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The dean’s brother is a high-up Conclave member. It would be most likely the dean was also involved with Conclave machinations.

But maybe not.

Interesting. Very interesting.

Giving a wide berth to Tina-Marie, who is directing students towards a trauma counselor sign up sheet, I head out, light up a cigarette and send a text to the ‘Team Sparkles’ group.

ME:Meet at penthouse

DRAKEWARD:we are all here. I leave in 15

I start heading towards Electus, but then get hit by a notion.

ME:Come to Cosmo’s apartment now

LINKS:K

BLOOMHOWER:yes

6

Wake up.

Huh?

The now familiar sensation of a drug being pumped into my IV port rushes through me.

Fight. Stay awake.

I can’t tell if it’s my own brain talking and I’m delirious, or it’s…Amirene?

Fight.

Yes, yes.

I urge my Lumina to act.

—Please go destroy that repulsive oily magic they injected into my veins. Lumina, please. I need you.—

I don’t just visualize the sparkles this time; I desperately claw through every cell looking for Amirene’s power.

Deep in the center of my chest, where my dead spark used to live, there’s a small simmering pool of lilac-colored fire.

I pull at it, dragging it around my body as a shield.

It’s weak, but it’s there.

Thank Gods.

Thank Amirene.

Keeping my eyes shut tight, I begin to focus on what’s happening around me.

“She’ll be fully susceptible to however we wish to…program her.”

That’s Janine Hart’s voice.

I hear a clanking of metal draws. “Now, a dose of stimulant, and you’ll see just how clever this spellwork is.”