The wind howled along the edge of the cliff, dragging cloaks and tugging loose strands of hair like it wanted to pull them all into the sea below.Kael tasted blood.It filled his mouth, slipping down his throat each time he tried to breathe. He coughed, and it splattered across the gray stone beneath him. His fingers scraped against the ground, searching for something, anything, to hold onto, but there was nothing except gravel and the boots of the boys surrounding him.A sharp kick slammed into his ribs and Kael groaned as he folded in on himself.“I asked you a question, orphan!” one of them said.Ronan stood at the front, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair tied at the nape of his neck. He was the son of the most powerful mage in Astra and the dark look in his eyes mirrored his father’s. Beside him was Darius, thinner, stood right in front of Kael, fist clenched and ready to punch. Behind them, leaning lazily against a jagged rock, was Silas, watching as if this were nothing

Kael was falling.The wind screamed past his ears and the cliff above him grew smaller. His body twisted helplessly in the air as his heart raced wildly against his chest. He could see them. Ronan, Darius and Silas, looking down at him and watching him die.Kael tried to breathe, but the air would not come. His chest burned. His limbs felt heavy and soon he could almost feel the rock behind him and then…“You. Are. Mine.” A deep ancient voice growled deep in his ear, its words vibrating through his entire body. Kael jerked upright with a sharp gasp. Air flooded into his lungs as if he had been drowning. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his heart slamming hard against his ribs.He stayed still for a moment as sweat needed down his face. What happened to him? One minute he was falling to his death and the next he was….here? Kael blinked, his vision slowly clearing. He was lying on a bed.Not the thin straw mat from the maid quarters back at the academy, a real bed with soft foam an

The horns did not stop.They echoed across the academy grounds, each call heavier than the last. The air itself seemed to tighten with every sound, pressing down on the stone walls and the people within them.Trainees gathered along the edges of the courtyard, whispering. Some stood with weapons in hand, others with magic flickering at their fingertips, but none dared step forward.They knew who had come and they dared not attack. The gates opened slowly and the Council of Mages entered as one.Robes of deep crimson and silver trailed behind them. Many of them had their mouths sewn shut and a few of them had their faces covered in white fabrics. Their presence alone silenced the courtyard.At their center walked Pelson, the Grand Mage Supreme.His robes shimmered faintly, threads of gold woven through them. His eyes scanned the trainees in disdain, wondering who in their sane mind thought training under Zen was noble. The n0bels have ever learned to weld their flames in his academy

The silence that followed was deafening.The mage behind him tightened his grip on the reins, and the horse came to a full stop. One by one, the rest followed until the entire procession stood still along the narrow path.Robes swept the ground as they faced Kael, their eyes hidden behind cloth and shadow, yet Keal felt the intensity of their gaze. “What did you say?” one of them asked.Kael’s throat felt dry. He could feel his pulse rising again, beating fast though his face remained neutral. “Nothing,” he said.The silence that followed told him they did not believe him.Another council member stepped forward, his voice colder. “You spoke. We heard you.”Kael stared ahead, refusing to meet their eyes. He knew he was loud enough for all to hear, there was not a single chance no one heard his voice. “Ypu hear them.” The voice in his head came again.His grip on the saddle tightened, now isn't the time! They were deliberating on whether or not to end his life and whatever is speakin