Free Light Shadows by S. L. Jennings

me no other humans have ever known about the Light and the Dark? Donna? Chris?” I look to Niko, who had always shown me acceptance and compassion. “You told me you loved a human once. Are you going to say she didn’t know what you are?”
    Pain and longing washes over him, but he doesn’t say a word. He just looks at me, unblinking, reliving the agony of his lost love. I hate myself for doing that to him, but at this point, I’m desperate.
    “She won’t say anything. And even if she did—who would she tell? How would she even explain it?”
    “You don’t know that for sure, Gabriella. She’s seen us, and someone may actually find truth in her words. We can deflect, but the damage has already been done. And her mind may be beyond reasoning right now,” Dorian retorts, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. I feel him—I feel his solace seeping into me—but it’s not enough to dissuade me.
    “Please, Dorian,” I plead, looking down at Morgan, sleeping peacefully in my arms. “She needs us like I needed you when I first found what you were. Remember how you spared me? How you were willing to sacrifice yourself for me? For love?”
    I gaze at each of them through teary eyes—Niko, Alexander then back to Dorian. “You’ve each chosen to save a life despite what that meant for you. You saved mine. So you know what it means to truly be selfless. And good. And kind. Please…show me that now. I need you—all of you—to be that for me now.”
    With a resigning breath, Dorian nods before leaning over to gently kiss my hair, letting my scent fill his lungs. Then he takes hold of Morgan’s slumped body and drags his fingertips across her forehead. She wakes with a start, but Dorian instantly aligns his gaze with hers before panic fully sets in.
    “Listen to me, Morgan. You’re ok. You’re safe now.”
    Morgan tries to thrash against him, resisting his influence. But it only takes mere seconds before his stare penetrates her blood-shot eyes, pushing into the core of her psyche. She exhales and sags against the couch cushion, releasing her will to him.
    “You’re safe here, Morgan. You know me. I need you to calm down and listen to us. We aren’t here to hurt you. But if you scream or fight, we’ll have no other choice. Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” she squeaks, her voice hoarse from screaming.
    “Good, Morgan.” Dorian turns to me and places her hands in mine. “She’s all yours. Just don’t push too hard. You want her to absorb what you’re saying, not bend to your will. Push too hard and you could cause permanent damage.”
    I nod and try to swallow down the rising apprehension. “No pressure.”
    Dorian gives me a small, encouraging smile, and I’m nearly distracted by the curve of his lips. “You’ll do great. I’m right here with you. Go ahead—talk to her. She’ll listen.”
    I muster up whatever courage I have left and position myself directly in front of Morgan, ensuring that my skin doesn’t break contact with hers. I think back to that day in the mall less than a year ago—the day a body was found in a mall dressing room. That security guard…the way he instantly went from freaking-the-fuck-out to calm and compliant the moment I touched his skin—that was me . I did that. I didn’t understand it then, and even though I know it’s the only thing keeping Morgan from jumping off the nearest bridge, I don’t really understand it now.
    “Morgan, you know who I am, right?” I ask nervously, unsure of how to start.
    “Yes,” she nods slowly. Her voice is still hoarse, but it’s devoid of hysteria. “Of course, I do. We’ve been best friends for years.”
    “We have,” I smile, relieved that she stills sees me as…well… me. I can still be Gabs to her. I just have to make her see that. “You know that I was adopted, right?”
    “Yes. By Chris and Donna.”
    “That’s right.” I turn around and nod to Alexander, signaling for him to step forward. He comes to stand