Page 48 of Shadows of Change

I quirk an eyebrow, trying to ignore how my necklace seems to grow colder at his proximity. "Mine? Let me guess—another fun way to potentially get myself killed?"

Thorne’s lips twitch, his eyes lingering on my shadows’ defensive positioning. "Consider it a test of your instincts, your ability to harness your shadows under pressure."

I turn to the guys, my heart racing despite my attempts to appear calm. They gather around me, forming a protective circle that both comforts and irritates me.

Torric's golden eyes blaze with concern, his hand resting on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch seeps through my clothes, a stark contrast to the chill emanating from my necklace. "This is ridiculous," he growls, glaring at Thorne. "You can't expect her to do this so soon after... after whatever happened last night."

I feel a flicker of gratitude, but also a surge of defiance. "I can handle it, Torric," I insist, though my shadows betray my uncertainty, curling tighter around my ankles.

Finn steps forward, “You’ve got this, Kaia," he says, flashing a grin. "Show that maze who’s boss—and break a record while you’re at it."

His enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself smiling despite my nerves. My shadows perk up, swirling with energy.

Aspen's cool presence is a balm to my frayed nerves. He doesn't say much, but his steady gaze speaks volumes. "We believe in you, Kaia," he says softly, "Trust your instincts."

I nod, grateful for his quiet support. My shadows reach out, brushing against Aspen in a silent thank you.

Then Malrik steps forward, his silver eyes intense. "Remember, Kaia," he begins, his voice low and serious, "the key to navigating shadow magic is to—"

"To what, Malrik?" I snap, irritation flaring. "To stay calm? To trust my instincts? To not get myself killed?" My shadows lash out, reflecting my sudden anger. "I think I've figured that out by now."

Malrik's eyes widen slightly, taken aback by my outburst. The others shift uncomfortably, and I immediately regret my harsh words. But before I can apologize, Thorne clears his throat.

"If you're quite finished with your pep talk," he drawls, "it's time to begin, Miss Draven."

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. The maze looms before me, a writhing mass of darkness that seems to pulse with its own life. My shadows quiver with anticipation, eager to merge with this new, vast expanse of their kin.

"Good luck," Aspen murmurs.

"Kick some shadow ass!" Finn cheers.

Torric just nods, his jaw clenched tight.

Malrik says nothing, but I feel his eyes on me as I step forward.

With one last glance at my guys,not my guys,I go to step into the maze.

"Good luck, Kaia." Darian’s voice, smooth as silk, drifts from behind me. Before I can react, his lips brush my cheek—too light to fight, too heavy to ignore. 'Show them what you’re made of,' he murmurs.

The temperature spikes as Torric growls. Aspen’s face hardens, and even Malrik’s glare turns deadly.

I square my shoulders, pushing down the complicated tangle of emotions. "Right. Let’s do this."

31. Kaia

As I step into the maze, my anger from this morning resurfaces. The shadowy walls seem to dance, reacting to my mood. Great. An obstacle course with performance anxiety.

"Focus, Kaia," I mutter. My shadows swirl erratically, mirroring my inner turmoil.

I round a corner and find myself face-to-face with a writhing mass of darkness. It coalesces into a wall, blocking my path. I reach out, willing my shadows to merge with it, to carve a passage. Instead, they skitter away, refusing to obey.

"Seriously?" I hiss. "Now is not the time for a rebellion."

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. The shadows on the walls waver, almost taunting me. Fine. If my shadows won’t cooperate, I’ll do this the old-fashioned way. I charge forward, shoulder first, and burst through the inky barrier.

I stumble out the other side, covered in shadow residue that clings like cobwebs. "Ugh, gross."

The maze shifts before me, and I choose a path at random. After becoming hopelessly lost, the maze finally presents a new challenge. A chasm opens before me, too wide to jump. Myshadows nudge me, trying to form a bridge, but I resist. I don’t need their help. I’m supposed to do this on my own, right?

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