The morning after the incident with Reina, I wake up to a dull ache throbbing through my limbs. Every muscle protests as I shift in bed, my mind replaying the moment I lost control. The flicker of flames. The blast. Reina's lifeless form sprawled across the gym floor.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will the memory away. Mateo had said she would be fine. That the AQUAs would heal her. But doubt gnawed at me. I had never felt that kind of power before, and the thought that it could happen again terrified me.
A soft knock at the door startles me. I glance at the clock—training isn't for another two hours. Pushing myself up with a wince, I mutter, "Come in."
Evelyn steps inside, shutting the door behind her. "I heard what happened."
I don't respond immediately, staring down at my hands. What if I lost control again? What if next time, I really did kill someone?
"Arina." She kneels beside me, her voice softer now. "I know you're scared."
I scoff. "Scared? I nearly killed Reina."
"But you didn't." She places a hand over mine. "You didn't choose to use that power. It responded to your emotions."
"That's what scares me." I whisper.
Evelyn tilts her head, studying me. "You need to understand your power before it understands you. That's why training exists."
I sigh, knowing she's right. But another question lingers in my mind, one that keeps me up at night.
"Evelyn," I murmur, "what do you know about the Frinx?"
She blinks, taken aback. "The Frinx? Why?"
I hesitate, debating how much I should reveal. "I read something about it. How it creates glaciers… but at a cost."
Her expression darkens. "Yes. It does."
I lean in. "But did Anoryl know?"
She bites her lip, eyes darting to the door before lowering her voice. "There are things about the war that don't make sense, Arina. If Anoryl just wanted the Frinx for power, why risk everything? And why did Daryn try to hide it for so long?"
A chill runs down my spine. What if this war wasn't just about conquest? What if there was something even bigger lurking beneath the surface?
Before I can press further, another knock sounds at the door. Evelyn stiffens, and I quickly shove the book under my pillow.
"Come in."
Yohan steps inside. His usual scowl is absent, replaced by something more hesitant.
He runs a hand through his dark hair. "I came to check on you."
I cross my arms. "I'm fine."
His eyes flick to Evelyn before settling back on me. "You shouldn't be."
I raise a brow.
"You just discovered a force that people train for years to harness, and it nearly tore Reina apart." He steps closer. "You need to learn to control it."
I exhale sharply. "I know."
He studies me for a moment before sitting at the edge of my bed. His presence feels heavier, more deliberate. "I can help you."
I glance at Evelyn, who gives me an encouraging nod.
I hesitate. Yohan and I have never exactly seen eye to eye, but if I want to get stronger, if I want to find the truth, then maybe I need his help.
"Okay." I say finally. "Let's do it."
A flicker of approval flashes in his deep blue eyes, but there's something else there too. Something unreadable.
"Good." He stands, stepping closer. His scent—smoke and cedar—lingers in the space between us. "Meet me at the training grounds after sunset. And don't be late."
His voice is lower than before, rougher. The moment stretches, tension crackling in the air. Then, just as quickly as he came, he turns and leaves.
I release a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Evelyn smirks. "Oh, this is going to be interesting."
I roll my eyes. "Shut up."
But as I lay back down, staring at the ceiling, I can't help but feel the weight of everything crashing down on me. My power. The Frinx. The truth behind the war.
And Yohan.
What had changed between us?
I guess I would find out soon enough.