The ice-covered hall was massive, bigger than the academy's main auditorium. Pillars of frozen shadow stretched up to a ceiling lost in darkness. And at the center, on a throne that seemed to be carved from crystallized night itself, sat a figure that made them all stop breathing.He was enormous, easily twice the height of a normal person. His skin was pale blue, like someone who'd died of cold, but his eyes burned with white fire. A crown of ice and shadow rested on his head, and when he moved, frost spread across the floor."Mortals," the figure said in a voice like breaking glaciers. "You dare enter the presence of Mordain, Frost King of the Deep Caverns?""We seek the legacy of Glacius," Draven said, trying to keep his voice steady."Do you?" Mordain rose from his throne, and the temperature in the hall dropped so fast their breath turned to ice crystals. "And what makes you think you deserve such power?""We've passed all the trials," Lyra said."Have you?" The Frost King's laug

Three days after their return to the academy, life had settled into a comfortable routine. Classes in the morning, practice in the afternoon, studying in the evening. Their friends had accepted their story about the survival exercise, and their instructors seemed pleased with their improved teamwork.But Draven couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched."Am I being paranoid?" he asked Sera as they walked back from combat practice. "Or have you noticed more people paying attention to us?""You're not paranoid," Sera replied quietly. "We're definitely being watched. The question is by who.""Academy instructors checking on our 'improved abilities'?" Jin suggested."Maybe," Sera said, but she didn't sound convinced. "Or maybe word has gotten out about what really happened in the caverns.""How?" Lyra asked. "We didn't tell anyone.""Information has a way of traveling in circles like ours," Sera said darkly. "Especially information about power."They reached the main courtya

Days of confinement had everyone on edge. The constant guards, the restricted movement, the feeling of being watched - it was wearing them down. Even their enhanced magical connection couldn't ease the growing frustration."I can't take much more of this," Jin said during breakfast. They sat at their usual table, but now two guards flanked the dining hall entrance."It's for our safety," Lyra reminded him, but her voice lacked conviction."Is it? Or are we just making ourselves sitting targets?"Sera pushed her food around her plate. "The watchers are still there. Different faces every few days, but they're still there.""Maybe that's a good thing," Draven said. "At least we know where they are.""Do we? These are the ones we can see. How many more are there that we can't?"The question hung over them like a cloud. The Shadow Moon Sect was known for its ability to blend into normal society. For all they knew, half the academy could be compromised."I've been thinking," Sera said quiet