Chapter 38 #2
“I know.” Out of the corner of her eye, Alaire caught him leaning off the wall, mouth set in a grim line.
“I don’t particularly care to talk to him after being stabbed.”
“Al, you weren’t stabbed. A needle pricked you. And it wasn’t just you—it happened to all of us.” Kaia gestured to the line of novices. “It wasn’t his choice.”
“Everyone always has a choice.” Alaire tugged at her collar, refusing to meet his gaze. Embarrassment prickled hot under her skin. She winced at how easily Dawson had slipped past her defenses, how quickly she’d melted at a hint of affection.
What humiliated her most was how much she’d wanted it. Weeks of him freezing her out after the ball, and at his first sign of thawing she’d practically curled into his lap, purring like a kitten.
The tips of her ears burned.
“You’re being petulant and dramatic,” Kaia said.
“Whose side are you on?” Alaire grunted. But stewing in her own emotions wouldn’t help. Whatever she felt, she had to shove it down.
“Yours. Someone’s got to tell you to get the stick out of your ass. You woke on the wrong side of the cement floor, for whatever reason. But look—we’re alive, not in shackles, and stuck with two of the most impressive male specimens I’ve ever laid eyes on. Things could be worse.”
Kaia’s relentless optimism tugged a reluctant smile from her.
“Fine, you win,” Alaire muttered, echoing her friend.
She finally turned to Dawson. He was wringing his hands—something she’d never seen him do. His jaw worked, tense and restless, before he exhaled heavily and let his shoulders slump.
I’m sorry , he mouthed.
Alaire shook her head. It wasn’t what he’d done. It was when he chose to leverage leading up to it. But none of that mattered now. “It’s okay. You didn’t have a choice,” she whispered, low enough for his ears—and probably Caius’s too.
“Don’t bother trying to contact your celestials. You won’t reach them until we’re above ground,” Professor Ross cut in. “Let’s move.”
“Where are we going?” Alaire asked.
“Can’t say. You’ll see.” Mischief glinted in his eyes.
He led them through winding stone passages. Anticipation stirred amongst the novices as they whispered questions about their destination. None of the veterans answered.
“Silence,” Professor Ross barked.
After that, only the scuffle of boots and occasional drip of water echoed through the labyrinth. At last they reached a set of stone stairs, and without another word, Professor Ross began the ascent.
The novices emerged into an entirely different world.
The click of Professor Ross’s soles echoed across a slab of marble patterned like clusters of stars, streaked with swirls of purple, pink, and navy that bled into blackness.
An imposing obelisk rose before them, carved from the same mesmerizing material, as if hewn directly from the night sky.
Behind it churned angry slate-grey clouds, swirling violently like titanic whirlpools. Thunder rolled from their depths.
Branching from the obelisk’s center were paths veiled in mist, each painted in shades matching the marble swirls.
“Welcome, fliers, to the final challenge of your first year at Aeris Academy—the Astral Odyssey,” Headmaster Carth announced from the base of the obelisk.
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd. Apprehension churned in Alaire’s stomach. How can I possibly survive this without magic? She quickly plaited her hair into a braid. The trial would be easier without loose strands in her way.
“On the eve of the Celestial Cascade Ball, vampires summoned Umbra’s wraiths to send a message to Cielore—we are not safe.
Today’s trial will test your teamwork, communication, and trust—who you are, and what you’re made of.
What we faced during the wraith attack is nothing compared to the demonic cunning of vampires.
The fate of the realm is on the precipice of being decided.
Where will you be when that happens? What will you be doing?
” His eyes lingered on Alaire as though the questions were meant for her alone, before sweeping across the crowd.
“Two novices and two veterans will form a unit. Behind us lies a magical arena crafted by the houses. While this is a simulation, the dangers are real. There is no guarantee all will survive.”
Beside her, Kaia’s arm stiffened.
Professor Ross stepped forward to deliver the rest. “The arena mirrors the constellation Orion. Orion was a hunter with a deep bond to animals, much like our Celestial Familiars. Each star marks a different challenge. All sectors are interconnected, with varying terrain and hazards. Orion’s belt—the obelisk where you stand—is neutral ground.
If you’re injured and can return here, you’ll be treated by a soulwarden.
Use all tactics at your disposal.” He rubbed his hands together as if savoring their discomfort.
“Your veterans will announce your teams. Once assembled, step onto the platform. Good luck, novices. Ascend above the rest. Rise—or fall.”
Alaire turned to Dawson, brows raised.
“It’s you and me, with Kaia and Caius.”
Relief rushed through her—thank the gods, at least she had Kaia.
The comfort lasted all of three seconds before curdling.
Having Kaia with her meant something precious to lose.
The memory of her friend’s injuries in their last trial twisted her stomach.
And if Kaia was her partner… her gaze caught on Caius beside Dawson, and her relief soured further.
“Seriously? We have to work with him ?”
Dawson’s mouth quirked, amusement flickering in his eyes. “He’s my best friend—and one of the best fliers in House Aetheris.” He leaned closer, breath brushing her ear. “Being my partner has its perks.”
Before she could process his words, a foggy grey platform appeared before them, cut from the same stone. The four of them stepped onto the wide rectangle, which easily held their group.
The atmosphere shifted, palpable anxiety thickening the air. Some novices stood rigid with barely contained fear; others bent over with hands on their knees, staring at the ground.
“Once this starts, we find our celestials as quickly as possible,” Dawson instructed, already taking charge. Everyone nodded.
Teams of four gathered around the towering obelisk that loomed as high as Eclat Castle’s walls.
Adrenaline surged through Alaire, her heart racing.
“ Solflara ?”
“ I’m here .”
“ Get ready .”
“ Already am , Firework .”
“ Do not.”
“ Solf for Firework . Seems fair ,” the phoenix said loftily.
“ Focus .”
“ I am . I can multitask . A skill you might work on with the prince .”
A horn blasted, loud and final, signaling the start of the trial.
What had been a silent tableau moments before exploded into chaos.
The mist covering the paths evaporated. The once-solid, starry ground fell away around them, leaving only the multicolored paths and circular neutral ground surrounding the obelisk.
Everyone sprang into action—shouts filled the air, and rapid footsteps struck against the starry stone.
A familiar hand grabbed hers. “This way,” Dawson said.
Alaire reached back for Kaia, who linked her hand with Caius. Together, they formed a chain. She forced herself to stay alert. Their success in this trial depended on each other.
Stay calm. Stay alive . She repeated the words over and over.
They moved carefully across neutral ground, the human chain keeping them stable as other teams scattered along the different colored paths radiating outward. When they finally reached the perimeter, they released each other’s grip and took stock of their options.
Paths stretched in every direction like starry rays of purple, pink, and navy.
“ Solflara , where are you ?”
“ In some horrendous iridescent bubble meant for our fliers to retrieve us .”
A rush of heat poured through the bond.
“ My flames are bouncing against the shield . Whatever magic they’re using , it’s strong . I’ll keep trying .”
“ No — don’t burn out before we’ve even started . Hold on .”
“Kaia, can you get Hadrian to summon lightning? We need to locate them. Solflara’s flames can’t break through whatever shield they’re in.”
“Guess your phoenix isn’t the end-all, be-all now, is it?” Caius muttered.
Alaire ignored him, scanning the twisting paths.
Kaia’s face scrunched in concentration. “Keep your eyes peeled for any flickers of lightning.”
Hadrian’s lightning drew from the natural electricity around him, which was why Alaire hoped he could project it past the barrier.
At first, she saw nothing in the swirling sky.
“There!” Kaia exclaimed, pointing to a bolt that cut through the clouds, leading directly to one of the navy paths.
With their direction confirmed, they left the safety of the circular ground and moved single file along the narrow navy path that stretched into the distance.
“Keep moving,” Dawson urged.
The navy path gradually darkened, transitioning through an ombre gradient until it became solid ebony beneath their feet. Above them, the stormy sky churned ominously. Hadrian’s lightning ceased when a bright magenta door materialized ahead, the Consortium’s sigil emblazoned at its center.
The door stood firmly shut. They all took turns yanking on the handle—nothing.
“There’s something here,” Kaia said, crouching to examine it more closely. Her fingers traced along the underside. “Fingerprint imprints. Four of them. One for each of us, I think. It must be why there are so many paths. Each team can only open one door.”
Caius moved beside her until his side brushed hers. “Smart.”
Alaire’s eyes narrowed at the contact, though Kaia didn’t step away or seem to notice. Ugh .
Dawson crouched to get a better look at the handle.
After several attempts, they discovered the sequence: all four index fingers pressed simultaneously, in alphabetical order—Alaire, Caius, Dawson, then Kaia.
The door swung open, revealing an entirely different world beyond. Dense forest stretched before them.
Clustered together inside a transparent shield were their celestials.
Relief flooded through the bond so powerfully it nearly knocked Alaire backward. Without another thought, she sprinted through the door toward her phoenix.
“Alaire, stop!” Dawson called, but she was already past the threshold.
Pine needles and damp grass filled her nostrils as she pumped her arms, lungs burning as she pushed herself faster, Solflara almost within reach.
She brushed tentative fingers across the bubble. A faint buzzing filled her ears, but no pain. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward. Her body felt slimy passing through, but when she emerged on the other side, her leathers were pristine.
“ Finally .” The majestic bird’s feathers glowed softly. “ I’ve been stuck with these drooling males .”
Alaire reached out to run her hands through Solflara’s familiar feathers, no longer fearing the flames. They’d come so far from those first uncertain days after she hatched.
“ Are you hurt ?”
“ No . Let’s speed this up , shall we ? Also , has no one mentioned the dark , puffy circles under your eyes ?”
Or not.
“ It’s called exhaustion . That’s what happens when you’re drugged then dragged into a gods-forsaken trial at a school you never planned on attending .” Alaire crossed her arms with a huff.
“ I’d have to disagree . Kaia doesn’t have the same problem .”
“ The bags under my eyes are not important right now . Can we get out of here ?”
“ Fine . But if you’re still trying to woo the prince, the least you can do is look presentable .”
“ Thank you , but for the millionth time , I am not trying to woo the prince . I’m trying to survive this creepy academy . Does that work for you ?”
“ What’s got your underwear twisted ?”
Before Alaire could respond, the barrier rippled as her teammates pushed through.
Dawson emerged first, expression thunderous.
“Not even two minutes into this challenge, and you’re already galloping off alone.
What is it going to take for you to understand we need to work together as a team?
” His voice was even, but she knew him well enough to catalog the tension in his shoulders and patented scowl.
Swallowing down a snarky response, she said, “I saw her and just?—”
“I know.” His expression softened. Beck gave his wings a gentle flap, tail swishing in circles around Dawson. The bond between them was evident in their mutual care.
“But you’re right,” Alaire admitted.
Dawson raised his brows.
“Don’t look at me like that. I can be capable of logic and reason.”
Solflara snorted down the bond. “ Doubtful .”
Kaia scratched a spot behind Hadrian’s ears. He nuzzled the top of her hair with the curve of his beak before she mounted the arcstorm.
“ See ? Why can’t you act like that ?”
“ Ugh , that lovesick puppy . Never .”
She bet Hadrian didn’t give Kaia this much attitude.
Dawson’s voice cut into her thoughts. “Next time, we move as a unit, okay?” He shot her a pointed look.
She placed a hand over her heart. “You have my word, Knox.”
Grabbing Solflara’s braid, she mounted her celestial.
Caius climbed onto his sleek griffin, Onyx, with practiced ease.
A sound like tearing fabric ripped through the silence. North of the clearing, a swirling wormhole appeared, its edges crackling.
“That’s our exit,” Dawson said. Sitting tall on his celestial, shoulders squared, he surveyed them. “Once we’re through, we stay in formation. We don’t know what’s waiting on the other side.”
His gaze lingered on her.
The challenges ahead would only get more difficult. She pushed the fear from her mind. Would they all survive?
“Everyone ready?” Dawson asked, eyes sweeping over their unit. The heir to House Aetheris was born to lead.
“Ready,” they echoed. One by one, they urged their celestials forward, disappearing into the swirling darkness.