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Caelen looks over her shoulder. "You think the person failed before the ward."

"I think we don't know which one influenced the other."

Rhyven glances up from across the table. "Copy both interpretations."

Nyra nods. "Exactly."

For the first time all day, the five of us move with complete agreement. No explanation needed. No one defending territory. No one insisting their theory matters more. Just evidence. Questions. Work. The lamps brighten automatically as daylight disappears above us. Nyra checks the time and looks startled. "We've been here nine hours."

Cassian blinks. "That seems impossible."

"My spine disagrees." I add.

Caelen closes the ledger in front of him. "Stand." No one moves. He looks directly at me. "Eirea."

"I'm working." I answer.

"You haven't moved in three hours."

"I moved my hand."

"That does not count."

"I'm almost finished."

"You said that forty minutes ago." Caelen reaches across the table and takes my notebook.

I stare at him. "Give that back."

"Walk."

"Caelen."

"Walk."

I look toward Professor Neris for support. She pretends not to notice. Traitor. Rhyven passes behind Caelen carrying another stack of maps. Without slowing, he says, "He's right."

I turn toward him. "You don't get a vote."

"I wasn't voting."

Caelen points toward the ramp. "Ten minutes."

"This is kidnapping." I mutter.

"Correct," Rhyven says. I narrow my eyes at both of them. Neither looks remotely sorry. I stand. Every muscle protests. Fine. Perhaps I have been sitting too long. Only slightly. Nyra gives me a sympathetic smile. "Bring back water."

"You're all terrible."

"Yes," Caelen answers. "Walk."

By the time I return, The Archive has somehow become even quieter. Everyone has settled into a rhythm. The scratching of quills. The turning of pages. The occasional crackle from the lamps. Somewhere deeper in the Archive, Cassian sneezes. Twice. Nyra doesn't even look up. "Stop reading dusty shelves."

"I can't." Cassian answers.

"Why?"

"That's where the interesting books are."