Chapter 18: The Fractured Veil
The academy's ancient stone walls echoed with the sound of footsteps, a haunting rhythm that matched the pounding of Lila's heart. The tension in the air had reached a breaking point. Thorne's warnings weighed heavily on her, and despite her progress, she knew she wasn't ready for what was coming.
Lila walked through the halls, each step feeling like it was leading her toward an inevitable confrontation. The Veil had become both her greatest weapon and her most dangerous adversary. Every flicker of emotion, every spike of fear or anger, made the magic stir beneath her skin, threatening to break free.
But she couldn't let it. Not now.
"Lila," a voice called from behind her, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned to see Niall, one of the academy's senior students, approaching. His expression was serious, his eyes shadowed with worry.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low.
Lila forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine."
Niall didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Thorne is preparing for something. She's been in and out of the Vault for days. She's not telling us everything, Lila. Something's off."
Lila's stomach twisted. She had noticed Thorne's increasing secrecy, the way she seemed more distant and preoccupied. It wasn't like her, not the woman who had trained Lila with such fierce dedication.
"I know," Lila said softly. "But we don't have time for questions right now. The Wraithborn are closing in."
Niall nodded, his jaw tightening. "Then we fight."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with the promise of danger. Lila knew that whatever was coming, they would need more than just training to face it. They would need allies, strength, and a willingness to sacrifice everything.
As they walked toward the courtyard, Lila's thoughts drifted back to the Veil. The more she tapped into its power, the more she felt its pull. The darkness was always there, just beneath the surface, waiting to consume her. If she wasn't careful, she would lose herself to it.
And if she lost herself, the consequences would be far worse than anything the Wraithborn could do.
Lila and Niall joined the others in the courtyard, where Thorne stood waiting, her expression unreadable. Behind her, the Vault doors loomed, a silent reminder of the secrets hidden within.
"It's time," Thorne said, her voice low but steady. "We have no more time to prepare. The Wraithborn are coming, and we will face them together."
Lila nodded, a sense of determination settling over her. She might not be ready for what lay ahead, but she would face it head-on. For her friends. For the academy. For the world beyond the Veil.
As Thorne raised her hand, the courtyard fell silent. The Veil began to swirl around Lila, its energy crackling in the air like static. The shadows stretched long, reaching for her, but Lila stood tall, her heart steady. She was no longer the girl who had stumbled into this world unprepared. She was a force in her own right.
The storm was coming. And Lila would be ready.