Ancient lava chambers stretch out before us, their walls made of smooth black volcanic glass that reflect the firelight in a thousand glittering points. Flames float near the ceiling, and the effect is otherworldly, like standing inside a globe made of darkness and light.
The main chamber is a massive, natural cathedral where lava once pooled. Now it’s filled with people from all four years, their laughter and chatter echoing off the walls. Everywhere I look, they’re drinking, dancing, and celebrating.
Guilt squeezes in my chest, but I breathe through it. Because it’s time to be productive and spy on my classmates with my deadly, irresistible, time-traveling boyfriend who’s announcing our relationship to the entire school in a very unsubtle fashion.
The moment we enter the main chamber, heads turn.
A cluster of second-years near the entrance exchange glances. A group of fourth-years whisper behind their drinks. Even the flames in the torches flicker in our direction, like the whole cave is taking note of the proctor arriving with the most clueless first-year at the academy.
Logan’s hand stays firmly on my lower back, a silent statement that yes, we’re here together, and no, he doesn’t care what they think about it.
“They’re staring,” I mutter.
“Let them.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s going to get cornered in whatever passes for a bathroom around here and interrogated about your love life.”
“If anyone corners you anywhere, they’ll regret it.”
“Like Alessandra at the last Forge Party?”
His eyes harden. “Yes.”
“Got it,” I mutter, even though my heart is flipping in my chest. “Don’t corner Jade in the bathroom unless you want theproctor to fire travel you to the basement and hold your own blade to your throat.”
A satisfied smile crosses his lips. “That was me being restrained. I won’t be so patient twice.”
“We really don’t need another person showing up?—”
I stop myself before saying the final word.
Dead.
“—missing,” I finish lamely. “We don’t need another person showing up missing.”
Logan’s gaze sharpens.
“Agreed. Which is why we’re observing tonight and not acting,” he says, but he holds my gaze a beat too long, and the promise in it isn’t exactly reassuring.
Together, we move deeper into the chamber, and my gaze sweeps the crowd, cataloging faces.
Sam’s near a cluster of rock formations, accepting congratulations from a group of first-years. His win in the Void Pit today apparently elevated his social status from “quiet guy who does math in his head” to “quiet guy who does math in his head and isn’t totally hopeless with a dagger.”
He catches my eye and grins, raising his cup in a toast.
I nod back, managing a smile.
Nina’s positioned against the far wall, a drink in her hand that I’d bet money she hasn’t touched. Her sharp eyes track every conversation, every interaction, every stumble and whisper.
Garrett’s booming laugh echoes off the walls as he regales a group with a story that apparently requires a lot of arm-waving. Vera’s nearby, pretending to ignore him while hanging on every word. Felix is laughing at something Lauren and Deidre are saying, his easy charm on full display, while Elizabeth lingers at the edges of the group looking like she’d rather be literally anywhere else.
Everything looks normal… except that in an alcove near the back of the chamber, a man with dark, silver-streaked hair leans against the wall with a drink in his hand. He could pass for just another partygoer, given that he graduated from Blaze only three years ago and looks younger than some of the fourth-years.
“Tobias Cane is over there talking to Avery,” I tell Logan, keeping my voice low.
She’s standing close to him, her head tilted up to look at him. His posture is relaxed and unhurried, like he has all the time in the world for whatever she’s saying. And Avery’s actuallytalking, while Tobias listens intensely, like every word matters.
Logan’s gaze lingers on Avery, his eyes turning haunted.
