Warning.
The distinction mattered.
I felt it.
Sten felt it too.
Something in the air tightened sharply between them.
Ancient power recognizing ancient power.
I bit my lip hard trying not to laugh anyway because apparently my survival instincts had completely abandoned me where this male was concerned.
“Miss Cordoza,” Professor Kenna said smoothly, her attention shifting toward me at last, “unless you enjoy pacing administrative towers dramatically for recreational purposes, I believe your presence here is not a requirement.”
My face somehow became even hotter.
“Yes, Professor.”
The professor studied us both in silence.
Once.
Twice.
Long enough that discomfort curled low in my stomach.
Not because she looked angry.
Because she looked concerned.
That realization sobered me instantly.
Professor Kenna finally exhaled a long, measured sigh—the sound of a woman witnessing catastrophe unfold exactly the way she expected it to.
Then her gaze settled fully on Sten.
And the entire atmosphere changed.
The temperature in the corridor seemed to drop several degrees.
“Mr. Blau,” she said quietly.
Sten straightened automatically.
Not much.
Just enough for me to notice.
Which honestly startled me more than if he’d visibly flinched.
Because Sten didn’t strike me as the type to defer to anyone.
Yet something in Professor Kenna’s tone commanded immediate attention.
“You, however, are here for a reason,” she continued.
The words landed heavily.
