Page 434

She looks toward the window. "Courier."

"At five in the morning?"

"Apparently."

I rub both hands over my face. "I hate useful people."

"No, you don't."

"Currently, I do."

By five twenty, we're dressed. By five thirty, Cassian is complaining in the common room. By five forty, Caelen and Rhyven are downstairs. And by six Professor Vayne has informed me that I will not be attending morning combat.

I stare at him. "What?"

"You're needed in containment."

"For how long?"

"Unknown."

"I have non-dominant drills."

"They'll survive without you." I look toward Rhyven. He is standing beside one of the transport cases.

Completely neutral. Traitor.

"You agree with this."

"Yes."

"Of course you do."

"You say that often."

"Because you keep being annoying."

"Consistent."

Three sealed cases sit on the lower containment table.

All marked with Elarion's royal crest. One is narrow.

Blood samples. One contains soil. The third holds something wrapped beneath two magical barriers.

Residue. Even through the glass, it looks wrong.

Nearly colorless. Thin. Nothing dramatic. And yet the light directly above it seems slightly weaker. Just like Aelindra's staff. Just like Theryn's wardstone. My stomach tightens. Professor Neris stands beside the cases. "Everything was collected from Lethyr and Meredin."

Nyra already has her notebook open. "Which victim?"

"The almost-victim."

I look toward Neris. "Oren?"

"Yes."

"The blood is his?"