Chapter Twenty Four
The guard walks us across campus like we’re fragile and dangerous at the same time. It’s late. Lamps throw long ovals of light on the paths, the trees cut into pieces by shadow. The administrative wing sits apart from the rest of the buildings, tall and dark, all glass and stone. The doors glide open without a sound. Inside, everything smells like cold air and polish. It’s too clean.
We follow the guard down a quiet hall. Our footsteps don’t echo. There are cameras in the corners and small panels set into the walls that hum faintly with warding. Viktor keeps pace at my side, one step closer than he needs to be. His hands are loose at his sides, but I can feel the tension in him like a wire. I don’t look up at him. If I do, I’ll say something that starts a fight in the
