Reborn (Shadow Beast Shifter, #3)(45)

Shadow nodded. “We need those powerful enough to stand at our side,” he agreed. “Our pack and friends.”

“And they’re all alive and well?” I double-checked.

“I banished everyone back to their worlds when I destroyed the doorways. And I can feel all of them alive and well except Midnight.”

“Are Inky’s memories back?” I asked.

“Yes,” Shadow said instantly. “The moment your power hit me and broke through my mother’s web of lies, both Inky and I were able to restore our memories.”

“So Midnight should remember,” I said, the true worry I felt creeping into my voice. “It should have remembered the moment Gaster broke the lock on my memories.”

Shadow shook his head. “I don’t know. My gut says yes, it’ll have its memories again, but there’s a decent chance it’s stuck in the Shadow Realm.”

Yes, right. The doorways were gone. “Okay, step one, restore my damn library.”

Shadow cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. “I’m sorry, Mera. It was unforgiveable of me to destroy the Library of Knowledge, especially when it means so much to you. To many beings. I have a lot of work ahead to restore faith in me and the Solaris System.”

Unable to stop myself, it was my turn for a random hug. “Don’t do that,” I murmured against his chest. “Don’t beat yourself up or let the guilt win. This was done to us, and we had every right to react badly. Together, we will clean it up, and whatever way the final battle falls, we’ll know we did everything in our power to save the worlds.”

Shadow held on to me for an extra moment, and even if it was only briefly, I loved when he showed his more vulnerable side to me. A side I doubted many… if any, had ever seen before.

Feeling somewhat more settled about everything, we left his room and walked with confidence toward the barrier, only making one small stop for me to check on the fire. It was back where it should have been, in the stone hearth, burning brightly and shooting warmth around the room. Shadow stood beside me, allowing me a moment to get myself together.

“I would do a lot of bad shit if it meant I’d never lose this again,” I said, staring into the flickering flames.

He chuckled, a dark and broken sound. “Sunshine, I’d make your bad shit look like Sunday School. There are no limits when it comes to protecting what is mine. None at all. I have and would continue to destroy the foundation of existence if it meant one more day with you.”

I closed my eyes and absorbed those words. “I think that’s why I love the stories with villains instead of heroes as the main characters,” I whispered. “Heroes are limited because they always have to do the right thing. But villains aren’t restricted by their moral compasses. They will do literally anything and destroy anyone who tried to hurt those they love. I think, deep down, I’ve always considered myself a villain. In that way.”

“You’re my moral compass, Mera,” Shadow said, wrapping his arms around me, pulling my back against his chest as we both faced the fire. “As you’ve seen firsthand, without you, I’m a mindless beast. There’s no hero in my genetics, so maybe we’re in the right story together.”

“Agreed,” I said.

Shadow chuckled, and before I could get even more sappy, he was once again leading me toward the exit. When we stepped through to the other side, Sam was in the process of throwing a damn chair right for the portal. It took me by surprise, and I’d have possibly copped a face full of wood if Shadow hadn’t reached out and caught it mid-pitch.

“Shit!” Sam said, her eyes going wide as she took a step back. “Uh, sorry. I was trying to get through to Mera.”

When her frantic gaze found mine, she sagged in relief. “You’re okay.”

Shaking off my guard beast, I hurried toward her. “Yes, crap, I’m so sorry. It took me longer than expected to tame the shadows. Then they decided to mark their territory.”

Her gaze shifted between Shadow and me and she did not miss my deeper meaning there. “Best news I’ve heard all day.”

Gaster appeared then, his little goblin’s face wreathed in concern. “Master,” he cried, hurrying forward. “Thank the gods you have returned.”

Shadow didn’t smile, but I felt a softening of his energy. He liked Gaster, and more importantly, he trusted him to keep one of the most vital parts of his life functioning: his library.

I was pretty sure Gaster was stronger than he looked—physically and in the magical sense—and was able to hold his own in most situations. It was probably half the reason he’d managed to remain with the library even after Shadow had kicked everyone else out.

We were all lucky to have him in our lives.

“Give me a moment,” Shadow said in English and then in demi-fae so that we all could understand. I’d have understood either way, and at least with my memory returned, I remembered Shadow rearranging my brain in the realm, giving me a universal translator in my head. Hence why I’d been able to understand that alpha back in Torma. Poor guy. His confusion made a lot more sense now.

When Shadow strode away, I tried not to pout at the ten feet between us. I was needy, but whatever. After everything we’d been through, it’d be weird not to be a little attached. At least I could still see him as he lifted both hands, the burst of power that left him so strong, it sent all three of us sliding across the floor. I almost went through the portal into the lair again, but just as I was about to, Shadow’s head snapped in my direction, and his wicked smile had my panties drowning.