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Leverage.

That was where the control would lie.

That was where the power would be drawn from.

And I’d find a way to obtain said leverage.

To protect us all.

I was vaguelyaware of Nyx going on about some new desserts that the Cafeteria had just started serving that were going to be rolled out today, as the four of us made our way there for lunch before our next classes.

We were taking a roundabout route away from the bustling hallways to avoid more stares and attention drawn to us through Nyx and Ari. Our boots crunched on the dirt path leading from the outer edge of the quad, alongside the forest and toward the far end of the building to the rear entrance of the Cafeteria.

I mean, we could have just teleported but Ari had wanted the chance to peer inside first to ensure it wasn’t that busy.

I stroked her hair as we walked along, providing her with a little soothing, while my mind was going a million miles a minute trying to figure out the leverage angle, as well as a whole lot of other major issues that were bearing down on us.

After our next class, another one we shared,Arcane Symbologywith Professor Nera Vaelthorne, a highly knowledgeable Light Fae who was several centuries old, I could finally head to my lab to get down to work.

Just as we passed by a side door to our left that led out from the staircase that went up to the dorms, someone strode on out.

A particular someone who had all of us stopping in our tracks.

A low rumble came from Vorzyr.

Nyx stilled.

And Ari slipped from me, and stepped forward all too easily, making a grunt escape me.

Because she was moving towardhim.

Fucking Cassius.

He zeroed in on her instantly, standing there with all his muscle and might, even without his armor or his wings in sight. Just wearing a pair of black tailored pants and a white linen shirt, he still somehow cut an almighty figure.

“What are you doing here?” Ari asked as she stopped just a couple of feet in front of him.

He was holding some papers in his hands and he held them up for her to see. “Obtaining your class schedule. Dean Valorian Drake was rather accommodating and modest. It’s especially refreshing for his species. Sorcerers are known for their arrogance more often than not.” His gaze flicked to me and I saw the expectation there in his eyes for his heavy-handed comment to land.

I didn’t allow it.

But his stance had given me an opening.

As had his unceremonious presence right here in front of us.

Ari’s question drew his attention away from me and right back to her. “Why do you need my schedule?”

“So we can work around it to conduct your training in a way that isn’t too disruptive to your normal, comforting routine.”

“Oh… well, good. Thank you.”

He had the gall to smile at her. “Of course. I told you I wish for you to be comfortable.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Tomorrow morning at dawn we will begin.”

“Where should I meet you?”

“Use the Echo Coin. I will come to you and transport us to the place in question.” He gestured at me, Nyx, and Vorzyr. “The location will be known only to us. It is not safe for others to be aware.”

“We’re not justothers,”V snapped at him.