The Combat & Defense class loomed like a challenge I wasn't sure I could meet. While the others prepared for the high-intensity training with excitement, I mentally braced myself. Combat wasn't my strong suit, not without magic. But I couldn't let anyone know that.
The entire group: Jax, Ezzy, Zion, Jade, and Riven, filed into the massive training court together. The air buzzed with anticipation. The class was held in a high-domed arena with thick padding on the floors and walls to minimize the damage of both magical and physical sparring. Students were already stretching and sizing each other up.
Jade nudged me as we lined up to warm up. "You okay? You were kind of zoning out during lunch."
I rolled my eyes, hoping my face wasn't giving anything away. "I'm fine. Just tired from all the first-day chaos."
She smirked knowingly. "Uh-huh. Sure. Totally has nothing to do with a certain someone sitting across from you."
I shot her a warning look. "Don't even."
Before she could push further, our Combat instructor, Master Toric Eldrun, strode into the arena. He was a towering figure with silver-streaked black hair and eyes like steel, intimidating, but not unfair. He didn't tolerate weakness, though, and that was exactly what I was afraid of revealing.
"All right, listen up!" Toric's voice echoed through the court, silencing the chatter. "Today, we're starting with paired sparring drills. You know the rules. No life-threatening moves, no permanent damage. If you're holding back, don't bother showing up next time."
The class broke off into pairs. Jax grinned as he was paired with Zion, already bouncing on his feet, ready to test his skills. I was paired with Ezzy, which was a relief. We wouldn't go too hard on each other.
Meanwhile, Riven was paired with Darius Steelshade, a cocky second-year with a chip on his shoulder. He strutted toward Riven, already sizing him up.
"New kid, huh?" Darius sneered. "Let's see what you've got. Or are you just here to stand around looking mysterious?"
Riven didn't react, his expression unreadable, but I caught a slight narrowing of his eyes.
"Back off, Darius," Zion called from across the court, his voice sharp. Jade crossed her arms, glaring at him as well.
Darius scoffed. "Oh, what's this? Got yourself some bodyguards already? Cute."
The tension between them crackled like static. I glanced at Riven, noticing how calm he remained despite the taunts. But there was something else, something just beneath the surface.
With everyone paired off and positioned, the sparring session officially began.
Well, in theory.
Each student was supposed to focus on their respective matches, practicing their techniques, refining their form, executing precise strikes.
But no one was paying full attention to their own fights.
Instead, all eyes kept flickering to the center of the training grounds, to Riven and Darius.
It was impossible not to watch.
At first, Riven moved with calculated precision, his footwork flawless, his movements fluid yet controlled. He dodged and blocked Darius's attacks with a natural ease, like he'd memorized the rhythm of combat itself.
A few students nearly got knocked over in their own sparring matches, too busy sneaking glances at the new guy holding his own against one of the Academy's best fighters.
Even Toric noticed the shift in focus.
"Eyes on your own opponent!" he barked.
A few students snapped back to attention, but it didn't last long.
Because just then, Darius upped his game.
"You think you're better than me, huh?" Darius sneered, swinging a hard punch aimed at Riven's ribs. Riven deflected it effortlessly and spun out of reach. "Fight me, new kid. Or is dodging all you know how to do?"
Riven remained silent, his face calm, but I saw his jaw tighten.
Darius growled in frustration and rushed at him with a flurry of punches. The air grew tense, the sound of fists meeting flesh echoing through the court. Riven's defense never faltered, but something shifted in the atmosphere. It was subtle at first, a tingling sensation across my skin, like static in the air.
Then I felt it: a sudden, powerful pulse of energy. It was raw and electric, crackling through the court like invisible lightning. My breath caught in my throat. It wasn't visible, but I felt it deep in my bones.
Riven's eyes darkened, and his stance changed: looser, more dangerous. Darius faltered, as if sensing the shift but not understanding it. That's when Riven struck. His movements were a blur, and before Darius could react, Riven knocked him off balance, sending him staggering across the mat.
Darius's face twisted in rage. He lunged again, this time aiming a kick at Riven's chest.
It happened so fast, I almost missed it. Riven's hand shot out, catching Darius's leg mid-air. For a moment, the court went eerily silent. Riven stood there, holding Darius's leg effortlessly, his eyes locked onto him with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.
Another wave of energy surged through the room. This time, I saw the faintest shimmer in the air around Riven, like heat rising from pavement on a hot day. No one else seemed to notice, but I knew I wasn't imagining it.
"Enough!" Master Toric's voice boomed across the court. The force of his command echoed, snapping everyone back to reality.
Riven released Darius's leg and stepped back, his expression neutral once more, though his eyes still burned with something I couldn't place.
Darius, breathing heavily, stumbled backward, glaring at Riven. "You freak," he muttered under his breath.
Toric glared at both of them. "You want to prove yourselves? Do it within the rules or get out."
Riven didn't say a word, but his breathing was controlled, his expression neutral again, like the storm that had just torn through him had been locked away just as quickly as it had surfaced.
Zion rushed to his side, murmuring something too low for me to catch. Riven barely reacted at first, just staring straight ahead, his jaw tight.
Then, just before he turned away, his gaze flickered to mine.
It was brief, a fraction of a second, but I felt it like a pulse in my chest.
There was something in his eyes. Not the unreadable calm he usually carried, but something... heavier. Darker.
And then, just like that, he looked away.
Zion said something else, and Riven finally gave a small nod before allowing himself to be led toward the exit. A few moments later, both of them disappeared through the training court doors.
Jax, clearly too curious for his own good, didn't hesitate to follow after them.
I exhaled, realizing only then that I'd been holding my breath. I tried to shake off the lingering tension, but it stayed with me throughout the rest of the training session. Toric put us through grueling high-intensity drills, and my body quickly reminded me of how much I lacked endurance. I was lagging, every muscle screaming in protest.
"Come on, Athena! Push through!" Toric shouted, his sharp voice cutting through the haze of exhaustion.
I gritted my teeth and forced myself to keep going, even as my thoughts drifted back to Riven. What had I felt earlier? That pulse of power couldn't have been my imagination.
By the time the class finally ended, I was drenched in sweat and barely able to catch my breath.
Luckily, the last class of the day was canceled. Instead, we were called to the school auditorium for a special announcement from the Headmaster, Lucian Starhaven.
We met up with the guys and found seats together. Jax was back to his usual self, cracking jokes, and Zion seemed relaxed again. Whatever had happened earlier in the sparring match, no one mentioned it. But I couldn't stop thinking about the strange energy I'd felt from Riven.
I glanced at him discreetly. He sat beside Zion, absentmindedly fiddling with one of the ancient bracelets on his wrist. His gaze was distant, his expression thoughtful. What was going through his mind?
Just then, the Headmaster took the stage, and the entire auditorium fell silent.
"The date for this year's Annual Cultural Festival of Lowmere has been set," Headmaster Starhaven announced. "As you all know, this festival is an opportunity for our artistic talents to shine. It's a tradition that celebrates the creativity and culture of Lowmere. Seniors enrolled in music, dance, or poetry classes will be presenting their work to a live audience coming from all parts of Lowmere."
Excited murmurs spread through the crowd. For seniors like us, this was the highlight of the year. I exchanged excited glances with Ezzy and Jade.
"This is it!" Ezzy whispered. "We've got to plan something epic."
"Absolutely," Jade agreed, practically bouncing in her seat.
The energy in the room shifted to one of excitement and anticipation. As the Headmaster wrapped up his announcements, we couldn't stop talking about our ideas for the festival.
The first day of school was finally over, thank the heavens. We made our way to the parking lot, still buzzing with excitement about the festival and our plans. Jade and Zion headed toward Zion's car: a sleek, old classic that gleamed under the late afternoon sun. It had that effortless vintage charm, the kind of car Zion treated like a prized heirloom. Jade laughed as Zion held the door open for her with an exaggerated bow.
Ezzy and I walked toward her beat-up but trusty ride, still chatting about the festival. Jax called out from a few spots away, leaning casually against his well-worn but modified car: a black sedan with faded flame decals along the sides and a mismatched spoiler. Clearly, he'd done his own questionable upgrades over time.
"Ladies! Don't forget to admire the glory of perfection," Jax announced, smirking as he tapped the hood.
"Perfection? That car screams 'trying too hard,'" Ezzy teased, narrowing her eyes at the decals.
"Hey! Disrespecting my car is a personal attack!" Jax protested, pretending to be offended.
Ezzy rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying. Subtlety isn't your thing."
"Subtlety is for boring people," Jax retorted, striding over and slipping an arm around Ezzy's waist. He kissed her temple with a playful grin. "But you love me for it anyway."
"Hmm... debatable," Ezzy quipped, giving him a nudge.
Jax sighed dramatically. "Man, no appreciation for my artistic vision. Fine. You two enjoy your boring shopping trip."
"Are you kidding me? Gift shopping for Lara is everything but boring," I chimed in. "Her birthday's in two days, and if we don't show up with something good, she'll never let us live it down."
"True," Jax said, nodding in agreement. "Good luck, then. I have important things to do. Like... being awesome." He gave a cocky salute and headed back to his car.
Ezzy shook her head, smiling. "What a dork."
"You said yes to him," I teased.
"Yeah, well, he's my dork," she said with a laugh.
As we reached her car, my steps slowed and I turned back, searching the parking lot for him: Riven. The guy who'd already managed to throw my mind into chaos with just a few glances.
And there he was, leaning against his motorcycle near Zion's car, the sunlight threading through his dark hair. He laughed at something Zion said, the sound easy, unguarded. The way he carried himself, relaxed yet effortlessly composed, made the whole scene feel almost surreal. The golden light traced the sharp angles of his jaw, catching on the curve of his lips and the way his fingers draped over the handlebars, as if he belonged there, perfectly in place.
I froze, completely caught in the moment.
Then he turned, like he felt me watching. His stormy gray eyes locked onto mine, and the intensity in his gaze sent a jolt straight through me.
My heart stumbled, caught between wanting to run and not wanting to look away.
Panicking, I quickly broke eye contact and nearly tripped over my own feet in the process.
"Whoa, you okay?" Ezzy asked, steadying me.
"Yeah, yeah," I mumbled, forcing a casual shrug as I slipped into the passenger seat. "Totally fine."
Ezzy raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. She started the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot. I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my nerves.
But then I heard it: the low, steady rumble of Riven's motorcycle starting up behind us. The sound sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart refused to slow. As we left the school grounds, I could still hear the faint hum of the engine following in the distance.
The ride to the shops stretched endlessly long, my thoughts tangled in everything I wasn't ready to admit.
Ezzy and I spent the afternoon weaving through nearly every shop in Northern Lowmere, determined to find the perfect gift for Lara's 18th birthday. Turning 18 in Elarion wasn't just about adulthood, it was a milestone of magical and social maturity, the moment when most supernatural beings fully awakened to their potential. What that meant for someone like me, I wasn't sure. But the celebration? That was undeniable.
After hours of debating, laughing, and throwing out increasingly ridiculous gift ideas, we finally found it: a stunning silver charm bracelet with a matching necklace, both intricately designed with delicate runes etched into each charm. Protection, success, and light. It practically had Lara's name written all over it.
"She's going to lose her mind over this," Ezzy said, admiring the craftsmanship as we stepped out of the shop.
I smiled, tucking the box safely into my bag. "Yeah. Now we just have to survive the actual party."
After our shopping spree, Ezzy dropped me off at home. I was exhausted but also relieved to finally call it a day. As I stepped inside, the familiar warmth of the house greeted me. Lara was sprawled on the living room couch, flipping through glossy pages of a stack of magazines.
The second Lara spotted me, her eyes practically sparkled with excitement. "Athens! You're finally home!" she squealed, waving me over with an urgency that suggested the fate of Elarion depended on it.
Before I could even drop my bag, she thrust a handful of glossy magazines at me. "Okay, sit now! Look at these!" She flipped through the pages at lightning speed, pointing at vibrant decor spreads and extravagant gowns. "These are my top picks for decorations, and these—" she held up another stack, wiggling her eyebrows "potential outfits for the party. I need your expert opinion immediately."
I barely had time to process before she shoved a page closer. "Tell me. Which one screams Lara, queen of the night?"
I couldn't help but smile as I sat beside her. She was practically vibrating with excitement, her blond hair falling in loose waves as she leaned forward, showing me one idea after another. We spent the next twenty minutes going through the options, picking out colors and floral arrangements until Lara finally settled on a theme she liked.
"Okay, this is going to be epic," she declared confidently.
"You always throw the best parties," I said with a chuckle, standing up and stretching. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a quick shower before dinner."
"Go for it," she said, already back to flipping through another magazine.
I headed upstairs, grabbed a change of clothes, and stepped into the bathroom. As soon as I turned on the shower, steam began to rise, curling around me. I exhaled slowly, letting the tension melt away as the hot water hit my skin.
My body relaxed, but my mind? Not so much.
It drifted right back to him: Riven. His eyes, that piercing gaze that held me frozen in place. The way he had caught me staring earlier, like he could see every thought I was trying so hard to hide. And the worst part? That stumble. I groaned at the memory, the embarrassment washing over me like a second wave of heat.
I wasn't clumsy. I never got flustered like that, not around anyone. Yet, all it took was one intense look from Riven, and suddenly I was tripping over my own feet like a total fool.
"Pull yourself together, Athena," I muttered, shutting off the water. I grabbed a towel and quickly dried off, trying to shake the feeling that still lingered in the back of my mind.
Why does he have this effect on me? It wasn't like we'd even spoken much. Yet here I was, replaying moments in my head as if they were something more.
I threw on a pair of sweats and an oversized t-shirt, brushing my hair out quickly. Thirty minutes to spare before dinner. I reached for the worn-out leather journal tucked in my bedside table, flipping to a blank page. My pen hovered for a moment before the words began to flow, each one an echo of the chaos in my heart. I translated everything I couldn't say out loud into lyrics, letting the pen guide me without overthinking.
I lost myself in the flow of words, my hand flying across the page. I didn't even realize how much time had passed until Lara barged into my room, yelling, "Dinner time!!"
I jumped slightly, then snapped the journal shut, tucking it under my pillow. Lara stood in the doorway, grinning. "You coming, or are you just gonna starve?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming," I said, shaking my head and following her downstairs.
We trudged toward the dining room where Myrren was already seated. She looked more tired than usual. Probably a tough day at the Council Court. Despite her exhaustion, her posture remained perfect, and her piercing eyes scanned both of us as we took our seats.
As soon as the food was passed around, the usual routine began.
"So, Lara," Myrren started, her tone formal but not unkind. "How was your day?"
"Great, actually!" Lara chirped. "Classes were good, and I spent some time going over ideas for the party. Athena helped me pick out some décor options."
Lara, bless her, always tried to include me in these conversations.
"Hmm. That's good," Myrren said, nodding slightly. "The party is important. Turning eighteen marks a significant milestone, and we'll have a number of notable guests attending."
Notable guests, of course, meant members of the Council and other elites. Lara's birthday would be as much a social event as a celebration. Myrren wouldn't have it any other way.
"And the outfit ideas?" Myrren prompted.
"Oh, I've narrowed it down to a few," Lara said excitedly. "I'll probably finalize it tomorrow. Athena had some good suggestions for accessories, too."
Myrren glanced in my direction, a faint but polite smile on her lips. "That's good. It's important that everything is well-coordinated."
For once, my suggestions weren't dismissed outright, and it caught me off guard.
The rest of the conversation revolved around the guest list and party arrangements. Once most of the details were finalized, dinner came to a quiet close. We cleared the table, and after saying goodnight to Lara, I headed back to my room.
I slipped under my comforter, but sleep didn't come easy.
The fight replayed in my mind. Riven's precision, the moment he lost control, the pulse of something I couldn't name. It had been brief, almost imperceptible, but I felt it. A ripple in the air, like something unseen pressing against reality.
Zion had rushed to his side immediately after. Had he felt it too?
I exhaled, rolling onto my side, but my thoughts wouldn't quiet.
Riven was a mystery wrapped in silence and sharp edges. But for the first time since meeting him, I wasn't just curious. I was unsettled.