Page 2

Kaia

I wake to a tangle of limbs and shadows, my bed a battlefield of masculine bodies and writhing darkness. For a moment, I'm convinced I'm still dreaming, or trapped in some bizarre shadow realm where personal space doesn't exist and everyone is unnervingly attractive.

But no. This is real. This is my life now.

I, Kaia Draven, formerly unremarkable shadow student, am now the talk of Arcanum Academy. And apparently a living, breathing teddy bear for four impossibly hot guys who decided my bed was communal property.

I blink, vision adjusting to the dim light filtering through heavy curtains. Aspen's icy blue gaze meets mine, a gentle smile curving his lips. He's perched on the edge of the bed, rigid-backed and alert, like he's been keeping watch all night.

"Morning, little star," he murmurs, reaching out to brush a strand of tousled blonde hair from my face.

His fingers ghost against my cheek, and my skin prickles with awareness. I try to sit up, but there's a heavy arm draped across my waist. Torric, golden eyes still clouded with sleep, tightens his grip. "Five more minutes," he grumbles into my shoulder, his breath hot against my skin.

On my other side, Malrik stirs, silver-gray eyes flickering open. Even first thing in the morning, he looks like he just stepped out of a dark fairy tale—all pale elegance and seductive danger. "Good morning, nightshade," he purrs, his voice like silk against skin that shouldn't be this sensitive.

And at the foot of the bed, sprawled out like an oversized cat, Finn lifts his head. His auburn hair is a disaster, but his green eyes sparkle with mischief. "Well, well, sleeping beauty awakens. And here I thought we'd need true love's kiss to rouse you."

I snort, even as my heart flips in my chest. "You guys do realize this isn't actually a slumber party, right? What happened to your own beds?"

They exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between them that makes my chest tighten. It's Aspen who finally speaks, his voice soft but edged. "We couldn't leave you alone. Not after everything that happened."

Right. Everything that happened.

The battle. The revelations. The terrifying surge of power that had coursed through me, electric and ancient and so much bigger than I could handle. The wings. Always the wings.

I feel it, sharp and low, like dread, as the memories flood back: the arena floor cracking beneath my feet, shadows exploding outward, my body rising into the air, lifted by something ancient and wild pulsing just beneath my skin. The wings. The silence that followed. The fear in their eyes.

I force a grin, because if I don't joke about this, I might start screaming.

Or crying. Or both, which would really ruin the whole badass Valkyrie image I'm apparently supposed to maintain.

"Well, I guess I really messed up this time?

Nothing says 'new girl' quite like unleashing ancient Valkyrie powers and nearly bringing down the academy. "

My attempt at humor falls flat. Concern flashes across their faces—even Finn's—and I feel the weight of their gazes like physical pressure against my skin. Finn's usual grin fades, replaced by something serious that doesn't belong on his face.

"Kaia... it's okay if you're not okay, you know?"

For a moment, I freeze. Just a breath. Then—"Who says I'm not okay?" I snap, sharper than I mean to.

I need to look anywhere but at them, at the concern in their eyes that makes me want to crawl out of my skin or maybe just crawl into their arms. So I glance toward the far corner of the room and spot Mouse perched on the edge of a chair, his small form somehow managing to exude both curiosity and authority.

He's watching the other shadows like a king overseeing his court, his delicate tail twitching in time with their movements.

"Mouse has been busy," I murmur, sitting up despite Torric's grumbled protest.

Finn stretches, then hops off the bed and strolls over to Malrik, throwing an arm over his shoulder with a cheeky grin. "Busy? He's single-handedly organizing a revolution. Look at those little guys. Bob's practically giving a TED Talk over there."

It's not just a joke. Every single shadow is visible now, from the smallest wisp curling near the baseboard to the broad, imposing form of Bob.

I watch as Steve and Linda coax a newly arrived shadow into the fold.

Their movements are fluid but deliberate, too purposeful to be random.

It's mesmerizing, and also... unsettling .

"I think they're staring at me," I whisper, something cold slipping down my spine.

"They are," Aspen says, his tone matter-of-fact. "They always are."

I don't have a chance to respond before Mouse chirps, snapping his tail like a general issuing orders. Finn wiggles his eyebrows. "See? TED Talk. Bob's got slides and everything."

Malrik sighs, running a hand down his face. "This isn't funny, Finn."

"That's comforting," I deadpan, though I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. Seems like my mouth has a mind of its own around Finn.

"Hey, don't knock it. The new shadows are thriving already," Finn says with a wink, nodding toward the newest shadow, which is now circling Mouse like a nervous intern on the first day.

A soft knock on the door interrupts whatever witty reply I might have managed.

Aspen rises smoothly, his hand already on the hilt of the dagger at his hip.

I tense, my shadows flickering in response, darkness rippling across the floor like disturbed water.

But when the door creaks open, it's Seren who steps inside.

Her lavender hair is even more chaotic than usual, sticking up in all directions like she's been struck by lightning. Her mismatched outfit, a neon green crop top paired with plaid pajama pants and fuzzy unicorn slippers, is a visual assault that somehow works for her.

Her eyes widen comically as she takes in the scene before her. "Well, well, well," she drawls, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "If it isn't Kaia and her merry band of hunks. Should I come back later? Maybe after you've finished your... morning calisthenics?"

My face burns hot enough to melt steel, and my shadows ripple in response, darkening the corners of the room. "It's not what it looks like," I stammer, trying to extricate myself from the tangle of limbs and failing miserably.

"Oh honey," Seren cackles, "it looks like you've won the magical boy lottery. And here I thought I was lucky to find a matching pair of socks this morning."

Seren's grin turns absolutely wicked as she takes in the full scene—four gorgeous men tangled around one very flustered girl.

"Survival Tip #7 in action, I see." She pauses for dramatic effect.

"If you can't pick one, pick them all. Just hydrate first." Her eyes sparkle with mischief.

"Though I don't see any water bottles, so maybe pace yourselves? "

Finn, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, winks at Seren. "Care to join us? There's always room for one more."

Seren pretends to fan herself. "Tempting, but I'll pass. I prefer my men like I prefer my coffee—one at a time and not in my bed."

As I finally manage to sit up properly, Seren's gaze shifts, her eyes widening further. "Holy shadow puppets, Batman!" she exclaims, her jaw dropping as she takes in the writhing mass of darkness filling every corner of the room. "Kaia, darling, when did you start running a shadow daycare?"

I follow her gaze, suddenly hyper-aware of just how many shadows are crowded into the space.

They're everywhere, curling around bedposts, sliding along walls, even hanging from the ceiling like inky stalactites.

Bob, ever the overachiever, seems to be demonstrating some sort of complex maneuver to a group of smaller shadows.

It looks suspiciously like a dance routine.

"I, uh... I'm not entirely sure," I admit, watching as Mouse scampers across the floor, herding a group of wispy shadows like a sheepdog. "They just sort of... showed up?"

The shadows ripple as if in acknowledgment, their movements almost synchronized. I don't miss the way Seren's hand tightens on the doorframe, her mask of calm slipping. Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes anymore. And her fingers? Still white-knuckled on the wood.

I shift uncomfortably under her stare, unsure how to respond. Even the shadows seem to freeze, their writhing forms suddenly quiet and sharp-edged, like they're listening. Seren's always been the calm, sarcastic voice of reason, but something about her now makes my stomach knot.

"They're loyal," Aspen says quietly, his voice cutting through the silence. "To her. That's what matters."

"Loyal or not, this is more than we've ever dealt with," Seren replies. Her tone isn't harsh, but the weight of her words lingers between us, heavy with things unsaid. "And if I'm overwhelmed by this, imagine what the rest of the Academy is going to think."

She steps in, closing the door behind her and leans against it, her dark gaze flicking to each of us in turn. "We have a problem," she says finally. "Thorne isn't just gone. He's recruiting."

The room falls silent. Even the shadows seem to still, their movements less chaotic and more focused, as if they understand the weight of her words.

My spine stiffens, heart pounding against my ribs like it's trying to escape. "Recruiting for what?"

"For Alekir," Seren says, her voice low and steady. "He's building an army."

Torric growls low in his throat, the sound more animal than human. "Let him try. I'll rip his head off before he touches her."

"Easy, big guy," Seren says, raising a hand. "This isn't just about Kaia anymore. Alekir's moving fast, and Lira wants answers. She's asked for all of you to meet her first thing. "

Malrik frowns, his silver-gray eyes narrowing. "First thing?"

"As in now," Seren replies, already turning toward the door. "So get dressed, get yourselves together, and meet me downstairs. And maybe try to look like you didn't just roll out of bed with the Academy's most-wanted."

"What are we supposed to do against an army?" I ask, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

Finn snickers.

I turn to snap at him but freeze at the sight before me. Every single shadow in the room—from Bob's imposing form to the tiniest wisp—has arranged itself in perfect military formation. Even Finnick, who was doing aerial somersaults moments ago, stands at rigid attention.

Mouse, perched on his chair like a tiny general, looks entirely too pleased with himself.

"Oh," I say faintly. "Right."

I should feel relieved. Powerful. Instead, a cold weight settles behind my ribs.

Because I don't know how to command an army. I don't know how to be what they need. I don't know if I want to be.

But the shadows wait, patient and expectant, and four pairs of eyes watch me like I hold answers instead of questions.

And Mouse just stares at me with those violet eyes that see too much, like he's waiting for me to catch up to what he already knows.