—Alexia—
Morning came with a heavy sky, clouds pressing down, the air sharp with the promise of rain. Kaia shoved a coffee into my hands before I could protest.
"You're going to need this."
"Gee, comforting," I muttered, but the warmth helped settle the shake in my hands.
Zeus circled my legs, tail wagging like he didn't realize I was about to walk back into the place I'd nearly lost control yesterday. The training hall was empty except for Shade, who stood in the center like a storm waiting to break, robes swirling, eyes sharp.
"Miss Carter," she greeted coolly. "Today, you will learn to move with your magic."
"Move?" I echoed.
"Chaos magic does not wait for you to be ready," she said. "You must learn to hold it and act."
She flicked her hand, and golden runes flared on the floor, pulsing with the beat of my heart.
"Step in."
Kaia nudged me forward. "You've got this."
I stepped into the circle.
Shade lifted her hand, flame dancing above her palm. "Begin."
I reached for the magic. It slid under my skin like liquid fire, alive and eager.
"Walk," Shade ordered.
I took a step. The flame in my hand flickered and died.
"Again."
Again, I tried. The flame sputtered out.
"Again."
By the fifth attempt, sweat dripped down my back, my legs trembled, and the scent of burned air filled my nose.
"I can't," I gasped, clutching my hand.
"Again."
Tears blurred my vision, panic pressing in, memories of screams, of fire that wouldn't stop—
"Alexia." Shade's voice cut through the panic. "Breathe."
I sucked in a breath, tasting ash and fear.
"You are not that moment," Shade said. "You are here. You are in control."
In. Out. In. Out.
"Again."
I reached for the magic. It came, hesitant, then stronger, warm under my skin. Flame sparked to life.
"Walk."
Step. The flame wavered but held. Step. Step. Each one a battle, but the flame stayed, comforting instead of frightening.
Shade's eyes softened, just for a moment. "Good."
A sharp crack split the air. A rune flared too bright, sending a pulse through the floor. My concentration snapped. The flame exploded, throwing me backward.
"Lex!"
Kaia's voice. Zeus barking, licking my face as I coughed. Finn kneeling, hands hovering, Jasper's smirk gone, Soren scanning me for injuries.
"I'm okay," I wheezed.
Shade stepped forward. "You lost focus."
"I know," I whispered.
"But you held it longer than yesterday," she said. "That is progress."
Tears threatened, but I blinked them back.
"Tomorrow," Shade said, turning away. "We will try again."
Kaia helped me up, muttering about "stubborn witches with hero complexes." Finn squeezed my shoulder. Jasper let out a low whistle.
"At least you're not boring," he said.
Soren's calm presence steadied the lingering fear. As we left, the rain finally broke, tapping softly against the windows. I tilted my head back, letting the cool drops wash over me. I hadn't mastered it. But I hadn't failed. That was enough.
Kaia bumped my shoulder. "You did good, chaos queen."
"I didn't feel good," I admitted.
"Progress doesn't always feel good," Soren said.
We turned down the cracked-tile hallway. Zeus trotted ahead, nails clicking. That's when I saw them—three upper-year witches blocking the hall. Matching uniforms, polished boots, bored expressions turning sharp as they saw me.
"Oh, look," a tall boy sneered, "the Headmistress's new project."
"How many fire extinguishers do you think they keep for her now?" a girl laughed.
"Careful, chaos queen," the last girl said coldly, "we don't want you torching the halls again."
Heat spiked under my skin, fear curling bitter in my throat. I clenched my hands, forcing the magic down.
Kaia stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Say that again."
The cold-eyed girl rolled her eyes. "We're just trying to keep the rest of us safe."
Jasper flicked his coin lazily. "You kids have a death wish, or are you just stupid?"
The boy's smirk faltered. "She's dangerous. Everyone knows it."
Finn's eyes stayed calm, but the air warmed around us. "Back off."
The girl sneered. "Or what? You'll let your chaos pet off her leash?"
I flinched.
Kaia snarled. "You're not worth the air it would take to curse you."
Zeus growled, pressing against my leg.
"Enough." Soren's voice was soft, sharp enough to cut glass. All eyes turned to him.
The girl swallowed, looking away. "Whatever. Just don't burn the place down."
They pushed past, bumping shoulders, avoiding our eyes. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Kaia turned to me. "Don't let them get in your head."
"They're not wrong," I whispered.
"You didn't," Finn cut in, stepping close. "You're learning."
Jasper smirked, flipping his coin. "Besides, you'd look terrible in prison orange."
A small, broken laugh escaped me.
"You are not what they say," Soren said firmly.
Kaia slung her arm around me. "Come on, chaos queen. You need water, food, and trash TV before you pass out."
As we walked, Zeus trotting beside us, I glanced back down the hallway where the students had disappeared. Above them, at the far end of the corridor, I saw a shadow move—a tall, robed figure stepping back into darkness, a glint of something gold catching the light. Watching. Waiting. The Council. Watching me. Fear coiled in my stomach, but I wasn't alone. For now, that was enough.