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The Academy.

Under attack.

No.

Already under attack.

"FUCKING GO." Vyrael dives.

I reach for her. Again. Hard enough that my head hurts. Eirea. Nothing.

Again.

Eirea.

Nothing.

The Academy grows larger. Smoke. Fire. Dragons.

Magic. Bodies moving below. I can't distinguish anyone. Can't find her. Can't feel her.

For the first time since leaving Elarion, Vyrael says nothing. There is nothing to say.

We were right.

The deployment.

The route.

The disappearances.

All of it.

They learned.

They waited.

And the moment Varethia sent its strongest defenders four hours away— they opened the wards.

I stare at the Academy burning beneath us. Reach for Eirea one more time. Nothing. And understand the only thing that matters. We aren't coming back in time to stop the attack.

The attack has already started.

Chapter Sixty-four

The wards are open.

For one second, nobody moves. Professor Neris stands at the end of the corridor. Cassian beside me. Nyra halfway out of her chair. Students filling every doorway. The horn continues. One endless note vibrating through stone.

I stare at Neris. "What do you mean open?"

Her face is pale. "Exactly what I said."

"How?"

"We don't know."

"Can they close them?"