The academy grounds were no longer still.
The silence of midnight shattered with a distant howl—then another, closer. Red warning torches ignited along the outer towers. Shadows moved beyond the trees.
War had arrived.
Ivy stood in her battle leathers, the enchanted leather molded to her body like second skin. Her hands burned with elemental energy, flickering between orange flame and violet power—the mark of the Vault shimmering like molten gold across her collarbone.
Kael stood at her side, sword strapped to his back, his eyes already gleaming with his wolf’s fury.
Ember emerged from the shadows with her twin blades drawn. “They didn’t wait for dawn. Bold bastards.”
“How many?” Ivy asked tightly.
“Too many to count from the walls,” Ember said. “But they’re organized. Rogue wolves.
