Page 246 of The Academy of Blood & Shadow

Chapter Thirty-three

Wednesday begins with rain. Not a storm. Nothing dramatic. Just a cold, relentless drizzle that settles over Varethia before dawn and seems determined to remain there forever.

By breakfast, the windows of the dining hall are clouded with condensation. By first lecture, every stone corridor smells faintly of wet wool. By midday I have decided rain is a personal attack.

"You live in Varethia." Nyra says.

"I'm aware."

"It rains."

"I'm also aware."

"Frequently."

I look at her. "Is there a purpose to this conversation?"

She turns a page in her book. "I'm preparing you emotionally."

"For weather?"

I frown. "For disappointment."

Cassian lowers his spoon. "That was unexpectedly cruel."

"Thank you." Nyra smiles.

"I meant to Eirea."

"I know."

I stare at both of them. "I need better friends."

"No." Nyra reaches across the table and steals half my toast. "You need an umbrella."

The dining hall sounds more normal today. Not normal. More normal. There is a difference. People talk. Some laugh. The previous day's absence of another disappearance has done something dangerous. It has allowed everyone to breathe. Jonas and Elara remain missing. Search teams still leave before sunrise. Their names still appear on every notice board. But no third name has joined them. For nearly forty-eight hours...Nothing. Apparently that is enough for hope to begin growing between the cracks. At the table behind us, someone is discussing the upcoming dragon written examination. Two students near the windows are arguing over a Dominion assignment. A first-year complains loudly that the new curfew has ruined his social life. Life insisting on itself. I should find it comforting. Instead...Nyra's words from the other night remain somewhere in the back of my mind. It isn't a deadline. It's evidence. Caelen appears beside our table long enough to steal one of my strawberries. I slap his hand. He eats it anyway. "You're on patrol tonight." He says.

"I know."