—Alexia—
The garden trembled beneath me—not enough to stir leaves or shift branches, but I felt it deep in the moss under my boots, in the pulse of air brushing my skin—a breath held too long, a heartbeat skipped. I sat beneath the old silver-leafed tree, legs curled under me, Zeus's heavy head resting in my lap. My fingers stroked his thick fur, moving slow and automatic. He didn't stir. Just breathed. Listened. How long had we been here? Minutes? Hours?
"It won't let them in," I whispered, barely above the hush of the garden. Zeus whined softly, nudging my ribs.
"They're trying. I can feel it." My eyes flicked to the shimmering barrier at the garden's edge, pulsing faintly—steadfast, resisting.
"But why?" My throat tightened. "They're the Four. Whisperwind opened for all of us. It opened for me. Why not here?"
Zeus looked up, amber eyes patient and kind.
"I don't understand," I murmured, touching the invisible shield with a thread of my nature magic. It rippled lightly—firm but not cruel—saying: Not them. Not now. A lump rose in my throat.
"I didn't bring them here," I whispered, to the garden, or to myself. "I just needed a moment alone."
Zeus pressed his nose into my hand. I forced a half-smile, breathed out slow. The silence settled heavy—peace was gone. I stood, palms brushing my skirt. Zeus rose beside me, ears twitching toward the shimmering edge. I didn't want to leave. But something pulled me forward. Or maybe it was the storm in my chest—never stopping, only growing.
"Guess we can't hide here forever."
Zeus exhaled softly. I stepped through the barrier. Sunlight flooded my face. The garden's quiet slipped away. The boundary pulsed once, alive, closing its eye. It would not open for anyone else. Not even them. Finn spotted me first.
"There you are," he said, relief tangled with frustration. "The garden wouldn't let us in."
Jasper's hand pressed to the invisible magic. "It threw us back. Like a wall."
Soren's eyes flicked to me. "It's more than a wall. Morigan's magic is alive. It chooses."
Asher crossed his arms, dark eyes sharp. "And it chose you."
I looked back at the garden's edge. The silence behind me heavy. "It only opens for those it thinks need it."
"But why not us?" Finn frowned. "We weren't going to hurt anything."
I searched their faces. I wanted to say I didn't know. But the garden told me otherwise.
"I guess… I needed it more."
"That's not what worries me," Jasper said quietly. "You've been off since class."
I swallowed, forced a shrug. "Magic fatigue."
Half-truth. The storm inside me hadn't calmed. My nature magic twisted when I wasn't looking. Flared without warning. It wasn't growth. It was breaking.
Asher stepped closer, eyes piercing. "Then stop hiding. Whatever it is—"
A low growl cut through us—Zeus, ears flat, body tense, staring across the courtyard. I turned. Three older students lounged like they owned the place, grins too wide. One spotted Zeus and straightened.
"Well, well," the tall one sneered. "Did someone lose their mutt?"
Zeus snarled.
"Back off!" I snapped, stepping forward.
The boy raised a hand. Shadowy energy rippled from his palm and struck Zeus's side. Zeus yelped, stumbling. Something inside me cracked wide open. I didn't think. I couldn't. The pressure that had been building for days—weeks—burst free, tearing through me like lightning splitting dry earth. Finn shouted. Jasper flicked a barrier around Zeus. Soren cast shimmering runes, pushing attackers back. Asher moved forward, fists clenched, every inch ready to fight. But I barely saw them.
The roar was inside me. Wind whipped, scents of pine and crushed herbs sharpened, metallic. My magic surged—wild and raw. Vines exploded from courtyard cracks, snaking violently. Leaves shimmered gold, curling like wild spirals. The air thickened—charged, alive, angry. I tried to stop it. Couldn't.
My magic wouldn't listen. It twisted and burned, draining more than I had. Vision blurred. Knees buckled. Why? This isn't how nature magic should feel. It's not growth. It's chaos.
"Alexia!" a voice cut through the storm.
Arms caught me—strong, steady. Asher.
"I've got you," he said, voice iron-solid, a wall between me and madness. "Breathe. You have to breathe."
"I—can't—"
Magic crackled, firestorm wild.
"It's not stopping—"
"You're not alone," he growled. "I won't let you fall."
For a moment, the magic slowed. Vines drooped. Wind softened. I let my head fall against his chest, heartbeat steady beneath the chaos. Then darkness closed in—and I let it take me.