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Rhyven glances toward the Rootkeeper entry. "Cassian?" He asks.

"He couldn't sense anything."

"Fear?"

"Nothing."

His expression darkens. "What about the bracelets?" "They went cold. The Trial stopped responding."

His gaze finds mine. "For how long?"

"Maybe ten seconds."

"And then?"

"It continued as though nothing happened."

Rhyven leans forward. "Did anyone report it?" I shake my head "Why the fuck not?"

The sharpness in his voice surprises me. Not anger at me exactly. Fear disguised as frustration. Still— My own defenses rise.

"Because we had no proof." I explain.

"That wasn't the question."

I stare at him. His words echo the ones he said after my manifestation assessment. He sees the answer I avoid before I offer it. I lower my voice further.

"If I reported it, the professors would ask questions."

"That's generally how reports work."

"And the information could reach the Council."

"Yes."

I blink. "My father sits on the Council."

Understanding changes his face. Only slightly. Enough. "He doesn't know about the Blood Echo either," I add.

Rhyven's gaze drops toward my hands. "Does this involve that?"

"I don't know."

"Useful answer."

"It's the only one I have."

He leans back again. The anger leaves as quickly as it came. Not dismissed. Controlled. "I'm not saying you were wrong."

"You sounded remarkably close."

"I'm saying I would've wanted to know."

"You do know."

"Now."

I narrow my eyes. "You barely speak to me."