Page 12 of Shadows of Change

"I'm Kaia," I manage, hating how breathless I sound. "Just... Kaia."

Malrik's smile curves wider, equal parts alluring and predatory. "Oh, I very much doubt there's anything 'just' about you, Kaia."

He moves closer, and my shadows reach out again, brushing against him like curious cats. If he notices, he gives no sign, continuing to study me with that unnerving intensity.

"Your magic then," he prods, clearly not letting it go. "What is it exactly?"

When I don't answer, his grin sharpens, a dangerous glint appearing in his eyes. "Perhaps I could help you unravel that mystery. Shadow magic is... something of a specialty of mine."

He reaches out, fingertips ghosting over my cheek. His touch is cool, almost ethereal, and my breath catches. For a moment, the rest of the world fades away—there's only Malrik, his mesmerizing presence, and the dangerous dance we seem to be locked in.

"Tell me, Kaia," he purrs, leaning close enough that I feel his cool breath on my skin. "What do you desire most? Power? Knowledge? Or perhaps... something more?"

My heart pounds so loudly I'm sure he can hear it. I open my mouth to respond, though I have no idea what I'm going to say, when—

The door slams open with a resounding bang, shattering the moment like glass.

"Looking for me, Trouble?" a bright, mischievous voice calls out. "Or did you get lost in the broody boy's eyes?"

I jerk back, blinking rapidly as reality crashes back in. Malrik straightens, his expression smoothing into a mask of cool indifference. Only then do I remember Aspen's presence, guilt washing over me as I catch his raised eyebrow.

Finn practically bounces into the room, all barely contained energy and chaos. He's shorter than the others but still athletic, with wild auburn hair and the most troublemaking green eyes I've ever seen. Freckles dust his nose, and his grin is wide and infectious as he surveys the scene before him.

"Finn Veylan, just in case you forgot," he announces with an exaggerated bow. "Resident chaos-bringer and rescuer of damsels in distress. Though you don't seem very distressed. Disappointed?"

Aspen chuckles from his seat, shaking his head. "Finn, you're early."

"Or you're all late, depending on perspective," Finn replies with a wink before turning his attention back to me. "And you, Kaia—didn't I tell you we'd be friends? Look at you, already getting the grand tour of broody boys central. Lucky girl."

I can't help but snort, though it comes out more like a strangled laugh. "I'm starting to think 'broody boys central' is an understatement."

Finn's grin widens as he claims the armchair Mouse had been investigating. Mouse yowls indignantly, darting back to my shoulder to curl up in a huffy ball.

"Did you see that?!" Finn exclaims, pointing at Mouse. "Even your shadow-cat has attitude. I love it. We're going to get along famously, you and I."

"Glad I pass your rigorous approval process," I deadpan, though I feel my lips twitching upward. There's something disarming about Finn's energy, like he refuses to take anything—including himself—too seriously.

Malrik, however, doesn't share my amusement. He watches Finn with the barest furrow in his brow, silver eyes narrowed as though Finn is a puzzle he can't quite solve.

"Do you ever enter a room quietly?" Malrik asks, his tone sharp but tinged with something that sounds almost like fascination.

"Where's the fun in that?" Finn shoots back without missing a beat. He turns to me, eyes twinkling. "You don't mind, do you, Trouble?"

"Trouble?" I echo, raising an eyebrow.

"That's you," he declares confidently, leaning forward like we're sharing secrets. "Kaia, bringer of chaos, breaker of broody hearts, and newest member of our merry band of misfits."

I open my mouth to argue, but Aspen beats me to it. "You've known her less than a day, Finn. Maybe let her settle in before assigning nicknames?"

Finn waves dismissively. "Nicknames are a sign of affection. Right, Trouble?"

I shake my head, fighting a smile. "You're impossible."

"See? We're already bonding." He winks, sprawling in his chair with the kind of casual confidence only he could pull off.

Aspen sighs, though I catch his faint smile. "This is Finn Veylan, as he so thoroughly announced. You'll likely see more of him than you'd prefer, but he does grow on you."

"Like mold," Malrik mutters, though there's no real bite to it. He moves toward the door, his earlier intensity fading as he retreats back into the shadows. "Enjoy your stay, Kaia. Something tells me you'll be... interesting." With that, he's gone, leaving behind only a trace of his spicy-sweet scent and an unsettling flutter in my stomach.

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