Chapter 7: My Little Brother's Secret
(Aria’s POV)
The hunters’ howls rose higher into the night, echoing over the academy walls like a warning that wouldn’t stop.
I stood frozen in the glowing training circle, Kael’s warm hand still holding mine. My silver light had calmed thanks to his touch, but the red alarm kept chiming, and the distant howls made my stomach twist with fear.
Max tugged on my sleeve, his voice small but determined. “Aria… those sounds are getting louder. Are they coming for us because of your light?”
Before I could answer, Kael turned to the group. “Everyone, positions. Lila, reinforce the outer shields. Leo, take the younger ones to the safe dorms. Marcus, you’re with me on the perimeter.”
Lila nodded quickly and ran off. Leo gently took Max’s hand. “Come on, little wolf. Let’s get you somewhere safe while the big kids handle this.”
Max pulled away stubbornly. “No! I’m not leaving Aria. She’s my sister. If she’s in danger, I want to help.”
I knelt down in front of him, my glowing hands still softly lighting his face. “Max, please. It’s too dangerous. Go with Leo. I’ll come find you as soon as it’s safe.”
He shook his head, eyes shining with tears he was trying hard not to let fall. “You always tell me to be brave. But you never let me be brave with you. I saw your light. I heard the monsters. I’m not a baby anymore.”
His words hit me hard. Max had always been the curious one, the one who believed in magic when I stopped. Now he was looking at me like I was the only person who could make this okay.
Kael crouched beside us, his voice gentle but firm. “Your sister is right, Max. The hunters are after her light. If you stay out here, you become a target too. We need you safe so Aria can focus on training.”
Max looked between us, then at my glowing hands. “Then teach me too. I want to glow like Aria. Or shift like Leo. I can help protect her.”
Leo shifted from foot to foot. “Kid’s got heart. But he’s only thirteen. His power hasn’t woken up properly yet.”
That was when Max did something that made my heart stop.
He reached out and touched my glowing hand with his small fingers.
The moment he did, a tiny spark of silver light jumped from my palm to his. Max gasped. His eyes widened, and for a second, his own hands flickered with the same soft silver glow.
“Max!” I pulled my hand back quickly, but it was too late.
The light in his hands faded almost immediately, but the spark had been there. Clear as day.
Kael’s eyes widened. “He has the scent… and now the light too. It’s weak, but it’s there.”
Max stared at his hands in awe. “I felt it! It was warm… like sunshine inside me. Does this mean I’m special too?”
Mara, who had been watching from the edge of the circle, let out a harsh laugh. “Perfect. Now we have two Keys in one family. The hunters are going to love this. One unstable glowing girl wasn’t enough, now her little brother is lighting up like a second beacon.”
Kael stood up, his face serious. “This changes things. If Max has even a trace of the Key bloodline, the hunters will sense it soon. They won’t just come for Aria. They’ll come for both of you.”
I felt sick. “This is my fault. My light woke something in him. If I had stayed away from the woods that first night…”
“Don’t,” Kael said firmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. The warm spark returned, steadying me. “The moon chose your family for a reason. We don’t run from that. We face it together.”
Max looked up at me, his voice quiet but brave. “I’m not scared, Aria. If I can glow even a little, I can help you fight the monsters. We’re a team, right? Like always.”
Tears burned my eyes. I pulled him into a tight hug, my glowing hands careful not to touch him again. “You’re my team, Max. But I need you safe. Please go with Leo for now. I promise I’ll come get you as soon as I learn how to control this.”
Max hugged me back hard, then nodded reluctantly. “Okay. But you have to teach me later. Promise?”
“Promise,” I whispered.
Leo took Max’s hand and led him toward the younger dorms. “Don’t worry, glowing girl. I’ll keep an eye on your brother.”
As they disappeared down the glowing path, the red alarm chimed again louder and more urgent.
Kael turned to me, his expression grave. “Your brother’s power waking up means the hunters will smell two Keys now. We don’t have much time. We need to start your training tonight real training. No more small practice.”
Mara crossed her arms. “And what if her training backfires and hurts someone? What if her little brother’s spark grows stronger and attracts even more hunters?”
Kael ignored her and looked straight at me. “Aria, the moon didn’t choose you by accident. You and Max together… you might be the only ones who can seal the hunters away for good. But first, you have to survive learning how to use your power.”
I nodded, even though fear twisted in my stomach. “Then teach me. Right now.”
Kael took my hand again. The warm spark flowed stronger than ever.
But as we stepped into the training circle, the howls outside the academy walls rose into a terrifying chorus.
The hunters weren’t just testing the barriers anymore.
They were coming.