Shadows of Change (Arcanum Academy #1)

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 I grab 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 to blur 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.'"

His low chuckle sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. Damn it. My shadows react to my flustered state, curling closer to my feet as if trying to ground me.

"I look forward to it," he says, and I can't tell if he's mocking me or... flirting? No, definitely mocking. Probably.

We're nearing the classroom now, and I feel a spike of anxiety. What fresh hell awaits me today? Will Alenya be there, ready with more backhanded compliments? Will my shadows decide to misbehave spectacularly?

Mouse chooses that moment to abandon Malrik and twine around my ankles. The contact instantly soothes some of my frayed nerves, and I feel my shadows settling into a more manageable pattern.

"Thanks," I whisper to him.

Malrik glances down, that ghost of a smirk still playing on his lips. "Seems your 'shadow beast' has good instincts."

I narrow my eyes at him, catching something in his tone. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugs, all innocence, but there's something knowing in his silver eyes. "Just an observation."

Before I can press him further, we enter the classroom. Professor Lira is already there, her silver hair gleaming in the light streaming through the tall windows. Her eyes lock onto me, then flick to Mouse at my feet, and I swear I see recognition there.

"Ah, Ms. Draven," she says, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I see you've brought a guest."

I brace myself for another lecture about rules and proper familiar etiquette, but Lira just smiles. "Some guardians can't be constrained by our rules, can they?"

I blink, caught off guard by her casual acceptance. "I... guess not?"

"Take your seats," Lira says to the class. "I'm Professor Aevorin, but you can all call me Lira or Professor Lira if you must. Today, we'll be discussing the finer points of shadow manipulation."

As I slide into my chair, I notice Alenya watching me from across the room. Her impeccable features are marred by a slight frown as she glances between me and Mouse. Throughout the lesson, Mouse appears periodically at different windows, somehow moving impossibly fast between vantage points. I try to focus on Lira's words about shadow theory, but I keep getting distracted by Alenya's increasingly bewildered looks.

Finally, as we're practicing a particularly tricky bit of shadow weaving, Alenya comes over to me. "Does your shadow cat actually teleport, or am I hallucinating?"

I'm so shocked by the genuine curiosity in her voice that I almost lose control of the shadow tendril I'm manipulating. "Uh... I'm not entirely sure," I admit, watching as my shadows twist into abstract patterns.

Alenya's brow furrows, and for a moment, I see past her perfect facade to the sharp mind beneath. "Interesting," she murmurs, more to herself than to me.

As class ends, Professor Lira calls me over. "Ms. Draven, a word?"

I approach her desk, anxiety bubbling in my stomach. My shadows twist closer, ready to defend or flee. But Lira's smile is kind as she says, "Your... companion is welcome in my future classes. Some rules exist to be bent, especially when ancient magic is involved."

I blink at Professor Lira, my mind struggling to process her words. "Ancient magic?" I repeat, feeling like I've missed a crucial piece of information.

Lira's silver eyes twinkle with something deeper than mere amusement. "Indeed. Your shadow guardian is... unique, to say the least. I suspect there's more to him than meets the eye."

As if on cue, Mouse slinks over to Lira's desk and, to my utter astonishment, curls up at her feet like he belongs there. The professor doesn't even flinch, just reaches down to scratch behind Mouse's ears. My shadows flutter with confusion.

"I... I don't understand," I stammer, watching Mouse purr contentedly. "He's never done that with anyone but me."

Lira's smile softens. "Mouse recognizes a kindred spirit, I think. Now, I imagine you have questions. This is a safe space to ask them, Kaia."

The weight of everything I don't know suddenly crashes down on me. Where do I even start? I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts as my shadows swirl anxiously.

"My shadows," I begin hesitantly, watching as they respond to my voice. "They're not... normal, are they? Even for the Shadow Faction?"

Lira nods, her expression thoughtful. "Your instincts serve you well. Your shadows are indeed unique. They're more... alive, for lack of a better term. Most shadow mages manipulate existing darkness, which you have the ability to do as well. But yours? Yours seem to have a will of their own."

Alive. The word clings to me, heavy and strange. My shadows aren’t just magic—they’re something more, something I clearly don’t understand. And Mouse... a guardian? The implications made my head spin. I shiver, remembering all the times my shadows have acted without my conscious direction. "Is that... dangerous?"

"Power always carries risk," Lira says carefully. "But it's not inherently dangerous. It's a gift, Kaia. One that, with proper training, could make you extraordinarily powerful."

I bite my lip, torn between excitement and fear. "And Mouse? What is he, really?"

Lira's gaze drops to the purring shadow-beast at her feet. "A manifestation of your power, I believe. A guardian born from your shadows, shaped by your subconscious needs and desires." She pauses, then adds softly, "And perhaps... a link to your past."

My mind reels with the implications. My amethyst necklace seems to heat more against my skin, and my shadows writhe with renewed energy.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

“We’ll talk again.” Lira says, giving me a reassuring smile as she returns to the book on her desk. As I turn to leave, Mouse materializes at my side, falling into step beside me like a shadow given form.

"Well," I mutter to him as we exit into the hallway, my shadows trailing behind us like a cloak, "that was... unexpected."

Mouse just blinks up at me, his violet eyes swirling with secrets that only deepen the questions already crowding my mind.