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Nyra wakes seven minutes later. She doesn't say it. Neither do I. She checks the clock. Then the date. Her eyes meet mine. That's enough.
Breakfast is loud. Someone has brought a guitar into the dining hall. I don't know why. I don't know who allowed it. I especially don't know why the person playing it only appears to know three chords.
Cassian is delighted. Naturally. "Finally." He sits across from me. "Culture."
Nyra looks toward the musician. "That's generous."
"Art is subjective."
"Bad technique isn't."
Cassian takes a piece of toast. "You make everything less enjoyable."
"Thank you."
Caelen arrives five minutes later. Rhyven doesn't. Then immediately become irritated that I notice. This is apparently my life now. "Rider meeting." Caelen says.
I look up. "I didn't ask."
"You looked."
"I was looking at the door."
"Which Rhyven usually walks through at this time."
Cassian slowly looks between us. No. I point at him. "Don't." His mouth closes. Nyra remains focused on her notes. Good woman.
"What's the meeting about?" I ask.
"Training." Caelen takes my coffee. Again.
I slap his hand. He takes it anyway. "Security protocols remain unchanged."
"People are going to love that."
"They already don't."
As if summoned by the conversation, someone at the next table says: "This is ridiculous." We all turn slightly. Second-year. Wolf. He is holding the new training schedule. "We've had nothing for almost two weeks."
His friend lowers her voice. "Don't say that."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Because what? Saying it summons them?" No one answers. The boy continues. "Curfew. Patrols. Mandatory combat. Dragon practicals every day. They doubled ward drills again."
"Tripled." Someone corrects.
"Even better." He throws the schedule onto the table.
"How long are we supposed to live like this?"
Professor Vayne passes behind him. Without stopping— "Preferably until you stop being alive."
The entire table goes silent. Cassian nearly chokes.
I lower my face into my hands. Gods. Vayne continues walking. The student watches him go.
