Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“You know her?” Tam asked.
“I’ve met her,” Elwin corrected. “And let’s just say it was memorable.
But she knows her stuff. In fact, would you mind sharing what she
tells you? It might explain the anomalies I’m seeing—which aren’t
serious,” he added before Sophie could ask. “If I was worried, I’d be
tracking down every Shade I could find and dragging them here.
Everything’s good. I just don’t understand why certain places look
different.”
“Different how?”
Elwin sighed, rubbing his chin. “I don’t really know how to
describe it. Usually, when I wrap something in light, it sharpens
through my lenses. But right now, certain spots are . . . murky. I’m not
worried, since it’s not affecting your vitals in any way. But I’d still love
to understand it.”
Sophie would too. “Which places is it affecting?”
He pointed to her bandaged hand. Then to her forehead. Then to
Fitz’s chest.
All places that Umber’s creepy shadows had touched.
But not everywhere they touched.
“It’s not like that in my arm or shoulder?” Sophie verified, since
she’d felt the darkness tear through both.
“Nope. Just those three spots.”
“And there are definitely no shadows there,” Tam promised, closing
his eyes and waving his hand back and forth. “I’d be able to feel them.”
“Which is why it’s not a big deal,” Elwin added.
Sophie wanted to believe him. But . . .
“Umber made it sound like the shadows were changing us,” she
whispered.