The storm from the night before had passed, but its memory lingered—violent winds, a fallen tree, and the surging magic that had caused it. The town of Ashen Hollow had quieted for now, but the leyline’s power still thrummed faintly beneath the surface, a constant reminder of the danger that lay ahead.
Lena sat at the small wooden table by the window, her fingers tracing the worn edges of the grimoire spread open in front of her. The ancient book felt alive under her hands, its pages filled with secrets she had only begun to uncover. Today, she was determined to take the first step toward controlling her magic. Rylan’s words from the night before echoed in her mind—don’t fear it, embrace it.
She knew he was right. If she didn’t learn how to control the power inside her, it would only gro
