Flashback ( PDFDrive )

treating physical injuries. I assume it wasn’t pleasant when Elwin set
her fractures. But it was necessary. And now it’s aiding Sophie’s
recovery.”
“Why does this scare you so much?” Linh whispered when Tam just
sat there staring into space.
“I don’t know. I just . . . I hated those shadows. I hated how cold
they were. And how they didn’t listen to me. And I hate that I haven’t
been able to stop thinking about them since I felt them.”
“Then you don’t have to do this,” Sophie told him. “Seriously.”
He tugged his bangs over his eyes. “No. I guess I’ll just . . . send my
shadow into your head, and if my instincts don’t kick in, I’ll try to send
some happy shadow thoughts or something to see if it makes the echo
less angry.”
Linh grinned. “I think I need to get Happy Shadow Thoughts
embroidered on a tunic for you—with a bunch of smiley faces.”
“I definitely think I need to see him wear that,” Sophie agreed.
“Especially if it’s pink.”
“Hot pink,” Linh decided. “With sparkly letters.”
“And it should say Angry echoes—beware! on the back!” Sophie
added.
“You’re distracting him,” Lady Zillah warned—but Sophie was
pretty sure that was Linh’s intention. And it seemed to be helping.
Tam looked much more like his usual snarky self as he asked
Sophie, “You ready?”
She nodded, smiling so he’d know she meant it. “Bring on the
happy shadows!”
• • •