Rose quickly severed the connection with Shadow. “I have a way of getting there faster.” “How?” Fox asked. “Give me a moment,” Rose closed her eyes. The nearby shadows had been waiting for this, and they launched upon her and latched on. Why do you speak of quest? One hissed. Two cats together, another said with obvious distaste. Yet your quest is meant for one only. Cats are very tasty, We do not like your kind, Go away, Shadows are more powerful, Shadowspin cats are no more ordinary than dirt. The last one cut in farther than it should have. The shadows sensed that and closed in gleefully. Feed on cats, they hissed. Yum cats. “Rose!” the last voice jolted her awake. Rose shook her head to clear the voices and dragged herself to consciousness. She was on the ground, Fox looking over her. “Rose,” he sounded relieved. “For a moment I thought you were-.” “What happened?” Rose cut him off, standing. They were in a clearing open to the sun, and she felt the heat bearing down on her. “You mumbled something about getting a ride,” Fox said. “The moment you closed her eyes, I swear the shadows doubled their size. Then you were just…out. You would’ve never woken up if I hadn’t dragged you away.” Rose stared down at her paws for a long moment. “The shadows have that much power,” she shuddered finally. “You’re a Shadowspin,” Fox said. “You can control shadows. You need to learn properly so nothing bad happens again. Listen, Rose. With that much power you can do anything! Shadows are powerful. You are powerful.” Rose looked up. “I’ve never controlled shadows before,” she admitted. “I’ve only talked to them.” Fox blinked. “You’ve never controlled shadows?” he echoed disbelievingly. “No,” Rose shook her head. “The only way I can learn is if I call Shadow.” “I’ll wake you up if anything goes wrong,” Fox promised. “But isn’t it a little risky calling a shadow so soon?” “I can do it,” Rose said, half to herself. Shadow! She called. I’m not going to Skyline because I need your help. I want to learn to control shadows so I’m ready. Shadow! Answer! A wary voice regarded her. Rose, you’re too young. Finish your quest first. Feather is a Shadowspin. Learn from her. Shadow! Rose protested. I can’t just leave Skyline like that! Skyline is evil! What fate will come to the world because I didn’t stop them? Rose, please don’t go yet, Shadow said. I’ll teach you what I know, which is very little. Then promise me you’ll continue the quest and deal with this later. Rose hesitated, unsure. Let me talk with Fox. She turned to him. “Fox, Shadow says that he’ll teach me the basics if we promise not to go to Skyline until I know more.” “We should go to Skyline,” Fox said immediately. “Fox, I need to learn,” Rose said. “Feather can teach you,” Fox argued. “And besides, we should stop Skyline first.” I recommend continuing your quest, Shadow said. Would you rather die or either get hurt badly or become one of the Strong? “Shadow’s right,” Rose said aloud. “What?” Fox asked. “I can only be taught by Feather if I become one of the Strong,” she explained. “Then we’re coming right back?” Fox questioned. “We should think about that later,” Rose said. “And I don’t think Shadow should teach me right now. We should focus on the quest.” Fox hesitated as if he had an idea. Then he nodded. “To Zenra!” Rose said. “We have a fox to kill.”
