The morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows of my room, catching on the golden accents of the canopy bed and the polished floor. I leaned against the sill, staring out over the academy grounds, watching as the first students made their way to practice. The world felt deceptively calm, but I knew better. The library attack, the scouts’ ambush, the Hall of Trials—every event replayed in my mind, each memory a mix of triumph and anxiety. Lyra had grown stronger, sharper, but the danger never truly left. My protective instincts flared each time I recalled the look on her face during the library attack, the way her shadows flared with instinctive precision. She had learned quickly, too quickly in some ways, and yet her power still surprised me. I closed my eyes, letting my fingers trace the edge of the windowsill. She’s extraordinary. Not just in her magic, but in her courage, her instincts, her determination. Shadows and light—hers and mine—responded to each other in ways no o
Last Updated : 2026-03-19 Read more