Page 5 of The Dark Mage
His words were as cruel as the winter wind, biting deeper than her bones.Anger flared hot in her blood.
“I am not weak,” she retorted.
The shades hissed on a dark wind, materializing behind her in unison.A host of the dead rose as her vanguard, their rage mirroring her own.Darkness flowed from them, cascading over her shoulders toward Jure.The mist spiraled up his legs, and he hid his surprise well, but in the Void, Ren’wyn felt him struggle against her power.
“I’m not weak,” she repeated, swiping her hands to send shadows curling over his torso.Delicate claws formed at the mist’s edge, barely pricking through his clothing to the skin beneath.Jure’s eyes widened as her magic stifledhis.
“If you think my magic isn’t precious to me, that I don’t desire freedom for all of us as deeply as you, then you have learned nothing in our years together,” shesaid.
With that, she opened her hands, releasing the magic.
Jure gave her a terse nod, and no more words were exchanged.
The ride home was silent and cold.Ren’wyn missed an entire week of classes, overcome by exhaustion and a deep depression.Despite Peria’s bursts of peace to soothe her, Jure’s words pierced her most central insecurities.She was not strong enough to stand up for herself, and she had no dreams of her own.That weakness devoured her, body and soul, leaving dark hopelessness to gnaw at her spirit.
When Ren’wyn returned to lessons, she found a new respect between herself and her Masters, including a warm hand on her shoulder after advanced magics from the previously removed Master Jure.For the first time, Ren’wyn understood she had stood for herself.
A small, foreign voice whispered its contentment, but Ren’wyn smothered it, killing hope before it could endanger her safety.
2
After midwinter break, Peria and Ren’wyn finally attended advanced magics together.Ren’wyn exulted in the crisp winter air, her breath misting as she crossed the central lawn with Peria.Sitting down next to her friend, she relaxed, eager for class with the graduating members of their year.Rumor had it that Master Li, the academy’s oracle, would spend two weeks tutoring them on foresight.No oracles had attended Spyre in over twenty years, and their power was even more poorly understood than dark magic.The prospect sent a thrill through Ren’wyn.
A young man with shoulder-length black hair sat down next to Peria.He smiled broadly, his warm brown eyes taking in her slender form and the curly explosion of her black hair.His clear approval made Ren’wyn suppress an eye-roll—Peria had another impending conquest.Then, he turned his gaze on her.His eyes widened, and his smilegrew.
Ren’wyn blushed under his stare, her stomach fluttering and dipping at the unexpected attention.
He reached out to Peria.“I’m Esrin,” hesaid.
“Peria,” she replied, her tone effortlessly cool, though her eyes flicked between him and Ren’wyn.“This is Ren’wyn.”
“Very nice to meet you,” Ren’wyn said, shaking his hand.The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her fingers.
Esrin regarded them both.“Roommates?”he asked, his hand lingering onhers.
They shared a look and a genuine laugh.
“Yes,” Ren’wyn replied.“Like sisters.”
Peria’s eyes flashed with joy at Ren’wyn’s description, but she quickly turned back to Esrin, bumping his hand from Ren’wyn’s in the process.Ren’wyn tried not to sigh at theloss.
“You’re from Ishvaen,” Peria said, pointing at him with a knowing smile.“Accent and clothes give itaway.”
“And you’re from Anduan,” he countered smoothly.“Only Anduanian women are as forward as they are lovely.”
Peria blushed at the compliment, though her grin remained sharp.
“And you,” Esrin said, leaning slightly to gaze at Ren’wyn again.“From the north…the northern forest?”
“The Territory of Lords,” Ren’wyn replied.“My father is Lord Vair, his estate next to the Dark Forest in the southern Territories.He supplies grain and livestock to the Capital.”
Esrin’s eyebrows rose.“How did you end uphere?”
The look of surprise was nothing new.Territorian lords were infamous for their imperial allegiance and superstition.Ren’wyn knew her attendance at Spyre raised questions.Back home, her worth was measured solely by her ability to marrywell.
She chose honesty.“My mother has magic, and so do I.Our family has hidden it for centuries.My grandfather attended Spyre, and he was an excellent practitioner.My mother sent me here to follow in his footsteps.”
Esrin’s expression shifted as realization dawned.Ren’wyn could almost see him piecing together the only inherited magic she could wield.
