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At seven twenty, someone knocks on our residence door. Rowan makes a noise from beneath her pillow. "Kill them."

"Tempting." Another knock. I drag myself upright.

My hair is everywhere. My eyes burn. I'm still wearing the shirt I fell asleep in. Excellent. I open the door. Caelen stands outside. Fully dressed. Awake. I immediately dislike him. "No."

He blinks. "I haven't said anything."

"You look functional."

"I am."

"Leave."

"Pack." I close the door. His hand catches it before it shuts. "Eirea."

"No."

"Response quarters."

"I remember."

"Move-in begins at eight."

"Then I have forty minutes."

"You need help?"

I stare. "With putting clothes in a bag?"

"You own an unreasonable number of knives."

"That sounds judgmental."

"It is." I try closing the door again. He doesn't move his hand. "Three-Zero-Four."

"I know."

"Nyra's already packing." Of course she is. Nyra probably packed last night before the Council officially finished deciding.

"Fine."

Caelen starts to leave. Then pauses. Looks back at me. "You alright?" There it is. The actual reason he came.

My irritation softens. "Tired."

"Blood Echo?"

"Fine."

"Theryn?"

I hesitate. "Still there." Caelen understands. Residual emotion.

He nods. "Tell Vayne if—"

"I know."

His mouth twitches. "Right." Then he leaves. I close the door. Lean my forehead against it. From behind me, Rowan says: "Your family is exhausting."