Dark clouds rolled over the academy, swallowing the silver light of the moon. The wind howled through the stone walls like a beast seeking entry, rattling windows and shaking the trees that lined the hidden courtyard. The storm had arrived with a suddenness that startled many warriors from their sleep, but in one particular room, it was more than just the weather at play.
Khael shifted in his bed, frowning at the distant sound of rumbling thunder. Something felt off. He wasn’t one to wake up easily, yet an uneasy pull in his chest refused to let him rest. It wasn’t until he heard a sharp intake of breath—almost a muffled cry—that his senses sharpened completely.
His gaze flickered to the bed across from his, where Rai lay tangled in her blankets, body trembling violently.
Khael sat up,
