—Alexia—
Morning came too fast. I didn't sleep, twisting in tangled sheets, seeing fire every time I closed my eyes. By dawn, I was perched on the edge of my bed, wrapped in Finn's hoodie, trying to breathe.
Kaia had let herself in at some point and sprawled across my reading chair. She glanced up from her phone, eyes soft. "You're gonna be fine, Lex."
I tried to believe her. The boys waited in the hall. Finn handed me coffee, thumb brushing mine, quiet reassurance. Asher paced, boots scuffing. Jasper flipped his coin, smirking. Soren nodded, calm as always. Zeus pressed against my leg with each step as we walked to the training hall.
Shade stood waiting, robes shifting like shadows. "Miss Carter. Today, you learn to hold your flame."
The boys leaned against the far wall. Zeus settled by Finn's feet. I stepped into the chalk circle. Shade lifted her hand, golden flame dancing above her palm.
"Chaos does not mean lack of control," Shade said, eyes sharp. "It means you must be the eye of your storm."
"How?" I managed, voice catching.
"Focus," she said. "Feel where your magic lives."
The flame between us flickered, shadows twisting across the cracked mirrors.
"Touch it. Do not drag it. Let it come."
I swallowed, lifting my hand. The magic roared under my skin, hot and demanding. Sparks snapped from my fingertips, hissing against the floor. I flinched back.
"Again," Shade commanded.
"I can't," I whispered, tears stinging.
"Again," she repeated, softer.
Behind her, Finn's voice cut through the rush. "Breathe, Lex."
In. Out. In. Out.
"Let it swirl," Shade said. "But do not let it drag you under."
I closed my eyes. The magic pulsed under my ribs like a trapped storm. I reached for it, not with fear, but intent. The flame in Shade's hand bent toward me, a thread of gold in the air. Heat blossomed across my palm, not heavy, but anchoring.
"Pull just enough to shape it," Shade said.
I opened my eyes. The flame hovered above my hand, crackling softly, sparks dancing across my skin without burning. It hummed, warm, alive.
Shade's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Good. Now hold it."
The flame wavered as memory clawed up—fire, screams, tearing heat—
"Focus!" Shade snapped.
The flame flickered. I tightened my jaw, grounding myself in Zeus's breathing, in Finn's steady gaze across the room. I held the flame. One breath. Two. Three. For a bright moment, it wasn't something to fear. It was mine.
Shade lowered her hand. "Enough."
The flame in my hand vanished, leaving warmth and a tremor in my knees. I exhaled.
"You will return tomorrow," Shade said. "Chaos magic will not be your master, Miss Carter. You will master it."
Tears threatened, but these felt different.
"Okay," I whispered.
Outside, Kaia was waiting, arms crossed. "So? Did you blow anything up?"
"I didn't," I said, laughing softly.
"That's my girl," Kaia said, pulling me into a side hug, ignoring the ash on my hoodie.
Shade stepped out, her eyes on Kaia. "Miss Cathcart."
"Yeah?" Kaia replied.
"You will pack and move into Miss Carter's room. Effective immediately."
Kaia blinked. "What? Why?"
"For safety. And stability. She will not be alone."
Kaia glanced at me, then at Shade, then back again. "You're serious."
"I am," Shade said, already turning away.
Kaia's lips twitched. "Guess I'm your emotional support roommate now, chaos queen."
The boys fell in step as we walked back. Finn bumped my shoulder, warmth and pride in his eyes. Jasper flipped his coin, whistling. Asher muttered something about "finally some backup." Soren said, "Well done."
Zeus trotted ahead, tail wagging. For the first time, the magic didn't feel like a curse. For the first time, the fear wasn't louder than everything else. Because I wasn't alone. And maybe I was ready to learn how to be what I was without breaking.
But as we rounded the corner, a chill crawled up my spine, unbidden. The air flickered, like a shadow moved where there was nothing to cast it. For half a heartbeat, it felt like someone was watching. The flame within me sparked, a warning, a recognition.
I turned, but there was nothing there. Nothing I could see. I took a breath, forcing my shoulders down. One step, then another, Zeus pressing closer, the warmth of my friends around me. But the whisper of that shadow clung to me like a promise—and somewhere, I felt a presence smile.