Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

I smile tiredly. “You’re biased.”

“Entirely,” he agrees.

The floorboards creak under my feet as I sink into the couch. “I have no idea how the Hecate I’m supposed to keep this up,” I admit. “I can’t hide these forever. The concealment helps, but it drains me, and if

anyone gets too close-❞

Rhaziel crosses the room in three slow steps, every one deliberate. “Then you must rest somewhere you do

not need to hide.”

I glance up at him. “You mean your realm?”

He nods but corrects me, “Our realm.” The shadows at his feet ripple in agreement. “Time flows differently there. A few hours in your world may pass as several days in mine. You could rest and be as you are meant

to be, without fear of discovery.”

Kael, sprawled in the armchair opposite me, groans dramatically. “So you’re stealing her again.”

“I am offering her peace,” Rhaziel corrects gently.

Evander folds his arms, ever the rational one. “And when she comes back?”

“She will return rested. Her power steadied. The marks will remain, but she will have better control of

them.”

Kael frowns but glances at me. “He’s not wrong, trouble. You need a break before you burn out. Even my fire’s got nothing on what you’ve been holding in.”

Evander nods, eyes softening. “Go. We’ll be here when you get back.”

That does it-the quiet reassurance in his voice. My throat tightens with gratitude I don’t know how to voice. I look at Rhaziel again. “Just… a few days?”

“As long as you need.”

I hesitate only a moment longer before I nod. “Okay. Take me there.” I get some comfier clothes and kiss Kael and Evander goodbye. They assure we they wont eat all the snacks, but I think we all know thats a lie. Then I turn to Rhaziel. The smile that curves his lips is small but genuine as he holds out his hand to me, and the air around us begins to shift again. Shadows rise like a tide, curling around my ankles, then up my arms. The world tilts, warm and cool at once, until the attic dissolves into night.

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17:40 Wed, Dec 31

Chapter 127

When the darkness clears, we’re standing in a space that looks alive. The Shadow Realm breathes around us, endless skies of indigo and deep silver, the air heavy with the hum of quiet power. Wisps of light float through the air like fireflies, and beneath our feet the ground glows faintly, rippling like ink in water.

Rhaziel steps closer, his hand brushing mine. “Here,” he murmurs, “you may let go completely.”

I do. The sigils brighten instantly, the blue deepening into something fierce and radiant. I can feel the magic stretch inside me, finally completely unbound. The shadows respond, rising like loyal creatures to wrap around my body in soft, swirling tendrils. I close my eyes and breathe. For the first time all day, I can breathe. Rhaziel watches me with quiet awe, like he’s afraid that if he blinks, I’ll disappear.

“This place,” I say softly, “feels like you.”

“It is me,” he answers. “And now, a part of it is you as well.”

I look up at him, my heart hammering too fast. “You’re going to make it very hard to leave, you know.”

He smiles, that rare, slow curl of his lips that could undo kingdoms. “Good.”

I laugh quietly and step closer, resting my forehead against his chest. The shadows stir again, curling protectively around us both.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

He dips his head, voice low as his arms wrap gently around me. “For what, hummingbird?”

“For not letting me drown in all of this.”

His tail brushes lightly against the backs of my legs, steadying me. “I would pull you from the depths a thousand times if you asked.”

Somewhere far above, the silver sky ripples. A quiet reminder that the mortal world is still waiting. But not tonight. Tonight, I will rest in his arms, the sigils glowing bright against the blue of his skin, our shadows tangled together in the kind of silence that feels like a promise. For the first time since this all began, I let myself believe that maybe-just maybe-I can learn to be more than what the world made me. Maybe I get to make my own path.

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Thornhill Academy.