Page 24 of Shadows of Change

I manage a nod, and he reluctantly leaves, though not before casting one last concerned look over his shoulder. My shadows reach after him briefly before curling back around my feet.

My personal shadows curl closer as Thorne approaches, their usual playfulness replaced by something almost protective. Through the window, Mouse has gone completely still, watching with an intensity that makes me nervous.

"Ms. Draven." Thorne's voice is silk over steel. "Your raw talent is... remarkable. But your lack of discipline is becoming a problem."

I straighten my spine, trying to dismiss feeling like a child under his gaze. "I told you, I'm learning control."

"Are you?" His eyes fix on my shadows. "Because what I witnessed today was not control. It was chaos. And chaos..." He steps closer, his presence overwhelming, "chaos gets people killed."

"I wouldn't-" I start to protest, but he cuts me off.

"You don't know what you would or wouldn't do, because you don't understand your own power." His tone softens slightly. "That's why you need guidance. Proper guidance."

My shadows twist uneasily. "Professor Lira-"

"Professor Aevorin," he interrupts smoothly, "is an excellent teacher of theory. But combat magic requires a firmer hand." He pauses, studying me. "I could help you master this power. Private lessons, twice a week. We'll start with the basics of control."

Everything in me wants to refuse, but I remember how my shadows reacted during class, how easily they got away from me. What if he's right? What if I really am dangerous?

"I..." I hesitate, and his eyes gleam with something like triumph but it’s quickly hidden behind his typically stoic mask.

"Think about it," he says. "But don't take too long. Power like yours," his voice low and deliberate, "has a way of drawing attention. Untrained magic invites... complications. Ones you may not be ready to face alone."

As if to prove his point, one of my shadows lashes out, curling aggressively toward him before I can stop it. Thorne doesn't flinch, just raises an eyebrow. “Predictable," Thorne murmurs, his gaze flicking to my shadows. "Chaos always seeks control, whether it knows it or not."

He turns away, dismissing me but not before I catch the smirk playing on his lips. "Let me know your decision by tomorrow."

I practically flee the arena, my shadows swirling agitatedly around me. Mouse materializes at my side the moment I clear the doorway, pressing against my legs in silent comfort.

"There you are!" Finn's voice makes me jump. He's lounging against the wall, clearly having ignored my dismissal. "That bad, huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it," I mutter, but I'm pathetically grateful he waited. My shadows stretch toward him, seekingcomfort. I don’t want him to notice my hands trembling in a way I can’t control. That isn’t me, that isn’t how I work and I’m not about to start now. I steel my resolve in hopes of making it through the rest of the day.

"Fair enough." He falls into step beside me. "Want to grab food instead? I hear they're serving mystery meat in the dining hall. Ten gold says it's actually transmuted troll toes."

Despite everything, I feel my lips twitch. "You're disgusting."

"You love it." He grins, then sobers slightly. "Seriously though, you okay?"

I think about Thorne's words, about control and chaos and power that needs containing. About private lessons and firm hands and proper guidance. The amethyst thrums against my skin, as if trying to tell me something.

"I don't know," I admit quietly.

Mouse bumps my hand with his head, and my shadows curl around us both like a protective cocoon. At least I'm not facing this alone.

"Screw it," I mutter suddenly. "Mouse, you're staying in my room tonight. House rules be damned."

Finn's grin widens. "Now that's the chaos I like to see."

15. Kaia

The summons arrives at breakfast, tucked neatly beside my plate like some kind of smug afterthought. I barely have time to grab my granola bar before Finn snatches it up, his grin all mischief as he reads aloud in an exaggerated, overly proper tone.

“Shadow Faction,” he announces, ignoring my glare. “You are hereby required to attend a meeting with Professor Thorne in the combat arena at precisely eleven o’clock. Attendance is mandatory.”

“Sounds ominous,” I mutter, snatching the note back before he can add anything more. My shadows coil protectively around the parchment like they can shield me from whatever unpleasantness Thorne has in store.

“Mandatory Thorne time?” Finn grins. “Count me out. Or better yet, can I bring popcorn?”

---