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Sorry.

No time. Casualty extraction. Under arms. Keep spine. Pressure. Move. "Inner infirmary." Mira nods.

Takes two. Good. We lose three people from group to save one. Necessary. Maybe. Keep moving.

Then the ceiling collapses behind us. Stone. Dust. A scream cuts off. Just stops. I turn.

Nyra grabs my face. Literally. "Eirea."

"What."

"You can't."

I know. Whoever is under there—I know.

Move.

We reach the inner Academy doors. Closed. People pounding. "OPEN!" Nothing.

Cassian looks at me. "Council lockdown."

"Fuck." I pound. "FIRST-YEAR RESPONSE!" Nothing. Password. What was—No. Emergency command. Current code. "SECONDARY COMMAND, EAST ACCESS! THIRD BELL BEFORE DAWN!"

Locks move. Thank gods. Door opens. Professor Vayne stands on the other side. Blood on his collar. His own. Maybe. He looks at me. Then behind me. Students. Wounded. Smoke. Blood.

"How many." Of course.

"Thirty-two."

"Your unit?"

"Thirteen with me. Three separated to medical. Tavia already infirmary." He calculates.

"All accounted?" I stop. Toren. Lena. Mira. Joss. Names. Yes.

"Yes." Good.

"Inside." We move.

The inner hall is command now. Council members.

Maps. Professors. Wounded students along walls.

Runners. No Chiefs. No senior students. They look too few. They are too few.

My father is there. Alive. He sees me. His entire face changes. One second. Then Council again. "Eirea."

"Later." He actually nods. Good.

The Headmaster stands over a map. "The western structures are compromised."

"Village?" Professor Neris asks.

"Burning."

"Dragon grounds?"

"Contested."