I checked the time. 7:34 PM. The sanctum reset at midnight. I had 30 minutes available right now.
I could take her to my room. Use the sanctum. Complete the extraction. Add two more days. Steal Sensory Hijack.
Or I could say no. Make her wait. Do this right.
She squeezed my hand.
"Stop thinking. Just. Take me somewhere. Please."
I stood. Grabbed the leftover food. Shoved it in the plastic bag.
"Okay. Let's go."
We walked across campus together. Her hand in mine. Students stared. A second-year with a first-year lottery kid. Walking like they belonged together. The campus buildings loomed around us, their windows catching the last rays of sunset. A few people whispered as we passed, probably wondering what Aurora Fitzgerald was doing with someone like me.
Aurora didn't seem to notice. Or didn't care.
