Elira's POV
The faculty vote failed. Professor Soren told me himself, standing in my doorway with visible relief, loosening the tension that had been carved into his face earlier. Eleven to nine. Lucien's request was denied on grounds of insufficient specificity.
I exhaled for what felt like the first time in an hour but relief, I was learning, never lasted as long as it should.
That had been three days ago. Since then I have been trying to become Lara Vane properly, in the daylight, in front of people, in a way that is held up under sustained observation.
It was harder than I expected.
Combat theory class was the first place it nearly fell apart.
"Vane." The instructor, a woman named Kestra with a voice built for outdoor drilling, called my name from the front of the training hall.
