Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Allison

350

I blink hard-once, twice-because this… this cannot be real. A massive camp stretches before us. Not really a camp but more like a city hidden beneath trees and mountain shadows. Tents of every colour and shape spill across the forest floor like a living tapestry. Smoke coils from dozens of fire pits. Children chase each other between the roots. Vampires sharpen blades beside witches grinding herbs. Shifters in wolf forms nap in the sunlight as fae string glowing lanterns from branch to branch. Magic hums everywhere-unrestricted and unpunished. Cassian goes utterly still beside me.

“This wasn’t here,” he whispers, voice cracked down the middle. “On the maps… on the intel… this wasn’t here.”

“Good,” Kael mutters. “Means they’re smarter than the Council.”

Evander’s dragon eyes flash with something complicated like fear and respect mixed together.

Rhaziel’s hand settles on the small of my back. “Stay close, hummingbird.”

I do. Not because I’m afraid, but because the weight of this camp presses into something inside me, something that feels like recognition without memory. People stop when they see Rhaziel. They bow. Some drop to one knee. Others touch their hearts in a gesture I don’t recognise. Demons melt into the edges of the clearing behind us, forming silent guards. And then a group of six steps forward.

Rhaziel leans down and whispers in my ear, “The Council of Factions, they keep things organised and functional on this side.”

Leaders of the rebellion.

The woman with silver tattoos inclines her head. “Shadow King. My name is Vale, thank you for reaching out.”

“Thank you for receiving us,” Rhaziel replies.

She gestures for us to follow. “Your people will be given the southern grounds. We have food, tents, wards. Your commanders can coordinate with ours.”

Demons instantly break off behind us, moving with eerie efficiency into the designated camp areas. The leaders guide my mates and me to the largest tent at the center of everything-large enough to hold thirty people, draped in thick hides and rune-marked cloths. Inside, lanterns flicker with blue flame. Maps cover tables. Weapons hang from the central beam. Cushions and chairs form a loose circle. It feels like a war room and a living room at the same time.

“Please,” the silver-tattooed woman says warmly. “Sit.”

Rhaziel remains standing. Cassian stands beside where I choose to sit. Kael finds a cushion “accidentally” too close to my hip. Evander positions himself behind me like a sentinel. The faction leaders settle, exchanging looks of relief, excitement and gratitude.

“We were surprised,” one says, “and deeply honoured, when the Shadow King reached out.”

Another nods. “Your alliance will shift the tides. We cannot express how much this means.”

Rhaziel dips his chin. “We share a common enemy.”

“Yes,” the storm-haired man agrees gravely. “One we intend to crush.”

Conversation begins-strategy, numbers, scouting patterns, the movement of Council forces-while a low thrumming builds behind my ribs. Someone keeps staring at me. The older man with storm-grey hair. At first, I think he’s simply curious…But the longer he looks, the more unsettled he becomes-eyes

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Chapter 197

CITA

narrowing, softening, searching my face like he’s trying to prove something impossible. Finally, mid-sentence, he interrupts the conversation going on

around us.

“I’m sorry-but I have to ask.” His voice is gentle, strained. “What kind of magical are you?”

Every one of my mates reacts instantly. Cassian growls. Evander takes a step forward. Kael’s fire sparks in the air. Rhaziel’s shadows twitch like they want to

rip out his spine.

I lift my hand, stopping them with a small touch of my magic. “I appreciate the enthusiasm,” I murmur, “but it’s okay.”

Rhaziel’s tail curls around my ankle in disapproval and Cassian doesn’t move from my side. But I offer the man a soft smile.

“I’ve never had a safe place to tell people what I am honestly,” I say. “So… here it is.”

Light pulses under my skin. My shadows gather. I let my tail and horns free, along with my fire and scales, and then I slip into his mind, and I whisper at

the same time I speak out loud, “I’m a siphon.”

The room freezes. I don’t think anyone even breathes. The witch’s mouth falls open. The vampire’s eyes widen. The fae’s wings flicker into existence. But the

old man, his entire face changes.

“How long…” he whispers, voice breaking. “How long have you been alone?”

My throat tightens at the memories.

“All my life,” I admit softly. Then, glancing back at my mates, I add, “Until recently.”

The man’s breath leaves him like a punch to the chest.

“You look just like her,” he whispers.

My bones turn to ice.

“Like who?” I ask.

He steps closer, slowly, crouching before me, eyes searching every line of my face.

“Your mother,” he breathes. “Gods… you’re the image of your mother.”

The world tilts.

“I” My voice cracks. “You knew my mother?”

His eyes shine with grief and disbelief. “I fought beside your parents. They were my friends. We watched over the siphon children together. We were… family.”

My heart slams so hard it hurts.

Vale covers her mouth with a trembling hand. “It can’t be,” she whispers. “Seren’s daughter? Here?”

“My parents…” I choke out. “Are they-?”

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Chapter 197

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