A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

We were leaving the city when it happened. I heard a commotion to my right. When I looked up, I was met with angry stares from yet another group of people only a few steps away from us. There were three men, all of whom fell silent upon meeting my gaze. The one in the middle, a large red-faced man, bored into me with his beady blue eyes as he muttered something under his breath to the short stocky man beside him. It made me uneasy. Aris had taken notice too.

“Just keep walking,” was all he said, keeping his eyes forward. He looked angry. As we passed by the group of men, one of them leaned forward towards me.

“Dirty slut,” the man grunted, spitting on my feet as he did so. I jumped back in disgust. But before I could retaliate, Aris had moved between me and the men.

“Excuse me, gentlemen. Is there a problem here?” He sounded calm, but I was frightened.

The red-faced man puffed up his chest as he looked up at Aris. “T’ain’t right wot yer doin with that girl there!”

“And what, pray tell, would that be?” Aris leaned in unflinching, his tone remained polite. The man’s cronies closed in. I felt their life energies, for as large as these men were, they weren’t very vital. The man’s beady eyes narrowed.

“You know damn well wot I’m talking ‘bout,” he growled grabbing a fistful of Aris’ shirt in his hand as he did so.

Aris looked down and smiled. “I suggest you remove your hand, sir.”

The man smirked. “Burn in hell, shadow walker.”

What happened next chilled me to the bone. The whites of Aris’ eyes became as black as night, and his face contorted into something far more sinister than I had ever seen him before. But it was his voice that frightened me the most.

“I said REMOVE YOUR HAND!” his warped voice thundered around us such that a passersby turned and ran. Aris hit the man’s hand away from him and threw him to the ground with an unnatural force. The now terrified man scurried off tripping over his feet as he did so. Aris cocked his head to the side, cracking his neck, as his normal appearance resumed. He turned back to face the way we had been walking but avoided looking directly at me. “Come on, Rose,” he said quietly. “Let’s go.”

I followed, keeping close to his side as we went. My heartbeat accelerated and I became painfully aware of how quiet it had become. Everyone we passed averted their eyes. I saw several women duck into nearby buildings. For the first time since meeting him, I was finally beginning to see what Aris meant about shadow walkers. He didn’t speak a word to me as we made our way out of the plaza, and I couldn’t help but feel like he was angry with me. Fortunately, I felt the tension ease the further we walked and was relieved when we finally got out of the city. Aris seemed relieved as well. When we were finally alone Aris stopped walking and looked at me.

“Rose, I feel I owe you an explanation,” he sounded defeated.

“Why?” I asked.

“Back there, what you saw, I-” he faltered.

“You are a shadow walker,” I asserted, placing my hand on his arm reassuringly. “I know.”

He looked down, I saw a hint of a smile play across his lips. Then finally, he looked at me. “I just don’t want you to be afraid of me.” His eyes were fearful. I put my arms around him and kissed him lightly on the lips.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I assured us both. Aris looked a little more comforted. I interlaced my fingers with his and we resumed walking. “You know I could’ve handled them, right?” I asked, warranting a laugh from him.

“Of course, I do,” he agreed. “Old habits, I guess.”

We continued walking home in peace but my mind raced with questions. I felt as though I had caught a glimpse of a completely different side of Aris. Later. I thought to myself. I saw no point in upsetting him further now. But the longer we walked the more I couldn’t help but wonder just how much I had yet to learn about him. Sure, he had told me about how he came to be a shadow walker, but there was a good three-hundred years of time between then and now. I wondered what he was like back then. What had he meant by old habits? Had he been violent? Was he still violent now? I remembered him telling me back when I was in the village that he had been sought out by the dark one after becoming consumed with rage. When he initially told me this, it made sense to me. Of course, one would be angry after being betrayed as he had been. But I hadn’t really considered the long-term effects of something that intense. I wondered if he had killed people. The way he had looked at the man in the city, the way he looked period, it was someone I did not recognize. What if that’s the real Aris? I shook the thought out of my head. I needed to stop thinking like this and start getting answers. If there was one thing I had learned from my time in Wren’s Glen, it was the power of doubt. I would not make the same mistakes here in the city by shoving doubts out of my mind, rather lean into them and press for answers.

“Aris?” I braved to ask.

He looked at me.

“Why did your appearance change back there?” I chose my words carefully.

“Anytime a shadow walker uses magic, that sort of thing will happen.”

“Why?”

“Unlike mages, we draw power from the shadow realm. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but the shadow realm will change a person. I don’t exactly know why. But anytime I use magic my appearance changes. The more I use, the more I will change.”

“So, that’s why I’ve never seen you like that before,” I assumed. No wonder his eyes sometimes seem darker than others.

He nodded. “Some say that it’s father’s way of reminding the world who’s responsible for our power.”

“Do you believe that?” I asked him.

He shrugged. “Who knows?”

“So, does this mean you can control it? Are you able to change your appearance on command or is it only in certain situations?”

“Like I said, it’s all relevant to how much magic I use.”

“Show me.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “If you insist.” He sounded bored. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them again I saw the same solid black eyes I had seen earlier. I raised my eyebrows, more intrigued than scared this time as I watched his eyes return to normal. “Happy?” he asked, grinning at me.

“Yes, actually,” I responded. He rolled his eyes at me and I laughed, happy that I hadn’t touched a nerve with my questions.

Later that night, as I laid next to Aris in bed. I wondered out loud if I should go back to the royal apothecary the next day.

“Do you really think I should go back?” I asked.

“Of course, I do,” he answered confidently.

“How much should I tell her… you know, about me?” I knew the royal city was a much safer place to be a mage than Wren’s Glen had been, but I was still fearful.

“Tread lightly. At least in the beginning. It’s not as though you will be sentenced to death or anything if word gets out that you are a mage. But a life mage, now that might put a bit of a target on your back. I don’t think I would be sharing that with anyone if I were you.”

I tensed. “Maybe it would be better, safer, if I don’t-”

“Nonsense,” he sat up on his side and looked at me. “You came here so you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. I know it’s not perfect, and I’m not saying you should never tell anyone. Just go slow. Take the time to find out who’s trustworthy.” He spoke frankly. His expression changed as he watched me furrow my brow. “What is it?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” I hesitated. “After everything in the village… I guess I just don’t have the best track record when it comes to discerning who is and isn’t trustworthy.”

“I’d wager you’re better than most.”

I raised my eyebrows skeptically.

“I’m serious,” he insisted. “You’ve had a significant amount of practice in reading people recently.”

I sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”

He grinned. “Of course, I am.” I rolled my eyes as he kissed me on the cheek. “Relax, Rose. Everything is going to be okay.”

“If you say so,” I sighed.

I laid back in bed. Our bed. I melted at the thought of having a place of my own with Aris. I still didn’t know what exactly this meant for our relationship or how long he planned on staying around. But for the first time since leaving the village I had a place to call home and someone to share it with. My mind was reeling from the day’s events. I couldn’t stop thinking about everything I had seen in the city, the good and the bad. My mind was ablaze with questions and curiosities, and I was practically giddy at the idea of returning to apothecary work. I wondered what sort of things I would get to learn there. I remembered the vast sea of books I had seen in the library and envisioned myself tucked away spending hours and hours reading. Again, I thought about Aris and the way he had acted earlier. One day at a time. I told myself.

“I can practically hear your mind racing,” I heard him say quietly. I turned on my side to face him and smiled. “Are you alright?” he asked.

I nodded. “I am. Today was just a lot. Overwhelming, but not in a bad way.” I clarified, “I’m also really happy.” I leaned over him and kissed him.

“Good,” he smiled warmly and I felt myself melt a little as he pulled me back into him. I settled in, trying to make myself comfortable enough for sleep to take over. I appreciated that Aris had gotten into the habit of laying beside me until I fell asleep each night and I hoped he enjoyed it as much as I do. After what felt like hours, I somehow managed to fall asleep amidst my excitement.