Lyra forced herself to suppress the raging energy inside her.
If she lost control here, she would expose herself.
She staggered backward, pretending weakness.
"I—I surrender," she whispered.
The three boys hesitated.
Then one laughed.
"See? Just a scared little girl."
They approached.
That was when another student stepped from the shadows.
Mira.
Relief flooded Lyra's chest.
"Mira!" she cried.
Mira's eyes flickered briefly.
Then she raised her hand.
Magic surged.
A blast of wind slammed into Lyra's chest, throwing her backward into a tree.
Pain exploded.
Her breath was knocked from her lungs.
"Mira…?" Lyra whispered.
Mira's face twisted with guilt. "I'm sorry. I can't stay weak. I need points. I need to survive."
The three boys smirked.
Lyra struggled to stand, blood trickling from her lips.
Her chest burned.
Betrayal cut deeper than any blade.
One of the boys lifted his sword. "End her."
Fear vanished.
Something cold settled inside her.
The shadow around her erupted violently.
Dark tendrils burst from the ground, wrapping around the attackers, crushing them.
Screams echoed.
The forest trembled.
Mira collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
Lyra stood frozen, trembling, horror and shock flooding her senses.
She had nearly killed them.
She had almost lost control.
And the forbidden power inside her was growing stronger.