The infirmary felt way too still that afternoon. Kael was perched on the bed's edge, hands on his knees, fingers twitching a bit like they might slip away if he let go. Everything around him looked clean, sheets all white and untouched, even after what went down earlier.
But inside, he could still sense it lingering. That rush of power, the thing he couldn't shake. Azrael, the name kept bouncing around in his head, like it dug in deep without asking.
His jaw locked up tight.
He whispered stop to himself.
Nothing answered right away.
Lucien was over by the wall, arms crossed, staring hard at Kael with those gray eyes that seemed to pick everything apart. He hadn't talked much since Kael came to, just kept that watch going.
Rhea stood at the window, her red hair glowing a little in the light, looking out like she was waiting for something bad. She seemed relaxed on the outside, but I think her eyes gave it away, sharp and thinking ahead in the glass reflection.
Then Seraphine was there too, off to the side, quiet in a way that almost felt soft. Her pale blonde hair hung straight down, and her face had this calm look, like she was trying to make things easier.
But it was too calm, you know? Kael felt his chest squeeze for no clear reason. Something about her just didn't sit right.
You're staring, she said softly.
He blinked, caught off guard.
Sorry, he mumbled.
It's okay, she replied with a small smile.
Though her eyes, for a split second, seemed to look right through him.
Things went quiet again after that.
Lucien finally moved from the wall. We can't keep acting like nothing changed, he said.
Rhea turned her head a bit. No one's doing that.
Are you sure? Lucien shot back, eyebrow up. Kael pulls off this impossible power, almost hurts someone bad, and now he's just sitting there like it was all a nightmare or something.
Kael stayed silent.
So explain it then, Lucien pushed.
I can't, Kael said right away.
Lucien's look got sharper. You won't.
Their eyes locked when Kael glanced up.
I don't know what you expect me to say.
Starting with the truth that you're holding back would help.
Rhea let out a sigh and stepped away from the window. Lucien, back off a little.
Not this time, he said, voice even. That wasn't any regular magic. I've read enough to know the difference.
Kael's chest tightened more. Lucien was sharper than the rest as expected from the Arkwrights
Shut up, Kael muttered low.
There it goes again, Lucien said.
What do you mean again? Rhea asked, frowning.
He's been muttering to something, Lucien explained.
The room got dead silent.
Something? Rhea's face shifted quick.
Seraphine just stood there, not saying a word, watching everything.
Kael breathed out slow. It's nothing.
But he said stop again in his head, like before.
Kael, Rhea moved closer, her tone more serious. Look at me.
He didn't want to, but he did anyway.
What's really going on?
Her eyes searched his, not angry or anything, just worried I guess.
For a second, he almost let it out. The voice in his head, the weird flame feeling, that name Azrael hanging there.
His hand balled up.
I don't know, he ended up saying.
The words felt heavier, like a bigger lie this round.
Lucien eyed him a moment longer, then backed off.
Fine.
That caught them all off guard.
Fine? Rhea echoed.
Yeah, Lucien said. Pushing won't make him talk if he doesn't want to.
But his eyes said something, a different story, like he planned to find out on his own.
Kael noticed, and it twisted something inside him.
Later, they all headed out of the infirmary.
Word was already out, spreading fast. Halls packed with students, but talks dropped when Kael passed by. People stared, some curious, others looking careful or scared.
Well, you're kind of famous now, Rhea said under her breath, arms crossed.
Kael didn't answer.
They fear you,
the voice slipped in again.
Good, he said without thinking.
Lucien glanced over quick.
Rhea picked up on it too. You've been saying stuff like that more lately.
Kael went still for a beat. I didn't mean it that way.
But deep down, maybe he did.
Let's just make it through the day, he muttered instead.
Next up was combat class, fundamentals or whatever.
The arena was huge, stone floor marked with these runes that handled magic energy, absorbing it or pushing back. Kids were all over, pairing off, throwing spells around, trying out powers, some showing off a bit.
Kael walked in, and right away, the air hit different. Thicker, like it was loaded with something.
Interesting,
that voice noted.
No, Kael whispered.
What? Rhea asked.
Nothing.
Lucien didn't buy it, from his look.
Alright, pair up! the instructor yelled.
Everyone shuffled fast.
Rhea turned to Kael. You're with me.
What? he said, blinking.
You need the practice, she said flat out.
I don't even have magic.
We'll work on that.
She didn't wait, stepped back and lifted her hand.
Flames flew out of her hand, but she kept them tight.
Fire thing, mid level control, she added like it was no big deal.
The fire twisted into sharp shapes around her arm.
Don't get burned bad.
Kael sighed. That's comforting.
Over on the other side, Lucien raised his hand a touch.
Air shimmered near him.
Then it warped, a ripple going out like the space bent.
Spatial stuff, he said coolly. Not far range, but precise.
Rhea smirked. Always showing off.
He just shrugged.
Seraphine was off at the edge, not joining in, just standing quiet.
What about her? Kael asked.
Rhea looked over. She doesn't show her power much.
Why not?
It's dangerous, she says. Or something like that.
Kael's chest squeezed again.
It is dangerous,
the voice agreed.
Stop, he muttered.
Kael, focus, Rhea snapped.
She attacked him, fire wave coming close to him.
He dodged by instinct, but too slow, heat singed his side.
Move! she yelled.
Next one faster.
He shifted a bit to the side, barely made it.
His heart was racing.
I can't do this, he said.
You can, just react without overthinking! Rhea shot back.
Another wave hit.
And then, something inside responded.
A dark flicker, same as before.
Let me help.
No.
The flame pushed out, cracking the ground under him.
Everyone stopped cold.
Instructor whipped around. What was that?
Kael's eyes went wide. I didn't mean to.
But the energy throbbed stronger.
You're calling it.
I'm not!
Too late, it built up.
Air darkened around him.
Runes on the floor lit, then started breaking.
That's not supposed to be possible, Lucien whispered.
Rhea backed up. Kael, stop it.
He couldn't control it.
Power climbed, spreading out.
Then a scream cut through.
Someone far off grabbed their chest, dropped down.
Another one, then more.
What's going on? a voice yelled.
Air got heavy, dark, like something invisible slipped in.
It watched, maybe hunted.
Kael's breath hitched. No.
They came,
the voice said.
Who? His heart skipped.
The things that watch you.
Cold hit sudden.
Shadows stretched weird across the floor.
And from them, stuff started shifting, moving out.