I rolled my eyes, but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Well, congratulations on your excellent observation... or stalking skills," I conceded.
"Do they speak to you?" Zarek's question was softer this time, almost hesitant, as if he were worried he might break some invisible barrier by asking.
I considered his words. I couldn't hear them, not in the traditional sense. But they weren't just darkness; they were alive, a presence that seemed to understand me in a way nothing else did.
"They don't speak," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper. "But they guide me. It's like they know where I need to go before I even realize it."
Zarek fell silent, and when I glanced at him, I saw an expression of wonder on his face. He looked almost... fascinated.
"Well, the shadows seem to always lead you back to this house," he said with a smirk, a glint of mischief returning to his eyes. "Seems like they want you here."
"Yeah, I'm not quite sure why they always lead me here," I admitted, tilting my head in contemplation. Then, with a playful glint in my eyes, I added, "Or why I seem to be so drawn to your... territory." I paused, letting the implication hang in the air. "Plus, let's not forget that they were basically responsible for my death at the paws of a glorified house cat."
Zarek threw his head back and roared with laughter, the sound echoing through the clearing like a melody. My heart tightened at the sound—a strange mix of joy and something deeper, something akin to warmth, swirling within me.
"So, are we going to train, or did you just want to kidnap me and bring me to my potential doom?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow at him, my voice dripping with mock seriousness.
"Kidnapping was definitely on the agenda," Zarek replied with a smirk, his eyes twinkling. "But alright, let's focus. I want you to concentrate on what you feel when you're out here. Focus on those shadows."
I took a deep breath, the levity of our earlier banter fading as I tried to center myself. The clearing thrummed with energy, and as I closed my eyes, I attempted to tune out everything except the whispers of the shadows that surrounded me. But instead of feeling empowered, a wave of uncertainty washed over me.
"What do I do?" I murmured, glancing back at Zarek, who was watching me intently.
"Imagine the shadows as an extension of yourself," he instructed, his voice calm yet firm. "They're not just darkness; they're your allies. Let them guide you, but remember, you're the one in control."
I nodded, but more doubt crept in as I concentrated. The shadows seemed to shift and swirl around me, but I struggled to connect with them. Instead of flowing, they felt chaotic and disjointed, like a wild river refusing to be tamed.
"What do you see?" Zarek's voice was so gentle that I almost felt guilty for the frustration bubbling inside me.
I furrowed my brow, my voice snapping with irritation. "I don't know! It's like they're dancing away from me. I just can't catch them."
"Can't catch them?" Nox's voice, cool and detached, cut through the air. "Maybe they sense your hesitation."
I opened my eyes to find Nox standing beside Zarek, his expression unreadable, as if he were a statue carved from stone. Zarek shot him a warning glance, but Nox remained unfazed, his gaze fixed on me. "Fear can be a powerful deterrent, Thalia. If you're not confident, the shadows will only mock you."
"Thanks for the pep talk, Nox," I retorted, sarcasm dripping from my voice, though inside, anxiety gnawed at me. "I didn't realize this was a motivational seminar."
Zarek stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You're doing fine. It takes time to build that connection. You just have to keep focusing."
Nox's lips curled into a slight smirk, but his expression remained impassive. "Focus, huh? You can't just wish them to obey you. The shadows will test you, like any other opponent. They need to know you're serious."
My frustration mounted, my confidence crumbling. "I'm trying!" I shot back, my voice rising in exasperation. "I don't know what I'm doing!"
"Where's Damon? Maybe he can help," Zarek suggested, tightening his grip on my shoulder reassuringly.
Nox raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading slightly. "Damon? He's not exactly the hand-holding type, you know that."
Zarek didn't back down, his gaze steady. "Maybe not, but she needs to understand her connection with the shadows—and he knows more about them than anyone. If she's struggling, he might be able to help."
Nox sighed, clearly unenthusiastic about the idea. "I'll talk to him, but don't expect any miracles." With that, he turned and started towards the house, his movements swift and silent, like a shadow melting into the night.
The moment he was gone, I let out a long breath. Zarek's hand remained on my shoulder, anchoring me in the midst of my rising anxiety.
"Damon?" I asked, my laugh bordering on hysterical. "I'm definitely screwed."
Zarek's lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes warm with understanding. "He can be intense, sure. But he understands these shadows better than anyone. If anyone can help you push through, it's him."
I swallowed, a wave of dread washing over me. The thought of Damon watching me struggle—judging my every move—twisted my stomach into knots. I closed my eyes and tried to focus again, honing in on the shadows that seemed intent on taunting me. Now that I was finally acknowledging them, they chose to play coy, swirling just out of reach. It was infuriating.
