Go Back To The Shadow Novels & Stories

My blood ran cold, claws flexing about to attack when it disappeared again. Who’s the shadow?

Progress, I suppose, though hardly control. The shadow pauses, seeming to assess my defensive posture. For a heartbeat, I think I hear whispering—words too faint to decipher, spoken in a language that tugs at some primal recognition within me. Then the shadow retreats, melting into the deeper darkness beyond the orchard's edge. I remain frozen, light crackling between my fingers, waiting to see if it returns. Only when minutes pass without further sightings do I allow myself to breathe normally again, though I don't extinguish my light. Its gentle glow illuminates my path forward, keeping the deepest shadows at bay.

“The truth you deny.” Her mother’s words echoed in her mind: *“Remember who you are.”* Jessica focused, not on destroying the shadow but on understanding it. She let her spark flow, not as a weapon but as a bridge, reaching for the pain within the shadow. It faltered, its form flickering, and she saw it—a fragment of her grief, her anger, her fear of failure. “I see you,” she whispered, and the shadow screamed, dissolving into light. Around her, her companions overcame their own echoes, their resolve bolstered by her victory.

He gave me a long, sad look before he left with his men. I was just about to head home when Thorne came running up to block my way. "Princess, are you really going to let Lucian claim you?"

The evil we were creating, the one we wanted to abolish and everything in between, it would be me. The council of elders were eager to meet, they wanted an update, surety that everything would go on as planned. But I wasn't through yet, oh no, Naomi. I'm not yet done with you. Until you realize the truth for yourself and the vision comes to you, then I will bring the shadow of death just at the right time. Not a minute more nor a minute less. My second had been out for a few days, until they came back into radar. Then I would proceed with the next plan.

he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “I'm going to kill you!” she growled, trying to claw at his face. “Not today, and I'd be careful on the threats, your best friend will be next if you decide to disobey me again,” he said pushing her away. “We're always watching, now that I know how to summon you, maybe I'll punish you, there for a while,” he said before disappearing. Abey looked down at her Grandfather. The Chief wandered close by. “This is a bad omen, you must leave. You are plagued by Shadows, scat, scat.” he hissed at her.

“I need to set the runes.” They went their separate ways with Garrick going towards the village and Ava heading deeper into the woods. Using the shadows of the trees, she moved to the center of the Mountain. In her lesser self, shadow hopping would have left her drained. After absorbing the souls of the revenants, Ava was feeling more herself. More like the Queen of Shadows, minus the bitterness. Determination replaced the bitterness to keep those in her care—her family—safe.

The darkness loomed around them like a cloak. Sekhmet carried an old-fashioned torch he pulled from a hole in the wall to light the way. It was a bit theatric and unnecessary, considering vampires and werewolves alike could see in the dark. But it set the mood for torture nicely; causing shadows to dance across the walls. A bleeding.

’ He rushed off, leaving me to laugh at his retreating figure. ‘Think he figured it out?’ I wondered. ‘He’s a smart guy, if he didn’t already, he will.’ Shadow smiled and once again I was left staring at the clearing before me. I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath, the cool night air bringing me serenity, but when I opened my eyes, the picture I saw before was gone.

The magical artifact glowed brightly, lending the imperial forces renewed vigor as they charged towards the remaining outlaws. Suddenly, there was a loud piercing screech and a large shadow fell on the outlaws as an enormous creature blocked the sun.