The carriage crossed the bridge and rolled into Luminara Park, and they felt the sudden change in the road as the cobblestone gave way to smooth white marble. The sound shifted at once, the hard clatter fading into a soft, almost respectful murmur. Along the main avenue stretched rows of marble benches, their surfaces polished to a gentle shine. Marble railings bordered flowerbeds arranged in careful patterns, and small bridges of the same pale stone arched over narrow streams that wound lazily through the grounds.

  At the heart of the park lay a broad lake, its water clear and bright beneath the late-afternoon light, the sun already leaning toward evening though not yet close to setting. Swans drifted across the surface in slow, silent lines, and a few empty wooden boats rocked gently against their moorings. Visitors filled the rest of the park, strolling beneath archways of flowering vines, sitting in gazebos with tea and books, or gathering near musicians who played cheerful tunes in the open plazas. Children chased one another along the paths, and couples walked arm in arm.

  Every man-made thing in the park was carved from the same flawless white stone: statues of scholars and heroes, fountains shaped like blooming lilies, even the tall lampposts that waited unlit for evening. The elegance of it all contrasted with the far end of the grounds, where the careful order gave way to something wilder. Beyond the lake rose the beginning of a true forest, thick with dark trunks and untrimmed branches, a wall of green that seemed to watch the marble world from a distance.

  The carriage came to a halt near the central promenade, surrounded by the calm murmur of people enjoying Luminara Park.

  Cassian had been to Luminara Park a few times before. He had to admit, it was beautiful. If Sabrina was right, some students even used it to practice magic, enjoying the freedom of a place that was far less restrictive than the Academy. Of course, anyone attempting large or destructive spells would need to retreat into the forest, away from the rest of the park’s visitors.

  That would not be necessary for him. The only spells he needed to practice were shield and enhancement. Even so, the openness of the place made him uneasy. It felt far too public, far too exposed. Still, the hour was growing late, and there would not be much time for training regardless. Especially not when there was something important he needed to ask of Todd.

  They followed the curve of the lake, the marble path hugging the water’s edge. Todd kept slowing his steps, his head turning from side to side as he took everything in. The lake, the statues, the distant forest, all of it reflected faint gold as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

  “Hey,” Todd finally said, stopping outright. “Why didn’t you ever tell me about this place?”

  He looked around with open amazement.

  Sabrina hesitated. “Um… I was going to. You know. Sometime.”

  Todd squinted at her, then crossed his arms. “Oh. Let me guess. I’m not as important as Cassian?”

  “That’s not it!” Sabrina said quickly.

  “So you couldn't take me here, your friend, for about forever, but you could take the boy you just met. Is that right?” Todd said disapprovingly.

  “It's not like that… and we haven't been friends forever, just since last year when we entered the Academy!” Sabrina answered.

  “Yeah, last year! That was like forever ago. So why have you never asked me if I wanted to come here? Why did you only want to bring Cassian?” Todd shot back.

  “I mean, it’s not like I wanted to bring Cassian… I mean did want to. But that’s not why. It’s just… bringing one boy would be weird. Bringing two is totally normal. See? Completely different,” she said quickly, cheeks flushing, and immediately turned away, quickening her pace.

  “Hey, wait!” Todd called, then jogged after her.

  Cassian followed, forcing himself to keep up as they made their way toward the far end of the lake, where the marble thinned and the forest loomed closer. The sounds of the park dulled there, replaced by the soft movement of leaves and water.

  Sabrina stopped suddenly and clapped her hands together. “Alright. Training time. What do you want to start with, Cassian?”

  He hesitated for only a moment. “Actually… I want Todd to show me something.”

  Todd raised an eyebrow, but let him continue.

  “I want you to show me that enhancing spell again.” Cassian requested.

  “The answer is no. Absolutely not.” Todd answered immediately “Not enhancing you ever again.”

  Cassian stayed calm. “I don’t want you to enhance me.”

  Todd blinked. “Then what?”

  “I want you to enhance Sabrina.”

  Both of them looked at each other, confused by this strange request.

  “Why?” Todd asked.

  “I need to see something.” Cassian answered.

  Sabrina shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

  Todd hesitated, then sighed. “If it’s Sabrina, fine.”

  He made the familiar looping motion, this time slower, more deliberate, and focused his magic outward. “Enhance.”

  Sabrina stiffened for a moment, then inhaled sharply. “Oh. This feels nice.”

  Cassian nodded. “Good. Now, could you use a basic wind slash on that tree? Keep going until I tell you to stop.”

  She glanced at him, confused, but didn’t ask questions. She raised her hand a made a slashing motion with it. A thin blade of wind struck the trunk. Then another. And another.

  After a few repetitions, Cassian stepped closer to Todd.

  “How do you feel?” he asked quietly.

  Todd snorted. “Fine. Completely fine. I could keep this up for hours. I’m telling you, it was you.”

  Cassian was once again surprised by his lack of tact, but he decided to ignore it. “Alright,” Cassian said. “I need you to do one more thing.”

  Todd frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “Let her cast four more slashes,” Cassian said. “Then, while she’s in the middle of the fight one, stop enhancing her. Don’t warn her.”

  Todd stared at him. “Why would I do that?”

  “There’s something I need to see,” Cassian replied. “Please. Just trust me.”

  Todd hesitated, then exhaled. “…Alright,” Todd said at last.

  Cassian nodded, eyes fixed on Sabrina as she raised her hand again. As her arm began its descent, Cassian leaned closer to Todd and whispered, “Now.”

  Todd startled slightly, but he reacted in time. The enhancement spell unraveled at once.

  Sabrina’s balance faltered mid-motion. The wind slash veered off course, missing the tree entirely and tearing harmlessly through the air.

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  “What did you do that for?” she exclaimed, spinning around, irritation clear on her face.

  Cassian told me to,” Todd said immediately, pointing at him. “It’s his fault, Blame him.”

  Cassian raised his hands placatingly. “Sorry, Sabrina. But… how did that feel?”

  “How do you think it felt?” she snapped. “Not great.”

  “I know,” Cassian said quickly. “It’s just… when Todd passed out before, I felt like all the wind had been knocked out of me for a moment. Was it the same for you?”

  Sabrina hesitated, then nodded. “I guess so. And my spell fell apart.”

  “That’s because,” Todd said, pushing himself upright, “enhancement spells are supposed to be released gradually. With Cassian, I passed out and the spell snapped on its own. With you, I just cut it off completely.”

  He paused, then added defensively, “Because Cassian told me to.”

  Cassian closed his eyes and raised a finger to his lips.

  “What is it?” Sabrina asked, watching him closely.

  “There’s…” Cassian began.

  A sharp cry cut him off. Todd suddenly dropped to his knees; his arm raised protectively up to his head. A thin layer of ice spread over his arm.

  “If it isn’t the little twerp?” a familiar voice said lightly. “What are you doing in my park?”

  Cassian’s blood ran cold. Athena had emerged from between the forest’s trees. Her rapier already out of its scabbard. Above her head floated six large icicles, suspended in the air like a crown of frozen spears. This must be what she used to attack Todd moments ago.

  Todd stumbled back, it seemed he had raised his arm to shield his head on instinct, and the frost clung to it as if it wanted to crawl further.

  Don’t say anything foolish. Don’t provoke her, Cassian thought.

  “What’s your problem?” Todd protested. “If I hadn’t used shield, I could’ve really been hurt.”

  Athena’s gaze moved over Todd, slow and appraising, then slid to Sabrina looking at their brown hair.

  “Cousin,” she said, voice light, “you know you’re supposed to leave the servants at home.”

  “Wh-” Todd started.

  Another icicle shot in and struck him in the stomach. He doubled over, air forced out of him, the ice on his arm cracking as his hands flew to his middle.

  “Shush,” Athena said, almost pleasantly. “Don’t interrupt while your betters are speaking.”

  She closed the distance to Cassian, smiling as if she had done nothing at all.

  “Now answer my question, cousin. What are you doing in my park?”

  “This isn’t your park,” Sabrina said, lowering her stance, ready to evade.

  Athena turned her head slightly, irritation flashing across her face.

  “Do none of your commoners have manners?” she said. “I was speaking to my cousin. Next time you interrupt-”

  “She’s right, this isn’t your park.” Cassian cut in. He hoped the tremor in his voice hadn’t been obvious.

  Athena’s eyes snapped to him. “That’s where you’re wrong, cousin,” she said, her smile fading completely. “This is my park. My brother has the Rubyhold, and you have the Emeraldhold.”

  Her anger showed now, no longer hidden behind sweetness.

  “This is where I train. You wouldn’t be so greedy as to take that from me too, would you? When you already have so much.”

  The icicles above her head trembled, vibrating as if ready to be fired at any moment.

  It was then that Todd got up and said possibly the stupidest thing he could have. “Well, boo hoo. Maybe if you weren’t crazy, your creepy father would give you a place to train instead of trying to keep you away,” he said savagely.

  The words seemed to freeze the air.

  Is he mad? Cassian thought in disbelief.

  He could not stop himself from looking away from Athena to stare at Todd, who stood there defiantly, shaking but unyielding. He was not the only one staring. Sabrina looked at Todd with open fear and concern, she moved very slowly trying to close the distance between her and Todd, ready to shield him at a moment’s notice. Athena stared at him with pure disbelief. Then her expression twisted into rage, but only for a moment.

  Athena closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the fury was gone, replaced by that calm, pleasant smile Cassian had learned to dread.

  “I see,” she said softly. “My father always says your parents spoil you too much, cousin. They would never strike precious little Cassian.”

  She took a slow step forward. “And so, they found a whipping boy instead to take your punishments instead.” Her eyes flicked to Todd, sharp and dismissive. “And of course, they chose the most irritating little peasant they could find. Very clever of them.” The next instant, Athena raised her hand.

  Water poured from her rapier, twisting and stretching until it formed a long, flowing whip. Jagged shards of ice formed along its length, glistening like broken glass.

  “Come now,” she said lightly. “Why don’t I teach you a lesson, cousin?”

  Todd was right. Athena was crazy, and she was going to punish him for pointing it out. The whip she had formed looked savage, a thing made not to warn people, but to break them. She was going to use it with full force against Todd.

  Sabrina acted first. A rush of piercing wind shot toward Athena, fast and sharp. Before it could reach her, however, a mirror of ice rose from nothing in front of her body. The impact shattered the surface, and the ice melted immediately into a spreading puddle at her feet.

  “I was thinking seven lashes would do the trick,” Athena said lightly. “But since the girl decided to be rude as well, I think I’ll make it ten.”

  To his credit, Todd did not run. His whole body trembled, but he raised both arms in front of his face. Cassian could see it clearly. Todd was focusing with everything he had, pouring his Mana into a shield spell, trying desperately to make it strong enough to endure what was coming.

  Sabrina’s attack had bought Cassian just enough time. His hand slipped into his pocket, closing around one of the elemental stones he had brought for training. A yellow one. Thunderbolt. His knowledge of magical theory told him it was the right choice. Lightning was fast, disruptive and a hard counter for water magic. But there was a problem.

  He did not want Athena to know he was using elemental stones. Not yet. Not before the Special Quest. Surprise was an advantage he could not afford to lose. But if he did nothing, Todd was going to be seriously hurt.

  If I throw it, she’ll know, Cassian thought. If I throw it... Slowly, deliberately, he brought the stone to the very tip of his fist, making sure it was almost invisible through the small gap between his thumb and index finger.

  He took a breath.

  Then he pressed down hard.

  And the stone shattered.

  Most of the spell burst outward toward Athena, but part of it surged straight back into Cassian’s arm. Electricity tore through him, sharp and searing. He clenched his teeth, swallowing the pain without a sound. The lightning raced towards Athena. No mirror rose to meet it.

  Instead, she twisted her body, ice spreading beneath her feet in a jagged, zigzagging path, and she slid backward along it, retreating at terrifying speed. Avoiding the attack entirely.

  “You’re not very good with thunder attacks, are you, cousin?” Athena said, her tone dripping with mockery. “That was pathetic. It’s such a shame, too. You were right, my waters are a terrible matchup against fire. But if that’s the best you can do…”

  Cassian slipped his trembling hand into his pocket, hiding it from view. The lingering pain from the spell still crawled up his arm, sharp and uncomfortable. He forced his eyes to harden, commanding them to be as cold, as merciless as possible as he met Athena’s gaze.

  “If you try to attack us again,” Cassian said, his voice steady despite everything, “the three of us will stop you.”

  Athena looked as though she were about to laugh.

  Then Sabrina stepped forward, placing herself at Cassian’s side. “I won’t miss this time,” she said, her stance low and ready.

  Todd followed, closing the gap as well. “Hey, Cassian,” he said, trying to sound confident. “You’re super strong, right? So even if my enhancement only lasts a little bit, you can beat her really fast, right?”

  Cassian’s mind was screaming. No. There’s no way I can do it. Not even if fifty of you were enhancing me. I’m pathetic. I’m worthless. I can’t beat my cousin. We should run. We should run right now. I’m scared. I don’t want her to hurt us. I’m going to disappoint you. I’m going to fail.

  What came out of Cassian’s mouth was “Of course.”

  If this was victory, Cassian never wanted to experience defeat.

  He was scared. His hand throbbed with pain, the lingering echo of the thunder spell still crawling beneath his skin. Athena had called him pathetic, and the word clung to him far more stubbornly than the pain. Worse still, his original plan had fallen apart completely. He had believed thunder spells would be effective against her. Even if each spell was weak, he had thought that throwing three or four at once might compensate.

  But spells of that level would never hit her. Not even if she was caught unaware. Not even if she was off balance. He had just seen it with his own eyes.

  She was too fast.

  Too fast to pin down. Too fast to overwhelm.

  She could retreat at a moment’s notice.

  Too fast. Retreat. Fast. Retreat. Cassian brought a finger to his lip again, his mind racing.

  Yes. If Athena was in danger, she could retreat quickly.

  And that meant…

  He was still lost in thought when the guardsman finally arrived. The man began scolding them loudly, his voice sharp and authoritative. Sabrina had stopped wailing on Todd by then, though she still looked tense. When the guard noticed Cassian, recognition flickered across his face. Cassian seized the moment.

  “Sorry,” he said politely. “My cousin and I had a disagreement, but we patched things up. We’re leaving now. Is that alright?”

  The guard hesitated, clearly uncertain. Then he nodded. “Sure, Cassian. Just don’t let it happen again.”

  Cassian nodded in return and turned away. The other two followed him. They tried to speak to him as they walked back toward the carriage, but he shook his head each time.

  “Shh. Give me one moment,” he told them.

  So they walked in silence. Only once the carriage was rolling away from Luminara Park, halfway back toward the Emeraldhold, did Cassian finally speak. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I think it could work.”

  Todd perked up immediately. “What could work?”

  “I think I have a plan.”

  “A plan to do what?” Sabrina asked, leaning forward.

  “A plan to defeat Athena.”

  “Perfect,” Todd exclaimed. “Are you gonna use some super extra special magic to bring her down?”

  “No,” Cassian replied. “What I have in mind will need more preparation. And a lot more training.”

  “What is it?” Sabrina asked, excitement creeping into her voice.

  Cassian gestured for them to come closer.

  They did.

  And so, in the quiet sway of the carriage, Cassian explained the plan that was his last hope.