Seraphina waited until the room emptied before she cornered me.
That was kind of her.
It also proved she was angry enough to plan.
Veylan left first, dragging Malcris into a formal argument about observation protocols and whether projection tools that labeled students emotionally contaminated deserved to remain intact. Valeria followed them because legal violence amused her. Aiden lingered near the door until Liora grabbed him by the sleeve and said, "If the saintess wants to murder him, let her use words."
Elara gave me one worried look.
Nyx gave Seraphina one approving look.
Ren hesitated longest.
I almost told him to stay.
That was the problem.
Instead, I said, "Tea."
His shoulders straightened. "Yes, young master."
A task. A door. A way to leave without feeling dismissed.
He understood.
Then he was gone, and the East Tactical Classroom had too many walls.
No windows. Good.
No witnesses. Bad.
Seraphina closed the door.
She did not lock it.
Worse.
