Elira's POV
Every faculty member at that long table heard him say it. My real name, spoken plainly, stripped of every protection Mira and Caelan and Adrian built around me over the past weeks.
"Miss Vane." Professor Soren corrected immediately, his voice sharp. "This student is enrolled under that name, Elder Magnus, and will be addressed as such in this chamber."
Magnus's eyes didn't move from my face. "Of course. My apologies." The insincerity was so thin it barely qualified as an attempt.
I forced myself to walk forward and take the seat indicated for me at the table, Caelan and Adrian positioning themselves just behind me, close enough to feel like a wall at my back.
"Elder Magnus." Adrian said, his tone carefully controlled. "You requested this audience to discuss an incident of
