Finn stretches, then hops off the bed and strolls over to Malrik, throwing an arm over his shoulder with a cheeky grin. "Busy? He's single-handedly organizing a revolution. Look at those little guys. Bob's practically giving a TED Talk over there."
It's not just a joke. Every single shadow is visible now, from the smallest wisp curling near the baseboard to the broad, imposing form of Bob. I watch as Steve and Linda coax a newly arrived shadow into the fold. Their movements are fluid but deliberate, too purposeful to be random. It's mesmerizing, and also... unsettling.
"I think they're staring at me," I whisper, something cold slipping down my spine.
"They are," Aspen says, his tone matter-of-fact. "They always are."
I don't have a chance to respond before Mouse chirps, snapping his tail like a general issuing orders. Finn wiggles his eyebrows. "See? TED Talk. Bob's got slides and everything."
Malrik sighs, running a hand down his face. "This isn't funny, Finn."
"That's comforting," I deadpan, though I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. Seems like my mouth has a mind of its own around Finn.
"Hey, don't knock it. The new shadows are thriving already," Finn says with a wink, nodding toward the newest shadow, which is now circling Mouse like a nervous intern on the first day.
A soft knock on the door interrupts whatever witty reply I might have managed. Aspen rises smoothly, his hand already on the hilt of the dagger at his hip. I tense, my shadows flickering in response, darkness rippling across the floor like disturbed water. But when the door creaks open, it's Seren who steps inside.
Her lavender hair is even more chaotic than usual, sticking up in all directions like she's been struck by lightning. Her mismatched outfit, a neon green crop top paired with plaid pajama pants and fuzzy unicorn slippers, is a visual assault that somehow works for her.
Her eyes widen comically as she takes in the scene before her. "Well, well, well," she drawls, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "If it isn't Kaia and her merry band of hunks. Should I come back later? Maybe after you've finished your... morning calisthenics?"
My face burns hot enough to melt steel, and my shadows ripple in response, darkening the corners of the room. "It's not what it looks like," I stammer, trying to extricate myself from the tangle of limbs and failing miserably.
"Oh honey," Seren cackles, "it looks like you've won the magical boy lottery. And here I thought I was lucky to find amatching pair of socks this morning."
Seren's grin turns absolutely wicked as she takes in the full scene—four gorgeous men tangled around one very flustered girl. "Survival Tip #7 in action, I see." She pauses for dramatic effect. "If you can't pick one, pick them all. Just hydrate first." Her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Though I don't see any water bottles, so maybe pace yourselves?"
Finn, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, winks at Seren. "Care to join us? There's always room for one more."
Seren pretends to fan herself. "Tempting, but I'll pass. I prefer my men like I prefer my coffee—one at a time and not in my bed."
As I finally manage to sit up properly, Seren's gaze shifts, her eyes widening further. "Holy shadow puppets, Batman!" she exclaims, her jaw dropping as she takes in the writhing mass of darkness filling every corner of the room. "Kaia, darling, when did you start running a shadow daycare?"
I follow her gaze, suddenly hyper-aware of just how many shadows are crowded into the space. They're everywhere, curling around bedposts, sliding along walls, even hanging from the ceiling like inky stalactites. Bob, ever the overachiever, seems to be demonstrating some sort of complex maneuver to a group of smaller shadows. It looks suspiciously like a dance routine.
"I, uh... I'm not entirely sure," I admit, watching as Mouse scampers across the floor, herding a group of wispy shadows like a sheepdog. "They just sort of... showed up?"
The shadows ripple as if in acknowledgment, their movements almost synchronized. I don't miss the way Seren's hand tightens on the doorframe,her mask of calm slipping. Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes anymore. And her fingers? Still white-knuckled on the wood.
I shift uncomfortably under her stare, unsure how to respond. Even the shadows seem to freeze, their writhing forms suddenly quiet and sharp-edged, like they're listening. Seren's always been the calm, sarcastic voice of reason, but something about her now makes my stomach knot.
"They're loyal," Aspen says quietly, his voice cutting through the silence. "To her. That's what matters."
"Loyal or not, this is more than we've ever dealt with," Seren replies. Her tone isn't harsh, but the weight of her words lingers between us, heavy with things unsaid. "And if I'm overwhelmed by this, imagine what the rest of the Academy is going to think."
She steps in, closing the door behind her and leans against it, her dark gaze flicking to each of us in turn. "We have a problem," she says finally. "Thorne isn't just gone. He's recruiting."
The room falls silent. Even the shadows seem to still, their movements less chaotic and more focused, as if they understand the weight of her words.
My spine stiffens, heart pounding against my ribs like it's trying to escape. "Recruiting for what?"
"For Alekir," Seren says, her voice low and steady. "He's building an army."
Torric growls low in his throat, the sound more animal than human. "Let him try. I'll rip his head off before he touches her."
"Easy, big guy," Seren says, raising a hand. "This isn't just about Kaia anymore. Alekir's moving fast, and Lira wants answers. She's asked for all of you to meet her first thing."
Malrik frowns, his silver-gray eyes narrowing. "First thing?"
