Aria's POV
The room filled with Academy personnel faster than I could count them. Guards, faculty members I recognized, and a few I didn't. All of them blocking our exits, all of them looking like they'd been expecting us.
"You really thought we didn't know you were coming?" Professor Aldrin asked, his tone almost conversational. "We've been monitoring your little investigation for weeks."
Hayes stepped forward, his hand moving toward his weapon. "Professor Aldrin, by the authority vested in me by Academy security protocols—"
"Commander Hayes," Elder Kalliope interrupted smoothly, "your services are no longer required."
Two guards moved to flank Hayes, and I saw his expression shift from authoritative to trapped.
"This is a mistake," he said. "The regional Authority has been contacte
