Xander
I nodded at Kade and Mercer.
Kade tilted her chin up so she was looking at me. Mercer stayed behind her to keep her steady.
She resisted at first, then stopped when it became pointless.
I picked up the remote controller.
The main screen shifted—Shadowfen Academy’s schoolyard filling the display.
Students moving across open grounds between classes, some laughing in small groups, others walking alone with books tucked under their arms. A tutor stood near the steps of the main building, calling out instructions no one rushed to obey.
Everything carried on as usual. No one there knew anything was coming.
I stayed where I was, watching the screen.
"Look at that," I said. "Your people look happy."
She pressed her lips together.
"Students going to class. Teachers going about th
