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Of five missing people. Of a sixth absence large enough to leave claw marks behind. Rhyven feels mine. I know he does. His expression changes. Barely. His eyes narrow. The connection between us pulses. Not words. Nothing so clean. Just awareness.

I know you're afraid. I know you know. Vyrael turns his head. Looks directly at me. Oh. No. That feels invasive. I straighten. His enormous eyes hold mine.

Then one ear ridge flicks backward toward Rhyven.

I don't know dragon body language well enough for whatever that means. But I have the uncomfortable suspicion Vyrael does. Wonderful. Even the dragon knows.

"Vaelith." Professor Vayne. Right. I tear my attention away. The field returns. Evidence. Work.

"Sorry."

"Don't be." His eyes move briefly toward Rhyven. He noticed something. Not everything. Hopefully. "Come here." I follow.

A wardkeeper has found blood. Not much. Three dark drops along a broken training post. Dragon blood. Theryn's. A scrape. Probably from when she shifted. My pulse jumps. Blood Echo. Professor Vayne sees my face. "No."

"I didn't say anything."

"You looked."

Apparently everyone can do that now. "Not until the site is cleared."

"I know."

"Residue proximity unknown."

"I know."

"Good."

I crouch several feet away. Look. The blood sits beyond the thickest residue. Potentially safe. Potentially useful. If Theryn saw anything— Gods.

Eddy suddenly speaks behind us. "She did." Everyone turns. His face is white.

"What?" Rhyven asks.

Eddy looks toward the trees beyond the western wall.

"She saw something." The entire field stills.

Rhyven crosses toward him. "What did she see?"

"I don't know."

"You were bonded."

"I know." Eddy's voice cracks with frustration.

"She didn't show me."

"What did she give you?" Rhyven asks.

Better question. Eddy closes his eyes. Tries.

"Alert." He whispers. "Then fear."

Rhyven's jaw tightens. "Theryn was afraid?"

Eddy opens his eyes. "No." A pause. "Not for herself."