“And…And can I reach out to any friends to let them know where I am?” I ask.
Raith stares out at the books around us and the darkened library like he’s skeptical I have any.Asshole.
“When you graduate, contact is allowed,” Thane replies. “But not before.”
“Okay, and how long does it take to graduate?” I ask.
The massive man shrugs. “It’s different for everyone.”
Great. That means it’s going to take ages.
“We need an answer,” Knox cuts in harshly then. “We don’t have all night to cater to a single student.”
I don’t miss it then. The fact that he calls me a ‘student’ rather than simply calling me ‘human.’ I can’t help it. A thrill goes through me at the thought.
The four men stare at me expectantly, and I sigh heavily even though I already know what my choice is going to be. Galen has my portal ring, and this Shadowbone place could hold all the answers I need. I haven’t been getting any answers here in the human realm, and it’s not like I have much of a choice anyway. I can stay here and wait for death, or go with the incredibly sexy shadow daddies who may or may not be my mates. I mean, I’ve lost my memory, but I’m not dumb. Mostly…
“Okay,” I say softly. “I’ll go to the academy, but don’t expect me to become all badass.” It’s all I need to utter before Raith is banding his arm across my shoulders.
“All right!” he says enthusiastically. “Welcome to the club, sunshine. You’re not goin’ to regret this.”
From the look the others give each other, and the way Knox is glowering at me, I’m not so sure about that, but I focus on the bright side, at least I’ve finally figured out what my tattoo means.
Chapter Five
~ Shade ~
Itake a look around the library that has basically been my home for the last few weeks. “Hold on,” I mutter abruptly, “if we’re about to walk through a portal or whatever it is you guys do, I have to grab something.”
I shrug off Raith’s arm and set off jogging toward the back of the space to where I’d been holed up with my pile of books, and I’m relieved when they don’t try to stop me. Going straight for my sketchbook, I shove it under my shirt before sliding a pencil into my pocket. Thankfully,my shirt is loose enough to hide the book without making it obvious. I pick up my backpack next, and when I turn, Galen is standing there, smirking as he leans against the bookshelf to my left.
“You didn’t have to follow me,” I murmur. “It’s not like I have anywhere to run.”
“You’re our responsibility now, little shadow,” he answers casually, and his attention lingers on the front of my shirt. I shiftuncomfortably, suddenly wondering if the guy has x-ray vision or something crazy like that.
“You can’t bring any belongings to the shadow realm,” he tells me. “It’s against the rules. When you enter Shadowbone, your past life is erased.”
“Huh. Does this mean you’re not going to give me my ring back?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Seeing as youcan’t bring belongings, you’ll have little use for it,” he drawls. “Besides, it won’t work where you’re going. Not inside the academy walls. I, however, will ensure it doesn’t go to waste.”
I huff, but I don’t respond to that. Honestly, at least I know if Galen has it, I can try and steal my ring back when we’re at the academy. Instead, I backtrack to ask a question about the other thing he said. “What do you mean my past life will be erased?” If going with him means I’ll still end up with my memory being wiped, then I’m going to have to rethink my decision to go with them. “No one mentioned that wiping my memory is part of the deal.”
“Relax, no one is going to do that. When you enter the academy, your memories will remain, but whatever your life was, whoever you were, will cease to exist because you will be forged into the shadow warrior you need to be.”
“Yeah, about that, that must be a mistake, because I’m not a warrior,” I say simply, even as relief goes through me now that I know my memories will remain intact. “But you’ve made it pretty clear I’ll die if I stay here, so I’ll go.” I place my backpack down and smile at him. “Withoutmy belongings like a good little girl.”
His lips twitch with amusement, but he cocks his head, distracted, like he’s listening to something I can’t hear. “They’re getting impatient,” he comments. I don’t need to ask him whotheyare.
“Then let’s go,” I say, chipper. I go to pass him, but he lifts his arm, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. Ice and fire race along my skin at the contact, and I freeze as a breath rushes out of me. Everything inside me still screams that he’s my mate, and I have to stop myself from leaning into him.
He moves closer, his eyes hooded. “Mmm, if you really want to be a good girl, you’ll hand over that notebook you’re trying to sneak past me.”
Oh, crap.“Firstly, it’s a sketchbook,” I correct him, “and secondly, uh, no.”
“No?”
I shake my head, though it feels like an effort to do it when Galen is staring at me with those penetrating eyes.
