Chapter 158: Shadows
**Avery**
As we walked through Midgard under the guise of being human, we still drew looks from the villagers. Outsiders must be uncommon, or do they pick up on our shifter nature? I bite my lip, hoping that it isn’t the latter. I would like one leg of this journey not to be life-threatening. Yet, beneath the surface of my calm exterior, an unease stirs within me, a pull I cannot quite explain.
Cassius, his leather armor creaking with each confident stride, leans closer. "Do you feel it, Avery?" His voice is low, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd. "It’s like something’s calling us, but I can’t pinpoint what."
I nod, my eyes narrowing as I try to focus on the sensation. "It’s not just us. The others feel it too." I glance at Clint, his athletic frame tense, his eyes darting around as if searching for a hidden threat. Conner, always the observer, stands slightly apart, his blue eyes sharp and calculating. James, towering and regal, his green eyes piercing through the chaos, seems to sense it as well. Even Donn, his usual smirk replaced by a rare moment of seriousness, and Vincent, his amber eyes flickering with unease, are affected.
"What do you think it is?" Clint asks, his voice tinged with frustration. "We’re not here to sightsee. We’re on a mission."
"I know," I reply, my tone steady. "But whatever it is, it’s drawing us toward something—or—something. We need to follow it."
Vincent, his presence always commanding, steps forward. "Be cautious. Not everything that calls to us is benevolent. This could be a trap."
I arch an eyebrow, my confidence unwavering. "Then we’ll face it together. We’ve faced worse.” The pull grows stronger as we move deeper into the village, the streets narrowing and the buildings leaning closer, as if conspiring to keep us within their grasp. The villagers part before us, their whispers following in our wake. I feel the bond with my mates—Cassius, Clint, Conner, James, Donn, and Vincent—strengthening, their power intertwining with mine. It’s a reminder of our unity, our shared purpose.
Suddenly, the air shifts, and the pull becomes almost unbearable. I stop, my hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of my dagger. "It’s here. Whatever it is, it’s close."
Cassius steps beside me, his hand brushing mine in a silent gesture of support. "We’re ready."
Clint and Conner flank us, their eyes scanning the surroundings, while James stands tall, his presence a shield against any potential threat. Donn’s eyes gleam with anticipation, and Vincent, his tattoos glowing faintly, completes our circle.
The villagers fall silent, their gazes fixed on a small, unassuming building at the end of the street. It’s an inn, its wooden sign creaking in the wind, but there’s something about it—an almost magnetic pull. "That’s it," I whisper, my heart pounding. "We need to go in."
As we approach the inn, the door creaks open on its own, as if inviting us in. The air inside is heavy with the scent of ale and smoke, but there’s an underlying current—something ancient and powerful. My skin prickles, and I feel the Regina stir, her presence a warning.
The room is dimly lit, and the patrons are frozen in place as we enter. At the far end of the room, a figure sits in the shadows, their form obscured. The pull is strongest here, almost overwhelming. I step forward, my mates close behind. "Show yourself," I command, my voice echoing with authority.
The figure rises, their silhouette tall and imposing. As they step into the light, I gasp, my heart skipping a beat. It’s a woman, her features strikingly familiar, her eyes—a mirror of my own.
"Avery," she says, her voice soft yet commanding. "I am Sam. I’ve been waiting for you."
My mind races, the pieces falling into place. This woman—she’s not just anyone. She’s my sister, the one I’ve been searching for, the key to unlocking the mysteries of my past and the secrets of Altima Island.
But as I take a step forward, Vincent’s hand clamps down on my shoulder, his grip tight. "Be careful, Avery. This could be a trick." I know, because my visions before showed a man who looked like me, not a woman. But the energy feels the same. Could he be in disguise? But why?
I nod, my gaze never leaving the woman who could be a long-lost sister. "I know. But I have to know. Who are you? Why have you brought us here?"
She smiles, a sad, knowing smile. "All will be revealed in time. But first, we must leave this place. They’re coming—those who seek to stop us. We must go to Altima Island, where the truth awaits."
My heart pounds with a mixture of fear and excitement. Altima Island—the place I’ve been searching for, the place that holds the answers I’ve been seeking. But with it comes danger, and the knowledge that nothing will ever be the same again. As we turn to leave, the inn erupts into chaos. The patrons, once frozen, now move with unnatural speed, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. They’re not human—they’re something else, something dark.
"Move!" Cassius roars, his dragon form beginning to emerge.
We fight our way out, our powers unleashed as we battle the creatures. The villagers outside join the fray, their fear turning to aggression as they attack us with makeshift weapons. It’s a blur of motion and sound, the air filled with the scent of blood and magic. Finally, we break free, the inn and the village disappearing behind us as we run toward the forest. My sister leads the way, her movements graceful yet urgent.
"What are they?" I pant, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Shadows," she replies, her voice grim. "Sent by those who wish to keep us from the truth. But they won’t stop us. Not this time." We follow her through the woods. “Avery, keep on this path. Beware of the shadows and anyone who worships them. I can’t stay in this realm or go with you to the next. You must find Altima on your own. Follow your heart, Avery, because it has always known the way.” She faded away as she went to kiss my forehead.
I look at my group, “Vincent, what was that?”
He takes my hand. “She wasn’t real. She was a projection…a shade.”
“Like what you used on me when you showed me a twisted version of my mates before I realized it was an illusion?”
He smiles. “Yes, the very same. Just like Seraphina was a shade of me. I think you know what Sam said is the truth. When we get to Altima, you can ask him why he chose to appear as a woman instead of as himself.”
“Why did you choose Seraphina?”
He laughs. “Because I thought you might trust a female stranger over me at the time. Now, I hope you can trust me.”
“I do. I trust everyone I love.” We share a tender kiss before I kiss each of my other mates. “Come on, let’s see what comes next.”
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