Page 80 of Shadows of Change

"Maybe they just don't like your cologne," Finn quips, but there's an edge to his voice I've never heard before.

We reach Thorne's office too quickly. Before Darian can protest, Malrik steps forward.

"We'll wait," he says simply. It's not a request.

Darian's smile tightens. "Suit yourself."

Inside, Thorne's office is dark and cold, the air thick with the faint metallic tang of old magic. Shadows cling to the corners like living things, their shapes shifting just enough to make my heart race. The faint creak of the wooden floor beneath my feet and the oppressive silence amplify the unease that crawls up my spine. He looks up from his desk, eyes gleaming.

"Miss Draven," he says smoothly. "Let's discuss your control issues, shall we?"

My shadows coil closer, responding to the threat I can't quite name. Outside, I know they're waiting—my impossible, unexpected protectors. The thought gives me strength. The oppressive weight of his gaze bears down on me, daring me to falter. But I’m done playing the game by his rules. Done being the frightened girl who gets pushed around.

Fuck this.

"Actually, Professor," I say, straightening my spine, "I'd love to discuss your teaching methods first."

Something dangerous flashes in his eyes, but I stand my ground. I'm done being afraid of my own power.

Let him try his worst. The fear that once gripped me is gone, replaced by a steady resolve. I'm not alone anymore, and the strength of my shadows mirrors the confidence building inside me. For the first time, I feel ready to face whatever comes.

54. Malrik

I lean against the wall outside Thorne's office, every shadow in the hallway twisting and rippling in rhythm with my agitation, their movements sharp and restless, mirroring the tension I keep buried beneath my calm facade. Finn paces restlessly, his usual humor replaced by barely contained energy that makes my shadows want to reach for him.

"She shouldn't be in there alone," Torric growls, flames flickering beneath his skin.

"She's not alone," I say quietly, watching Bob—and damn Finn for making me use that ridiculous name—slip under the door after her. "Her shadows are stronger than Thorne realizes."

Finn pauses his pacing to shoot me a knowing look. His chaos magic crackles in the air, bright and erratic, sending shimmering arcs of energy that make my shadows writhe as if caught in an unseen current. "They're different today. More focused."

"I noticed," I murmur, remembering how naturally our magic intertwined during training. How right it felt.

"Around certain people, you mean," Aspen says softly. Always the observant one.

Before I can respond, a pulse of power emanates from Thorne's office. Kaia's shadows, but different—stronger, more controlled, their movements sharper and more purposeful, as though responding to an inner rhythm that wasn't there before. They radiate a quiet power, undeniable and deeply rooted. My own shadows react instinctively, reaching for the door as if drawn by the surge of power radiating from within, their movements urgent and almost protective.

Finn's hand finds my arm, steadying me. The touch sends an unwelcome spark through my chest. "Easy there, Your Broodiness. She's got this."

He's right, though I'd rather swallow broken glass than admit it. Through my connection to the shadows, I can feel Kaia's power growing, a steady pulse of strength that resonates through the magic like a drumbeat. Her presence is sharper now, more defined, as if she’s finally beginning to embrace the enormity of her potential. The shadows carry her defiance, standing firm against whatever game Thorne is playing, and the sensation is both grounding and electric.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Finn asks suddenly, his voice low enough that only I can hear. "How strong she's becoming."

I stay silent, but my shadows betray me, curling toward him like they've been doing more and more lately.

"That's what I thought." His fingers squeeze my arm gently before letting go. "We need to help her understand what she's capable of."

"Not yet," I murmur, watching the shadows dance between us. "She has enough to deal with, and we need to figure out everything first.."

When the door creaks open, Kaia steps out, her chin held high despite the faint tremor in her hands. Her shadows ripple like banners in a silent victory parade, their sharp, fluid movements echoing her defiance.

"Everything okay?" Aspen asks, while Torric practically vibrates with the need to check her for injuries.

"Fine," she says, but her shadows reach for us all—seeking Torric's warmth, Aspen's calm, Finn's chaos, and my darkness. "Just another lesson in control."

I catch Darian watching this interaction with calculated interest, and my shadows coil defensively. He knows something we don’t—about Kaia, about her shadows, maybe even about all of us. Darian’s gaze lingers too long, his expression unreadable but far too interested. It’s not just Kaia he’s studying—it’s all of us. The way we move, the way our powers intersect. Like he’s already planned how to tear us apart.

"Well," Finn announces, throwing an arm around Kaia's shoulders, "I don't know about you, but I could use a drink." He adds quickly with a grin at Aspen's look, "Maybe two."

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