Hunting Shadows (Shadows 3)

I tried to stand so that I could walk over and watch them close up, but I was rooted to my spot as my muscles refused to cooperate. It was only at that moment I realized this wasn’t real and I was in the midst of a vision. My pulse quickened as I watched helplessly as the more forceful fencer continued to advance on the opponent, but now I knew it was more than likely that the aggressor was a vardoger. Even though I knew it was a vision, my mouth automatically opened to scream a warning, but no sound came out.

The vardoger raised its arm high and brought it down with slashing force, the sword slicing through the air sounding like a whip. The sword came down brutally against the neck of the victim, and a scream gurgled in my throat when it sliced through the neck, completely decapitating the person. Horror gripped me as blood spurted from the slashed neck and I watched the severed head roll towards me, stopping just inches from my feet. Nausea roiled through me as I stared at the masked head before me in a pool of blood, and my body started to shake violently.

I gasped as my eyes flew open, fear still pumping through my veins as I got a hold of my bearings. I took a deep breath, trying to wipe the gruesome scene from my mind, but I kept picturing the severed head rolling towards me. I shuddered in revulsion and felt Simon stir next to me. In the next instant, he was awake.

“Did you have a vision?” he asked softly as he propped himself up on his elbow so that he was leaning over me. I could see in the dim light that he looked concerned. I nodded my head jerkily, but the images were still too fresh in my mind to speak about them. Simon just waited as he stroked my hair, trying to soothe me.

“It was horrible,” I said haltingly when I was finally able to speak. Simon was silent as I told him about my vision, his expression darkening when I got to the decapitation. When I was done, I voiced the concern that had been worrying me since I had awoken.

“I didn’t see the person’s face. I couldn’t even tell if it was a girl or a guy. How can I help the person in my vision if I don’t even know what they look like?”

“I don’t know,” Simon said after a long pause. “Maybe you’ll have the vision again and you’ll be able to see their face next time.”

I didn’t talk for a while as I mulled over what my next steps should be. I glanced at the alarm clock and saw that it was barely six o’clock in the morning.

“Well, I know where to start. The fencing team.” Simon didn’t argue as I got up to get ready for the day. I was beginning to believe that he was finally accepting my role as a seer, and I was relieved that I didn’t have to deal with an argument from him on top of everything else.

I showered and got dressed and walked out into the living room while Simon took his turn in the shower. I was surprised to find the living room empty but the sheets were folded and stacked on the couch with the pillow, as usual. Ryan’s bag was still there and through the window I saw his car parked out in front of the apartment building.

“Where could he have gone?” I muttered to myself. I realized that I had been counting on Ryan’s help, and his absence affected me more than I thought it would.

I tried to suppress my disappointment as I turned to go to the kitchen to make some coffee, but before I could make any progress, the front door opened. Ryan walked in with a gust of cold air, and I felt a surge of relief that he hadn’t abandoned us.

“Where have you been?”

“I just needed some fresh air.” His hazel eyes honed in on me. “Rough night?”

I wasn’t sure if I just looked really bad or if he was able to sense that I had experienced a vision, but I told him about it in detail.

“That’s a tough one,” he said when I was done. “We don’t know what the person looks like, but at least we have a lead with the fencing.”

“Maxwell has a fencing team, although that’s as much as I know about it. I looked up the team online and found out where they practice. I’m planning on going there this morning.”

“Good idea,” Ryan said approvingly. “And this will be a perfect opportunity for you to get stronger in preparation for your father.” I couldn’t help but feel a slight flush from his praise. It was reassuring to know that I had someone on my side.

Simon chose that moment to stride into the living room, and I started guiltily, although I hadn’t done anything wrong. I reminded myself that no one was more on my side than Simon.

“Did you tell him about your vision?” His glanced flicked from Ryan to me and I nodded. His lips tightened. “Of course you did.”

I ignored his last comment. “I was just telling Ryan that I’m planning on going to the auditorium where the fencing team practices. I have no idea what their practice schedule is, but their matches are listed on the school website and they have multiple matches next week, so I’m hoping they’ll be practicing today.”

Simon checked his watch. “It’s seven o’clock. I doubt they’re practicing right now.”

I raised an eyebrow but didn’t contradict him. “A quick breakfast, then I’m leaving.”

Breakfast was coffee and a piece of toast. I grabbed my coat but hesitated when both Ryan and Simon did the same.

“Someone should probably stay behind,” I said. “Sarah and Grant are still sleeping and I don’t think they should be left alone.”

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“I doubt they’re in danger anymore since Grant’s vardoger is gone, and you told me you destroyed Sarah’s vardoger a while back,” Ryan countered. “And your father’s not close enough to be a threat.”

“Still,” I said. “I feel uncomfortable just leaving them alone, especially since they’re both still asleep.”

“I’ll wake them up,” Simon said in a flat tone. I had a feeling he knew what I was going to ask of him.

“Simon, please. They both had a really rough night and they need their sleep. You don’t want to leave Grant and Sarah completely vulnerable, do you?”