Page 57 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

The silence was stifling.

Zander let it hang there before continuing.

“Humans cannot withstand raw magic,” he stated. “If Meri had not been here to subvert the flow of power, Arman would have died.”

A chill settled over me.

We all understood the risks of training, but this?

This wasn’t some simple failure. This was death waiting in the shadows.

And my dragon—the one who should be anchoring my magic?

She still hadn’t come.

Zander’s sharp gaze swept over our squad before landing on Naia.

“Naia, you’re up.”

Naia cracked her knuckles before stepping forward, her dragon, Temil, an orange Swordtail, swooping in and landing behind her with a gust of wind. The sleek beast flicked his tail, watching her with an almost lazy interest.

Naia knelt, pressing her palm to the stone.

She grinned, anticipation clear on her face.

Nothing happened.

Zander didn’t react the way I expected. No disappointment, no irritation—just acceptance.

He nodded. “Kinetic Surge. That is a rare power. Congratulations.”

Naia’s looked, confused. “I didn’t do anything.”

“You will,” Zander said. “A Kinetic Surge stores force and releases it unpredictably. Your magic doesn’t manifest the same way as others—it builds over time, then explodes. You barely moved the grass, but I can detect even the slightest display of magic.”

That made me wonder what his power was.

Naia’s grin returned, sharper now. “That sounds fun.”

Zander barely acknowledged her amusement before turning to me.

“Ashlyn. You’re up.”

My stomach tightened.

Kaelith had not come, but I had no choice.

I stepped forward, heart hammering, and placed my hand on the cool stone.

The moment my skin made contact, something snapped.

The earth rumbled, a low, growing quake spreading out from my fingers.

The sky darkened, storm clouds swirling overhead as a deep, echoing thunder cracked through the air.

And then—fire.

Not outside. Inside.