I narrowed my eyes, staring through the thick glass at the empty courtyard where Emma had just disappeared.
My appetite was completely gone. I quickly shoved the last spoonful of stew into my mouth, swallowed, and pushed my chair back against the stone floor.
"Nature's call," I announced flatly, standing up.
Kyle, who was in the middle of completely obliterating a glazed potato, paused. He raised a skeptical eyebrow, a smudge of gravy on his chin. Sira and Tobias also looked up at me, clearly sensing the abrupt shift in my mood.
"Just eat," I said, waving a hand dismissively before they could ask any questions. "I will be back in a minute."
I didn't wait for a response. Just turned and briskly walked out of the loud, echoing dining hall.
The moment the heavy oak doors swung shut behind me, cutting off the noise of the student body, I ducked behind a massive stone pillar in the outer corridor.
