Page 99

Rhyven shakes his head. "No."

Her expression tightens slightly. "I function well."

"You function quietly." A pause. "Different thing." Selena looks almost offended. Rhyven turns toward a second-year. "Room assignment?" He asks.

"East tower." The second-year answers. "Check in after late study periods."

Selena opens her mouth. Rhyven looks at her. She closes it. I may treasure this moment forever. Then he reaches me. "Name."

I stare at him. A few students glance between us. He knows my name. Obviously. "Eirea Vaelith."

"Inheritance?"

"Vampire."

"Manifestation?"

I hesitate. "Probable Blood Echo."

Several nearby students look toward me. The term has already begun spreading. Wonderful.

Rhyven does not react. "Controlled?"

"No." I answer quietly.

"Known triggers?"

I nod. "Blood."

His expression flattens. "That was implied."

"You asked."

"Specific triggers."

"I don't know yet."

"Injuries?"

I shake my head. "No."

"Fears?"

I blink. "No." A pause. Rhyven waits. The entire Wing seems to wait with him. I cross my arms. "Are you expecting a list?"

"One would save time."

"I don't have one."

"That's either dishonest or concerning."

Heat rises beneath my collar. "You ask everyone this?"

"Yes."

I glance toward Elias, who looks deeply grateful someone else has become the problem. "Fine."

I think. Failure. Disappointing my father. Losing Caelen. Losing control. Blood that remembers things it should not. None of those belong here. "Being trapped." The answer emerges unexpectedly.