Page 89 of Echoes From the Void
Through our various bonds, I feel their joy in this moment—everyone finding small happinesses despite tomorrow’s looming threat. Even Bishop’s Guardian marks pulse more gently as he watches Finn and Tori dance, their powers creating unconscious light shows around them.
“They look good together,” I say softly, feeling Finn’s happiness echo through our twin bond.
Bishop’s hand finds mine, his touch steady despite the tension thrumming through his marks. “They do. Though perhaps we should demonstrate proper form? Since this is meant to be educational.”
I raise an eyebrow at his formal tone, but there’s mischief hiding beneath his perfect composure. “Are you asking me to dance, Professor Mercer?”
“I believe I am, Miss Vale.” He bows with exaggerated ceremony that makes Leo snort. “Assuming you can follow my comprehensive guide to traditional shadow realm dance steps.”
“Oh god,” Leo groans, his shadows dramatically flopping across the counter. “Please tell me you didn’t make a PowerPoint about dancing too.”
Bishop’s dignified silence speaks volumes, his Guardian marks flickering with what might be embarrassment.
“He did,” Tori confirms, still swaying with Finn. Their combined power creates patterns that dance across the ceiling. “Complete with animated diagrams and historical context.”
“It was very thorough,” I defend, letting Bishop pull me onto their makeshift dance floor. His marks pulse with warm amusement as he draws me close. My shadows automatically reach for his, remembering other dances, other moments.
“Everything about Bishop is very thorough,” Leo calls suggestively, waggling his eyebrows.
“Children,” Dorian sighs as frost patterns trace his exasperation, “some of us are trying to maintain academic dignity here.”
“In an abandoned cafeteria while hiding from the Council?” Leo grins. “Good luck with that.”
More music fills the space—something slower now, making Finn and Tori drift closer together. Their powers create a gentle aurora above them, shadow and light dancing in perfect harmony. Through our twin bond, I feel his contentment, his joy at having this one normal moment.
As Bishop guides me through more complex steps, I catch glimpses of the others—Leo finally abandoning his perch to drag Matteo away from the kitchen, Dorian pretending not to watch them all while his frost patterns trace the music’s rhythm.
For just a moment, I let myself forget about sacrifice and corruption and Council deadlines. Let myself exist in this space with my family, surrounded by their power and love. My wolves settle, content to watch as shadows and light dance around us.
Through our various bonds, I feel everyone’s emotions weave together: Matteo’s fierce protectiveness as he finally lets Leo pull him into a dance, Leo’s brightness trying to mask his lingering weakness, Dorian’s careful distance slowly thawing as he watches us all, Bishop’s love wrapped in determination to keep us safe.
And Finn... through our twin bond, I feel his pure joy at this moment. His light pulses in time with Tori’s shadows as she teaches him another step, both of them creating unconscious patterns in the air above them. This is what he should have had all along—normal college moments, awkward first dances, the chance to just be young.
“Stop thinking so hard,” Bishop murmurs, his Guardian marks pulsing gently against my skin. “You’re allowed to just enjoy this.”
“Even with everything hanging over us?”
“Especially then.” His shadows twine with mine as he guides me through another turn. “Sometimes the best defiance is simply living fully despite what’s coming.”
Through our pack bonds, I feel their agreement—each of them choosing this moment, choosing joy, choosing us. Even with tomorrow’s threat looming, even with the void pressing at the edges of campus, even with sacrifice hanging over us like a sword.
Tonight we dance.
Tonight we love.
Tonight we’re just us—young and alive and together.
Tomorrow will come soon enough with all its harsh choices and bitter truths. But here, now, in this abandoned cafeteria filled with shadow-light and frost patterns and the sound of Leo’s laughter...
Here, we’re home.
Chapter 31
Frankie
As far asfinal meals go, this one feels perfect. Matteo’s traditional Indian curry fills the air with warm spices, while shadows and light dance across the abandoned cafeteria. Bishop definitely didn’t just “find” his mother’s bourbon stash, though his Guardian marks pulse with satisfaction every time someone takes a drink.
I take another sip of the amber liquid, letting it warm my throat. The heat of the curry mingles with the bourbon’s smoky notes on my tongue, creating a perfect balance—something I’ve come to appreciate more since finding my pack, since learning how different kinds of power can complement each other.
