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“So we know we are who we say we are.”

His eyebrows furrow for a moment before understanding seems to wash over him and he nods. “That makes sense. It’s easier than throwing random questions at each other like I did with Leila yesterday.”

Silence descends over us for a moment as we think. I know it’s the one as soon as it crosses my mind, and the moment I call it out, Brax smirks, the only agreement I need.

“Handbook.”

My hair is twisted into a messy bun on top of my head, revealing more of the black strands of hair that intertwine between the pink. I almost considered turning it all black in the mirror this morning but decided I will likely live like that forever once I reach a certain point with my magic, and I’m all for prolonging the inevitable.

With my hand firmly in Brax’s grasp, we’re marching toward the main academy building with one thing on our minds: find Professor Figgins.

I’m hopeful that with the information Marieta gave us, we can control the ward that protects the compound. Working our way through that is one step closer to Ari, and I’m desperate for us to get it done.

We need a win, and after last night, getting to see Eldon, Creed, and Zane like that, I believe anything is possible.

Leila wasn’t waiting outside of the house this morning, and I can’t decide whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing. Once I’ve convinced Figgins about the compound, I can go in search of her.

After settling on our safe word, Brax and I agreed that it would just be for the two of us for now. Everyone else either needs an alternative word or to face our questioning. There are so many people here that I would love the opportunity to question, to demand answers from, the truth and only the truth, but it’s not as easy as I wish it were.

The list continues to grow; the people we can trust are depleting, but one person in this place whose magic could be forever valuable is Lyra’s. She’s high on my visit list too. Even if I could figure out a way to get her to let me mirror her magic instead of draining her and exposing her to the enemy, I would be forever grateful.

“How deep in your mind are you right now?” Brax’s question startles me, and the way his eyebrows rise tells me I’ve accidentally given him my answer. Deep. I’m fucking deep in there.

“It’s hard not to be,” I admit, making sure to keep my voice low. “We might have a bit of a plan of action, but that doesn’t ease the obstacles we’re facing, the what-ifs that surround us. My mind is going so fast, zipping from one thought to another, and it’s a never-ending cycle.”

He hums in understanding, but I still see the tic of his jaw, and I know what’s going through his mind. He wants to fix everything for me, and the reality is he can’t, not that I would ever ask him to. The feeling of helplessness that comes with that, though, is incomparable.

I squeeze his hand three times, silently conveying the emotion swarming inside of me. He doesn’t respond to it, not that I need him to, but his focus is dead ahead as his steps slow. Following his line of sight, my back stiffens when I see Erikel standing by the main entrance to the building. Some students mill around, avoiding walking past him with their chins resting against their chest as they look anywhere but at him, while others slip past him, offering as much room as possible as they move with haste.

Fuck.

Of course, he has to be the first real obstacle we face today. I shouldn’t be surprised.

There’s not long before the first class starts, and if we want a chance to catch Figgins then we can’t hang around avoiding him.

“I feel like this is one of those moments that Zane was referring to,” I murmur, and my eyes follow my brother as he approaches Erikel.

“I agree. We can walk past him and hope it doesn’t cause a scene, or we can cut through the grounds to the left and enter through the back doors, which are technically closer to her office anyway,” he offers, running his thumb over my knuckles.

Dammit. I don’t want to shy away from Erikel. Giving him that taste of delight doesn’t sit well with me. But my ego can’t distract us from the job at hand. Right now, I need to not seek trouble and take the path of least resistance.

“Let’s go to the left,” I mutter, nudging his shoulder with mine.

We move through the growing crowd, seemingly unnoticed, as we take the grassy trail around the exterior of the building.

“That’s also why Zane told you to behave and not me. He knows you can assess a situation better without turning into an asshole,” Brax grunts, making me smirk.

“Oh, I wanted to cause a scene with that fucker. I wanted to summon my sword and watch him bleed out as I danced in the crimson liquid, refusing to bring him back to life, but really, I want answers and a plan for Ari first. The former will have to wait just a little while longer,” I admit with a sigh.

“Fuck, Shadow. You’re crazier than I give you credit for.”

I peer up at him with a smirk. “You don’t give me nearly enough credit as it is.” I wag my finger at him, avoiding his mouth when he attempts to snap his teeth at me, and I laugh.

“May I ask what it is the two of you are doing out here?”

We pause mid-chuckle as we turn to stare at the interrupter of our amusing moment, only to come face to face with Professor Figgins. She peers between us, arms folded over her chest, but there’s no real authority to her stare, just a tingling of intrigue.

“Looking for you, actually.” I turn to face her, a tight smile placed on my face for show, and without a word, she waves us inside.