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"Any record describing blood without history." Professor Neris turns several letters toward us. "Any event where the effect moved through a person rather than a place. Any mention of interruption occurring inside protected ground."

Rhyven takes the key. It darkens briefly against his palm. Then the runes along its edge glow pale blue. "When?" He asks.

"Tomorrow night."

"Why not now?" I ask.

"Because the archive recognizes scheduled access. And because," she adds, "you have all missed enough class today."

The faintest trace of dry humor passes through her voice. No one laughs. The room is too heavy for it. She does not try again. Professor Neris reties the letters. She leaves five outside the bundles. Copies, perhaps. Or the ones she considers most important. "Aldric will report to the infirmary after evening meal." He nods. "Mr. Solmere, you will accompany him." Cassian inclines his head. "Officer Corvell, you will provide me with a complete account of every interruption in your bond with Vyrael." Rhyven's expression closes slightly. Still, he agrees. "Miss Vaelith." I wait. "No further use of Blood Echo without my authorization."

I stiffen. "He consented."

"That does not make your manifestation stable." She reminds me.

"We needed proof."

"And now you have it." Her tone hardens. "Do not mistake necessity for immunity from consequence." Dominion. Choice creates consequence. The Academy's lessons follow us even here.

"I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

She holds my gaze. Then nods. "Good."

The meeting ends without ceremony. Professor Neris unlocks the office. The wards retreat from the door. Aldric and Cassian leave first, heading toward the infirmary.

Before Aldric crosses the threshold, he looks back. "What if it happens again?"

Professor Neris does not soften. "Then you tell us immediately."

A few seconds pass. "And if I feel normal?"

"You tell us anyway." He nods and follows Cassian into the stairwell. I rise. Rhyven remains seated for a moment longer, the black key enclosed in his fist.

Professor Neris watches him. "You disagree with restricted information."

"Yes." Rhyven admits.

"You believe students should have been warned." "Yes."

"You may be right." The admission surprises him. Then she continues. "But fear changes behavior before facts can correct it."

Rhyven stands. "So does ignorance."

"Yes."

Neither wins. Neither yields. The tension between them is not hostile. It is the weight of two people responsible for others, disagreeing over which danger costs more. Rhyven slips the key into his pocket. "We'll be there tomorrow."

Professor Neris looks toward me. "Both of you?"

I answer before he can. "Yes."

We climb the stairs in silence. The Hall of Lineage remains empty when we emerge. The morning's diagrams have faded from the walls. Sunlight has returned through the windows. Students' abandoned warmth still lingers in the room. Everything appears ordinary.

Rhyven stops near the locked classroom doors. "The Hollowborn." I look toward him. He says the word quietly. Not as a declaration. A possibility finally allowed into the room.