Chapter 17
Brigid
My muscles beg for mercy as I face off against a frost mage in the dueling circle. Sweat beads on my forehead as I struggle to control the shadows writhing beneath my skin, begging for release.
“Focus, Miss Ryan," Professor Azaeron barks from the sidelines.
I grit my teeth, centering myself as the mage—I think his name is Urian—hurls a bolt of crackling ice my way. I dodge it just in time, stumbling over my feet and falling to the ground.
"Why are you even here?" He taunts.
I feel a sting and look down at a bloody scrape on my forearm. A surge of power courses through my veins and I feel my magic rising, gathering. Shadows gather at my fingertips.
But something's off. It doesn’t feel like it did in the grove with Tiernan. The magic feels different. Wilder.
Shit.
The shadows explode outward in a swirling spiral of darkness. Gasps erupt from the watching students as the vortex expands, tentacles of inky blackness lashing out.
My chest tightens in panic. I can't control it.
"What the hell?" Urian stumbles backwards, landing on his ass.
I strain to rein in the magic, but it slips through my grasp like smoke. The vortex grows, pulsing with sinister power.
Someone shrieks.
Oh god. What's happening?
"I knew it." Despite the mayhem in front of me, Laria’s voice rings loud and clear. "There’s something wrong with her— her magic is rancid, just like she is.”
She stands with her arms crossed in front of her chest, her shirt tighter and her shorts shorter than anyone else’s. She looks like a cross between every high school’s head cheerleader and an amazon warrior princess.
"Shut up, Laria," I snarl, still wrestling for control.
But her words have done their damage.
I see the fear in my classmates' eyes as they back away.
Monster. Freak . The old taunts echo in my head.
With a scream of frustration, I clench my fists and I force the magic back down. The vortex collapses in on itself. The shadows recede, slithering back to me like chastised pets. My heart hammers against my ribs as I struggle to breathe.
Silence hangs heavy. I can feel their eyes on me—wary, accusatory.
Judging.
"What the actual fuck was that?" Urian's voice cracks as he scrambles to his feet.
I open my mouth, but no words come out. How can I explain something I don't understand myself?
"That," Laria's silky voice offers, "was shadow magic. Rotten to the core." Her eyes lock onto mine, gleaming with malice. "Just like Brigid herself."
"I didn't mean to—" I start, but Laria's not done.
"Oh, of course not," she coos, her tone dripping with fake sympathy. "Poor little Brigid, can't even control her own powers. What if next time someone gets hurt? Or worse?"
Murmurs ripple through the crowd. I feel the shift in the room, fear crystallizing into something harder, colder.
Anger flares in my chest, hot and familiar. I want to lash out, to shut Laria's lying mouth. But the magic still simmers beneath my skin, and I'm terrified of what might happen if I lose control again.
So I do what I've always done. I shut down, face impassive, revealing nothing.
"Class dismissed," Professor Azaeron's voice booms, breaking the spell. "Brigid, a word."
As the other students leave the grounds, I overhear snippets of hushed conversations.
"...could've killed us all..."
"...knew there was something wrong with her..."
"...shouldn't be here..."
Each word is a dagger reopening old wounds. I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms.
My heart hammers against my ribs as I approach Professor Azaeron. His face is unreadable, but there's a tightness in his brawny shoulders that wasn't there before.
"Professor, I—"
He holds up a hand, silencing me. "What happened back there, Miss Ryan?"
I swallow hard, searching for words that won't come. How can I explain the raw, primal surge of power that ripped through me? The rush of letting it out, followed by gut-wrenching terror?
"I don't know," I finally manage, hating how small my voice sounds.
His eyes narrow, searching my face. "Are you certain? Because what I witnessed was not just ordinary, not even for shadow magic.”
Ordinary. What does that word even mean in anymore? No, it was not anything even remotely related to the concept of ordinary . It was exhilarating and terrifying and felt more right than anything I've ever experienced.
"I'm sorry." I’m not sure what else to say.
He sighs, rubbing his temple. "Brigid, you have immense potential. But power like that... it's dangerous. For everyone."
I nod, shame burning hot in my chest as Professor Azaeron leaves
***
Lochan is standing on the edge of the field, glaring at me, as usual.
I try to walk by him, but he stops me. “I'd suggest you keep your distance from the others for a while. For their safety."
The words hit like a physical blow.
Alone again. I am always alone.
I whirl back to face him, anger flaring hot and bright. "Keep my distance? Are you fucking kidding me?"
Lochan's eyes widen, clearly not expecting my outburst. Good. Let him be surprised.
"I didn't ask for this," I spit, gesturing wildly. "I didn't ask to be different, to be feared. And now you want me to isolate myself even more?"
My voice cracks on the last word, betraying the hurt beneath the anger. Lochan's expression doesn’t change.
"You think I don't know how dangerous this is? I live with it every damn day. But pushing me away, treating me like a ticking time bomb—that’s not going to help anyone."
I'm trembling now, shadows flickering at the edges of my vision. I need to calm down.
Lochan takes a step towards me.
I put my hand up. "You have no idea what it's like."
He falls silent, studying me. I hate how he makes me feel, seen and exposed all at once.
"You're right," he finally says. “I don’t know what it’s like for you. But I do know I’m going to protect this academy and the people in it from anything that threatens it.” His voice is low. “And that includes you, Brigid.”
I bite back a retort, my jaw clenching. The shadows recede, but the anger simmers just beneath the surface. Lochan's words sting, even as a part of me understands his position. I'm a threat. A liability.
"Fine," I mutter, turning away.
I don't wait around for his response.