Zap Stormspike's Arc

Chapter 4 of 8

Zap followed the address until a rusted metal tower rose into view, wires humming above a stone house crowned with iron lightning bolts. This was the place. The teacher lived here. Zap's hair sparked once, hard. They climbed the steps and lifted a hand to knock. Footsteps moved inside. A lock clicked. Panic flooded Zap's chest, and the sparks jumped down their arm. The door swung open. Zap flinched back as a bolt cracked from their fingers. It struck the glass instead of the figure behind it. The pane shattered into a jagged starburst, lightning-shaped fractures gleaming across the frame. A shape stood untouched in the doorway, calm, studying the broken glass. Zap stammered apologies, eyes locked on the damage, not on the person. "I'll pay for it. I'll fix it. I didn't mean—" A hand reached through the shattered pane, steady, and gently pulled Zap inside. The door closed behind them with a quiet click. The blind practicing was over. Lessons had begun.