The earthlume lights in Headmistress Adara's private office flickered with an unsteadiness. Scrolls lined the walls, and floating shelves swung gently, suspended in protective stasis charms. A mural of Yawana Grove, enchanted to shift with the seasons, rolled across the far wall in slow, quiet motion.
A knock sounded on the door. Adara waved her hand, and it opened with a gentle groan. She looked up from her parchment with a small, fond smile.
"How did the class go?" she asked.
Professor Sheila entered, removed her scarf, and folded it neatly over her arm. "Surprisingly well. They listened and paid attention." She settled into the chair opposite, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Good. I trust you kept it light?"
Professor Sheila raised an eyebrow. "You told me to be honest. I was honest."
The Headmistress chuckled softly. "Of course you were. And how did they take the news about the Six?"
"They were shaken. But the good thing about teenagers is that no worry stays too long in their distracted heads." Professor Sheila said, exhaling deeply.
Adara leaned back in her chair. "I told them all of this Old Blood business is a lie. But is it really?"
"No riddles, Headmistress. Please."
Adara stood and walked to the window, placing her hands behind her back. She considered how best to explain it.
"It's almost a lie," she said finally.
Professor Sheila kept her gaze steady. "Please explain."
"Old Blood is not like inheritance, Professor. It doesn't follow rules. I can name a hundred children from the royal lines who did not possess a drop of the Old Blood's power. They had only the theatre of the royal name."
"But?" Sheila prompted.
Adara turned, her voice low and steady. "But once in many generations, there are children who show traits of the Old Blood. Abilities no one can teach. Magic that simply... is."
Sheila folded her hands in her lap. "And a few of these Six show those signs?"
"No. All of them do," Headmistress Adara said, pausing. "At least, from what I have read in my reports."
"What! Sentinels help Rose," Professor Sheila murmured.
"Most likely it will be her," Adara said, her gaze fixed on the Yawana crest, a phoenix blazing red. "What's more, her mother will be present at the tournament."
"No... Rose hates her and with good cause. That woman has never cared for that child."
Adara raised an eyebrow. "Minerva Fontaine is the only Shadow Sorcerer powerful enough to maintain a lock on the gateway should it open again. She's here for protection. Nothing more."
"I know. I know she single-handedly closed the last gateway but she is not good for her." Sheila said worried.
"Yes," Adara replied softly. "But I trust her."
The two women sat in silence for a moment. Adara knew it was a helpless situation. She heard outside, faint bells tolled from the North Tower, marking the close of the third quarter.
Adara poured two small glasses of mirablossom tea and handed one across the desk.
"We're too hard on these children. Do you ever think that?"
Professor Sheila smiled faintly. "Yes, we are. And for what? Only the Otherworld has been blessed with magic. The Underworld knows none. They don't even know we exist."
"As it should be, by the First Laws." Adara said, her voice devoid of any warmth.
Professor Sheila sipped her tea. "You think it's coming back, don't you? The gateway. Whatever's behind it."
"Yes and I don't know what it is. As far as I know the gateways speak only in in riddles, and the rest of our knowledge was lost in the Great War of Ages. We have fragments and fear. That's all and unless someone enters one of these gateways we'll never know."
Adara set her glass down and moved towards the window.
"But what I do know is this." she said looking at Professor Sheila "These Six are extraordinary. They're not just princes and princesses. They are the first full circle of Old Blood bearers in nearly a thousand years. That cannot be coincidence. Something greater is afoot."
"Please don't scare me, Headmistress. I'm already having nightmares about this tournament."
Adara leaned forward, her voice more intent. "I need you to continue coaching the final champion. Privately. If it's Rose, so be it. If not, whoever it is."
"Of course," Professor Sheila said.
"Not just for the duels," Adara added. "But for what comes after. The audience may applaud the show, but the real consequences always come when the curtains fall."
"I'll make sure," Professor Sheila said.
Headmistress Adara stood. The meeting was done, though nothing final had been said. Professor Sheila left, looking more tired than when she had entered. Adara pitied her. She would have a great deal on her plate in the coming weeks.
But not more than herself. No, she thought there were too many moving pieces now.
****
Shah felt the treacherous energy in the air as the Parliament of Magi gathered in full quorum. It was an event that had not occurred in a long while. The Sun Dome, where the Assembly convened, pulsed faintly with whispers. From the upper tiers of the observatory, Shah could see the little men scheming as always for their own good.
The dais glowed softly beneath the robes of the Speaker, a plump, silver-bearded man named Varnak, who struck the floor once with his staff to bring the session to order.
"By vote of confidence and ancient decree, the motion stands. Do we have quorum?" Varnak asked.
A hum of assent rippled through the room. Shah's eyes narrowed. The vote had already been decided before they sat. He could feel it.
"The tally stands at 65 for the motion, 25 against, and one abstentions," Speaker Varnak intoned. "President Koti, who is absent, is hereby removed from office, pending transitional rites."
A few muffled claps followed, but it was mostly silence. Shah kept his face neutral, though a knot twisted in his stomach. Koti was not a perfect man, but he had been one of the more rational leaders he had worked under.
And more importantly, he always understood the stakes.
The floor was now passed to the investigative committee, and all gazes turned toward the high platform reserved for the Order of Shadows.
Shah stepped forward alone.
He wore no crest, no sigil, only the black mantle of the Order. His voice, when it came, was clear and deliberate.
"Honourable members of the Parliament," Shah began, "I bring before you the final report of the Shadow Order regarding the death of Alchemist Aditya Karnan and the Necromancers."
A screen of light unfolded beside him, revealing sigils of classified clearance. The wards flickered in acknowledgement. Not a soul in the room moved.
"This is a closed session. Everything disclosed here remains under the Provisions of State Security." Shah said looking at everyone. This was not a popular move but an important one. Secrecy was of paramount importance and he did not trust these politicians as far as he could throw them.
"Two of our agents – Senior Shadow Sorcerer Elira Marne and Seeker Commander Rodin Feil, were killed during the course of this investigation. We recovered their final report fragments and life-memories. What we found was unprecedented."
He waved a hand, and the smoke changed to an image of the late Alchemist's lab, blown apart from within. "Rodin's wards were overwhelmed by an incursion of unnatural origin. No trace of entry or exit was recorded. The magic used was... not from this world."
A few murmurs followed. Shah pressed on.
"We believe the killer used magic of which we have no record of, a branch of magic which is either new or of Old Blood."
"What do you mean?" The new President to be asked him in a stern voice.
"Necromancing is magic of the Old Blood."
He paused. Let the silence carry the weight.
"Those marked by the true Shadow unlike us Shadow Sorcerers who are only a poor imitation."
That turned a lot of heads. Some ministers whispered. Others looked away.
Shah's voice dropped slightly. "The witch with the red eyes; is not figment of imagination. We now have proof she exists as you all have seen for yourself."
"And who is she?" asked Minister Belron.
Shah looked at him grimly. "We do not know. She is from Kamirz that much is known and in Kamirz we have never had power to keep records. Not that you'd want any." He said unable to control himself. "But she sent a message. That she is coming for us and I believe she will."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Speaker Varnak cleared his throat. "Is that all?"
"We are dealing with an active necromancer not seen in forever. She murdered one of the highest-ranking magical minds in the realm without leaving a trace. And she has made it known that we the Parliament, the Kingdom are in her way. I would say that is all." He said trying not to sound disgusted.
Several ministers shifted uncomfortably.
"She must be stopped," Shah finished. "The Order formally recommends a classified task force to locate and neutralize her. Immediately."
There it was. The demand. He waited for the response. It came not with thunder, but with silence. A long, awkward beat passed before the Leader of Opposition Kama spoke.
"Let the Assembly deliberate."
It didn't take long. Less than five minutes of whispered discussions was all it seemed they needed.
"We appreciate the report, Sorcerer Shah," Kama said stiffly. "But after due consultation We the majority believe have decided—"
Shah already knew what was coming.
"—to close the investigation into the death of Alchemist Aditya and the activities of this alleged necromancer. The Order of Shadows is advised to monitor the situation but refrain from further engagement without approval."
A sharp sound cracked in Shah's ears. He realized it was his own heartbeat.
"With respect," he said, his voice tight but composed, "you are making a grave mistake."
"Noted," said Kama.
Shah didn't move. "You are afraid. That is understandable. But fear will not protect this realm. This woman did not just kill an alchemist, she left a message for everyone to see. That means she is planning something, and that we are a part of it."
He swept his eyes over the Assembly.
"You cannot hide behind political convenience while an enemy we cannot understand prepares in the dark. She will not wait. And she will not stop."
Then Minister Jorra, an old hawk from the Western Isles, stood up.
"You ask us to hunt shadows, Sorcerer Shah. But shadows fight back. And if we lose more of your kind, who then will stand when the real threat comes?"
"The threat is already here," Shah snapped. "You just refuse to look at it."
"That is enough," Speaker Varnak said sharply. "We thank the Shadow Sorcerer and request that he keeps his vigilant eye on the matter and that will be all."
The Assembly adjourned moments later, the votes recorded, the resolution passed. Shah stood alone on the gallery steps as the floating orbs of the Parliament dimmed one by one.
His fists were clenched beneath his cloak. Not from rage. From sorrow. This was not how they used to govern.
This was not what they had sworn to protect. But power, he knew now more than ever, did not belong to the brave.
It belonged to those who could afford to look away.
And tonight, they had chosen to look away from a darkness that would not seek their permission to destroy all that stood in its path.