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Her expression softens. "So do you."

"Thank you." I smile slightly.

"Now let me fix this one—"

I slap her hand away. "No."

She laughs. A knock hits the door. Three times. Then— "If you're both dead, I'm taking your drinks." Cassian. Nyra opens the door. He's leaning against the frame in dark trousers and a loose white shirt with the sleeves pushed to his elbows. He looks at Nyra. Then me. Then back at Nyra. "How long did this take?"

"Get out." Nyra scoffs.

"I was asking respectfully." He says.

Caelen appears behind him. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes." Cassian answers.

"No." Nyra answers simultaneously.

Caelen looks between them. "I'm going downstairs."

"You just got here." I say.

"I've been waiting downstairs for twenty minutes." He corrects.

"Oh." I nod.

"Exactly." He looks at me. Stops. His expression changes. Not dramatically. Just...Softens.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing." He shrugs. "You look strange." I answer. "You look like Mom."

The words catch me completely off guard. My smile disappears. Caelen seems to realize what he said at the same moment. For a second neither of us speaks. Then he clears his throat. "Come on." He turns. Cassian follows. Nyra reaches for my hand. I squeeze hers once. Then follow my brother into the corridor.

The Academy feels different tonight. Not less guarded. The wardkeepers are still there. Patrols still cross the courtyards. Dragons still occupy the observation towers. But...Students are outside. Actually outside. Not training. Not running between classes. Not carrying stacks of books. Living.

Groups move along the stone paths toward The Place. Someone is already singing badly near the western garden. Two wolves race across the courtyard while their friends shout after them. A group of second-year fae have somehow convinced one of the statues outside the library to wear a scarf. I don't know why. I don't want to. Cassian breathes deeply. "Freedom."

"You have four hours." Caelen answers.

"Don't ruin it." Cassian groans.

The Place is already packed when we arrive. Warm light spills from every window. Music pours through the open doors. Not elegant Academy music. No strings. No ceremonial arrangements. Something fast. Loud. Alive. The second we step inside...Heat hits me. Then noise. Then the smell of roasted potatoes, bread, spices, something sweet and probably irresponsible amounts of alcohol. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. "This." Cassian announces. "Is civilization."

Nyra looks toward a table where someone is standing on a chair. "Debatable."

A cheer erupts. The student drains an entire glass.

Cassian points. "Culture."

We find a table near the back. Or...We attempt to. Cassian disappears before we reach it. One moment he's beside me. The next he's greeting three sirens I've never met. Then a wolf. Then two humans. Then someone behind the bar. I stare after him. "How does he know everyone?"

Nyra sits. "I've stopped asking."

Caelen drops into the chair opposite us. "He doesn't know everyone."

Cassian shouts from across the room: "ELIAS!" A student near the stairs turns. "YOU OWE ME MONEY!"