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Close enough. Too close. "Correlated." One specialist says. Nyra writes the number.

Professor Neris stares at the field. "So whatever removes magical access..." She says quietly. "Also removes the imprint of presence."

Cassian looks toward the empty space. "That's comforting." No one laughs. He doesn't either.

My father turns toward me. "The hunger." I look at him. "What did it want?" Rhyven's gaze snaps toward him. I notice. So does my father. Neither says anything.

"I don't know." I answer.

"Magic?"

"Maybe."

"Theryn specifically?"

"No."

"Her bond?"

"I don't think so."

"What makes you say that?"

I replay the memory. The pale distortion. The pull. The way magic bent. "It didn't feel selective."

Professor Neris steps closer. "Explain."

"It felt..." I search. "Like if you dropped water into dry earth." Everyone waits. "The ground doesn't care which drop it takes." Silence. "It just takes what's there." Rhyven's face becomes harder.

My father asks, "So Theryn was opportunity." Nyra looks up from her notes. The same word. Opportunity. Only this time, not human. Not student.

Not staff. Magic itself.

"Maybe." I say. Then correct myself. "Probably not enough evidence." Nyra gives me a small nod. Good.

I'm learning.

Eddy speaks. "She chose." Everyone turns. His voice is rough. "Theryn." He looks toward me. "You felt it."

I know what he means. Protect. Run. "Yes."

"She stepped in front of me." His jaw trembles. "So if it was taking whatever was there..." He looks toward the empty grass. "She made herself the thing that was there." Gods. Rhyven's eyes close. Only for a second. When they open again, the fury is back. Quiet. Controlled. Worse.

"She saved him." Cassian whispers. No one corrects him. Because yes. She did.

The Headmaster orders the dragon grounds sealed. Not for an hour. Not until morning. Indefinitely. Every dragon not actively required for defense is moved to bonded sectors. Riders sleep with them if necessary. No unbonded dragon remains alone. No dragon is handled without its Rider present. No exceptions. The order spreads quickly. The reaction spreads faster. Sky Wing does not take it well.

Students gather at the edges of the field despite being told to return to quarters. Riders want names. Details. Assurances. There are none. One second-year shouts at a professor. Another starts crying. A third tries to push through the containment line because her dragon is still being moved from the southern grounds. Rhyven intercepts her. Not physically at first. Just steps in front. "He's safe."

"How do you know?"

"Because Mara confirmed the bond three minutes ago."

"I need to see him."

"You will."

"When?"