Caspian pov
I barely had time to dress up for the new day when the announcement echoed through the Academy.
The heirs shuffled together, their tired eyes flicking in every direction. They were trying to pretend they weren’t exhausted, but I could smell the fatigue clinging to them. I didn’t bother hiding my own readiness; my shoulders relaxed, but my senses stayed alert.
The Blood Oath, Headmaster Damaris said, would begin in the central hall. Everyone was to assemble immediately. I followed the others, moving silently through the corridors, noting every twitch of hesitation, every furtive glance.
Ari had been on my mind since the training night, he was walking a little behind the pack. He kept his head low, eyes scanning the floor, with tense shoulders. Something about him was off,
