Page 19 of Shadows of Change

"He's not a monster," I say, bristling at both the accusation and the girl's tone. My shadows ripple beneath my feet, responding to my irritation. "And you are...?"

"Alenya Virath." She says it like I should recognize the name, like it should mean something profound. When I don't react, her perfect brows arch slightly. "Top student of the Faction of Light. Though I suppose those in the shadows don't keep track of such things."

I remember Finn's warning about her from yesterday.Watch out for Alenya, he'd said. She makes the sun look harsh.Now I understand what he meant.

"A pleasure," I say, not meaning it. "I'd introduce myself, but apparently rumors have done that for me."

Alenya's lips curve into something too sharp to be a smile. "Indeed. The shadow girl with her shadow beast. How... fitting." She sweeps past me, but I catch her casting a curious glance back at Mouse. For just a moment, I see something like fear flicker across her impeccable features.

Oh, joy. My first mean girl encounter. Because that's exactly what I needed to complete my "overwhelmed new student" bingo card. What's next, a pop quiz on advanced shadow manipulation? A surprise physical fitness test where we have to outrun rabid hellhounds?

I watch Alenya's retreating form, her white uniform practically glowing in the morning light. Seriously, does she have some kind of personal radiance spell? It's like staring directly into the sun, if the sun wore designer boots and had a superiority complex.

"Well, Mouse," I mutter, my shadows curling around him protectively, "looks like we've made a new friend. Think she'll braid our hair at the next slumber party?"

Mouse just blinks at me, looking far too amused for my liking.

Traitor.

I'm about to continue my semi-internal rant when a familiar presence falls into step beside me. Malrik. Because of course he'd show up now, when I'm already off-kilter and probably have spectacular bedhead. My shadows flutter nervously, and I swear they're trying to smooth my hair.

He doesn’t say anything, but the way his silver eyes flicker between me and Mouse feels... deliberate. Like he’s piecing together a puzzle. The silence stretches, and I'm torn between breaking it with some witty quip (that I'd definitely botch) or maintaining this weird, oddly comfortable quiet.

That's when I notice Mouse. The little shadow-beast is now weaving between Malrik's legs as we walk, his form seeming to blur slightly at the edges. And I swear, I absolutely swear, I catch the hint of a smirk playing at the corner of Malrik's mouth.

"Traitor," I mutter again, this time aimed at both of them.

Malrik's eyebrow quirks. "Talking to yourself already, Kaia? I thought that was at least a second-week-of-classes kind of breakdown."

"Oh no," I say, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice, "I've got an accelerated program. Gotta stay ahead of the curve, you know. Next week I'll be wearing my uniform inside out and answering to the name 'Shadowqueen69.'"

His low chuckle sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. Damn it. My shadows react to my flustered state, curling closer to my feet as if trying to ground me.

"I look forward to it," he says, and I can't tell if he's mocking me or... flirting? No, definitely mocking. Probably.

We're nearing the classroom now, and I feel a spike of anxiety. What fresh hell awaits me today? Will Alenya be there, ready with more backhanded compliments? Will my shadows decide to misbehave spectacularly?

Mouse chooses that moment to abandon Malrik and twine around my ankles. The contact instantly soothes some of myfrayed nerves, and I feel my shadows settling into a more manageable pattern.

"Thanks," I whisper to him.

Malrik glances down, that ghost of a smirk still playing on his lips. "Seems your 'shadow beast' has good instincts."

I narrow my eyes at him, catching something in his tone. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugs, all innocence, but there's something knowing in his silver eyes. "Just an observation."

Before I can press him further, we enter the classroom. Professor Lira is already there, her silver hair gleaming in the light streaming through the tall windows. Her eyes lock onto me, then flick to Mouse at my feet, and I swear I see recognition there.

"Ah, Ms. Draven," she says, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I see you've brought a guest."

I brace myself for another lecture about rules and proper familiar etiquette, but Lira just smiles. "Some guardians can't be constrained by our rules, can they?"

I blink, caught off guard by her casual acceptance. "I... guess not?"

"Take your seats," Lira says to the class. "I'm Professor Aevorin, but you can all call me Lira or Professor Lira if you must. Today, we'll be discussing the finer points of shadow manipulation."

As I slide into my chair, I notice Alenya watching me from across the room. Her impeccable features are marred by a slight frown as she glances between me and Mouse. Throughout the lesson, Mouse appears periodically at different windows, somehowmoving impossibly fast between vantage points. I try to focus on Lira's words about shadow theory, but I keep getting distracted by Alenya's increasingly bewildered looks.

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