The summons arrived before dawn.
A soft rap at Aria’s door.
Three knocks—measured, official. The kind that never meant anything good.
Lena was the one who opened it, bleary-eyed and already annoyed. “Whoever you are,” she yawned, “it is too early for—”
Then she froze.
Two Student Council enforcers stood in the hallway—dark cloaks, metal insignias glinting, posture rigid. Between them, a sealed scroll with the Council’s crest: a wolf’s head encircled by flame.
Aria felt her stomach tighten.
They weren’t here for dorm inspections.
They were here for her.
“Aria Hale,” the taller enforcer said, back straight as a blade. “You are summoned to the Council Chamber immediately. Bring your notebook. Witnesses are required.”
Lena’s spine straightened instantly. “Witnesses? What happened? Wh
