The Alexa Problem
902 Words
Inside her office, Headmistress Seraphine Vale sat surrounded by towering stacks of ancient books.
Candles flickered softly as she turned another fragile page, her brow furrowed.
She murmured quietly, reading aloud, “The Duchannes lineage… bearers of unrestricted magical affinity… dragon mark manifested at the back of the hand…”
She paused, exhaling slowly.
“So it’s all true…”
She ran her fingers over an illustration of a glowing sigil.
“Only their bloodline possesses all powers…”
A knock echoed.
Without looking up she said, “Come in.”
The door burst open.
Instructor Kai Sauline rushed in, shutting it behind him, breathing heavily.
“Headmistress.”
Seraphine stood immediately. “Kai — what happened?”
“It’s Alexa,” he said urgently.
Her heart sank. “Tell me.”
“She demonstrated abilities beyond anything I’ve seen,” he said quickly. “Her eyes — glowing red. Her control — fire, energy manipulation… she nearly burned Valerina.”
Seraphine’s expression tightened. “Nearly?”
“I shielded them,” Kai said. “But that’s not all.”
He lowered his voice.
“I saw the dragon mark… on the back of her hand. It has appeared.”
Seraphine froze.
“…No.”
“Yes,” he said quietly.
She paced slowly. “That means the seal is weakening.”
Kai nodded. “She also requested to speak with the principal… and her parents.”
Seraphine frowned. “Why would she—”
Kai hesitated. “I believe she knows about her birth.”
Seraphine turned sharply. “Who told her?”
“No one from this office,” Kai said firmly. “I swear.”
They exchanged uneasy glances.
Just then—
CRASH.
The office doors burst open — the lock snapping loose.
Alexa walked in calmly.
“Oh — sorry about the door,” she said casually. “The instructor was taking a while to get permission.”
Seraphine and Kai stared.
Alexa walked gracefully to the chair and sat, crossing her legs.
She tilted her head. “So… can I see the principal now?”
Kai looked at Seraphine.
Seraphine looked at Kai.
Slowly, Seraphine picked up the desk phone.
She spoke quietly, “Elowen… I think we have an Alexa problem.”
A pause.
“I’m coming,” came the reply.
Seraphine hung up. “She’s on her way.”
Alexa nodded. “Great.”
Minutes later, a hidden door opened.
Principal Elowen Maris entered — stopping when she saw Alexa dressed entirely in red, hood draped loosely, posture confident.
“Elowen,” Seraphine said softly.
Elowen stepped forward. “Alexa… what’s wrong?”
Alexa spoke slowly, “I met my sister.”
Elowen blinked. “Your… sister?”
“Yes. Ariella.”
Elowen forced a small smile. “Alexa, I don’t know what you mean.”
Alexa leaned forward slightly. “Oh please. Don’t pretend.”
“I saw her. My twin. So let’s not act like you don’t know.”
Elowen stayed silent.
Alexa sighed. “Fine. Then I want to speak with my parents.”
Elowen said carefully, “They may be busy.”
Alexa’s eyes flared red. “I said I want to speak with them.”
Kai stepped in quickly. “Okay — okay. She will speak with them.”
He murmured to Elowen, “Unless you want your office collapsing…”
Elowen nodded slowly. “Come with me.”
—
Inside the principal’s office, Elowen activated a magical video mirror.
“Connecting…” she said quietly.
A holographic image of Mr Richardson appeared.
“Hello, Elowen,” he said — then saw Alexa.
“Alexa… what’s wrong?”
Alexa looked down briefly before speaking. “Why did you lie to me?”
David froze.
Before he could answer, Olivia appeared beside him in the hologram.
“Alexa,” she said gently, “we were going to tell you.”
Alexa’s voice trembled. “I met her. Ariella.”
Olivia closed her eyes briefly.
“Yes,” she said softly. “You have a twin. And… you are adopted.”
Alexa swallowed hard.
“But you are our daughter,” Olivia continued. “We love you.”
Alexa nodded slowly, emotional.
“I know,” she whispered.
Then she asked, “Can Ariella come to school? She’s not like Mother.”
Elowen immediately said, “That is not advisable—”
Alexa’s eyes glowed again.
Elowen cleared her throat. “…On second thought… we will consider it.”
David stared at Alexa. “Show me your hand.”
Alexa turned her hand — revealing the dragon mark on the back.
It was faint, not glowing.
David and Olivia exchanged worried looks.
“How did it appear?” he asked.
“I met Ariella,” Alexa said. “It showed up.”
Seraphine spoke quietly, “Twin proximity broke the suppression.”
Elowen asked sharply, “How did you leave the barrier?”
“There’s a crack,” Alexa said simply.
Silence.
David whispered, “That means… she’s testing the defenses.”
Olivia said softly, “Be careful, Alexa.”
“We love you,” David added.
“I love you too,” she replied.
The call ended.
Alexa turned calmly. “So… about Ariella’s admission?”
Seraphine, Elowen, and Kai exchanged worried looks.
The room felt suddenly very small.
Outside…
The barrier shimmered uneasily.
As if something far away… was listening.
- Writer
