Shadows of Change (Arcanum Academy #1)

26. Kaia

The courtyard beckons, its open archways promising escape from the academy's suffocating halls. As I step into the cool night air, Mouse pads silently beside me, his form rippling with barely contained energy. My shadows stretch in the moonlight, but their movement is agitated, defensive.

"You're paranoid," I tell Mouse as we pass an empty fountain. The sound of water would be soothing if the basin wasn't dry. Everything here feels half-alive, caught between what it should be and what it is. "Nobody's following us."

Mouse's muscles tense, and he grows slightly larger—a warning sign I've learned to heed. His ears flatten as he stares at the edge of the courtyard. Following his gaze, my stomach flips. Darian leans casually against one of the archways, his arms crossed and a faint smile playing on his lips. He looks like he's been waiting—like he knew exactly where I'd go.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asks, pushing off the wall with an effortless grace that makes my pulse quicken despite myself.

Bob positions himself between us like a barrier. The other shadows follow his lead, creating a subtle but distinct wall. My stomach churns as Darian steps through them as if they're nothing but smoke.

"Stalking me now?" I try to keep my voice light, but there's an edge to it. "That's not a great look for you."

He chuckles softly, closing the distance between us with measured steps. "I was worried about you. You seemed... overwhelmed earlier."

Overwhelmed? Oh, you know, just caught between three arguing guys with more simmering hostility than a poorly written tavern brawl.

"I'm fine," I say, crossing my arms. "I'm always fine."

"You don't have to pretend with me," he says, his voice dropping to that hypnotic tone that seems to bypass all my defenses. "I see you, Kaia. All of you."

The words hit somewhere deep, somewhere I've tried to keep locked away. My shadows surge forward, their edges sharp with warning. Bob tries to pull me back, his form stretching protectively around my ankles. Mouse grows larger still, his growl vibrating through the stone beneath our feet.

But Darian's magic pulses gently, creating a bubble of calm that makes their warnings feel distant, unimportant. "Your shadows are remarkable," he murmurs, reaching out to brush his fingers against one. "But they're just the beginning. There's so much more power inside you, waiting to be unleashed."

His words wrap around me like warm honey, and I feel myself swaying toward him. The courtyard fades until all I can see is Darian—the intensity in his eyes, the curve of his smile, the way his magic seems to resonate with something deep inside me.

"I can help you," he continues, voice low and compelling. "Together, we could be unstoppable."

He reaches for me, and despite my shadows' frantic attempts to intervene, I let him. His hand cups my cheek, the touch sending electricity through my veins. Mouse's growl turns desperate, and he lunges forward, but Darian's magic pushes him back with casual ease.

"Tell me to stop," he whispers, leaning closer.

I should. Every instinct screams at me to step back, to listen to the shadows' violent protest. Instead, I find myself frozen, caught between desire and dread.

His lips brush mine, gentle at first, then deeper, more insistent. His magic wraps around us like a cocoon, amplifying every sensation until I'm dizzy with it. My shadows' movement grows frenzied, but their panic feels muffled, distant.

When we break apart, my head spins. Through my dazed state, I catch a flicker of triumph in Darian's eyes that sends a chill down my spine.

"You see?" he breathes against my lips. "This is just the beginning."

Mouse suddenly crashes into my legs, breaking Darian's magical hold. He's fully grown now, his shadowy form rippling with protective fury. The shock clears my head enough to step back, my heart pounding.

Darian's eyes widen as he takes in Mouse's massive form, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before it's replaced by a smirk that sends shivers down my spine. "Impressive," he murmurs, his gaze roving over Mouse's rippling shadows. "I didn't realize your little pet had such... potential."

Mouse's growl deepens, the sound vibrating through the stones beneath our feet. His form seems to absorb the moonlight, growing darker and more substantial with each passing second. The air around us grows heavy, charged with an energy that makes my skin prickle.

"He's not a pet," I manage to say, my voice shakier than I'd like. I take another step back, grateful for Mouse's presence against my legs. My shadows swirl around us, agitated and defensive, but they feel weak compared to the raw power emanating from Mouse.

"I should go," I manage, my voice unsteady.

Darian doesn't try to stop me, but his smile holds an edge that makes my shadows coil tighter. "Sweet dreams, Kaia," he says softly. "Think about what I said."

I flee before I can do anything else stupid, Mouse herding me forward like he's orchestrating an escape. By the time I reach my building, the night air has cooled the heat in my cheeks, but my mind won't stop spinning.

Mouse returns to his smaller form but stays alert, watching me with obvious concern as my shadows curl around me like a protective cocoon. Bob hovers near my face, his form shifting in what feels like worry.

I burst through the doors of the Shadow faction's common room, my heart still pounding and my mind a whirlwind of confusion. The familiar scent of old books and smoldering incense hits me, but even the comforting atmosphere can't calm the storm inside me.

As I enter, four heads snap up in unison. Malrik, Finn, Torric, and Aspen are sprawled across the room, their expressions morphing from relaxed to concerned in an instant.

"Kaia! What happened?" Malrik's deep voice cuts through the others, his dark eyes searching my face.

Finn leaps up from his perch on the windowsill, his lithe form moving with feline grace. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Torric’s hulking form rises from an armchair that suddenly seems too small for him. His brow furrows with concern, and I can see the shadows around him stirring restlessly. "Who do I need to punch?"

Aspen, ever the quiet observer, simply tilts his head, his silver eyes gleaming in the firelight as he studies me intently.

Their concern washes over me like a wave, threatening to drown me. I shake my head frantically, unable to form words. My shadows swirl around me, agitated and defensive, reflecting the turmoil inside me.

"I... I can't," I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just need... I need to be alone."

Before they can protest or ask more questions, I bolt for the stairs. My feet barely touch the steps as I race upwards, my shadows propelling me forward. I can hear their voices calling after me, a mixture of confusion and worry, but I don't slow down.

The winding staircase seems endless, the stone walls closing in around me. Portraits of past Shadow faction members watch me with painted eyes that seem too knowing. Their whispers follow me, a susurrus of judgment and curiosity that makes my skin crawl.

Finally, I reach my room, slamming the door behind me and leaning against it, breathing heavily. The familiar space should be comforting, but tonight it feels like a cage. Moonlight streams through the stained-glass window, casting colorful shadows across the floor. My bed, with its mountain of pillows and thick comforter, beckons invitingly, but sleep feels impossible.

Mouse materializes beside me, his form still larger than usual, radiating protective energy. He nudges my hand, a low whine escaping him.

"I'm fine," I tell them, collapsing onto my bed. But even as I say it, I can feel the lie taking root, threatening to grow into something I can't control.

In the darkness, my shadows whisper their warnings, and for the first time, I wonder if I've been listening to the wrong voice all along.