Patterns of Friction

The alley was silent, save for the distant hum of the city beyond its stone walls. Aetheris, grand and glittering under the moon's watchful gaze, had always worn a mask of civility—hiding its rotting core beneath polished streets and towering spires.

Cael Mavros leaned against the cool brick, his mind racing. Soren Draeven was coming for him.

And this time, it wasn't a rivalry. It wasn't a duel in the Academy courtyard with onlookers whispering and betting on who would fall first. This was different.

This was war.

A Meeting in the Dark

Veyna Eldriss stood across from him, arms folded, that ever-present smirk still playing on her lips.

"So?" she said. "You going to tell me what's rattling around in that overcomplicated head of yours?"

Cael exhaled slowly. "I need time to think."

"We don't have time."

"Then I need to know everything."

Veyna considered him for a moment before tossing a dagger into the air, catching it smoothly.

"Fine," she said. "Here's what we know—Malrik has eyes everywhere. You staying put in Aetheris isn't an option. You need to move before Soren and his team close in."

Cael frowned. "And where exactly do you suggest I go?"

"South," Veyna said. "Into the Low Districts. There are people there who don't take kindly to the Academy's rule. They'll shelter you—"

"For a price."

Veyna grinned. "Naturally. But don't worry. I'll handle the negotiations."

Cael wasn't sure which was worse: facing Soren head-on or owing Veyna Eldriss another favor.

He pushed off the wall. "And Lirienne?"

The smirk faded.

Where is Lirienne Valis?

"She's gone."

Cael's stomach twisted. "What do you mean gone?"

Veyna sighed. "After everything at the Archive, she vanished. My people lost track of her two nights ago."

That was impossible. Lirienne was careful. Lirienne was always careful.

"Then someone took her."

Veyna nodded. "That's the theory."

Cael's jaw tightened. "And you're just telling me this now?"

"I wasn't sure you'd care."

The words stung more than he expected.

Lirienne Valis had been his closest ally at the Academy, the only one who had ever believed in him when the world called him an anomaly. She had been the one whispering warnings of Malrik's corruption long before Cael had ever cared to listen.

And now she was missing.

"I need to find her," he said.

Veyna raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that while also running for your life?"

"One problem at a time."

"Cael—"

"I'm not leaving her."

Veyna sighed, rubbing her temple. "Alright. Fine. I'll see what I can dig up. But if we do this, we do it my way."

Cael didn't like the sound of that.

"Your way?"

Veyna grinned. "We start with the one person who might actually know where she is."

A Name from the Past

The tavern was loud, filled with the scent of spiced ale and burning wood. It wasn't the kind of place an Academy-trained mage would usually find himself, but then again, Cael had never fit their mold.

Veyna led him to a dimly lit corner, where a man sat nursing a half-empty glass.

He was broad-shouldered, his cloak draped carelessly over one arm, and his sharp green eyes flickered up as they approached.

"Didn't think I'd see you again, Eldriss."

Veyna slid into the seat opposite him with a smirk. "Miss me, Rhyne?"

Cael stiffened.

Rhyne Everholt.

A name he hadn't heard in years.

He had been a former student at the Academy—a prodigy in combat magic, once on track to become one of Aetheris' most feared enforcers. But he had walked away from it all, vanishing into the underworld.

Cael had always wondered why.

Now, it seemed, he was about to find out.

A Bargain for Information

Rhyne eyed Cael, taking a slow sip of his drink.

"You look worse than I remember," he said.

Cael didn't rise to the bait. "Where is Lirienne?"

Rhyne chuckled. "Straight to the point. I like that." He set down his glass. "But information isn't free, Mavros."

Cael clenched his fists. "What do you want?"

Rhyne leaned forward, his smile vanishing.

"Malrik has something of mine. Get it back, and I'll tell you where your friend is."

Veyna raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly is this something?"

Rhyne's expression darkened. "A book. An old one. And before you ask—no, it's not just any book. It's the Codex Obscura."

Cael went still.

"That's a myth," he said.

"Is it?" Rhyne's green eyes gleamed. "Because Malrik sure seems to think it's real."

A Dangerous Gamble

Cael had read about the Codex Obscura in passing—an ancient tome rumored to hold knowledge long forbidden by the Academy. Spells that bent reality. Runes that reshaped magic itself.

If Malrik had it…

That meant he was searching for something.

"Why do you want it?" Cael asked.

Rhyne smirked. "Let's just say I have unfinished business with the Academy."

Veyna sighed. "This is insanity."

Cael ignored her. "Where is it?"

Rhyne's smile widened. "Locked in the Academy's lower vaults. The only way in? Through the Chancellor's private wing."

Veyna groaned. "Of course it is."

Cael exhaled. Breaking into the Academy was suicide.

But leaving Lirienne in the hands of whoever had taken her?

That was worse.

"I'll do it."

Veyna stared at him like he had lost his mind. "You'll do it?"

Cael nodded. "If Malrik has that book, I want to know why."

Rhyne grinned. "Then we have a deal."

The Game Changes

As they left the tavern, Veyna grabbed Cael's arm, pulling him into the shadows of a nearby alley.

"Have you completely lost it?" she hissed.

Cael sighed. "You said we needed to move first."

"I didn't mean waltz into the Academy Vaults!"

He met her gaze.

"Lirienne is in danger. And if Malrik is after the Codex, it means he's planning something big. We need to know what it is."

Veyna let out a frustrated breath, but her eyes softened.

"You better not get yourself killed."

Cael smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."