The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,8

any debris on the floor that appeared sharp.

Stopping by Alaric's side, I zoomed in on the page my shadow was referring to, noticing the title DARKNESS at the top.

"Ah. That explains it." Alaric nodded.

My shadow bowed her head once and closed the book. Sliding off the table, she walked to me.

"Me also." She pointed to me. Then she moved to hug me. "Sad?"

"Alaric is going to be mad at us. This isn't outside where no one can find you," I mumbled.

"Sad?"

"Yes, I'm sad," I whispered. "I want to stay here."

"Home?"

"I wish it was."

"Home!" She lifted her hands up.

"No. Not home. We destroyed everything."

"Not? Home?" She blinked, and I gave up trying to explain, feeling more pity for the both of us.

She was my dark power. She'd been taking this form as often as twice a month and I couldn't even make up an excuse for her at this point.

Alaric watched our debate. We peered at him in unison, waiting to hear the bad news.

"Do you want this to be your home?" he asked my shadow.

"Home! Our...home?" she questioned, lowering her hands and walking around to hug me from behind. "Together."

"You're her dark element, correct?"

"Darkness. Me. Destroy. Protect," my shadow replied.

Alaric nodded, and I lowered my head, my tears falling to the tile floor.

"We'll leave in the morning," I concluded.

"Why are you leaving?"

His question surprised me enough for me to glance back up. He had that genuine, kind smile on his face.

"We destroyed the room."

"Yes," he replied.

"That means we have to go away. We damaged your property."

"It's our property," he corrected as his eyes softened. "This is your home, too." He used his hand to gesture around the room. "Material things can be replaced. This isn't something serious enough to let you leave your home."

My shadow was intrigued. "Stay? We stay. Home?"

Alaric smiled, giving us a firm nod. "Yes, you stay. This is your home, and this can be fixed with a bit of magic. We'll work on it in the morning."

He opened his arms up, inviting us to give him a hug.

"Nothing to cry about. Come. I'll take you to another room closer to mine."

My shadow and I stared at one another. My shadow smiled, a sight I'd never seen before. It showed her hollow mouth that glowed the same purple as her eyes, and she skipped into Alaric’s arms.

"Home! Home!" She looked back at me, presenting her hand. "Me."

A flow of gratitude flooded me, and I let my tears fall as I placed my left hand in hers. She tugged me forward, and into Alaric's arms. He hugged both of us, removing any last bits of worry that assaulted my senses.

"Yes, this is your home and you two are the same. Nothing is wrong. We'll work through this little bump and I'll help you learn more about what this is called.”

I rested my head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

He means it. He'll help me?

"You'll help me? You're not scared of my shadow?"

"Your shadow is your dark element claiming a physical form. It's a rare trait, which tells me your dark magic is one of the strongest. I'll teach you exactly how to control it and give it a better form."

"That means there's nothing to worry about. I can stay."

"Yes, Jade. You can stay. We're family now." His reminder made me smile, and I let my body rest in his as he scooped me up.

My shadow was gone, her play time was enough for her.

My body was tired, but instead of feeling the usual dread of it all, I felt happy. Relieved. Hopeful.

Closing my eyes, I decided to give this man, Alaric Masters, a chance. I wanted to be a Tracker and do anything I could to return the favors he’d done for me.

Most importantly, I'd learn how to control the eight elements bestowed upon me.

3

Weird Loving Family

~TEN YEARS LATER~

* * *

"Kill? Kill? Kill?"

You know, when you keep repeating it like that, it really makes me want to do it just to shut you up. You also make me feel like I should be in a mental institution rather than on an assignment.

My mind was silent for all of five seconds.

"Not kill?"

I mentally groaned.

Never mind. You can return to singing the Kill song.

"Kill. Kill. Kill."

Taking a turn into a narrow alleyway, I put my hand into the pockets of my leather branded jacket, moving my hips in a more seductive manner while my steps slowed on purpose; the sound of my feet stepping into the small pools

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