the shadow mind, stretching farther than the eye could easily follow. Every one of them was connected to him. Every one of them waited for a command.
In front of him, alone, Shadow stood with his hatred pouring off him in waves, eyes locked on Aren and burning with it.
The darkness around him seemed to react to his emotions, twisting and writhing as though eager to answer his anger. Even standing still, he looked dangerous.
Shadow couldn't summon shadows of his own here—not in this place. He could only manipulate the ones already present, unless he stepped outside this body, or unless he held full control of it. That was the problem. The body still belonged to Aren. Even this shadow-soaked space the two of them stood in was Aren's own, down to the last inch of it.
For several seconds neither of them moved.
Neither looked away.
Neither spoke.
The tension stretched tighter and tighter until it felt ready to snap.
Aren raised his hand and pointed forward.
