LOGINA heavy silence settled over the second-floor corridor as everyone waited for Adrian to answer Oliver’s question.Before Adrian could even open his mouth, Zeda quickly staked her claim. “I’ll be staying with Prince Adrian,” she declared, stepping forward.A collective gasp rippled through the hallway, and half of the team widened their eyes in complete shock at her bold statement.Zeda didn't care about their reactions. She kept her chin up, looking straight at Adrian as she smoothly justified her words. “Adrian is my assigned tutor, and he agreed we would use our downtime to work together on controlling my elements. It’s the best way to make sure I’m properly prepared for tomorrow’s mission.”Before Adrian could respond, Ava immediately interjected, her voice sharp and loud enough for everyone to hear. “That won't be necessary.”Zeda whipped around, glaring at her with cold irritation.Ava held her gaze without flinching, stepping up beside Adrian. “No matter how much you and Adrian
Zeda pulled her phone out from her side pocket to view the unexpected text message that had just come in. The moment her eyes landed on the sender's name, a wide, genuine smile broke across her face.It was Torvin.She tapped on the notification to read the message:DEBTOR, I HEARD YOU ARE OUT ON A MISSION. MAKE SURE TO KICK SOME ASS FOR BOTH OF US AND PLEASE BE CAREFUL. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO STAY CLOSE TO THAT BOOKWORM.Zeda laughed softly at his nickname for Adrian, shaking her head at the rolling-eyes emoji he had attached to the end.“Now this is how you show you care for someone,” She mumbled quietly to herself, the bitter sting of how Adrian had brushed her aside earlier instantly softening.With her mood instantly elevated, she dialed Torvin’s number without a second thought, not caring at all that she was currently sitting in a hotel lobby surrounded by her fellow mages.She grinned as he picked up on the first ring.“Hello, Master,” Zeda chirped happily.Torvin chuckled over th
The motor coach finally halted in front of a rustic, two-story local hotel tucked on the edge of the remote town. It was a faded brick building with peeling beige paint along the window frames and a cracked concrete parking space out front.Zeda stepped out onto the damp gravel, letting out a long breath as she stretched her stiff limbs.The air here was cool and thick with the scent of wet earth. Heavy, dark clouds were gathering rapidly across the evening sky, slowly swallowing the last traces of daylight and turning the air cold.A heavy rainfall was definitely not far off, and she was relieved they had made it in time.She was looking forward to curling up in bed, hopefully with Adrian keeping her warm once the chill set in.Her eyes drifted to Adrian as he walked several paces ahead of the group, his tall frame cutting through the dim twilight. He marched straight toward the hotel lobby without a single glance back to see if she was following or sticking close to him like she was
“Well...” Adrian started, frowning slightly as if considering the thought for the very first time. “Come to think of it, he has to be.“It’s the only logical explanation for why he’s the only demon in this academy, and honestly, the only one I’ve ever seen.”Zeda scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. “You’re crazy.”Adrian turned his body toward her completely, his expression darkening. “Seriously, Zeda, think about it. That portal was opened only once in history, fifty years ago, when those six demons entered the earth realm.“Lucian has to be one of them, because there isn't a single spirit mage left and there’s no record of another portal ever opening after that.”Zeda kept shaking her head, refusing to let the idea take root. “That’s not true. He could have found another way through, or maybe he was just born here on earth.”“There is no other way,” Adrian said, his tone turning stern. “Because if there was, it would have been—”“Just because it wasn't recorded doesn't mean it’s
Zeda followed close behind Adrian as the fire, earth, air, and water units of the selected mages piled into the motor coach with deeply tinted windows that sat idling on the gravel.Just like on her first mission, Mr. Percival sought her out before she could climb aboard. He called her aside with a wave of his hand, his pale, angular face carrying a mix of genuine concern and quiet encouragement that made his red eyes look less intimidating than usual.Adrian lingered nearby for a second, a curious frown touching his brow, before entering the vehicle.“Are you ready for your second mission, Zeda?” Mr. Percival asked, looking down at her.Zeda forced a courageous smile onto her face. “A hundred percent, sir.”The worried look on Mr. Percival's face eased a little at her answer, just as she had intended. “Good. But remember that you’re still not in control of your powers yet, so don't get cocky out there and lose your focus which will put your life in danger.“I want you glued to Adrian
“What did I even do to you people?” Zeda asked, her voice tight as she glared at Sam and Emily. “You were the ones who came looking for trouble and attacked me first.”Emily brushed the claim off with a casual wave of her hand, her mouth twisting into a dismissive sneer. “It doesn’t matter who started what. What matters is that you broke my nose and made Adrian punish us severely just for trying to welcome you to the Mage Kingdom. So now you’re going to pay for it.”“Whatever you’re planning to do will only get you punished even more,” Zeda countered, standing her ground despite the sudden chill in the air.Sam snorted mockingly. “Punishment is for people who get caught and judged guilty. As for us, no one is going to suspect a thing. Whatever happens to you out there will just be seen as the work of whoever we’re facing on this mission. Accidents happen all the time on official assignments.”A sudden wave of dread washed over Zeda. Her pulse spiked, a heavy knot forming in the pit of
ARROGANT JERK!“It means there’s something special about you.”Zeda frowned at Carrie’s words the next day, dropping the letter in her hand onto a nearby table. No matter how often her roommate and now friend called her special, Zeda didn't feel that way.The letter was from Mr. Percival, saying h
"Oh my goodness, Zeda!" Carrie exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as Zeda stepped back into their room. "Prince Lucian just walked you to our door! On your very first day!"Zeda frowned. "Is that a big deal?"Carrie's eyes widened even more. "Are you kidding me? We're talking about Lucian Umb
Zeda's stomach rumbled as she walked into a restaurant, starving. She'd dropped her bags at Mr. Percival's office, planning to eat before finding a cab to her apartment.She quickly ordered, found a quiet spot, and dug in, not even bothering to look around. When she finally finished, the place w
"Why is there a school in a place like this?" Zeda Iverson asked from the back of the car. She felt uneasy, a feeling that had been growing since her trip to Shadowbrook Academy began. Her parents had practically forced her to come here instead of letting her go to college, even though she'd fini







