A hard pull clenches through me, magic spiking sharp.
God, I want to take that toothpick and shove it through his eye. But I don’t. Because I need to find Finn. Because I need a new duck. Because I need to trap Talen and drag some answers out of his beautiful fucking mouth.
I swallow hard. Smile.
“Can’t wait.” I reply. “Hope your plans go better than yesterday. Beth had you squealing like a kicked hog.”
Ryven steps forward, my fist curls, then?—
“Oh, what a pleasure, welcome, Cadet Bloom.” The voice is dry as parchment.
I turn back to the doorway behind me to find an aged professor in deep blue Citadel robes and a long, draping hat of soft fabric, the same colour as the robes, stepping through.He’s short, bone-thin, and honestly looks like one stiff breeze could knock him into the afterlife. If someone told me hewasone of the stone fixtures lining the hall, I’d believe them.
Movement behind me, Ryven slipping off,coward.
“Such a pleasure to finally meet Alinor’s daughter.” The professor’s eyes are bright despite the lines carved deep into his face, the soft folds of his hat dipping as he inclines his head. “Merrin told me you accepted his little... proposition. I was glad to hear it.”
I shouldn’t be surprised he knew my mum. The man looks like he’s been teaching here since the walls were built; he probably taught her himself. But if he knows about Merrin, does he know about the journals? Has Merrin told anyone el?—
“I remember her at your age,” he goes on, like old people do when they think they’re being charming. “Brilliant. Fearless. Unstoppable.”
I shift my weight, magic stirring under my skin. I don't want this right now. I want tomove, find Finn and sit down before I draw any more unwanted attention.
“I’m sorry about the fire. Such talent, taken far too early. And I’m sorry she left you so young. But what a beautiful woman you’ve become. You’ve got her eyes.” A pause. “Let’s see if you’ve got hergifts, too.”
Gifts? Is that what we’re calling it now? Wonder if she ever sat in this room, hands shaking, teeth clenched, fighting the same itch to burn it all down.
Fingers tap against my thigh, restless. I’ve never been one for sentimental speeches, especially when I’ve got better things to do than get pulled into a heart to heart with a talking relic.
“Thank you,” I murmur, already shifting my weight toward the aisle. “But I should really find a seat before class starts.”
He seems to catch the edge in my tone, but he just smiles, genuine, no expectation behind it, and nods before turning to step on to the raised platform.
I don’t move, not right away. Just keep searching the room until I finally spot Finn, he’s tucked at the very back with Rowan, holding one of Rowans books above his head like a child begging for attention. Rowan, naturally, acts like he doesn’t exist. Eyes on the page, calm as ever, like there isn’t chaos unfolding two feet away.
“Good morning, second-year cadets.” I jump at the professor’s voice behind me. He’s already at the lectern, his bluesoft, slouched hat settling unevenly against his shoulders, book open, addressing the class. “I’m Professor Darwin Holloway. Please take your seats, and we’ll begin Thread Theory.”
The room starts to still, then a small, deliberate cough cuts through the quiet. I glance back. Holloway’s looking at me, so is everyone else.
Magic jolts, flashing down my arms like live wire under the skin—sudden and too close to snapping.
Shit, don’t lose it now. Not here. Not now. Not with the whole damn room watching. Eyes scanning fast, I clock an empty space near the front and move. I move before I can think, fast, focused. My bag hitting the floor with a heavy thud as I drop into the seat hard, lungs still ragged from the hallway sprint... and everything else I’m trying not to feel.
Then I turn.
And there she is.
Perfectly perched to my right, perfect posture, perfect hair, perfect sneer already forming.BethScar slicing clean from brow to eye, like someone decided even her flaws should be beautiful.
Perfect. Fucking. Perfect.
“A brief note before we start.” Holloway’s voice is barely louder than a whisper, dry. I’m not even sure the back row can hear him, but he doesn’t raise his voice; heads still turn, bodies lean forward. “Many of you will have heard by now of a dragon breach in the Air Realm yesterday.”
Low murmurs break out across rows, my gut twists. I glance toward Ezzy, then Finn and Rowan.
Do they know I was there? Has Rowan told them everything? But the crush of students blocks everything. Just heads and uniforms and flickering tension.
“I do not have the full details yet,” he goes on, calm like he’s reading a shopping list. “However, I’ve been assured Professor Merrin will address any questions this afternoon.”
