Page 427 of The Academy of Blood & Shadow

A messenger enters before I reach the door. Another letter. He hands it to The Headmaster. He reads. His expression hardens. "What?" My father asks.

The Headmaster looks around the room. Then toward the Chiefs. "Elarion has formally requested immediate Varethian deployment support." The word lands this time. Deployment. My chest goes cold. I look toward Caelen. Then Rhyven. And for the first time, I understand exactly what all those drills have been preparing them for. Not only surviving war when it reaches Varethia but also to meet it somewhere else.

Chapter Fifty-one

By nine in the morning, everyone knows. Not everything. Never everything. But enough. Elarion.

Twelve missing. Multiple settlements. Localized magical depletion. Manifestation failure. A formal request for Varethian support. The information moves through the Academy faster than any official announcement possibly could. By breakfast, students are whispering. By first bell, they're arguing. By second, someone has already claimed Tiravell has been attacked too. It hasn't. Yet. The Council releases a statement at nine twelve. Short. Careful. Almost impressively useless. The Council of Varethia confirms reports of magical disturbances and civilian disappearances within the southern territories of Elarion. Varethia remains in communication with Elarion's Crown Council. Current Academy security protocols remain unchanged. Students are reminded that speculation regarding military movements, inter-kingdom operations or unverified incidents is prohibited.

Cassian reads it twice. Then looks up. "That answered absolutely nothing."

Nyra takes the notice. "It confirms communication."

"We already knew that."

"It confirms the disappearances publicly."

"We already knew that too."

"Not everyone did."

Cassian gestures around the dining hall. "Everyone knew before breakfast." Fair.

I take another bite. Or try to. Food feels strangely difficult today. Not because I am afraid. I don't think. Maybe because everything changed last night and yet the Academy is still serving eggs. There is something offensive about breakfast continuing during historical events. Caelen isn't here. Neither is Rhyven. Again. Chief meeting. Council. Military planning. Whatever comes next. Their seats stay empty. I tell myself I don't look toward them. This is increasingly becoming a lie I make without effort.

Across the room, three third-years are talking too loudly. "...they should send us." My attention shifts.

A wolf student. Sky Wing Rider beside him. Another third-year I don't know.

"Elarion asked for experienced response command."

"We have experienced response command."

"Exactly."

The Rider leans forward. "We've been training for months."

The wolf lowers his voice. "For this." Something in my stomach tightens. Nyra hears it too. Her eyes flick toward me. Nothing else. Good. I don't need commentary.