They Said I Had No Magic, But My Mark Holds a Secret

Inaworldwheremagicdecidesfate,whatworthisaboybornwithnone?Thesonofahero,KairenZephyrwindshouldhaveinheritedpower,glory,anddestiny.Instead,heisbrandeda“dud”—ahollownamethatfollowshimlikeacurse.Butonhisbackisaglowingmark,asecrethisfatherdiedtoprotect.Nightafternight,thesamenightmarehuntshim—avoicecryingoutforhelp,ashadowwithburningeyes,andanaxethatalwaysfallscloserthanbefore.Andeverymorning,themarkburnshotter.AtthegatesofAzurefallGrandMagicAcademy,whereheirsofgreatbloodlinesbendfire,storm,andsteeltotheirwill,Kairenstandsapart—mockedbyrivals,hauntedbyhisfather’slegend,andboundtohismother’swarning:“Promisemeyou’llneverrevealwhatyoucando.”Andyet,friendshipfindshimwhereheleastexpectsit.Dain,thetoweringbrutewithahearttoosoftforbattle.Ilya,thesilver-eyedprodigywhoalwaysseesmorethanheshould.AndLia,thehealerwhobelievesinhimevenwhenhecan’tbelieveinhimself.Butthemarkiswaking.Ithumstowordslongforgotten—Essence.Itstirswhendarknessdrawsnear.AndwhentheIsleofWhispersisdrownedinfireandruin,theworldlearnsthetruth:the“powerless”sonofaheromaycarrythemostdangerouspowerofall.TheLightstillshines.Butintheshadowofheroes,monsters,andgods…whosevoiceisitthatwhispersinthedark?