Shadows of Change (Arcanum Academy #1)

11. Torric

I watch as the last of the students file out, my gaze lingering on Kaia's retreating form. She's talking animatedly with Finn, who's still gesturing at empty air and making her laugh. The sound hits me in an unexpected place—a mixture of admiration and something else I'm not about to examine too closely.

"Well," I say, turning to Aspen, "that was... unexpected."

My brother nods, his blue eyes thoughtful as ever. "She's a natural. I've never seen anyone pick up shadow manipulation so quickly."

"It's not just quick," I mutter, running a hand through my sweat-dampened hair. The memory of our sparring match still burns fresh in my mind—the way she'd met each of my attacks with an almost primal grace. "It's like she's been doing this her whole life. Did you see how the shadow magic responded to her? Even when she wasn't trying?"

Aspen's brow furrows. "I saw. It's as if the shadow itself is drawn to her. Or..."

"Or as if there's more to her magic than we can see," I finish, watching Finn dodge another invisible attack. "Speaking of which, what's his deal anyway? He's acting weirder than usual."

"Naming shadows that aren't there?" Aspen raises an eyebrow. "That's strange even for Finn."

"And we're not the only ones who've noticed," Aspen says quietly, nodding towards the edge of the courtyard.

I follow his gaze to where Malrik lurks in the shadows, his silver eyes cold and calculating, but there's something else—something almost protective—that makes my fire magic stir uneasily beneath my skin. He’s never shown this much interest in a new student before. Or anyone for that matter.

"Great," I mutter. "Because this wasn't complicated enough already."

"When is it ever simple with us?" Aspen's lips twitch into a half-smile, but his eyes remain serious. "Something tells me this is just the beginning."

The words settle heavily in the air between us. I think of the way she'd moved during our match—fluid and powerful, responding with an intensity that matched my own. Her eyes had been alight with a wild joy that made my heart stutter in my chest. The memory of her power calls to something deep within me, an energy I don't fully understand but have always struggled to control.

And I swear those beautiful lavender eyes of hers can see right through me. She probably knows all of my weaknesses without even trying.

"We should keep an eye on her," I say, aiming for casual and probably missing by a mile. "Make sure she doesn't accidentally level the place while she's figuring out her powers."

Aspen gives me a knowing look that makes me want to singe his perfectly styled hair. "Just keep an eye on her, hm?"

I feel heat rising to my cheeks that has nothing to do with my fire magic. "You know what I mean."

"I do," he says softly. "And I agree. But Torric..." He pauses, choosing his words with typical careful precision. "Be careful. I think there's more going on here than we understand."

We start cleaning up the training area in companionable silence, but my mind keeps circling back to the sparring match. Her power doesn't just match mine—it challenges it, makes it flare hotter, brighter. And maybe that's what scares me most.

For a moment, the shadows seem to deepen, and out of that darkness, a shape emerges—a panther cub, its violet eyes gleaming with an intelligence that felt far too knowing. But when I blink, it's gone, leaving me to wonder if Finn's shadow-seeing madness is catching.

"Get some rest," Aspen says, clapping me on the shoulder. "Something tells me we're going to need it."

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.