Shadow Bound Fate

Training with Shadows

Lira's POV

After my declaration, the room went utterly still, a heavy silence hanging between us like a blade waiting to fall. The weight of what I had just committed to was pressing on me from all sides, but I refused to let it show. Caius, Kieran, and Thalia exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable as they silently evaluated my resolve. My pulse hammered in my ears, but I stood tall, determined.

Thalia was the first to cut through the tension, spoke sharply. "If you're serious, Lira, the first thing you need is training. You can't just rely on raw power—it'll get you killed faster than Kael's soldiers." Her movements were precise as she circled the table, her assessing gaze never leaving me. "Caius can teach you to fight, but your magic? That's something entirely different. Uncontrolled power is as dangerous to us as it is to our enemies."

I glanced at Caius, feeling the weight of his dark gaze already locked on me. His eyes bore into mine, searching for any crack in my resolve. He didn't speak, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips said enough—he was amused by my defiance, probably expecting me to flinch. Gods, I would have to live and train with him? The thought made my stomach twist.

I rolled my eyes, irritated at his smug expression, and saw the shadows ripple across the floor in response. They moved with a will of their own, swirling around my feet as if echoing my frustration. His smirk only deepened at the sight. How was I going to survive this?

Kieran cleared his throat, breaking the charged silence. "Thalia is very skilled with magic," he said, glancing over at her with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm sure she would love to teach you."

Thalia shot him a sharp glare, her icy blue eyes narrowing in warning. It was obvious Kieran enjoyed riling her up. Despite her annoyance, she didn't outright deny the suggestion, though I got the impression that teaching me magic wasn't exactly her first choice.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their dynamic. "And what about you, Kieran?" Thalia's voice cut in before I could speak, her tone laced with sarcasm. "What exactly will you be doing to help? Or are you just going to sit back and watch me do all the hard work?"

Kieran chuckled, leaning against the table with a casual confidence. "I'll be doing what I do best—keeping the peace, managing supplies, and making sure none of you blow each other up during training." He shot Thalia a wink. "Someone has to make sure things run smoothly."

Thalia scoffed, but there was a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth, betraying her amusement. "Smoothly? With you in charge? Please." She turned back to me, her expression softening slightly. "Look, Lira, this isn't going to be easy. Magic is unpredictable, and it can be dangerous. But if you're willing to put in the work, I'll help you learn to control it."

I met her gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude despite the tense atmosphere. "I'll do whatever it takes," I said, my voice steady. "I need to learn. I don't want to be a liability."

Caius, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, finally spoke up, his tone more serious now. "No one here is a liability. You're a part of this now, Lira, and we take care of our own." He stepped closer, the shadows still trailing him like a living cloak. "But Thalia's right. This isn't just about power—it's about control. If you don't master your magic, it'll consume you. And we can't afford to lose you."

The weight of his words settled over me, heavy and real. It was clear now more than ever how much was at stake—not just for me, but for everyone here. The rebels were fighting a war on multiple fronts, and I was now a part of it, whether I was ready or not.

"Tomorrow, we begin," Thalia said, breaking the tension once more. "Get some rest tonight. You're going to need it."

Caius nodded in agreement, gesturing toward the door. "I'll take you back to the house. You'll want to be ready at dawn."