I nod as I gather my things, but I know sleep won't come easily tonight. Not with the memory of Kaia's fierce smile burning bright in my mind.
Chapter 12
Kaia
I wake to a cold bed and honestly the bedroom feels wrong without Mouse's warmth at my feet. I stare at the ceiling, my shadows curling restlessly around my ankles as I recall last night's conversation with the House Master.
"Familiars are not permitted in dormitories," he'd explained with rehearsed patience, his tone suggesting he'd had this conversation too many times before. "The academy has designated grounds for such companions."
I'd tried to explain that Mouse wasn't exactly a familiar, but the words had stuck in my throat. How could I describe what Mouse was when I barely understood it myself? My necklace seems to vibrate faintly against my chest, almost in sympathy.
My shadows twist tighter, agitated without Mouse's calming presence. One tendril reaches toward the window, as if searching, while another lashes out at my bedpost.
"I know," I mutter. "I miss him too."
I dress quickly, at least there’s not much to think about with uniforms, and make my way downstairs. It’s oddly quiet so Igrab a granola bar from the box on the counter and make my way outside.
The morning air bites cold as I make my way across the grounds, I spot Mouse lounging atop a stone wall, looking entirely unbothered by his new sleeping arrangements. His violet eyes gleam with something like amusement.
"Well, at least one of us slept well," I grumble, as I make my way to him, trying to ignore how my shadows perk up at Mouse's presence.
"So the rumors are true. The Shadow Faction's newest recruit comes with her own pet monster."
I turn to find a girl watching me, her white uniform gleaming impossibly bright in the morning sun. Everything about her radiates perfection, from her platinum blonde hair to her imperious stance. The gold insignia of the Faction of Light catches the light at her throat, momentarily blinding me.
Mouse, oddly, just stretches lazily atop his wall, looking almost smug. His tail swishes once, deliberately, and for just a moment, her confidence falters, her gaze flickering uneasily to Mouse before she recovers, her perfect posture snapping back like a shield.
"He's not a monster," I say, bristling at both the accusation and the girl's tone. My shadows ripple beneath my feet, responding to my irritation. "And you are...?"
"Alenya Virath." She says it like I should recognize the name, like it should mean something profound. When I don't react, her perfect brows arch slightly. "Top student of the Faction of Light. Though I suppose those in the shadows don't keep track of such things."
I remember Finn's warning about her from yesterday.Watch out for Alenya, he'd said. She makes the sun look harsh.Now I understand what he meant.
"A pleasure," I say, not meaning it. "I'd introduce myself, but apparently rumors have done that for me."
Alenya's lips curve into something too sharp to be a smile. "Indeed. The shadow girl with her shadow beast. How... fitting." She sweeps past me, but I catch her casting a curious glance back at Mouse. For just a moment, I see something like fear flicker across her impeccable features.
Oh, joy. My first mean girl encounter. Because that's exactly what I needed to complete my "overwhelmed new student" bingo card. What's next, a pop quiz on advanced shadow manipulation? A surprise physical fitness test where we have to outrun rabid hellhounds?
I watch Alenya's retreating form, her white uniform practically glowing in the morning light. Seriously, does she have some kind of personal radiance spell? It's like staring directly into the sun, if the sun wore designer boots and had a superiority complex.
"Well, Mouse," I mutter, my shadows curling around him protectively, "looks like we've made a new friend. Think she'll braid our hair at the next slumber party?"
Mouse just blinks at me, looking far too amused for my liking.
Traitor.
I'm about to continue my semi-internal rant when a familiar presence falls into step beside me. Malrik. Because of course he'd show up now, when I'm already off-kilter and probably have spectacular bedhead. My shadows flutter nervously, and I swear they're trying to smooth my hair.
He doesn’t say anything, but the way his silver eyes flicker between me and Mouse feels... deliberate. Like he’s piecing together a puzzle. The silence stretches, and I'm torn between breaking it with some witty quip (that I'd definitely botch) or maintaining this weird, oddly comfortable quiet.
That's when I notice Mouse. The little shadow-beast is now weaving between Malrik's legs as we walk, his form seeming toblur slightly at the edges. And I swear, I absolutely swear, I catch the hint of a smirk playing at the corner of Malrik's mouth.
"Traitor," I mutter again, this time aimed at both of them.
Malrik's eyebrow quirks. "Talking to yourself already, Kaia? I thought that was at least a second-week-of-classes kind of breakdown."
"Oh no," I say, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice, "I've got an accelerated program. Gotta stay ahead of the curve, you know. Next week I'll be wearing my uniform inside out and answering to the name 'Shadowqueen69.'"
