Chapter 72

*Elora*

The halls weren’t supposed to feel like this.

They weren’t supposed to watch me.

But I swear they did.

Even the light felt different tonight. Dimmer. Like the academy was holding its breath. Like the very stones under my feet remembered blood and betrayal and didn’t want me here.

I walked fast. Too fast. My pulse thudded against my ribs, and every sound behind me—every soft footstep, every