I closed my eyes, trying to focus on my meditation, but memories crashed through instead.
"We need new blood." Elder Kora's voice had echoed through the tribal council chamber three months ago. Her ancient face, a tapestry of wrinkles and shadow markings, looked more grave than I'd ever seen it. "Our people face extinction unless we find a way to strengthen our bloodlines."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered shadow people. I stood near the back, towering over most others at my full height.
"The ancient texts speak of humans who carry shadow essence without knowing it," she continued. "Dormant power that could revitalize our tribe if mixed with our bloodlines."
Laughter erupted from Draven, my childhood rival. "You suggest we mate with humans? Like animals?" His lip curled. "I'd rather let our kind die with dignity than dilute our blood with those weak creatures."
I'd crossed my arms, watching. Waiting.
"Who among us would even volunteer for such a task?" Elder Moro asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "To leave our mountains, our shadows, to live among humans?"
The chamber fell silent. I felt the collective weight of my tribe's desperation pressing down. Without thinking, I stepped forward.
"I will go." My voice, rarely used, caused heads to turn in surprise.
Draven's mocking laugh cut through the chamber. "Varkolak? The mountain hermit? You can barely speak to your own kind, let alone charm a human into your bed."
More laughter followed. I kept my face impassive, but my shadows betrayed me, darkening and swirling at my feet.
"You think because you're strong you can succeed where others would fail?" Draven continued. "Humans are afraid of the dark, fool. One look at you manipulating shadows and they'll run screaming."
I met his eyes. "Then I won't show them. Not until they're ready."
Elder Kora raised her hand for silence. "Varkolak has volunteered. The council will consider his offer." Her eyes, black as midnight, studied me. "This will not be easy. We would need to find a human with compatible essence. The chances are... slim."
"I understand." I'd bowed my head, already questioning my impulsive decision.
A rustling in the shadows behind me pulled me from my memories. I didn't turn around. I didn't need to. I could feel Nyx's presence, her shadow energy as familiar to me as my own.
"Still brooding?" She stepped beside me, her silhouette blending seamlessly with the mountain darkness. "The council thought you'd have changed your mind by now."
I let the shadows between my fingers dissipate. "Not brooding. Meditating."
Nyx laughed, the sound like wind through autumn leaves. "Twenty-eight years I've known you, and you're still a terrible liar."
She sat beside me, legs dangling over the thousand-foot drop. Heights meant nothing to our kind. We could become one with the shadows before hitting bottom.
"I've got news." Her voice turned serious. "That's why I tracked you to your hiding place."
My chest tightened. "They've found someone."
Nyx turned to me, her obsidian eyes wide with something I rarely saw in her, surprise.
"Yes. And it's impossible."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The essence seekers found a human with shadow energy so strong it rivals some of our own kind. They've never seen anything like it."
I stared at her, waiting for the punchline. For months, shadow seekers searched human cities for even the faintest hint of compatible energy.
"Where?" I finally asked.
"Eastern shore. A human settlement called Tankor. She's there."
She. A woman. I hadn't expected that, though I don't know why. The elders hadn't specified what kind of human they'd match me with.
