POV: Luna
A week after the Council intercepted my letter, classes resume.
Campus is mostly repaired. Wards reinforced. Students back to routine.
But nothing feels routine anymore.
I'm constantly aware of being watched. Monitored. Assessed.
Every move I make is potentially being reported to the Council.
It's suffocating.
Combat practice with Cole is the only time I can almost relax. Almost forget the surveillance.
But even that's complicated now. After our conversation. After the confession of feelings.
There's tension between us. Awareness. Unspoken attraction that makes every interaction charged.
"Focus, Luna," Cole says as I miss a block for the third time. "Your mind is elsewhere."
"Sorry. Just distracted."
"By what?"
"Everything. The Council. The surveillance. The attacks.
