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"You heard me."

"I didn't."

"You usually do."

The words make me pause. He seems to realize what he said at the same moment. Neither of us continues down that road. Good.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Room inspection."

"Convenient." I exhale.

"Yes." His gaze shifts toward the samples.

"Council evaluation." I say.

"Friday." He reminds me.

"I know."

He steps farther inside. Looks toward the untouched third vial. "Why didn't you use it?"

"I didn't need to."

"That's not an answer."

I sigh. "It felt..." I search for the word. "Heavy."

His expression remains neutral. "So you stopped."

"I didn't start."

"Better."

I look at him. That's all. One word. Yet something inside me settles.

"Professor Vayne might disagree."

"He won't."

"Very confident."

"Yes." He nods.

"About him or me?"

His gaze meets mine. "You." Damn him. He turns toward the door before I can decide what to do with that. "Patrol at nineteen hundred."

"I know." I roll my eyes.

"Eat before."

"There it is."

He looks back. "What."

"Nothing." His eyes narrow. I smile. "Go inspect another room, Chief." He does. But I swear his mouth moves before he turns away. Barely.