeled, struggling to process the weight of Asha's words. I looked at Kai, seeing the same mix of confusion and, somehow, th

“We need to warn them. The crow—” A shadow passes overhead. The crow circles, one eye violet, the other gold. *“It’s not over,”* the Shadow whispers in my mind. *“It’s never over,”* I reply. ---

[The Shadowless] The moonlight felt wrong. It was a cold, clinical light that cast no shadow behind them as Dante and Ivy stepped toward the monastery gates. They were two figures of flesh and blood walking across a landscape of white ash, but beneath them, the ground was hauntingly blank. Their shadows had already crossed the threshold, independent and silent, leaving them feeling untethered—ghosts that hadn't yet realized they were dead.

Beautiful and sad and terribly alone. Then the shadow pulled back. I cannot, it said. I am not made for warmth. Then learn, Luan said. She turned. She walked back to the fire. Cass walked beside her. The pack followed. The shadow watched from the tree line. It did not follow. But it did not leave. That night, Luan sat by the fire with Cass. The shadow was still at the edge of the trees. Still watching. Still hungry. You really think we can help it? Cass asked.

"Let Grandmaster Vane send every shadow, every poisoner, every killer in the South. I will tear their limbs from their bodies and stack their bones at the southern border as a warning." ​"You can't fight a shadow guild with armies, Joss," I rasped, my throat tight under his hold, though my pulse raced with an electric, intoxicating heat. "They don't field regiments. They use poison in your wine, silver pins in your sleeves, betrayal from the servants you've known for twenty years." ​"Then show me where they're hiding," Joss demanded, his thumb rubbing the side of my jaw with dark affection. "You know their safehouses. You know their ciphers. You know their dead-drops."

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a soft, golden hue over the sprawling grounds of New Moon Academy. The castle-like estate loomed majestically, its turrets piercing the clouds, while ivy clung to the stone walls like a protective embrace. Charlie Hale stood at the entrance, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Today marked a new beginning, a chance to leave behind the shadows of her past.

I could believe the sight of seeing two Leos. And the physical real one is fighting like his duplicate is not somewhere else. But how? “My shadow is with you while I was fighting with them. It takes a lot of energy but I still want to do it to prove to you that I am real and you are just one of us.” He added and I looked at him. The one with me looked paler than the one who was fighting over there. So this is the shadow! The shadow is lighter than the real one. “This time, they are not seeing us! We are like the invisible viewers here and they will be back soon. The fight is ending!” he said and I sighed.

“The shadows. They like you. That’s why the shadow spawn have grown so attached to their Lady.” “I don’t understand.” “The shadow spawn—you’re their Lady. Just like Marian has hers, though my sister’s barely speak or touch her; they only serve. Yours even bathe you. I heard about it,” he teases. “What does that have to do with these ones clinging to my feet?” “The shadow spawn aren’t from our world; they live in another dimension. But their shadows always linger near their Ladies. The ones rubbing against your feet right now are their shadows—they follow you, listen to you, and whenever you need them, they call the spawn back to serve their Lady.”