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"I know."

"No." His voice sharpens. "You know how to stop when someone tells you." A pause. "Tomorrow, I need you to know when no one does." Silence. That's different. "They may give you blood you could access." He continues. "But shouldn't."

My chest tightens. "Why?"

"Because the ability to take something doesn't give you the right to." Oh. That I understand. More than I expected. Professor Vayne's expression softens slightly. "Your strongest answer tomorrow may be no."

I look at him. "Would the Council see it that way?"

He doesn't hesitate. "The right Councillors will." Not comforting.

"Who is evaluating?"

I ask, though I already know part of the answer.

"Me."

"Obviously."

"Two Council examiners."

"And my father."

Professor Vayne nods. Of course. I look away. He notices.

"Problem?"

"No."

"Liar."

I sigh. "He's difficult to impress."

"Good."

I turn back. "Good?"

"You should not be performing for your father."

"Easy for you to say."

"It is."

"Helpful."

"No." His mouth almost twitches. "You're not being evaluated as Don Vaelith's daughter. Tomorrow, you're simply a first-year with an extremely dangerous manifestation."

I stare. "That was almost reassuring."

"I'm glad."

"It wasn't."

"I know." He hands me a folded sheet. "Final preparation."

I open it. Controlled access. Voluntary withdrawal. Emotional separation. Judgment scenarios. Physical recovery assessment. I frown at the last one. "Physical?"

"The Council wants to see how quickly you recover after use."