"Where's the fun in that?" Finn shoots back without missing a beat. He turns to me, eyes twinkling. "You don't mind, do you, Trouble?"
"Trouble?" I echo, raising an eyebrow.
"That's you," he declares confidently, leaning forward like we're sharing secrets. "Kaia, bringer of chaos, breaker of broody hearts, and newest member of our merry band of misfits."
I open my mouth to argue, but Aspen beats me to it. "You've known her less than a day, Finn. Maybe let her settle in before assigning nicknames?"
Finn waves dismissively. "Nicknames are a sign of affection. Right, Trouble?"
I shake my head, fighting a smile. "You're impossible."
"See? We're already bonding." He winks, sprawling in his chair with the kind of casual confidence only he could pull off.
Aspen sighs, though I catch his faint smile. "This is Finn Veylan, as he so thoroughly announced. You'll likely see more of him than you'd prefer, but he does grow on you."
"Like mold," Malrik mutters, though there's no real bite to it. He moves toward the door, his earlier intensity fading as he retreats back into the shadows. "Enjoy your stay, Kaia. Something tells me you'll be... interesting." With that, he's gone, leaving behind only a trace of his spicy-sweet scent and an unsettling flutter in my stomach.
"Don't worry about him," Finn says cheerfully, as if Malrik's ominous exit is perfectly normal. "He's always that dramatic. You'll get used to it."
I glance at Aspen, who nods. "Malrik has his reasons, but he's not as unapproachable as he seems. Give it time."
"Time," I repeat, exhaling slowly. “Right.”Seems to be a theme around here.Time to process the fact that I've apparently entered the realm of gorgeous-but-confusing men who all seem to know more about me than I do."
Finn grins, unfazed. "Welcome to the Shadow Wing, Trouble. You'll fit right in."
Aspen rises gracefully, gesturing toward the grand staircase at the far end of the room. "Come on, Kaia. I'll show you to your room before Finn decides to make you his official audience or claim you as his roommate."
"Hey! Maybe she wants a roommate." Finn protests, but stays sprawled in his chair, giving me an exaggerated salute. "Later, Trouble. Try not to miss me too much."
As I follow Aspen up the staircase, my shadows flit around us, eagerly exploring every shadowed corner and alcove. The energy here feels different—darker, yes, but also warmer, like the shadows themselves are alive and watching with careful interest.
"Why does this place feel so strange?" I ask, glancing down as one of my shadows stretches curiously toward a particularly ornate banister carving.
Aspen looks back at me, his expression thoughtful. "The Shadow Wing responds differently to everyone. Maybe it just... recognizes something in you."
"Different," I echo, testing the word. "Is that what we're calling it?"
He pauses on the landing, turning to face me fully. "Sometimes being different is exactly what's needed. I’m sure you'll understand soon enough."
Before I can press him further, we stop before another door. This one is smaller than the entrance but just as intricately carved, its runes pulsing faintly in the dim light.
"This is you," Aspen says, stepping aside.
I hesitate, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Part of me wonders if it might explode when touched—given everything else today, it wouldn't be the strangest thing. But when I finally gather my courage, the knob turns easily, revealing a cozy space that makes my breath catch.
The walls are painted a deep gray that feels more like an embrace than an absence of light. A plush bed draped in silvery blankets sits against one wall, while a sturdy desk occupies the opposite corner, already stacked with leather-bound books I definitely didn't bring. The shadows in the room react immediately to my presence, swirling around my wrists like affectionate cats welcoming me home.
Mouse leaps from my shoulder to investigate the bed, sniffing the pillows before settling in with an approving chirp. "Well," I murmur, stepping inside. "It's not terrible."
Aspen's soft chuckle follows me. "High praise indeed. Get some rest, Kaia. Tomorrow will be... eventful."
I don't bother asking what he means by that. Somehow, I already know I'm not ready.
Aspen’s lips quirk in a faint smile, but his gaze lingers on me for a moment longer than feels casual.
Once he's gone, I shut the door quietly look around the room trying to take it all in. This is nothing like my apartment. A humorless laugh escapes me. Nothing is quite like that shithole, but this? this is too much. I’m kind of afraid to touch anything because I definitely can’t afford to replace it.
The shadows in the room seem to welcome me, swirling around like they already know I belong here. But do I? The cozy space feels like a stranger’s home, too perfect, too much. Nothing like the life I left behind.
