São Paulo was a sensory overload under the best circumstances. With spirit magic heightened by danger and the constant presence of my bondmates, the city's energy was almost overwhelming.
"She's in the favela," I said, closing my eyes to focus on the fourth spirit elemental's magical signature. "But something's wrong."
Kai materialized from the shadows beside me, his usual grace replaced by tense urgency. He and Magnus had met us at the airport, leaving Yuki safe at the Academy with enhanced protection wards.
"Wrong how?" Magnus asked, ice forming around his hands in response to my anxiety.
"Her power feels… angry. Like it's been twisted somehow."
We'd been tracking Isabella Santos for three days, following reports of strange magical incidents through the sprawling favelas of São Paulo. Flowers blooming in impossible colors, water flowing uphill, electronics shorting out in perfect spirals—all signs of uncontrolled spirit magic.
"There," Asher said, pointing to a small house where golden light flickered behind barred windows. "But we're not the only ones who found her."
Void Hunters circled the building like predators, their shadowy forms barely visible in the late afternoon heat. But these weren't the same creatures we'd fought before. These ones moved differently, more coordinated, more intelligent.
"They're evolved," Zephyr breathed, electricity sparking with his alarm.
"Or they've been feeding," Magnus said grimly.
The thought made my stomach churn. How many spirit elementals had the Void Hunters consumed over the centuries?
"We need to get in there," I said. "If they've cornered her—"
My words were cut off by a scream from inside the house—not of pain, but of pure rage. Golden light exploded from the windows, so bright it temporarily blinded the Void Hunters.
"She's fighting back," Kai said with approval.
"She won't last long alone," I said, already moving. "Come on."
We fought our way through the circle of Void Hunters, magic blazing around us like a supernatural light show. Kai's shadows provided cover while Asher's solar power burned away anything that got too close. Magnus created ice barriers to protect civilians, and Zephyr called down lightning to clear our path.
But it was my spirit magic that turned the tide, reaching out to connect with Isabella's power and showing her she wasn't alone.
Help is here, I projected to her through the spirit connection. Hold on.
We burst through the door to find a girl about seventeen surrounded by a whirlwind of golden magic. She was beautiful in a fierce way—dark skin, curly black hair, and brown eyes that blazed with power and determination. Her spirit magic manifested as golden butterflies that swarmed around her like living armor.
"Isabella Santos?" I called out.
She spun toward us, power crackling dangerously. "Who are you?"
"Someone like you," I said, letting my own golden magic flow out to meet hers.
The moment our powers touched, Isabella gasped. The chaotic whirlwind around her settled into a gentle glow, and her golden butterflies began to dance with my spirit light.
"You're the first one," she breathed. "The one from the dreams."
"Dreams?" I exchanged glances with my bondmates.
"I've been dreaming about you for weeks," Isabella explained. "You and a school where people like us could be safe."
"That's the spirit connection," Asher said gently. "When new elementals awaken, they're drawn to existing ones."
"There are others?" Hope lit Isabella's face.
"Two more," I confirmed. "And we're here to take you somewhere safe."
"What about my family? My friends?"
"The Void Hunters will leave them alone once you're gone," Magnus said. "They only want spirit magic."
Isabella hesitated, looking around at her destroyed home. "This is all my fault, isn't it?"
"No," I said firmly. "This is what happens when power awakens without guidance. It's not your fault any more than an earthquake is the earth's fault."
She considered this, then nodded. "Okay. But I want to learn to fight too. I won't be helpless again."
Through the bond, I felt my guys' mixture of admiration and concern. Isabella was going to fit right in with Arabella's warrior attitude.
"Let's go home," I said.
But as we prepared to leave São Paulo, the Void Hunter leader's words echoed in my mind: We will have what belongs to us.
What if the spirit elementals weren't what the Void Hunters were really after?
What if we were walking straight into a trap?