POV: KIERAN
Timeline: That night
Location: Nocterra
I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong.
The bond is quiet.
Usually, I can feel Kaelis on the other end—his emotions, his presence, the constant reminder that my twin exists.
Now it's like static.
"You're pacing again," Ravion observes from his desk.
"I'm worried about Kaelis."
"He's just tired—"
"What if he's not?" I stop. "What if something's actually wrong and he's not telling us?"
"Nyx would tell us."
"Would he? If Kaelis asked him not to?"
Ravion is quiet. Because he knows I'm right.
Nyx is loyal to Kaelis above everything. If Kaelis wanted to hide something, Nyx would help him do it.
"I'm going to try reaching out," I say. "Through the bond. Just to check."
"How?"
"I don't know. The Oracle said we're connected. Maybe if I focus..."
I sit on the floor, close my eyes, and concentrate on that thread in my chest.
Kaelis, I think. If you can hear me, I'm here. I'm worried. Please let me know you're okay.
For a moment, nothing.
Then—
A flash.
And underneath it all: I'm dangerous. I need to leave.
My eyes snap open.
"Kieran?" Ravion is beside me. "What happened?"
"He's—" I struggle to breathe. "He thinks he's dangerous. He's thinking about leaving."
"Leaving where?"
"I don't know! The feeling was so strong, so—" I grab Ravion's arm. "We need to go. Now. Something's wrong."
"It's the middle of the night—"
"I don't care! Something is very wrong and we need to go NOW!"
Ravion sees the panic in my eyes. Nods.
"Get dressed. We're going to the Tidelands."
KAELIS' POV
I can't sleep.
Mira's words keep replaying.
You will hurt someone. Soon.
What if she's right?
What if I'm a danger to everyone?
The logical part of my brain says this is ridiculous. That I've never actually hurt anyone. That my magic, while chaotic, has never been malicious.
But the fear is louder than logic.
I feel Kieran through the bond. He's reaching out. Worried.
I should respond. Should tell him I'm okay.
But what if I'm not okay?
What if being near me puts him in danger?
Better to distance now than hurt him later.
The thought comes unbidden.
Sounds like my voice but... wrong. Slightly off.
Like someone else is speaking through me.
I shake my head, trying to clear it.
"Kaelis?"
Nyx appears in the doorway. He looks exhausted. Like he hasn't slept either.
"Hey," I say weakly.
"Can't sleep?"
"No."
He crosses the room, sits beside me on the bed. "Want to talk about it?"
I should tell him about Mira. About her assessment. About the fears eating me alive.
Instead: "Do you think I'm dangerous?"
He blinks. "What?"
"My magic. It's unstable. What if I lose control? What if I hurt someone?"
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you." He takes my hand. "Kaelis, your magic is powerful. Chaotic. Unpredictable. But you are not dangerous. There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"Yes." His grip tightens. "Power without malice isn't dangerous. It's just...
enthusiastic."
Despite everything, I smile slightly. "Enthusiastic destruction?"
"Exactly." He leans in, presses a kiss to my forehead. "You're not dangerous. You're learning. Growing. It's a process."
"What if the process hurts someone?"
"Then I'll be there to catch them. To heal them. To fix whatever needs fixing." His eyes hold mine. "But I don't think that will happen. You're too aware. Too careful. Too afraid of hurting people to ever actually do it."
I want to believe him.
But Mira's words are louder.
You will hurt someone. Soon.