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"All there."

"Weapon?"

"Still in his room."

That changes something. Every student carries a weapon now. Even outside training. Council orders. Nobody leaves theirs behind. Not anymore.

"Maybe he was drunk." Cassian says. But his voice has lost its humor.

Caelen shakes his head. "Jonas barely drinks."

I remember the glass in his hand. "Then what was he drinking?" I ask.

"Apple tonic." Of course.

At four, The Place closes temporarily. Council guards question staff. Students are told not to interfere. Naturally everyone interferes. Rumors spread faster than facts. Jonas fought someone. Jonas left with a girl. Jonas was seen near the northern wall. Jonas failed a Council inspection. Jonas ran away. Jonas was expelled. Jonas is hiding. Every version contradicts another. None explain the empty bed.

By five the Chiefs gather in the command room. I am not invited. Which is why I'm standing outside. Nyra beside me. Cassian on my other side. We aren't listening. Technically. The door is simply...Thin.

"No ward breach." Maelis.

"None?" Caelen.

"Not even a fluctuation." She answers.

"Village gates?" My brother asks.

"Logged normally." Maelis answers quickly.

"Dragon patrols?" Soren.

"Nothing." Dax says something I can't hear.

Then— "He couldn't have left Varethia." Rhyven. Quiet. Certain. My skin prickles. No. Of course he couldn't. The wards encompass all of Varethia. But people pass through controlled access points. Every movement is recorded now. Jonas's wasn't.

"Then he's inside." Caelen says. Silence. Inside. Somewhere. Footsteps approach.

We scatter. Badly. Nyra pretends to inspect a painting. Cassian looks out a window. I stand in the middle of the corridor like an idiot. The door opens. Rhyven stops. Looks at all three of us. Then at Nyra. "Interesting painting?"

She nods. "Very."

"It's upside down."

She looks at it. "...Bold artistic choice."

Cassian makes a choking sound. Rhyven closes his eyes briefly. Caelen appears behind him. "Eirea."

"I know."

"You were listening."

"I was standing."

"Outside the door."

"Coincidence." His expression is too serious for the argument. Mine falls. "Nothing?" Caelen shakes his head. Nothing. Rhyven steps into the corridor. "Council is ordering a full search." He informs us.

"Of Varethia?" Nyra asks.