The unrestrained shadow

Since I seemed to be in a more neglected part of the castle I didn't see the need to use the shadows to travel around so instead I found a relatively clean area and took the old book from my satchel, it's cover just a Void black my curiosity peaked I began to flip through its aged pages.

'Discovering the Umbra root: wean collecting the [REDACTED] the Umbra root was found in the shadows of the [REDACTED.] after several experimentations it is found that the Umbra root has a unique

'The Umbra Root animal experimentation: it did not go well the dogs we injected became corroded, feral monsters—,'

Feeling a odd sensation travel up my chest I wached as the black book crumbled into ash in my hands. My only thought was that that didn't sound like a book, that sounded like a log.

Looking at the dust that gathered in a small pile in my lap I couldn't help but sigh as I stood up and brushed it off my lap it's contents now lost. Takeing Rav off my shoulders I began to stroke her feathers as the shadows slowly swirled around us, my shadow acting like the final ingredient, twisting the shadows around my feet and pulling me into the shadows of the library's far corner it's shadows only existing because it's flame had long parished.

Putting my hand close to my chest I waited for Ravenna to climb into my hand before I gently placed her on top of a table. Turning around I began grabbing the old books untill I gradually had a mountain of books and Rav had to climb their peaks to be seen, knocking one of them down the exasperation in her eyes apparent. Laughing I placed the three books I held in my arms back on the shelf and took my seat.

"You're right let's go through what we have right now,"

Time seemed to go by quickly as I read through the mountains of books however I kept going back to one particular book it's title read nothing but scratches however it's pages held the notes of a young doctor who stumbled into the village and the young countess who was sick with an unknown disease and his attempts to cure it. It was a tragedy of a sort, a young doctor slowly descending into a madness. In his attempt to cure the young countess he harmed them both. Walking to the door I reached out to open it but wean I twisted I met force, backpedaling a few steps I watched as the door was opened and a towering woman dipped into the room.

From where I stood I was able to see her fully and not be completely dwarfed by her size however that was mutual and slowly I watched as her face transformed from composed regality to shock.

"Well," she began, her voice low and venomous, "what do we have here? A trespasser… and so boldly rifling through my belongings."

Frozen in place I stared into her golden irises like a mouse traped in a predators glare, her figure was commanding, draped in a elegant white gown that seemed to ripple with each step she took towards me.

I swallowed down the instinct to shrink away, instead tilting my head, feigning a calm I didn't entirely feel. "Rat? That's an interesting choice of words," I replied, letting a smirk tug at my lips. "I prefer 'uninvited guest.'"

Looking at the mess of books I had left and then the book that I had barely managed to shove in my satchel she reluctantly agreed "Uninvited, indeed," she mused, her eyes flicking to the mountain of books I had gathered. "And a thief, too? How predictable."

"Borrower." I corrected and Her claws extended with a slow, deliberate motion, the tips glinting even in the dim light of the library.

"Let's not be dramatic," I said as I removed the book from my satchel and placed it somewhere it would fit despite my humorous tone my eyes were void of emotion.

Her expression shifted slightly, but the amusement didn't reach her eyes. She took a step closer, the sound of her heels echoing in the enclosed space like the ticking of a clock.

"Do you know what I do to intruders who skulk about my castle?" she asked, her tone deceptively sweet. Her claws extended as she spoke, glinting in the dim light.

"Let me guess," I said, standing upright and brushing off my cloak. "You don't offer tea,"

Her smile vanished, replaced by a cold, deadly calm. Moveing faster then I expected I barely managed to sink into the shadows before her hand darted forward, claws slicing through the space where I had stood a heartbeat ago. I was already gone, slipping into the shadows pooling beneath the table. The world twisted, the air thickening as the darkness embraced me.

I reappeared in the back of the room, Her back was to me now, and for a moment, I simply observed her, the way her gown flowed with each subtle movement, the tension in her posture like a coiled spring.

She turned sharply, her golden eyes narrowing as they searched the room. "Hiding won't save you," she said, her tone venomous. "You've made a mistake coming here, and I will see that you pay for it."

I couldn't suppress the smirk tugging at my lips. "I don't doubt that," I said, my voice carrying through the room, though I remained hidden. "But you seem to be enjoying this as much as I am."

Her claws scraped against the table as she stalked toward the sound of my voice. "Enjoyment?" she spat. "I'll show you what I enjoy, little pest."

I moved again, disappearing into the shadows and reappearing just behind her. "Is this what you do for fun? Hunt down guests who can't seem to find the front door?"

She whirled, her claws slashing through the air, missing me by mere inches. Her frustration was palpable, though it only seemed to deepen the fire in her eyes.

"Enough of your games," she growled, her voice dropping into a dangerous register. "You won't escape me forever."

I stepped back into the shadows, letting them swallow me once more. "Perhaps not," I called out as I melted into the darkness. "But I think I've earned a head start, don't you?"

Her roar of frustration echoed through the room as I slipped away, reappearing in the corridor outside. My heart was pounding, my breath uneven, but I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as the shadows swollowed me hole.