Page 58 of House Ignis

And then there was Ezra.

Alone.

No boundling in sight.

I tilted my head, lifting a brow in silent question. Where is your boundling?

Ezra only grinned back. Slow. Knowing. The kind that promised trouble.

A ripple of intrigue slid through me.

What exactly am I about to witness?

"Watch the show, darling," Asher murmured behind me, his voice low and amused.

I glanced over my shoulder. His lips curved into that smug smile, and a sharp thrill of anticipation raced through me.

Before I could ask what he meant, Professor Aldara stepped into the center of the arena, Boomer balanced easily on his arm.

"All right, students," his voice carried across the clearing. "Now begins your very first bonding session. Each pair will unite their elemental magic into a single breath of power."

His gaze flicked to Ezra.

"But first," he said mildly, "Ezra—why don't you show them the beasts?"

"Uhm, sorry? the beasts?" I blurted out.

Ezra stepped forward, auburn hair catching the sun, and flicked a small object—like a coin—into the center of the arena. The instant it hit the ground, darkness exploded outward.

My breath caught as two gigantic two-headed hounds emerged, their fur the deepest void-black, eyes like molten lava, jaws lined with glistening fangs dripping with primal menace.

The ground shook with their howls, a rumble that rattled every bone in my body. Their bodies were enormous—larger than Kora, bigger than any boundling I'd seen.

Ezra let loose a shimmering whip of shadow that cracked through the air, momentarily holding them in check—but their growls rumbled on like trapped storms.

"Oh my gods…"

Professor Aldara raised his hand. "Meet Ruin and Havoc—rare Umbra hellhounds. Fierce, obedient, and masters of control."

He then motioned to us. "Now, everyone. Let me see your power aligned."

Aether bristled beside me, his celestial panther fur rippling from the presence of Havoc and Ruin.

Across the arena, the hellhounds were already on their backs, paws in the air, playfully baring their sharp teeth as Ezra scratched their bellies—his casual dominance over them sending shivers down my spine.

Around us, other students and their boundlings were pairing off. Asher sent a tendril of smoke to Zya, and she responded in kind—tendrils entwining beautifully, Zya's tail flicking with delight.

Luna stepped into the circle Ember had created, fire dancing around her as she spun within it. Maddy summoned a violent tornado, and Skye's wings amplified its swirl.

Darcy and Void wove shadowy tendrils and Ryven and Solstice lit up the sky with lightning strikes—proof that the Air Kingdom harnessed the full fury of the skies.

I looked at Aether, who observed the scene with his usual bored detachment. I cleared my throat.

"Aether," I pleaded softly.

He glanced at me, blinking lazily.

"Please."