"Finn," Kaia hisses, shoving me off. "Stop it."
"What? Just trying to lighten the mood. You've got to admit, they're impressed." I gesture to where Bob, ever the showman, is doing what I can only describe as a victory lap around our group. The newer shadows trail after him like eager pupils, and I swear I catch Patricia taking notes.
"They're scared," Malrik says flatly. His silver-gray eyes sweep over the corridor, catching the uneasy glances and hurried steps. A group of Elemental students whisper furiously behind their hands, their eyes locked on Kaia. "And they should be. Alekir's already got his claws in this place."
He's right, of course. Beneath the obvious fear and fascination, there's something darker in the way some students watch us. The way their hands hover near concealed weapons, the way their magical auras pulse with barely contained hostility. Thorne's influence runs deeper than we thought.
Mouse seems to sense it too from his spot on Kaia's shoulder. His tail twitches irritably, and the shadows around us respond, their movements becoming sharper, more purposeful. Even Bob drops the theatrics, falling into what I've started calling his "guard dog" formation.
"Well," I say, because someone has to break this tension before we all snap, "at least no one's throwing things this time. Remember when that Sorcery kid tried to hex you and ended up turning his own hair blue?"
Aspen's lips twitch, the barest hint of a smile. "That was your chaos magic and you know it."
"Prove it," I reply with a wink, and for just a moment, the heavy atmosphere lifts.
But as we round the corner toward Lira's office, the weight settles back in. The shadows tighten their formation, and even Kaia stands straighter, her violet eyes sharp and focused.
We're students in name only. The war's already claimed us.
But hey, at least we look good doing it.
As we approach Lira's office, hushed voices drift through the partially open door. I recognize Lira's calm, measured tone immediately, but it's the deeper voice that makes us all pause.
"They're targeting the students now, Orlin," Lira says, tension bleeding through her usual composure. "This isn't just about the Heart of Eternity anymore."
"I'm well aware," Headmaster Orlin replies, his voice grave. "The board is pressing for answers about Thorne's disappearance. They're not satisfied with our explanation."
"The board can go—" Lira starts, but she cuts off abruptly as Mouse chirps a greeting. The shadows around Kaia ripple in response, and I swear Bob looks embarrassed about blowing our cover.
"Come in," Lira calls, not missing a beat. "All of you."
I shoot Kaia a grin. "Caught like first-years at a midnight feast. Some things never change."
She rolls her eyes, but there's the ghost of a smile there. "Kind of hard to hide a small army of shadows, Finn, especially when most of them don't listen."
Malrik elbows me sharply as we file into the office. Lira stands behind her desk, her silver-streaked black hair pulled back in its usual severe braid. Beside her, Headmaster Orlin cuts an imposing figure in his formal robes, but there's something tired in the set of his shoulders, like he's been fighting too long without rest.
"Miss Draven," Orlin says, inclining his head toward Kaia. His eyes linger on the shadows swirling around her feet, but there's no fear in his gaze, only careful consideration. "I believe we're overdue for a proper conversation."
Kaia straightens, and I notice the way the shadows press closer to her, like they're trying to lend her strength. Bob actually moves to stand at her side, like a tiny shadow bodyguard. "About what happened in the arena?"
"About everything," Lira interjects. She gestures to the chairs arranged before her desk. "Sit. We have much to discuss, and very little time."
"The board," Malrik says, his voice sharp. "They're moving against us?"
Orlin paces behind Lira's desk, his robes swishing with each deliberate step. "The board is traditionally meant to oversee the academy's more... political matters. They represent the interests of each faction, balancing power between them. Under normal circumstances, they have little involvement in day-to-day operations."
"But these aren't normal circumstances," Lira adds dryly.
"No," Orlin agrees, his expression grim. "Thorne's monthly reports were concerning enough, but after the incident in the arena... the board saw everything—Darian's attack, your wings, your restraint. They're shaken."
"Why weren't we told about this board before?" Kaia asks, her voice sharp. The shadows around her feet curl tighter, reflectingher tension. Patricia starts frantically taking notes, while Carl looks like he's attempting to hide behind Steve.
"Because until now, they were content to observe from a distance," Orlin explains. "The board meets only quarterly, in the Celestial Chamber beneath the academy. They're meant to be... impartial observers. But Thorne's disappearance has forced their hand."
"And divided them," Lira interjects. "The Light Faction representative, Lady Virath—yes, Alenya's mother—is calling for immediate action. She wants you expelled, your powers bound."
Torric growls low in his throat. "Let them try."
