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Shadows appear to be extensions of the body rather than separate objects. Respond to his emotional state. Demonstrated awareness - wrapped around subject’s shoelaces, arms, coat. Texture: cool but not cold. Pressure: gentle. Retracted when Rook concentrated on pulling them back.

Ethan poured water over instant coffee grounds, watching them dissolve while his brain continued its analysis. Fiction had depicted supernatural beings since time began. Shakespeare had ghosts, witches, and fairies. Every culture had various myths about creatures that existed outside normal human parameters. Those stories had to have originated somewhere.

Pattern recognition suggested authors either witnessed phenomena themselves or studied documented accounts from reliable sources. That meant that over time supernatural entities existed in sufficient numbers to generate widespread cultural documentation. This, in turn, lent credence to the hypothesis that Rook was one of those entities. And that was without the fact that Ethan had viewed those shadows personally.

His coffee sat untouched, cooling in its mug as Ethan reviewed his notes on Rook instead, specifically the section he’d labeled “Physical Response Analysis.”

Subject experienced no anxiety during shadow contact. Typical responses to unexpected touch include elevated heart rate, muscle tension, and withdrawal. None observed. Instead: curiosity, comfort, absence of threat assessment protocols.

That observation bothered him more than the shadows themselves. Ethan’s anxiety around physical contact was well-documented, consistent, and therefore predictable.

Strangers brushing against him in public triggered immediate discomfort. Brad cornering him against the wall had spiked his heart rate.

But Rook’s shadows wrapping around his arms produced...nothing. Well, nothing alarming. There was no noticeable panic - and Ethan would’ve noticed that - no tension, and nothing at all really except a sense of warmth and an odd sense of being anchored.

Ethan pulled up a new document and started typing.

HYPOTHESIS: BIOLOGICAL COMPATIBILITY

If Rook represents a supernatural species, biological responses to his presence may differ from responses to human contact. Possible explanations:

1. An indication of pheromone-based compatibility

2. Electromagnetic field interaction

3. Instinctive threat assessment correctly identifying non-hostile intent

4. Some other mechanism not yet documented in scientific literature

His phone buzzed again.

Rook: You awake?

Ethan glanced at the clock, noticing it was six forty-two. He’d expected Rook to be asleep.

Ethan: Yes. Researching.

Rook: About Fiona or about me?

Ethan hesitated, then decided honesty remained the most efficient approach.

Ethan: Both. Your shadows appear to be part of your body rather than separate entities. I’m trying to determine what that means.

Three dots appeared, disappeared, appeared again.

Rook: You’re not freaking out?

Ethan: Freaking out would be counterproductive. I’m collecting data instead.

Rook: That’s very you.

Ethan: Is there a comprehensive resource on supernatural biology? I have questions.

The dots appeared for longer this time.

Rook: Yeah. Me. Ask whatever you want.

Ethan looked at his list of seventeen questions, arranged by priority and categorized by topic. He selected the most relevant.