e Laws

r light across crimson tapestries and comfortable leather armchairs. My roomma

genuine worry. "Word in the corridor is that Vanessa

moothly, taking a seat at the lo

e room. Surface thoughts buzzed like distant bees-anxiety over potion practicals, banter about

ative pound shattered

strode into the room, his dark robes swirling with pompous fury. Flanking him were Vanessa Sterling, whose pale face was a

room went d

fening. "Abyss-Spirit faculty and students do not cross the thresh

has been committed. Miss Vanessa Sterling's custom dragon-hide wallet-an enchanted heirloom bearing her

ant mutters surged

voice carrying cleanly over the crackle of the hearth. "Yet it was only when Colette Lawson brushed past us in the crowded aisle

f-drawn. "You can't march into our hall and accuse a B

up in solidarity, hostile murmurs tu

ed property carries immediate expulsion and an inquest before the Magic Council. Whoever took it would do well to surrender it no

his intent unmistakable: he wanted a quick, defens

nce. "Professor... to spare everyone further indignity and protect Miss Lawson f

ul neutrality. But inside her skull, h

parasite! The moment Vance em

scoffed. "You want to violate our p

objection

ugh the rising tempest like a razor

with shock. "Colette, don't! Yo

aid, meeting Vance's imperious gaze with an expression of icy serenity. I lifted my bag and placed it squar

practically sang

Burn in front

his lip curled in distaste as h

ompass, a box of plain ink vials, and three intro

ing

ining, casting an appraisal charm to detect hidden com

ommon room turned he

to pinpricks, staring at the empty table as if th

to a storm of franti

in! I felt the leather hit the pocket! Where is it

offered her a faint, knowing smirk. Her breath hi

rying to regain his dignity before the hostile gaze of thirty Blaze-Spirit

y voice calm, polite, and lethal. "Or does Blaze-Spirit endure accu

nds balling into fists as she g

er was so vocal about the virtue of searches to prove innocence, perhaps we should maintain that standard. A

a step. "What? That's ridiculous!

ess. "And to prove it, surely you wouldn't mind e

houted from the back. "Fair is fair! You

, cornering Vance and his gue

collective pressure. "Miss Miller, empty y