Page 35 of Shadowed Fate

Tiernan says nothing. I glance up at him and his brow is furrowed.

The shadowy bird dissipates as my concentration breaks. I look at Tiernan, suddenly desperate to know more. "How did you learn to control your magic?"

He's quiet for a moment, but then it’s like he shakes something off and he speaks."It wasn't easy," he finally says. "I grew up in a druid enclave. Magic was as natural as breathing there, but..." He trails off, a shadow crossing his face.

"But what?" I prod gently.

Tiernan sighs. "Not everyone approved of the direction my abilities took. Like any magic, nature magic can be— unpredictable. Dangerous, even."

I nod, thinking of my own struggles with my visions and my drawings. "I get that."

He meets my eyes. “It's a delicate balance between restraint and release."

As we talk, I find myself relaxing. There's something about Tiernan that makes me feel understood.

"Thank you. For showing me this."

Tiernan's smile is gentle. "I’ve not really done anything, Brigid. You're just beginning to understand your own power."

My power. What does that even mean? I think of the shadows that have haunted me, the visions that leave me shaking. Is that power? I think of what I overheard about the Raven King.

"I don't know if I want power," I mumble, wrapping my arms around myself. "I just want... normal."

Tiernan's eyes darken. "Normal is overrated," he says, his voice low. "And often a lie."

I look at him sharply, sensing there's more to his words than he's letting on. But before I can ask, he stands, offering me his hand.

"It's getting late. We should head back."

I take his hand. As we walk back towards the dormitories, the shadows seem to dance at the edge of my vision.

Chapter 17

Brigid

My muscles beg for mercy as I face off against a frost mage in the dueling circle. Sweat beads on my forehead as I struggle to control the shadows writhing beneath my skin, begging for release.

“Focus, Miss Ryan," Professor Azaeron barks from the sidelines.

I grit my teeth, centering myself as the mage—I think his name is Urian—hurls a bolt of crackling ice my way. I dodge it just in time, stumbling over my feet and falling to the ground.

"Why are you even here?" He taunts.

I feel a sting and look down at a bloody scrape on my forearm. A surge of power courses through my veins and I feel my magic rising, gathering. Shadows gather at my fingertips.

But something's off. It doesn’t feel like it did in the grove with Tiernan. The magic feels different. Wilder.

Shit.

The shadows explode outward in a swirling spiral of darkness. Gasps erupt from the watching students as the vortex expands, tentacles of inky blackness lashing out.

My chest tightens in panic. I can't control it.

"What the hell?" Urian stumbles backwards, landing on his ass.

I strain to rein in the magic, but it slips through my grasp like smoke. The vortex grows, pulsing with sinister power.

Someone shrieks.

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