“My innate manifests as shadows,” I retort,indignant. “Not… not this!” I gesture at the vines with an open hand.
“When did your shadows manifest?” Ryc asks.
In an instant, I’m transported to Netharis’ study—to the moments leading up to the signing of my contract. It lies between my hands upon his desk, the signature line empty. Pressing my left thumb against the parchment leaves a blackened stain and inky fog ebbs beneath my hands.
I never stopped to think about the discovery of my innate because it never mattered.
Only it did matter.
No… I shake my head.
No, not possible.
My hand flies to my brow.
My innate cannot be yet another means Netharis used to exert control. I spentcenturieslearning to control my shadows—fighting the incessant need to kill because Netharisdesigned it so.
“Do you not remember?” Eve asks, she shifts her weight onto the other foot, shooting a hesitant look in Ryc’s direction.
Ryc shakes his head, a silent, gentle warning to allow me space.
“They were never mine,” I whisper, defeated. “All of us… we all possessed shadows. We were allgivenshadows.”
Acontractbestowed innate, much like hellfire.
Which, thanks to Eve, I’ve learnedassumesthe place of one’s inherent innate ability. Which means… Ryc is right.
These vines… are mine.
A faint vibration ripples in my chest—one easily missed were I notlookingfor it. It doesn’t feel like a call or an announcement—hells, it doesn’tfeellike an innate.
Stepping forward, I grab at the vine, ripping it toward me. Deep green buds swell around my hand andburstopen, revealing sapphire petals that cast me in an ethereal blue light.
I heave a long, defeated sigh. I cannot deny Ryc’s observations—proof stands directly before me. Yanking my hand away, the vines vanish in a rolling billow of dark blue smoke.
As the rest of the vines vanish, it feels like a slap in the face.
A reminder of my shadows.
“All of Netharis’ children have the shadow innate?” Cyran asks.
“Yes.” I nod.
“Why shadows? Why not hellfire?” Eve asks, her brows pinching.
I never stopped to consider one over another. Nor do I have answers for her. I shake my head, remaining silent.
“Why would Celesta take it?” I ask and my feet set off into a pace. “Whatdid she take if not my innate?”
“Is it possible she knew the nature of your contract?” Cyran asks and I can feel his eyes following me. “Perhaps she didn’t take anything at all and instead suppressed your shadows.”
No.
No that’s not it.
“What you’ve given her was not meant for her! You’ve ruined her!”Netharis’ shouting creeps out of the darkened corners of my mind.
Given.
