—Asher—
It was too quiet. The kind that made your skin itch, like the air itself was waiting.
Alexia was asleep again—or unconscious. I wasn't sure anymore. Her breathing was even, but there was a tightness to it. Like even in rest, she was bracing. The storm might've passed, but the pressure in the room hadn't eased.
I hadn't stopped pacing. My boots whispered against the cracked stone, back and forth. Soren tracked me with his eyes but said nothing. Finn sat where he always did—beside her, hand in hers like it was the only thing anchoring him. Jasper glanced up at me, but he didn't speak. None of us wanted to be the first to break the silence. But I couldn't take it anymore.
"She could've killed us," I muttered.
Finn's head snapped up. "What?"
"She lost control," I said, stopping. "Again."
"That wasn't her fault."
"I didn't say it was." I met his eyes. "But we can't keep pretending it didn't happen."
Jasper's voice was calm but tired. "She was protecting Zeus."
"And that makes it fine?" I snapped. "You saw it. The walls were cracking, the air burning—she could have torn this place apart."
Finn stood slowly, eyes darkening. "Say it."
I swallowed. "She's dangerous."
"And what, you want to throw her away?" Finn's voice was low, lethal.
"She needs help," I bit out. "Real help. Not just us sitting around hoping she doesn't blow again."
"You're afraid of her," Finn said, dragon gold glinting in his eyes.
"I'm afraid of what's inside her," I hissed. "And what it will do to us."
The tension snapped. Finn lunged, shoving me. My back hit the wall. I pushed him off, fists clenched. Jasper's shout, Soren's arm between us—chaos swirled. And then— A gasp. We froze. Alexia was awake. Eyes wide, glassy. She looked at us like she didn't know us. Or worse—like she did.
Finn stumbled back, dropping to his knees at her side. "Lex, hey, it's okay. You're safe."
Her lips parted, breath too fast. "You were… yelling."
"Not at you," Jasper said softly. "Never at you."
But her gaze flicked to me. And that look— Gods. Betrayal. Hurt. Fear.
"I heard… something about turning me in," she whispered.
Finn's jaw tightened. "That's not happening."
I couldn't lie. "We need to be honest about what's happening."
Her breath hitched. "So you think I'm dangerous."
No one answered. She pulled her hand from Finn, curling into herself.
"Is that what you all think?" Her voice cracked. "That I'm a monster?"
"No," Finn said, fierce.
"Yes," I said, too quiet.
Her shoulders trembled. "Why are you here, then?"
"I'm not afraid of you," I said. "I'm afraid for you."
Her eyes fell. "I didn't ask for this."
"I know."
She didn't look up. "But you'd still hand me over."
"I'd fight for you," I said, hating how empty it sounded, "but I won't lie."
Finn stepped between us. "Then shut up."
Zeus whimpered on her legs, pressing closer. Her breath shook.
"I need… I need space," she whispered.
We hesitated. Soren moved first, quiet as a shadow, followed by Jasper. Finn lingered, his hand hovering, then withdrew. I stayed. She didn't look at me. She didn't have to. I turned and left. The door clicked shut behind me, leaving her alone.
—Alexia—
They left, but the room didn't feel empty. It felt heavy. Like the walls were listening. I pulled the blanket tighter around me, my fingers trembling. Zeus nudged my knee with a soft whine. My magic still thrummed under my skin, a restless echo. Dangerous. That word wouldn't leave me. I didn't want to be afraid of myself. I didn't want them to be afraid of me. But if I couldn't control this… The door creaked. I startled, magic sparking before I could stop it, a pulse of heat against the air.
Professor Virell stood in the doorway, his eyes sharp behind thin spectacles, robes layered in deep forest green. Calm. Controlled. Terrifying in the quiet way the air shifted around him.
"I knocked," he said mildly, though I hadn't heard him.
I swallowed. "I—sorry. I didn't mean—"
He lifted a hand, silencing me. "Miss Carter, you've made quite the impression this week."
My mouth dried. "Professor, I—"
"Your control is slipping," he said, stepping closer. The air grew colder. "Chaos magic is not a toy, nor a tool you can simply hope will obey."
My pulse stuttered. "I don't— I didn't know it was chaos."
His gaze softened, only slightly. "That's the problem, isn't it?"
I nodded, unable to speak.
He regarded me for a moment, then sighed, folding his hands behind his back. "You are at a crossroads, Miss Carter. Your magic is awake, and it will demand to be wielded. If you do not learn to master it, it will master you—and it will not care who it harms in the process."
Tears pricked my eyes. "I'm trying."
"I know." He paused, eyes narrowing just slightly. "But you will need help beyond what your… friends can provide. The council will come asking questions. I cannot shield you forever."
Fear coiled tight in my chest. "Are you going to turn me in?"
His eyes met mine. "Not today." He turned, pausing at the door. "Do not mistake this for leniency, Miss Carter. If you lose control again, there will be consequences."
Then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him. The silence returned, heavy, pressing. Zeus whined again, laying his head across my legs. I buried my fingers in his fur, pressing my forehead against him.
"I'm trying," I whispered. But the magic inside me pulsed again, hungry, restless, reminding me that trying might not be enough.