"When does the inspection start?"
"Tomorrow morning. Eight o'clock." Rae held my gaze. "He's going to want to observe you with the ferals."
"So I'm part of the assessment."
"You're part of everything now, Lumi. Whether we like it or not."
I didn't sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Stone caught between forms. Heard Cal's bones crack under those massive claws. Felt the moment when recognition had finally flickered back into Stone's golden eyes.
And underneath it all, the gnawing certainty that Twilson was coming to try and banish the ferals.
By the time my alarm went off at six, I'd been staring at the ceiling for hours.
Ivy watched me get dressed with worried eyes. "You look like hell."
"Thanks."
"I mean it. Did you sleep at all?"
"Some." A lie. She knew it was a lie. I didn't care.
"Lumi—"
"I have to go." I grabbed my bag. "The inspection starts at eight. I can't be late."
She caught my arm as I passed. "Be careful. Okay?"
"Always."
Another lie. She let me go anyway.
The Healing Center felt different that morning.
The staff moved with nervous energy, straightening things that were already straight, checking equipment that didn't need checking. Everyone knew what was coming. Everyone was on edge.
Cole was waiting in the main corridor when I arrived.
He looked like he hadn't slept either. The lines around his eyes were deeper, his jaw tight with tension. But his posture wasperfect—straight-backed, controlled, every inch the professional security coordinator.
"Miss Orlav." His voice was formal. Distant.
"Mr. Cole."
Something flickered in his eyes. Gone before I could name it.
"The headmaster will arrive shortly. I need to brief you on what to expect."
"Twilson."
"Yes." His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "He'll want to observe your interactions with the ferals. Document everything. Ask questions."
"What kind of questions?"
"I don't know yet. But—" He paused. Looked around to make sure we were alone. "Be careful what you say."
Before I could push further, footsteps echoed down the corridor.
