“You interfered in the last trial,” the major snapped, tone cold and clipped. “You pulled her out before it was over. A rider’s match is not yours to decide.”
“She was losing consciousness,” Remy growled. “Or did you miss that part?”
“Perhaps I should assign you a week’s stay in the dungeon to remind you of your place,” the major said, eyes gleaming. “You’re not her shield, Remand. You’re barely a soldier these days.”
That hit harder than any blade.
Remy’s hands clenched at his sides, knuckles whitening, but he didn’t respond. Not out loud. His jaw twitched once. His silence was more dangerous than any threat he could’ve made.
Gods,I thought.Remy’s finally ended up on the major’s bad side.Not that our illustrious teacher had agoodside to begin with.
I tried to focus, to call the magic the way I always did—but the familiar warmth didn’t rise. It didn’t hum or burn or crackle. It was just… gone.
The Dragonsbane.
It continued to move through my body like a shroud, smothering my magic.
Damn it, Remy.
I reached inward, deeper, clawing for even a spark—and found nothing but static.
The major turned to me, voice impatient. “Well?”
“I… I can’t,” I murmured, panic curling cold fingers around my ribs.
Remy’s head snapped toward me, realization flickering across his face like lightning.
The major stepped closer. “Then you’ll learn to fight without it.”
The words barely left his mouth before something shifted. A crack. A breath.
My magic surged like a flood breaking through rusted gates.
It wasn’t Kaelith.
It wasme.
It returned all at once—a torrent of wind and light and storm, crashing through my veins like the sky had finally remembered my name. My eyes snapped open, and the clouds above the Ascension Grounds darkened, roiling in warning.
I lifted my hand, and lightning sparked across my fingers.
“I’m ready now,” I said, my voice low and laced with thunder.
Remy looked ready to rip the major apart with his bare hands. His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white, jaw locked, eyes dark with fury that could have boiled blood. But he wasn’t the only one.
My squad had gone still—too still. Jax had stepped forward like he might throw himself between me and the storm I was becoming. Ferrula’s hand twitched toward her blade. Naia stared at the sky, lips pressed into a grim line, while Tae stood frozen beside her, all humor drained from his face.
Zander took a step forward, reaching—Don’t,I wanted to say,don’t look at me like I’m breaking.
Thunder cracked.
It rolled across the Ascension Grounds in a deafening wave as my magic surged again, snapping through the air with a jagged shriek. Wind whipped my hair across my face, and arcs of silver lightning danced across my arms, pulsing without rhythm.Too fast. Too wild.Without Kaelith’s presence calming me, it had no tether, no shape. Just power.
I tried to pull it back, to bury it, but it raged like a beast unchained.
And then?—
Hein roared.
