THALIA’S POV
The dorm felt too quiet when I walked in, not the kind of quiet that settled the mind, but the kind that made everything feel slightly off.
Ragnar’s bed was empty, and I noticed it immediately even though I told myself not to. I looked away just as quickly and dropped my things, brushing it off like it didn’t matter.
It shouldn’t matter. He could stay gone.
Caleb was already inside, seated like he had been waiting. His gaze followed me the moment I moved, sharp and focused in a way that made it clear this wasn’t going to be a normal conversation. He didn’t ease into it either.
“I know who they are,” he said.
I paused, turning to face him fully. “Who?”
“The shapeshifters.”
That was enough to pull my full attention. The tension in my chest tightened, not from surprise
