THE FORBIDDEN WING The older halls of the academy weren’t made for wandering. They were quiet in a way that wasn’t peaceful. It was too hollow, every step echoing back like the walls were keeping score of who passed. The further they went, the more Aria’s skin prickled. Something was wrong with the stones here. When her sleeve brushed one, she swore it pushed back. Not steady, not dead rock—watching. She slowed, trying not to lose Ryan ahead. He moved with a kind of certainty, hood pulled low, checking corners, his stride too careful to be casual. He already knew he wasn’t supposed to be here. “Here,” Kevin whispered. Aria turned. He pressed a dagger into her palm. Silver edge, colder than her skin, heavier than it should’ve been. Her eyes narrowed. “You carry this around?” “Would you rather I carried nothing?” His tone was flat, but his eyes didn’t blink. No smirk, no joke—just truth. She didn’t argue. She slipped it into her sleeve. Her hand brushed the hilt every f
Read more