Chapter 199. The Fire Within

Aurora’s POV

I watched as Alice’s sharp gaze swept across the room, her presence demanding attention. Her voice was steady, unwavering, as she folded her arms. “Does anyone need a demonstration, or has anyone been able to connect with their powers before?” she asked, her words laced with an authority that made it clear she wasn’t here to coddle us.

I hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, my voice quieter than I wanted it to be. “I... I connected with mine once,” I admitted, feeling the weight of my own uncertainty pressing against my chest. “But it was Ashton who helped me. He used a spell, and it worked, but after that… I haven’t been able to use my powers since.” The frustration in my tone was impossible to hide. I had felt it once—raw, untamed magic coursing through me, responding to my will. And then it was gone, slipping from my grasp like water through my fingers.

Alice studied me for a long moment before nodding. “That’s normal,” she finally