The secrets of the past are rising. The storm is already inside the gates.

Alexia Mae Carter survived her first term at Whisperwind College, but the price of her survival was exposure. Now, the High Council of the Fivefold Accord has arrived, and they don't see a student—they see the daughter of a monster.

To the Council, Alexia’s "Chaos" is a disease that needs to be cured or contained. To her father, Gideon Marek, it is a weapon he is finally ready to claim. As Gideon begins to haunt her dreams, reaching through the school’s ancient wards, Alexia realizes that the man who abandoned her might be the only one who understands the power burning in her veins.

Even the bond with her protectors is fracturing. While Finn and Soren stand by her, whispers of doubt begin to poison the group. When the people she trusts most start to fear her, Alexia is forced to choose:

Will she suppress her magic to fit their mold, or will she embrace the wildfire within?

In the shadows of Whisperwind, the line between hero and villain is blurring. And this time, not even the Royals can shield her from the coming storm.

Aelira Dawnmire's wings twitched, betraying her unease. "Asher is rarely shaken. This time…he was."


Rhian Kael grunted. "He should've come to us sooner. If she's losing control, we need eyes on her now."


Seraphine Vexhart folded her arms. "You speak as though she's a threat."


"She is a threat," Magnus Virell snapped. "Not intentionally, not yet - but the magic in her veins doesn't wait for permission."


"She's unstable," Thorne Vaelros said quietly. "Gideon Marek has already visited her twice. That alone should concern us."


"She didn't do it on purpose," Aelira said. "That's what Asher said."


"Exactly," Thorne replied. "Chaos does not obey even its own master."


Then Seraphine sighed. "We all saw the training field. The dummy didn't burn. It shattered reality for a moment."


Magnus stood. "We bring her in. Today."


Thorne's eyes flicked to Aelira. "She gets one chance. To show us what she is…or what she's becoming."


Aelira didn't argue. "I'll contact Morigan Shade."


The decision was sealed. The girl would stand before the council. 


And this time, they wouldn't just be watching.


The next day around midday in the Whisperwind courtyard.


Sunlight danced across the leaves, filtering through the glass dome of the garden canopy. I sat cross-legged on the grass, her back against a warm stone wall. Finn lay beside me, one arm draped behind my shoulders, lazily drawing circles against my skin.


I exhaled slowly, letting my eyes close. For once, the chaos inside was…quiet.


"You're thinking too hard again," Finn murmured, smirking.


He rolled onto his side, propped on one elbow. "You are. I can feel it."


I cracked an eye open. "I'm allowed to think."


"You're allowed to breathe too, witchling. You just forget to."


I laughed softly, then leaned into him. "Thank you. For last night."


His smile softened. "I meant it, Lex. You don't have to be perfect for us. You don't have to prove anything."


Because deep down, I wasn't trying to prove something to them.


I was trying to prove something to myself.


Then footsteps—sharp, deliberate—echoed through the garden path.


Morigan Shade, Headmistress of Whisperwind, stood at the edge of the courtyard. Her slate-colored cloak stirred like smoke behind her.


Morigan's gaze was unreadable. "Alexia Carter. The High Council has requested your presence. You're to come with me."


"They didn't say," Morigan said evenly. "But you are expected. Now."


Finn's posture shifted subtly—protective, tense.


I only hesitated a second before nodding. "Okay. I'll come."


Finn touched my hand. "I'll walk with you."


As we followed her through the winding stone halls, the quiet between Finn and I stretched taut.


And I couldn't help but wonder—what would we be walking into?


Chapter 32 - Chapter 31: Tipping Point