Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Allison

51

They call it a “demonstration,” but it feels more like a trial. By the time we’re led out to the training field, the autumn air has that sharp edge that smells of rain and leaves. Mist clings low over the grass, catching in our boots. The sky’s pale gold, too bright for the hour, and the light hits every weapon rack, every wardstone, until the whole place feels exposed. Students gather on the terraces above, whispering. I catch pieces of it-“council inspection,” “combat test,” “Rivers is in it”–but most of it fades under the pounding in my ears. Varyn D’Altair, Cage’s father, stands at the edge of the arena, his hands folded neatly behind his back. Beside him, Lyssa Thane looks like a blade disguised as silk-every inch of her perfect, cold, watching. Scorched hovers a few paces behind them, tension visible in every line of his posture. Cassian stands farther down the field, arms crossed, his jaw tight. Our eyes meet once. Stay calm, he mouths. Easy for him to say.

“Two pairs,” Varyn announces, his voice carrying easily over the wind. “I would like to see a simple sparring match to test coordination among bonded students. Miss Rivers and Mr Pierce. Mr Drayke and Cage. You’ll begin on my mark.”

Kael mutters something under his breath that sounds a lot like “Sir, yes, sir.”

Cage smirks from across the field, already rolling his shoulders. Evander’s jaw ticks once. “Keep it light,” he says quietly. “They want to provoke you.”

“I know,” I reply. I just wish knowing made it easier.

Evander walks towards Cage, Kael turns to me, and Cassian gives a subtle nod from the sideline. “Begin.”

The first few minutes are manageable. Kael moves fast, a blur of controlled strength and instinct, his hellhound magic sitting just beneath the surface. He

doesn’t shift, but the air distorts around him with each lunge and pivot. Every movement is precise, deliberate, and the crowd loves it. I, on the other hand, play the human. No magic, no claws, just focus. I let them think I’m reading his mind the way Cassian does-guessing his next move, anticipating the twitch in his shoulders, the angle of his stance. When he feints left, I’m already sliding right. When he swings high, I duck under and tap his ribs with the flat of

my hand. A point, technically, if this were scored.

He grins, sharp and wild. “Getting cocky, trouble?”

“Just better at reading you,” I shoot back.

Somewhere further down the field, I hear the crack of magic-Evander and Cage trading blows, their match louder and more volatile. It draws shouts from the watching students, but I keep my eyes on Kael. His strength is all speed and instinct, a predator holding itself back, and I need him to keep holding back. Because if he lets go, he’ll level half the field. He lunges again, faster this time, and I twist away, our boots skidding over the packed dirt. The space between us hums, alive with restraint. My attempt to match him, fast, steady, dangerous, but still under control and I do until the air shifts. It’s faint at first, a prickling down my spine. Then the smell of ozone. I glance at Kael-and see the exact moment it hits him. He staggers mid-step, hand clutching his

chest.

“Kael?”

He doesn’t answer. His lips part, but no sound comes. His skin’s gone grey. His eye twitches and he crumples to the ground in silent agony,

“Kael!” I shout, running forward.

Evander’s already half-shifted, scales rippling up his neck as runs towards us and drops beside Kael. “He’s cursed!” he snarls.

Cassian’s shouting something, but Varyn’s voice cuts over him, smooth as ever. “Continue.”

The crowd goes silent.

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Chapter 158

Evander turns toward the council, his pupils thin slits of molten gold. “You’ll kill him!”

Lyssa’s expression doesn’t change. “This is a controlled test.”

Controlled. My pulse spikes. The bonds burn in my chest-Kael’s pain, Evander’s fury, Cassian’s panic, all crashing into me like waves. I can feel Kael’s heartbeat faltering through our connection. There’s a mix of my own voice, my dragon’s voice, and my hellhounds’ voice all yelling in my mind to save my mate and something inside me snaps.

The wind howls, lifting dust from the ground as I yell, “Enough!”

Varyn’s smile sharpens, and I don’t mean to move, but the magic does it for me. It surges through my veins, bright and brutal, pulling at everything nearby. The wards hum, the torches lining the field flare to life all at once, and the air glows blue. Kael gasps, breath returning, and the curse around him shatters like glass as my power siphons it from him. Relief hits first, then horror, because I can’t stop. The power pours out of me in waves, siphoning from anything it can reach-from Kael, from Evander, the students, the teachers, even the protective barrier someone’s trying to throw up from the sideline. I can feel all of it, the way their magic bends and fuses with mine until I’m burning alive from the inside out.

“Allison!” Cassian’s voice is inside my head this time, rough and urgent. Stop, little siphon!

I try. Gods, I try. But Varyn’s magic snakes toward me, thick and dark, forcing my power higher. The air cracks. The sigils flare under my skin, bright, blue and alive. I hear gasps from the students as the ground trembles and the shadows rise, moving on their own.

Lyssa whispers, “Impossible…”

“Contain her!” Varyn commands.

“No!” Kael’s already on his feet, but three guards appear from the crowd, magic glowing on their palms. Their spells hit me before I can think, and pain blooms across my skin-binding spells designed to suppress magic-but instead of dimming, they ignite it. The world explodes in light. Every spell they cast becomes mine, feeding into the storm building inside me.

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