Ashes of the betrayer

I didn’t flinch as they dragged me through the gates of the Academy. Chains clinked against my wrists, but they couldn’t slow me, couldn’t touch what I was. Whispers followed me. Traitor. Monster. The girl who.. I let them talk, none of them understood me, none of them ever would. “Lyssara Blackstone”. The voice cut across the courtyard like a blade. I didn’t look at him right away, I let them wait, let them see if fear had finally reached me. Then I did. The three of them stood at the top of the stone steps. Power radiated from them like storms ready to wreak havoc, my past, standing right in from of me. The prince, still sharp and commanding, his eyes cold and calculating, the same ones that had seen me at my weakest. The commander, broader now, harder, violence etched into his muscles. He measured exactly how much I could take before I broke, I met it without flinching. And then the third. Shadows curled at his feet, moving like living snakes. His gaze finally lifted to meet mine. Not hatred, not anger, something worse. I looked away first, not from fear, but choice. “You’re late”, the prince said. “I was imprisoned”, I replied, raising one brow. “Time isn’t exactly a priority there.” The commander laughed quietly. “Still think you’re untouchable?” “I just know you’re not the one who can touch me,” I snarked. The prince stepped closer, power humming off him. “You don’t understand your position,” he said. “Oh, I understand it perfectly,” i paused “I just don’t respect it.” Their faces changed, recognition, shock, frustration. Good. The commander moved fast, too fast for most to follow, his hand shooting for my neck. I didn’t flinch, just met his eyes. “Prove me wrong,” I whispered. His grip tightened, magic sparked beneath his skin, wild, ready to break me. I felt it react to me, to my presence, to that night. “Enough.” The shadows at the third boy’s feet moved before he did, snapping around the commander’s wrist like living chains. He froze and finally released me. I straightened and rolled my shoulders, pretending as if nothing had happened. “You shouldn’t be here,” the third murmured. I held his gaze as I said “I go where I want.” The prince’s expression flickered. The shadows surged, magic cracked the air. It started in my chest, a slow burn, alive, waiting. Black fire, not red, not gold, black. Gasps ran through the courtyard, students stumbled back, even they could feel it. I didn’t hide it, didn’t flinch, I let them see, let them remember. “What did you do?” the prince asked, quieter now, dangerous. “You’ll find out,” I said. A roar split the sky, heads snapped up. A shadow passed across the sun, massive wings blotting out the courtyard, a dragon. Not just a dragon, something ancient. Its gaze locked on me. I didn’t look away, didn’t bow, didn’t flinch. The dragon rumbled low, shaking the stone beneath our feet, recognition. It dipped its head. I smiled. Not sweet, not soft, sharp. “Now,” I whispered, eyes still on the sky, “this should be interesting.”