Daphne's expression shifted, the playful heat draining away. Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper as she glanced toward the lab door, checking the security seals out of habit. "I don't know what this is about. But we need to be careful. Very careful."
She turned back to him, her scientist's mask sliding firmly into place, though he could see the worry flickering behind her violet eyes. "Let me do most of the talking when we get there. And for the love of the Founders, don't volunteer any information they don't explicitly ask for." She paused, holding his gaze. "I know you're not careless, but this is different. One wrong word and they'll use it against you."
Zaeryn nodded, his stomach twisting. The timing couldn't be worse. He was finally making real progress becoming a Tier 2 Vitae wielder, building genuine connections at the academy. He wasn't just surviving anymore; he was thriving. And now Lysara was calling an emergency session?
