Page 5

"They're terrified," Malrik concludes, his silver eyes narrowing. "Not of what Kaia did, but of what she could do."

"Precisely," Orlin nods. "The physical evidence of your power, combined with Thorne's disappearance and your growing connection to the shadows, has them scrambling for control of the situation."

"But they're not united on how to handle it," Lira interjects. "Professor Voss from Sorcery has argued quite persuasively that your actions were purely defensive. And the recording crystals support this—they show clearly that you didn't attack until Darian forced your hand."

"The crystals captured everything?" Kaia asks, and I don't miss the way her shadows curl tighter around her feet, the way her fingers worry at the Heart of Eternity hanging at her throat.

"Everything," Orlin confirms. "The betrayal, the emergence of your wings, the way your shadows manifested and responded to protect you. It's irrefutable evidence of both your power and the threat you were facing."

"Which is exactly why Lady Virath is pushing so hard for immediate action," Lira says grimly. "She's seen what you're capable of, and she's choosing to see only the threat, not the circumstances that forced your hand. "

"And the Shadow Faction representative?" Malrik asks, his silver eyes narrowed. Something in his tone makes me think he already knows the answer, and I don't like the tension suddenly radiating from him.

Orlin's expression darkens. "That's part of our problem. The Shadow Faction's seat has been empty since your father's disappearance, Malrik. Thorne was meant to be a temporary replacement, but now..."

"Now we have no voice on the board at all," Malrik finishes, his jaw tight.

"Exactly," Lira says. "Which is why we needed to wait until the right moment to bring all of you into this. The board meets again in three days. They'll want to question you, Kaia. All of you, actually. And they'll be looking for any excuse to prove Thorne's accusations."

"What exactly did Thorne tell them?" I ask, because someone has to. The temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees.

"That Kaia is a threat to the academy's very foundations," Orlin says quietly. "That her connection to the Heart of Eternity is corrupting the leylines beneath the school. That her growing army of shadows is the first sign of an impending catastrophe."

"That's ridiculous," Aspen says, but his usual calm seems forced. "The leylines are stronger than ever. Anyone with basic magical sense can feel it."

"Yes," Lira agrees, "but fear is a powerful motivator. And Thorne has had months to plant seeds of doubt. The question now is: what are we going to do about it?"

Kaia stands suddenly, her violet eyes blazing. The shadows rise with her, and even Bob looks serious. "We show them the truth," she says firmly. "All of it. The Heart of Eternity, the shadows, everything. Let them see what we're really fighting for. "

"It's not that simple," Orlin warns. "The board operates on ancient laws and traditions. One wrong move, and they could strip me of my position, replace me with someone more... amenable to their fears."

"Then we play by their rules," Malrik says, and there's something dangerous in his smile. "After all, I believe I have a claim to that empty Shadow Faction seat. Maybe it's time I took my father's place."

Lira and Orlin exchange a look that speaks volumes. "That," Lira says slowly, "could actually work. But it would mean publicly acknowledging your heritage, Malrik. Are you ready for those consequences?"

"I'm ready to stop hiding," Malrik replies. His hand finds mine under the table, and I squeeze it gently, trying not to show how much his words hit me.

I've watched him carry the weight of his heritage like armor—protection and prison all at once. Now he's choosing to shed it, and I'm not sure if I should be proud or terrified. Probably both.

"We all are," he adds, his gaze finding Kaia's across the table.

The shadows whisper their agreement, and Mouse chirps what sounds suspiciously like approval.

But it's Kaia's expression that catches my attention, a mix of determination and fierce pride that makes my heart skip.

She looks at Malrik with something I can't quite name, but it's warm and fierce and makes my stomach twist with something between jealousy and pride.

"Three days," she says, looking around at all of us. "We have three days to prepare our case. To prove that we're not the threat Thorne claims we are."

"And if we fail?" Torric asks, though his tone suggests he already knows what she'll say .

Kaia's smile is sharp. "We won't. Because this time, we're not just fighting for ourselves. We're fighting for every student who needs protection. For every shadow that's found a home here. For the academy itself."

"Well," I say, grinning despite the gravity of the moment, "when you put it that way, how can we lose? Plus, have you seen our shadow army? Bob's got them doing synchronized dancing. If that doesn't impress the board, nothing will."

The tension breaks just enough for a ripple of laughter. Even Orlin's lips twitch. But beneath the moment of levity, we all feel it. The weight of what's coming, the battles ahead. Kaia's shadows press close, feeding off her fear—and her fire.

Three days to change everything. No pressure.

"You know what's weird?" I say as we file out, because I can't help myself. "A week ago most of these people couldn't even see your shadows, and now they're critiquing Bob's organizational skills."

"Really helping, Finn," Aspen says dryly, but Kaia's shadows flutter nervously at the reminder.

"Hey, I'm just saying—if they're going to stare, they could at least appreciate the showmanship. I mean, have you seen Carl's backflips?"

Kaia manages a small smile, though her shadows curl closer. "Because acrobatic shadow performances are definitely going to convince the board we're not a threat."

"Exactly! Who could be afraid of a shadow doing jazz hands?"

Behind us, as if on cue, Bob starts demonstrating what appears to be proper courtroom etiquette to the newer shadows.

Complete with jazz hands .

I laugh, but catch the way Kaia's hands tremble slightly as she adjusts the Heart of Eternity at her throat. Malrik watches her with quiet resolve. The way Aspen and Torric automatically position themselves on either side of her, a protective formation we've all fallen into without discussion.

We're joking, but we all know what's coming. Three days before we face the consequences of everything that's happened.

And somewhere out there, Thorne is gathering his forces. Alekir is waiting.

But hey—we've got jazz hands on our side. That's got to count for something.

Right?