The walk back to their dormitories was tense and silent. Kaia's jaw was set in grim determination, her footsteps brisk and sharp against the stone floors. Eren, on the other hand, couldn't stop replaying Alaric's words in his head.
"The Ashen Key has a way of corrupting even the best intentions."
He touched the fragment in his pocket, its faint pulse almost in rhythm with his heartbeat. It felt heavier than ever.
When they reached the common room of Windmere House, Kaia finally broke the silence.
"We need a plan," she said, spinning to face him. "Alaric knows too much, and we don't know what he's after—or who he's working with."
Eren sank into one of the armchairs, rubbing his temples. "He's dangerous, Kaia. The way he talked about the Key… it's like he already has a plan."
Kaia paced the room, her wand still in hand. "He doesn't just know about the Key—he knows about the shadowbound. He practically admitted he's been watching you."
Eren looked up at her, his voice tight with frustration. "And what can we do about it? Alaric isn't just some arrogant bully—he's smart, and he's ahead of us."
Kaia stopped pacing and crossed her arms. "That's exactly why we need to get ahead of him. If he's working with someone—or worse, if he's trying to gather the Key fragments himself—we have to find out."
Eren frowned. "How? It's not like he's going to confess his plans over tea."
Kaia's eyes glinted with a dangerous spark. "We don't need him to confess. We need to catch him in the act."
Eren raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting we spy on him?"
"Why not?" Kaia shot back. "He's been spying on you. Turnabout's fair play."
Eren hesitated. The idea of sneaking around to gather information made his stomach churn, but he couldn't deny that Kaia had a point. They couldn't afford to wait for Alaric to make his next move.
"Alright," he said finally. "But how do we do it? He's not exactly the type to leave his plans lying around for us to find."
Kaia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "We'll start by keeping an eye on him during classes and meals. Watch who he talks to, where he goes. He's bound to slip up eventually."
Eren nodded, though a knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. "And what if he catches us?"
Kaia smirked. "Then we'll give him a taste of his own medicine."
The next day, Eren and Kaia put their plan into motion. During Potions class, they sat near the back, careful to keep Alaric within their line of sight. He seemed as composed as ever, his attention focused on Professor Lenwether's instructions, but Eren noticed the way his eyes flickered toward the windows, as if he were scanning for something—or someone.
"See that?" Kaia whispered, leaning toward Eren.
"Yeah," Eren murmured back. "He's distracted."
As the class progressed, Alaric jotted down notes in his usual precise handwriting, but he barely glanced at his cauldron. His potion, which should have been a bright shade of turquoise, turned a murky brown.
When Professor Lenwether passed by his station, she frowned. "Mr. Draven, this is highly uncharacteristic of your work. Are you feeling unwell?"
Alaric gave her a polite smile, but Eren could see the faint tension in his jaw. "Apologies, Professor. My mind is preoccupied today."
Lenwether raised an eyebrow but moved on without further comment.
Kaia nudged Eren. "Definitely up to something."
By the time lunch rolled around, Eren and Kaia had compiled a list of observations:
1. Alaric had been unusually quiet during lessons, his mind clearly elsewhere.
2. He'd been seen whispering with two older students from Ironclad House—a pair known for their involvement in dubious dealings.
3. He'd left the dining hall early, taking a side corridor that led toward the lower levels of the Academy.
Kaia grinned as she scribbled down the final note. "We've got him."
"Not yet," Eren said cautiously. "We don't know what he's doing in the lower levels."
Kaia closed her notebook with a decisive snap. "Then we follow him."
Eren hesitated. "Kaia, if we get caught down there—"
"Then we'll deal with it," she interrupted. "Come on, Eren. We're this close to figuring out what he's hiding."
Reluctantly, Eren agreed, and the two of them waited until the halls were relatively empty before making their way toward the stairwell that led to the lower levels.
The lower levels of the Academy were dark and labyrinthine, their stone walls damp with condensation. These passages were rarely used, save for storage and maintenance, and their silence was almost oppressive.
Eren and Kaia moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the enchanted soles of their shoes.
"Where would he go down here?" Eren whispered.
Kaia shook her head. "No idea. Let's just keep moving."
They turned a corner and froze. A faint light flickered at the end of the corridor, accompanied by the low murmur of voices.
Eren's heart leapt into his throat. He and Kaia exchanged a glance, then crept closer, staying in the shadows.
As they approached, the voices grew clearer.
"You've wasted enough time," a deep voice said, its tone cold and commanding. "If you can't secure the fragment soon, we'll find someone who can."
Eren felt a chill run down his spine.
"I'm handling it," Alaric's voice replied, his usual confidence tinged with frustration. "The fragment is under constant watch, and Vale won't let it out of his sight. I need more time."
"There is no more time," the other voice snapped. "The Council grows impatient. You were tasked with this for a reason—don't make them regret it."
There was a pause, and then Alaric said, "I understand. It will be done."
The light dimmed, and the voices fell silent.
Eren and Kaia ducked into an alcove as Alaric's footsteps echoed down the corridor. He passed by without noticing them, his expression tight with anger.
When the sound of his footsteps faded, Eren and Kaia emerged from their hiding place, their faces pale.
"The Council," Kaia whispered. "Who are they? And why do they want the fragment?"
Eren shook his head, his mind reeling. "I don't know, but Alaric's working for them. And whatever they're planning, it's big."
Kaia's eyes narrowed. "We need to find out who these people are—and fast."
Eren nodded, his hand brushing against the fragment in his pocket.
The stakes had just been raised, and the clock was ticking.