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"No." Rhyven unfolds his arms. "It's proof she's learning what she can survive."

Caelen takes another step toward him. "She shouldn't have to."

"None of them should." For the first time, Rhyven sounds angry. Not loud. Not uncontrolled. Angry. "But they will." The words stop Caelen. Rhyven gestures toward the maps covering his wall. "First-years. Second-years. Every person in this Academy is being trained because someday no one stronger may be standing between them and whatever comes through those wards." His eyes move briefly to me. "I'm not harder on Eirea to punish her."

"Then why?"

Rhyven doesn't answer immediatly. Like he's carefully choosing his next answer. Then– "Because people will use what she can do." Caelen becomes still. Rhyven's voice drops. "The moment the Council understands Blood Echo, some of them will stop seeing your sister." A pause. "They'll see access." The word from Professor Neris' office. Useful. Vulnerable. Attention. Caelen's anger does not disappear. It changes direction. Rhyven continues. "I can't control what they decide but I can make sure she knows how to leave a locked room. How to fight when she's exhausted. How to recognize when someone is manipulating her. How to trust her own judgment before someone with more authority tells her she's wrong." Very few words, by Rhyven's standards. More than I have ever heard him use to defend a decision.

Caelen hears it too. His gaze flickers toward me. "You knew this?" I shake my head. Not all of it. I knew Rhyven pushed me. I did not realize how deliberately he had begun preparing me for threats that did not carry weapons. Caelen turns back. "And if all that training isn't enough?" Rhyven does not answer immediately. The silence stretches. "What happens if she dies?" My stomach drops.

"Caelen—" I start.

"No." He never looks away from Rhyven. "I want his answer."

Rhyven's face becomes unreadable. When he speaks, the certainty in his voice is almost frightening. "She won't."

Caelen gives a short, bitter laugh. "You cannot promise that."

"No." Rhyven holds his gaze. "I can promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen." No declaration. No impossible vow. Only the truth he can actually offer. Caelen searches his face. Whatever he sees there does not calm him. But it reaches him. That may be enough.

Caelen exhales. "You've thought about this."

Not a question.

"Yes."

"How much?"

Rhyven looks at him. "What."

"How much have you thought about what happens to her if the Council decides they want Blood Echo?"

My attention sharpens.

"A reasonable amount."

Caelen's eyes narrow. "That means a lot."

"It means enough."

The fight leaves the room slowly. Not resolved. Exhausted. Caelen sits again. He runs both hands over his face. For the first time tonight, he looks his age. Not a Chief. Not Father's heir. My brother. "I should've known." He says quietly.

"You couldn't."

"I knew you were hiding something."

"You trusted me."

"I did." He looks at me. "I still do." The answer hurts. "I'm sorry."

"I know."

He leans back in the chair and looks toward the ceiling. "How long before the Council arrives?"

"Professor Neris doesn't know," I answer. "Days, probably."

"And when they do?"