31. Violet

31

VIOLET

Sneaking back into my room, deciding to ditch lectures and Amara for as long as possible, I close the door. "Right, you mysterious pain in the arse," I mutter, settling onto my bed with the purple book. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding."

After our adventure in the underground chambers, my curiosity won't let me rest.

The book vibrates with energy under my fingers, like it's pleased to be read. Its leather cover is warm to the touch, and the silver runes shift and dance as I open it.

"Show me what I need to know," I whisper, not really expecting anything to happen.

But the pages turn on their own, settling on a section filled with intricate drawings of the forest. The text, like in Morgan's library, shifts and changes until I can read it.

"The Forest's Chosen," I read aloud. "In every age, the ancient woods select their vessels, those who will channel its primordial power. Four must there be, for the forest's magick flows through four sacred aspects..."

I lean closer, fascinated despite my scepticism for cryptic bullshit.

"The Shadow Walker, keeper of the spaces between, guardian of the forest's mysteries. Their power flows from the darkness between trees, where old magick dwells and secrets whisper."

An image forms on the page. I blink when a figure wreathed in shadows appears and looks remarkably like Thorne.

"Through the Shadow Walker, the forest preserves its mysteries. They alone can navigate the spaces between reality and dreams, reading the signs written in darkness. Their magick is subtle but vast, drawing power from every shadow cast by every leaf."

"Well, that explains a few things about you," I mutter.

The pages turn again.

"The Frost Bearer, champion of winter's wisdom. Their power stems from the forest's dormant phase, the time when ice ruled, and the forest was buried when ancient knowledge crystallises into perfect clarity."

The accompanying illustration shows a figure wielding ice, leaning on a staff. The resemblance to Caine is uncanny.

"The Frost Bearer preserves the old ways, maintaining a balance between growth and rest. Their power reflects the forest's memory, each ice crystal a fragment of accumulated wisdom. Through them, the forest remembers."

More pages turn.

"The Flame Heart, keeper of vital energy. Their power embodies the forest's cycle of destruction and renewal, the necessary chaos that precipitates change."

The illustration shows a figure wreathed in flames with Dragons circling overhead. Flint, I'm guessing, but fire ? He is a Snow Dragon. Fire isn't in his set of powers… is it?

"Through the Flame Heart, the forest cleanses and renews itself. Their magick is primal and transformative, breaking down the old to make way for the new. They are both destroyer and creator, as fire both burns and fertilises."

"Fire. I wonder if you know…"

The final pages reveal an illustration of four figures standing in a circle, power flowing between them.

"The Catalyst," I read, my throat suddenly dry. "The one who binds the other three, channelling and directing their power. Through them, the forest's magick finds purpose and direction."

The illustration shifts, showing a female figure at the centre of the circle. She looks like me, but also like Morgan, our features blending and shifting.

"The Catalyst carries the blood of the first witch, she who first bargained with the forest. Their role is not to wield power, but to unite and guide it. Through them, the four aspects become one, and the forest's full power can be realised. "

"Brilliant," I mutter. "No pressure then."

But there's more. The text describes how these four aspects work together, each supporting and amplifying the others.

Shadow magick gains substance from ice's structure, while fire illuminates shadow's secrets. Ice tempers fire's chaos, while fire prevents ice from becoming too rigid. Shadow bridges the gap between opposing forces.

"When the four are united in purpose," I read, "their power transcends individual abilities. The forest's magick flows freely, creating possibilities beyond the sum of its parts."

The book shows examples: shadow and ice combine to create crystals that capture and store moonlight; fire and shadow merge to create controlled burn patterns that rejuvenate specific areas; ice and fire balance to maintain perfect temperatures for ancient trees; and the Catalyst directs and harmonises these forces.

"The Catalyst's power manifests differently," the text continues. "Rather than wielding one aspect, they can channel all four, though never as strongly as the primary vessels. Their true strength lies in understanding and uniting the others. Through the Catalyst, the forest speaks most directly. They alone can hear its voice clearly, understanding its needs and desires. But this connection comes with a price..."

The pages suddenly go blank.

"Oh, fuck off!" I glare at the book. "You can't just stop there! What price? "

But the book remains stubbornly empty, apparently deciding I've learned enough for one night.

I fall back against my pillows, mind racing. Everything I've read explains so much - why the forest calls to me specifically, why I feel drawn to all three of them, and them to me.

But it also raises new questions. What exactly does it mean to be a Catalyst? What's this price the book mentioned? How does Nathaniel fit into all this?

A knock at my door makes me jump.

"Vi?" Thorne's voice. "You awake?"

"Yeah, come in," I call, sitting up.

He enters, and his eyes immediately fix on the open book.

"Find anything interesting?"

"You could say that." I pat the bed beside me.

"What did it show you?"

I tell him everything—about the four aspects, the role of each vessel, and how their powers are meant to work together.

"The Shadow Walker," he muses when I finish. "That actually explains a lot."

"Like why you're so good at sneaking up on people?"

He grins. "Among other things. I've always felt more connected when I'm working with shadows near the forest. Like they're more alive somehow."

"According to this, they are. The forest's magick flows through every shadow between its trees. Caine and Flint, as well. The Frost Bearer and the Flame Heart. Although I'm not sure Flint has fire power? Does he?"

"Not that I know of," he murmurs. "And you're the Catalyst." It's not a question. "The one who brings it all together."

"Apparently." I close the book, running my fingers over its cover. "But it didn't tell me everything. There's something about a price, about consequences."

"There always is with magick." He looks thoughtful. "We should tell the others."

"I will, in a bit. Lie with me now? I need some serious downtime."

He nods and snuggles in next to me on the bed. I look back at the book. The price of being a Catalyst... why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like it when I find out?

But that's a problem for another night. Right now, I need to process what I've learned. Four aspects, four vessels, one purpose. The forest's power, waiting to be understood and united.

No pressure at all.

Right?

Sure.