Astra's pov

The storm raged within me as I walked through the damp, winding streets of the Isle of the Lost. My fingertips sparked with residual electricity, and I clenched them into fists to keep the power contained. Nova had sent a cryptic message earlier, requesting I meet her at the crumbling amphitheater near the edge of the Isle. Something about the way the words were written unsettled me, but I had no choice.

Nova always seemed to know more about my powers than I did. If she could help me figure out why my abilities were growing more uncontrollable, I had to trust her—didn’t I?

The amphitheater came into view, its jagged stone pillars rising like broken teeth against the darkened sky. Shadows flickered near the center, where Nova stood with Vitani and a few others I didn’t recognize. Their faces were hidden beneath hoods, but the air around them hummed with tension.

I stopped just short of the steps. “Nova?” My voice echoed off the stones. “I’m here. What’s this about?”

Nova turned, her dark eyes gleaming like polished onyx. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Astra. You’re just in time.”

“For what?” I asked, my instincts screaming at me to run. The storm inside me churned harder, warning me of danger. “What’s going on?”

Vitani stepped forward, her amber eyes sharp and predatory. “You should’ve stayed away, little thunderbolt. You don’t belong here.”

My heart thudded. “What are you talking about?”

Nova sighed, feigning patience. “Astra, you’re a marvel. The daughter of Zeus, brimming with untapped power. It’s almost too much for one person, don’t you think?”

I stiffened. “Get to the point.”

She chuckled darkly. “The point, my dear, is that your power doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to those of us who have earned it. Those of us who have suffered here while you’ve carried the gift of the gods.”

“What—” My breath hitched as realization dawned. “You’re trying to steal my powers.”

“Trying?” Nova tilted her head. “No, Astra. Succeeding.”

Vitani snarled and lunged at me, claws unsheathing like a lioness. I barely had time to throw up a hand, a crackling arc of lightning shooting from my palm and colliding with her midair. She flew back, landing with a growl.

“Bad move, cub,” I snapped, my voice trembling with adrenaline.

Nova raised her hands, her shadow stretching unnaturally. “You can’t fight all of us, Astra. Even you’re not that powerful.”

The hooded figures surrounding her threw back their cloaks, revealing themselves. There were four of them: a wiry boy with glowing red eyes, a girl with tendrils of darkness swirling around her, and two others whose powers I couldn’t identify but radiated malice. They closed in slowly, forming a circle.

“I don’t want to fight you!” I shouted, panic tightening my chest. “We were supposed to be allies, Nova!”

“Allies?” Nova sneered. “I was never your ally, Astra. I was your shadow, waiting for the right moment to take what should’ve been mine all along.”

“You’re insane.” I backed away, my pulse thundering in my ears. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. This power isn’t something you can just take—it’ll destroy you!”

“Let me be the judge of that,” Nova said coldly.

Before I could respond, Vitani was on her feet again, charging toward me with renewed fury. This time, she was faster, and her claws raked across my arm before I could dodge. Pain flared, but I couldn’t let it distract me. I slammed my palm into the ground, sending a shockwave of electricity rippling outward. The hooded figures staggered, but Nova and Vitani held their ground.

I spun toward Nova, electricity crackling around me like a living shield. “You don’t have to do this! Whatever you think you’ll gain—it’s not worth it!”

Nova’s laughter was sharp and cruel. “You’re so naive. I don’t just want your power, Astra. I need it. With your abilities, I’ll finally be free of this wretched Isle. I’ll take my place as a true daughter of the gods.”

“You’ll never make it,” I growled. “Zeus will never let you—”

“Zeus isn’t here!” Nova roared, her calm demeanor cracking. “And neither is anyone else who can stop me.”

Her hands shot out, and tendrils of shadow lashed toward me like whips. I dodged, but one struck my leg, pulling me off balance. I hit the ground hard, my head ringing.

Vitani pounced, pinning me down. “Not so tough now, are you?”

My vision blurred as I struggled against her. The storm inside me begged to be released, but I hesitated. If I lost control, I could hurt more than just them. I could hurt everyone.

“Get off me!” I shouted, summoning a burst of lightning that threw Vitani off. I scrambled to my feet, clutching my injured arm.

Nova advanced, her shadow tendrils snaking around me, binding me in place. “It’s over, Astra. Just accept it.”

“Never,” I spat, straining against the bonds. Sparks danced along my skin, growing brighter and hotter with every passing second.

Nova’s eyes widened as the electricity built to a blinding intensity. “No! Stop—”

I let go.

The explosion of light and energy shattered the shadow bonds and sent everyone flying. The amphitheater trembled, cracks spiderwebbing across the stone. When the light faded, I stood alone in the center, my breath heaving, my powers still sparking uncontrollably.

Nova lay crumpled against a pillar, her face pale and her expression one of shock. Vitani and the others groaned, slowly stirring.

“You... can’t control it,” Nova said weakly, her voice trembling. “You’re a danger to everyone.”

I stepped forward, my jaw tight. “Maybe. But at least I don’t use my powers to hurt others.”

Nova’s gaze hardened, but she didn’t move. “This isn’t over, Astra. You’ll regret this.”

“I already do,” I muttered, turning away.

The storm inside me was quieter now, but it still simmered, reminding me of how close I’d come to losing control completely. As I limped away from the ruins, I couldn’t help but wonder if Nova was right—if I was destined to hurt everyone around me, no matter how hard I tried.

For now, though, I had survived. And I wasn’t about to let Nova or anyone else take my power without a fight.