The arena just didnt get back to normal. Not really. Even once those shadows were gone and the air warmed up again, and the instructors shoved everyone outside. There was still this feeling hanging around.
Fear, I guess.
Outside the training grounds, students huddled in little groups. They whispered to each other and kept looking back over their shoulders. Like maybe something was still out there watching.
It kind of felt that way too.
One said that wasnt a spell at all. Another mentioned how it moved, like it was alive or something. And did you see it bow, someone else asked.
Kael Viremont caught all of it. He was standing off by himself near the courtyard edge. Staring down at the ground mostly.
They saw you,
a voice in his head said.
Be quiet, he thought.
They're scared now.
His jaw got tight. Be quiet, he said again, quieter this time.
Talking to yourself again, someone said.
Kael looked up fast. It was Lucien Arkwright, just a few steps away with his arms crossed. His face looked calm enough, but those eyes were sharp. Sharper than usual.
Youve been muttering a lot lately, Lucien went on. Reacting to stuff thats not even there.
Kael let out a slow breath. Its nothing.
Lucien bent his head a bit. Youre not even pretending to make that sound real anymore.
They just stood there quiet for a second.
Then Rhea Voss pushed in between them. Thats enough, she said. This isnt doing any good.
Lucien kept staring at Kael. You saw it too, right.
Saw what, Kael shot back.
The way it looked right at you, Lucien said. Not us. Not anybody else. Just you.
Kael felt his chest squeeze.
Because you belong to us,
that voice whispered again.
Stop, Kael muttered under his breath.
Rhea's eyes narrowed. Okay, thats getting worse.
Before Lucien could say anything, another voice broke in. You should be more careful.
They all turned. Seraphine Vale was standing there behind them. Her face was calm, gentle like always.
But her voice had this different edge to it, somehow.
Careful about what, Rhea asked.
Seraphine looked over at Kael. For someone who doesnt get their own power yet, she said softly, youre pulling in a ton of attention.
Kael frowned. What do you mean by that.
She held his eyes for a second, then smiled. Nothing.
Lucien wasnt having it. You know something about this.
Seraphine didnt say a word. She just turned a little and glanced back at the arena.
Whatever that thing was, she said, it didnt show up here by chance.
Then why did it come, Rhea wanted to know.
Seraphines eyes flickered. To find something.
Kael felt that pressure building again in his chest. Find what.
She looked right at him. And for a quick moment, her eyes glowed. Faint, golden light.
You.
That word hit him hard. Kael stepped back. Thats not funny.
Im not joking, she said. Her voice stayed even, didnt go up or anything.
And that made it worse somehow.
Youre saying that thing came for me, Kael asked.
Yes.
Why though.
Seraphine paused, just a beat. Because of whats inside you.
The air went still right then. Luciens face got hard. Inside him.
Rhea looked back and forth between them. Okay, I feel like Im missing the big picture here.
Kaels heart was pounding now.
She knows, the voice said.
Stop, he whispered.
Seraphines look got a bit sharper. You hear it, dont you.
Lucien jumped in right away. Hear what.
Kael couldnt say. He just couldnt.
Youre not alone in there, Seraphine said quietly.
Rheas eyes went wide. What does that even mean.
Enough, Kael said, clenching his fists.
They all stared at him. Just stop, he told them. I dont know whats going on, alright. I dont know what that thing was or why it came or what youre even talking about.
His voice held steady, but his hands shook a little.
I just want it all to stop.
Nobody said anything for a bit.
Then Seraphine smiled again, soft and calm. It wont.
What, Kael said.
Things like this dont just end, she said. Not after they start.
Lucien looked darker. You talk like youve seen this kind of thing before.
She didnt answer. Just turned and walked off.
Hey, Rhea started.
Let her go, Lucien said.
Rhea frowned. You dont think thats weird.
Everything about this is weird, Lucien said calmly. Especially him.
Kael looked away.
That night Kael couldnt sleep at all. The room was dark and quiet, but his head was racing.
You felt it, didnt you,
the voice said.
Go away.
The way it bowed to you.
His chest tightened up. I didnt tell it to do that.
You didnt need to.
He sat up slow. What are you anyway.
Nothing came back right away.
Then, I told you.
The air got colder.
I am Azrael.
Kaels breathing slowed. Why are you inside me.
A pause.
Because your father gave you to me.
Everything froze. What.
You belong to me, Kael.
His heart slammed. Thats not possible.
It already happened.
No.
You just dont remember it.
His hands were shaking. Youre lying.
Am I now, you never knew your father.
The room got a little darker. Just enough.
Then tell me this,
the whisper came close to his ear.
Why does my power feel so natural to you.
Kael went still.
Because it did feel that way. And that scared him more than anything.
I dont want this.
It doesnt matter what you want.
Quiet again.
Then, its already begun.
Kaels eyes lifted slow. Something felt off. Wrong, different.
He wasnt alone in the room anymore.
Whos there, he whispered.
No one answered.
But the shadows in the corner started moving. Slow, stretching along the walls.
Crawling closer.
They found you again.
Kaels heart stopped. No.
The shadows twisted around.
Something formed in them. Not just one this time.
Several.
They watched. Waited.
And now they didnt hold back.
They moved.