Zander’s pov
The cool night air wrapped around me as I stood in the shadows, my senses alert. The academy grounds were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hum of traffic. But my instincts told me something was off. Mira was up to something that could derail Sarah’s chances in this competition.
I tightened my grip on the small earpiece connecting me to Xavier. His voice buzzed softly in my ear. “Zander, any sign of her?”
“Not yet,” I whispered, my eyes scanning the darkened hall leading to the judges’ chambers. Mira wouldn’t risk being seen unless she thought the coast was clear.
And then I saw her. Mira’s sleek silhouette slipped through the side door, her movements smooth and calculated. She wore a fitted black dress that hugged her curves, her long legs mov
