"Already on it," Aspen cuts in smoothly, nodding to where Torric has intercepted Darian's path. My lip twitches despite myself. The twins might be opposites in temperament, but their coordination is impressive.
Across the room, Finn finally releases Kaia. Her shadows seem reluctant to let him go, and I catch myself almost smiling at their antics.
"You could ask her to dance, you know," Aspen suggests mildly.
I shoot him a look. "That's not—"
"Part of the plan?" His tone is dry. "When are you going to admit this is about more than just protecting her?"
Before I can respond, a shift in the magical current makes my skin prickle. Above us, the constellations pulse with an unnatural light. Kaia's shadows react instantly, coiling around her legs like agitated snakes.
"Time to move," I mutter, already striding toward her.
Kaia
I'm still trying to process what happened with Finn when a familiar voice cuts through my thoughts.
"May I?"
I turn to find Malrik standing beside me, his hand extended with casual grace. His silver eyes seem to glow in the shifting light, and something about his intensity makes my heart skip.
"I don't really—" I start to protest, but my shadows are already reaching for him, rippling eagerly around his polished shoes.
His face serious, "Please, Kaia."
"Fine," I say reluctantly. I want to be mad at him, but the look in his eyes, the vulnerability in his voice, makes me reconsider.
Malrik moves with fluid precision, each step perfectly timed to the haunting melody. Unlike Darian's practiced charm or Finn'splayful energy, Malrik's touch feels... grounding. Like gravity given form.
"Are you okay?" he observes quietly.
I tense. "I’m fine."
"Are you?" His gaze is too knowing. "Can you feel something is wrong?"
"What are you talking about?" I challenge, even as unease crawls up my spine because I can feel something’s wrong. I’m just not sure what.
Instead of answering, he spins me into a turn that brings us closer together. "Look up," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "But don't make it obvious."
I glance at the enchanted constellations, trying to see what has him concerned. At first, they look normal—just swirling patterns of magical light. But then I notice how they're shifting, forming intricate geometries that seem to pulse in time with...
"My necklace," I breathe, The constellations aren't just moving—they're building something. The lines pulse, sharper with each beat, and I feel it echo in my chest, like a spell tightening its grip around me.
Malrik's hand tightens slightly at my waist. "Someone's channeling power through the alignment. Using the ball as cover."
"Thorne?"
"Among others I believe." His tone is grim.
A chill runs down my spine as I remember Darian's words about freedom and potential. "What do they want?"
"You tell me." Malrik's silver eyes lock with mine. "What has Darian been promising you?"
I start to pull away, but he keeps us moving smoothly through the dance. "He's just been helping me train. He understands what it's like to—"
"To feel different?" Malrik's voice is soft but intent. "To have power others fear?"
"You don't know what it's like," I snap, even as my shadows curl around his ankles almost apologetically.
