Chapter 40: The Gathering Storm

Dawn broke slowly over the mountains surrounding Vancouver. Pale sunlight spread across the forest and reflected off the frozen lake behind the Thorne cabin.

The towering column of ice that Finn had created during the night still stood in the middle of the lake like a crystalline monument.

It glittered in the early light.

Inside the cabin, the morning was much less dramatic.

Finn ran through the hallway in his socks, swinging his toy hockey stick.

“I make big ice!” he announced proudly.

Liam followed him, lifting a foam puck with his telekinesis and dropping it again.

“Boom puck!”

Jake sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee, watching the two toddlers sprint past.

He glanced toward the window where the massive ice tower shimmered outside.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “That’s definitely not normal.”

Brody walked in from the porch holding his phone.

“So… good news.”

Jake raised an eyebrow.

“Define good.”

Brody turned the phone screen around.

News footage played from helicopters flying over the forest.

The ice tower stood clearly visible on the frozen lake.

The headline read:

MYSTERY ICE FORMATION APPEARS OUTSIDE VANCOUVER

Jake sighed.

“Great.”

---

The World Notices

Within hours, the strange structure on the lake became the biggest story across Vancouver.

News helicopters circled the area.

Scientists speculated about rare weather conditions.

Online forums exploded with theories.

Inside the cabin, Lucien watched the news quietly.

“This will attract attention.”

Alex rubbed his forehead.

“As if we didn’t already have enough.”

Finn climbed onto the couch proudly.

“That my ice.”

Alex gave him a patient look.

“Let’s maybe not tell reporters that.”

---

A Warning from the Council

Later that morning, another vehicle arrived at the cabin.

Adrian Vale stepped out quickly, his expression more serious than usual.

Jake met him outside.

“You look worried.”

Vale didn’t waste time.

“We’ve confirmed movement.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed.

“The Crown Court.”

Vale nodded.

“They’re mobilizing multiple teams.”

Brody leaned against the porch railing.

“How many?”

Vale answered carefully.

“Enough.”

Jake sighed.

“That’s not a number.”

Vale looked toward the frozen lake and the towering pillar of ice.

“They believe the heir has fully awakened.”

---

Training Gets Serious

Inside the cabin, Lucien cleared a larger space in the living room.

“This changes things.”

Alex crossed his arms.

“You mean the ice tower outside?”

Lucien nodded.

“Yes. Finn’s power is growing faster than expected.”

Finn raised his stick.

“I practice!”

Lucien smiled slightly.

“That is exactly what we’re going to do.”

Liam clapped.

“Magic time!”

---

Power Lessons

Lucien placed several small objects across the floor.

“Liam,” he said calmly, “lift them one at a time.”

Liam focused carefully.

A puck lifted into the air.

Then a small book.

Then a wooden block.

Brody watched with wide eyes.

“Kid’s already stronger than most trained telekinetics.”

Lucien nodded.

“His control is improving rapidly.”

Then he turned toward Finn.

“Your turn.”

Finn pointed his stick dramatically.

“Big ice!”

Nothing happened.

Jake chuckled.

“Try sneezing again.”

Finn scrunched his face.

Then—

“Achoo!”

A thin sheet of frost spread across the floor.

Brody jumped back.

“Okay that works too.”

---

Hockey Still Matters

Later that afternoon, Alex left for team practice.

Inside Rogers Arena, the Vancouver Grizzlies prepared for the second playoff game.

The locker room buzzed with energy.

Brody laced up his skates beside Alex.

“You sure you’re focused?”

Alex taped his stick carefully.

“I’m always focused.”

Brody nodded toward the arena ceiling.

“Even with supernatural war brewing?”

Alex smirked.

“Hockey helps.”

Coach clapped his hands.

“Alright, listen up!”

The room went quiet.

“Game two tomorrow. We keep the momentum.”

Alex stood with the rest of the team.

But part of his mind was still back at the cabin.

With Finn.

With Liam.

---

The Hunters Advance

Hundreds of miles away, inside a massive underground facility, the Crown Court leader studied satellite images.

The ice tower outside Vancouver glowed on the screen.

“Power confirmed.”

One of his commanders stepped forward.

“Our retrieval teams are ready.”

The leader nodded.

“Good.”

He zoomed the map closer.

The Thorne cabin appeared.

“So is our target.”

Another officer asked carefully,

“What about the alpha?”

The leader smiled faintly.

“Remove him if necessary.”

---

Nightfall

That evening, the Thorne cabin was quiet again.

Finn and Liam sat on the floor playing with toy sticks and pucks.

Alex returned from practice and dropped onto the couch.

Jake handed him a drink.

“Good skate?”

Alex nodded.

“Good enough.”

Finn climbed into Alex’s lap.

“I ice hero.”

Alex laughed.

“Yeah, you are.”

Liam lifted his puck again.

“Boom hero!”

Brody leaned back in his chair.

“Honestly, these two might be more dangerous than the hockey team.”

---

The Storm Begins

Outside, the wind suddenly picked up.

Snow blew across the frozen lake.

Jake stepped onto the porch.

The air felt charged again.

Lucien appeared beside him.

“They’re close.”

Jake scanned the tree line.

“How close?”

At that moment, several dark shapes dropped silently from the forest canopy surrounding the cabin.

Brody stepped outside and saw them immediately.

“Oh.”

Jake cracked his knuckles.

“Round two.”

Inside the cabin, Finn looked toward the window.

“Bad guys?”

Alex stood up slowly.

“Yeah.”

Jake turned toward the house.

“Get the kids upstairs.”

Alex scooped up Liam while Finn clung to his shoulder.

The wind howled across the frozen lake.

And in the darkness of the forest outside Vancouver, the Crown Court hunters finally arrived in full force.