Page 138 of Elemental Becoming

“It was a series of underground hideaways. We saw old runes,signs that people once hid there. It must have been a refuge for the Shadow Clan during the Shadow Wars.”

Kieran nods, considering that. “Makes sense. Though from what I heard, not much survived those wars.”

That’s the point.

I shrug, keeping my expression neutral.

“Not much did. But the passageways are real. And it seemed pretty clear they were meant to stay hidden.”

Kieran studies me for another brief moment, like he’s searching for cracks in my words.

I give him none.

Then, after a beat, he exhales through his nose. “And here I thought you were terrible at politics.”

I roll my eyes. “I am.”

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Could’ve fooled me, Thalor.”

Guilt settles heavily inside me. I hate lying to him.

I need a break.

A break from the music, the crowd, the endless swirl of political maneuvering. A break from the way my own magics unsettle me.

I look up at Kieran.

“I think I need some air.”

He immediately steps back and sweeps into a low, unnecessarily dramatic bow. One hand presses to his chest while the other extends outward, as though he’s just been granted the greatest honor of his life.

“Thalor,” he says, his voice rich with mock reverence, “thank you for gracing me with a dance. It has been the highlight of my otherwise dull and meaningless existence.”

I snort, crossing my arms. “Dull and meaningless?”

He sighs deeply, as though carrying some terrible burden. “I fear no future dance shall ever compare to the divine experienceI have just been given.”

I shove his shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”

Kieran straightens with a grin, entirely unbothered. “Ridiculously charming, you mean.”

I roll my eyes, biting back a smile as I step away. Just as I turn, his voice follows me—low, warm, laced with mischief.

“Don’t be too long, Thalor. Someone’s got to keep these vultures in line.”

I glance back over my shoulder, catching the glint of blue-silver eyes and that familiar crooked grin.

Then I slip away from the crowd, the music, the chaos, and finally breathe.

X-FACTOR

EIGHTEEN

Magpies scream warnings through the blackening sky

Alarms cut clean through the pretense of calm

Rain understands every wound the heart once carried